Discovery Diving Co., Inc.

 

Newsletter:

May 15, 2014

From Beaufort, North Carolina   USA

 

The Shipwreck Graveyard of the Atlantic

 


Our boats are heading to the best underwater wrecks on the Carolina Coast.. now is the time to make your charter reservations!
  
We will be at the Education Offices at New River Air Station on May from 0800 - 1300 to answer any questions about our programs and at MCAS Cherry Point Education Office May 20 & 27 from 1030 -1330

More bases to come!
  
Come see us if you can!
Debby and the Discovery Gang
 
CATFISH FACTS & TRIVIA:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

If you think this is helpful/informative/interesting please forward it to a dive buddy friend.

 

This Weeks Question:

 

 Who made and what was the first dive computer?

Last weeks Question:
 
Why is the water blue? 

 

Last weeks Answers:           

 

 

"The ocean looks blue because red, orange and yellow (long wavelength light) are absorbed more strongly by water than is blue (short wavelength light). So when white light from the sun enters the ocean, it is mostly the blue that gets returned. Same reason the sky is blue."

In other words, the color of the ocean and the color of the sky are related but occur independently of each other: in both cases, the preferential absorption of long-wavelength (reddish) light gives rise to the blue. Note that this effect only works if the water is very pure; if the water is full of mud, algae or other impurities, the light scattered off these impurities will overwhelm the water's natural blueness.

 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-the-ocean-appear/ 

 

Our eyes see blue easier than other colors AND blue wavelengths are absorbed the least and therefore scatter and reflect back to our eyes.

The water is blue because it reflects the sky and because God is a Tarheel ! 

 

The water is blue because of: molecular structure and/or bacteria in the water.  Ice bergs show a blue color when displayed on land. Some times it also will reflect the sky above, but generally speaking the water really has a blue tint to it.  In small quantities it appears clear.

 

Water owes its intrinsic blueness to selective absorption in the red part of its visible spectrum.

 

There are several theories:

Blue wavelengths are absorbed the least by the deep ocean water and are scattered and reflected back to the observer's eye
Particles in the water may help to reflect blue light
The ocean reflects the blue sky
Ask a six year old kid !!! 

 

Answers in order of Receipt:

 

Roger Roth  --  Cincinnati, OH
David Creech  --  New Bern, NC
Janice Mastriano  --  Hightstown, NJ
Mike Kreul - Sea Dive - Solomons Maryland
Paul Gacek  --  http://paulgacek.com  --  http://about.me/PaulGacek
VTF in GSO 

 

Note: To avoid duplications and any resulting misunderstandings as to the winner each week----trivia answers should only be sent to Debby at dive@DiscoveryDiving.com   

 

 

 

 

  
NewZ
2nd Annual Lionfish Tournament

 

 

 

Hey y'all

 

We are very excited about our second annual If You Can't Beat'em Eat'em Lionfish Lobster Spearfishing Tournam
 ent.   Over $1000.00 in prize money and equipment prizes.  The event begins Friday May 30th, 5:30 pm at Discovery with an information/practical skills workshop on the history and evolution of lionfish in our Atlantic Waters.  The Biology will be presented by Dr. James Morris of NOAA one of the leading world researchers on this invasive species and will be followed with practical application tips on safely handling the fish and efficient spearing technique.  There will then be 9 days to participate in spearing fish on our boats or yours and then the awards ceremony will be Sunday June 8th.

Now we realize a lot of people are interested in the Lionfish issue but may not be into spearfishing; therefore this year you may register to just attend the information/training session and the awards ceremony for $25.00.  This way you learn and eat without all the work.

 

Or; if you are interested and taking underwater pictures is your game, Olympus is having a "shark shootout" at the same time as the If You Can't Beat'em Eat'em Lionfish Lobster Spearfishing Tournament so you can learn from us (Carteret Catch, Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association, Bistro-By-the -Sea, Seahorse Consulting & Discovery) about Lionfish, "shoot" sharks with Olympus and then eat lionfish with us again.

We hope you can make it; we'd love to see you!

