Jamaica Dive Pics

[Reeferhead]

I wanted to share a few dive pics from our latest trip. Diving in Jamaica isn't the greatest but it's comparable to many places in the Caribbean. This was our 2nd trip to Negril, the first time we ever returned to the same resort. The biggest issues are over fishing and excessive nutrient load from surface runoff. We didn't see many large fish and the ones we did see were usually in fish traps, including a lot of herbivorous tangs. Fishing regulations in Jamaica are not enforced. This all adds up to a lot of macro-algae growth, which is a bit out of control. There are still a lot of small reef fishes but even these guys are under pressure now. The invasive lionfish population has skyrocketed. We saw them on every dive, including some the size of a basketball! However, there is still good diving to be had. The LPS, soft corals, and sponge life are still in really good shape. There is also big stuff: large rays, nurse sharks, and the occasional turtle. We go more for the beach then the diving but its so relaxing and carefree that we usually get in at least one tank a day. If you want to see more pics there are about 50 more on my flickr page.


IMG_7453 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7428 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7362 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7352 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7339 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7238 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7220 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7161 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

IMG_7160 by nickgrant79, on Flickr

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IMG_7028 by nickgrant79, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Mr D smack]

Those are great, thanks for sharing. Have you dove in Belize?

 

[Reeferhead]

Those are great, thanks for sharing. Have you dove in Belize?

Yes, once about 7 years ago, its very nice. We've been to a good portion of the Caribbean. This is the first trip where I took pics though. I think Hawaii is next on the list but we need to save up vacation time and $$$

 

[NaCL H2O StL]

Kewl pics ! thanks for sharing.

 

[smoothdog]

Great shots Nick. That little P&S worked out great!

It's sad to hear about the reef conditions there. Hopefully the people of Jamaica will wake up and take action before one of their greatest natural resources is destroyed.

 

[dbuesking]

Very cool

 

[Reeferhead]

Great shots Nick. That little P&S worked out great!

It's sad to hear about the reef conditions there. Hopefully the people of Jamaica will wake up and take action before one of their greatest natural resources is destroyed.

I can't really blame them too much about the over fishing. Jamaica is a very poor and over populated island. They do it to feed their families and tourists insatiable appetite for fresh seafood. However, I think they would find a lot of value in creating and enforcing marine preserves in certain tourist areas like Negril and Ocho Rios. Cozumel Mexico was once in a similar situation about 30 years ago but is now a mecca for divers and brings a lot of money into the local economy.

 

[Reeferhead]

My Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/

 

[Reeferhead]

double post

 

[smoothdog]

I can't really blame them too much about the over fishing. Jamaica is a very poor and over populated island. They do it to feed their families and tourists insatiable appetite for fresh seafood. However, I think they would find a lot of value in creating and enforcing marine preserves in certain tourist areas like Negril and Ocho Rios. Cozumel Mexico was once in a similar situation about 30 years ago but is now a mecca for divers and brings a lot of money into the local economy.

That was my thinking. I understand the 'gotta feed your family' mentality, but If they keep going the way they are they will slowly destroy the reef and the tourism money it brings in and only compound the problem.

 

[Brewchief]

Great pictures Nick. Hawaii is a great place to dive. Been there twice. Had a great time on a drift dive around the outside of Molokini Crater off the shore of Maui. We saw lots of fish big and small. If you go in January or February there is a good chance that you will see or at least hear the whales that are there to breed. The sound of their calls under water is eerily cool.There is a large population of Sea Turtles that congregate in an area they call Turtle Town along the beach by the Grand Wailea Hotel. I did a scooter dive in that area. It was a blast cruising right along with the Giant Sea Turtles, just don't touch them, they are protected and the spotters in the water don't play around if they think you're harassing the turtles.

 

[Reeferhead]

That was my thinking. I understand the 'gotta feed your family' mentality, but If they keep going the way they are they will slowly destroy the reef and the tourism money it brings in and only compound the problem.

I'm with you man but its easy to talk about it and even put laws in place but a whole other matter in practicality Negril is actually a marine park but nothing is enforced. There are actually lobster seasons all over the island but everyone ignores them, including the "Office of Nature" which will cook you one right on the beach for a $20 donation :lol: Jamaica is corrupt in general with little federal revenue. They have much bigger problems to work out before address this issue. Its unfortunate but you don't think about long-term consequences when your just scraping by day-to-day.

 

[Reeferhead]

Great pictures Nick. Hawaii is a great place to dive. Been there twice. Had a great time on a drift dive around the outside of Molokini Crater off the shore of Maui. We saw lots of fish big and small. If you go in January or February there is a good chance that you will see or at least hear the whales that are there to breed. The sound of their calls under water is eerily cool.There is a large population of Sea Turtles that congregate in an area they call Turtle Town along the beach by the Grand Wailea Hotel. I did a scooter dive in that area. It was a blast cruising right along with the Giant Sea Turtles, just don't touch them, they are protected and the spotters in the water don't play around if they think you're harassing the turtles.

Awesome, I've heard the Molokini Crater is spectacular. We were actually thinking splitting time between Maui and Kona, on the Big Island. I really want to do the night manta ray dive in Kona.