This Rubbish did not Soil my Dive!

Early in the week, I get a call from Dave at Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures with an invitation to join them again this year for a trashy dive…huhhmmm…

One Small Group of Dive Buddies: Dave, Lori, Joy, and Deb.  A few of the many that turned out to support the efforts.
One Small Group of Dive Buddies: Dave, Lori, Joy, and Deb. A few of the many that turned out to support the efforts.

I mean another Puako Beach Clean-up Dive on Saturday morning, September 18th ๐Ÿ˜‰

Both Andy and I joined in on last year’s effort on September 12; but, “sadly”, Andy had to work on the Mountain this year on the scheduled date. This year, while he was on Mauna Kea Summit, I went shore diving bringing in rubbish of all types and taking pictures as best as I could in the murky water so near the Puako Bay shoreline.

When it is now so much a Part of the Reef that it would destroy more of the coral than would be benefited, we leave it embedded.
When it is now so much a Part of the Reef that it would destroy more of the coral than would be benefited, we leave it embedded.

We didn’t have to dive very deep to bring up a lot of rubbish such as car tires, a vehicle break cylinder, numerous drink cans (what a waste of HI-5‘s!),

Catch of the Day:  A nice sized anchor!
Catch of the Day: A nice sized anchor!
yards of abandoned fishing line with a couple of large hooks attached, some golf balls, a few “what’s its”, and a boat anchor (Lori got her workout on that one) — and that was just what was pulled out of the water.

The take for the day.
The take for the day.

The onshore team gathered up way too many cigarette butts, a rusty section of barbed wire fence with rusty posts, a dirty diaper or two, more golf balls, and a few more “what’s its”!

Off to the Waste Disposal site so near the Bay. Why this gets dumped in the Bay instead... ??? ...
Off to the Waste Disposal site so near the Bay. Why this gets dumped in the Bay instead… ??? …
The “what’s its” lead to some interesting speculation of what the former function was prior to becoming rusty litter :-O Much laughter ensued from the comments put forth!

All was not depressing, however! ๐Ÿ™‚

We saw a lot of ocean life in the shallow water dive while searching for rubbish as well. There were numerous juveniles of several fish species, one or two turtles, a beautiful patch of purple coral, some fancy algae; and some of us (I missed it) saw the Hawaiian Green Lionfish that was “camped out” under the pier next to the boat ramp!

Camouflaged Oyster - A feeling of belonging.
Camouflaged Oyster – A feeling of belonging.

A GREAT way to get bottom time, and help the environment in the process! I had SO much fun that when I got home, I put the gear away; and promptly collapsed from a “good”, well earned exhaustion ๐Ÿ˜‰ FANTASTIC DAY!

How Juvenile! :-D ... These and others were plentiful in the cove.
How Juvenile! ๐Ÿ˜€ … These and others were plentiful in the cove.

One Response to This Rubbish did not Soil my Dive!

  1. Marilea says:

    You are such a great writer! I can enjoy your experience as though I am right there with you.
    This is a blessing, enjoying gathering trash.
    Thanks.
    Luv, Me