Abundance of Sea Life

Islamorada/Tavernier with Conch Republic

11 Active Divers enjoyed a beautiful day with winds of approximately 5-10 kts; seas less than 2’, visibility 40’, air temp 87 degrees, and water temp 84 degrees.

This trip welcomed the following 2 new members: Mario Moya and Dawn Adams.

^{Newcomer Mario Moya (right) with Safety Officer Amber Laureano.} 

^{Newcomer Dawn Adams enjoys the abundance of sea life on the reef.} 

^{iCARE is growing new sponges in coral trees on the reef. We shared the boat with coral outplanters.} 

1st Dive - The Maze Reef: The charter vessel was shared with I-Care divers trained to plant coral on dedicated areas of the reef. The dive began with a clear, sunny day and beautiful blue waters. Upon descending, the reef was located just a short swim from the port side of the boat. Minimal current was detected at the surface or at depth. The 11 divers followed the crew’s instructions on how to dive the reef. Our divers sighted turtles, pufferfish, moray eels, snappers, groupers, hogfish, parrotfish, and an abundance of beautiful reef fish.

2nd Dive – Davis Reef: For dive #2, travel to a second location took approximately 10 minutes, allowing divers time to change cylinders, hydrate, and eat snacks provided by the vessel crew. The surface swells and winds were equal to the first dive. During this second dive, again minimal current was detected on the surface or at depth. On this dive, many reef fish were observed, as in the first dive, as well as numerous resting nurse sharks, lobsters, and even a stonefish. Both locations were new to many of the divers but offered an abundance of sea life that all participants enjoyed.

^{Happy divers (from left): Bill Curtin, Maureen Curtin, Maureen Niland, Carl Manzelli, Dawn Adams, Leah Bamford, Mo Smith, Nico Rivera, Amber Laureano, Mario Moya, Steve Moore.} 

All underwater photos by Leah Bamford.