Dive dry with dr. Bill #624: Sargassum cascade, part i

[keithbt]

I dove Long Point Sunday. It was one of the densest kelp forests at one time. This time I could not find a piece of kelp anywhere. All I wanted to do is feed some abalones, so I tried to feed one a little piece of sargassum and it took it. Probably starving!

 

[drbill]

No. The fortunate thing is that Sargassum horneri is an annual and dies out in late March.

I can't correct this error by editing the post, but it dies out in late May not March

---------- Post added February 10th, 2015 at 08:23 AM ----------

I dove Long Point Sunday. It was one of the densest kelp forests at one time. This time I could not find a piece of kelp anywhere. All I wanted to do is feed some abalones, so I tried to feed one a little piece of sargassum and it took it. Probably starving!

Yes, abs will take the Sargassum (at least the greens... the pinks don't seem to accept it as readily). I started feeding it to them a few months back when it was obvious they wouldn't be getting much drift kelp (Macrocystis) to feed on.

 

[Incident]

Dove West Scorpion Cove at Santa Cruz Island on Sunday. The amount of Sargassum at that site was crazy. Could hardly see the reef under the dense layer of weeds.

 

[ChrisM]

Diving Casino Point this Saturday for a couple refresher dives. Haven't been in years, have a feeling I am going to be sad

 

[diver 85]

Bill---quick question here--what is/can this be??.......sargassum???--shot @ Cayman Brac, Oct 2014

[/URL]IMG_1573 by GEAUXtiger, on Flickr[/IMG]

More stills found @ this link-------scroll to the bottom of pics.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80825593@N08/sets/72157648622361279/

Very short(maybe 3 second) video of it here....---it's the 1st 2 or 3 seconds..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80825593@N08/16320812292/in/

 

[drbill]

Can't say for sure since there are many species of Sargassum around the world.

I just posted the second half of this story in this forum.

 

[diver 85]

Can't say for sure since there are many species of Sargassum around the world.

I just posted the second half of this story in this forum.

Thanks Bill----saw the 2nd part is out---will have to read it shortly....Thanks for the info........