REEF lionfish derbies in the Keys

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in partnership with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), will host an inaugural series of lionfish derbies starting in September. Divers who remove lionfish from sanctuary waters will be eligible for more than $10,000 in cash and prizes.

REEF and Sanctuary managers have been working with the Florida Keys dive community to remove invasive lionfish since early 2009. Scientists are concerned about the rapid population growth of lionfish in Keys waters and their lack of a natural predator in the Atlantic. Lionfish are known to feed on commercially and ecologically important fish species — including snapper, grouper and shrimp — and can disrupt the balance of the marine ecosystem.

“Current research is beginning to show that, if left unchecked, the impacts of lionfish could be devastating to our native marine life and coral reefs,” said Lad Akins, REEF director of operations. "Providing training and incentives for the public to remove lionfish is one way to control populations and minimize those impacts.”

Following detailed briefings on lionfish collecting and handling, divers will be allowed to collect fish on the day of the tournament using hand nets or spearfishing gear in areas of the sanctuary where fishing and spearfishing is allowed. The $100 registration fee for a four-person team of divers or snorkelers provides participants with a pair of puncture resistant gloves and banquet tickets. Event banquets will feature a lionfish tasting for derby participants and guests.

“Eating lionfish is a conservation activity,” said Sean Morton, acting sanctuary superintendent. “We are its only known predator in the Atlantic and through dedicated diver-based removal efforts, and consumption of lionfish as a food source, we can control its establishment.”

NOAA has developed an “Eat Lionfish” campaign that brings together fishing communities, wholesalers, and chefs in an effort to broaden U.S. consumers’ awareness of this delicious invader.

For more information on the derbies and to register online, visit http://www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies. Dates and locations for the derbies are:

• Sept. 11 – Coconuts Restaurant, Key Largo
• Oct. 16 – Keys Fisheries Market and Marina, Marathon
• Nov. 13 — Hurricane Hole Marina, Key West
Florida Keys lionfish derbies are sponsored in part by: Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Divers Direct, Spree Expeditions, Inc., Dive Key West, Inc., and Scuba-Do Dive Company. To become an event sponsor, please contact Alecia@reef.org.

REEF-coordinated lionfish derbies in the Bahamas have removed almost 2,500 lionfish since 2009. Thousands more fish have been captured in more than 30 REEF-organized lionfish collection trips across the Caribbean.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or on Facebook at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | Facebook.

Thieves steal gold bar worth $550,000 from Key West shipwreck museum; $10,000 reward offered

Thieves steal gold bar worth $550,000 from Key West shipwreck museum; $10,000 reward offered

Lets see gold is about $1,200 oz right now and the bar was 74 oz's.....the math doesn't work very well....

Key Largo Darwin Award of the day

I was sitting on the bridge yesterday watching SPORT divers doing the bobbing for apples game, when I heard the strangest radio call. A boat was calling the coast guard for help. He was hysterical because he was being harassed by scuba divers. Naturally I had to turn up the radio and hear this s**t. It turns out he was on one of the mooring balls on the wreck of the Benwood trying to fish. The problem was there where scuba divers all under him and he thought they were going to attack him. Now anyone who knows the Key Largo area diving knows that on a nice day there can be as many as 50 to 60 divers on this wreck at a time. Now if you tie up to one of the forward balls on the wreck the way the wind was blowing yesterday your boat would sit right on top of the ship. Hmmmmm now if you are sitting on top of this wreck trying to fish and there are any divers on it they are going to be right under you ….lol so maybe it could look like they are attacking you, or as Capt Evan would say…”Have you ever thought about taking up golf?”

Facts About Scuba Diving

The Right Tools at the Right Time

SCUBA is actually an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It is important to know the facts about scuba diving because this a sport which relies heavily on science and technology to ensure the safety of its participants.

The first fact one needs to know about scuba diving is that to scuba dive, one needs to have high pressure metal tanks that are attached to the back of the diver. A breathing device regulates air flow and permits the diver to stay underwater for extended periods of time. Other important tools for the safety of the diver include: wetsuits, fins, gloves, masks, hood, buoyancy control and computer watches. Learning the facts about scuba diving includes knowing the specifics of these devices.

Knowing the Facts about Scuba Diving Can Save Your Life

More than one million people become scuba diving certified each year worldwide. Once a diver puts on the heavy tank of compressed air a the small rubber tube is the standard way a diver stays alive. (One can have optionally have pony air bottles and such as backups along with possibly sharing with a buddy in an emergency.) Thus, knowing the facts about scuba diving and how the appartus functions can mean life or death to these million of people.

