KEY LARGO dive report, saturday, 5/31/14, a few pics,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[reefman]

planned a trip north to the craysfort/elbow reef tract this morning, having said that, conditions dictated a boat ride to the closest outer reef; FRENCH/MOLASSES. sun/high thin clouds, SE winds 10+KTS, sloppy 1-3 FT seas. decided to bypass French reef as the visibility @ molasses was super(quiescence captain, Donny told us while drifting deep MO that French also had blue water and glass minnows observed !). dive # 1: MOLASSES deep buoy M27, most excellent blue water, viz 80+, light+ NE current, water temp 81F @ 45-90FT. dive # 2: deep buoy M26(haven't dove this buoy in over 8 yrs), blue viz 80+ lessening somewhat throughout the dive, current increasing to mdt+, 81F @ 45-80FT. a few turtles, eagle ray and abundant tropicals(a rare shy hamlet and golden phase coney were highlights). regardless of topside conditions, visibility(blue water) has been great the past few weeks offshore the upper keys. pics provided by timg,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Nice report & great stuff from timg
THANKS

 

[sportxlh]

Great shots!! All the dives were in the SPA, correct? I only ask in that the slipper lobster would have been a tempting target to grab.

 

[scubadada]

Hey Tim,

Great picture of the Slipper Lobster. Looks like a big insect.

Best, Craig

 

[reefman]

Great shots!! All the dives were in the SPA, correct? I only ask in that the slipper lobster would have been a tempting target to grab.

yes both dives were in the SPA. this animal was observed @ about 75FT just below the dropoff. just for the record, the harvesting of slipper and Spanish lobster are prohibited in the KEY LARGO EXSISTING MANAGEMENT AREA which encompasses federal waters out to 300FT from the boundary with Biscayne national park south to the southern boundary of molasses SPA. the marine fishery rules and regulations are convoluted and endless in Monroe county,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[timg]

Nice report & great stuff from timg
THANKS

Thank you Cajuncru. Nice a day, a bit sloppy on top, but good viz on a very colorful portion of the reef.

---------- Post added June 1st, 2014 at 04:26 PM ----------

Great shots!! All the dives were in the SPA, correct? I only ask in that the slipper lobster would have been a tempting target to grab.

Thank you sportxlh. Yes all in the SPA.

---------- Post added June 1st, 2014 at 04:27 PM ----------

Hey Tim,

Great picture of the Slipper Lobster. Looks like a big insect.

Best, Craig

Thank you Craig. Yes, very rare sight in the middle of the day, just out for a walk, I guess.