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November 2024 Newsletter

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Vol. 52 No. 11

Marine Conservation and Adventure Expeditions with Angela Smith and Shark Team One (in Person Speaker)

Angela Smith, founder of the endangered species conservation and citizen science expedition organization Shark Team One will speak about working with large marine animals and the conservation of endangered species worldwide.

Angela will talk about new projects such as her work to help build a marine protected area in the remote Weddell Sea, Antarctica and what it’s like to snorkel in Antarctica with curious seals and rafts of penguins. You will also see behind the scenes on Shark Team One film productions and research trips in The Bahamas, Mexico and Dominica as you learn about Shark Team One’s endangered species work with whale sharks, tiger sharks and sperm whale family groups. Angela will be discussing upcoming projects in the Canadian and Norwegian Arctic where she will be documenting marine mammal migrations through the ice floes and studying narwhal, bowhead whales and the “carousel feeding” orcas of Northern Norway.

Angela is an award-winning conservationist, photographer, writer and filmmaker specializing in endangered species and is the founder of the nonprofit Shark Team One. She is also a researcher supported by the S.E.E. Initiative (Science, Exploration, Education) with National Geographic and partners, a Microsoft AI for Earth grantee and a member of the Ocean Artists Society. Angela served as NGO Vice-chair for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), a program of United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). As an award-winning filmmaker, her wildlife documentaries have won accolades at venues such as Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Blue Ocean Film Festival, Jackson Wild and Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. She is an Indianapolis Prize for lifetime achievement in conservation nominee for 2020 and has recently led Shark Team One to be a Disney Conservation Fund grantee. Angela has been leading Shark Team One programs and expeditions since 2013.

Visit Angela’s website at: www.sharkteamone.org

Summary Brochure:

Shark Team One_Angela Smith_USA Dive Club 2024.pdf

Overseas Diving Update

Upcoming trips 2025:

See details on: https://usadiveclub.org/Overseas

  • LCBR - May 31 - June 7 - The details will be ready by 10/3
  • Philippines - Aggressor (I) - July 12-22 - we might add a land based extension the week before - details and signup form is posted on the Overseas web page
  • NOTE - Our ability to hold on to unsold spots for Aggressor will expire shortly - Please call me at your earliest convenience if interested 
  • Roatan Aggressor - Sept 6-13, 2025. details are already posted

    Nils Jacobsen
    VP Overseas Diving


      Presidents Waves

      I hope everybody is enjoying the start of weather cooling down. Please double check your Hurricane Plan and be prepared since we still have a month of the season remaining.

      Please sign up and join the club out diving. Please keep an eye on upcoming dives and join in if you are inclined. It is always a lot of fun catching up on the boat and having lunch afterward with friends. The Blue Heron Bridge crowd is still very active also.

      Our November speaker is Shark Team One which will be a in person speaker.

      It is that time of year again for Board of Director elections, the Board is proposing the following slate of electors.

      • President – Chris Hardham
      • VP of Programs – Rick Dayan
      • VP Overseas – Nils Jacobsen
      • VP of Social Events – Lureen Ferretti
      • VP of Local Diving – Ryan Goheen
      • Secretary – Amy Welman
      • Treasurer – Ronnie Farr

      There are several positions on the Board of Directors where help would be greatly appreciated. It is a great opportunity to learn about the club and our membership. The members that volunteer their time would appreciate some new blood to join the BoD and help guide the club into the future. Additionally, there are several appointed positions that will be filled after the new year, please reach out if you are interested.

      Our overseas participation has dropped this year compared to last year, this is a major benefit of our club and source of revenue. If you have locations you would like to visit, please let Nils know so he can look for good deals at DEMA this fall.

      Please come to meetings and help our club grow.

      Happy diving,

      Chris Hardham
      President




       

      Local Diving

      Overseas Dive Trips

      Educational Blog

      Take only pictures and leave bubbles!

      This article represents the views of the author.  The article has not been fact checked by myself, the Board of Directors or any member of the USA Dive Club.

      Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise infringing. Only Pictures, Leave At Most Bubbles? The Case for Wreck Preservation

      Should artifacts be removed and recovered from shipwrecks, or should our underwater cultural heritage be left undisturbed? Regardless of what your choice is,, under which circumstances? These are the questions that Finnish CMAS instructor, and scientific diver Rupert Simon seeks to answer based on directives from UNESCO’s 2001 Convention along with several governments and training agencies.

      Many years back, a fellow diver proudly showed me an amphorae (likely Roman) he had salvaged from a wreck in the Mediterranean Sea. Relatively recently, I watched a video in which a diver brings up an intact porthole from the bottom of the Baltic. Last December, I saw photos in a scuba blog that showed divers presenting their trophies—amongst them was a self-described “… avid collector of shipwreck artifacts.” These examples show that collecting artifacts from shipwrecks, which are de-facto archaeological sites of cultural heritage, is still common. I can’t help but wonder how the habit of collecting items from wrecks for personal benefit applies to the preservation goals taught throughout all main international scuba diving certification bodies. 

      For the complete Indepth article use the link below.

      Take Only Pictures, Leave At Most Bubbles? The Case for Wreck Preservation - InDEPTH (indepthmag.com)

      Membership

      Here's a fun little fact from your Membership Coordinator to brighten your day. 

      Did you know lionfish, sometimes called turkeyfish, have some pretty impressive—and venomous—spines?  They can pack quite a sting!  From the right angle, their beautiful fins look a lot like turkey feathers, which is where the cute nickname comes from. Click on the above link to learn more.

      And for all you pescatarians out there, don’t worry—you can still enjoy your “turkey” by diving into some delicious lionfish. 

      Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and great food with friends and family.

      As always, we invite you to browse through our extensive Photo Gallery to take a look at our social and diving activities.

       

      Hospitality Hut


                                                                

      Greetings From The Hospitality Hut,

      The Holidays are here again.  Pumpkins are being carved and our neighborhood children are getting ready to Trick or Treat.  Local stores are filled with Holiday decorations and preparations have begun for Thanksgiving!

      Regardless of how you celebrate, have a very Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving.

      Unfortunately no guests attended the October general meeting.  

      I encourage you to visit our home page www.usadiveclub.org.   Please click on the calendar and keep up to date on all the diving and non-diving scheduled activities.  You may also take a look at the photo gallery and take a peek at past events.

      Julie has added images of the most recent event and dive trips to the Photo Gallery.  Be sure to take a peek at them,  Julie puts in a ton of hours and work to keep the Photo Gallery updated!

      I wish you all Happy Diving.

      Clare Anthon

      Hospitality Coordinator



       

      Putt'n Around, October 20

      On Sunday October 20, several USA members played putt putt and then had lunch at La Bamba







      LOBSTER POT

      USA's Lobster Pot drawings Include CASH prizes, and a variety of PRIZES donated by Sponsors or Club Members.

      Funds from ticket donations help to support our many club activities. Congratulations to all our Lobster Pot participants. Be sure to visit our Local dive shops who support us and say 'Thanks'.


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