Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai

Turtle Needs Help!

Hannah Elliott — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 21:36:34 +0000

Have you ever seen a wild animal in need of help?

If you have, odds are it left a lasting impression on you. I know that Iʻll never forget the day I helped a green sea turtle.

All too often, when hearing of marine animals in crisis, it is the result of some sort of human impact; but my story is different. This was early in my career as a dive guide and SCUBA instructor on Maui. We were diving Olowalu Reef from the boat one afternoon, and Iʻd navigated my group through the sand channels and over the top of the reef to that mythical spot: the turtle cleaning station.

The Hawaiian Archipelago was the first place where turtle cleaning stations were scientifically documented as early as 1972. Turtles are known to repetitively come back to an area and adopt a ‘solicitation posture for cleaning’ where a few select species of fish respond by eating algae or even parasites off their hard shells, soft flippers and wrinkly necks.

A trip to Olowalu, Maui

Photo by Instructor Victoria

At this Olowalu cleaning station, the area is utilized so frequently that the corals are beat down and worn down to what look like stubby, ashy rocks where the turtles repeatedly congregate. And it is there where my group and I witnessed one of those magical underwater moments. Some turtles were going up for a breath of air, others descending down to their favorite spot on the reef, others hovering like spacecraft motionless in the water column for cleaning by surgeonfish. There were still others perched on top of the worn corals, posturing by stretching out their neck and flippers for a good cleaning. At least six turtles in all occupied the space as my group slowly approached.

My group was awe struck by the scene they were witnessing…

As they took it in, I considered where best to get a photograph. A turtle in motion, remains in motion has always been my theory when trying to photograph these wonderful animals; so, I began to line up a photo with a turtle resting on the coral, rather than pursue any of the active turtles. After a shot or two, I changed my location to the other side of the coral mound and notice a medium-sized turtle wedged into a crevice in the reef.

Around me, the mystifying nature of the scene was beginning to wear off, and my divers came over to see what I was looking at. I pointed out the turtle with its head exposed outside the miniature cave it was resting inside of. It’s not unusual to find a turtle half-wedged into the reef or substrate as a way to anchor themselves while sleeping, a bit of a respite from whatever surge there is; so I didn’t think much of the turtle’s sleeping spot.

Turtle on the move?

Photo by Instructor Hannah

As each diver came over to take a look, the turtle became more alert and started to move around inside its alcove. It was clear at a certain point that the turtle was ready to move out of its location, perhaps to surface for a breath of air. Getting to observe larger animals in motion, especially turtles, is one of the joys of diving, so I held my group back a distance, but focused on where I assumed we would have a chance to see the turtle depart and ascend.

But instead we witnessed the turtle attempt to leave from the mouth of the alcove and be unable to fit. We watched for what felt like an eternity as the turtle made tiny back-n-forth motions, attempting to jam its carapace through an opening that was clearly not tall enough to allow its exit; all the while I was rapidly doing an internal calculation. Turtles are a protected species by both State and Federal law, which left me debating what the best course of action might be, given my goal to be a role model to the divers I was leading.

Touch or don’t touch? Interfere or don’t interfere? Help or not?

Photo by Instructor Victoria

It was plainly evident from my vantage point that the turtle could (barely) fit out the further away, more open end of the crevice; but where it repeatedly attempted to exit there is not a chance of it squeezing out. The longer the failed attempts went on, the more distressed I became, and I recall looking at my divers and seeing that we were all equally alarmed. Looking back at the turtle, I perceived fear or increasing desperation beginning to show in its body language. Internal calculation still ongoing, I had yet to act. And then the moment that is seared into my memory: the turtle opened its mouth in what appeared to be a gasping motion.

Like us, turtles breathe air. I like to joke that they’re some of the best breath-hold divers around, but they have their limits and must return to the surface for air supply. It is uncommon to see a turtle underwater move its mouth much at all (unless feeding), and much less so to see it gape its mouth open wide. Granted I may be anthropomorphizing by calling what I saw a gasp, but I can tell you this much: I was gasping from near holding my breath watching this scene unfold.

And that was the moment I decided to take action.

I moved in front of the turtle, realizing at that moment that their beak sure does look strong and rather sharp up this close. Putting that out of my mind, I positioned one of my hands on the top of its carapace, the other as best I could below. The turtle withdrew its neck into its shell a bit, which made it even taller inside the narrow slot of an opening.

I began to try to move the turtle back into the crevice and shuffle it over toward the side with the slightly larger opening, when I realize it was really, really stuck. Using some force, I was able to move the turtle to the larger side of the opening, only to realize that it still wasn’t large enough. With no idea how much time had elapsed, at a certain point I realized this was going to take innovative effort I had not yet considered.

I decided to squish the turtle.

I applied pressure from my hand on top of its shell and my hand beneath its shell and squished it together as hard as I could while pulling toward me.

Once, twice, FREE!

Relief!

Jubilation!

I expected a frightened turtle to swim away from us rapidly, but instead the turtle put a bit of distance between us, paused and looked at me, and then did the most calm, turtle-glide up to the surface for a breath of air.

To this day, I have a little bit of doubt that creeps in if the turtle actually needed my help, because of its nonchalant ascent to the surface. But every time I dive that site, I intentionally navigate to that crevice, which is even smaller of an opening due to new coral growth. Every time, upon seeing that sliver of an opening, I feel reassured that I did the right thing.

The post Turtle Needs Help! first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

How to Tame Your Mer-Mane

Hannah Elliott — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 19:00:53 +0000

By Annika Doerr and David Leonhardt

We all know what happens to our hair after diving right? …Medusa!

