The Most Memorable Dive You Will Ever Have!
Join Keys Diver aboard Keys Diver II for a full weekend of Diving,
lunches coral seminars and actually transplanting living coral to the reefs of Key Largo.
Next trip TBA - call the store for details. 305-451-1177
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Spice up your diving. This year help change your environment. You'll dive and see some of the most beautiful reefs in the world, but, more importantly you will be doing your part to ensure they are still here, thriving for generations to come. Make a difference this year.
Do the Coral Restoration Dive!
Learn from Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration crew just what streses corals and causes a decline in our reefs - cold weather, acidification, excessive CO2 and, yes, divers!
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Prepping the corals and cleaning them. |
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Measuring and numbering Staghorns. |
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But, you can make a difference this September. Visit the largest underwater coral nursery in the world. Learn about Staghorn and Elkhorn corals. Care for them, then transplant them to America's only living coral reef.
More on the Coral Restoration Foundation
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Corals growing on lines in the nursery. They seem to be less susceptable to disease this way. Ken has now developed 'tree nurseries' to grow the corals with even more success. |
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Upper Keys Community College leaving for a research dive on the coral nursery. |
The M/V Wellwood, a 122-meter Cypriot- registered freighter, ran aground on August 4, 1984, on Molasses Reef off Key Largo, Florida (Figure 1). The ship impacted the reef’s upper forereef and remained aground for 12 days.
The grounding destroyed 1,285 square meters of living corals and injured 644 square meters of coral reef framework. Prior to the grounding, the area was a transition zone with high relief coral formations. The grounding transformed the area into a flattened, barren pavement covered with coral rubble.
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Morning Session
The morning will be an introduction to CRF- who we are, what we do, our nurseries, basic coral info and why the decline of staghorn and elkhorn, then a briefing on what the group will do that afternoon in the nursery.
Lunch (included) at the Pilot House Glass Bottom Bar and Restaurant. Keys Diver II is docked at Pilot House Marina.
Afternoon Session
Two tank dive on the nursery.
Two tank dive, transplanting corals to the reefs off Key Largo. Most likely location is the Wellwood grounding area. |
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Only $80 per diver .
Price includes:
Mornings of Coral Restoration Classes
Afternoon of 2 tank dives to
the nursery and reef.
Lunch @ the Pilot House Glass Bottom Bar
There is an addional required charge of $50 payable to the Coral Restoration Foundation, in your name, as a donation.
If you need a room, contact the Key Largo Bayside Inn, just blocks from the dive boat, and on the Florida Bay with stunning sunsets.
Payment due in full at time of booking.
No refunds 7 days prior to event unless due to
weather related incident.
Full gear rental just $25, mask, fins, snorkel, reg, octo, BCD, computer.
NOTE: Divers must be certified and bring their C cards with them. We can also look your card up online. Prices include tanks, weights and a donation to the Coral Restoration Foundation in your name.
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A glimpse at what has been done |
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This photo to the left is the staghorn in the nursery. To the right, the staghorn was transfered to the reef, and bottom left the picture was taken in July, 2008, and clearly demonstrates the significant growth of the coral in just one year on the reef. During this phase, CRF completes bi-annual measurements allowing us to gain knowledge of the exponential growth over time. Corals at this time also face serious pressure from algae competing for space and predators, such as fireworms and snails. Corals at this size also face possible damage from visiting SCUBA divers and their fins. Through monitoring and management the corals have a larger survival rate. |
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As seen here to the right, in the August, 2009 photo, staghorn corals have the ability to reach a massive size within two years on the reef in their natural environment. At this stage, although still prone to disease and predation and other stressors, staghorn corals have the ability to multiply through sexual reproduction. In addition, staghorn corals multiply their surroundings via natural breakage and reattachment. However, due to high levels of algae growth and low populations of the natural algae grazer, the long-spined sea urchin, (diadema antillarum), natural reattachment is limited. |
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