 

Debby and the Discovery Gang    

 

 

2nd Annual Lion Fish Spear fishing Tournament

MAY 30TH - JUNE 8TH 2014

 

In the U.S. and the Caribbean, lionfish are an invasive species --- a top predator with the potential to create massive and irreversible harm to our reef ecosystems. Fortunately for our reefs, the flashy lionfish has caught the attention of the hungriest predators of all: Humans! The "Eat Lionfish" campaign is a way to make the public aware of this growing threat and invite them to be part of the strategy to combat it and enjoy a tasty fish at the same time.

 

Please join us in participating and/or sponsoring the "If you Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em" Lionfish/Lobster Spear fishing Tournament. This year's tournament is a joint effort between Bistro-by-the Sea, Discovery Diving, the Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA), Carteret Catch and Seahorse Coastal Consulting. The dates are Friday, May 30th thru Sunday, June 8th, 2014.

 

There will be 4 Prize Categories:

Lionfish - Total Numbers - $500.00

Lobster - Carapace Length - $250.00

Misc. Edible Fish - Total Weight - $250.00

(And, new this year) Lady Angler Prize - Misc. Edible Fish -Total Weight - $100.00

 

To kick off the tournament, there will be a great information/education seminar by James Morris, NOAA Lionfish Expert on Friday, May 30th, at 530p at Discovery Diving. The Awards Ceremony/Party will be on Sunday, June 8th. AND, there will be Lionfish tasting at the Big Rock Weigh in on Monday, June 9th.

 

Registration Fee for the Spear fishing Tournament is $20.00. To register, please visit our website at www.discoverydiving.com and click on events. Or, please call the dive shop at 252-728-2265 for more information.

 

We are looking for Sponsors! If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring the event, please visit www.discoverydiving.com, for more information. We hope you can join us for this year's tournament!

 

May 15, 2014 
In This Issue

Current Conditions
Hutton on Thursday had 35 feet of viz and 62 degrees on the bottom.

Papoose on Thursday had 60 feet of viz and 74 degrees on the surface
__________________
 
 
Upcomming Classes
 

Open Water - May 24, 25, 31, June 1

Advanced Open Water - June 27, 28, 29

Nitrox - June 14

Wreck Diving - June 13, 14, 15 

Rescue - July 11, 12, 13

Deep Diving - June 27, 28, 29  

Search & Recovery - May 30, 31, June 1

PSI-PCI Tank Inspection - Aug 9

EFR - May 31  

DAN DEMP June 28, 29 

 

additional classes & dates 

  
Got a story to share?
 

Send us your interesting stories that you'd like to share and we'll publish it here along with your name! 

 
Upcoming Fishinars
 
Our 2014 Fishinar schedule is off to a great start! We've got lots of exciting, fun, and educational REEF Fishinars in store for you this year - featuring your favorite instructors and special guests alike. Fishinars are also archived in case you missed the live broadcast!
  
Upcoming Fishinars
May 29: Coralinar! (How to build a reef!)
June 19: Eastside vs Westside: Lookalike Fish from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts

Upcoming Charters
There are charters with openings on the following days. Call to sign up!
  
 
May 17 - 2 Offshore
May 17 - Regular Day
May 18 - Regular Day
May 20 - Regular Day
May 21 - 1/2 Day Indra
May 22 - Regular Day
 
Call us to book your Spring and Summer dives!
  
U-576 - Hitler's Secret Attack on America

 

NC Maritime Museum

May 29 at 5:30

The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is hosting a viewing of National Geographic's Hitler's Secret Attack on America. Staff of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, including Joe Hoyt will be presenting insight into the archaellogists hunt for the U-576.
 
Kayak through History

 

May 22 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

North Carolina Maritime Museum

Before bridges and railway, travel by water was the best way to get around the coast. Experience the waterways of the past. Associate Curator Benjamin Wunderly will lead you through the salt marshes and sandbars around Beaufort. The sights and sounds of nature will be worth the paddle, the stories about early colonial settlers, local boat builders and old fishing fleets will be an added bonus.

 

Brown Bag Gam: Queen Anne's Revenge Project
  
 May 23 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 
North Carolina Maritime Museum
Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion on " Sea Turtles.Free Admission. Advance registration preferred. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516.

 

 

Marine Life Cruise

 

May 30 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM   

Associate Museum Curator Benjamin Wunderly takes you aboard a Duke University research vessel to trawl for fish and marine creatures. From purple swimming crabs and mantis shrimp to sea robins and southern stingrays, you can examine the catch up close or just enjoy the boat ride. Fee: $35. Advance registration required. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516.  

