South Devon 2013

I'm on the reserve list as it's filled up already for Plymouth.

Have got Friday afternoon / early eve free for a dive, anyone aware of any vis anywhere? Have been out of the area for a week so unsure how conditions have been.
Cheers.

Dai ASBO said:

Have got Friday afternoon / early eve free for a dive, anyone aware of any vis anywhere? Have been out of the area for a week so unsure how conditions have been.
Cheers.

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Dire to say the least mate. Torbay is a write off thurlestone is brown ( check hope cove webcam) not sure about bovisand way. I saw a picture of Bovisand on Saturday and it looked good but no idea what its like now?

scottwilson said:

Dire to say the least mate. Torbay is a write off thurlestone is brown ( check hope cove webcam) not sure about bovisand way. I saw a picture of Bovisand on Saturday and it looked good but no idea what its like now?

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Cheers Scott, I'll check out Plymouth way and keep my fingers crossed.

Hi All,
Struck my way to Venture Sports yesterday which is conveniently en route to my Grandparents in Brixham. Sadly, no Anthony due to holiday but the chap there was helpful. The shop looked better than last year and they had the bands needed for the Gabianno. Hope Cressi bands measure up to the job!!! G 20's, top price so should be good.
Just need the water to notch up 10 degrees and go crystal clear for a perfect season.
Tribs
Out

Don't really know plymouth that well for dive spots but check out south devon fishing forum. Plymouth comes under south devon and latest photos show good viz. as Scott said exmouth to start point complete no go, thurlestone awful last Thursday with weather front coming in today, can't see that's going to be any good mate either.
Sometimes you just have to say f**k it and wait.

Cheers

Lee

Panhandle said:

In preparation for the new season, I have some money burning a hole in my pocket and feel like splashing out on some new toys.
I have decided to buy a Banks Board as I like the additional safety, and hopefully speed, of spearing with one.

After going snorkelling in NZ with normal fins it brought home just how much power you get from long blades. I currently dive with Mares Razors and think an upgrade to either fibreglass or carbon might add an extra zing to my finning.
I mainly do shore dives (a bit from Kayaks and going to try from my new SUPboard soon).
Do any of you guys on here have recommendations of which to go for? My 2-3year old blades are a bit scratched up, but I was learning through that time. Would fibreglass be a bit more hardy to the conditions around the South Hams etc? Is carbon worth the extra or will I just damage them too quickly?

Been looking at the range at Fins4u but would appreciate if anyone has any other recommendations

Any opinions gratefully received

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I just ordered a pair of leader fin waves alga off fins4you, it says they are carbon however if you look at the leader fins website the alga are fibreglass. A friend has the carbon and the carbon fibreglass mix fins from leader and he says he can't tell the difference . He rates them highly. The reason I went to fins4u and not direct to leader was for the pathos footpockets. Can't really complain about the price.

No vis found at a few East Plymouth spots a few hours ago, hoping for better on Sunday afternoon (to make good use of my time while taking daughter to and from a party in a rather convenient location!!)

There seems to have been a bit of a disaster going on outside Plymouth recently. There has been an offshore dumping of a large quantity of PIB (Polyisobutylene). Nearly 300 dead birds have been washed up along the coast between Downderry and Wembury, and quantities have washed up in Whitsand Bay in the form of huge piles of rubbery, sticky foam.
PIB is a synthetic rubber that turns onto a super sticky goo when it hits seawater, and pretty much spells the end for any poor creature that gets covered in the stuff.
If anyone is out along the SW coast and finds an alive or distressed bird or animal, please phone the local RSPCA office and they will come and collect it.

Colour of the sea seems to be improving in Torbay, took a quick walk along waters edge at Livermead on way home to have a look. Failing light didn't help me get too good a look but seems to be heading in right direction. A day or two more of calm conditions should throw some vis?
Just a shame about all the extra turds that have made their way into the sea following the recent coastal collapses!!

Anyone got any viz reports? Am hoping this settled weather will help clear things up in the Plymouth areas!

