X-Ray Mag

Florida

Marine-mammal rescue facility in Florida heading for foreclosure

9 years ago By Main minion

The all-volunteer MMC spearheaded several rescue efforts of dolphins and small whales that drew international news coverage over the past 20 years, most recently after a 2011 mass stranding of pilot whales in the Lower Keys.

Legal advertisements published in The Reporter this month say the former MMC property will be sold at public auction at 11 a.m. Jan. 8 on the front steps of the Monroe County courthouse on Key West's Whitehead Street.

Staghorn coral found off South Florida

Forests of rare staghorn coral discovered off South Florida

9 years ago By Main minion

A scientist from Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center found the coral while doing a survey for the environmental agency, which wanted a better map of shallow reef system.

The department of environmental protection wanted a better map of the coral's locations to improve the management of beach-widening, coastal development and other activities that could harm corals, as well as improve responses to incidents such as oil spills and illegal boat anchoring.

Florida's Artificial Reefs

Words
Kathalyn Gaither
Images
A. Emtiaz, Bill Horn, and Keith Mille
Oriskany, the aircraft carrier sunk off Pensacola
Download the full article as pdf ⬇︎

Miles of white sandy beaches, family vacation destinations, infamous spring break festivities and outstanding state parks attract millions of visitors to Florida annually from around the world. But there is so much more to see—especially for those who like to take their sightseeing down below the ocean and gulf waters—like the beauty and magic of thousands of artificial reefs that lie beneath the surface along Florida’s coastlines.

Common Lionfish

Proposed bill to ban lionfish sales in Florida

10 years ago By Scott Bennett

Tallahassee lawmakers are joining spear-wielding divers in an attempt to control Florida’s ever-increasing lionfish numbers. If passed, the two proposed bills would halt the public’s ability to purchase lionfish for aquariums and raising them for sale would become a level two felony.

All of the details of the bill have not been decided. I’m saying let’s get rid of them. Put an end to lionfish in aquariums.

—Sen. Greg Ever

Lionfish are an invasive species taking over coral reefs and preying on native fish in the Atlantic Ocean’s waters
Lionfish are an invasive species taking over coral reefs and preying on native fish in the Atlantic Ocean’s waters

Most lionfish too deep for divers to reach

10 years ago By Amanda Cotton

Lionfish, which have spines that contain venom, are a well-known problem in Atlantic coral reefs. These invaders from the tropical parts of the Pacific and Indian oceans have no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean. They are eradicating many fish populations in the shallow reefs that they have overtaken. Recently, the overwhelming problem has proven worse than originally thought.

Wes Skiles' cause of death is being listed as an accidental drowning.
Wes Skiles' cause of death is being listed as an accidental drowning.

Wes Skiles' death remains a mystery

12 years ago By Main minion

Skiles died while on a dive off Boynton Beach, Florida, on July 21, 2010. He signalled to the other divers that he was ascending because he was out of film (although not technically shooting "film" in this digital age)

His body was found on the reef, shortly after that. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was subsequently pronounced dead at a local hospital.

In 1985, Skiles founded Karst Productions and continued his underwater film career.

Reliquary found at Santa Margarita Shipwreck
Reliquary found at Santa Margarita Shipwreck

Significant Artifact Discovered on Santa Margarita Shipwreck

14 years ago By Carol Tedesco

Captain Dan Porter and dive partner Bobby Hartwell were working at a depth of about 20 feet, in an area where Porter and his crew had already uncovered 17th century ceramic pieces, a musket ball, and a scattering of large ballast stones. Weather conditions had deteriorated throughout the day and by afternoon “were so rough that the current was running straight up the boat’s stern and had exerted enough force to break the vessels bow line,” said Porter.

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