Luckily, here at Extended Horizons, we have A LOT of hair and have gathered a few tips over the years to help prevent hair damage associated with salt water diving. Spend more time blowing bubbles and less time combing out knots!

Follow these tips for mess-free, healthy hair:

Prepare Your Hair

Just before you go diving, wet your hair with fresh water. This way, your hair becomes soaked with fresh water which means it will absorb less salt water.

Applying an eco-friendly hair oil, such as coconut oil, can also help protect your locks. Coating your hair like this prevents salt from wicking moisture away from the inside of your strands. Essentially, coating your hair prevents moisture loss and reduces friction which leaves hair feeling much smoother, way less matted, and sticky. The rule of thumb when it comes to applying is: heavy on your ends and lighter towards your roots. This way, your dry, damaged ends get more attention than your oil-producing roots.

Also, don’t forget to go for a product that is eco-friendly, organic, fair-trade, and sustainably produced. Remember to research the companies you choose to buy from. By choosing environmentally-friendly products, you can help protect our reefs and sealife from obscure chemicals. Good for nature and good for you!

Use a Mask Strap Cover

Mask strap covers are great because they stop the silicone mask strap from pulling and tangling your hair.

With so many different colors and designs to choose from, you are sure to find something that suits your style as well! Just remove your mask strap, slide the strap through the neoprene cover, reattach, and you’re good to go!

If you want to support your favorite Maui dive shop, stop by or give us a call to purchase a mask strap cover with the Extended Horizons logo!

Use Good Hair Ties

Seamless hair ties have changed our lives! Hair ties that are glued or clamped together often damage hair when the part that is glued/clamped starts to fray your hair. Not to mention, they also break and fall off. No wonder we see so many underwater!

So, go for something seamless and eco-friendly to protect your hair and the ocean.

Smart Hair Styles

Generally, any hair style works that is not tied in the area where your mask strap goes. Buns that are really high (towards the crown of your head) are easy and work well. A really low bun (towards the nape of your neck) is also a smart style. Tie it tight, as loose strands tend to get caught on your first stage…ouch!

Don’t forget braidy babes! Who said diving wasn’t sexy?! Fishtail, double braids, or french, they all add a touch of class. Braids are particularly great for longer hair and prevents it from knotting.

Use a Buff to Contain Your Hair

Choose from a variety of cool hair buffs to keep your hair all in one place during a dive!

They are great for topside adventures and windy boat trip as well, protecting your hair from salt, sun, and wind.

Headbands are somewhat smaller and cover less hair but are generally tighter for more control. They work really well to keep shorter hairs (like fringes) out of your face.

Wear a Hood

Hoods are a great way to keep hair out of your way and all in one place, plus they add a bit of warmth! They come in all types for warm or cold water.

Don’t Forget Post-Dive Hair Care

Rinse the salt out of your hair with fresh water right after a dive. Don’t let salt water dry in your hair. As hair dries water starts to evaporate. As water evaporates salt is left behind in greater concentrations on your hair. This salty concentration is what sucks the moisture out of your hair and dehydrates it. This process is known as osmosis, which most of us still remember something about from high school. Whether you’ve been diving for 1 day or 2 weeks, once you’ve finished, remember to treat your hair with a good leave-in-conditioner or hair mask to give it that extra moisture boost!

The post How to Tame Your Mer-Mane first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Common Seabirds of Maui County

Hannah Elliott — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:00:48 +0000

We know that many of you are stuck at home, dreaming of Maui beaches, Haleakala hikes, and diving the Lanai Cathedrals. What you may not realize about some of your favorite Maui attractions is that they play a role in smaller ecosystems that make up a larger Coastal Ecosystem.

Here at Extended Horizons, we LOVE nerding-out about our local coral reef ecosystem, but we’re passionate about more than just our underwater friends! If you have ever been on one of our boat adventures, it is possible that we have pointed out native seabirds soaring above. Although some may be less-than-excited about spotting a seabird, Hawaii seabirds are no average seagull…they’re extra special!

Unlike Hawaii’s seabirds, seagulls and pelicans are land-dependent seabirds. They typically do not travel long distances across the sea and tend to stay close to larger land masses. Because Hawaii is thousands of miles away from the mainland US, gulls and pelicans won’t be found here. At least that means you’re able to enjoy a picnic at the beach without worrying about thieving birds…well maybe that’s not true…Hawaii chickens are another story!

Because we don’t have land-based seabirds like seagulls and pelicans, that means spotting seabirds near shore is actually quite rare! On the main Hawaiian islands, they are mostly seen while crossing larger channels of water or near cliff ledges. Hawaii is a great place for seabirds to nest, given that there are many protected areas on land and a whole lot of sea cliffs to shelter inside of. As you move further away from the Main Islands, the population of seabirds grows drastically, and it’s even possible to encounter some very rare and endemic species of seabirds!

While it may be unlikely to see rare species of seabirds from our boat (but not impossible!), we want to share a bit of information with you about the seabirds that we DO commonly encounter around Maui, so during your next visit, you can nerd-out about Hawaiian seabirds with us!

What is a Seabird?

Simply put, seabirds are birds that can live at sea. They have special characteristics and adaptations to allow them to take on the extra challenges that come with living in a marine ecosystem.

