Give the gift of adventure this year! Get Pinnacle Scuba Adventures Gift Certificates for the diver on your list. These gift certificates are $120 and are good for one of our two tank local dive charters. The recipient of this ticket to adventure can choose from any charter that we offer around the the Greater Victoria area. These certificates never expire and can be redeemed any time.
Happy Holidays
Scott
Changing the Game
One of the biggest issues with diving in temperate waters or the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest is being warm. Whites Manufacturing has unleashed what they are calling a “game changer”, and I happen to agree. I spend hours under the water, and warmth and comfort are the most important factors when I’m snapping away beneath the surface.
This game changer that Whites has sent forth to the diving masses is their incredibly ingenious, scientifically backed, Thermal Fusion undergarment. The Fusion dry suit hit the dive scene a few years ago and skeptics abounded, picking apart the suit for various reasons. However the Fusion dry suit and the advances that Whites have included in their new models have set the standard for the dry suit market around the world. As great as the suit is, the one thing that was lacking was a truly complimentary undergarment. The Thermal Fusion is that undergarment. Most undergarments on the market today have various bells and whistles: some are flexible but thin, others are thick and robust but buoyant, some are two piece while others may remind you of a multi-coloured unitard from the 80’s.
Above and beyond the important stuff, the little details and the thought that went into the design are what really make this a great piece of equipment. The extra large stretchy thumb loops to help hold everything in place on the arms so your wrists don’t get cold, vents positioned on the chest and arm at the inflate and exhaust valves locations allows for increased airflow, and of course the crotch zip.
No matter the type of diver you are when it comes to dry suits, and in particular the undergarments, four things are paramount when deciding which one is the best for you: warmth, comfort, flexibility and buoyancy (or lack there of). Whites developers have nailed each one of these criteria and have produced a piece of dive equipment that has incorporated all the necessities and made something that will be the benchmark for all other undergarment manufacturers. This is under-armour for your body against the cold.
For more information
Contact : Whites Manufacturing
6820 Kirkpatrick Crescent • Saanichton, BC, • V8M 1Z9 • Canada
Phone: 250.652.8554 • Fax: 250.652.8553
email: whitesinfo@aqualung.com
Gear Review Provided by: Scott Stevenson is a freelance underwater photographer, scuba diver, cold water junkie, oceanic nomad, marine conservationist, sculpin lover, creator of Pacific Marine Imaging and owner of Pinnacle Scuba Adventures based in Victoria BC
Just a quick note to everyone that we have two charters planned for this upcoming weekend. Saturday November 26 we are headed back to the shipwrecks in Sidney to dive the GB Church and HMCS Mackenzie and on Sunday we have are regularly scheduled trip to Race Rocks. Hope you can join us. To book your spot just click on the link below.
Dive Charter booking page – Dive Bookings
Be that diver
Scott
Coral Reef systems are highly complex with countless interactions between an immeasurable amount of species. Corals themselves are the most dominant species found growing on the substrata when the system, as a whole, is healthy. However, live coral cover has began to decline globally over recent years. One of the main factors contributing to this coral reef health decline comes as a result of negative human actions and inactions. This includes: pollution, run-off from agriculture & irrigation, land clearing and over fishing just to name a few human based factors that can greatly affect the health of coral reef systems. Corals are known as Bio-indicators, which basically means that when the system is “out of whack” corals are the first organism that shows signs of health deterioration on a large scale. This is due to corals being highly sensitive and requiring a very specific set of environmental and biological conditions to survive, including temperature, salinity, abundance of herbivorous fish, water clarity and nutrient levels. When one, or a few, of these factors are outside the preferred requirements for healthy coral growth then the door opens for other organisms to replace them as a dominant species.
Competition between differing organisms that grow on the substrata is intense and complex, and one of coral’s main competitors is algae, and in particular, benthic algae. This competition between corals and benthic algae is a key ecological process on reef systems, which determines not only the composition, but structure of benthic communities (Jompa & McCook, 2003). This interaction between coral and algae is highly complex with numerous mechanisms and variables. When in direct contact, algae employs differing mechanisms in order to compete with corals for the substrata, which does have various effects on coral tissue ranging from minor stress symptoms to severe consequences, such as, death. Smith et al. (2003) observed another one of these mechanisms, where they stated that autotrophs, such as algae, naturally secrete dissolved organic 
carbon (DOC) as excess photosynthate. This increases the microbial activity that causes stress in the coral due to the result of hypoxia. This mechanism when employed by algae can result in localized coral mortality (Smith et al. 2006). Infecting coral with disease is another mechanism used by algae to out compete coral. It is believed that an increase in the number of diseases from 2 to 18 has occurred in the last 30 years. It is known that algae can act as either a reservoir of pathogens or as a vector carrying other infected organisms, which has the potential to cause widespread mortality. However, not all direct contact from certain coral species and algae species cause coral to experience forms of localized mortality and/or stress; it all depends on the physical, biological and chemical properties of the algae (Jompa & McCook, 2003). Furthermore, the overall health of the reef system would be another deciding factor to the coral’s resilience to algae’s competitive nature. Remembering that when the coral reef system as a whole is healthy then corals have an easier chance to defend, in other words, kick algae’s arse and remain the dominant benthic species.
