Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Seth Wade likely will have to get around using a wheelchair for the rest of his life– a daunting prospect at the age of 26. After losing use of his legs in a 2014 …
"Whale Sharks Are Our Friends" at Guy Harvery Outpost
13 Aug 20147:41 PM
Plankton eating Whale Sharks do not have the teeth that give some sharks that “Over Bite” reputation. These gentle giants grow to 40 feet long and have a sense of curiosity. They have been known to hang around and almost study divers and snorkelers.
On some levels Whale Sharks may be the most “User Friendly Sharks:” big, no teeth, warm waters, frequently at snorkel depth, and curious enough to interact with divers. There is still much we do not know about them but one thing we do know is that they can be seen by Guy Harvey Outpost divers at the Iguana Crossing Galapagos, Bimini Sands, Bahamas, but almost guaranteed at Hotel Playa Media Luna at Isla Mujeres, Mexico. For more info on our Whale Shark Encounters at Isla Mujeres (scroll to the bottom of the page).
To learn more about our Whale Shark Encounters call our Reservations line at 800-513-5257 or reservations@guyharveyoutpost.com
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![](mailto:?subject="Whale Sharks Are Our Friends" at Guy Harvery Outpost&body=Plankton eating Whale Sharks do not have the teeth that give some sharks that "Over Bite" reputation. These gentle giants grow to 40 feet long and have a sense of curiosity. They have been known to hang around and almost study divers and snorkelers.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whaleshark2-large.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2140 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whaleshark2-large.jpg?w=660" alt="Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Photo: Guy Harvey PhD." width="660" height="418" /></a>
On some levels Whale Sharks may be the most "User Friendly Sharks:" big, no teeth, warm waters, frequently at snorkel depth, and curious enough to interact with divers. There is still much we do not know about them but one thing we do know is that they can be seen by Guy Harvey Outpost divers at the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isabela-island/property-overview.html">Iguana Crossing </a>Galapagos, <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-bimini.html">Bimini Sands</a>, Bahamas, but almost guaranteed at <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isla-mujeres-mexico/overview.html">Hotel Playa Media Luna </a>at Isla Mujeres, Mexico. For more info on our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isla-mujeres-mexico/dive.html">Whale Shark Encounters at Isla Mujeres</a> (scroll to the bottom of the page).
To learn more about our Whale Shark Encounters call our Reservations line at 800-513-5257 or reservations@guyharveyoutpost.com https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/whale-sharks-are-our-friends-at-guy-harvery-outpost/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Vet to Vet: Dive, Dive, Dive!&body=Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Seth Wade likely will have to get around using a wheelchair for the rest of his life-- a daunting prospect at the age of 26. After losing use of his legs in a 2014 auto accident that damaged his spinal cord while on deployment in Europe, Wade is adjusting to civilian life in his hometown of Tampa. But instead of being depressed about what he can't do as a paraplegic, Wade has decided to focus on what he CAN do-- snow and water skiing, sailing, and, just recently, scuba diving.
"Being in the water gives you a sense of freedom," Wade said between pool training sessions in Clearwater recently. "I love it. I can't wait to get to the good stuff."
Wade was trained by Scott Crawford, a U.S. Air Force retiree and owner/instructor at Rock Bottom Divers near Tarpon Springs. Crawford has been donating his time to teach and certify military vets-- both disabled and able-bodied-- as scuba divers for the past three years. He works with several non-profit veterans' groups to help defray costs for the dive boat, equipment and instructional materials.
"It's called 'adaptive diving'," Crawford said of how he trains his students. "It's based on what the candidate can do -- not what he can't do."
Crawford was introduced to Wade by Nelson Corbin, executive director of the North Carolina-based Wounded Veteran Retreat Program. Corbin, a U.S. Army Rangers veteran, began organizing outdoor outings for wounded vets about three years ago after his son, who served in Special Forces, lost both legs in Afghanistan.
Corbin helped out with Wade's dive training sessions in the pool and an inland spring. But neither he nor Crawford cut the young man any slack. Wade lowered himself from his wheelchair to pool side and in and out of the water. He had to perform the same skills as any other open-water dive candidate-- removing and clearing the mask underwater; executing out-of-air drills and emergency ascents; donning his buoyancy control device and many others-- all while swimming with webbed gloves and no fins. He took to the skills easily-- probably because he grew up fishing and snorkeling in Tampa Bay.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/P1010485.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4206" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/P1010485-1024x768.jpg" alt="P1010485" width="1024" height="768" /></a>
"Good work, man!" Crawford congratulated Wade.
The student earned both an open-water and Nitrox scuba certification through the SSI agency. Nitrox is a breathing gas containing less nitrogen than regular compressed air-- important for Wade because it means less nitrogen accumulating in the scar tissue on his spine. Too much nitrogen in the blood and tissues can lead to decompression sickness, or the 'bends' -- a painful and serious medical condition.
"It's nice having two vets [in training sessions]," Wade said. "Doing it with non-vets from a local dive shop would be not as comfortable."
The new scuba diver reflected back on the dark days of his post-accident recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, D.C. where he was treated by several psychologists, some of whom he "fired". But one who he called 'Lieutenant Dan' stood out as particularly helpful.
"Somehow, he was hooked up with Guy Harvey," Wade recalled.