You can determine seabirds from non-seabirds in a number of ways. They typically have:

Webbed feet – seabirds have webbed feet that allow them to more easily maneuver themselves in the water. Their webbed feet make them quick divers to chase down tasty fish!
Dark or dull feathers – dark feathers have melanin that provide extra structural support. This makes seabirds’ feathers extra tough to withstand the environmental challenges of living at sea.
Countershading – seabirds usually have dark feathers on the top of their bodies and light colors on their underside. This helps them camouflage from predators both above and below.
Tube noses – for extra protection and to be able to have an increased sense of smell, many seabirds have tubes that surround their nostrils.

Seabirds We Commonly Spot from Our Boat

Our captains and dive staff do their very best to point out seabirds while we are out on our boat diving excursions. The seabirds that we most commonly encounter (in order of most to least common) are:

Brown Booby (‘Ā)

Sula leucogaster

Brown Boobies are the most-common seabird that we encounter on our boat. There are four subspecies of Brown Boobies worldwide, but only one is found here in Hawaii.

Population: 1,500 breeding pairs in Hawaii, 50-70,000 globally

Diet: They love to chow-down on flying fish, squid, mackerel scad, juvenile goatfish, and anchovy

Feeding: Typically, these birds will feed in groups both with those of their species and others as well

Nesting: Brown Boobies nest on the ground and typically lay 2 eggs per season

Hatching Season: September

Wedge-tailed Shearwater (‘Ua‘u kani)

Ardenna pacifica

The Wedge-tailed Shearwater is a native species of seabird. This species of seabird form mating pairs that typically mate for life.

Population: approximately 6,500 pairs (as of 2012) in Maui County and over a million pairs worldwide

Diet: Their favorite treats are goatfish, flying fish, squid, and squirrelfish

Feeding: Wedge-tailed Shearwaters feed by sitting on the surface and reaching down for fish, by diving down, and by flying low over the water and catching fish while flying

Nesting: Females usually lay one egg per season and both parents will care for their young until it’s able to face the world on its own

Hatching Season: June

Great Frigatebird (‘Iwa)

Fregata minor

Great Frigatebirds are large seabirds who gracefully dance through the skies. There are five sub-species of Frigatebirds worldwide, but only one here in Hawaii.

Population: 500,000 – 1 million individuals globally with approximately 10,000 breeding pairs in Hawaii

Diet: flying fish and squid

Feeding: They catch prey by flying over and dipping their bill into the water. However, Frigatebirds are known for being quite the thief, as they chase other birds and make them regurgitate their food to take it for themselves.

Nesting: Usually lay one egg every 2-4 years in low bushes. Unlike most seabirds, Great Frigatebirds typically have different partners each mating season.

Breeding Season: The beginning of mating season to the end of parental care can be about 2 years for Great Frigatebirds

Bulwer’s Petrel (‘Ou)

Bulweria bulwerii

The Bulwer’s Petrel likes to spend its time at sea. They fly with short wing flaps, fluttering over the surface of the water before dipping to catch their prey.

Population: 75 – 103,000 breeding pairs in Hawaii. Only about 500 – 1,000 of those pairs are believed to reside on the Main Hawaiian Islands

Diet: They eat fish and squid, crustaceans and sea-strider bugs

Feeding: Foragers that likely fly over and dip into the water or by sitting at the surface

Nesting: Bulwer’s Petrels nest in rock crevices and their nests are very smelly. Breeding pairs seem to breed for life and both the male and female will incubate the eggs and care for the nestlings.

Breeding Season: May to October

White-Tailed Tropicbird (Koa‘e kea)

Phaethon lepturus

These beautiful seabirds are relatives of Boobies and Frigatebirds. Out of six subspecies of White-Tailed Tropicbirds, one is native to Hawaii. Their white-coloration and long tail feathers are distinguishing characteristics when viewing from below.

Population: 1,800 breeding pairs in Hawaii and less than 200,000 breeding pairs worldwide

Diet: relatively unknown but have been observed eating flying fish

Feeding: Usually forage alone but like to follow boats. They plunge dive for their prey from 50-60 feet above the water.

Nesting: Breeding pairs will dance through the skies as a courting behavior and typically nest in sea cliffs. Females lay one egg per season and both parents will care for the nestling

Breeding Season: March through October

As we said, these are some of the MOST COMMON seabirds that we encounter here, but there are so many more species that frequent Hawaii. If you want to learn more about the more rare and endangered species of seabirds, you can visit: https://www.mauinuiseabirds.org/

Threats

Now that you know allllll about our common seabirds and have fallen in love with them, let’s talk a little bit about their threats. Similar to sea turtles, seabirds are majorly affected by artificial light sources, such as street lights. Many seabirds make the voyage from their nest to sea during the nighttime and are believed to use the moon as a navigational tool. Some seabirds, especially young fledglings, are attracted to artificial light, and may be confusing our lights for the moon. When seabirds follow an artificial light source, they are directed into more urban, populated areas where they may run into buildings, power lines, or cars and are then injured or grounded. When seabirds are grounded in these urban areas, they are faced with even more threats, such as being struck by cars or attacked by cats.

Should you encounter a grounded seabird, please call 808-573-BIRD immediately.

The post Common Seabirds of Maui County first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area

Hannah Elliott — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:00:23 +0000

Photo by Chris Doerr.

Have you ever walked along Ka‘anapli Boardwalk and noticed signs explaining the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area (KHFMA) project? Kahekili (or Airport) Beach is one of our favorite places to go shore diving so we love telling the story of how special this place is! If you’ve been shore diving there with us before, we’ve likely pointed out a sign or two. Taking some extra time to read these signs will really get your conservationist senses tingling! Being one of eight regulated fishing areas in Maui County, you know that means this place is pretty special. So, what’s the hype all about?