So why is this important?? Well, when the degradation of coral reef systems occurs, it tends to imply that a phase-shift is in progress, which is where algae become the dominant species on reefs instead of corals (Jompa & McCook, 2003). This results in the biodiversity of a healthy reef system decreasing significantly, losing a great deal of its signature colour and abundance of various organisms. As a frequent diver and marine biologist I enjoy hitting the tropical water and admiring the unique diversity and colour that is found on a healthy coral reef system. The importance of maintaining such a system is crucial on numerous levels, including tourism, bio-medical research and fisheries amongst others. The increase of negative human based activities that alters the health of this complex system opens the door a little more for alternative organisms, such as, algae to out compete corals and cause a phase shift. However, the basic concept that a more environmentally aware and conscience society can aid in changing lifestyles and reducing negative human actions that result in coral reef degradation. This in turn may provide a release trigger and reduce the coral’s susceptibility to algae’s competitive nature that causes disease and potential localized/widespread mortality. Hopefully, this will help to maintain healthy coral reef systems around for future enthusiasts, researchers, divers and photographers for future generations to come.
Tom Mitchell, BS Marine Biology
Tom is a marine biologist from the eastern coast of Australia specializing in corals in the Great Barrier Reef. Tom is visiting Canada for the second time and has fallen in love with the west coast and all the biodiversity that this area has to offer. He is a regular contributor to Pinnacle’s Dive Blog as well as a divermaster on the boat.
References
Smith JE, Shaw M, Edwards RA, Obura D, Pantos O, Sala E, Sandin SA, Smriga S, Hatay M & Rohwer FL. 2006. Indirect effects of algae on coral: algae-mediated microbe-induced coral mortality. Ecology Letters 9:835-845.
Jompa J & McCook LJ. 2003. Coral-Algal competition: macroalgae with different properties have different effects on corals. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 258:87-95.
Nugues MM, Smith GW, van Hooidonk RJ, Seabra MI & Bak RPM. 2004. Algal contact as a trigger for coral disease. Ecology Letters. 7:919-923.
When you have an opportunity, I’ve always said, take advantage of it, no matter what. On Sunday, we had the chance to beat the weather and dive a unique location very close to Race Rocks while showcasing our boat and dive services to representatives of Whites Manufacturing. The original plan was to bring the guys out and dive Great Race before hitting the wall at West Race. Unfortunately, all good plans can be foiled by the weather and the tides. However, the opportunity arose to dive a very cool, life encrusted reef just southwest of Great Race called Rosedale Reef. This 400 ft. diameter, surface-kissing reef is where many a ship has succumb to the legend of Race Rocks. Diving this brilliantly colourful, life infested reef can only be done during slack tide and on waveless days on the water. Luckily for us we had those conditions and spent a good hour combing the reef for it’s many inhabitants while under the watchful eye of a couple of Californian Sea lions.
Having the opportunity to dive both Great Race and Rosedale Reef was a perfect way to spend the day on the water, and having Justin and Doug on board from Whites gave them a chance to see what we have to offer as a dive charter service.
Be that diver
Scott
The Yelloweye Rockfish, or “red snapper” (Sebastes ruberrimus), is a rockfish of the genus Sebastes, and one of the biggest members of this genus. The Yelloweye is one of the world’s longest-lived fish species, and is cited to live to a maximum of 114 to 120 years of age. As they grow older, they change in colour: from reddish in youth, to bright orange in adulthood, and pale yellow in old age. Yelloweye Rockfish live in rocky areas and feed on small fish and other rockfish. They reside in the East Pacific and range from Baja California to Prince William Sound in Alaska.
Yelloweye Rockfish are coloured red on its back, orange to yellow on the sides, and black on the fin tips. Their young are typically under 28 cm (11 in) in length, and differ from the adults in that they have two reddish-white stripes along their belly,and are often reddish in colour. Because of the distinct difference in colouration between juveniles and adults, they were considered a separate species for a long time. Yelloweyes have exceptionally strong head spines and can grow to a maximum length of 36 in (0.9 m). These rockfish are typically found in the 28-to-215-fathom (51 to 393 m) range, although specimens have been reported up to a maximum depth of 260 fathoms (475 m). They are typically found in deeper, rocky-bottomed areas; in fact, they often spend their entire lifetime on a single rock pile.
