ACS Monterey Bay Program for September 2008

Swimming with Sea Monsters: 22 years as a California sea urchin diver Thursday, September 25, 2008 7 p.m. Refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Program Lecture Hall, Monterey Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove (Across from American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores) Speaker: Tom Kendrick, Sea Urchin Diver and Author

Sea urchins, those spiny echinoderms, are well known in the Monterey Bay area. Some humans like to eat them as do some otters. They are significant factors when considering kelp forest ecology and have been the subject of controversy between humans and otters.

Our speaker this month will provide interesting insight into a part of the sea urchin's life: from the perspective of a commercial diver in the urchin fishery. Tom will trace the history of the fishery from its origins, through the "gold rush", the collapse and finally sustainability.

Tom's diving career originated from his search for secret surf spots around the Channel Islands and Santa Barbara. Sea urchin diving took Tom from Santa Barbara to Mexico, Oregon , Washington, Alaska, northern California and the shark-infested Farallon Islands. His book, Bluewater Gold Rush, which describes the urchin fishery from 1978 through 1996, has been featured in California Diving News, The Surfer's Journal, National Fisherman, Historical Diving Magazine, and the PBS television show Huell Howser's California's Gold. A screenplay is currently in production.

Please join us for what promises to be an informative and entertaining presentation about a fishery that has realized sustainability.

Related web pages:

• Bluewater Gold Rush

• Back to list of previous meetings.