Watch the space below for tidbits about and opportunities to go diving. If you have news regarding diving or want to plan some diving, send us a note. We’ll include it here.
*new California Ships To Reefs AB634 announcement
Monthly Dive Links
California Diving News Magazine Link
*new Marine Life Protection Act Link
*new Marine Life Management Act Link
Used Scuba Equipment Collecting Dust?
Posted by: "JimR" wingrez@sbcglobal.netjrezo2008
Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:09 pm (PST)
Anyone have used equipment they would like to donate? Rather than having your old scuba gear sitting around the garage taking up space and irritating your spouse, donate it to the Soldiers Undertaking Disabled SCUBA diving program and help rehabilitate a disabled vet.
The SUDS program facilitates the mental and physical rehabilitation process for wounded service members returning from overseas deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This program uses SCUBA diving as a tool to help our wounded warriors in their rehabilitation while rebuilding their confidence, and provides these soldiers with a sport they can enjoy throughout their lives.
SUDS is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.
The San Jose Flipper Dippers SCUBA Diving Club (http://www.sjflipperdippers.com/) is asking for donation of gently used (10 years old or less) dive gear to the SUDS program.
SUDS needs:
o Masks
o Fins
o Recreational BCD's (jacket style or weight integrated)
o Regulators, Pressure Gauges, Compass, Computers
o 3 mm wetsuits (either shorty or full)
We can arrange to pick up your gear or you can bring it to the club's February 17th General Meeting. At the end of February all donations will be shipped to SUDS' Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas.
Please contact us at: http://www.sjflipperdippers.com
More information regarding the SUDS program can be found on their web site at: www.sudsdiving.org
Thanks
Jim Rezowalli
Since the MLPA affects both Fishing and Diving, I’ve put those links on both pages... Webmaster.
Click here for California DFG’s MLPA Pages
Maps of the North Central MPAs
California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Announcement
California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311 Sacramento, CA 95814 916.653.5656
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 29, 2010
CONTACT:
Annie Reisewitz, MLPA Initiative
(858) 228-0526
Kirsten Macintyre, Department of Fish and Game
(916) 322-8988
MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Chair and California Department of Fish and Game Director Announce North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
The diverse cross-interest group of marine stakeholders will meet Feb. 8-9 in Eureka
SACRAMENTO – The MLPA Initiative and California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced the appointment of the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. The 31-member, cross-interest group (list attached) will provide local expertise and knowledge to improve the design and management of the north coast portion of a statewide network of marine protected areas (MPAs).
“These outstanding individuals each bring first-hand knowledge of the marine resources along the north coast,” said DFG Director John McCamman. “I am confident that as a group they will successfully integrate the diverse interests of their constituents into a science-based proposal that improves our management of California’s ocean environment.”
Collectively, the stakeholder group members represent broad interests and perspectives from the state’s north coast region, from the border with Oregon to the Point Arena area in Mendocino County. The stakeholder group includes, among others, representatives of recreational angling and diving groups, tribes, commercial fishing and other ocean-dependent business interests, ports and harbors, conservation groups, educational and research interests, and government agencies.
Under the guidance of a blue ribbon task force, the stakeholder group is responsible for working with a science advisory team and MLPA staff to evaluate existing marine protected areas within the north coast study region in relation to the goals of the MLPA and to develop alternative MPA proposals that meet the act’s requirements. Individual stakeholders will also conduct outreach to constituent groups to encourage public involvement in the project.
“I look forward to working with this unique and diverse group of ocean enthusiasts,” said Cindy Gustafson, chair of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force. “Their interest in and dedication to this process will make certain that we successfully maximize ocean protections for future generations while minimizing short-term socioeconomic impacts to the north coast community.”
The first meeting of the stakeholder group will be held Monday, Feb. 8 and Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at the Red Lion Inn, 1929 Fourth Street in Eureka.
From Feb. to Nov. 2010 the NCRSG will meet approximately seven times in two-day meetings, including a combination of formal plenary meetings and informal work sessions, in various locations throughout the study region. Plenary meetings are open to the public and videotaped for simultaneous webcasting and later viewing on the Internet. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a number of ways; they also will have opportunities to provide comments on evolving MPA proposals and other elements of the process.