Yelloweye rockfish live to be extremely old, even for their unusually long-lived genus. They average 114to 120years of age; with the oldest ones reaching as much as 147 years. They are exceptionally slow developing as well, not reaching maturity until they are around 20 years of age.
Fishing is the main known threat to the Yelloweye Rockfish population in Canada. Aboriginal, recreational, and commercial fisheries on the Pacific coast all have targeted Yelloweye Rockfish, along with other rockfish species. Yelloweye rockfish are prized for their meat, and were declared overfished in 2002, at which time a survey determined that their population, which had been in decline since the 1980s, was just 7-13% of numbers before commercial fishing of the species began. Because of the slow maturation rate of this fish, recovery of the species is difficult, and liable to last decades, even with the harshest restrictions. Yelloweyes are currently under consideration for listing under Threatened or Endangered status. Yelloweye Rockfish are particularly vulnerable to commercial and recreational fishing because they live near the shore and because their large size makes them a desirable catch. As one of the largest, longest-lived and latest-maturing rockfishes, Yelloweye populations are especially sensitive to mortality caused by human activities.
Yelloweye Rockfish have been identified as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and are being considered for listing under the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Currently, protection is afforded through the Federal Fisheries Act and Environmental Protection Act. If listed under SARA, they will be afforded additional protection and the development of a management plan for the populations would also be required.
Rockfish Conservation Areas (areas closed to fishing) protect 20% of rockfish habitats in outside waters and 30% of rockfish habitats in inside waters. As of 2007, 164 such areas were established. Finding adult Yelloweye Rockfish a depths accessible to divers can be quite challenging however many inshore areas are home to juveniles. Search the cracks along rocky reefs to find the brightly coloured young Yelloweye’s.
Rockfish Conservation Booklet – Link
Be that diver
Scott
Here’s a little story about a great photography experience I had at Goldstream River a couple of days ago photographing Chum Salmon. Photography should always be fun and challenging, finding new ways to interpret the world and share it with others.
Below and Beyond Blog – link
Be that diver
Scott
Storms were the topic of discussion all around Victoria and Vancouver Island on the weekend, but we managed to make the trip to the shipwrecks a success, and Race Rocks was more of the same. While the rest of the island was getting hit with high wind, rain, and even snow, Victoria was calm and cool. We left Pedder Bay Marina with our fingers crossed hoping that the storms would let us enjoy a great day of diving. The boat was filled with clients from Alberta and they were so excited to dive Race Rocks. The plan was to get in for a dive with the sea lions, and then enjoy a slack water dive at West Race Wall. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that sea lions didn’t like storms either. The normally large population of these amazing animals had all but vacated Race Rocks entirely; I’m not sure if the storms were the cause, but they were gone. So, plans change just like the weather and we did our first dive at Swordfish Island. Everyone loved the tunnel and especially the Harbour Seal that swam in for an inquisitive look.
Returning to Race Rocks for our second dive, we scratched diving West Race Wall because of the turbulent conditions and decided instead to take a plunge at Great Race. As always, this dive did not disappoint: multi-coloured Brooding Anemones adorn the rocks, while greenling and rockfish dart in every direction as you swim by. Great Race is an excellent dive site, and is a great alternative to diving West Race when the conditions are not as good as one would wish them to be. Luckily for us our day ended just as the wind and rain began to pick up, allowing us to leave Race with happy clients and great weekend in the books.
Be that diver
Scott
The two charters this weekend turned out to be great in spite of the weather. British Columbia is famous for lots of things: trees, mountains, rugged coastline, and unpredictable weather. We always plan our diving in order to provide our clients with the best opportunity to really enjoy the dive sites around Victoria and Vancouver Island, however Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate.
Friday morning we ventured out to the shipwrecks in Sidney: the GB Church and HMCS Mackenzie. The weather provided us with a reminder of how unpredictable our west coast really is. The drive from Victoria to Sidney was slick and very wet, and it was raining so hard that you could barely see the vehicle in from of you. Just as we arrived at Van Isle Marina, the rain had let up a little, and blue sky appeared along with some winds causing white caps out in the ocean. I must say, the short trip to the Mackenzie was a little bumpy but once at the dive site we were protected from the wind and waves by the nearby islands. It’s been a while since I have dove the Mackenzie, but much to my excitement the life that inhabits this old warship is thriving all over the ship, and even on the accent lines attached to the ship. It’s wonderful to see how much growth still exists, as well as the healthy rockfish and lingcod population even with the plethora of divers visiting the wreck on a regular basis.
