Weed-Pulling Buddy Needed for Feb. 9, '07, Casino Point Dive Park, Catalina Island

[HBDiveGirl]

Dr. Bill is ready to clear the evil invading Sargassum filicinum from a designated patch of Casino Point Dive Park. Click HERE for the thread with all the info.

I'm going over tomorrow, Friday 2/9/07, and it would be great to have more assistance.

These plants are BIG, so I'm looking for a buddy to help with the gardening.

I'm going over on the 0850 Catalina Express from San Pedro, and will be ready to start pulling weeds by 11 AM. The filll station will be open after noon for additional dives.

PM Dr. Bill or me if you can make it.

Thanks,
Claudette

 

[drbill]

Wouldn't ya know it... after we spoke this AM a snafu developed. The head of the local disposal company wants to know who is going to pay for the removal of the bagged seaweed. He's willing to work with us, but needs the question resolved.

I'll be talking to the mayor shortly and plan to contact the Conservancy and Island Company to see if we can find an alternate approach to picking up the green waste and using it for composting on private property.

'Dette... I plan to proceed and clear the one area tomorrow even if I have to haul the bagged seaweed up near my house and dump it on my neighbor's property (not telling who they are, but they'll never notice it!).

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Uh... I hope your neighbors are down-wind from your house... or on vacation elsewhere .

Ew!!

See you tomorrow, Bill.

~~~~
'Dette

 

[drbill]

My "neighbors" refers to a corporation which owns the undeveloped land. The alga would be returned to the soil long before they do anything with the land.

Just talked to Claudette and we've cancelled tomorrow's removal.

The issue has become far more political than it needs to be. Heard from someone who talked to the Asst. City Manager's office that they were concerned about whether we should seek the advice of a marine biologist. Strange since I am one and have done some legwork with others well versed in this particular invasive alga to try to determine the best removal methods.

The disposal company is concerned about who will pay for the disposal (understandable) and the issue has been raised whether the proposed method of removal and disposal in our compost pit at the city landfill will result in a greater spread of the alga. Interesting since it should be obvious that leaving all the stands of this alga in the water is far more likely to cause it to spread than running it through as digestion machine at the compost site several hundred feet above water (not to mention that it has already infested the waters below the landfill site anyway... I've dived them dozens of times in the last 8 months).

Fortunately we have the mayor's support (Bob Kennedy owns SCUBA Luv with his wife Tina) so I have every reason to believe this will all be resolved. However, the effort may not start until it is... and the alga may already have completed its annual life cycle by then anyway.

 

[RoyN]

I'll help pull the algae if you give me school credit and help me with my report .

 

[Archangel]

Claudette, and Bill:

Count me in! The beautiful park that we all know, love, and enjoy needs our help.

If not me then who? If not now then when? If it is to be, it is up to me!

Ping me at admin@barefootblue.com

Time to step up,

Tevis

 

[drbill]

Hey, Tevis... what happened to the ArchAngel... or do you have a split personality now.

Once I get all these issues resolved, we'll start tackling this problem. I guess I'll "just" be fun diving this weekend.

 

[Archangel]

Hey, Tevis... what happened to the ArchAngel... or do you have a split personality now.

Nope my friend (smiling).

I am still Archangel (me the gregarious, puppy dog tail wagging, ex-physician, happy to hug diver)

Barefoot Blue is the moniker that Kelli and I both share for this CrazySexyCool organization that we started. Spans from throwing wild bashes, to chartering boats to pristine divesites for intermediate and experienced divers, to environmental activism like your endeavor, Reef Check, and the LB Aquarium.

Thanks for asking my friend, now lets start a movement, get a host of excellent ' spot on hover in the water column' divers together and clear some errant foliage.

Much warmth,

Tevis

 

[drbill]

Of course I knew about Barefoot Blue from you, just wondered if you were only posting under your new user ID or both.

Look forward to a trip some day with you folks.

 

[Cacia]

We have a "Super-Sucker" here for our Alien Algae.