Not all dives are created equally. Scuba divers need to understand the facts about scuba diving when deciding on the types of dives they will do. Some dive in warm water or some the more hardcore cold waters. Also, the facts about scuba diving are useful when deciding if shipwreck explorations are feasible given the diver’s skill level.

Facts About Scuba Diving Certification

In some instances, there is not a need to obtain prior certification in order to go scuba diving. This is especially true in the resort dives found in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Such places often offer one day crash courses in diving that do not result in certification. Those who have more interest in diving and need certification should understand the physical and mental aspects about scuba diving before proceeding further.

Swimming ability, breathing capability and equalizing tendencies are all factors. Confidence in your swimming ability is extremely important. However, your overall fitness is surely a factor as well. The fact is that scuba diving is a serious sport which requires a high level of fitness. Scuba diving is often tiring so if you are significantly overweight or have diabetes, known heart conditions or any other endurance related limitations you should always consult a doctor before going scuba diving.

Facts About Scuba Diving Preparation: Breathe Easy

Since scuba diving has one breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, one needs to practiced this before their first deepsea dive. You must know the facts about scuba diving in regards to equalizing the pressure within the ears as one dives deeper down into the water. Simply by knowing the proper way to pop your ears, release pressure, and breath correctly, you will be in control of your dive. A certified scuba instrucor can safely teach you the proper methods as well as any other facts about scuba diving you will need to know.

Afraid of Scuba Diving?

Are you one of those who are afraid of scuba diving? Or perhaps you know someone who is feared of it? Then this article is meant especially for you.

The entry may be useful not only for those who are afraid of diving but also for those who want to help such people.

No matter what other people say, and no matter what kind of professionals may surround you while diving, it takes good courage for someone to do something he is really afraid of. That means that first of all you have to find courage in yourself to make the step. In order to have the desire to dive, you should first of all understand the joy of scuba diving. If you realize that you really want to dive to enjoy yourself fully and not just join your friends in their dive, you’ll more easily find courage in yourself. As you know, a strong internal wish can overcome any phobia.

If you feel that you really have that internal wish of diving, start looking for a good instructor. The role of the instructor is very important in learning to dive. The instructor should be caring and understanding. Tell your instructor everything about your fears so that he knows how to treat you.

Always avoid proud and conceited instructors. They will never be able to help you. So, before starting, get sure that the instructor believes in you and is aware of your fears.



Many male students prefer female teachers and vice versa. Some people say that this helps students become more purposeful. However, that doesn’t at all mean that you should overstrain yourself. Never be ashamed to ask the instructor to go slower or to stop, so that you can have some rest.

If you see that other students are more apt, you may take private lessons not to get depressed from their presence. The instructor will give lessons to you individually according to your capabilities. A good instructor will always let you bring out your abilities and potential. You yourself should decide how much and how fast to dive.

If you feel uncomfortable to learn diving with an instructor, you may turn to your friend who is a diver. No one will understand you better than a friend of yours. Besides, you will never be ashamed of your failures and momentous weaknesses. He will willingly share all the diving secrets and tricks with you. So if you have a friend who is a diver, don’t look around for some other instructor.

If you have already learned diving, that doesn’t mean that you may start diving in the open waters straight away. I am sorry to remind you that you can’t be compared with the starter who has no fears of diving. Besides learning to dive, you should also learn to control your fears. Dive in shallow areas for the first three or four times. Your buddy is still of great importance for you. Stay close to him while diving.


Elaborate gestures with your buddy to stay in constant contact with each other. After two or three dives, you’ll start enjoying the whole thing. The moment you start getting pleasure from diving, all your fears will disappear.

Now, please, imagine another case. You are a great diver, and the underwater life means everything to you. However, your spouse or friend, with whom you’d really like to scuba dive, is extremely afraid of the whole diving process. What can you do in this case?

In my opinion, you can do a great deal. A lot depends on you in this case. Always treat him/her with understanding and never stress on him/her.

If you are not the one to give diving lessons, then do not interfere with the process. Try to stay away from your friend, while he’s taking diving lessons. Just constantly ask him how he is doing. In case of a slight success applaud him, encourage him, ignoring all kinds of failures. Do not constantly remind him that he can do it. It’ll be a great pressure on him. If you see that your friend is not fond of the whole thing, ask him to quit the lessons. That’ll deprive him of the sense of duty in front of you. Most fearful students reach success after they feel free from the sense of duty.


