Ken Kurtis
Contributor
Fish ID video, 3-D reefs, Humpbacks, & more
(please scroll down for details)
(please scroll down for details)
Here's hoping the local situation doesn't spiral out of control over the next few days . . .
THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS - Many thanks to those of you who sat in on the Fish ID or Why Divers Die lectures at the Scuba Show and sent an e-mail telling me you enjoyed them. Much appreciated. (And we had really good crowds for all of the talks.) I offer an extended version of the Fish ID talk as an informal class (Zoom-based) about every three months or so. The next one is scheduled for next week, Wednesday, June 18, generally 7-10PM ($35). If you'd like to get an idea of what you'll learn, Brent & Alicia Krah came on Saturday, liked the talk so much that they came back on Sunday and asked if they could video it for their YouTube channel. Not being one to shrink from free publicity, I (of course) said yes. They did a nice job assembling things and you can view their completed video here: KEN'S FISH ID LECTURE AT THE 2025 SCUBA SHOW.
BEACH DIVE ANYONE? - It's not quite Lake Pacific but Redondo's been looking pretty good the last few days and it looks like that should hold for the next week or so. Minimal surf at best and the forecast calls for warming temps and no significant wind. I know the Aquarium had a Scientific Diver class out there Sunday, but I don't yet have a conditions report. But, as the saying goes, you never know unless you go take a look.
SAVING REEFS THE NEW-FASHIONED WAY - Seems only appropriate to tell you this on "World Ocean Day." But it seems that Mexico (and some other places) are experimenting with 3-D printers to create artificial reef structures that organisms can then settle on. Here's what what:
"Mexican marine scientists have developed biodegradable 3D-printed coral structures to help restore rapidly dying reefs along the Yucatán coast. These coral “scaffolds” mimic the shape and texture of real coral and are infused with nutrients to attract marine life. Once deployed underwater, fish and invertebrates begin to colonize them, and real coral begins growing on top. The structures are made of calcium carbonate and chitosan — safe for the ocean and fully biodegradable. Early trials show a 300% increase in biodiversity after just six months."
YOU DON'T SEE THIS EVERY DAY - How would you like to be on a jet ski going to Catalina and have a Humpback breach multiple times near you? Way cool. And they got it on video. Here's the story from KABC-TV: HUMPBACK ENCOUNTER.
YAP AND INDONESIA IN 2026 - I've got the details on the Yap and Indonesia trips for 2026 worked out and posted them last week in our June newsletter. (Stil finalizing Philippines.) Short version is that Yap will be two weeks long overall and costs $3,950. Indonesia will also be two weeks long and comes in at $4,360. If you want to secure a spot, a $500 deposit will do the trick. And if you've got questions, let me know.
MAYBE A CURE? - Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is the fancy name for an unknown pathogen that basically dissolves some corals on reefs. It's in many places through the Caribbean. I've seen it in Bonaire and it ain't pretty to say the least. But there may be some hope now as some research on infected reefs in Florida is showing promise. Here's the story: POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR SCTLD.
NEXT SUNDAY - It's Father's Day. Do something nice with or for your dad.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