Trelawney said:

There seems to have been a bit of a disaster going on outside Plymouth recently. There has been an offshore dumping of a large quantity of PIB (Polyisobutylene). Nearly 300 dead birds have been washed up along the coast between Downderry and Wembury, and quantities have washed up in Whitsand Bay in the form of huge piles of rubbery, sticky foam.
PIB is a synthetic rubber that turns onto a super sticky goo when it hits seawater, and pretty much spells the end for any poor creature that gets covered in the stuff.
If anyone is out along the SW coast and finds an alive or distressed bird or animal, please phone the local RSPCA office and they will come and collect it.

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I take it PIB doesn't do Spearos any good either?

Would be good if anyone can give or source advice on this, regarding safety of spending lots of time swimming around in this stuff, and of potential risks from consuming seafood that may be contaminated.
Have pasted below a message containing some advice as well as a link to an on line petition. In addition to sea birds, spider crabs and dog fish that have already washed up, I've just heard that today that Cuttlefish are washing up on Seaton (cornwall) beach. Will post this in Cornwall and Dorset threads too. I'm not sure how much effect these online petitions have, but it all helps I hope.

Dear CoaSTies in Cornwall....

Important message from Cornwall Wildlife Trust about the current sea bird tragedy unfolding on our beaches:

Dear Volunteers and colleagues

Sea birds are continuing to be washed up on our beaches - Estimates are extremely difficult to come to but we are now looking at a huge number, possibly as many as 1000 birds, possibly more. The sticky substance known as polyisobutylene is thought to be responsible although it is possible other chemicals could be involved..

I have just spoken to Mark Grantham of British Trust for Ornithology who was keen to post mortem as many as possible of the birds that have been washed ashore dead. The sheer numbers that are being stranded means that postmorteming all the birds is no longer going to be possible. In the East Cornwall Area CORY have been collecting dead birds from beaches and recording how many they are finding on each beach. This is essential work and we are really grateful that they are doing so. I have been informed that although they are officially only contracted to collect from council owned beaches they will endeavour to collect dead birds from all beaches between the Rame Peninsula and St Austell which is great news.

If you find dead birds please remove them from the beaches and bag them up, as leaving them there means that there is increased likely hood of scavenging animals getting affected by the chemicals. Important - when handling the animals always wear protective gloves to protect you from the chemicals and bacteria that will naturally be found on decomposing animals. Wash your hands and clothes carefully after handling animals.
Bag up the birds and leave in a prominent place near to a road and notify Cornwall Council Environment Department on 03001234202 or CORY Environmental on 03001234141

Please also don't forget to continue to log the birds you find by contacting the CWT Strandings Hotline on 08452012626 - Stating number of each species found and if possible photograph any ringed birds so that the ring numbers can be clearly seen in the photos. Also note down where they were found and at what time.

What is also alarming is that other sea creatures are also being found - spider crabs, cuttlefish, dogfish in relatively small numbers at present but please bear this in mind if you are out looking - and report all strandings.

Important - if you haven't done so already please sign the following online petition
Save our Sea Birds!! Stop dumping*PIB and other harmful chemicals*into our seas!


Matt Slater
Marine Awareness Officer
Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Tel: (01872) 240777 ext 214
Email: matt.slater@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Website: Cornwall Wildlife Trust | Living Seas | Your Shore & VMCAs
Address: Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ (Registered office)

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has over 14,000 members who are protecting Cornwall's wildlife for the future, you can join us today at Cornwall Wildlife Trust | Join as a member | Membership benefits

Its been given the all clear as far as i kno mate. I dived this mornin vis around 2 meters in the deeper stuff but less than half in the shallows

Yeah, should be fine by now, I know that all the related problems have been sorted so all things are being pumped where they should be!! I'll be getting in over next couple of days.

Scott, any joy this morning? Was down at Beacon Cove yesterday (not diving), water seemed to be clearing up but milky.

Nothing seen mate i was after lobbies

scottwilson said:

Nothing seen mate i was after lobbies

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Tey Scott,

More chance of getting loggies I reckon!

Stay safe and hold your nose.

Tribs

out

All adds to the flavour Tribs roflrofl I grabbed a few scallops on the way out ( never seen them in the spot before so a bonus ) and they were as sweet as ever

Scott , if you do get any lobbies or crabs do not forget to enter ( big ones ) in to the CRUSTACEAN CUP contest which runs in conjunction with FOM/FOY this year !! Terry.....