Let’s start with a little backstory…

Research from the early 2000s here in Ka‘anapali and Honokowai showed diminishing results for coral growth due to major algal blooms. These algal blooms were a shock at first, but soon were linked to freshwater springs that have been pushing out nutrient-rich water (read: pollution from the Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Facility), for the past 15 years. Too much algae proved to be a major problem, throwing off the balance of this coral reef ecosystem. In combination with this, researchers found surprisingly low numbers of algae-eating fish, especially parrot fish and surgeonfish.

Algal Bloom at Kahekili in 2001. Photo from NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

With high populations of algae and low populations of algae-eating fish, there began to be a negative effect on the reef, such as:

Unhealthy coral. In a major algal bloom, algae covers the coral, almost creating a blanket over it. When this happens, the coral’s photosynthetic algae is unable to receive the sunlight that it needs to keep the coral alive and well.
Too much bacteria. Algae releases sugar into the water, which fuels bacteria growth. The increased amount of bacteria creates an imbalance by consuming too much oxygen, suffocating the coral.
Low algae consumption. Before becoming a regulated fishing area, researchers noted low numbers of herbivorous, algae-eating fish. With an overwhelming amount of algae, there simply weren’t enough herbivorous fish to keep up with it.

So, there’s a problem…now what?

Grazing fish. Photo by Victoria Martocci.

Well, that’s where fisheries management areas, such as the Kahekili Fisheries Management (KHFMA), come into play! Taking, injuring, or catching certain marine species is prohibited in these kinds of management areas. Management areas are really important as they act like a marine life refuge, in an attempt to support the ecosystem’s balance. Added bonus: they provide great locations for eco-tourism activities like snorkeling and diving!

Established in 2009, the KHFMA was created to protect herbivorous fish species and increase algae consumption on the reef.

Hawai‘i’s Division of Aquatic Resources prohibits the following at Ka‘anapali:

To injure, kill, possess, or remove any rudderfish (nenue), parrotfish (uhu), or surgeonfish.
To injure, kill, possess, or remove any sea urchin.
To feed or deliberately introduce any attractant, directly to or in the vicinity of any marine life, except while fishing for permitted marine life.

Grazers play an important role in a coral reef ecosystem, keeping algae growth in check. Protecting herbivorous fish allows for an increase in grazing populations, which means that there are more fish to eat the fast-growing algae. The KHFMA was established by conservationists, researchers, and the Maui Nui community in hopes of decreasing the number of large blooming events like we saw at Kahekili Beach in the early 2000s.

So has the KHFMA been successful in creating balance?

Orange-Band Surgeonfish, an herbivorous fish. Photo by Victoria Martocci.

After establishing the KHFMA , Kahekili Beach became a research hotspot! Studies showed that daily herbivore consumption of algae rose from 20.8% to 67.0%. Recent surveys have shown a huge increase in herbivorous fish and urchin populations, as well as fewer algal blooms!

Researchers working with the KHFMA also found that different grazers prefer different species of algae. So by protecting different species of grazers, the reef may be able to better manage algal growth or overgrowth. By establishing the KHFMA, researchers have been successful in finding a grazer/algae balance, providing balance to the entire reef ecosystem.

A Maui success story!

Next time you’re walking the Ka‘anapali Boardwalk or relaxing at Kahekili Beach, be sure to check out the signs and grab an informative pamphlet! It makes us proud knowing that our community came together to help protect such a beautiful coral reef ecosystem.

And next time you go shore diving with us at Kahekili Beach, remember to give a round of applause to the herbivorous fish for providing balance to our reefs!

The post Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles Part II: Honu‘ea in Hawaii

Hannah Elliott — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:00:12 +0000

Click here for Hawksbill Turtles Part I

You probably have already heard the Hawaiian name for green sea turtles: honu. But did you know that there is actually a difference between green sea turtles and the hawksbill sea turtles in the Hawaiian language?

Honu refers to green sea turtle and honu‘ea, (or simply ‘ea ) refers to hawksbill sea turtles.

In last week’s blog, we explored how the Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Hawai‘i are quite special and need our help to continue a positive population growth.

Honu‘ea Nesting

With nesting season in full swing, 1 June to 30 September, now is the perfect time to learn a bit more about these nesting turtles!

To set a baseline, there are 500 to 800 honu that nest annually in Hawai‘i. Hawaiian honu mainly nest in the remote, northwestern Hawaiian islands, with only a few recorded exceptions.

In contrast, it’s estimated that there are only about 100 nesting female ‘ea. Unlike honu, hawksbill sea turtles nest exclusively on the Main Hawaiian Islands, mostly on Hawai‘i Island and a few on Maui.

Having a much smaller population size and nesting only every 2-7 years on average, successful nesting for honu‘ea is critical for their species’ survival. Typically, honu‘ea lay 1-5 clutches, or groups of eggs, each nesting season. Clutches are laid about 2-3 weeks apart and there are, on average, 180 eggs about the size of a golf ball per clutch.

For ‘ea, incubation lasts for about 2 months. While incubating, the temperature of the nest actually determines the sex of the hatchlings! In a nest, warmer eggs are incubated faster and typically produce female hatchlings. Eggs in cooler places of the nest produce male hatchlings. Hatchlings only weigh around .5 oz or as much as 3 nickels. And by the time they reach adulthood these little guys can weigh up to 300 pounds or about 27,300 nickels…

Once hatchlings leave their nest and make it to the ocean, they sort of….disappear. Not forever, but they are typically not seen or documented in Hawai‘i until they grow to be about the size of a hub cap.

Like many species of sea turtle, ‘ea return to the same beach in which they hatched to lay their eggs.

