In Reply to: Catalina Island and Marine Reserves posted by Dr. Bill on December 06, 2005 at 22:23:12:

I can't argue with any of your observations.

I would also like to add that the biggest disappointment that I experience is the lack of fish at many of the popular dive sites. The isthmus is very barren, as well as most of the front side of Catalina. Seeing fishing boats 100 yards away from the dive boats is a puzzle to me as I can see that there aren't any fish there.

Catalina is definitely showing the signs of wear and tear. What the answer is I don't know. The island gets hit so hard by recreational users. My regulator fell out of my mouth the day I saw the commercial cucumber fisherman cleaning the cucumbers off Ship Rock. The sport fishing boats take a heavy toll. Private boats dip in the pie as well as spearfishing.

I'm amazed that Catalina has no reserves larger than a postage stamp. I dove a reserve area at Santa Cruz last weekend followed by a dive in a non reserve area and the difference was night and day.

Tonight I read an article in Gourmet magazine that some chefs are chipping in to do their part to not serve fish that are endangered/overfished - thank goodness for those guys because they are the only group I know of that is taking some action on behalf of the ocean ecosystem in general. They flat out said that since ocean management has been so slip shod it is the consumer that has to take action and they saw their place in setting the trend. Round of applause for the Chefs.

• Re: Re: Catalina Island and Marine Reserves Dr. Bill 10:07:12 12/07/05 (1)
  • When the sportfishing community declared 'war' against the reserves, i quit fishing! Brad 18:40:20 12/07/05 (0)