Discovery Diving Co., Inc.

 

Newsletter:

May 22, 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 June 4 & June 11 from 0800 - 1300 to answer any questions about our programs and at MCAS Cherry Point Education Office May 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:

 

NC is Considered the birthing ground for how many and which species of sharks? 

 
Last weeks Question:
 
Who made and what was the first dive computer?

 

Last weeks Answers:           

  

 

The Office of Naval Research funded a project with the Scripps Institute of Oceanography for the theoretical design of a prototype decompression analog computer. The Foxboro Decomputer, Mark I was manufactured by the Foxboro Company and evaluated by the US Navy Experimental Diving Unit in 1957.[5] Confusion between the diffusivity coefficient and the then new concept of tissue half time resulted in a device that did not properly mirror decompression status. Had this error not occurred, the U.S. Navy Tables might never have been developed, and divers might have been using instrumentation to control their dives from 1957 on.

 

The first recreational mechanical analogue dive computer, the "decompression meter" was designed by the Italians De Sanctis & Alinari in 1959 and built in their factory named SOS, which also made depth gauges. The decompression meter was distributed directly by SOS and also by scuba diving equipment firms such as Scubapro and Cressi. It was very simple in principle: a waterproof bladder filled with gas inside a big casing bled into a smaller chamber through a semi-porous ceramic cartridge (to simulate tissue in/out gassing). The chamber pressure was measured by a bourdon tube, calibrated to indicate decompression status. The device functioned so poorly that it was eventually nicknamed "bendomatic".[6]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dive_computer

Also know as the Bend-0-matic  ....I had 2 of them

VTF in GSO  

 

 

Answers in order of Receipt:

 

 

Paul Gacek  --  http://paulgacek.com  --  http://about.me/PaulGacek
VTF in GSO 

JD Reavis  --  ?

 

 

 

Note: To avoid duplications and any resulting misunderstandings as to the winner each week----trivia answers should only be sent to Debby at [email protected]   

 

 

 

 

  
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 22, 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
Upcoming Charters
There are charters with openings on the following days. Call to sign up!
  
 
May 24 - PM Indra
May 26 - Regular Day
  
We have other boats available! Call us to book your dives!
  
 
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

  
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! 

__________________
 
 
Upcomming Classes
 

Open Water - June 7, 8, 14,15

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 

 
Brown Bag Gam:
Sea Turtles
  
 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." Gam is defined as a friendly conversation between whalers or to visit with another ship while at sea. Free Admission. Advance registration preferred. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516. www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.

 

Brown Bag Gam:

Wreck of the Pulaski 

 

Pack a lunch for the Brown Bag Gam during your lunch hour and join Associate Museum Curator Benjamin Wunderly for an informal discussion on the "Wreck of the Pulaski". On the night of June 14, 1938, a boiler explosion leads to a maritime tragedy aboard this steamship. Gam is defined as a friendly conversation between whalers or to visit with another ship while at sea. Free Admission. Advance registration preferred. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516. www.ncmaritimemuseums.com

 

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.  

U-576 - Hitler's Secret Attack on America

 

NC Maritime Museum

May 29 at 6:30 - 7:30

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort will be host a screening of National Geographic's Hitler's Secret Attack on America on May 29 at 6:30 p.m.

During the 2011 NOAA Battle of the Atlantic Expedition, a film crew followed maritime archaeologists on their hunt for the U-576. Hitler's Secret Attack on America is a film about WWII history and the search for archaeological resources that will provide insight into the Battle of the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina.

The event features a short talk by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary staff and a showing of the National Geographic video.

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Maritime Archaeologist, Joe Hoyt, who lead the 2011 Battle of the Atlantic Expedition featured in the video, will lead a Q & A after the screening.

Free Admission. Open to the Public. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516.
  
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.

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Latest News from the Gam:

 

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

 
 The largest place on the planet is in trouble

A perfect storm of massive challenges, from collapsing fisheries to plastic pollution to ocean acidification, is threatening the integrity of marine ecosystems. These threats put at risk the essential benefits people receive from healthy oceans: sustainable fisheries, coastal protection, carbon sequestration, coastal economies and livelihoods, tourism and recreation and many others.
 
  
Coral Reef of Cabo Pulmo
 

Cabo Pulmo is a close-knit community in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and the best preserved coral reef in the Gulf of California. But the lands adjacent to the reef are under threat from a mega-development project, 'Cabo Dorado,' should construction go ahead. Scientists have published a report on the terrestrial biodiversity of the Cabo Pulmo region that shows the project is situated in an area of extreme conservation value.

  

more info.... 

 
________________
 
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
 
 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 saut� 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 | [email protected] | 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 

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[email protected] 

www.CarolinaReefs.org 

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