Risks and Threats to Hatchlings

Honu‘ea are currently listed as critically endangered, after decades of being sought out for their beautiful shells which are used commercially in many types of jewelry and trinkets. While honu‘ea are now federally protected by the Endangered Species Act, both adults and hatchlings still face many threats.

While making their way from their nest to the ocean, coastal lights can be disorientating to young hatchlings, and can even deter females from nesting at all. In addition, coastal debris can entangle hatchlings or their mothers while making their journey from their nest into the ocean. And, of course, a more obvious threat is predators like dogs and cats that sometimes dig up and destroy nests.

Luckily, there are trained scientists and volunteers who can aid hatchlings in their quest to the ocean.

Conservation Efforts

There are many conservation organizations whose mission is to protect honu‘ea populations. Since 1996, Hawaii Wildlife Fund (HWF) has played a vital role in protecting the small population of hawksbill turtles by researching and monitoring the nesting activities of ‘ea in Hawai‘i.

Image: HWF

In fact, the HWF was formed in response to events in 1993 and 1996 when two egg-laden ‘ea and multiple hatchlings did not make the crossing over North Kihei Road. This began the first systematic research and monitoring of ‘ea on Maui. Thank goodness!

The first fence was constructed in 1998 along turtle nesting habitat by Kealia pond in Kihei. It helps keep turtles from wandering onto the road as well as prevents traffic from driving over buried nests.

HWF also initiated a volunteer beach watch program called “The Dawn Patrol,” but is now a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) program. During nesting season, volunteers work night and day to monitor known nesting beaches for turtle tracks and nesting mothers. Each nest location is carefully noted from a distance so as not to disturb the laying mother. Additionally, volunteers “turtle sit” the noted nest during the hatching period.

Turtle Guardians

Image: HWF

As a native species in Hawaii, sea turtles play an important role in Hawaiian culture, traditions and mo’olelo (stories). Some families continue to revere sea turtles as their ‘aumākua (spiritual guardian). Very fitting as it is now our turn to be their kia’i (guardians).

Mahalo to all the kia’i in our communities who strive to protect and defend these beautiful honu!

Please check in with the USFWS for volunteering options.

The post Hawksbill Sea Turtles Part II: Honu‘ea in Hawaii first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Hawksbill Turtles Part I: Meet Rocket Girl!

Hannah Elliott — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:00:46 +0000

By Annika Doerr

MEET ROCKET GIRL!

A Hawaiian hawksbill turtle living on Maui

We scuba diving instructors are lucky enough to encounter sea turtles underwater just about every day on Maui. While there are five species of sea turtle known to Hawaii, only two are seen with regularity: the commonly seen green sea turtle, or honu (that you will most likely encounter on a snorkel or dive), and the less-sighted and “critically endangered” hawksbill turtle, or honu ‘ea. Further, these are the only two species that nest in Hawaii as well.

After one of those ‘special occasion’ dives, where we encountered a honu ‘ea, I was amazed to hear “yeah, that was Rocket Girl” at the surface, and it piqued my curiosity! Who was this “Rocket Girl” and how could I learn more about her? Thanks to the efforts and passion of HI Hawksbill Conservation, and you, Joe Public, over 200 individual honu ‘ea have been identified in Hawaii since the project began in 1998.

Introducing #MUI23, affectionately known as “Rocket Girl” !

“Rocket Girl” munching on some sponges at Kahekili Beach, Maui, 2019. Image: Annika Doerr

Rocket Girl is one of HI Hawksbill’s best documented hawksbills, an adult female that has been photographed since 2007 with current sightings into 2020. She was also part of a special project in 2015 (along with two other turtles, Misty and Barnacle Billy), where high-tech transmitters were applied to her carapace (shell). The device recorded their dive data and provided location information. All transmitters were successfully removed in 2017 and we are excitedly awaiting the results of the study.

So how do you know what kind of turtle you’re looking at?

Image source: Hihawksbills.org

For me, the easiest way to spot a hawksbill from a green turtle is by looking at their faces.

Hawksbills have a uniquely beak-like mouth whereas greens have a more rounded head and smooth mouth.

Green turtles also have adjoining scutes (tiles) on their carapace while hawksbills have tell-tale overlapping scutes .

Counting their pre-frontal scales is also an option.

It’s difficult to tell just by looking if the turtle has been tagged because their tags often become overgrown and near-invisible.

If you are in the water frequently and pay attention you will soon find yourself a master at identifying turtles simply by looking at their overall shape.

What do you do if it is indeed a rare hawksbill turtle?

Take a photo! Send your sighting into HiHawks.org. They will give you information about the turtle you saw and tell you if it has been cataloged.

If you find a “new” turtle (one that has not yet been documented) you get to name it too. How cool! If possible, the most important parts of the turtle to capture for identification are; the cheek, the head from above, or the shell from above.

Below you can see two shots of Rocket Girl’s right cheek. A good way to identify her, as this part of her body is less likely to change or become damaged than, say, her shell.

Please keep in mind that efforts to photograph these hawksbill turtles should never disturb or change their behavior. Please take photos from a safe and respectful distance.

Rocket Girl, Maui, 2019. Image: Annika Doerr

With only about 20 – 25 females nesting annually in the Hawaiian Islands, it is vitally important to keep collecting hawksbill sightings and contributing to the scientific knowledge of this critically endangered species.

The HI Hawksbill Conservation group has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and conservation of these beautiful creatures. Their statewide photo-ID catalog has been a key resource in the identification of Hawaiian hawksbill turtles and has significantly contributed to our local and global knowledge.

