The problem with commercial party fishing boats anchoring off the Catalina Casino Point Dive Park seems to be largely a thing of the past. As far as I've seen, the commercial boats have honored the no anchoring within 300 ft policy stated on the boundary buoys.
However, this weekend the situation was especially bad with respect to private boats. One actually entered well into the dive park on Saturday, placing a number of divers in potential danger.
Today there were at least three private fishing boats fishing off the park. One kept a respectful distance from the park and did not cast lines in its direction. Two fished right up to the boundary line (extending over it at times) in the area of the "swim platform" and the wreck of the Pisces (the glassbottom boat). At least one diver was snagged by one of the fishing lines tossed into the park by these boats.
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera to document this. I am still trying to get documentation of both actual intrusions into the park and people fishing immediately adjacent to the park. If anyone got any pictures from this weekend, please e-mail them to me (bushing@post.harvard.edu).
To clarify the ordinance, fishing is currently "allowed" within 300 ft of the dive park. Anchoring within that distance is what is prohibited.
However, there are two issues to consider:
First, the boats that drift within feet of the boundary line and cast their lines either into the park or over frequently dived structures such as the two mentioned above. Although technically they are "legal" according to the city ordinance, they are obviously potential endangering divers.
Second, the boundary mooring cans have dive flags painted on them. If I understate State law, a fishing boat (or other watercraft) is not supposed to enter within 300 ft of a displayed dive flag. I would assume state law would supercede city ordinance.
Our new mayor in Avalon is Bob Kennedy, co-owner of SCUBA Luv. I hope to work with him to make things a little safer for divers in the park. The issues would include this one, as well as kayakers who paddle through the park.
Having more documentation of these practices would be very helpful in making the case. Perhaps we can also consider an e-mail campaign to the city council members (at the appropriate time, not now). A petition signed by divers who come to our island to dive the park, and are concerned about this, would probably help as well.
So, hopefully folks will provide me with any still or video documentation of unsafe encroachments.
However, this weekend the situation was especially bad with respect to private boats. One actually entered well into the dive park on Saturday, placing a number of divers in potential danger.
Today there were at least three private fishing boats fishing off the park. One kept a respectful distance from the park and did not cast lines in its direction. Two fished right up to the boundary line (extending over it at times) in the area of the "swim platform" and the wreck of the Pisces (the glassbottom boat). At least one diver was snagged by one of the fishing lines tossed into the park by these boats.
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera to document this. I am still trying to get documentation of both actual intrusions into the park and people fishing immediately adjacent to the park. If anyone got any pictures from this weekend, please e-mail them to me (bushing@post.harvard.edu).
To clarify the ordinance, fishing is currently "allowed" within 300 ft of the dive park. Anchoring within that distance is what is prohibited.
However, there are two issues to consider:
First, the boats that drift within feet of the boundary line and cast their lines either into the park or over frequently dived structures such as the two mentioned above. Although technically they are "legal" according to the city ordinance, they are obviously potential endangering divers.
Second, the boundary mooring cans have dive flags painted on them. If I understate State law, a fishing boat (or other watercraft) is not supposed to enter within 300 ft of a displayed dive flag. I would assume state law would supercede city ordinance.
Our new mayor in Avalon is Bob Kennedy, co-owner of SCUBA Luv. I hope to work with him to make things a little safer for divers in the park. The issues would include this one, as well as kayakers who paddle through the park.
Having more documentation of these practices would be very helpful in making the case. Perhaps we can also consider an e-mail campaign to the city council members (at the appropriate time, not now). A petition signed by divers who come to our island to dive the park, and are concerned about this, would probably help as well.
So, hopefully folks will provide me with any still or video documentation of unsafe encroachments.
