DA ANCHORLINE

NEWSLETTER August 10, 2002

Members may submit articles for future editions. This is issue no. 17

Visit club web site at https://www.angelfire.com/nj4/divers/

Editor: Tom Gormley

Contents

DA Weekend 2002 at Dutch Springs

Peggy’s News

DA Dive Log

DA Dive Plan

Shark Week Info

Florida Keys Reef Study

July DA Meeting Minutes, Unapproved

DA Calendar

Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28. Divers Anonymous Dive Club of Clifton New Jersey held its DA Weekend 2002 at Dutch Springs. The weekend started with divers hiding treasure underwater at various locations throughout the quarry. A treasure map was then presented to all participants, and they set out to recover the pirate booty. DA divers soon found that other groups were busy hiding their treasure and also recovering it. Our divers recovered some of their treasure and some of ours was never found, presumed grabbed by scavengers and looters. All in good fun, we made the best of it and rewarded all participants with scuba prizes from dive knives to weight belts and lots more.

We had a good lunch provided by the club and supported by individual contributions from watermelons to salads. Tasty was the word. Several members began a rescue class while others did some fun dives with club buddies. At night we all went to a local pizza restaurant and had pizza before 8 divers did a night dive.

The next morning we awoke to a light rain and kidded about getting wet before we dove. Lunch was again enjoyed after the rescue divers completed their class and some members even stayed to complete some fun dives.

Lots of fun and good diving was enjoyed by everyone.

Edith took some pics, which were sent to everyone, but here is a copy of the group photo.

DA Weekend 2002 at Dutch Springs

Tater Tot, Edith, Michelle, Herb, Nino, Austin, Tom, Rich, Al, Rick, Christine, Christine, Chris, Laura, Leo, and Connie. Missing: Imre, Erika, Jamie.

Phil took photo.

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Peggy’s News

Peggy has been on walkabout and will resume her news shortly.
E-mail: mailto:pegdiver@monmouth.com

http://www.scubanj.org/

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DA Dive Log

Shore Dive Log

Shore Dives:

Thursday, August 1: It was a beautiful sunny day when DA members Ben, Jamie, Tom, and Mike dove the Bluffs Wreck in Bay Head. The heat wave had raised the water temperature to a toasty 75 on the wreck and a luke 82 on the surface. The divers used Caribbean gear and had no problems with the warm water. The Vis wasn’t the best being only 3 to 4 feet, but the fish on the wreck were plentiful. Triggerfish, blackfish, stripers, fluke, butterfish, sea robins, eels, and spearing were abundant. After touring the wreck, the divers headed south and dove off Lavalette where they found a large school of stingrays as well as several rudderfish. The surf was light and made for easy entries and exits throughout the afternoon of diving.

Saturday, August 3: It was another beautiful sunny day when DA's members and other dive buddies did a Shark River Back Bay high slack pre-night dive around the old abandoned dock pilings in Belmar Marina. Tom and Rich headed out into the channel in search of the fabled seahorses. They saw lots of interesting sea life, but no seahorses. The tropical fish are in and a nice butterfly fish was spotted. Fluke were abundant and some even permitted the team to pick them off the bottom for a better look and then released. Ian and Al toured the old fishing pier and saw lots of marine life as well.

The water temp was between 75 and 80 degrees allowing the divers to use light gear and have dives over 60 minutes. Norva provided shore support and local diver Angela led the after dive group to a nice restaurant for a good after dive dinner.

Boat Dive Log

Boat Dives:

Sunday, July 14: Al, Mike, Rich M, Tom, Ben, Ian, and Tony did 2 dives off the Scuba Too on a nice day out on the Atlantic. The crew did their best to locate some new wrecks for the divers who decided to return to the Pliny and The Western World. Vis was good on the Pliny being 6 to 8 feet. The Western World was less being about 4 feet with a little current working.

Al and Mike enacted a customs inspection gone wrong much to the delight of Tony. Ian and Mike then tried to remove one of the dock pilings, but were unsuccessful.

All had a good day out on the water.

Thursday July 18 through Monday July 21: Mike, Rich, Tom, Ben, and local divers Ed, Ed Jr, Ken and others did several dives off private boats in Lake George, NY.

The purpose was to locate and retrieve artifacts. The group was successful and plans to give a presentation to the club at our next meeting. Please come to hear the details.

DA Dive Plan

Shore Dive:

Saturday, August 24: Night Dive at Shark River Inlet & Sat Night Out

Boat Dives:

Boat Dives 2002 are filling fast: Tom has 2 openings left for 2002 dives on The Scuba Too for August 18. These are all Sunday dates and the planned dives will be inshore wrecks. The cost is $60 per dive and giving Tom a check for any trip you plan to make can reserve spots.

Ben has 1 date remaining for the Scuba Too going out to the Mohawk on September 8, 2002. Please make payment to Ben who will be organizing the trip.

Ben may be arranging some trips on the Sea Lion. Please contact him so he can give you more details. Ben may also be planning to go out on the Ol Salty for specific dates. Please contact him for any of those dives.

We will try to coordinate dives with In Too Deep for 2002 as well. Paul Ward has always made his trips available to other dive organizations in the spirit of club cooperation. We will do the same for In Too Deep members. Gary Mullen often dives with Paul and you can contact Gary about his dives as well. Lastly any DA member who plans to dive any boat this coming year can ask other DA members if they are interested in joining the dive. Contact Tom, Rich, Ben, or Rick with your plans and we will see that others in the club are made aware of the opportunity. Rich Mullen has expressed interest in diving with Dan Berg on his boat sometime in 2002. If other members would like to join him, please see Rich and plan a date that we can post.

Check our DA Calendar for dates of dives listed so far. Some dates have already been planned. Some dates are full so please act fast. Please bring your comments to any meeting or contact any of our officers concerning dives or any other activities you would like to do in the coming year.

Boat Diving Requirements

Everyone be advised that the following are required by Tom and Ben to dive the Scuba Too and other boats:

1) Standard NAUI Waiver and Release signed before boarding naming Tom Gormley and Ben Gualano as Instructors and Divemasters.

2) Logbook indicating northeast boat diving experience or arrangements to do guided dive with Tom or Ben.

3) Pony bottle and regulator with pressure gauge or other suitable redundant gear.

4) Compass, wreck reel, surface audible signaling device, and cutting device as well as other mandatory scuba gear.

5) DAN or equivalent insurance.

6) The Scuba Too leaves at 7AM, don’t miss it. Plan to return by 3PM.

Directions to the Scuba Too are as follows:

Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 98. Take Rt. 34 south, which connects to Rt. 35 south. Continue on Rt. 35 south and cross the Manasquan River into Point Pleasant Beach. Take the first left turn after the bridge, which puts you on Rt. 35 north. Turn right onto Broadway almost immediately. Drive east until you go over the boat basin bridge on Broadway and turn right onto Randal Ave. Make a quick right into the parking lot and look for the Scuba Too. Parking is limited so carpool if available.

Shark Week Information

Hey shark fans!

I want to be sure that you mark your calendars for this year's Shark Week on Discovery Channel. Discovery Channel plans on celebrating the 15th anniversary of Shark Week by airing more premiere shows than ever before! In addition, this year's Celebrity Shark Week will feature never-before-granted access for celebrities to dive with host Nigel Marven in either the waters of the Bahamas or South Africa in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to learn more about -- and get up close and personal with -- these diverse denizens of the deep, and meet people on the forefront of shark studies. Be sure not to miss some of your favorite celebrities* as they participate in a variety of shark activities ranging from hypnotizing sharks to

swimming and hand-feeding in segments airing around six brand new programs.

This year's premieres range from Great White Attack: A True Story to Wild Battlefields: Shark City, a 60-minute shark experience that includes never-before-seen footage of shark search patterns and feeding strategies and more. Be sure not to miss these and other exciting new programs only on Discovery Channel. If you think it would be appropriate to post information about Shark Week on your

website or circulate within your group, I've attached a copy of the show logo below as well as some brief copy about this year's programs for your use. At the very least we hope you and all your friends will tune-in to Celebrity Shark Week on Discovery Channel, Sunday, August 11 through Friday, August 16, 2002 (with a special

seven-hour encore on the afternoon of Sunday, August 18).

*(in alphabetical order): actress Julie Bowen (Ed); actor David James Elliott (J.A.G.); singer Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray); singer/songwriter Brian McKnight; actor Adrian Pasdar (Mysterious Ways); athlete/model Gabrielle Reece; actor Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers); and actress/model Estella Warren (Planet of the Apes).

Fla. Keys Habitat Is Studied

By KEN THOMAS

.c The Associated Press

DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) - In the crystal blue waters that straddle one of North America's most remote national parks, schools of yellow-tailed snapper and dark chub mix with yellow-and-black-striped sergeant majors along the sea grass beds and coral reefs.

Scientists studying fish stocks in the Florida Keys say the pinch of overfishing continues to hamper the region and reinforces the need to properly manage the waters, considered some of the most fertile fishing spots in the hemisphere.

``The sad story about all of this is that what we've done in the past is serial overfishing,'' said Jerry Ault, a marine biologist with the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Researchers and crew members aboard the M/V Spree recently completed a monthlong expedition along the coastal shores south of Miami and into the Keys, completing their work near this watery park about 70 miles west of Key West.

They studied an area the size of Delaware one year after federal officials declared 151 square miles of waters around the Dry Tortugas National Park off-limits to fishing.