As divers, it’s fantastic to have such a wonderful database to draw from! It may come as a surprise to some of you, but these animals have been found to have a territory they reside in – their underwater neighborhood. And so for us, diving the sites regularly, being able to recognize and identify a friend underwater is truly a heart-warming experience.

Find out more about the Hawaii Hawksbill project here.

The post Hawksbill Turtles Part I: Meet Rocket Girl! first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Safe Shore Diving Part 1: Entry and Exit Procedures

Hannah Elliott — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 10:00:52 +0000

By Chris Doerr and Hannah Elliott

Aloooooha ocean-lovers and divers!

Did you know that, here on Maui, there are some INCREDIBLE dive sites accessible right from shore? In fact, Maui’s coast is where we see Green Sea Turtles most often! If you haven’t already, check out our social media pages for images and video of our recent marine life sightings.

While we love boat diving at Extended Horizons, there’s something to be said for the super small group sizes on shore dives. Not only does our shop rent tanks and equipment, we offer guided shore dives for both beginner and experienced divers! That’s right, if you have never been diving before and want to give it a try, we can take you! One HUGE advantage to shore diving, especially when you are on vacation, is our flexible scheduling options. So, if you’re not a morning person and aren’t interested in the early-morning boat departure times, don’t worry! We shore dive all day, every day! For all of you experienced boat divers, you know that nothing is quite as easy as entering the water from a boat, but Maui’s shore diving has some of the easiest entry/exits around! Soft, sandy beaches, gradually sloping bottom, and shallow depths mean lots of bottom time.

To prepare you for your next shore diving adventure here on Maui, we’ve compiled a short list of tips and tricks to make shore diving (even more of) a breeze! Because, like just about anything new, there can be a bit of a learning curve.

Don’t Forget Your Buddy Check!

There are few things more frustrating than getting in the water to shore dive and realizing that you left something important in the car. An easy way to solve this problem is to do a buddy check before heading to the shore. This way, you will know for sure that all of your gear is working and that you didn’t forget things like your mask, fins, weights, or dive flag. No matter how experienced you are, doing a quick Buddy Check is ALWAYS a good idea!

Inflate Your BCD Before Entering the Water

Before entering the water, it’s important to add a little bit of air to your BCD. This is a good habit to develop because it keeps us from sinking as soon our feet can no longer reach the bottom. Additionally, if you were to stumble and fall while entering (been there, done that!), your BCD will keep you afloat. This simple tip provides safety and comfort to the beginning of your dive.

Once you’re in the water about chest deep and mostly floating, you’ll want to switch gears to putting your fins on… but there are a few steps we recommend before actually putting fin to foot. Now, we’ve all heard the saying, “don’t turn your back on the ocean.” We think there’s a little caveat to that. If you’re past the shore break, we recommend that you turn and orient yourself toward shore. This orientation will set you up for success with this next concept…

Use the Sloping Sand to Stop Yourself

When putting your fins on (or taking them off), you can use the sloping sand along the shore to keep the waves from pushing you too far onto shore. If a wave comes up from behind you while facing the shore, use your legs to push away. If you do end up turtling on shore, don’t be embarrassed! We’ve all been there. Just get back up (with help from your dive professional), wipe off the sand, and try again next time!

Use the Figure-4 Stretch Position to Put Fins On

Now that you’re facing shore, the easiest, and likely most comfortable, way to put your fins on is by using the figure-4 stretch position. Again, this is after you enter the water and get out of the wave break, cross one leg over the other to create the shape of a 4 with your legs. Then, with your fin in your opposite hand, reach down and secure the fin. Do this again on the other side, and you are good to go and already facing the correct direction to lay on your back and begin finning out a bit! This way of putting on fins avoids over-stretching and potentially getting cramps in your legs! If you are having trouble with your fins, it’s okay to ask for help! Your Dive Professional can always lend you a hand!

Time Your Exit and Go With the Flow

When exiting, there are many factors that come into play like slope, water movement, and shore-break. Using the force of the ocean to HELP us is a major benefit, so it’s really important to go with the flow. Work with the water; don’t let it work you. Follow your Dive Professional and wait for the water pulling out to sea to reverse…don’t fight it! Then, use the upcoming wave to give you a boost up onto shore.

Secure Your Gear While Entering and Exiting the Water

While shore diving, your hands get a little full since we have to carry all of our gear into the water with us. However, to be a safe shore diver, it’s best to keep your hands as free as possible. When entering and exiting the water, keep your mask and snorkel around your neck or on your face. Keep the regulator in your mouth. Try to keep at least one hand free by holding your fins in the other. Some divers even use a small clip to secure their fins to their gear, making both hands free! If you’re worried about losing gear in the shore break, or wish to have both hands free, you can always hand gear over to your Dive Professional. We are happy to help as much as we can!

Safety, education, and fun are the three main ingredients to any great dive and, by following our entry and exit tips, you can help yourself (and a buddy) with making your shore dive safe and fun.

For finding some of those nifty nudibranchs, turtles, and other Hawaiian marine life, we recommend trying a guided shore dive with us! The ease of access, as well as the amazing marine life, makes Maui a perfect destination for shore diving, whether you’re an experienced diver or trying diving for the first time! Plus, our experienced instructors can help you practice these shore diving skills in person. Until then, happy bubbles!

If you found this post useful, keep an eye out for Shore Diving Tips: Part 2!

