Oct
04
Posted on 04-10-2008
Filed Under (News from Scuba Mike) by scubamike

Hi all,

Just a quick newsflash, just got my new computer today and set it up with Final Cut Pro, so will be making movies for you soon!

(1) Comment    Read More   
Sep
22
Posted on 22-09-2008
Filed Under (News from Scuba Mike) by scubamike

Here are some photos sent to me from my customers

(0) Comments    Read More   
Sep
20
Posted on 20-09-2008
Filed Under (Marine Life) by scubamike

(2) Comments    Read More   
Sep
10
Posted on 10-09-2008
Filed Under (Marine Life) by scubamike

The Red Lion fish, native of the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, has been growing in population in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Red Lion fish is a member of the scorpion fish family and protects itself through its venomous spines.

Scientists believe the fish was released from household pets as they overgrew the tanks.  (Sound familiar to those in south Florida dealing with Iguanas, boa constrictors and other non-native animals?)

The Red Lion fish has been growing in population from Massachusetts down to West Palm Beach and is especially prevalent in the Bahamas.  Since there is no known predator to the fish, scientists are doing research to find out how to control the population.

Scientists have found large quantities of reef fish and crustaceans in the stomachs of these fish.  Everything from shrimp, seahorses, to a juvenile grouper is fare game to these fish.  They will eat anything that fits in their mouths.

If you would like to find out more about the efforts that are being made to control this species, visit www.reef.org/programs/exotic

(0) Comments    Read More   
Sep
05
Posted on 05-09-2008
Filed Under (Ocean Awareness) by scubamike

The Ocean Conservancy annual Coastal Cleanup will be held on Saturday, September 20th.  37 out of 50 states are participating in the coastal cleanup (even many land-locked states).  If you are interested in participating in the coastal cleanup, please visit their website at www.oceanconservancy.org

Volunteers are needed to help clean the along the beaches, scuba diving to pick up trash, and anyone willing to donate their boats to help bring trash ashore.

If you cannot participate on the 20th, but would like to donate, you can also do that on their website.  Please visit www.oceanconservancy.org and read all about the wonderful organization.

(0) Comments    Read More   
Aug
26
Posted on 26-08-2008
Filed Under (Maui Scuba Diving Locations) by scubamike

Black Rock is on the site of the Sheraton Hotel. This is a great diving location and easy to access. Also you can see cliff divers in diving off the rocks. This dive spot is located at the far end of Ka’anapali Beach. You’ll need to park in the public garage, and hike with equipment-on-back down to the beach area.

Directions: Travel North on Highway 31 until mile marker 24, then turn left onto Ka’anapali Parkway. Follow the road around to the right until you end up at the Sheraton Maui. There you will find a garage for public parking.

(0) Comments    Read More   
Aug
24
Posted on 24-08-2008
Filed Under (Maui Scuba Diving Locations) by scubamike

Mokule’ia is another great dive and snorkel site, but it’s a good hike down to the beach. A great place to spend the day with the kids, so bring a cooler with food and water.

Directions: Travel North on Highway 31 until about mile mark 32.6. You can’t miss the bay off to your left.

(0) Comments    Read More   
Aug
20
Posted on 20-08-2008
Filed Under (Maui Scuba Diving Locations) by scubamike

Honolua Bay offers a good experience for both snorkelers and divers. You may, however, be a little fatigued after the quarter mile hike down the private access road. But if you are up to it, you’ll find the dive rewarding.

Directions: Travel North on Highway 31 until about mile marker 33. You’ll notice a small access road dropping off to your left.

(1) Comment    Read More   
Aug
17
Posted on 17-08-2008
Filed Under (About Maui, Ocean Awareness) by scubamike

Coral reefs exist in only two percent of the world’s oceans. The diversity of life in a coral reef is second only to that of the tropical rainforest.

Coral animals are ant-sized relatives of jellyfish that produce protective limestone habitat for multiple species of fish and other organisms.

The world’s coral reefs are being greatly impacted by environmental degradation and human misuse. Coral bleaching, overfishing, abusive fishing techniques, anchor damage, algae blooms, global warming and fish feeding are some of the problems

(0) Comments    Read More   
Aug
15
Posted on 15-08-2008
Filed Under (Ocean Awareness) by scubamike

> Maui’s Reefs
The coastal waters of Maui are blessed with a vast diversity of marine life and miles of exquisite coral reefs, making them some of the finest diving and fishing areas in the world. The Maui Reef Fund is a private program designed to help ensure that the outstanding coral reefs that you are visiting today are protected and healthy for generations to come.

> Maui at the turning point
Hawaii has the fourth longest coastline of any state in the US, and fully one-quarter of our reef fish exist nowhere else on Earth. However, we rank 48th in the nation in funding for coastal and aquatic management. This is unfortunate, because our fragile marine environment faces many serious threats, including:

  • Overfishing
  • Spread of alien species, particularly coral-killing algae
  • Destruction of ecosystems due to coastal development
  • Pollution
  • Damage to reefs from boats and anchoring

> Being a part of the solution
To counter these threats, a concerned group of conservation-minded individuals and organizations is actively working to protect Maui’s coral reefs and fish population. We have created a program that requests each visitor who dives, snorkels, fishes or otherwise makes use of the area’s marine resources to make a contribution to help protect Maui’s coastal environment.

Based on the average annual number of visitors who use our marine resources, even a dollar per person could total more than a million dollars a year, all to conserve marine resources in Maui. One dollar - PENNIES! you say? It’s true, it is not a lot of money, but it will add up to make a big impact.

Your contribution will go into a private, non-governmental fund which is managed by a Council of partner agencies including marine recreation operators, the Malama Kai Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and other conservation organizations.

Scuba Mike: This is a great organization, please visit the web site at http://www.mauireeffund.org/

(2) Comments    Read More