Ken English, host of the radio program Liquid Lounge and editor of Ocean Realm Online, has posted a recently recorded interview with Gary Levine. Gary is the CEO and founder of the Atlantis Reef Project, a shallow water theme park (in the image of the Lost City of Atlantis) and underwater memorial that is currently under construction just east of Key Biscayne in Miami, FL. Atlantis will be the largest man-made reef ever built, covering more than 600,000 square feet of ocean floor and using 10,000 cubic yards of concrete. The completed site will have a diameter of over 900 feet, making this a fantastic multi-tank dive.

Ken has masterfully produced an online slide show to complement the phone interview. The slide show illustrates the progress made so far, and provides a super compelling sneak peek at the beautiful underwater architecture to come. The phone interview provides some insight into the purpose of the reef, and how it is being funded. Mr. Levine briefly covers the business model, noting that Atlantis will be a self-sustaining site not relying on government funding or private donations, like most other man-made artificial reefs.

Atlantis is seeking able-bodied volunteer divers to help with the initial deployment of the first phase of the project. Find out how you can get involved by contacting the Atlantis Reef Project.

• Slide Show
• Dive Site Information with GPS
• Atlantis Reef Projec Home Page
• Lost City of Altantis (via Divester.com)

It's almost that time again... Florida's annual Lobster mini-season is just around the corner! The two-day mini-season (which falls each year on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 A.M. on Wednesday and ending at 12:00 midnight on Thursday) gives sport divers a chance to catch spiny lobsters before the eight-month commercial season begins in August. This year, mini-season will be July 26th and July 27th. As always, a current saltwater fishing license AND a crawfish permit is required!

If you are planning to dive for lobster -- with SCUBA equipment or without -- be sure to read-up on all applicable rules and regulations. There are a few new regulations in effect in the Florida Keys and in State and Federal Waters. Enforcement is everywhere and locals are watching for "Lobster Mobsters". So be mindful and be careful. Some important points to remember are:

• The Bag Limits are: Six (6) per licensed harvester per day in Monroe County; six (6) lobsters per person per day in Biscayne National Park (Note that this is a change implemented during the 2003-2004 season that brings the park into consistency with the rest of the Florida Keys); twelve (12) per licensed harvester per day throughout the rest of Florida where the harvest of lobster is permitted.
• The two-day total of twelve lobster per licensed harvester in Monroe County can only be possessed when transporting your catch by car on, or after, the second day.
• Diving at night for lobster is NOT permitted in Monroe County. Only bully netting and hoop-netting is permitted at night. "Night" is one (1) hour after official sunset to one (1) hour before official sunrise.
• Carapace of lobster must be greater than three inches in length before they are taken into possession. Lobsters in catch-bags are in possession.
• Female lobster with eggs may not be harvested.
• Harvesting is prohibited in Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, the Everglades National Park, the Dry Tortugas National Park, John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park, all Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs), and other marine sanctuaries. Check with your local dive shop for details.

Remember that lobsters may only be taken using hands, hand-held nets, bully nets, or other means which permit the lobsters to be released unharmed if not of legal size. For complete and current regulations, visit the Fish & Wildlife Commission website.

Some important safety tips to remember:

• Ensure you have a dive plan and are diving with a buddy.
• File a float plan with a family member or a nearby marina.
• Mark the area in which you are diving with a dive flag.
• Stick to a time frame while diving, and let someone know if it changes.
• Remember, taking all the basic safety precautions will facilitate an increased chance of helping or finding a diver in the event Coast Guard assistance is needed.

So, are you really ready? Don't wait until the last minute to make sure your dive gear is up to date. Are your tanks due for a visual? Has your regulator been examined lately? Got extra o-rings? Also, be sure the safety equipment on your boat is current. There is a very good chance that Marine Patrol will board your vessel to make sure you are catching within the limits. When they do, they will check that you have current flares, a fire extinguisher, flotation devices, etc. Be ready. Don't forget to pack plenty of drinking water, food, and other essentials.

See you out there!

Useful Links:

• http://www.nps.gov/bisc/maps/lobmap.pdf
• http://floridakeystreasures.com/lobster/lobsterbiology.shtml
• http://myfwc.com/marine/lobster.htm
• http://myfwc.com/marine/Fishing_Measurement.htm

The big news in the dive world recently has been the sinking of the USS Oriskany, affectionately known as the "Mighty O". After nearly two years of delays caused by hurricanes and permitting issues, the USS Oriskany was successfully sunk on May 17, 2006, to become the world?s largest intentionally created artificial reef. The massive aircraft carrier now rests in 212 feet of water in a north-south orientation on the sandy bottom. The flight deck is at 130 feet (original reports claimed it was 150 feet -- a bit too deep for recreational divers). With an overall height of 151 feet, there is plenty of ship to view within recreational dive limits.

Captain Dave Mucci, a good friend of DiveSpots.com, owns and operates Blue Water Adventures in Pensacola. Capt. Dave was fortunate enough to have been directly involved in this project from its inception to the scuttle process. He was also the first non-essential person to have had the honor to dive the "Mighty O" prior to the dive site being opened to the public. Mucci was also interviewed on the documentary filmed for National Geographic entitled "The Sea of Steel", airing this summer.

Take the quickest ride out to the Oriskany with Captain Dave Mucci on the "Y-Knot?", a speedy and comfortable 29' Pro Sports Kat with twin Yamaha HPDI 200 HP engines -- no diesel fumes on this boat! Half-day and Full-day charters for up to 6 people.

For updated GPS Coordinates, pictures, and reviews, check out the Oriskany page on DiveSpots.com.

There is a great article in today's Miami Herald about the reefs off the coast of South Florida. The article, titled "REEF MADNESS", focuses on shore-diving, snorkeling, and features a quote from me!

Brett O'Bourke mentions several great spots listed on DiveSpots.com. Bache Shoal, The Half Moon, The Jose Quervo Bar/Reef, and the Mandalay.

• Read the full article.

Here's a great article submitted by Mark Thome, of Marathon in The Florida Keys. Mark expertly illustrates three different methods for getting GPS coordinates while submerged. Mark also has a free downloadable eBook on his Website, along with pictures and step-by-step instructions.

The average scuba diver probably is not in the water enough to have a true need for "Underwater GPS", but the most avid divers and researchers have much to gain by using GPS data. Mark's methods make it possible to obtain GPS readings without the bother of complex gear, and without spending much money. His concepts allow divers to use what may be the first off-the-shelf sort of "Diver GPS". The primary tools are a readily available waterproof container, and a hand-held GPS.

• Download the full article
• Visit the Website