The Blue Heron Bridge a Marine Sanctuary?

[Splitlip]

It looks like the County might recognize what we've been saying for years.

Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Marine Sanctuary in Riviera Beach

 

[NJDiverMark]

Awsome!

 

[LBHeyman]

That would be great. Although I have only had the pleasure to dive there once, it was a night dive and there were some outstanding things to see. Hope it works out!

 

[dumpsterDiver]

what is the proposal? Will they continue to allow fishing?

 

[jet126]

Video Dude and I are planning to attend the meeting. I will post a report after.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I thought the area was already protected by a County Ordinance?

What possible good will come of more regulations on divers?

Isn't there enough protection in place?

 

[BUGBAGGER]

Here is a copy of a post that I made in reference to another thread that was started on this topic. I have slightly edited it due to word choice that perhaps seemed inflamatory and or added further description for clarification. Edits are in italics.

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend but am very interested in the outcome as the diversity of marine life that I have observed at this dive site is far greater than any that I have seen throughout the Caribbean and Pacific oceans in a comparable area. This is a rare gem and should remain accessible with sanctuary guidelines that allow safe respectful enjoyment. Here are some of my thoughts. If any of you are going to the meeting and agree, please pass them on.

1) Hopefully private divers and not just permitted guided divers on dives sponsored by local shops or boats will continue to be allowed. IMHO, it would be tragic to see the large group diving that is now night diving at BHB become the norm for day dives as well. The site will be better served by divers dispersing and diving as their schedules allow than to be concentrated into supervised groups. The tide already tends to concentrate the diving activity here somewhat. As has been seen in other strictly managed sanctuaries when a guide is required, typically , the majority of divers who will participate are the lesser experienced with poorer buoyancy control and less understanding of the fragility of the marine environment. The more experienced divers will dive elsewhere. They will dive where they are not required to have a guide. Thus you remove the very divers that may be best suited for the site and the ones who would model good diving behavior and hel the more experienced to learn.

2) There needs to be a provision that allows the taking/killing of lionfish and any other invasive species that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Dept determines to be a significant hazard to indigenous marine life. A limit on the size or type of devices used should be established and bags to carry the caught/killed species should be mesh or clear plastic to reduce the opportunity for poaching. The penalty for poaching or collecting other than invasives needs to be significant. The officers patrolling the park from all law enforcemnet agencies need to be specifically trained to understand and enforce or facilitate the enforcement of sanctuary violations.

3) Entering the BHB "sanctuary zone" (should be marked by buoys and signage like no wake zones) for snorkeling, diving, and or swimming should only be permitted from the shore. If boats want to deliver divers they should remain outside of the sanctuary zone of the bridge. Divers/swimmers should not be allowed to exit a boat in the boating channel bordering the sanctuary either as this could create a boating hazard or cause boats to enter the zone to get around the stopped vessel. If it is determined that access to the sanctuary must be made available to boaters then there should be one or two buoys designated for boats accessing the sanctuary placed in the mooring area adjacent to the sanctuary. Once these are in use by a vessel no additional boats should be permitted until a properly moored vessel departs. Boats should not be permitted to pass or moor within the BHB marine sanctuary. No more cutting between the pilings outside of the channel and no more buzzing dive flags.

4) I think it will be difficult to designate a marine sanctuary with no take guidelines given the long standing and very popular fishing tradition there. Perhaps fishing could be limited to the old bridge section/fishing pier and only certain non-ornamental species could be kept. All others would be catch and release. Even better, perhaps a fishing pier could be constructed on the West side of the big bridge to alleviate congestion on the east side and reduce the opportunity for conflict between fishermen and divers, snorkelers, and swimmers.

5) The sanctuary should include both the main bridge east of the boating channel AND the area surrounding the small bridge on the East side that is currently under construction.

I hope someone will post their impression of the meeting once it is done. Will be interesting to see how this turns out.

 

[djtimmy77]

I think an advantage is that FWC might actually be willing to enforce rules protecting the wildlife there, where the county probably doesn't care to enforce their "no collecting" ordinance, etc.

I have to agree though, that we don't want access to well-intentioned divers restricted.

It will be touchy though regarding fishing, because there are people fishing there nearly all day long, every day. I don't think you could remove access to that.

 

[jet126]

If anyone wants to carpool from Broward I'm driving. I have room for three in the back seat. Pick up at 4:00pm, Bass Pro parking lot in Dania. I have to swing through Pompano to pick up the Video Dude but expect to arrive Phil Foster park around 5:30-ish.

PM if you're interested.

 

[sportxlh]

I plan to attend the meeting: here's the proposed boundry

http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/publications/pdf/ProposedSanctuaryZone.pdf