Shrimp belong to the Phylum Arthropoda, which means jointed leg and includes 75 percent of all animals. They aren’t all aquatic. Spiders, scorpions, centipedes and millipedes are arthropods that live on land. Shrimp are members not only of the Subphylum Crustacea — which includes crabs, lobsters, barnacles, amphipods and isopods — but also of the Class Malacostraca. This article discusses three so-called “shrimp.” Only one of them, however, is a true shrimp. Here’s a hint: The “shrimp” are: a Hyperiid (Order Amphipoda), a California longbeak […]

California divers thrive on new. We love learning about the latest in gear, the most recent ocean science discoveries and we’re always craving new underwater experiences — especially new and exciting dive sites. Exploring a new dive site is a thrill. In many cases we gain a sense of accomplishment — and bragging rights — when we enter a new dive location into our logbooks. Even when the site is “new to us” rather than a site previously unknown to the diving world, this is […]

Our group had just completed two great dives in conditions that were a bit challenging due to depth and moderate to strong currents. We were ready for our last dive of the day to be another great experience, so we were happy when the divemaster and skipper chose Doctor’s Cove as our final dive site of the day. Because Doctor’s Cove is in the vicinity of spectacular Emerald Bay it is often ignored. You see, the reefs surrounding Indian Rock in the middle of Emerald […]

AT-A-GLANCE Skill Level: Advanced Location: About 2/3-mile northeast of Coral Street entry in Monterey Bay, the high spot is at: N36° 38.488’, W121° 55.169”. Access: Boats may be launched from the public ramps at Monterey Breakwater or between Fisherman’s Wharf and Wharf #2. Please don’t anchor on the high spot. Instead, anchor just off the rock at: N36 38.483 W121° 55.159’ and at N36° 38.504’ W121° 55.158’. Charter dive boats frequent this spot. Facilities: None Entry and Exit: Boat dive only Depth range: 70 to […]

As a birder, it has always been a pleasure to see and hear a Steller’s jay. This beautiful blue-tinged jay has a raucous call and a comical appearance when its expressive black crest feathers blow askew in the breeze. This bird proved to one early seagoing explorer that he had reached the northern shores of North America and that Alaska was part of North America. It wasn’t until a road trip along coastal Northern California that I learned how a large, playful pinniped and a […]

While riding an Amtrak train along the coast just south of Santa Barbara I had an epiphany. It was sparked by the neatly parked RVs on the two-lane road along the shore below the train tracks. Are you ready? Here it is: Hermit crabs are the RVers of the crab world.  Of course, human RVers can live independently of their vehicles while hermit crabs require a sea shell home for protection because only their heads, part of their carapace and the first three pairs of […]

At-A-Glance Skill Level: Divers and non-divers will enjoy this experience. Location: Offshore of Monterey Bay and Carmel Bays Access: Boats may be launched from the public ramps at Monterey Breakwater, between Fisherman’s Wharf and Wharf #2, and Moss Landing. Commercial whale watching boats depart from Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz harbors. Facilities: None Entry and Exit: Only boat access Depth Range: Variable Conditions: Highly variable Visibility: Not relevant Photography: Great photography for marine mammals Hunting: None Cautions: Be aware of changing conditions. So, what […]

At-A-Glance Skill Level: All dependent on sea conditions and currents. Location: On the backside of the east end of Santa Cruz Island, west of Sandstone Point. GPS coordinates N33°59.166’, W119°35.118’. Access: Boat only. Professional charter boat recommended. There are several out of Ventura and Santa Barbara. Private boat launch ramps are available at these same harbors as well as Channel Islands Harbor. Entry and Exit: Boat. Depth Range: 40 to 70 feet. Visibility: Very good, averages 40 feet. Photography: Good macro. Only fair wide-angle. Hunting: […]

Anyone who has dived California’s reefs in recent years, or has read this magazine or the mainstream news media is aware of the unprecedented changes our local reefs are experiencing. Right or wrong, the evil villain in many of these accounts is the purple sea urchin. In this article I describe a bit of urchin biology, how they fit into California’s reef community, what is going wrong, and how divers and citizen scientists can help. Sea Urchins 101 All sea urchins are members of the […]