Calls for More Precautions as Lobster Diving Increases

From the San Diego News Room:

It’s not easy to catch a lobster.

Geared up in scuba equipment, one must dive to the depths of the ocean, often more than 60 feet, in the dark. These crustaceans come out at night when predators can’t see them. Experienced lobster hunters say swimming far and fast, covering a lot of territory, is key to nabbing one with a swipe of the hand before it can scurry away. One must be quick (it only takes a tenth of a second for the critters to notice the presence of a human), but also careful — sometimes lobsters hide in holes with sea urchin, and a wild grab can land a diver in the hospital. Sharp spines on a lobster’s whipping tail can draw blood.

Some do it for the thrill, and others for the tasty meal. Either way, La Jolla is one of the most frequented destinations in San Diego during lobster hunting season, which opened last month, bringing a slew of aficionados to its waters. San Diego Lifeguard Lt. John Everhart said the sport seems to be gaining popularity, but with that increase in popularity comes more people confronting the dangers associated with lobster diving. Since opening night, which fell on Oct. 2 this year, there has been one death and several rescues of lobster divers.

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Also, be sure to note the California hunting rules at the bottom of the article.

Lobster hunting rules from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

• Recreational divers may only use their bare or gloved hands to take lobsters, and their bag limit is seven per day.

• Trophy-size lobsters are becoming scarce, so fishing is prohibited in reserve areas.

• A Spiny Lobster Report Card, which costs $7.50, must be filled out immediately after fishing.

• For divers, report cards must be kept within 500 yards of the point of entry.

• Fishers over 16 must have a fishing license and an ocean enhancement stamp.

• Hunters must carry a device to measure the carapace (portion from the eyes to the tail). If less than three inches, it must be returned to sea.

• The lobster must be measured and bagged before being taken out of the water.

Safe hunting!

Tassie Divers Blame Commercial Operators for Rock Lobster Decline

And, of course, commercial fisherman point the finger at recreational scuba divers in return.

Tasmania's recreational fishermen have hit back at calls for rock lobster diving to be banned.

Last week the Rock Lobster Fishermens Association called for diving with compressed air to be banned for the state's 21,000 recreational fishermen.

The association says divers target larger females, which lowers reproduction levels for rock lobsters.

But Don Paton from Recreational Fishing Tasmania says commercial fishermen are responsible for falling fish stock levels.

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Your thoughts?

Divers' Shellfish Code Introduced for Dorset Coast

Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to this.

The underwater life of the Dorset coast is being threatened by divers taking too many shellfish, according to conservationists.

Dorset Wildlife Trust is concerned that some divers are collecting large numbers of the marine animals.

The trust maintains this is putting the wildlife balance in the reefs at risk.

Divers who take too many lobsters, crabs and scallops could be depriving fellow divers of the chance to see these creatures alive in the wild.

Animals such as wrasse [brightly coloured marine fish], conger eels, cuttlefish, rays and sharks depend on shellfish for food, so there is also a 'knock-on' effect when numbers are reduced.

Julie Hatcher, marine awareness officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: "We are worried about the sizes and numbers of shellfish, especially scallops and lobsters, which are being taken by recreational divers.

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A Divers' Shellfish Code is being launched at the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, as part of the Selfish Shellfish Divers Project, and will be distributed free from the slipway at Kimmeridge Bay throughout summer 2010.

It is hoped that following the code will help ensure there will always be plenty of shellfish around for divers to see.

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New England Dive Community Suffers 7th Death in 7 Years

Every scuba diving death is tragic for our sport, but what are divers to make of this apparent trend emerging from the New England dive community?

Seven deaths in seven years is more than a cause for concern. The latest being Paul Blanchette, a 37-year veteran of our beloved sport.

In the small, close-knit circle of deep-sea divers in New England, Paul Blanchette was a star. He had made 57 trips to survey the sunken luxury liner Andrea Doria, and last fall he was one of the first divers to reach the wreck of the steamship Portland, located in water 460 feet deep on Stellwagen Bank.

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But an hour after he slipped into the cold waters off the coast of Gloucester on May 18, fellow crew members began to worry. Thirty minutes later, David Cunningham dived into the water with other divers and searched the bottom for their colleague. A day later, Blanchette’s body was found just yards from the wreck.

He became the seventh scuba diver who has died in waters off Gloucester and Rockport since 2002. The lure of easy access to beaches and the chance to swim among exotic fish while grabbing a lobster or two for dinner have made Cape Ann the most popular diving site in New England.

But Blanchette’s death has many in the New England diving community wondering how such an experienced diver lost his life during a routine excursion. They are eager to hear the official cause of death from state officials investigating.

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Our thoughts and prayers are with Blanchette's family and friends.