Our Thanksgiving week was filled with fantastic conditions. We had close to 80 feet of visibility beneath the waves. Water temperatures are hovering around the upper 70s, so we’re definitely in wetsuit season now.
We did a Dive Against Debris marine cleanup dive and found some interesting stuff. The craziest was an Apollo marine personal net. These are used to lower workers or inspectors from helicopters onto oil rigs. Often, we find the oddest things in the ocean.
Our Dives Against Debris usually bring up lots of old line, anchors and fishing line. This is especially due to Hurricane Irma, which caused a lot of trouble on land and stirred things up underwater too. Any traps that were deployed when she hit were whirred about and got caught up on everything from endangered coral heads to mangrove roots. While lots of the traps got smashed, the line stayed relatively intact, winding itself around whatever it got caught on. This often makes it challenging to remove on a dive.
Marine debris is interesting because you never know what the haul will be. Everything from storms to passing boats to ocean currents can bring trash and other manmade objects to our reefs and shorelines. This is actually why land-based trash is so dangerous to the seas. Everything that flows down rivers and sewers ends up in the ocean. There, it can float around for years, getting tangled around corals, sea turtles, dolphins and other things we love.
Next Week’s Dive Report
Conditions look amazing again this week. Winter in the Keys is known for high winds, which can bring surface chop, churn and currents. Weather and conditions this good are very unusual for this time of year, so take advantage of this calm weather. Get on a boat while it’s still gorgeous.
Conservation Update
Our total coral plantings year to date are 2,535. This is incredible. This amazing number is totally due to our community’s involvement. Without your tireless efforts for our reefs, none of this would be possible. We thank you so much for making sure our coral reef will be around for the next generations to enjoy too.
Conservation Tip
Try to stop trash from going down storm drains anywhere you are. Drains lead to rivers which lead to the ocean.
I.CARE Tip
Participating in cleanup dives helps baby corals by giving them clean and safe habitat to grow on.
