Alabama Rodeo Rounds Up Lionfish

For many years, the influx of lionfish along the eastern U.S. coast has become a plague of epic proportions to marine ecosystems and economies. Because the creatures are poisonous and have no natural predators, culling them is a top priority for many dive centers, restaurants, and tourist boards. Gulf Coast Divers of Mobile, AL is teaming up with adventure gear manufacturer Pelican ProGear to combat this troubling issue through The Pelican 1,000 Lionfish Challenge, which will coincide with the 37th Annual Alabama Open Spearfishing Rodeo to be held August 2 -4. During the course of the tournament, lionfish will be killed and donated to research until the quota reaches 1,000; afterwards, participants who have also purchased a ticket to the rodeo will be entered to win Pelican coolers. For more information, and to sign up, visit www.alabamaopen.com.

Second Annual Utila Dive Festival Underway

Following the success of the inaugural Utila Dive Festival last August, the dive operators of Utila in the Bay Islands of Honduras are organizing the 2nd Utila Dive Festival, promoting Utila as a destination for scuba diving activities and training as well as the island’s lifestyle and culture. From June 22 to 28, the festival highlights the tiny diving paradise of Utila both above and below the water. The fun-filled week offers diving, dancing, dining, and discovering on the tropical island whose heart beats scuba day in and day out. Focused on building an atmosphere that will both educate and foster the enjoyment of sharing underwater experiences, the festival showcases all that Utila has to offer and why it remains a premier vacation attraction. For more information, visit www.utiladivefestival.com.

The following companies will be sponsoring this event:

• Aqualung
• Colibri Hill Resort
• CRESSI
• GoPro
• LeisurePro
• Liquivision: Dive Enlightened
• PADI
• Roatan Charter
• Scuba Board
• Dive Rite
• Scubapro
• REEF
• SeaLife Underwater Cameras

Wreck Trekkin’ Across the Florida Keys

Until January 1, 2014, divers looking to mark their achievements will have a unique experience exploring the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail: this initiative is a new dive challenge called the Wreck Trek Passport Program. Participants will be given an official Florida Keys Wreck Trek passport to log their dives, which can be acquired at the time of charter with participating dive shops. The logbook showcases nine popular wrecks beneath Florida waters: Spiegel Grove, Duane, Benwood, Eagle, Thunderbolt, Adolphus Busch Sr., Cayman Salvager, Joe’s Tug, and the Vanderburg. But the challenge isn’t just for glory and satisfaction – explorers can enter to win a bounty of thrilling prizes. Divers who log five wrecks will receive a personalized collage of Keys wrecks, which is perfect for framing. Trekkers who explore all nine sites will be entered to win one of several grand prizes: merchandise, dive gear, and Florida Keys dive-and-stay lodging packages. Become a wreck trekker today by visiting www.fla-keys.com/diving/wrecktrek.

Key Largo

• Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort - MM 104.2 , Key Largo - 305 451 3595
• BlueWater Divers - 99701 OverSeas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-453-9600
• Capt. Slate's Atlantis Dive Center - 51 Garden Cove Drive, Key Largo - 305-451- 3020
• Dive In Watersports - 80 East 2nd St, Key Largo - 305-852-1919
• HMS Minnow Dive Charters - 99701 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-451-7834
• Horizon Divers - 100 Ocean Dr., Key Largo - 305-453-3535
• Island Ventures - P.O. Box 306, Key Largo - 305-451-4957
• Keys Diver - 99696 Overseas Hwy #1, Key Largo - 305-451-1177
• Ocean Divers - 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo - 305-451-1113
• Pirate Island Divers - 103800 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-453-9881
• Pleasure Diver - 527 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo - 305-853-5384
• Sail Fish Scuba - 103100 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-453-3446
• Scuba-Do Dive Company - 102670 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo - 305-451-3446
• Scuba-Fun LLC - 99222 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-394-5046
• Silent World Dive Center - 105952 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-451-3252

Islamorada

• AKA Dive Charters & Supplies - 200 Florida Avenue, Mangrove Marina, Islamorada - 305-906-0514
• Conch Republic Divers - 90800 Overseas Highway #9, Islamorada - 305-852-1655
• Florida Keys Dive Center - 90451 Old Hwy, Islamorada - 305-852-4599
• Islamorada Dive Center - 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada - 305-664-3483
• Key Dives - 79851 Overseas Highway, Islamorada - 305-664-2211

Marathon

• A Deep Blue Dive Center - 400 Sadowsky Causeway, Marathon - 305-743-2421
• Abyss Dive Center - 12565 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-2126
• Captain Hooks Marina & Dive Center - 11833 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-2444
• Hall's Diving Center & Career Institute - 5050 Overseas Highway, Marathon - 305-743-5929
• Tilden's Scuba Center - 4650 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-7255