If you notice that your friend becomes engaged in scuba diving process, offer him to take extra lessons with you. This way, you’ll help him get used to his diver-buddy.

After your friend gets certified, do not get relieved. Realize that now he needs you more than ever. While diving, do not show him how attentive you are towards him. Let him feel equal to you and responsible for himself. However, don’t forget to show him that he’ll get your help and support whenever he needs. If you manage to do all this, you’ll greatly help your friend in overcoming his fears and becoming a good scuba diver.

Scuba diving is something really worth trying. Then why let any phobia deprive you of the opportunity to admire the underwater wonders?

Scuba Diving Myth Busters

There’s a completely different world underwater! What we see on the water’s surface is a far cry from what scuba divers get to explore in traverse depths. But unfounded fears of scuba diving brought about by myths, hearsay and lack of knowledge get in the way of experiencing the exciting sport. The gang at Blue Iguana Charters wants to help you experence this.

It’s natural to fear something you haven’t tried or do not have first hand knowledge of. The term SCUBA is derived from Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Scuba divers need special gears to be able to stay below the water’s surface for extensive lengths of time. The discovery of teeming aquatic life, breathtaking drop-offs and even mysterious shipwrecks are only a few perks of scuba diving. So read on to overcome your fears and enjoy the other wonders of scuba diving!

Myth #1

Sharks will attack me when I go scuba diving

Myth buster

Whatever Hollywood taught you is definitely an exaggeration. Majority of divers have never even laid eyes on large sharks. When they do, the shark species which they often encounter during scuba dives are typically timid and unwilling to approach, such as sand tigers, nurses, greys, bulls, and rarely, hammerheads. Most species of sharks are not to be feared. The kind that poses some danger is the Great White shark, but they are rare species which usually reside in selected areas in Northern California or off the south coast of Australia. Most will actually leave you alone if you will do the same for them.

As for the shark’s smaller “dangerous” counterparts that are believed to be a threat are actually great subjects for underwater photographers. Stinging marine creatures like sting rays, lionfish and jellyfish can be easily avoided and are not aggressive. An encounter with a moray eel is even a rare treat since they rarely go out of their caves and holes.

Myth #2

Scuba diving will give me “the bends”

Myth buster

Getting a diving certification requires each diver to take the corresponding course for each desired level. Among the many things that you’ll learn is how to prevent getting “bent.” Decompression sickness, better known among divers as “the bends,” is a diving disorder which can almost entirely be prevented. It is brought on by going too deep and coming up too fast, resulting in bubbles of inert gases (like nitrogen or helium) getting trapped in the organs, blood vessels and tissues.

Staying above 60 feet poses no serious risk. But once beyond that depth, a good preventive measure to off-gas nitrogen even further is to follow a dive profile which requires a safety stop of three minutes at 15 feet. Always remember to ascend at a slow pace, while continuously breathing. Keeping within the limits of your dive chart and following what your dive instructor taught you are the best tips to avoid “the bend.”

Myth #3

Scuba diving will cost me an arm an a leg

Myth buster

The rich are not the only people who can enjoy scuba diving. There are ways to go about money issues if you’re really interested in the sport. The most practical thing to do for beginners is to rent the equipment they will need for the actual dive. Professional dive centers have all sorts of gears for rent, catering to the diver’s basic or advanced needs, while varying qualities and different brands come in different prices. Renting will incur a minimal additional cost to the original fee of your diving course but will save you time and money than buying your own equipment. After several dives, you will be able to tell if you’re ready to commit to the sport and invest in your own gear.

Myth #4

Scuba diving is a life-threatening sport

Myth buster

With the growing popularity of scuba diving, divers now have more options to choose from. Today’s contemporary diving programs, development of diving vehicles and resorts, and technologically-advanced equipment are consistently making scuba diving a safer outdoor activity. The chance of acquiring injury is lower for diving that for any other adventure-oriented activities like snow skiing and snowmobiling.

If you do things correctly, scuba diving can be an activity you have almost complete control of. Start right -- review your choices, select a reputable diving school, choose an instructor you feel comfortable with, assess what program suits you, and complete the required training before an actual dive. Be a smart diver at all times -- check your gear before going into the water, use your instincts combined with wise judgment, never dive alone, and remember the cardinal rules of diving taught by your instructor.

