One of the purposes and objectives of TGCC, as specified in the TGCC 2014 Constitution, is to “defend and advance the legal rights and privileges of all divers through appropriate state and federal legislation”. The TGCC 2nd Vice President normally handles these issues. You as a diver can help by keeping informed on relevant issues and expressing your concerns to the relevant authorities. We invite your input on these and other issues.
** UPDATE ** Balloon Pollution concern – check out the latest under “Environmental Affairs”.
Policy for submission of articles:
Your item should be no more than 300 words or less. Please note in your email subject if it is Political or Environmental. You should limit the links to just 2 or 3 so that folks might actually visit them. Send your discourse to the Web Master.
Political Affairs
From Frank Burek 23 March 2021
** FGBNMS Expansion Approved **
Map
The Federal Register has confirmed the Expansion of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary from 3 banks to 17 banks (from approximately 56 square miles to 160 square miles) effective March 22, 2021.
This is good news to our community, that has supported this effort for almost 15 years. For more details please see: FGBNMS History and FGBNMS Bank Listing.
Significance: These areas include critical habitat for recreationally and commercially important fish, as well as threatened or endangered species of manta rays, sea turtles, and corals in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Flower Garden website: Sanctuary Expansion.
The Sanctuary now ranges from Stetson Bank, which is 82 miles south-southeast of Galveston, Texas to Parker Bank which is 194 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. The sanctuary is now composed of 17 banks – Stetson, West Flower Garden, East Flower Garden, Horseshoe, MacNeil, Rankin, 28 Fathom, Bright, Geyer, Elvers, McGrail, Sonnier, Bouma, Rezak, Sidner, Alderdice and Parker Banks. These banks range from 80 to 125 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
Environmental Affairs
From Jesse Cancelmo 09 October 2020
Baseline Ecological Assessment of Artificial Reef, High Island A-389-A: Pre- and Post-partial Structure Removal
Please read FGBNMS report for more details.
From Joanie Steinhaus 18 September 2020
Turtle Island Restoration Network has been completing research to explore the possibility of an intentional balloon ban, and one part of this project is collecting data on the number of balloons found in the environment.
Please read this updated memo for more details.
Also take a look at this from BalloonsBlow.org
From Jesse Cancelmo 19 July 2019
An article about disinfecting your dive gear is Prevent Coral Disease from FGBNMS
From Jesse Cancelmo 18 May, 2019
Stony Coral Disease
At last week’s FGBNMS Advisory Council meeting, Adrienne Simoes Correa gave a presentation on stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) that is rampant in Florida and many parts of the Caribbean.
Please communicate this information via the links below to your club members and to other clubs, especially the protocols for disinfecting dive gear to eliminate the risk for spreading the pathogens.
Jesse Cancelmo
FGBNMS SAC representative – Recreational Diving
Please see below recently issued National Marine Sanctuaries 5-year Strategic Plan. As the Houston-Clearlake Recreational Diving representatives for the Sanctuary Advisory Council, I am requesting you communicate this information to all of your club members the best way you see fit. In the send-out, please let dive club members know that if they have any questions or comments about this strategic plan, they can contact me directly at jesse@cancelmophoto.com or text me at 713.302.7920.
ONMS Strategic Plan Sept 2017
One of the purposes and objectives of TGCC, as specified in the TGCC 2014 Constitution, is to “foster environmental awareness in the dive community”. Understanding that there are many larger and more powerful organizations dedicated solely to environmental issues, we believe our role is best suited to scout for issues of relevance to us as divers and direct you to those organizations. We support the efforts of these organizations with respect to these issues. We especially support the FGBNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council.
Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Many divers do not realize that the Texas gulf coast offers diving opportunities on vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life in clear water. While they are located 110 miles offshore, weekend public charters are available most of the year. See the FGBNMS website to learn more. The FGBNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council facilitates communication between the sanctuary staff and groups such as TGCC that are interested in how sanctuary resources are managed.
Miscellaneous
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Frank and Joyce Burek have received numerous awards; one of which is having a newly discovered fish named after them – the Mardi Gras Wrasse, Latin name Halichoeres burekae.
