Roy Mulder
President, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia

Howe Sound has seen some very positive recent developments. The closure of a pulp mill and the remediation at the Britannia mine site have allowed for some of Howe Sound’s health to rebound. This is a tremendous opportunity provided we take the measures required to allow for a full rebound.

The fish stocks in Howe Sound have been reduced to a fraction of their former numbers.  Where once there were abundant stocks of copper, tiger, yellowtail, black, quillback and yellowtail rockfish, only a few remain. Some rockfish can live over a hundred years and don’t survive if caught and released.

Recently with the help of citizen scientists we have discovered some huge cloud sponge (aphrocallistes vastus) bioherms in Howe Sound. These sponges composed of silicate, provide ideal habitat for fish and other creatures. These magnificent white, orange and green sponges virtually cover the top of some of the deep-water reefs. A few can be found within diving range and are being studied.

Others have been documented by a deep water drop camera that Glen Dennison has manufactured. These are the same sponges that were found on the outer west coast of British Columbia and given protected status.

The Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia has started a voluntary no-take marine sanctuary at all of the sites in Howe Sound that are currently designated as Rockfish Conservation Areas. MLSS feels that the RCA designation doesn’t do enough to protect rockfish, as several other methods of fishing (that still catch rockfish) are still legal within the RCAs. Using a community based education and stewardship program MLSS has been visiting communities in Howe Sound to show them why protection is needed. The RCAs in Howe Sound resulted from earlier work done by the Underwater Council of BC to create protected areas around the mooring buoy dive sites.

There have been observations of Pacific white-sided dolphins, a grey whale, and even six-gill sharks in Howe Sound recently. We need to create marine sanctuaries to allow it to return to its’ former health.■

On Jan. 21-22 divers in the Vancouver area will be able to begin 2012 with a plunge into the Vancouver Aquarium’s Divers’ Weekend. Divers’ Weekend is an annual event at the aquarium located in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia and offers a number of events that will inform, entertain and even teach divers from all over.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by Dive News Network. The focus of the event is asking divers and non-divers alike to come and “Explore the oceans - Expand your horizons - Exchange ideas”.

There will be over 14 speakers conducting a diving seminar series over the two days and a number of exhibits will be showcased. The Diving Officer for the Vancouver Aquarium, Jeremy Haywood says that every year this is a particularly busy time for the aquarium. “We always get a lot of visitors who are interested in the Divers’ Weekend events,” Haywood says. “Divers can show their C-cards and get in for a lower cost than normal but even non-divers will enjoy the events we have planned.”
One of the events that the aquarium has slated is demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Navy EOD, Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP dive teams. These demonstrations will be conducted at the aquarium and are sure to be amazing. “We are lucky to get these folks to come out and take part in this year’s event,” says Haywood.

There will also be a number of exhibits by diving clubs, organizations and businesses that will showcase the many aspects of diving. “Every year we get a lot of support from the local dive community,” says Haywood. “People will be able to explore the many types of diving, travel destinations and underwater photography. We will even have gallery activities for the kids. We want everyone to have a great time.”

Divers presenting their certification card will get 50 percent off the admission. Divers wanting to obtain a membership to the aquarium can also get 10 percent off Aquarium membership. “It is sure to be a fun weekend all the way around,” says Haywood. “I want to invite everyone to join us.”

For more info on the event visit www.vanaqua.org ■

As part of the Divers Weekend, Vancouver Aquarium will present Demo Dives by the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy Dive Teams. These two-day seminar series with 6 talks per day are a series which will include highlighting diving in the Philippines and Vanuatu, as well as underwater camera housings by Aquatica. There will also be information about professional diving education at Capilano University. For more info visit www.vanaqua.org.

Don’t forget these amazing events coming up in the next few months in your neck of the woods!

Jan. 28 - 29
Adventures in Travel Expo
Donald E. Stephans Convention Center,
Chicago, IL
www.adventureexpo.com

Feb. 15-19
Duluth Boat Sports Travel
and RV Show
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Duluth, MN
www.shamrockprod.com

Feb. 17-19
Our World Underwater
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL
www.ourworldunderwater.com

Feb. 24-25
Upper Midwest Scuba
and Adventure Travel Show
Minneapolis, MN
www.glsps.clubexpress.com

Feb. 25
Chicago Maritime Festival
Historical Museum, Chicago, IL
www.chicagomaritimefestival.org

Feb. 24-26
Toronto Outdoor Show
International Centre, Toronto, ON
www.outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto

Dear Rick,

I have been through many dive shops in my years of diving, each has their own feel and presence to them, unfortunately during these hard economic times and increase of online purchasing these dive shops have come and gone. After seeing this happen in my local community I decided to branch out to a dive shop that I heard many good things about, and boy was I not disappointed. I have been using Eugene Skin Divers Supply for close to a year now, for me it’s close to a 5 hour drive there and back, and I’d gladly do it every weekend if I could. I have never had a dive shop make me feel so at home. Diana and Mike put their heart and soul into the shop and it truly shows, to be honest I don’t know how they have the energy they do, but it’s truly amazing to watch them teach and lead dives. Any question no about new equipment no matter how dumb it may be is always answered with a smile by the employee’s there. Everyone is willing to bend backwards to make sure you have the best diving experience possible.

One example of this is was during my search for a new dry suit I had causally mentioned it to Mike, he showed me their extensive selection of suits, but I was apprehensive about spending what to me was big bucks on a dry suit, Mike completely understood. Not a week later I get a phone call from him saying he just got a practically brand new Bare dry suit that a diver no longer could use, but wanted to sell. Mike made me an offer that was very well into my price range and I couldn’t be happier with the suit. For him to remember that I was still in need of a suit, customer that was still fairly new to the shop really made me feel welcomed and appreciated.

Eugene Skin Divers Supply isn’t a dive shop that looking for the quick dollar, they put the time and effort to build a relationship and connection with every customer that walks through the door. They are a staple of Eugene’s community and I am proud to call them my dive shop!

Thanks,
Kyle Dodenhoff

Hey Kyle,
Thank you so much for your note. We get many comments in passing about the success of our local PNW dive shops, and how awesome they truly are in supporting local diving. The problem is we don’t often get such amazing notes like yours! We know how great these local dive shop owners are, how awesome their staff is, how they know their diving, and most all, how dedicated they are to helping their customer. We want to hear more testimonials from the local diver about why their dive shop rocks!

Please send us your story. Why was your experience positive?

Thanks for sharing Kyle, and a special shoutout to Mike and Diana for all their hardwork! Keep it up!
Rick