While the results are preliminary, researchers say they identified about 300 species and gained evidence of something they have long suspected: Areas in the Upper Keys near Key Largo and Miami that are heavily fished contain smaller fish and fewer species while outlying parts of the Keys with the least amount of fishing have larger fish and more species.

The findings suggest many fish are being snatched just as they reach the point where they can be legally caught, diminishing the amount of eggs available to increase fish stocks.

Researchers warn the demographics of the area could make matters worse. Florida is home to more than 900,000 registered recreational vessels, an increase of 465 percent since the mid-1960s, Ault said. Technological advances, meanwhile, have helped fishermen improve their ability to catch fish.

``The reality is that we're going to blitz several of the species that are already on the rims,'' Ault said.

Awaking early in the morning and accumulating more than 1,600 dives, researchers carried makeshift rulers, graphite pencils and plastic paper to inventory fish stocks and habitats in a given region, measuring the size of fish and determining the quality of coral reef habitats.

The data have a limited ancestry. Florida did not begin to collect fisheries statistics until the mid-1970s, leaving only anecdotal accounts of previous fish stocks and questions of whether the marine preserves would actually help stocks.

``Every species has its own strategy so you put that all into a model and you can really understand how the system works,'' said James Bohnsack, a biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southeast Fisheries Science Center. ``We've never had that ability.''

``It's going to provide information for the managers and scientists who are involved in making those decisions,'' said Steven Miller, director of the National Undersea Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The marine reserve approach - setting aside waters from fishing to restore stocks - has been used in other parts of the world, including New Zealand. Some researchers have argued that reserves will eventually enhance nearby waters where fishing is allowed. A study released last November of a network of five small reserves in St. Lucia in the eastern Caribbean found that catches by fishermen increased between 46 percent and 90 percent in waters near the reserve within five years of creation.

While many fishermen worked with federal officials to create the Tortugas reserve, some recreational and commercial fishermen remain skeptical of the concept as a way to improve the habitat.

Greg DiDomenico, executive director of Monroe County Commercial Fishermen Inc., representing a $50 million industry and about 400 longtime fishermen in the region, said the approach singles out fishermen without considering other environmental factors hurting stocks.

``We're not going to see fish rebuild until we take care of the entire picture. Saving them from being caught is one little part of it,'' he said.

DiDomenico said development in South Florida, water quality problems and a huge patch of dark water off the southwest Florida coast under study by scientists also need to be considered.

Still, some managers say the research will help show the limitations of the seas - just like the habitat of protected parks and animals - and the need to take conservation measures for future generations.

``We've always seen it as an endless boundary. What we're learning now in the 21st century is that it's a finite resource and there are limitations and we're exceeding those resources, not only here but around the globe,'' said Billy Causey, superintendent for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

``What we have to do is apply what we've learned about land on the water,'' he said.

07/29/02 09:47 EDT

July Meeting Minutes, (unapproved)

Divers Anonymous Scuba Dive Club

Mario’s Restaurant / 710 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, NJ / (973) 777-1559

July 29, 2002 - Monthly Meeting Minutes

Members Present:

Rich Bertoldi

Jamie Cacciatore

Edith & Rick Farmer

Ian Fryer

Norva & Tom Gormley

Ben Gualano

Bob Jeffas

Mick Lacatena

Herb Marvin

Connie & Leo Mazur

Christine & Laura Menville

Richard Mullen

Christine & Al Nesterok

Erica & Imre Papdi

Lara Padula

Christopher Rollins

Derrick Teel

Don Van Dyk

The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. - 24 of 33 active members were present.

Executive Committee Reports

Treasurer Report / Lara Padula

Secretary Report / Rich Mullen

Past month’s newsletter and meeting minutes were made available to club members by web site, sent by email and hardcopy mailed to non-email members. Members present accepted filed meeting minutes unread. Copy of NJCDC May meeting minutes was sent to members with email addresses.

Vice President’s Report / Al Nesterok

Left-over non-perishable goods from Jul 27-28 Dutch Springs campout weekend will be held for rescue and campout weekend scheduled for Sep 28-29. Lakeland Divers dive shop in East Hanover will be holding free film fest on Aug 7 at 8:00 p.m. on local shipwrecks. This dive shop offers good service and supplies in additional to running local dives off their dive boat the Sea Lion.

President’s Report / Tom Gormley

· Reported on July’s various shore and boat dives. We are having lots of dives and fun with club members and other dive buddies. Come out and enjoy the fun.

· Jul 27-28 Dutch Springs campout weekend was a great success attended by total of 20 members and guests. Many enjoyed the treasure hunt, prizes, fun dives, training classes and socializing among friends. Clubs expense were 79 for prizes and $83 for food, which ran $38 under budget.

· Aug 24 Shark River night dive.

· Sep 1 picnic and dive at Delaware River Water Gap.

· Sep 28~29 Dutch Spring’s rescue training, fun diving and campout weekend.

· Next month’s guest speakers will be Ben, Mike, Rich and Tom who will give report about their recent Lake George dive trip. Come out and hear about their stories of digging in cinders beds from old steamboats, finding old artifacts, their pontoon boat going 2 foot totally underwater, and finding of secret spot for great artifact finding.

Special Committees Reports

Local Dive Committee / Ben and Tom

· This season’s remains scheduled dives aboard the Scuba Too are Aug 18 for 2 inshore dives with 2 opening still available and Sep 8 for dives at the Mohawk. Cost is $60 per trip.

· Contact Ben for possible putting together dive outings aboard the Sea Lion and OL’ Salty II.

Membership Committee / Tom Gormley

Welcome to new club members Austin Jackson, Herbert Marvin and Chris Rollins.

T-Shirt Committee / Ian Fryer & Jamie Cacciatore

Ian and Jamie gave details about ordering T-shirts sweatshirts and hats. Ian is now taking orders for T-shirts and hats for $20 and $14. T-shirts come in various colors such as navy, royal, black, forest green, red and gray. Club members have already voted to authorize spending up to $500 to place advanced orders to stock club supplies. Contact Ian or Jamie to place orders.

Travel Committee / Norva Gormley

Ben and Rich are planning another trip to St. Thomas for Nov 7~11. This is a great opportunity to dive with Ben, an experienced diver who knows his way around the U.S. Virgin Island. Paul and Gary from In Too Deep have already signed up.

Web Site & Newsletter Committee Tom Gormley

Visit club web site at https://www.angelfire.com/nj4/divers/

This web site offers Calendar of Events, Newsletters, Scuba Links and other cool stuff. If members want to post timely club or scuba related activities they are encouraged to use email group mailing or you may contact Tom or Rich to forward your message..

Old Business

Shirts and hats.

New Business

Nothing new to report.

Guest Speaker

Rick gave excellent report on his personal experience with getting bent last June in Cayman Island. All present appreciated Rick’s presentation.

You can get more details by visiting his web site at: rickandedith.com

Next Meeting Note: Our next meeting will be held on Monday, August 26 at 7:30PM at Mario’s Restaurant. Topic: Diving in Lake George, NY

Club minutes are submitted by Secretary, Richard Mullen

2002 Calendar

2002 Divers Anonymous Calendar 2002

January 2002 · 1/12 - DA Holiday Party, 8:00 pm, San Carlo Rest., 620 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst · 1/14 – DA Planning Meeting, 7PM, 6 Bros Diner, Rt 46 · 1/28 - Dive Club Meeting, Featured Speaker: Capt Ted Massotti, How to become rebreather certified	February 2002 § 2/16 Third Annual DA Ski Day § 2/17 Tom’s River Flea Market § 2/25 - Dive Club Meeting	March 2002 · 3/3 NYC Aquarium Trip · 3/20 Pool Check Out Dive, Clifton Y, 9PM · Beneath the Sea 3/22, 23, 24 · Dive Club Meeting 3/25
April 2002 · April 14 Manasquan River Dive 10AM · 4/29 - Dive Club Meeting Annual Dues & Officer Elections	May 2002 · 5/18 - Memorial Day Picnic and Dive · 5/20 - Dive Club Meeting · Boat Diving	June 2002 · 6/8 Shark River Inlet Dive · 6/16 Boat Diving Scuba Too · 6/24 - Dive Club Meeting · 6/30 Boat diving Scuba Too Mohawk Trip
July 2002 · 7/7 Dual Wrecks, Long Branch Shore Dive, 7:30AM · 7/14 Boat Dive Scuba Too · 7/27 & 28 Dutch Springs Camping and Dive Weekend · 7/29 - Dive Club Meeting · Boat Diving	August 2002 · 8/4 , 8/18 Scuba Too Boat Dives · 8/24 Night Dive at Shark River Inlet & Sat Night Out · DA Day at Great Adventure · 8/26 - Dive Club Meeting · Boat Diving	September 2002 · Labor Day Picnic & Dive, Sun, 9/1, 8AM · 9/8 Boat Diving Scuba Too Mohawk Trip · 9/28-29 Dutch Springs Diving · 9/30 - Dive Club Meeting · Boat Diving
October 2002 · 10/27 Halloween Dive · Boat Diving · 10/28 Dive Club Meeting	November 2002 · 11/17 Fifth Annual Equipment Maintenance Workshop · 11/25 Dive Club Meeting	December 2002 · 12/16 – Dive Club Meeting 2^nd Annual Artifact & Photo Exhibit and Dive Story Contest · Happy Holidays

Pink Highlighted Events are supported by DA dues: food, prizes, subsidized admission etc.