 
________________
 
Underwater Archaeology Class
Mid September
 
Underwater Archaeology
Limited space. $360.00 a person.  Dorm style lodging included.
  

Using Nautical Archaeology Society training methods, divers are introduced to the world of underwater archaeology. Through a combination of classroom study, land-based survey exercises, and pool or ocean/quarry survey experiences, divers gain the skills necessary to survey shipwrecks, gather and document valuable information on these cultural resources, and participate in field projects.

 

The class will be three days long, one day of classroom and two days of diving.  The famous Joe Hoyte from NOAA will be conducting the program.
  
Call Discovery to sign up.
252 728 2265
(252) SCUBA-OK
 
Quick Links
Class Schedule
Charter Openings
  
Charter and Class Registration Forms
Marine Weather & Tides
  Check the conditions at the NOAA wave buoy # 41036.
  

 Like us on Facebook for the latest information.

Like us on Facebook
  
  

Latest News from the Gam:

 

Gam: a visit or friendly conversation at sea or ashore especially between whalers

 
 
New Caledonia is home to the largest nature park on earth

Last week, the government of New Caledonia legally established the world's largest marine managed area, which will cover 95% of the French territory's waters.
 
 
Over 100 new species discovered by team in drive to document biodiversity
 

A 5-million-year-old saber-toothed cat, the world's oldest grape and a bizarre hermit crab were among more than 100 new species discovered by a team of scientists last year. Driven in part by the urgency to document new species as natural habitats and fossil sites decline due to human influences, researchers described 16 new genera and 103 new species of plants and animals in 2013, with some research divisions anticipating higher numbers for 2014.

  

more info.... 

 

Was Columbus's Santa Maria Found? 

A shipwreck found off the north coast of Haiti could be the 500-year-old remains of the Santa Maria, which led Christopher Columbus's famed voyage to the New World, according to a team of marine explorers.
  

Iconic Civil War-Era Steamer Located - Former slave piloted Planter to freedom 

 

 

NOAA has determined the probable location of the remains of the Civil War-era sidewheel steamer Planter, which gained national fame in 1862 when a group of enslaved African Americans commandeered the Confederate Navy transport ship in a daring escape to freedom.

 


 Top 5 Myths about Lionfish
  
(Article Posted by Erin Spencer, National Geographic's Explorers Journal, July 19, 2013)
There's been a lot of buzz surrounding the lionfish invasion in the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. With the invasion being a relatively new phenomenon (at least to most people), there's bound to be some misinformation flying around. Here are the top five misconceptions about lionfish and the facts behind them. Knowing the truth behind lionfish puts us one step closer to figuring out a solution to the problem!
 
Myth #1: Lionfish are poisonous.
 Truth: Lionfish are venomous, not poisonous- there is a difference. Although both venomous and poisonous animals produce a toxin that can be harmful to other organisms, the method of delivery is different. Venomous organisms use a specific apparatus like spines or teeth to inject their toxin. Poisonous organisms, on the other hand, require their victim to ingest or absorb the toxin. Lionfish possess venomous dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines that deliver toxin through an unpleasant puncture w ound. Each spine is surrounded by a loose sheath that is pushed down during envenomation, compressing two venom glands located down then length of the spine. Neurotoxic venom then travels through two parallel grooves up the spine and into an unhappy victim. On the bri ght side, this means that as long as you stay away from the spines, you're good to go! This lionfish's spines have been exposed by the retracted sheath. Photo by Erin Spencer.
 
Myth #2: Lionfish were released in the Atlantic when an aquarium flooded during Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Truth: Lionfish were first spotted near Dania, Florida in 1985, years before Hurricane Andrew. The initial source of the invasion can be pinpointed to personal aquarium releases, probably by people whose lionfish were getting too big for the tank or eating the other fish. A recent study suggests that the invasion can be narrowed to just eight or twelve individuals who interbred. Over time, larvae dispersed up the east coast of the United States and the Caribbean through oceanic currents, bringing the lionfish invasion to its current size and severity.
 
