SOUTH CARYSFORT REEF, SAWFISH, SHARKS, sunday, 6/22/14, pics

[reefman]

ventured north to dive the southern portion of the CARYSFORT SPA this morning offshore the upper keys in search of big animals(sharks). for key largo, this area is the last frontier, the largest protected marine zone outside the dry tortugas within the FKNMS and far away from population centers with exception of the ocean reef/anglers club. always quiet there especially the deeper reef tracts as there are no mooring buoys. once again today, superb topside conditions; sunny skies, low humidity, light winds and flat seas. this non buoyed site abeam south carysfort reef tract traditionally has average/mediocre visibility and today was no exception. variable particulate green/blue viz 40FT, decreasing somewhat towards the end of dive #2, light to occasionally mdt but manageable NE current, water temp 83F @ 55-74FT. highlight was an enormous smalltooth sawfish(guessing 16-18FT, includes the saw), also @ least 5 adult reef sharks observed throughout both dives, skittish goliath(largest estimated @ over 500LBS) and black groupers in abundance, huge dog snappers mating, schools of cero/king mackerel, cudas, chubs, various jacks. it was lively and the site lived up to it's reputation!! tough day for wide angle photographers(below average viz and unapproachable animals, they don't interact with many divers at this site). proof of life photos provided by TIMG,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[Chugwhump]

Did you see any Lion Fish there?

Chug
Has not been on Carysfort for about 6 years or better.

 

[reefman]

Did you see any Lion Fish there?

Chug
Has not been on Carysfort for about 6 years or better.

in fact, oddly enough no, ZERO! we remarked about that before and after our dives, thinking they might be all over the reef. we usually observe large numbers of big lionfish @ this site. however, this was our 1st drop on this deep reef since last june. maybe it's all the hefty groupers, dog/cubera snappers and sharks that have had an impact. only a few people besides myself have the coordinates and it's a no take zone so there's been no human culling(lobster traps, fisherman, spearos etc). it was the 1st site that REEF collected lionfish specimens in the upper keys years ago, they were everywhere,,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[deeper thoughts]

Funny you say that. The last 20 of our dives, I don't remember seeing one lionfish

 

[jet126]

LUV the turtle and butterfly!! So pretty! Thanks for sharing.

 

[scubadada]

Georgeous photos, great site, I'm jealous

 

[sportxlh]

Great photos: especially given the particulate in the water.

A sawfish is on my bucket list!

 

[reefman]

Georgeous photos, great site, I'm jealous

it is a terrific reef system and sparsely visited. yesterday, on a gorgeous sunday in the upper keys, only one boat was moored(24+ mooring buoys) in the entire SPA from 0930 until we departed around 1400,,






reefman
key largo

 

[reefman]

Great photos: especially given the particulate in the water.

A sawfish is on my bucket list!

timg's 1st time observing one outside of an aquarium. iv'e observed 2 other animals; @ the breakers reef up your way and the southern end of molasses reef. the one yesterday was swimming directly towards us before rapidly reversing course. magnificent animal up close,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[iamrushman]

excellent photos..thanks for sharing.