The post Safe Shore Diving Part 1: Entry and Exit Procedures first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Coral Fluorescence: A Neon Sign

Hannah Elliott — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:00:54 +0000

By Jessica Glazner

In a recent blog post, we discussed what coral bleaching is and how, as divers, we might have a positive impact on coral reefs.

If you recall, when ocean temperatures rise above their normal limit corals “bleach,” meaning they expel their symbiotic algae, the zooxanthellae, revealing their white skeleton through the transparent polyps. The zooxanthellae provides the coral polyps with their beautiful colors and they are also their primary food source, without which the corals cannot survive for very long. As we learned, it is really the sustained warmer ocean temperatures that are a big threat to coral reefs. If temperatures drop back down to normal fairly quickly, the corals are typically able to recover their zooxanthellae.

But how do these single-celled algae know it is safe for them to return to their protective homes inside the coral polyps? Incredibly, the corals have a way of signaling to their algae that it is time to return. And, as we will see below, this process also helps the corals protect themselves during bleaching events.

Fluorescing

In recent years scientists and divers alike have been noticing an interesting phenomenon happening on coral reefs worldwide. Instead of the corals remaining their “normal” white when bleached, some corals are instead turning bright neon colors like highlighter markers. This phenomenon is called fluorescing, or colorful bleaching, and is the result of the production of special pigments inside of the coral polyp.

These incredible colors are benefiting the corals in two ways:

They are acting like a sunscreen layer, protecting the delicate coral tissue from the sun and warm water. The colorful pigments have photo-protective properties, meaning that they filter out the harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight.
The bright colors act as a beacon for the zooxanthellae, helping the algae return and recolonize the coral polyps.

Photo by Jessica Glazner

Fluorescing typically begins 2-3 weeks after mild or temporary heat stress, when temperatures start dropping back to their normal range. It is important to note that in severe bleaching events where the temperature is significantly above normal, or prolonged bleaching events where the water stays warm for a long period of time, fluorescing does not happen.

When the algae leave the coral, more light is reflected inside of the coral animal, off of the white limestone skeleton. This excessive light travels back and forth inside of the coral tissue and increases the amount of internal light in the coral tissue. Even after ocean temperatures return to normal, the brightly lit up bleached coral is stressful to the algae and can delay or even prevent their return. So, the corals use this increased internal light to boost production of their protective colorful pigments, which are thought to also act as a signaling device, telling the zooxanthellae that it is safe for them to return to the coral.

But how does the algae “see” the fluorescing corals?

Fluorescing Coral on the Great Barrier Reef

Researchers in Okinawa, Japan have been studying how new coral polyps, and also bleached coral polyps, attract the free-swimming zooxanthellae to them. The algae are attracted to green fluorescing pigments that the coral emits, and in studies they found more algae where this pigment was present than where it was not. The green fluorescing pigments are a key player in the symbiosis between the coral polyp and zooxanthellae, and serve as a biological signaling device that brings the two organisms together, ensuring the success of coral reef ecosystems.

Fluorescing Coral in Hawaii. Photo by P. Fiene

Of the coral fluorescing events that have been documented, corals that fluoresce have a significantly lower mortality rate than corals that bleach white. Colorful bleaching tends to happen when heat stress isn’t so severe, and this built-in sunscreen and signaling device seems to be extremely effective at protecting corals against mildly warming oceans. If corals are to have a chance at survival we must reduce the rate at which our oceans are warming by decreasing our fossil fuel emissions, as well as mitigating local stressors to coral reefs such as sedimentation, pollution, and overfishing.

Aihara et al., Green fluorescence from cnidarian hosts attracts symbiotic algae, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2019) https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1812257116

Bollati et al., Optical Feedback Loop Involving Dinoflagellate Symbiont and Scleractinian Host Drives Colorful Coral Bleaching, Current Biology (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.055

The post Coral Fluorescence: A Neon Sign first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

What is Coral Bleaching and How Can Divers Help?

Hannah Elliott — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 13:00:27 +0000

By Jessica Glazner

As divers, many of you probably already know that the oceans reefs have undergone extensive coral bleaching over the last decade, but do you know what that actually means?

Well, What Are Corals Anyway?

Corals are animals in the Cnidarian family that are related to jellyfish and hydroids. Specifically, stony corals, which make up most of Hawaiiʻs reefs, are a colony of animals. Each coral head is made up of thousands of tiny individual polyps living inside of a hard outer skeleton made of calcium carbonate. Each polypʻs tissue is nearly translucent; the corals beautiful colors come from an algae that lives inside of the animals tissues. This algae, called zooxanthellae, has a mutualistic relationship with the coral, the coral provides protection for the algae, and the algae provides food and oxygen for the coral through photosynthesis.

So, What Is Coral Bleaching?

When coral bleaches (appears stark white) the animal has lost its algae and you are seeing through the polyp to the skeleton of the animal. There are several things that can cause coral to bleach, however the largest threat corals are currently facing is rising ocean temperatures.

When the oceans temperature rises above a certain level, sometimes as little as 2 degrees Fahrenheit, the corals become stressed and will expel their zooxanthellae, leaving them without their food source (and their friends!). The corals do have a small reserve, but they cannot survive without their symbiotic algae for long periods of time. If temperatures remain elevated the polyps will die; however, if the temperatures drop back down into the tolerable range quickly, the coral has a chance at survival and have been known to recover. Ultimately, the real threat is SUSTAINED elevated temperatures.

Corals are much more likely to bleach if they are already vulnerable and stressed before temperatures rise. Familiar factors like overfishing, coastal development which leads to sedimentation, as well as human contact all put corals at higher risk for bleaching. A less familiar factor is that increased CO2 levels create a change in the ocean significant enough to prohibit corals from making strong skeletons, called ocean acidification. It can take up to a decade for corals to recover from a bleaching event, but these bleachings are becoming more and more frequent leaving little time in between for reefs to recover.

