September - Pacific Explorers Dive Club

Pacific Explorers Dive Club PO Box 9443,
Canoga Park, CA 91306
Web site – www.pacificexplorers.org
Contact us – board@pacificexplorers.org
WE MEET the second Wed of each month except Dec at a Denny’s Restaurant on Topanga
just north of Roscoe. Meeting starts at 7 PM. Show up early for socializing.
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1...Speaker Algalita
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2…President's Desk
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3…September Beach Dive, 10th
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4…September Boat Dive, 25th
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dd5…Conservation
& Regs
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6…SoCal Shootout
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7...Board Minutes
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8...General Minutes
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9..Celebrate
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10..Dive Schedule
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11..Fine Print
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Our ocean is filling up with plastic. Algalita has studied
this issue for more than 20 years. The founder of this
organization, Captain Charles Moore, sparked the “Great
Plastics Awakening” in 1997 after he made an alarming
discovery in the North Pacific Ocean. He found that our
plastic trash travels to accumulation zones in the deep
ocean, where it absorbs toxicants, breaks apart into small
bits, and mixes into very intricate marine food webs.
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Hello Divers,
Well how quickly time flies, the year is nearly over. Beach diving for most of the year has
been fair at best. Boat diving at the Islands and the Oil Rigs has been hit or miss. The problem
hasn’t been high surf, swells, excessive rain or storms. We have had just poor visibility largely
attributed to upwelling and particles in the water. When you get all excited about 10 foot
visibility there’s something wrong.
Good news is the dog days of summer are gone. September diving conditions usually start
improving thru December. October signals the opening of lobster season. The club typically
schedules a lobster dive or two in October. On the topic of lobster hunting, the first thing to do
is check to see if you have a 2016 California Fishing License with the Ocean Enhancement
sticker. You will also need a 2016 -2017 Lobster Card. You are required to fill out the card prior
to entering the water, follow instructions on the back of the card. Another thing to remember is
to mail in the Lobster Card at the end of the season. If you don’t they will add extra fees the
following year. Now that you have taken care of the bureaucratic details, when is the best time
to go lobster hunting? After dark because that is when they come out of the rocks and crevices
to feed. Day time lobster hunting can be just as rewarding when you find the right spot and
conditions. What special equipment is required? First, take a lobster gauge, a metal or plastic
measuring device that has a fixed gap of 31/4 inch. To determine whether the lobster you’ve
just caught is large enough to keep, you must measure the length of the body shell, or
carapace, along the midline from the rear edge of the eye socket (between the horns) to the
rear edge of the carapace with a lobster gauge. This straight-line measurement should be a
minimum of 3¼ inches. The carapace of a legal-sized lobster is larger than or equal to the
gauge’s cutout. If the gauge is pressed between the horns and the other end slips around the
back edge of the carapace to touch the tail at any point then the lobster is too small and is
called a “clicker.” It is illegal to take keep a clicker. If the lobster is too small, it should
immediately be released back into the water. Undersized lobster should never be brought
aboard a vessel, or ashore if diving from the beach. Other necessary gear includes a primary
dive light and a backup light, the brighter the better. Don’t forget a lobster bag, it’s a special
bag that doesn’t have the mesh around its top. It’s time to haul out the lobster gauge, game
bag, put new batteries in the dive light and hit the water. Be safe, use good judgment and
have fun.
Let’s Dive
Ron Brunski
“It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in
our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears.
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are
going back from whence we came.”
― John F. Kennedy
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...By Mike Bushell
Date:
Time:
Skill Level:
Parking:
Saturday, September 10th
9:00 am
Beginner
$10?
As usual we are combining the Pacific Explorers club picnic with this month’s Club beach
dive. The dive site is called Deer Creek. It is located at the junction of Deer Creek Road and
PCH. Access to the beach is by a short staircase. It is usually a sandy beach with an easy
entry and a short swim to the thick kelp bed. The reef is a strong one with lots of marine life. I
have personally seen harbor seals, sunfish, abalone, whales and lobster to name a few. One
of our members even reported on seeing a sea turtle there.
We will meet there Saturday September 10th and 9AM. After the dive we will all head up to
Sycamore Cove for the club picnic. It is only about a 5 minute drive. Bring money for parking.
Let the club know if you plan to go!
beachdive@pacificexplorers.org
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...By Kevin Sullivan
Date:
Cost:
Boat:
Skill:
Nitrox:
Boarding:
To Book:
Bonus:
Sunday, September 25th, 2016
$140, 4 dives, lunch, snacks & air
Peace, 1691 Spinnaker Dr., G Dock, Ventura, CA 93001
All, Note: As an Eco Divers policy, spear fishing is not allowed
EANx available for extra charge
Board at 6:00 a.m. and depart at 7:00 a.m., or sleep on boat after 8 pm
Eco Divers Website Calendar, or call 888-728-2252
Attend and receive a “Participation Raffle” ticket at the General Meeting
Fall conditions bring some of the best diving Southern California has to offer. If past
experience holds true, then there’s no better time to get out and enjoy a trip to the islands
before “bug fever” sets in in October!
The entire front side of Anacapa island is
protected providing some excellent diving
opportunities with very large populations of
very large fish. If you’re wondering where all
those big lobsters are going to be hiding this
season, you’ll see them here taunting you
from their comfy lairs! The backside offers
great sea lion photo opportunities at the
underwater arch, and potential giant sea bass
sightings as well. Santa Cruz offers some
different experiences with lots of gorgonians
and large anemones in many locations.
This trip is open to divers of all experience
levels. The Peace has long been known as
one of the best boats in all of SoCal. They
know the great spots to dive and they have the
crew with the experience and customer
service commitment to make sure you have a
great day on the water. The boat provides
high pressure air fills and can also
accommodate nitrox. You need to bring your
own gear including tank & weights unless prior
arrangements are made.
Let the club know if you plan to go!
boatdive@pacificexplorers.org
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...By Mark Navas
September 2016 Calendar of Events
Sep 1-5 Salmon Season opens from Horse Mountain to OR border:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon
Sept 1 – Oct 31: Pacific Halibut season opens:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut
September 3rd: Free Fishing Day. No Fishing License required to fish but you will need any
report cards, tags, etc if required: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days
...By Craig Hoover
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...By Bluewater Photo
The SoCal shootout is a photo/video contest presented each year by Bluewater Photo, and
held over a specific 3-day weekend. Only entries taken during those 3 days are eligible, and
the entries must be taken in “Southern California” waters between Point Conception and the
Mexico border, including the Channel Islands (north and south).
This contest always has excellent prizes, and lots of them! Because the contest dates and
locations are so limited, entrants have a really good chance of winning some type of prize.
There are several categories, and they even have categories for smaller camera types such as
compact and mirrorless. That’s right; you don’t have to own an expensive DSLR to have a
chance at a prize! The categories are:
 Wide-Angle open
 Macro open
 Behavior open
 Portrait open
 Mirrorless Wide-Angle
 Mirrorless Macro
 Compact Wide-Angle
 Compact Macro
 Video - unedited
Yellowfin Fringehead by Craig Hoover
 Video – edited
2nd place dslr macro 2015.
There are a few other really great features of this contest. Photo editing is kept to a
minimum with only global changes allowed (no backscatter removal). Harassment of marine
life to get a photo/video is not allowed, and animals in submissions must be alive. All entrants
will get a limited edition T-shirt, but you must register before September 1 to ensure you get
the desired size. All participants must be registered by Wednesday, September 7 th.
There are several boats which have dedicated trips specifically for this event. Bluewater Photo
has 2 charters as does Channel Islands Dive Adventures. Links to those boat registrations are
on the contest webpage. Check out the official contest rules, categories, and registration at
the link below. And good luck!!
http://www.bluewaterphotostore.com/socal-shootout
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By…Michael Murrie
Meeting called to order 6:50 pm at Shamshiri Restaurant, Northridge, CA.
Board members attending: Ron Brunski, Nancy Anwar, Dave Carlson, Kevin Sullivan, Geoff
Dillberg, Mike Bushell.
Ron, Brunski, President asked for advise about inviting West LA Dive Club members [Eco
Dive Center] to the picnic and beach dive September 10.
For the Christmas dinner, he noted options including Lamplighter and Giamela’s. To check out
the restaurants, the board plans to meet next month at Casa de Sorita near Roscoe and
Topanga. .
Kevin Sullivan, Boat Dive Coordinator: August boat is the 27th to Palos Verdes with Channel
Islands Dive Adventures on the Asante based in San Pedro.
Kevin reported the Mike Brown achieved ReefCheck certification.
Mike Bushell, Beach Dive Coordinator: The August beach dive is Saturday the 20th with the
south Orange County Dive Club. They meet at a Pavilions and decide the specific site at that
time.
The beach dive is at Deer Creek before the picnic on Saturday, September 10.
Nancy Anwar, Membership, reported a new member Erich Fertshneider. She asked about a
few delinquent members.
Dave Carlson, Vice President: Much of the board will be absent at the August meeting
because they will be on the trip to Mendocino; Dave will preside and present the program
about the Channel Islands. September’s speaker is from the California Science Center talking
about plastics in the oceans. October’s speaker is from Pierce College. Kevin is scheduled for
November to speak about diving in Socorro Island Mexico.
Geoffrey Dillberg, Web Master, reported that he would start using the new Wordpress site
and interface to update the Web site this month.
Nancy Anwar suggested putting club materials such as roster, logos, newsletter templates,
articles, and others on a Google Doc [Drive] site. Kevin suggested Microsoft SharePoint as a
good tool for collaborative work. Goeff will investigate and make a recommendation.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:20 PM
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By…Michael Murrie
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM at Denny’s Restaurant, West Hills, CA
Dave Carlson, Vice President: Presided. Attendance was about 20. Dave noted that several
members were away at a camping/abalone-hunting trip to the Mendocino area. Dave noted
the September meeting will host a visitor from the California Science Center speaking about
plastics in the oceans. October’s speaker is from Pierce College. In November Kevin speaks
about diving near Socorro Island Mexico.
Kevin Sullivan, Boat Dive Coordinator: announced the August boat trip on the 17th is on the
Asante for three dives off Palos Verdes.
Mike Bushell, Beach Dive Coordinator: said the August beach dive is with the South Coast
dive club meeting Saturday August 20 at a Pavilion’s parking lot in Laguna Beach. From there
the group decides the dive site. The September beach dive is at Deer Creek before the club
picnic at Sycamore Park September 10.
Nancy Anwar, Membership: introduced visitor Chris Strandtner from Simi Valley. Mike
Bushell invited him when he was on the club trip to Cozumel in June.
Goeff Dillberg, Website: reported that the Web site is note quite up to date but promised to
update it soon.
For the evening’s program, Dave Carlson presented part of a PBS documentary series, West
of West, about the Channel Islands, especially geology and early history.
Raffle Prizes:
o
o
o
o
o
Shears: Anthony Yaneza
Tool: Anthony Yaneza
Weight belt: Mike Herrera
Mug: Mike Herrera
Lobster guage: Geoff Dillberg
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Geoffrey Dillberg
BrentDurand
Ross Widel
David Tsao
Michael Brown
For Completing the PADI Rescue Diver Course
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Schedule
Month
September
September
September
Date
14th
10th
25th
Event
General Meeting
Beach Dive / Picnic
Boat Dive
Location
Denny’s West Hills
Deer Creek
Anacapa/Santa Cruz
Transportation
Car
Car
Boat
Contact
Peace
Cost
Dinner
$10
$140
Dive Organizer Contact Information
Contact
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2
3
4
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Name
Club Beach Dive
Ken Kollwitz
Bluewater Photo
Eco Dive
Sport Chalet
Phone Number
805-469-7288
310-633-5052
310-398-5759
800-348-3794
Website
beachdive@pacificexplorers.org
http://channelislandsdiveadventures.com
http://www.bluewaterphotostore.com
http://www.ecodivecenter.com
http://www.sportchalet.com
Dive Boat Contact Information
Boat
Asante
Bottom Scratcher
Cee Ray
Explorer
Great Escape
Horizon
Lois Ann
Magician
Pacific Star
Peace
Raptor
Spectre
Sundiver
Sunfish
Truth
Vision
Location
San Pedro
Long Beach
Long Beach
Ventura
San Pedro
San Diego
San Diego
San Pedro
Redondo
Ventura
Ventura
Ventura
Long Beach
Channel Islands Harbor
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
Phone
310-567-2355
714-963-4378
562-505-3814
805-890-1142
310-486-0761
619-881-7561
619-992-6895
949-500-4755
626-716-1796
805-650-3483
805-650-7700
866-225-3483
800-555-9446
805-204-0977
805-962-1127
805-962-1127
URL
http://www.asantecharters.com
http://bottomscratcher.com
http://www.ceeraydiveboat.com
http://www.explorerdiveboat.com
http://diveboat.com
http://horizoncharters.com
http://www.loisann.com
http://magicianscuba.com
http://www.pacificstardiving.com
http://peaceboat.com
http://www.raptordive.com
http://calboatdiving.com
http://sundiver.net
http://www.socaldive.com
http://truthaquatics.com
http://truthaquatics.com
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Dates & locations are subject to change without written notice. Boat dives are on a first come
first serve basis. Your money will hold your spot on the boat. All participants in beach diving
activities will be required to complete a club release of liability/assumption of risk form.
PRESIDENT----------------------------------------RON BRUNSKI-----------------president@pacificexplorers.org
VICE PRESIDENT--------------------------------DAVID CARLSON---------vicepresident@pacificexplorers.org
TREASURER---------------------------------------LYNN BUSHELL--------------- treasurer@pacificexplorers.org
SECRETARY---------------------------------------MICHAEL MURRIE-----------secretary@pacificexplorers.org
MEMBERSHIP-------------------------------------NANCY ANWAR------------membership@pacificexplorers.org
WEBMASTER--------------------------------------GEOFF DILLBERG----------webmaster@pacificexplorers.org
BOAT DIVE COORDINATOR------------------KEVIN SULLIVAN-------------- boatdive@pacificexplorers.org
BEACH DIVE COORDINATOR----------------MIKE BUSHELL---------------beachdive@pacificexplorers.org
OPPORTUNITY COORDINATOR------------MICHAEL BROWN-----------------prizes@pacificexplorers.org
NEWSLETTER-------------------------------------CRAIG HOOVER-------------newsletter@pacificexplorers.org
MARINE CONSERVATION OFFICER-------MARK NAVAS--------------conservation@pacificexplorers.org
Web Site: www.pacificexplorers.org
Board: board@pacificexplorers.org
Pacific Explorers Dive Club, PO Box 9443, Canoga Park, CA 91309
If you have pictures or articles you would like to see published in the newsletter, please send
them to Craig Hoover at newsletter@pacificexplorers.org.
We can also post to the club web site, so if you would like to post there, send material to Geoff
Dillberg at webmaster@pacificexplorers.org.
Monthly meetings with entertainment and opportunity drawings, scheduled beach and boat
dives each month, group international travel. Quarterly drawings are January, April, July, and
October.
Membership Fees: New-Single-$25 Family-$35 Renewal-Single-$20 Family-$30
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