“The appointment of the regional stakeholder group marks the next phase of the north coast MPA planning process,” said Ken Wiseman, MLPA Initiative executive director. “It brings together the initial MPA ideas already generated by community groups as well as other interested members of the public to further refine and improve upon them.”
The MLPA Initiative’s MPA planning process began in 2009 with initial outreach and then the development of draft external MPA arrays from community groups. The first-round draft MPA arrays developed by community groups, and subsequent science evaluations, will be used to help inform the stakeholder group as it begins its work in the next two phases of developing alternative MPA proposals in this science-based, stakeholder-driven process.
In Oct. 2009, the California Department of Fish and Game appointed the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT), which is comprised of 21 scientists with a variety of expertise in marine life protection, the use of MPAs as a management tool, underwater ecosystems found in California waters, water quality and other related subjects, most with specific expertise to the north coast region.
The SAT is charged with providing scientific advice to the regional stakeholder group regarding issues such as MPA placement, size and habitat considerations. The SAT will further support the process reviewing draft documents and addressing scientific questions raised through the planning process.
The California Natural Resources Agency and DFG have partnered with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and others in an initiative to help achieve the MLPA goals. The MLPA directs the state to reevaluate and redesign California’s system of MPAs to increase coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems subject to minimal human disturbance. The MLPA also requires that the best readily-available science be used in the redesign process, as well as the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
California is taking a regional approach to redesigning MPAs along its 1,100 mile coastline, and has divided the state into five study regions; the MLPA North Coast Study Region, extending from the California border with Oregon to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County, is the fourth of the five study regions to undergo the MPA planning process.
The MLPA Initiative’s north coast MPA planning process is expected to be completed in December 2010, when the MLPA Blue Ribbon task Force will present its recommendations to the California Fish and Game Commission, the decision-making body under the MLPA.
For more information about the MLPA Initiative, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.
California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Members of the North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
Revised January 27, 2010
- Steve Chaney, Superintendent, Redwood National Park
- Russ Crabtree, Tribal Administrator, Smith River Rancheria
- Greg Dale, Southwest Operations Manager, Coast Seafood Company
- John Dixon, Ecologist, California Coastal Commission
- Henry "Ben" Doane, board member, Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers and Klamath Management Zone Fisheries Coalition
- Brandi Easter, member, Humboldt Skin Divers
- Don Gillespie, retired teacher and board member, Friends of Del Norte and Smith River Alliance
- Benjamin Henthorne, Environmental Coordinator, Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
- Jacque Hostler, Chief Executive Officer and Transportation & Land-Use Director, Trinidad Rancheria
- Robert Jamgochian, educator, Mendocino High School of Natural Resources
- Dave Jensen, President, Mendocino Coast Audubon Society
- Tim Klassen, Owner, Reel Steel Sportfishing
- Larry Knowles, Owner, Rising Tide Sea Vegetables
- Zack Larson, Consultant, Zack Larson and Associates and Chair, Del Norte County Fish and Game Advisory Commission
- William Lemos, retired teacher and consultant, Natural Resources Defense Council
- Kevin McGrath, member, Shelter Cove Fisherman's Alliance
- Kevin McKernan, California Program Director, National Conservation System Foundation
- Aaron Newman, President, Humboldt Fisherman's Marketing Association
- Pete Nichols, Executive Director, Humboldt Baykeeper
- Charlie Notthoff, Owner, Nothoff Underwater Service (**Professional Diver)
- Megan Rocha, Assistant Self Governance Officer, Yurok Tribe
- Jennifer Savage, North Coast Program Coordinator, The Ocean Conservancy
- Valerie Stanley, member, Noyo River Indian Community
- Atta Stevenson, Acting President, Inter-Tribal Council of California and member, Laytonville Rancheria
- Thomas Trumper, Owner/diver, Pacific Rim Seafood
- Adam Wagschal, Conservation Director, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District
- Rob Wakefield, member, Del Norte Fisherman's Marketing Association
- Reweti Wiki, Tribal Administrator, Elk Valley Rancheria
- Harold Wollenberg, professional geologist
- David Wright, member, NorCal Kayak Anglers and Vice Chair, Surfrider Foundation’s Mendocino Chapter
- Richard Young, Chief Executive Officer and Harbormaster, Crescent City Harbor District
(** WebMaster’s Note)
January 20th, 2010 - California Ships to Reefs:
The California State Assembly resoundingly approved the passage of AB 634 Tuesday, helping to lay the groundwork for artificial reefing on the state’s coastline.
