Jupiter Trip Report 05/24/2013

[SSharkk]

www.jupiterdivecenter.com

Friday Special 3 Tank Dive

Water Temp = 76 – 77 F

Vis = 20 to 60 ft.

Current - moderate N

Check In – Gerry

Captain – Mike

Dive Guide – David

Deckhand – Amy



Animals of Note

4 Species of Sharks:

7 Sandbar Sharks Sandbar Sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus ~ MarineBio.org

1 Bull Shark Bull Shark - National Wildlife Federation

11 Caribbean Reefs Sharks – one carried a tag Caribbean reef shark videos, photos and facts - Carcharhinus perezi - ARKive

1 Nurse Shark Nurse shark - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3 Species of Sea Turtles:

2 Green Sea Turtles Green Sea Turtle | Earthjustice

3 Loggerhead Sea Turtles Homepage - Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Inc.

1 Hawksbill Sea Turtle – one carried a tag Hawksbill sea turtle Fact Sheet | U S Fish & Wildlife Service's North Florida ESO Jacksonville

Other Species of Interest:

1 Southern Stingray Southern Stingrays, Dasyatis americana ~ MarineBio.org

1 Cobia Cobia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1 Kingfish King mackerel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Several schools of large Jack Crevalle – one pair spawning FLMNH Ichthyology Department: Crevalle Jack

Schools of large Bonitos FLMNH Ichthyology Department: Little Tunny

Seen at the dock before departure:

3 Atlantic Stingrays Atlantic stingray - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , one with a mini cobia escort

Another good day of diving off the coast of Palm Beach County, Florida. I am hoping for more shark action before the 2013 spring migrations end.

 

[BVickery]

Damn man, so envious of you able to live down there. I just can't afford the costs.

Thanks for the report and great job with the links.

 

[SavageRon]

Another awesome report with all the links.
I admit to having clicked on a link last time and came back to reality two ours of entertaining and educational link following that took me to all kinds of things I didn't know....

Sounds like an incredible day.
Glad you got so much fun in a day.

 

[SSharkk]

Whoooppps forgot to put on the list 11 of our beloved goliath groupers. Goliath Grouper Spawning

 

[Randy g]

Great report but how do you remember exactly how many of each species you see? Do you write it down?

I can't wait to dive Jupiter again.

 

[SSharkk]

Great report but how do you remember exactly how many of each species you see? Do you write it down?

I can't wait to dive Jupiter again.

Randy g, basically I use a simple memory aid. The one I like for counting marine life looks to my mind like a two dimensional box with a set of squares in it. Each square has a still picture of the species on it. When I am diving Palm Beach County I pre "make" one for the commonly seen species: one each for caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, jewfish/goliath groupers, one each for hawksbill, green and loggerhead sea turtles, one for southern sting rays, also one for pelagics, and another for wild cards. If something else shows up, like a different shark species I add a square for it. Once I see an animal, that box gets a big yellow numeral and the number increases as I am seeing more of them. I also note the gender, tags, behavior, and anything unexpected.

At the end of the dive I review the list by saying it out loud, often to the deckhand if she/he asks, “What did you see?” I do the same thing on subsequent dives. At the end of each day I just sum them up and write them down. With a little practice becomes a game and a habit.

I don't write down the count underwater because that would require taking my eyes off the edge of visibility. You won't see any sharks looking at your slate.

I hope this helps.

Jeff

 

[jet126]

Randy g, basically I use a simple memory aid. The one I like for counting marine life looks to my mind like a two dimensional box with a set of squares in it. Each square has a still picture of the species on it. When I am diving Palm Beach County I pre "make" one for the commonly seen species: one each for caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, jewfish/goliath groupers, one each for hawksbill, green and loggerhead sea turtles, one for southern sting rays, also one for pelagics, and another for wild cards. If something else shows up, like a different shark species I add a square for it. Once I see an animal, that box gets a big yellow numeral and the number increases as I am seeing more of them. I also note the gender, tags, behavior, and anything unexpected.

At the end of the dive I review the list by saying it out loud, often to the deckhand if she/he asks, “What did you see?” I do the same thing on subsequent dives. At the end of each day I just sum them up and write them down. With a little practice becomes a game and a habit.

I don't write down the count underwater because that would require taking my eyes off the edge of visibility. You won't see any sharks looking at your slate.

I hope this helps.

Jeff

Wow. As someone who routinely can't even remember where I parked at Publix I am in awe.

 

[SavageRon]

Wow. As someone who routinely can't even remember where I parked at Publix I am in awe.

If it makes you feel any better, Jet126, I am right there with you.
I generally feel accomplished if I can find the dive site.

I was actually planning on getting a Contour or GoPro camera, recording entire dives, and then doing the math (and sit around with fish ID books) when I get home and watch the vid.