Lower Keys

• Innerspace Dive Center - Mile Marker 29.5 Overseas Hwy, Lower Keys - 305-872-2319
• Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive - 27340 Overseas Hwy, Lower Keys - 305-872-2215
• Southernmost Diving - 24326 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-974-3483
• Strike Zone Charters - 29675 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-872-9863
• Underseas, Inc. - 30678 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-872-2700

Key West

• Adventure Watersport Charters - 6810 Front Street, Stock Island, Key West - 305-453-6070
• Dive Key West, Inc - 3128 N Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - 305-296-3823
• Lost Reef Adventures - 261 Margaret St, Key West - 305 296-9737
• Seaduction - Key West Dive Center - 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - 305-296-9914
• Southpoint Divers - 606 Front Street, Key West - 305-292-9778
• Y Knot Charters - 6801 Shrimp Rd, Key West - 305-923-6134

Tourism Board Contributes to Diver Safety

Hyperbaric chambers are important health and safety instruments, which are vital during states of emergency. And for popular tourism locations, such as the Cayman Islands, having a nearby chamber, serviced by skilled technicians, instills confidence and assurance while exploring the islands’ majestic environment. Cayman Hyperbaric Services has been providing this crucial service to the islands for 40 years and recently received a monetary contribution to extend its abilities to save troubled divers. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) recently donated $1,000 to help the chamber purchase future training investments, such as information materials and training protocols. A portion of the proceeds from this generous donation were funded by last year’s International Underwater Film Festival. For more information, visit CITA at www.cita.ky.

Greenville Dive Center Preps for Summer Excursions

Bermuda Triangle of Greenville, SC, is plunging into summer with a bounty of exciting trips and recreational activities. An underwater poker dive on June 1 kicks off the series of events at Lake Jocasse; the cost for attending is $25 with a BBQ and prize drawing included. In addition, divers can enjoy thrilling adventures at the following: Wilmington Shark Teeth Dive June 7 – 9; Bonaire – Buddy Dive Resort June 29 – July 6; Morehead City Wreck Diving July 26 – July 28; another Wilmington Shark Teeth Dive August 16 – 18; and CAT PPALU Bahamas Cruise September 21 – 27. Additional trips are planned for the fall season. Let’s go diving! For more information, and to RSVP, visit www.scubagreenville.com.

Manatees Plagued by Red Tide

Record manatee deaths off Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast have been attributed to red tide algae blooms. Already faced with man-made hazards, and listed by the World Conservation Union as vulnerable to extinction, manatees are highly susceptible to the toxins released by the organisms which comprise the red tide occurrence. By the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)’s records, this is the highest amount of red tide-related manatee fatalities in any single year. Since mid-March, over 200 of the endangered creatures died from red tide sickness, which is a startling increase from last year’s number at 81. For more detailed information on these grim developments, visit FWC online at www.myfwc.com.

Rum Runners Roam Near Raleigh

Rum Runner Dive Shop of Winterville, NC, is hosting two very exciting social events in May for avid divers looking for fun and fellowship! The shop’s annual Pig Pick’n Quarry Day at Fantasy Lake Park (near Raleigh) will take place May 18 starting at 1 p.m. The festivities include friendly competitions, puzzling quizzes, demonstrations of an array of different dive-related products, training and training demonstrations, and, of course, a good old fashioned southern Pig Pick’n feast. Last year, over 70 guests were in attendance and the Rum Runners hope to surpass this number. Later, from May 24-27, the shop will travel to Lake Jocassee near Salem, SC for a weekend of great diving. With 7,500 acres worth of exploration, divers won’t have a moment to stop exploring! This trip costs $40 for a two tank dive; hotel accommodations at the Quality Inn cost $100 per person for a three night stay. For more information on these upcoming events, and more to come during summer months, call the shop at (252) 439-4390 or visit www.rumrunnerdiveshop.com.

Fly Me to The Grouper Moon!

Groupers are widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s star attractions; the curious critters are iconic for their playful, yet relaxed demeanor. One of the “Cayman Sisters”, Little Cayman is world recognized for hosting one of the largest known grouper spawning aggregations; during winter months the social creatures congregate in one location for a week long love fest. This year, over 4,000 groupers came out to play off Little Cayman waters during a remarkable full moon presentation. A partnership between Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the Cayman Island Department of the Environment has skillfully recorded valuable information on this annual ritual to add to REEF’s Grouper Moon Project. Local businesses Southern Cross Club, Brac Reef Resort, and Reef Divers and Little Cayman Beach Resort generously donated logistical support and promotion for this year’s project. For more detailed scientific information on late night grouper happenings, visit www.reef.org/groupermoonproject.