Myth #3: Predators can be trained to hunt lionfish on their own.
Truth: There have been numerous instances of predators such as sharks, eels, and grouper feasting on lionfish - but typically only after a diver has offered the lionfish to them first. This raises concerns due to the inherent risks involved with teaching wild animals to see humans and expect a free meal. There have even been reports of sharks, eels, and barracuda becoming aggressive towards lionfish hunters in anticipation of handouts. Additionally, a recently released study that examined lion fish/predator abundance throughout the Caribbean over the course of three years determined that there was no correlation between native predator densities and lionfish densities, suggesting that native predators do not influence the successful invasion of lionfish. As great as it would be to have native predators feasting on these invaders, it looks like humans are really the only true lionfish predators in their invasive territory.
 The intricate coloring and patterns of the lionfish make them a very popular aquarium fish. Photo by Erin Spencer
 
Myth #4: You can't eat lionfish.
Truth: Because lionfish are venomous, not poisonous (see above!), there is no harm in eating the lionfish meat. Once you dispose of the spines, there is no risk of envenomation, and you're free to prepare your lionfish as you choose. Fortunately for the eco-friendly fish lovers out there, lionfish are delicious. Their white, buttery meat lends itself to any number of different recipes. In fact, there are many restaurants throughout the Caribbean and southern United States that are featuring lionfish on their menus to promote awareness while satisfying customers. Check out last week's blog post for a few of my favorite lionfish recipes.
 
Myth #5: There's nothing we can do.
Truth: They may be excellent invaders, but locals throughout the non-native range have developed some pretty ingenious solutions-and it's working.  Dive operations remove lionfish regularly, meaning you'll be hard pressed to find lionfish on most of the popular dive sites. Lionfish derbies, or fishing competitions that award prizes for the largest, smallest, and most lionfish captured, are becoming more popular and are an excellent way to clean the reef and spread awareness. From 2009-2012, derbies run by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) removed a grand total 0f 10,231 lionfish, and that number is rising. Additionally, a mini-industry has arisen around these spiny invaders as individuals develop increasingly more effective tools for removal. Although many researchers agree that complete eradication of lionfish is impossible, there are certainly ways to keep the population in check and protect the native marine ecosystems of the Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Celebrating underwater with my first lionfish capture. The diving community is integral in decreasing lionfish numbers on invaded reefs. Photo by Curt Slonim.
  
Enjoy this Delicious Lionfish Recipe:
  
Castaway's Wreck Diver-style Lionfish
Courtesy of Castaway Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Marathon Key, Florida
Ingredients:
* 42 ounces lionfish fillets, patted dry
* flour (for coating)
* 5 cloves garlic, diced
* 2˝ cups chopped tomatoes
* 5 tsp. capers
* 1/2 cup white wine
* 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
* 2 T. chopped fresh basil
* parsley or kale for garnish
* lemon wedge for garnish
Preparation: Dredge fillets in flour to lightly dust. Place in sauté pan with small amount of hot butter over medium heat. Cook first side, careful not to burn.
Turn over fish when golden, and reduce heat while adding garlic, tomatoes, capers, white wine and lemon juice. Cover to hold steam in and cook until fish is fork-tender. Add basil and serve immediately. Garnish with sprig of parsley or kale and lemon wedge.
(Contributor of content, Erin Dawson, for Discovery Diving).

Discovery Diving Co., Inc. | 252-728-2265 | dive@discoverydiving.com | http://www.discoverydiving.com
  

& Beaufort Harbour Suites &

Discovery Diving Instructor College &

Home of Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association

414 Orange St

Beaufort, NC 28516

 (p)252-728-2265 (252-scuba-ok)

(f)252-728-2581

www.DiscoveryDiving.com 

twitter.com/DiscoveryDiving

www.BeaufortHarbourSuites.com 

Stay@BeaufortHarbourSuites.com 

www.CarolinaReefs.org 

Stay Connected

Facebook    Twitter    LinkedIn    Pinterest


 

 

Interested in a professional SCUBA career? Discovery Diving offers GI Bill eligible training programs which take students from beginner SCUBA to Instructor programs on weekends. Completion of the education opens doors to opening your own SCUBA shop, working as an instructor or continuing on to become a Master SCUBA Diver Trainer!
Sign up for our next program beginning June 7, 2014.  more info... 
| Link


  SUB

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.