Save Broward Reefs Party: Filamentous Algae Removal

[MikeJacobs]

In a few weeks I'm thinking about hosting a Kill Filamentous Algie (KFA) shore dive & BBQ here on our beach at Hibiscus - BBQ and yes - MARGARITAS. Let me find out a little more and I'll post the details.

You know all that pretty red algae you see growing in regions along the reefs? It's a killer, choking our already stressed reef system.

There is actually a call from Broward County DPEP (Biological Resources Division, Marine Resources Program) to collect and kill it. Sign-up and collection sheets can be found at many dive shops. I'll see if I can find a link. For more information you can e-mail Ken Banks at kbanks@broward.org (954) 519-1207. I'll provide him with this url.

Right now I'd like to get a rough headcount - would you help clean a bit of shallow reef and join in some fun? Any information on the algae or assistance with planning a beach party would be much appreciated - just post.

FYI, in ten minutes on your next dive you can save some reef. To do so, do not just yank the stuff off of coral - you'll spread it. From now on, bring a small mesh bag or container to collect the algie whenever and wherever you dive. It comes off easily, so you can be gentle and not harm the coral. Don't cause more more damage to the coral, of course.

AND I've been looking for an excuse to throw a beach party!

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

The dive party Oct 25, while not in your front yard is still in Broward County, would be a great place to start. Give us more info!

I will personally supply the coolers to keep the margaritas cold!

 

[Former FLL Now MSP Diver]

Let me know when.

Marc

 

[showboat]

Sounds like a plan to me.

ut: :boom:

 

[freedive]

Count me in Mike

 

[Former FLL Now MSP Diver]

Divers plunge into countywide effort to loosen algae’s grip on Broward reefs

By Rafael A. Olmeda
Staff Writer
Posted September 28 2003

Underwater, divers said it looked deceptively pretty, like long flowing red hair waving gently in the current.

Above the water, it looked like muck.

More than 100 divers jumped into the waters from Hollywood to Deerfield Beach on Saturday to remove as much of the muck as they could, before the covering of filamentous algae kills a coral reef.

"It's normal that we see it in summertime more than in winter, but this year it persisted through the winter in some places," said Ken Banks, manager of marine resource programs for the Broward County Department of Planning and Environmental Protection. "About six to eight weeks ago, it exploded on the middle reef trap."

Scuba divers who enjoy the beauty of the coral reefs, which lie mostly within a mile of the shoreline, are worried that the algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are killing the corals by depriving them of light and hindering the coral's ability to feed.

Jeff Torode, owner of South Florida Diving Headquarters, joined with DPEP and other environmental advocates to invite divers to help pull the algae off the coral reefs.

"It's pretty much carpeted in large quantities," Torode said of the algae. He and other advocates said Saturday's effort was not to remove the algae problem, but to call attention to it in the hopes that other environmental groups would fund the research needed to determine the cause and come up with a solution.

Scientists, environmentalists and consultants were among those who joined Torode on his boat, the Coral Princess, on Saturday to witness the extent of the problem. When they emerged, all agreed that the problem was a serious one.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Valerie Paul, director of the Smithsonian Institute's marine station in Fort Pierce. "It is the worst I have ever seen on a reef."

The cause of the bloom is purely speculative at this point, said Banks. Some blame stormwater and canal runoff from Broward County, and others wondered openly if it was related to the Hillsboro Inlet. Banks said finding the cause is key to finding the solution.

"If we see some patterns emerge, it might give some reflection on where the source of the problem is," Banks said.

Both Banks and Paul kept some of the collected algae for further study.

After spending 90 minutes at two reefs Saturday morning, many volunteers said they made a small difference, at best.

"It's overwhelming," said Stephen Attis, president of Vone Research, a Pompano Beach-based environmental group focusing on water quality and marine history. "There's a lot of people down there, working hard and cleaning the reefs. And the end result is, we can hardly tell the difference."

Stephanie Clark, treasurer of the nonprofit group Cry of the Water, said she concentrated on saving whatever could be saved.

"It's triage right now," she said.

 

[MikeJacobs]

Hey, that's it! Nasty stuff. Now, I don't usually get excited about things like this but after removing some and seeing the shriveled or dead coral I could tell it was serious.

I've been out just about every day this week and surveyed the first reef. It's in patches, but not as pervasive as it is on the second reef (the real second reef - past the balls).

By the way, while cleaning I saw some critters I usually fly over - small crabs, shrimp, etc.. I sas fooling around on the honeycombs and was shocked to see a 7' eel (he was about a foot longer than I was, stretched out under the ledge). It's surprising how much life we're finding on the inland ledge of the first reef.

Dan, Marc & Jenny, can you suggest a weekend and I'll alert Jack's BBQ that we'll need the works for that afternoon. It will be a fun dive; we won't "work" at it lol.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Here is my "open" dive schedule. I love it, I have to fit in a dive among other planned dives!
Sunday Oct 5 or Dema weekend.
Next weekend have a reef dive planned at Hollywood http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37696. come join us!

Dema weekend is good on Saturday. (11th)
Following weekend is out (17-20) and the weekend following (25-26) is the dive party in Hollywood.

 

[MikeJacobs]

That's dema weekend, but I've already decided not to spend the $90 to get in (two tix).

So far it would be enough BBQ to fill:

1- Jenny
3- Marc, Daughter (and wife?)
2- Dan & Joanie (did I get that right, Dan?)
2- Me & Marvel
6- My diving neighbors...

15 or so... that should do it... we probably won't get much reef cleaning in but we'll have a blast.

So, you folks up for that weekend? Shall I book it?

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Well, if you are making a list, add my bubble watcher/future Scuba Diver kid. Anybody willing to watch a cute kid while I dive?

Mike, are you contacting Ken Banks? I would like instruction on cleaning this stuff off/what to do with it, how to clean it up without spreading it... especially if it is as yucky as I remember seeing it (Dania beach, north of the jacks is loaded with it)!