The bill passed without a single negative vote, announced California Ships to Reefs, sponsor of the bill. It is now in the State Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee for hearing. AB 634 protects state and local agencies from liability in the event of diving accidents that occur on artificial reefs controlled by state agencies. It provides the protection governmental agencies need to go forward with these projects.
“The Assembly’s passage of AB 634 on a 71 to 0 vote tremendously affirmed the hard work our organization and its supporters did to help create this measure and explain its mission,” said Joel Geldin, CSTR’s Chairman and CEO. “It’s an indication our legislators understand how valuable artificial reefs will be to our state’s economy and the environment. We hope our supporters give their state senators the message that it’s time to get on board with this bill. We also want to thank Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point), who authored it.”
California Ships to Reefs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation that works with agencies to create artificial reefs by sinking decommissioned military or retired commercial vessels in harbors, where they quickly become breeding grounds for new ocean life. The rejuvenated ocean environments attract divers, fishermen and other recreational opportunities, pumping additional income into local businesses. For more information, please contact Dean Rewerts, Vice President Reef Development at 530-906-6465.
From: posting-oceanpublic <posting-oceanpublic @resources. ca.gov>
To: oceanpublic@ lists.resources. ca.gov
Sent: Wed, January 6, 2010 11:31:47 AM
Subject: Marine Life Management Act public comment period now under way
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MEMORANDUM
TO: California Ocean and Coastal Community
FROM: Sam Schuchat, Council Secretary, Ocean Protection Council
DATE: January 6, 2010
SUBJECT: Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) Lessons Learned project – *REMINDER* – Public comment period now under way
The Marine Life Management Act Lessons Learned (MLMA LL) project draft report, Lessons Learned from California’s MLMA, is currently available for public review and input. This report assesses lessons learned about the implementation of the MLMA and provides recommendations to direct future MLMA efforts by the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Fish and Game Commission.
The draft report can be accessed from the MLMA LL project page on the OPC Web site: http://www.opc. ca.gov/2009/ 04/mlma-lessons- learned-project/ . You are invited to provide comments; specific thoughts or suggestions relevant to the recommendations section are particularly welcomed. Please send all comments electronically to: MLMALL@scc.ca. gov. Deadline for comments is January 31, 2010.
Thank you for your interest in the MLMA LL project and we look forward to receiving your thoughts and comments.
Oceanpublic mailing list
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Check out the Albion River Campground website’s Fishing News page to see two of our own enjoying themselves.
Anchor Shack Pacheco, CA - Call for the latest activities.
Dive N Trips Pleasanton, CA - Call or check their website for this month’s activities.
It’s All About Scuba Fairfield, CA - Call or check their website for this month’s activities.
Pacific Reef Dive Center Vacaville, CA - Call for the latest activities.
Dolphin Scuba Center Sacramento, CA - Check out their website for their (almost monthly) International trips.
California Diving News Launches CADivingNews.com 2.0
After being a staple magazine in California dive stores for 25 years, CDN creates a strong online presence with its newly revamped website.
California Diving News is proud to announce a newly redesigned CADivingNews.com. The newest version will include a searchable database featuring articles dating back to the inception of the magazine 25 years ago. The new site will also include a searchable database of stores and boats throughout California and surrounding states. The dive boat trip calendar, an immensely popular feature on its previous sites and in the magazine itself, has also become much more user friendly. The site was designed to let any diver, California native or potential California visitor, research dive sites, locate a store or look up a boat trip, all in one place.
When designing the site, CDN wanted to put the most amount of information possible at the diver’s fingertips. “There have been so many good articles published in CDN over the years, we wanted a way to let everybody out there access it,” said marketing director Christopher D. Sheckler. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to learn about the hundreds of dive sites that are along the shores of California. We really believe this is the premier website for California divers. Finally, one website has just about anything you wanted to know about California scuba diving.”
The site also includes past articles about diving techniques, photography, marine life and gear reviews, written by regular contributors such as Bruce Watkins, Nancy Vander Velde, Bonnie Cardone, Ken Kurtis and Dale and Kim Sheckler.
Visit the new California Diving News website at www.cadivingnews.com or for more information e-mail: mail@cadivingnews.com.
