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Posted 5:41 PM by Rob Falk

It's the most wond-er-ful time... of the year!

Shark Week on Discovery channel.

Tonight, 10 Deadliest Sharks Documentary, 60 Mins. at 7 and at 8. Supposedly not a repeat of the one they did with a similar title last year.

In case you miss it, and there's a test, the answer is: Tiger; horn; white; lemon; blue; gray reef; oceanic whitetip; hammerhead; mako; bull.

Hmmm... I have a feeling this list is in no particular order.

Tune in to hear Casey Kasem count down the top 10. Can Bull hold on to the number 1 position for its two hundred twelve million, seven hundred forty-seven thousand, four hundred sixty-eighth straight year?

Then, at 9, An episode of Dirty Jobs called Jobs That Bite. It's about working with... oh, go ahead, guess.

Da-da. Da-da. Da-da da-da da-da....

Posted 11:34 AM by Rob Falk

I love lobster, too... but this is ridiculous

Four people died and one is missing this year in Florida's lobster mini season, a two day divers only opportunity to grab some lobsters before the regular season opens in a just another week and a half. People have actually died trying to get a tasty dinner.

Now, in times of war and famine, this might be necessary, and even noble. At this time, it's just plain stupid. I loves my lobster as much as the next guy, maybe even more so... Heck, I've cooked my way through Jasper White's Lobster At Home from front to back and back to front again. But, I'm not even willing to get pinched by one in the hunt. No, not as long as I can buy food in a store.

Some guys (Paul) will risk life and limb to retrieve a chipped teacup from the ocean floor. I don't quite understand the motivation, so long as dinnerware is available at Wal-Mart or Macy's at an affordable price. But, unlike catching a few lobsters, wreck diving and salvaging requires special training, special equipment, special experience and dedication. We all know (except Paul) that the teacup is not really the important thing; it's about the experience, the trip, the adrenaline rush of having done it. That's mountain climbing, speed racing, sky diving... all those crazy things a person in their right mind wouldn't do.

But no matter how you frame it, baggin' a bug, ain't that!

So, friends and fellow divers, since I missed my annual Memorial Day post where I ask everyone to enjoy their New England dive season safely, I'll take that opportunity now. Read here, here, here, and here about the people who died while diving stupidly. Remember that you are engaged in a sport where simple mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Check your equipment, check yourself, and be aware of the conditions on the water.

Check your air, check your depth, check your time, and do it over and over!

Check your pressure group, do the right surface interval, stay hydrated.

And don't let excitement or greed overwhelm your good judgment.

[and Paul, you know I love you buddy!]

Posted 11:09 PM by Rob Falk

An Unwelcome Visitor Off Cape Ann...

Not just any Michael Donovan, our very own Michael Donovan is featured in this article about Sea Squirts taking over Cape Ann waters:

Invasive sea squirt species a threat to ocean bottom, fishing

By Tim Wacker, Globe Correspondent | July 27, 2006Read on at the Boston Globe

Thanks to Mia for passing on the news.

Posted 12:33 AM by Paul Sauvageau

July 12 Bay State Council Meeting

A meeting of the Bay State Council of Divers, BSC was held in Quincy at the South Shore Neptunes' Meeting House in Quincy at 7:30 pm. Chaired by Angelo Correnti, the meeting members addressed a varity of topics of concern to the Massachusetts diving community. Topics ranged from the New England Aquarium Dive Club's Family Day on July 22-23 to an Open House to be held at the Northeastern University Marine Biology Station in Nahant.

However, the topic of greatest import discussed at this meeting concerned the town of Gloucester's intention to make major changes to the local ordinances governing dive flag laws. As reported to participants by Angelo, Dave Stillman, owner of Cape Ann Divers said that the town intends to change the state laws to demand one flag per diver and to restrict divers for a distance of some 25 feet away from all lobstermen's equipment: bouys, trawl lines, traps, etc.

Steve Coren, <-sp? the attorney who defended a woman, Rusty Murrey some 15 years ago on a flag ordinance violation in Nahant told Dave Stillman that he would like to defend divers who fall afoul of this proposed ordinance change. Steve wishes to represent the diving community and by extension, the BSC rather than dive shops or dive charter companies. He said that he would be willing to take on the challenge at a vastly reduced rate that could still total some $3,000 to $4,500. Several members present immediately pledged to donate $100 on the spot. One member suggested soliciting dive shops and charters for donations or matching contributions as such a law change would directly impact their businesses. There is now a push to recruit new members to the BSC.

The next Bay State Council meeting is planned for less than a month from now - August 9th with a second general diving community meeting in the planning stages tentatively set for August 14 to discuss the matter further and spread the word. This meeting could possibly be held at the New England Aquarium.

Stay tuned!