found these at Octopus Hole at about 20-25', not too far along the wall, 10 to 15 minutes into our dive:
<a href="http://spatman.com/misc/ciona.jpg" target="_blank">click here for full size, uncropped image</a>
is this the invasive tunicate Ciona Savignyi?
They sure appear to be, and it wouldn't be unusual to find them at that location. They have been a serious problem at Sund Rock for some time now.
I don't recall seeing them at Octopus Hole when I was last there.
Not good news.
I don't recall seeing them at Octopus Hole when I was last there.
Not good news.
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
- nwscubamom
- I've Got Gills
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I just now saw this post, and yes those are most definitely Ciona savignyi. Wow, good eyes! Thanks for reporting these - this is the first I know of that they've been reported at this location. Although, it's not surprising since we know of them at sites both north and south of Octopus Hole.
Thanks for keeping a sharp eye out! I'll get these reported to WDFW.
- Janna
Thanks for keeping a sharp eye out! I'll get these reported to WDFW.
- Janna
Janna Nichols
My underwater photo galleries
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Seen any cool critters lately?
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- nwscubamom
- I've Got Gills
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- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:13 am
Spatman,
Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...
- Janna
Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...
- Janna
Janna Nichols
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
nwscubamom wrote:Spatman,
Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...
- Janna
hi janna
yep, you are right. i took a closer look at my dive profile and around that time i was between 30-35' and the tide had been going out for a couple of hours by then.
next time is see them, i'll be sure to note more carefully where i am.
Yes! Anytime you find them do check your depth and location (if possible) with land marks (again, if possible). That'll help the AAT pinpoint them if they go for removal.spatman wrote:nwscubamom wrote:Spatman,
Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...
- Janna
hi janna
yep, you are right. i took a closer look at my dive profile and around that time i was between 30-35' and the tide had been going out for a couple of hours by then.
next time is see them, i'll be sure to note more carefully where i am.
Good catch!
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I was just looking through some old pictures and found some from Octopus Hole taken on June 24, 2007 and there were C. savignyi there then. I remember reporting them at the time.
Guess I am getting old.
Guess I am getting old.
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.