Carlos and Allison will be presenting on the Starck Fish Biodiversity Study from the 1960s and giving a photographic and video tour of Alligator Lighthouse, Alligator Ledge, and the Eagle Wreck.
Eagle Wreck (advanced dive) & Shallow Reef Dive
Eagle Wreck sits in 110 ft of water with the superstructure at 70 ft. This is an advanced dive as seas can be rough & the current can be strong. Nitrox is recommended for the 1st dive as is diving with a computer.
Fish sighted on the wreck: goliath grouper, jacks (horse eye, yellow, bar); atlantic spade fish, sunshine fish, purple reef fish, striped grunts, tomtates....
Alligator Ledge (2 hr dive, 1 tank / 100 Fish ID Dive)
Key Dives, 12:30 PM Check in
Fish ID lecture focusing on common fish seen on The Eagle Wreck & nearby shallow reefs. We will discuss habitat, diet, reproduction & cool facts of some of the fish found on the Eagle Wreck and nearby shallow reefs. Discussion includes basic & advanced fish ID reviews to help you correctly identify the different species.
Lecture on identifying 100+ fish species on 1 dive in the Florida Keys.
Lecture will discuss fish biodiversity in the Florida Keys, how to do a Century Dive (identifying 100+ species on 1 dive), the top fish biodiversity dive sites in the Upper Keys for a Century Dive, and a thorough dive briefing on how to do a Century Dive on Alligator Ledge (where to find the fish in their different habitats, how to manage your dive...).
Visit www.100fishid.com to learn more & study the top 100+ fish found in the FL Keys
The Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) REEF Field Station is again hosting their GAFC event on July 18, 2014 at Bathtub Reef in Stuart, Florida. At 10 am we will conduct a Fish ID course of the Top 25 fish found at Bathtub Reef at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center (890 NE Ocean Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996). Instruction will be provided by REEF instructor Lureen Ferretti. Following the course, we will then head down to Bathtub Beach (1585 SE MacArthur Blvd.
8:15 AM Road Trip to Blue Heron Bridge for a Shore Dive to find unusual critters: batfish, fly gurnards, sea horses, frogfish, jawfish.....
This is a 1 tank (90-120 minute shallow shore dive (<25 ft)). You will need a Diver Down Flag. You can rent the flag/tanks/weights/other gear at Force E Scuba Center (155 E Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL. 561-845-2333)
Check out on Facebook: Blue Heron Dive Club to see the latest critters sighted.
Address for shore dive: Phil Foster State Park, 900 East Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
8 AM Check In at Islamorada Dive Center (MM 84): Wall Dive (Great Hammerhead sighted regularly on this reef) & at Patch Reef. Call IDC to reserve your spot: 305 664 3483, tell them you are with the REEF Fish ID Group. Email Allison to confirm your participation (allison.carlos@me.com)