After having completed the dive on the Mackenzie, we motored over to the GB Church. By this time, the wind had died down and the sun had once again made an appearance. Arriving at the dive site we discovered that the marker for the wreck was no longer there. Even with the GPS coordinates, the wreck was nowhere to be found; but undeterred, we made several passes with the depth sounder and found the wreck. As we discussed how we were going to descend, Todd the Instructor from Frank Whites spotted an almost completely submerged marker for the wreck. He had spotted it using the sunlight as it was reflecting briefly off of the white marker. In any other conditions, like the ones early in the day, we would have never gotten to dive this wreck. Similar to the Mackenzie, the Church is covered in life: Plumose Anemones and tunicates encrust the hull, while a large number of rockfish and lingcod patrol the entire length of the ship.
The entire day turned out to be a great success, thanks to Todd and his eagle eyes, along with a little assistance from Mother Nature.
Be that diver
Scott
The Bluntnose Sixgill Shark, Hexanchus griseus, often simply referred to as the cow shark, is the largest hexanchoid shark, growing to more than 18 ft. (6 m) in length. Many of the sixgills’ closest relatives are extinct, and the living species that are the closest genetically include the dogfish, Greenland Sharks, as well as other six and seven-gilled sharks. There are more closely related relatives in the fossil records than living species, some dating back as far as 200 million years.
What makes this shark a notable species is due to its primitive physical characteristics. Most common sharks today have only 5 gill slits, where as the aptly named Sixgill still has six gills. Their skin colour ranges from tan to brown, and can be as dark as black with a light colored lateral line down the sides and on the fins’ edges, along with dark colored spots on the sides. The general body shape is a heavy, powerful body with a broad head and small eyes. The pupils are black and the eye color is a fluorescent blue green. As an adult, the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark can grow to a massive size: males can grow to up 11 ft. (3 m) in length while females, which tend to be larger, can reach 14 ft. (5 m).
Sixgill Sharks typically inhabit depths greater than 300 ft. (90 m), and have been recorded as deep as 6150 ft. (1,875 m). Like many deep-sea creatures, the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark is known to undertake nightly vertical migrations (travelling towards the surface at night, and returning to the depths before dawn). This migration is done in order to find food living closer to the surface.
Very little is known about the reproductive process of Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks. What little is known is actually more like scientific speculation. Female Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks reach sexual maturity between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Males usually reach sexual maturity much younger, between the ages of 11 and 14 years old. Scientists are unsure of how the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark reproduces, but it is thought that males and females meet seasonally between the months of May and November. Gestation among these sharks is also unknown, however scientists believe that it’s longer than two years. The Bluntnose Sixgill Shark is ovoviviparous, which means that the young are carried within the mother’s body until the eggs hatch. The litter size ranges from 20 – 110 pups, which are quite large and well developed. This high birthing rate is thought to reflect a high mortality rate amongst the pups.
The largest threat to Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks is commercial fishing. Recent observer data indicates that this species is caught regularly as by-catch by fisheries pursuing halibut and spiny dogfish.
There is no current Bluntnose Sixgill Shark fishery, although the species has been the focus of at least three known directed fisheries in Canadian waters. The first occurred in the early 1920s with a focus on skins used to make shark leathers. The second took place between 1937 and 1946 with a focus on the shark livers for vitamin A. The third commercial fishery for Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks commenced under an experimental basis in the late 1980s to early 1990s but was terminated due to conservation concerns. The IUCN has assessed the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark as lower risk/near threatened.
The images below were taken in the summer of 2009 at Ogden Point a group of us recovered a dead Bluntnose Sixgill from Fonyo Beach in Victoria BC. The shark was taken to the University of Victoria for a necropsy to determine the age, diet and cause of death.
Retention and selling of Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks captured by hook and line fisheries, both commercial and recreational, in British Columbia is prohibited. In Puget Sound waters, there has been a permanent closure on the recreational and commercial take of Sixgill Sharks since 2001. Beginning in April 2006, all commercial hook and line fisheries operating in Canada’s Pacific waters became subjected to 100% at-sea monitoring coverage in the form of observers and electronic monitoring (video surveillance). Monitoring will allow for highly reliable catch estimates of non-target species including Bluntnose Sixgill Sharks in the future. The issue with the current method of observation does not individually identify each shark by species, which then creates incomplete data and facts concerning this and other shark species in the Pacific Northwest. Interacting with and photographing one of these unique animals is truly a special event.
Be that diver
Scott
