Posted by AADIVER on July 10, 2003 at 22:12:29:
Orange County Coastkeeper is a volunteer organization with a mission to restore the integrity and balance of our near shore marine ecosystems, (i.e. subdue the urchin population and reforest the kelp forests via replanting), monitor illegal discharges, and stop contamination or our bays and marinas.
Today was my first dive with Coastkeepers on their boat out of Newport to Crystal Cove. The sky was overcast, the water calm but somewhat murky and in the high 60's.
First tank was gathering urchins in 30 fsw, measuring their size, then dumping them in deeper water. Second tank was random counting urchins in metric grids and sizing them in a control reef system; a job that's done twice a year. If this sounds a bit boring and a lot of work, it was. But ultimately it's the hardest diving work you'll ever learn to love.
If you're interested in learning more about Coastkeeper and perhaps becoming a dive volunteer, their website is: www.coastkeeper.org