Where are all the Fish?

Today we did a boat trip to the back side of Molikini Crater. And when we were done we asked each other,"where are all the fish". There are so few fish on Maui as compared to just a few years ago. Some of the species we used to see every time we snorkeled, are very hard to find now. The Achilles Tang, Unicorn fish, Orange sided Sturgeon, just to name a few. I'm not sure what's going on but it can't be good.  Here are a few pictures. One is a flying gurnard, and two frog fish. If the frog fish are hard to see, look for the mouth and paw paws and you can probably find it

DIVING IN PARADISE

So far this week I have done two dives off the Maui Diamond and two shore dives. All are worthy of being called a Paradise Dive.
 Wednesday we went to Turtle Valley and there were 5 big turtles just hanging out. One literally.
Thursday the visibility was way down and the waves up because a south swell is coming in. We were able to see one big turtle on the swim out, Harlequin shrimp and five different species of eel. I love the Damsel fish, they sound like doves underwater and they think they are so tough. Good dives all, with many more to come. Stay tuned for more pictures.

BONAIRE 2013

Our fifth annual dive trip to Bonaire produced some pleasant surprises. First was the lion fish population. In past years it was not unusual to find 5 - 10 adult lion fish on any one dive. This year we probably found only 15-20 on all 28 of our dives. We were informed that even though they have been a Marine Protected Area for over 30 years they have implemented a program when they train divers to hunt the lion fish and the resturants serve a lion fish dinner for $45. Together they have made a big dent in the population.

The second project we found out about is Buddys Dive Resort's program for growing antler coral. It is a  program with a 96% success rate. It is great to know that people are looking for and implementing unconventional ways to help our marine environment.

Adult Drum

Juvenile Drum

Adult Lion Fish

Banded Butterflies

Coral Growing Trees at Buddys Dive Resort

MAUI 2013

I arrived Sunday night and when I got to the condo it really hit me how much I lost when my friend Bob died. Bob and Jan own the condo I have been staying in for the last 14 years while I have been in Maui. We lost Bob because of cancer on Sat morning. He was adamant that I was to come over even without him, so here I am.
I went on the Maui Diamond out of Maui Dreams Dive Company on Tuesday. It was great to be in the water here. I forget from time to time how many fish you only see here. I always hope that Maui will start to value their fish and start taking care to protect them.
'On all three dives I have seen big green turtles. One of them today was taller than I am. There were 5 in Turtle Valley. I hope this means the turtles are doing well. I'm looking forward to many more dives and lots more fish and turtles to look at.

Week Four Maui, 2011

It's hard to believe it is coming to an end already. I leave for the Big Island on Wed. I went on a scooter dive to St. Anthony's and met Bill and Brock, who live in this same complex and we have had three great days of diving together. The two today were great. Aaron, Bill, Brock and I went out to Wailea. On our first dive we trailed behind Sarah from Maui Dreams and had a great dive. Aaron didn't do the second dive because he was having a little trouble with his ears. We went straight out and saw lots of stuff. Many different kinds of eels. What a great day for Bill and Brock, since this was their last dive of the trip. Good to go home with good dives under your belt.

Wailea, Great Shore Dive 8-13 2011

We went out seahorse hunting again this morning, but instead of just going to the area we meandered our way there. It was a great dive. I'd forgotten how pretty the reef is straight out. Ron found lots of eels, scorpion fish, octopus, shrimp and different reef fish. But no seahorse. There is some swell coming in even though we got out early. I'm sure this swell will make the shore diving stink for the next couple of days.

Maui, More Week Three

The diving this week has lead to some neat sightings. First I found a seahorse on the boat dive on Sunday and then we did a shore dive on Tuesday and found him again. Tried again today but he wasn't having any of it and kept himself well hidden. But I snapped a picture of a fish I had never seen and when I couldn't find it in the book I asked Bill Stohler and he told me it was a Randall's Puffer and he had never seen one. I feel really special that I did.
I also started going to the workout room here at the condo. I need to get stronger to be able to do more stuff and this is a start.