January 08, 2009
Diving for Dinner
A trip to the Channel Islands is full of adventure -- and hearty seafood.
Whether you intend to hunt and gather, or simply enjoy the underwater scenery, fall is a perfect time to visit the Channel Islands in southern California.There is a moment at the start of every kelp forest dive when you forget about the neoprene that squeezes your body head to toe and the 60-degree water that numbs your forehead. Making eye contact with your buddy, you empty the air from your inflatable vest, descend below the canopy and look down.
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, and suddenly, an entire ecosystem comes to life. Schools of rockfish cruise along the reef. Bright orange garibaldi circle stalks of kelp that reach all the way to the surface. Tiny nudibranchs cling to leaves. Maybe a curious sea lion buzzes by. Keep a sharp focus on the crevices between rocks, and you might also spot the long antennae of the California spiny lobster. Then be prepared for the primordial instinct to kick in.
Eat Local
If you thought fresh lobster was the stuff of summer picnics in Maine, it's time to head west. Along the southern coast of California, the lobster population is healthy and stable, so you can hunt and gather guilt-free from early October through mid March, as long as you plan ahead and follow a few basic rules.
The northern Channel Islands offshore from Santa Barbara and Ventura are a perfect place to spend a day — or a week – diving for your dinner. Home to more than 150 endemic species, the northern Channel Islands of Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Anacapa have been designated a national park since 1980. Some 27 species of whales and dolphins have been seen in the ocean waters surrounding these islands. And for the hungry diver, the rocky topography creates the perfect lobster home.
Beginner's Luck
It takes a good amount of practice to master the art and science of finding, catching and bagging "bugs." But according to lobster diving experts Steve and Kristine Barsky, novice divers can boost their chances of success with knowledge of the lobster habitat, an aggressive technique and a bit of good fortune.
"The hardest part of lobster diving is knowing where to look and how to see them," Steve says. "You have to spend some time scoping it out. People who are really serious keep drawings and GPS settings."
The Barskys have published a thorough primer to the sport, California Lobster Diving, available in print and DVD formats from Hammerhead Press. These guides cover lobster biology, gear, regulations, techniques and locations, as well as the most important topic of how to prepare your catch back on land.
Like spearfishing and freediving, lobster diving requires both prior experience underwater and some specialized gear. Divers should be comfortable wearing bulky layers and maneuvering around the kelp. They also need to handle accessories like lights and game bags at depth. Navigation skills are essential, as visibility can be limited and California operators typically do not run guided dives. (Dive masters are on board for your safety, and they only get in the water to handle emergencies.)
Several charter boats leave from both Ventura and Santa Barbara during the season, for half-day, full-day and multiday liveaboard trips. Divers are allowed to take up to seven lobster per day — plenty to feed yourself, plus a few family or friends. The trick will be finding a way to keep the lobsters alive on the journey home. And if at first you don't succeed, you'll still enjoy a memorable dive trip, and after, you can satisfy your seafood craving at a restaurant on the harbor.
This year's California lobster season runs September 29, 2007 through March 19, 2008, and although most opening day boats are already full, trips will run midweek and on weekends throughout the season. Be sure to get your California ocean fishing license at a local dive shop before you set sail. (Shops occasionally run out, and licenses are not sold on the boats.) Check the Truth Aquatics schedule (805-962-1127) for boats out of Santa Barbara, or any southern California dive shop for boats out of Ventura, including the Peace and Spectre.
Getting There:
Charter boats to the Channel Islands leave from both the Ventura and Santa Barbara harbors. The closest airports are located in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Resources:
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
California Fish and Game
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, and suddenly, an entire ecosystem comes to life. Schools of rockfish cruise along the reef. Bright orange garibaldi circle stalks of kelp that reach all the way to the surface. Tiny nudibranchs cling to leaves. Maybe a curious sea lion buzzes by. Keep a sharp focus on the crevices between rocks, and you might also spot the long antennae of the California spiny lobster. Then be prepared for the primordial instinct to kick in.
Eat Local
If you thought fresh lobster was the stuff of summer picnics in Maine, it's time to head west. Along the southern coast of California, the lobster population is healthy and stable, so you can hunt and gather guilt-free from early October through mid March, as long as you plan ahead and follow a few basic rules.
The northern Channel Islands offshore from Santa Barbara and Ventura are a perfect place to spend a day — or a week – diving for your dinner. Home to more than 150 endemic species, the northern Channel Islands of Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Anacapa have been designated a national park since 1980. Some 27 species of whales and dolphins have been seen in the ocean waters surrounding these islands. And for the hungry diver, the rocky topography creates the perfect lobster home.
Beginner's Luck
It takes a good amount of practice to master the art and science of finding, catching and bagging "bugs." But according to lobster diving experts Steve and Kristine Barsky, novice divers can boost their chances of success with knowledge of the lobster habitat, an aggressive technique and a bit of good fortune.
"The hardest part of lobster diving is knowing where to look and how to see them," Steve says. "You have to spend some time scoping it out. People who are really serious keep drawings and GPS settings."
The Barskys have published a thorough primer to the sport, California Lobster Diving, available in print and DVD formats from Hammerhead Press. These guides cover lobster biology, gear, regulations, techniques and locations, as well as the most important topic of how to prepare your catch back on land.
Like spearfishing and freediving, lobster diving requires both prior experience underwater and some specialized gear. Divers should be comfortable wearing bulky layers and maneuvering around the kelp. They also need to handle accessories like lights and game bags at depth. Navigation skills are essential, as visibility can be limited and California operators typically do not run guided dives. (Dive masters are on board for your safety, and they only get in the water to handle emergencies.)
Several charter boats leave from both Ventura and Santa Barbara during the season, for half-day, full-day and multiday liveaboard trips. Divers are allowed to take up to seven lobster per day — plenty to feed yourself, plus a few family or friends. The trick will be finding a way to keep the lobsters alive on the journey home. And if at first you don't succeed, you'll still enjoy a memorable dive trip, and after, you can satisfy your seafood craving at a restaurant on the harbor.
This year's California lobster season runs September 29, 2007 through March 19, 2008, and although most opening day boats are already full, trips will run midweek and on weekends throughout the season. Be sure to get your California ocean fishing license at a local dive shop before you set sail. (Shops occasionally run out, and licenses are not sold on the boats.) Check the Truth Aquatics schedule (805-962-1127) for boats out of Santa Barbara, or any southern California dive shop for boats out of Ventura, including the Peace and Spectre.
Getting There:
Charter boats to the Channel Islands leave from both the Ventura and Santa Barbara harbors. The closest airports are located in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Resources:
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
California Fish and Game
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