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Here's hoping the local situation doesn't spiral
out of control over the next few days . . .
THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS -
Many thanks to those of you who sat in on the
Fish ID or Why Divers Die lectures at the Scuba
Show and sent an e-mail telling me you enjoyed
them. Much appreciated. (And we had really good
crowds for all of the talks.) I offer an
extended version of the Fish ID talk as an
informal class (Zoom-based) about every three
months or so. The next one is scheduled for next
week, Wednesday, June 18, generally 7-10PM
($35). If you'd like to get an idea of what
you'll learn, Brent & Alicia Krah came on
Saturday, liked the talk so much that they came
back on Sunday and asked if they could video it
for their YouTube channel. Not being one to
shrink from free publicity, I (of course) said
yes. They did a nice job assembling things and
you can view their completed video here: KEN'S
FISH ID LECTURE AT THE 2025 SCUBA SHOW.
BEACH DIVE ANYONE? -
It's not quite Lake Pacific but Redondo's been
looking pretty good the last few days and it
looks like that should hold for the next week or
so. Minimal surf at best and the forecast calls
for warming temps and no significant wind. I
know the Aquarium had a Scientific Diver class
out there Sunday, but I don't yet have a
conditions report. But, as the saying goes, you
never know unless you go take a look.
SAVING REEFS THE NEW-FASHIONED WAY -
Seems only appropriate to tell you this on
"World Ocean Day." But it seems that Mexico (and
some other places) are experimenting with 3-D
printers to create artificial reef structures
that organisms can then settle on. Here's what
what:
"Mexican marine scientists have developed
biodegradable 3D-printed coral structures to
help restore rapidly dying reefs along the
Yucatαn coast. These coral scaffolds mimic the
shape and texture of real coral and are infused
with nutrients to attract marine life. Once
deployed underwater, fish and invertebrates
begin to colonize them, and real coral begins
growing on top. The structures are made of
calcium carbonate and chitosan safe for the
ocean and fully biodegradable. Early trials show
a 300% increase in biodiversity after just six
months."
YOU DON'T SEE THIS EVERY DAY -
How would you like to be on a jet ski going to
Catalina and have a Humpback breach multiple
times near you? Way cool. And they got it on
video. Here's the story from KABC-TV: HUMPBACK
ENCOUNTER.
YAP AND INDONESIA IN 2026 -
I've got the details on the Yap and Indonesia
trips for 2026 worked out and posted them last
week in our June newsletter. (Stil finalizing
Philippines.) Short version is that Yap will be
two weeks long overall and costs $3,950.
Indonesia will also be two weeks long and comes
in at $4,360. If you want to secure a spot, a
$500 deposit will do the trick. And if you've
got questions, let me know.
MAYBE A CURE? -
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is the
fancy name for an unknown pathogen that
basically dissolves some corals on reefs. It's
in many places through the Caribbean. I've seen
it in Bonaire and it ain't pretty to say the
least. But there may be some hope now as some
research on infected reefs in Florida is showing
promise. Here's the story: POSSIBLE
SOLUTION FOR SCTLD.
NEXT SUNDAY -
It's Father's Day. Do something nice with or for
your dad.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week and
let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken |
