Are You Willing to Help Control an Invasive Exotic in Catalina's Dive Park?

[JMdiver]

Dette you're always ready to pounce. If you go this Fri. I hope you cut down a lot.

Dr. Bill I'd be ready to go in a couple of weeks would just need some notice.

John

 

[drbill]

One more thing. How do I meet my own Invasive Exotic?
Ken

Ken, we all know you mean invasive erotic... that's my job, your dance card is full.

 

[drbill]

Claudette (HBDiveGirl) and her son will be out tomorrow (Friday the 9th) to help me finish clearing the large patch that's directly off the stairs.

Are there any other divers who plan to be here at Casino Point tomorrow and would be willing to help starting about 11:00 (or any time after that). With a few more, we could get this done fairly quickly and have plenty of time for fun dives.

I do plan to spend a little time filming the process so I can include the video footage in my TV show, DVD's and dive club talks for educational purposes. If your picture is already on the Post Office wall, I'll onky film you in disguise (wet/drysuit).

Thanks to those who have expressed their willingness to help when they are out here. Please feel free to PM me or e-mail (bushing@post.harvard.edu) if you plan on coming out some time and would be willing to spend a dive helping to remove some of this.

 

[drbill]

Just talked to Claudette and we've cancelled tomorrow's removal.

The issue has become far more political than it needs to be. Heard from someone who talked to the Asst. City Manager's office that they were concerned about whether we should seek the advice of a marine biologist. Strange since I am one and have done some legwork with others well versed in this particular invasive alga to try to determine the best removal methods.

The disposal company is concerned about who will pay for the disposal (understandable) and the issue has been raised whether the proposed method of removal and disposal in our compost pit at the city landfill will result in a greater spread of the alga. Interesting since it should be obvious that leaving all the stands of this alga in the water is far more likely to cause it to spread than running it through as digestion machine at the compost site several hundred feet above water (not to mention that it has already infested the waters below the landfill site anyway... I've dived them dozens of times in the last 8 months).

Fortunately we have the mayor's support (Bob Kennedy owns SCUBA Luv with his wife Tina) so I have every reason to believe this will all be resolved. However, the effort may not start until it is... and the alga may already have completed its annual life cycle by then anyway.

 

[ianw2]

When this gets resolved, let me know, Dr. Bill. Laura and I and a few other friends would likely be able be there any weekday you set up.

Aren't politics wonderful!?!

 

[drbill]

Ianw2... I have to accept some of the blame for not remembering (after 38 years of living here) that the winter is a time when any issue gets blown way out of proportion! Not much else for us locals to do but create drama. I'm sure with Mayor's Bob's help things will get settled fairly quickly.

 

[CompuDude]

Keep the word up. I'm totally willing to help, although weekdays make it tough. Although what about the upcoming president's day?

 

[drbill]

It was a great day in the park. The vis was 50' approaching 60' in some areas even by my conservative estimates. The only downside to the good vis is that I could see more of the Sargassum. Only three of us divers in the park the whole day.

 

[PhotoTJ]

I will be over there Sunday, I can pull a few weeds.

 

[Codyjp]

Dr. Bill, Can you post a new bullitin when we can get out there to help you!? I am ready to go but waiting for the word to book the trip out! I can't wait to help!

Cody