Ben_ca was unfortunately called away for work and could not join us for 2 fun filled days on the Silver Prince. I'll do my best to complete the report. Won't have as many pictures since I lost my Canon S50 on the last dive on the second day. If anyone sees the camera around Monterey, please let me know 
Day 1: Hopkins Research Center
Arrive in Monterey at a reasonable 8:30am. The boat is set to depart at 9am and everyone is all ready to go. After a flurry of loading gear and signing of waivers, we set to sea with overcast skies.
On the boat, Cyndi introduces to Marcos. He'll be the other instructor for the course.
We achor off Hopkins Research Center in flat waters. While I am excited about the Reef Check dives, I am torn. Part of me is eager to head to Carmel and deeper water where reports of 70'+ viz abound.
Nilsdiver and I team up, and while we've known each other for over a year, this is the first time we'll be diving together.
Dive 1: Seaweed and Invertebrate
For the first dive, Nilsdiver is #1 and I'm #2. We review the dive plan and do an equipment match.
Cyndi and Marcos jump in first to set up the transects for our seaweed and invertebrate passes. I put my mask in the water and barely make out Nilsdiver five feet away through a thick blanket of green. Fortunately, at depth we're greeted with 30' viz and calm seas.
The first line, nilsdiver and I collect seaweed and algae data. At each giant kelp, we stop and count stipes. One specimen had 50 stipes, and another specimen had even more so that I lost count. I mark "50+" since I recall a discussion of sub-sampling to stop at 50. We also see plenty of laminaria so I diligently mark each one on my table.
Second line, I am overrun with bat stars. I surprise myself when I slow over a crevice and peer down and find purple urchins tucked away. That's really cool to me, I normally would have missed something like that. I then look under an overhang and see a massive sun star. Not too far way I see a giant spined star. At the end of the dive, I count a rock scallop.
Nilsdiver and I cruise a few minutes more to practice our fish ID and then we thumb the dive.
Back on the boat, Marcos reviews our handywork. First off, he points to some laminaria on the boat as asks if we had marked this speciment down on our sheets. Sensing a trick question, but still guilty, I meekly nodded yes. The laminaria is not part of our survey and should not have been counted. The distinguishing feature was a clear middle rib, which the surveyed laminaria does not have. D'oh. Marcos then asks about the number of stipes on our largest giant kelp. I say 50+, and Marcos reminds me that all stipes must be counted. Subsampling is not applicable in this case. Double D'oh.
The invertebrate sample fairs much better as we are in alignment.
Cyndi reviewing datasheets:
Everyone takes a short SI, and people enjoy the Silver Prince's hot cocoa and bagels.
Dive #2: Fish size and UPC.
Nilsdiver and I switch team positioning and I'm #1. Cyndi and Marcos splash first to set up the course, and then it's our turn.
Along the first transect line, the same fish stations are positioned. At around 5'-8' away, I make some IDs and size estimates, and then swim up to verify. Since this is the same routine as we practiced in the pool, things go fairly well. Lots of black perch and kelp rock fish. A lingcod thrown in that is larger than 30cm and a couple of senoritas. I record the fish in what I think are the appropriate cells and then make way to the second line.
UPC measures 3 items every 1 meter. This starts slow, but overtime both nilsdiver and I become faster as we are more familiar with the coding scheme. Given the rocky terrain, there is a good variety of substrate, cover and relief to capture.
After the dive, Marcos again checks our sheets. That lingcod I recorded as larger than 30cm? Yep, it's larger than 30cm, but it was smaller than 50cm. The "large" fish have different column heading. Nilsdiver is not so easily tricked as he marks his sheet correctly. Teacher's pet...
During the SI, the skies remain overcast and wind and swells pick up. At this point, I'm no longer thinking of Carmel and happy to be in the protection of the bay. About 1/2 of the team enjoy a cup a noodle from the boat's galleys.
Dive #3: Fish transect practice
We're off on our own to lay down the transect tape and conduct our own fish transects as practice. I'm happy to jump into the water as I'm starting to feel the swells.
Nilsdiver resumes #1 and he grabs his transect reel. After an equipment match and review of the dive plan, we both giant stride off the boat.
Underwater, conditions have deteriorated. The once abundant fish have gone into hiding. The swell and surge appear to have driven them into hiding or to deeper waters. Nilsdiver and I each conduct 2 transects a piece. While fish were at a minimal, the harbor seals were still out for some play. At one point, I looked back to find a harbor seal wrapped around the transect, tape is his mouth, and eyes taunting, "why don't you dare me?"
After our fourth transect, we call the dive and ascend. Back on the boat, we compare notes and start stowing our gear for the return ride to port. Good thing about our dive spot, it's a short travel time back to the dock.
