[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bove the surface, divers should expect weather conditions to become increasingly more favorable as the frequent cold fronts of early 2016 begin to subside. More opportunities to head offshore should allow divers to make the most of the last few weeks of lobster season before it closes at the end of the month. Unfortunately, freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee and local runoff are predicted to impact local waterways throughout the next few months and although these effects are certainly damaging, divers may find a silver lining if they know where to look.
By now everyone in South Florida is well aware of the damaging impact large freshwater releases have on our waterways and inshore lagoons. While there’s no question these events are detrimental to the health of aquatic ecosystem and need to be stopped, many assume their effect is consistent throughout all coastal waters. However, many divers are surprised and happy to discover these impact are less apparent on reefs further offshore. Sadly, its true inshore reefs like Pecks Lake, just outside the St. Lucie Inlet or the shallow reefs just north of Ft. Pierce Inlet will surely experience effects of billions of gallons of freshwater, while reefs further offshore may be less affected. A phenomenon known as a halocline may explain why. The idea is that since freshwater is less dense then saltwater it will float atop seawater, preserving clean water underneath. During ‘the lost summer’ of 2013, a few brave divers decided to test the murky waters of Peck Lake in order to scout lobster for the upcoming mini-season. They were shocked to discover clear, warm water beneath the freshwater layer above. They reported conditions to be similar to night diving with very little sunlight penetrating through the tide water but exceptionally clear water on the bottom. The same effect may happen this year. Divers are wise to time trips to coincide with high tide if they plan to stay close to shore, that way freshwater effects will be minimized. Reefs far from tidal discharges, like the Six Mile or Loran Tower Ledge out of Stuart, should have considerably better conditions since the effects of freshwater will be minimal miles out to sea. Even if visibility looks poor from the surface, divers may want to consider a test dive to see if they find better conditions on the bottom.
Lobster divers may also discover a silver lining to the releases of freshwater. Some believe that since crustaceans are sensitive to freshwater, large releases like our area is experiencing now will effectively drive lobsters out of area inlets and onto reefs making them easier to locate and catch. Divers may see an increase in greenish-brown colored lobsters that have lived inshore for years and have been recently pushed out into the ocean. Another thing bug hunters may notice as the season comes to a close is an increase in the number of egg-bearing female lobster. The bright orange eggs are easy to spot but are sometimes overlooked so divers are wise to double check the underside of the tail for eggs, especially this time of year. Pregnant female lobsters are easy to identify also since they usually keep their tail curled up, protecting the eggs underneath. Care should be taken to avoid unnecessary damage to females during capture in order to increase their chances of survival and release of their offspring. Shallow reefs like those found close to shore from Vero Beach south to Stuart maybe great places to check for an easy last minute bug. Divers can access these reefs from a boat or via the many public beach accesses on A1A. For a complete list of beach dive sites on the Treasure Coast, email steve.wood@deepsix.com. And with the season closing March 31, this is the last chance to stock up for the summer.
[easy-social-share]
