Looking at the proposal for the new Blue Cavern SMCA, it appears that it would prohibit any diving (except from a live boat) between Little Fisherman's Cove and Empire Landing (unless you're friends with the director of the Catalina Marine Science Center).

The area includes some great dive sites like Sea Fan Grotto and the Rock Quarry -- these sites are some of the most accessible to divers staying at Two Harbors.

The proposal seems a excessive to me.

Here's the language of the proposal (pages 14-15):

Blue Cavern (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area.

(A) This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33° 25.96’ N. lat. 118° 27.00’ W. long.;
33° 27.50’ N. lat. 118° 27.00’ W. long.;
33° 27.50’ N. lat. 118° 29.30’ W. long.; and
33° 26.64’ N. lat. 118° 29.30’ W. long.

(B) Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except for take pursuant to activities authorized under subsections 632(b)(102)(D) and 632(b)(102)(E).

(C) Except as pursuant to Federal law, emergency caused by hazardous weather, or as provided in this section, it is unlawful to anchor or moor a vessel in the Catalina Marine
Science Center State Marine Reserve Blue Cavern State Marine Conservation Area.

(D) The director of the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Blue Cavern State Marine Reserve Conservation Area, or any person that the director of the reserve conservation area has authorized may anchor or moor a vessel or take, for scientific
purposes, any fish or specimen of marine life under the conditions prescribed by the department or the reserve director.in a scientific collecting permit issued by the
department.

• SMCA

• Re: No Diving from Little Fisherman's Cove to Empire Landing? Ken Kurtis 10:26:50 11/30/10 (2)
  • Re: Re: No Diving from Little Fisherman's Cove to Empire Landing? Stephen Benavides 11:21:36 11/30/10 (0)
  • Re: No Diving from Little Fisherman's Cove to Empire Landing? Jon 11:11:46 11/30/10 (0)