Nilsdiver cleaning up after Dive #3:
Day 1: Hopkins Research Center
Arrive in Monterey at a reasonable 8:30am. The boat is set to depart at 9am and everyone is all ready to go. After a flurry of loading gear and signing of waivers, we set to sea with overcast skies.
On the boat, Cyndi introduces to Marcos. He'll be the other instructor for the course.
We achor off Hopkins Research Center in flat waters. While I am excited about the Reef Check dives, I am torn. Part of me is eager to head to Carmel and deeper water where reports of 70'+ viz abound.
Nilsdiver and I team up, and while we've known each other for over a year, this is the first time we'll be diving together.
Dive 1: Seaweed and Invertebrate
For the first dive, Nilsdiver is #1 and I'm #2. We review the dive plan and do an equipment match.
Cyndi and Marcos jump in first to set up the transects for our seaweed and invertebrate passes. I put my mask in the water and barely make out Nilsdiver five feet away through a thick blanket of green. Fortunately, at depth we're greeted with 30' viz and calm seas.
The first line, nilsdiver and I collect seaweed and algae data. At each giant kelp, we stop and count stipes. One specimen had 50 stipes, and another specimen had even more so that I lost count. I mark "50+" since I recall a discussion of sub-sampling to stop at 50. We also see plenty of laminaria so I diligently mark each one on my table.
Second line, I am overrun with bat stars. I surprise myself when I slow over a crevice and peer down and find purple urchins tucked away. That's really cool to me, I normally would have missed something like that. I then look under an overhang and see a massive sun star. Not too far way I see a giant spined star. At the end of the dive, I count a rock scallop.
Nilsdiver and I cruise a few minutes more to practice our fish ID and then we thumb the dive.
Back on the boat, Marcos reviews our handywork. First off, he points to some laminaria on the boat as asks if we had marked this speciment down on our sheets. Sensing a trick question, but still guilty, I meekly nodded yes. The laminaria is not part of our survey and should not have been counted. The distinguishing feature was a clear middle rib, which the surveyed laminaria does not have. D'oh. Marcos then asks about the number of stipes on our largest giant kelp. I say 50+, and Marcos reminds me that all stipes must be counted. Subsampling is not applicable in this case. Double D'oh.
The invertebrate sample fairs much better as we are in alignment.
Cyndi reviewing datasheets:
Everyone takes a short SI, and people enjoy the Silver Prince's hot cocoa and bagels.
Dive #2: Fish size and UPC.
Nilsdiver and I switch team positioning and I'm #1. Cyndi and Marcos splash first to set up the course, and then it's our turn.
Along the first transect line, the same fish stations are positioned. At around 5'-8' away, I make some IDs and size estimates, and then swim up to verify. Since this is the same routine as we practiced in the pool, things go fairly well. Lots of black perch and kelp rock fish. A lingcod thrown in that is larger than 30cm and a couple of senoritas. I record the fish in what I think are the appropriate cells and then make way to the second line.
UPC measures 3 items every 1 meter. This starts slow, but overtime both nilsdiver and I become faster as we are more familiar with the coding scheme. Given the rocky terrain, there is a good variety of substrate, cover and relief to capture.
After the dive, Marcos again checks our sheets. That lingcod I recorded as larger than 30cm? Yep, it's larger than 30cm, but it was smaller than 50cm. The "large" fish have different column heading. Nilsdiver is not so easily tricked as he marks his sheet correctly. Teacher's pet...
During the SI, the skies remain overcast and wind and swells pick up. At this point, I'm no longer thinking of Carmel and happy to be in the protection of the bay. About 1/2 of the team enjoy a cup a noodle from the boat's galleys.
Dive #3: Fish transect practice
We're off on our own to lay down the transect tape and conduct our own fish transects as practice. I'm happy to jump into the water as I'm starting to feel the swells.
Nilsdiver resumes #1 and he grabs his transect reel. After an equipment match and review of the dive plan, we both giant stride off the boat.
Underwater, conditions have deteriorated. The once abundant fish have gone into hiding. The swell and surge appear to have driven them into hiding or to deeper waters. Nilsdiver and I each conduct 2 transects a piece. While fish were at a minimal, the harbor seals were still out for some play. At one point, I looked back to find a harbor seal wrapped around the transect, tape is his mouth, and eyes taunting, "why don't you dare me?"
After our fourth transect, we call the dive and ascend. Back on the boat, we compare notes and start stowing our gear for the return ride to port. Good thing about our dive spot, it's a short travel time back to the dock.
Nilsdiver cleaning up after Dive #3:
