Air Bubbles ______The Newsletter of the North Shore Frogmen’s Club______Volume 46, Number 6 _ _ ___ June 2004 ______supplements previous years' Fish ID lectures, so that a President's Message: June, 2004 diver can identify and census those creatures that he/she Dear Fellow Froggies and Friends, comes across during the course of a dive. In particular, the upcoming MA Biodiversity Day, held on June 6th in It seems that Mother Nature has been having great Newburyport, is a perfect opportunity to hone your marine fun at our expense lately; teasing us with sunny 80-degree critter ID skills, while at the same time collecting valuable days during the week, only to be followed by rainy, dreary census data which will be useful to marine scientists weekends in the mid-40's!! Don't you just love New studying marine ecology and species abundance. Also, England weather? I have no doubt, however, that Summer don't forget that the Great American Fish Count is will be upon us soon, and our excuses for not going diving scheduled for July 17th. The staging area will be in Stage will begin to evaporate like the perspiration from our Fort Park, but the Froggies have been chosen to census brows. I am confident that there will be glorious Summer Old Garden Beach. We can have fun diving, while days ahead, with plenty of opportunities for some great providing needed information which can be used to diving. I am sure that several of you have been diving protect the environment that we enjoy so much. It doesn't for some time now, and that a few of you have been get much better than that!! One more plug for MA diving all along straight through the Winter; all I can say Biodiversity Day: Bob Michelson has been granted the is that you are an inspiration for those of us who have yet only dive permit EVER issued by the Parker River to take the plunge to start off the new season. Now that National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island) to census within sea surface temps are slowly crawling out of the 40's and the refuge boundary; if you are interested in diving an into the 50's, those of us who still dive wet (am I the only area that is usually off limits to divers, here is your one left?) are raring to get back into the water again. opportunity!!--and again, you help the cause of ocean A few hardy souls braved water temps in the 40's education and protection to boot. during the annual Easter Egg Dive and Party held on April The Bay State Council of Divers met in Quincy on 25th. Those who dove that morning had a great deal of May 12th. Among the topics of discussion were the fun, with several great raffle prizes being awarded to impending institution of bag limits on lobster caught by those who exited the water with the most eggs. I am glad sport divers, and the feasibility of the establishment of that the eggs were of the hard-boiled variety; I heard that artificial reefs (specifically the sinking of ships from the the visibility was such that many of the eggs were lost at Navy's mothballed fleet) within Massachusetts waters. sea!! I am sure that all that yummy protein did not go to The topic of diver access issues to beach-entry dive sites waste!!! The party at Dodie's house was in full swing on the North Shore was also addressed. If you are when I arrived, with Froggies and their families occupying interested in any of these or other topics pertinent to the every square inch of the kitchen, and spilling out onto the well-being of the diving community in MA, I strongly patio and the yard beyond. The party was fun-filled, with suggest that you consider attending a meeting of the Bay great conversation supplemented by a mountain of tasty State Council of Divers; the organization was created by foods that kept pulling you back to taste some more, even when your brain tells you that you've already had enough. Frank would have loved it!! Thank you again, Dodie, for In This Issue opening your home (and your heart) to us; it was very Meeting Summaries – pg. 3-4 & 10 special. Speaker June 10 – pg. 2 On May 6th, Bob Michelson from Stellwagen Bank DMF – New Regulations – pg. 5 National Marine Sanctuary and a marine scientist from the Pictures from recent Activities – pg. 6-7 MA Audubon Society gave a great lecture on indigenous Activities Calendar – pg. 8-9 and introduced species of marine invertebrates that a diver Lobster Disease – pg. 10 might encounter in New England waters. This Mass Biodiversity Days – pg. 11 introduction to the identification of marine invertebrates Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 1 Air Bubbles – June 2004 divers for divers to help protect the rights and voice the a feat of organizational mastery to see how every concerns of the diving public of the state. If you are component of the display had its proper place on board the interested in attending a meeting of the Council, please truck; when the truck was fully loaded, I doubt that you contact either myself or Mary Howard for details. had an inch of free space between the cargo and the back door!! An impressive operation! I'll get my drysuit Our annual Club Nite In was held on the evening of someday...... May 14th at the Franco-American Club. Once again, Daryl and Dave, with the help of Dave’s wife Judy, Looking ahead, don't forget the night dive scheduled did an incredible job with the organization, decoration, for June 2nd at Back Beach in Rockport, MA Biodiversity and execution of the party. Daryl DJ'd the event with his Day in Newburyport on June 6th., and the Annual extensive music collection, while Dave MC'd the raffle Canoe/Kayak Trip down the Ipswich River on June 12th. and the games. Mary and Ray entertained us by "cutting a Make sure that you check the enclosed Activities listing rug", while the potluck dishes that everyone brought kept often during the next few months, as we have the schedule us coming back for more. Special thanks go to the jam-packed with various activities for you to enjoy. That's bartender supplied to us by the Franco Club, for providing all for now, so enjoy every opportunity you can to go us the liquid refreshment for washing down such diving!! wonderful food! Last but not least, heartfelt thanks go out to all who attended the party; its success was a direct Take Care, result of those who wanted to come and have a good time. Thank you!!! Michael J. Donovan President On May 22nd-23rd, I attended the DUI Demo Days NSF '04 held at Stage Fort Park despite the less-than-perfect weather. Although it was grey, windy, and cold most of P.S.: Don't forget that there are sign-up sheets for several the time, I enjoyed walking around, talking to fellow boat dives that are being coordinated by Dave Smith. If divers, and oogling the fancy new gear. Even though my you are interested in going on a boat dive this season, piggy bank precludes me from seriously considering the make sure to let Dave know, and get him your reservation purchase of a , Al convinced me to try one on. deposit ASAP. The first boat dive is scheduled through Although a bit tight in the midriff, I could certainly see the Cape Ann Charters for Saturday, June 19th. Contact Dave advantages to diving dry--especially in terms of range of for details. motion. How wonderful it must be to dive in frigid waters without having to feel like you are the second cousin to the Michelin Man!!! When I switched from my 6.5mm 2- piece to a 7mm one-piece, I marveled at how much easier it was for me to move around. Someday, I'll Speaker June 10 be able to save up my pennies and get a dry suit, so I can Our newest club member, Chris Martinez, has experience even more freedom to bend and twist graciously offered to present a video and slides at the underwater without feeling like I was going to pass out meeting on June 10. The video Chris will present is from the effort. It was great to see Faith there, who once from his recent Agressor live-aboard trip to Belize with again invited all Froggies to come to San Diego to go Stan Waterman. His slides are from various warm dive diving on the Extremis. In addition to the equipment trips, both Caribbean and Pacific. displays and the suit fittings, I was able to catch a couple of lectures: one on digital (which I have seen some of his pictures and they are good! will be useful when I go on my trip to Belize), and the other on proper weighting and control; which is useful whether I dive wet or dry. One of the greatest things about DUI Demo Days, is that because you cannot purchase any equipment at the Demo (they are there just For the latest internet posting of the for you to try on, and then you go to an authorized dealer North Shore Frogmen’s Club in the area to make your purchase), you don't have any high-powered sales people hounding you to buy their Activities List, go to equipment. Everyone is so laid-back, helpful, and www.geocities.com/nsfrogmen/activities friendly; that hanging out at the Demo Days was a truly enjoyable experience. I even stayed to the end on Sunday, to help everyone pack up for the road trip to Ohio. It was Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 2 Air Bubbles – June 2004 Committees: special DHA milk, supposed to - Secretary’s Report: Mary Howard - have special benefits. – Minutes accepted as read. - University of Delaware is putting - Treasurer’s Report: Rich Kinkade – out a new research ship. 1st ship Account balances accepted as read. to meet noise standards per fish - Membership: John Ferrier - Nothing hearing! to report - Joe Terra brought article about - Program: Dave Smith and Daryl people diving on vacations in the Findlay - See activities list. There morning, then exercising heavily, The North Shore Frogmen’s Club will be a Program Committee causing problems with PO Box 3604 meeting at 7:30 next week. Club . Peabody, MA 01961 Night In has been scheduled for - Charlene mentioned the news story Friday, May 14, as FAC had about 2 female mice producing 2004 OFFICERS schedule conflict on Saturday. offspring (only females, but what’s President: Michael Donovan - Air Bubbles: Mary Howard - wrong with that?) Tel: (978) 664-3509 Submissions due May 21 for June Raffles: Dollars Box: John Sears Email: [email protected] issue. May issue is out tonight. Mystery Prize: John Sears VP: Dave Smith Old Business: Bug bag: Light to Rick Holloran Tel: (978) 774-1043 - Dawn wondered why beach Email: [email protected] meetings scheduled for June and 29-April-2004 July. Because it is light later in Meeting called to order: 8:10 PM Treasurer: Rich Kinkade Attendance: 2 officers, 15 members Tel: (978) 374-1650 those months. Email: [email protected] - Michael has not emailed Rob about Committees: website yet. - Secretary’s Report: Mary Howard– Secretary: Ray Porter New Business: Div Marine Fisheries Meeting minutes accepted as read. Tel: (781) 944-1292 - Treasurer’s Report: Rich Kinkade – Email: [email protected] budget info was emailed out to the club membership. Please call your Account balances accepted as read. 2004 COMMITTEE CHAIRS state senator. - Membership: John Ferrier – Membership: John Ferrier Dive Talk: Nothing to report. Tel: (781) 858-9182 - Dan Hering dove Mon at Mingo - Program: Daryl Findlay & Dave Email: [email protected] beach with 4’ swells. So good, he Smith – See activities list. dove again on Tues at Lane’s Cove. Activities: - Air Bubbles: Mary Howard – Water was calm, but vis was only 4 Daryl Findlay - 978-376-6669 Submissions due May 21 June ft. Old boats and No Divers signs Dave Smith - [email protected] issue. still there. Note: Daryl says that Newsletter: Mary Howard Old Business: MetroWest Club has chosen Lane’s Tel: (781) 944-1292 Cove for Beach Clean-Up in Sept. Email: [email protected] - Easter Egg Dive/Party – 4 Divers, 2 It should be interesting to hear eggs found by Shon Dubois who their stories. was the winner of the egg hunt. - Linda Piehl and John dove in St No other eggs were found. Several Meeting Summaries Vincent and the Grenadines. golf balls were recovered. (More Awesome diving. They did 26 22-April-2004 golf ball than eggs!) Water temp dives. Water temp was 80ºF at the Meeting called to order: 8:09 PM 45°F at surface, 41°F at 20 ft. Vis 6 surface and 80ºF at 100 ‘. Attendance: 3 officers, 17 members inches to 15 feet. Some surf clams General Discussion: Guests: 3- Sarah Copelas, John (w/ were found. - Paul Blanchette will be diving at Linda Piehl) and Pam (w/ Rich K.) - Barry & Dee made the chowder – Lane’s Cove Sunday. Meet at very good. Announcements: Burger King at 9AM - President announced that there - Paul is planning to go to Bonaire on New Business: would be two DMF hearings on Sept 19 or 26. Cost should be ~ - Dive time for Sunday morning dive May 3 at Mass Maritime Academy $1500 including airfare. has been changed to: meet at 8:00, and May 4 at Gloucester High - Mike’s moments: leave at 8:30. School, both at 8PM. Lobster bag - Canada had such a heavy herring Dive Talk: limits would be among topics of catch that people were feeding it - Dan Hering dove Back Beach. First discussion to dairy cows, and then selling dive was at ½ . Vis varied from Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 3 Air Bubbles – June 2004 6-8 feet to 2-3 feet. It was windy - No contact has been made with the - Requirement for ship-board initially, the winds settled down. web master. Website has not been treatment of ballast water to Second dive at high tide had more updated since last fall. prevent invasive species. marine life. Water New Business: - Salem Fire Dept has dive teams – was very cold. - Bay State Council meeting attended Possible speakers for speaker - Susan Copolas, John Ferrier and by Mary Howard, Michael night. Joe dove Old Garden Beach. Water Donovan, John Ferrier and Daryl - 30% of fishing boats going out of temp was 40°F. It was windy. Findlay. business. Caught 2 lobsters and some crabs. - Hearing at the new Dept . of - Guy with 6 nails in his head from General Discussion: Marine Fisheries (DMF) a construction accident still living. - Mike’s moments: regulations was attended by Raffles: Dollars Box: Peter Cassidy - Florida – A person robbed a bank about 80 people of which 20 to 25 Mystery Prize: Chris Martinez in a wet suit and was caught people were interested in the Bug Bag: Ongoing “running” in his gear before he proposed lobster limit. About 6 20-May-2004 could enter the water. divers spoke out on the issues. Meeting called to order: 8:10 PM - Newport Beach, California – Additional information could be Attendance: 2 Officers, 14 Members Diver was forgotten by the dive sent in via letter or email. A daily Announcements: Abbreviated boat. was recovered by catch limit of 10 lobsters was meeting for mat – Video Night other boat with Boy Scouts. proposed (may go up). Deep Sea Detectives: Catherine the - Herald – Diver was met by a - Vin Malkoski commented on the Great playful Beluga whale about 10 support he received on the feet long. The diver was too proposed DMF budget cuts. Committees: distracted to cut the line tangled - Enforcement of the oversized - Secretary’s Report: Ray Porter – in his propeller. lobster limit was lacking. Meeting minutes accepted as read. Raffles: Dollars Box: Mike Denneler - Fines for the boat caught w/ - Treasurer’s Report: Rich Kinkade – Mystery Prize: Dave Smith shore and scrubbed lobsters was None Bug Bag: to $638,000. - Membership: John Ferrier – Roslyn Smith - The NG Pipeline from Canada to Nothing to report the south shore is insufficiently 6-May-2004 - Program: Daryl Findlay & Dave cover for several thousand feet. Smith – See activities list. No business meeting. Invertebrate Jeannine report that a lot of Identification class was held. The Dive Talk: scallops can be found near the - Hans Hug dove out around Bakers Class was lead by Bob Michelson of pipeline. the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Island. Lots of scallops. Water - Wally Westfall was very temp 40°F all depths, Vis 40 ft. Sanctuary. enthusiastic in his interest in General Discussion: raising funding for the artificial 13-May-2004 - Mike’s moments: project. Meeting called to order: 8:05 PM - Lobster shells and shells of other Attendance: 4 Officers, 17 Members Dive Talk: crustaceans are made of chitin. Committees: - Chris Martinez back from a trip to Chitin is the 2nd most abundant - Secretary’s Report: Ray Porter – Belize with Stan Waterman aboard organic material. If not broken Meeting minutes accepted as read. the Agressor Fleet. Three dives per down by bacteria, it would have day, mostly wall dives. After - Treasurer’s Report: Rich Kinkade – filled the oceans. Account balances accepted as read. dinner, Stan showed videos. Saw - Herald reports the Santa Maria, tarpon and sea turtles. Water temp - Membership: John Ferrier – one of Columbus’s ships may 82°F, Vis 80 feet, max depth 120 Nothing to report. have been found. feet. Raffles: Dollars Box: Daryl Findlay - Program: Daryl Findlay & Dave - Dave Metrano is organizing a dive Mystery Prize: Sis Despres Smith – See activities list. Club trip to Bonair departing September Bug Bag: Ongoing Night In tomorrow. Sign-up sheet 25. for food. Event to start at 7PM. General Discussion: 27-May-2004 There will be raffles. - Mike’s moments: Meeting called to order: 8:10 PM - Air Bubbles: Mary Howard – - Snake-head fish infesting more Attendance: 3 Officers, 13 Members Submissions due May 21. lakes in Virginia. Committees: Old Business: (continued on page 9) Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 4 Air Bubbles – June 2004 May 24, 2004 Regulations approved by area are listed in the table below. MarineFisheries Advisory All regulations are effective July 2, 2004, except escape vent minimum size increases in the Southeastern MASSACHUSETTS MARINE FISHERIES Recreational Lobster Area, which will not go into effect ADVISORY COMMISSION until the 2005 season. APPROVES NEW REGULATIONS Gulf of Maine Southeastern At a May 20, 2004 business meeting, the Marine Recreational Recreational Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFAC), approved Lobster Area Lobster Area Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) proposals for new Minimum rules affecting recreational lobster fishing, commercial Size 3 1/4” 3 3/8” striped bass fishing, recreational scup fishing, Maximum wholesale dealer reporting, permitting for construction Size 5” N/A and repair of fishways, setting of lobster gear to protect V- Zero tolerance ASMFC right whales, and fishing for river herring along the Notching definition: definition: Connecticut River. Most of these issues were discussed at (V-notch of any (1/4” to 1/2” May 3 & 4 public hearings. size, with or straight sided without setal hairs) triangular cut without setal hairs) Escape 1 15/16" x 5 3/4" 2" x 5 3/4" Vent Or two circular Or two circular vents of 2 7/16" vents of 2 1/2" Bag Limit 15 15

Lobstermen fishing in the Cape Cod Bay Critical Habitat during May to December are required to rig their gear with one of the configurations listed on the approved gear technology list (322 CMR 12.00). This regulation relaxes requirements, while complementing current federal regulations. Regulation will be effective July 2nd.

No actions were taken on 1) the public petition to lower commercial lobster trap limit to 600 in state waters, 2) proposal to amend recreational cod possession limits, and 3) previous emergency action to restrict cod fishing in a portion of Massachusetts Bay. DMF staff will continue to work with the public and ASMFC, NEFMC, and NOAA Fisheries personnel to develop appropriate regulations for

the lobster and cod fisheries. Recreational lobster fishing (by pot and SCUBA divers) will be regulated under area-specific rules concerning the For more information please contact Marine Fisheries at release of v-notched female lobster; minimum and 617.626.1520, or visit our website at maximum sizes; and trap escape vent minimum sizes. www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.

Also a state-wide 15 lobster daily bag limit was approved. [This information is excerpted from an email sent to Two management areas have been created: 1) Gulf of Jeannine Fabian of the Bay State Council of Divers by Maine Recreational Lobster Area and 2) Southeastern Vincent Malkoski, Senior Marine Fisheries Biologist / Recreational Lobster Area that generally coincide with the Officer MA Division of Marine Fisheries. commercial management area boundaries. Since the May If you are interested in the updates to the fishing (vs. public hearings, DMF has amended the Southeastern lobstering) regulations, please contact the Air Bubbles Recreational Lobster Area boundaries to include nearshore editor.] waters around Provincetown. Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 5 Air Bubbles – June 2004

Easter Egg Dive

Shon DuBois with the winning 2 eggs!!

Mary with golf balls

Mr. Crab

Wrecks 2004

Jack Munro in Mark V Suit

Paul Blanchette discussing Megalodon

Buddy Inspiration rebreather with Daryl’s scooter with video mount

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 6 Air Bubbles – June 2004

Club Night In – May 14

The Boys of Summer

Game winners receive prizes

Dave Metrano looking dapper

Thanks for the dance floor!

Group shot

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 7 Air Bubbles – June 2004 Activities Calendar

1 2 3 4 5

Almost full-moon 8PM Meeting night dive 8PM 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Mass Biodiversity Canoe trip, Foote Days-Plum Is. 8PM Meeting Bros, Ipswich MA 11AM Speaker Night 8AM 13 Sunday Dive: 14 15 16 17 18 19 Meet at Burger Boat Dive w/ King at 8AM Dark-side night Cape Ann 8PM Meeting dive 8PM Charters 8AM 20 Sunday Dive: 21 22 23 24 25 26 Meet at Burger King at 8AM 6PM Beach Meeting 27 Sunday Dive: 28 29 30 Meet at Burger King at 8AM Almost full-moon night dive 8PM J une 2004 1 2 3

J uly 2004 8PM Meeting 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Holiday Dive? 8PM Meeting 11 Sunday Dive: 12 13 14 15 16 17 Meet at Burger Great American King at 8AM Dark-side night Fish Count, OGB 8PM Meeting dive 8AM 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Boat Dive w/ Capt Rob Bay State 6PM Beach Council Meeing Meeting 25 Sunday Dive: 26 27 28 29 30 31 Meet at Burger Baseball Game King at 8AM Almost full-moon NS Spirit v NJ 8PM Meeting night dive 7PM

S um m er S unday D ive T im es Arrive at Burger King at 8:00, ready to leave for the dive site at 8:30AM .

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 8 Air Bubbles – June 2004 A ctivities

- J un 2, W ed. “A lm ost Full M oon” N ight D ive. Back Beach, 8PM .

- J un 6, M ass B iodiversity D ays. S ee article in M ay issue of new sletter. 11PM , Plum Island.

- J un 10, S peaker N ight. Chris M artinez, new est club m em ber, w ill show video and slides from tropical diving.

- J un 12, Canoe T rip, Ipsw ich. Coordinators: Bill G annett and Peter Cassidy. M eet at Foote Brothers at 8AM .

- J un 13, T ransect D ive w ith the S outh S hore N eptunes. Contact M ary H ow ard.

- J un 16, W ed. “D ive on the D ark S ide” N ight D ive. Back Beach, 8PM . - J un 19, S aturday, 8AM , B oat D ive w / Cape Ann Charters. S ee D ave S m ith to sign up.

- J un 24, B each M eeting, at W hite’s Beach in M anchester. S tarts at 6PM .

- J un 30, W ed. “A lm ost Full M oon” N ight D ive. Back Beach. T im e tbd.

- J ul 5, H oliday D ive (?)

- J ul 14, W ed. “D ive on the D ark S ide” N ight D ive. Back Beach. T im e tbd.

- J ul 17, G reat A m erican Fish Count. Froggies w ill dive at O G B 8AM , then go to S tage Fort Park for the festivities. S ee D ave S m ith for m ore inform ation.

- J ul 18, “S eal” B oat D ive w ith Captain R ob in R ye, N H . U p to 12 spots available. S ee D ave S m ith to sign up.

- J ul 21, B ay S tate Council m eeting, Q uincy, 7:30PM . Contact M ary H ow ard.

- J ul 22, B each M eeting.

- J ul 28, W ed. “A lm ost Full M oon” N ight D ive. Back Beach. T im e tbd.

- J ul 31, B aseball G am e. N orth S hore S pirit vs. N J , 7PM . Contact J ohn S ears/sign up at m eeting.

- A ug 11, W ed. “D ive on the D ark S ide” N ight D ive. Back Beach. T im e tbd. - A ug 14, S aturday, 8AM , B oat D ive w / Cape Ann Charters. S ee D ave S m ith to sign up.

- A ug 25, W ed. “A lm ost Full M oon” N ight D ive. Back Beach. T im e tbd.

- S ep 3-6, W ells Beach Cam ping and N ubble Light diving w eekend.

- S ep 6, H oliday D ive (?)

- S ep 11, Coast S w eep. Contact D ave S m ith.

- S ep 19, A nnual Club Picnic, S tage Fort Park. - O ct 9, S aturday, 8AM , B oat D ive w / Cape Ann Charters. S ee D ave S m ith to sign up.

- N ov 4, N om inations for Club O fficers start.

- D ec 4, Club B anquet at Franco Am erican Club.

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 9 Air Bubbles – June 2004 SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER has been around forever, but the strain that's hit Buzzards Bay lobsters could be new and more virulent, Glenn said. Tuesday, May 25, 2004 · Last updated 2:34 p.m. PT Other theories tie it to pollution, warmer coastal waters or Baffling disease makes lobsters look some weakness in the lobsters. Glenn said that unless ugly researchers find an easily contained cause of the disease - By JAY LINDSAY say a leaking chemical pipe - nature will likely have to fix ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER the problem. BOSTON -- A baffling disease that makes lobsters ugly, "It's not like livestock where you could inoculate them," but not inedible, has crept northward from the Buzzards he said. Bay hotspot where it's afflicted lobsters for several years. The disease has yet to significantly affect Maine - where The numbers of infected lobsters are far too tiny to cause fishery officials recorded a minuscule 44 cases of shell , but the disease's progress is being eyed warily by disease among 130,000 lobsters sampled in 2003 - or New regional researchers and lobstermen. The disease doesn't Hampshire, where the disease turned up in 43 of 14,308 affect the meat, but a lobster with a corroded, blackened lobsters. shell is a tough sell. "Right now, I don't think it's anything to be concerned "You go and spend $8 for a lobster, you want a good- about," Heaphy said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed." looking lobster," said Edward Heaphy, a lobsterman of 50 years from Dover, N.H. In 1998, diseased lobsters began filling traps in the Buzzards Bay area, off the coast of southeastern Meeting Summaries continued from page 4 Massachusetts. Almost a quarter of all lobsters sampled by Secretary’s Report: Ray Porter – Meeting minutes accepted the state in the bay that year had the disease, known as as read. shell burn. - Treasurer’s Report: Mike Donovan – Account balances In the years since, the diseased lobsters were found in accepted as read. lesser numbers in Cape Cod Bay and Boston Harbor. Last - Membership: John Ferrier – Nothing to report. year, according to preliminary numbers, 3 percent of - Program: Daryl Findlay & Dave Smith – See activities lobsters caught off Salem and Cape Ann had the disease - list. the first time since sampling began there in 2000 that any - Air Bubbles: Mary Howard – June issue is late, will be infected lobsters were recorded. out next week. Submissions for July due on June 21. "We've seen, year by year, a slow, steady progression Old Business: northward," said Bob Glenn, a biologist leading the - Web Site. Need to contact Rob Falk Dave Smith has coastal lobster studies at the state Division of Marine posted activities on an alternate website: Fisheries. www.geocities.com/nsfrogmen/activities.html Dive Talk: Arthur Sawyer, a second generation Gloucester - John Sears .Recovers glasses and fishing rod from lake lobsterman, said he's spotted a couple diseased lobsters in in Maine. the last year or two, but added, "You're still talking about - Daryl Findlay DUI demo days vis crappy, scootered nothing." around taking macro photography. Left scooter by He said the disease is worth watching because of its rock, saw another diver try to take the scooter. Daryl mobility and unexplained cause. saw him and recovered his scooter. "To say whether it's going to get worse or not, nobody - Michael Donovan tried on several suits and attended knows," Sawyer said. "Those guys got creamed down lectures by Dick Long. Lots of divers on Saturday. there (in Buzzards Bay)." General Discussion: - Mike’s moments: Lobster shell disease now found in The state's lobster catch was worth $56.7 million in 2002, NH. Was present on the south shore. Bacterial the most recent year for which statistics were available. infection attacking shell. The shell disease hasn't been tied to any mass die-offs, and - Lobster permit restriction: 15 per day lobsters seem to survive it reasonably well, though - Raffles: Dollars Box: Charlene Collela perhaps in a weakened state, Glenn said. Mystery Prize: John Sears The disease is caused by the chitinolytic bacteria that eats Bug Bag: Wreck reel – Dave Smith chitin, a cellulose-like substance in the shells. The disease Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 10 Air Bubbles – June 2004

Mass Biodiversity Days Although the Commonwealth of 42 Water St. Massachusetts will not be coordinating MA Beverly MA Biodiversity Days, Stellwagen Bank NMS will again be partnering with Mass Audubon and 1-978-927-9551 the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to DIV [email protected] coordinate programs for June 6. OUR WEBSITE IS

Bob Michelson of SBNMS is looking for 2 groups of divers to conduct fish and FOR invetebrate surveys, one in the salt marshes of Joppa Flats (great for new divers and those with little experience), and another group off Plum Island (suggested for more experienced Sales S Service S Rentals divers – possible strong currents). AQUA LUNG R SEAQUEST R GENISIS ≤ DUI ≤ VIKING ≤ HENDERSON Please contact Bob Michelson (at VISA J MASTERCARD I AE T DISCOVER [email protected]) if you would like to dive in either group, though the first one may already be filled. For more information on this subject, please refer to the article in the May issue of Air Bubbles.

Member of the Month May 2004 D ave S m ith My heartfelt thanks go to Dave Smith for his enthusiastic Deadline for support of our club, for his submissions for the dedication towards his duties as July issue of NSF Vice President and Co- Activities Committee Air Bubbles Coordinator, and--along with is June 21. Daryl Findlay--for his tremendous work on organizing and decorating the Froggies' Club Nite In, with help also from his lovely wife Judy, held on Friday, May 14th. Great Job Dave!!!

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 11 Air Bubbles – June 2004

The North Shore Frogmen’ s Club Inc PO Box 3604 Peabody, MA 01961-3604

U pcom ing Events!

J une 2, 16 & 30: N ight D ives

J une 6: M ass B iodiversity D ay

J une 10: S peaker night – see pg 2

J une 12: N S F Canoe T rip

J une 24: B each M eeting

2004 D ues are O ver D ue!!

“Summer” Sunday Dives: Meet at Burger King on Rte 128 in Beverly, at 8:00 AM, ready to depart for dive site at 8:30AM.

The North Shore Frogmen’s Club Meetings are held every Thursday night at 8PM (except Thanksgiving) at:

The Franco-A merican Club 44 Park Street Beverly, MA

Directions: From Rte 128, take the Rte 62 exit, #22E, towards Beverly. Turn RIGHT onto BRIDGE ST at the new light after Danversport Yacht Club. At the end of Bridge St, turn LEFT onto RIVER ST. Turn RIGHT onto FEDERAL ST, turn RIGHT onto PARK ST. Free parking in lot across from Franco-American Club.

Visit our website at www.northshorefrogmen.com 12