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Dive Report: San Miguel Island on the Peace


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Posted by Chris on June 10, 2010 at 23:09:27:

Last Sunday June 6, 2010 I went to San Miguel Island aboard the Peace. I boarded on Saturday evening, set up my gear and went to sleep. Although the weather prediction was dire, the midnight departure and crossing was so calm I did not even wake.
When I awoke on Sunday morning we were approaching San Miguel Island. Our first dive was at 6:30 AM at Crook Point. The surface was flat calm and the kelp was up and thick.



The visibility was 30 feet. The temperature varied from 50°F at the surface to 48°F at 110 feet.
Here and at all the sites the rocks were covered with healthy Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens). There were many large 10"+ abs plus scattered juveniles. The 10+ year closure of abalone is making a difference and the density of abs was high enough for a viable breeding stock to help them spread.

Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)



Our next dive was at Wyckoff Ledge, a target rich environment for a photographer. There were many small fich including juvenile rockfish, interesting invertebrates, many nudibranchs, and a some interesting pelagic critters. Again the visibility was 30 feet and the temperature varied from 50°F at the surface to 48°F at 100 feet.













Our third dive was at Rain Barrel. Every rock was covered with nudibranchs.











Our last dive was at The Bluffs. I dropped and found several rocks covered with large Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens). I had a macro lens, so I got a shot of one of the juveniles among the giants.

Juvenile Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Juvenile Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)


I spent most of the dive here taking pictures of the many interesting pelagic creatures drifting about.














It was another great trip aboard the Peace.

©2010 Chris Grossman, diver.net



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