Although coral reefs cover less than 2% of the sea floor, they support 25% of the oceans animals. They are incredibly important to the oceans biodiversity, as well as coastal communities that rely on fishing, tourism, and the storm protection reefs provide to seaside areas from erosion.

What can you do?

As divers we have direct contact with these amazing animals, and it is our responsibility to ensure we are doing our best not to contribute to their harm while underwater.

First, we must be good role models and ambassadors for ocean protection. This means doing everything in our power not to come into contact with the corals. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing because only we can take personal responsibility to protect the reefs in a concrete, physical way. The best ways to achieve this are by making sure that you are neutrally buoyant and in a horizontal body position (rather than a diagonal position with fins down on the reef).

Another way you can have a direct, positive impact on the reef is by wearing Reef Safe sunscreen (or better yet, wear protective clothing like a rash guard!). Chemical sunscreens have been proven to cause stress to corals, making them more susceptible to bleaching. Read the label of your sunscreen, the only active ingredients should be non-nano Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide.

On a more global scale, other ways you can reduce your impact on coral reefs is by decreasing your personal carbon footprint. Choose to support businesses that are practicing sustainability, and try to educate yourself and the people around you about these issues.

As divers it is our duty to help preserve these precious ecosystems that we love to visit and explore.

Do you want to learn more about Coral Reef Conservation?

Take our ONLINE Coral Reef Conservation Course!
Send an email to info@extendedhorizons.com for more information!

The post What is Coral Bleaching and How Can Divers Help? first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.

Plastic – Types of Plastic and Recommended Substitutions

Extended Horizons — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:00:52 +0000

Did you know that every piece of plastic ever made still exists today? Even as it breaks down it never actually biodegrades, but instead turns into smaller pieces known as microplastics. Causing injury and even death to marine life, one of the top 10 items picked up during beach clean-ups worldwide are plastic straws. Learn more about various types of plastic, the threat plastic products pose to our environment, and a couple of eco-friendly alternatives you can purchase today to reduce our use of plastic.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives

There are several eco-friendly alternatives that you can use in place of plastic. Below we have listed a few of our recommended substitutions:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel products are durable, easy to clean and can save you money that you’d normally spend on disposable cups, straws, and containers.

Glass

Because glass is made from sand, you won’t have to worry about exposing yourself or your loved ones to harmful chemicals. Glass can be easily recycled and reused!

Mesh or Reusable Grocery Bags

Make your grocery shopping trips a breeze by bringing your own reusable totes or mesh bags. These are easy to store, washable, and you can say goodbye to the ridiculous amount of plastic bags that are currently taking up space in your kitchen cabinet.

Types of Plastic

Here are some facts about plastic that you may find useful!

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Polyethylene Terephthalate, or PETE for short, is one of the most commonly used plastics. According to research, “PETE plastics make up 96% of all plastic bottles and containers in the United States, yet only 25% of these products are recycled” (qualitylogoproducts.com). Here are just a few of the products made with polyethylene terephthalate include:

Soda bottles
Water bottles
Medicine bottles
Peanut butter and jelly jars

High-Density Polyethylene

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic that was first used to produce pipes but is now used to make items such as:

Milk jugs
Trash bags
Containers
Personal hygiene products (Shampoo and conditioner bottles, soap bottles, etc.)

Polyvinyl Chloride

This type of plastic has coined the nickname “Poison Plastic” because it contains lead, chlorine, phthalates, and a variety of other harmful toxins. Polyvinyl Chloride is a thermoplastic polymer that is commonly used in industrial products, including:

Plumbing and sewage pipes
Gutters
Tiles
Air ducts

Low-Density Polyethylene

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most widely produced plastic products worldwide. LDPE can be found in the following products:

Plastic cling wrap
Sandwich bags
Grocery bags

Polypropylene

This plastic is produced in large quantities, but only a small percentage of these products are recycled. Polypropylene is used in diapers, your everyday kitchenware, yogurt and dairy containers, take-out containers, and more.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, is incorporated in many products because it is lightweight and easy to mold. However, it’s flimsy structure allows for it to break off and make its way into sewers, rivers, and landfills. Styrofoam is used to make products like disposable cups, water bottles, and lighting fixtures.

Join Extended Horizons in the Fight to #StopSucking

In Extended Horizons’ continued efforts to become more sustainable, we are choosing to stop serving Capri Sun juices on the boat as part of our snack in between dives.

A bill to ban distribution and sale of plastic straws was introduced in Hawaii in January of 2017 but failed to clear due to objections from the Hawaii Food Industry Association of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, the Retail Merchants Association, and the American Chemistry Council. All throughout the Hawaiian Islands, hotels, restaurants, and charter companies have started taking responsibility in their own hands by switching to alternatives or only serve straws upon request.

Worldwide movements to reduce single-use plastics are popping up everywhere. Campaigns like “For a Strawless Ocean” are asking people to #stopsucking by remembering to order drinks without straws and encouraging others, especially businesses, to choose to refuse. Another alternative is purchasing one of these incredible reusable options, including straws made from paper, stainless steel, glass, and even bamboo. At Extended Horizons, we have been serving reusable water bottles on our trips for the past couple of years, and now we are happily announcing straw-free charters!

The post Plastic – Types of Plastic and Recommended Substitutions first appeared on Extended Horizons | Dive Maui & Lanai.