Bull Shark Gets Shot in the Florida keys

This kind of crap gives us all a bad name.....

Tying Knots That May be Used in Scuba Diving and Boating

Tying Knots That May be Used in Scuba Diving and Boating


In scuba diving there is a need to know some basic knots. These knots may be needed underwater, or more commonly when on the dive boat.

Tying the Reef Knot
The reef knot is used to join two lengths of rope. In a scuba diving situation, this may be when needing to join two pieces of rope to form a safety line to trail out the back of the dive boat.

Take the two ends of the rope, one in each hand. Put the right hand rope over the left and twist it under and up. Then the left side end (the original right hand one) is put back over the right hand rope. Twist under and pull the knot tight.
The lay of the ropes should be symmetrical. When the two ends of the rope are pushed towards each other the knot opens up, even after a day’s hard sailing.

The best way to remember this is: 'right over left and under, then left over right and under.' The 'right' or 'left' referring to the rope end on the right or left side.

The Bowline Knot in Scuba Diving
The bowline gives a loop at the end of a rope that won't slip and is easy to undo. This knot could be used when setting up a buddy line between two divers. This is a short length of rope that each diver holds, so they don’t get separated.

A buddy line is commonly used in night scuba diving to prevent a dive buddy pair separating. It can also be used for a scuba divemaster to keep close to a nervous scuba diver.

A loop in the end of the safety line trailing out the back of the dive boat could be useful for a diver to hold on if needed.

Tying the Bowline Knot
Near the end of the rope make a small loop. This is not the size of the eventual loop. The end of the rope that goes to the right should lie on top of the end to the left.

To make the final loop, take the right hand end and bring it back and come up through the first loop. This second loop will be the final loop. Take the end that has come up through the first loop and take it under the end that comes from the left. Then around and back through the original loop.

The Figure of Eight Knot in Scuba Diving
The figure of eight knot is used to put a knot in a rope to be used as a stopper, or as a marker on a rope. It is commonly used in sailing to prevent the end of a rope from sliding through a cleat.

The knot mostly used for this purpose is the ‘granny knot’ which is a simple loop in the rope. This works fine until trying to undo the knot! After getting wet and jammed it can be impossible to undo. Pliers are sometimes needed.

In scuba diving, the figure eight knot can be used on a shot line. This is a weighted rope that is put over the side of the boat that provides an indication of the depth. A weight, like a weight belt, is attached to the end of the line, and small knots are put in the rope at specific intervals to show the depth. As the scuba diver descends, they can get an accurate idea of their depth.

This may be used for calibrating or checking depth gauges. Or maybe to accurately signify the 10 foot and 20 foot depths for decompression stops.

Tying the Figure of Eight Knot
To do the figure of eight knot, form a loop in the rope with the end going under the rope. Take the free end and go over and around the rope then up through the loop from the bottom.

When pulled tight the lay of the rope looks like the figure eight. This knot will come undone with ease, even when wet.

The basic scuba diving knots described here are some of the basics that can assist in some areas of scuba diving. Knowledge of a few knots such as these can be useful for a scuba diver.

Fishing Joke

A keen local lad applied for a salesman's job at the department store. In fact it was the biggest store in the county - you could get anything there. The boss asked him, "Have you ever been a salesman before?" Yes, I was a salesman at the local market" said the lad. The boss liked the cut of him and said, "You can start tomorrow and I'll come and see you when we close up." The day was long and arduous for the young man, but finally 5 o'clock came around. The boss duly fronted up and asked, "How many sales did you make today?" "One," said the young salesman. "Only one?" blurted the boss, "most of my staff make 20 or 30 sales a day. How much was the sale worth?" "One hundred thousand dollars," said the young man. "How did you manage that?" asked the flabbergasted boss.

"Well," said the salesman "this man came in and I sold him a small fish hook, then a medium hook and finally a really large hook. Then I sold him a small fishing outfit, a medium one and a huge big one. I asked him where he was going fishing and he said Islamorada. I said he would probably need a boat, so I took him down to the boat department and sold him that twenty foot fishing boat with the twin engines. Then he said his Volkswagen probably wouldn't be able to pull it, so I took him to the car department and sold him the new SUV." The boss took two steps back and asked in astonishment, "You sold all that to a guy who came in for a fish hook?" "No," answered the lad "He came in to buy a box of Tampons for his wife and I said to him, 'Your weekend's shot, you may as well go fishing.'"