'Lieutenant Dan' got Wade a limited-edition print of a tarpon signed by Harvey, along with a tee shirt. Today, that tarpon hangs over Wade's bed at home in Tampa.
"I never did get to thank Guy Harvey," Wade mused. "If you see him, tell him I said thanks."
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/dive-packages/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4200 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ad.jpg" alt="ad" width="737" height="301" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/vet-to-vet-dive-dive-dive/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Playing Tag with Roosterfish for Science&body=Roosterfish-- the hard-fighting, black-banded fish with the distinctive cock's comb dorsal fin--is one of the most sought-after recreational species in the eastern Pacific. Anglers happily catch them in the surf, from kayaks and in sport fishing boats along the coast from Mexico's Baja California to Peru using both live bait and artificial lures. They can grow to over 100 pounds, but they're not much good to eat so they've been spared from overfishing so far. But almost nothing is known about their life history, reproduction, and movements.
However, that is about to change.
Marine scientist/artist/conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey and daughter Jessica, project manager for the <a href="https://www.guyharvey.com/ocean-foundation">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>, recently completed the first-ever roosterfish tagging program in Panama.
The Harveys, together with guides and anglers in the third annual Roosterfish Tournament at Tropic Star Lodge in Pinas Bay, Panama, stuck 80 roosterfish with external streamer tags in three days. The tags bear the foundation's phone number and ask whoever recaptures the fish to report its GPS location and fork length. The crews also took some fin clips for DNA samples and sent them to the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/ghri/index.html">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> at <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/index.html">Nova Southeastern University</a> near Fort Lauderdale. And at the conclusion of the tournament, outdoors television host Mark Davis of "Big Water Adventures" and his team implanted Panama's first roosterfish with a pop-off satellite tag that tracks its movements in near real-time for about three months.
The Harveys also distributed additional tags to the Tropic Star fleet to continue the program throughout the year.
"There were no recaptures during the tournament, indicating the fish move around a bit and the population is quite large," Guy Harvey said. "This gives us a chance to study an animal that's not commercially exploited but is a very important recreational fish."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/P8A3282.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4809" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/P8A3282.jpg" alt="" width="5760" height="3840" /></a>
The Harveys and their fellow tournament participants caught the roosters by bottom fishing with live bait on downriggers or working poppers on the surface in depths of 30 to 170 feet. More than 100 fish were caught and released in three days of competition.
The Harveys said they plan to work in collaboration with the Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Gray FishTag research program which has tagged scores of roosterfish in Costa Rica and Mexico---including one satellite tag in Costa Rica that popped off after the fish travelled more than 37 miles in 16 days.
Jessica Harvey said the object is to establish a baseline so that fisheries managers can gauge changes in populations.
"These fish occupy the same territory of other jacks, snappers, and tuna," she said. "In a world where overfishing continues, if we get to a point where there's no more snappers and jacks for people to eat, they could turn to roosterfish. Guy Harvey Research Institute and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation are always trying to fill in the knowledge gap, given it's a high-demand recreational fishery and not much is known about it.
"We've generated a lot of interest in learning about these fish. The more people learn about them, the more they care and the more people will be sustainable in their fishing practices."
******
To learn more about the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and its research please visit <a href="http://www.GuyHarvey.com/Ocean-Foundation">www.GuyHarvey.com/Ocean-Foundation</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/playing-tag-with-roosterfish-for-science/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Big Game Club’s New Year’s Three Peat Package Includes Free Room and Free Airfare&body=Get your New Year's Game On at the legendary <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>. Get yourself and your friends to our "New Years party at the end of the world" in the original party town, Alice Town.
Got plans? Change them!! Bring the party with you! Have we got an offer for you! We call it the New Years Three Peat Package, because we love those Miami Heat...
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/drink.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-380" title="New Year's Party, Bimini Style!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/drink.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366" /></a>
Book three rooms for a minimum of four nights, checking in anytime between Christmas and New Year Eve, and we'll give you one of the rooms free! And, there's more! There's also 2-for-1 airfare...now, getting to Bimini is as cheap as a drive to Key West!
Take charge. Get your friends off the couch. Get your Game On...at the Big Game Club. Guaranteed more fun and less money than staying at home stateside, and no risk of a late night run in with the law!
Join us New Year's Eve for the <a title="New Year’s Boat Parade & Pool Party, Bimini Style!" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2010/12/09/new-years-boat-parade-pool-party-bimini-style/" target="_blank">1st Annual Bimini Boat Parade and Pool Party</a>. Cruise the harbor with the Scuba Radio Mermaids on our 60' twin deck party machione, <a title="The Big Game Club’s Name That Dive Boat Competition is Over! It’s…Bimini Blue!" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2010/10/15/the-big-game-club%e2%80%99s-name-that-dive-boat-competition-is-over-it%e2%80%99s-bimini-blue/" target="_blank">M/V Bimini Blue</a>. Then, join us poolside for live music by Mango Man, and drink specials till midnight when we ring in the New Year.
On New Years Day, its Rum Bloody Marys and football - all the games, all day long.
For all the details and to book your group's Ultimate New Year's Three Peat Package, call the Big Game Club today at 800-867-4764. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bimini-big-game-clubs-new-years-three-peat-package-includes-free-room-and-free-airfare/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=2011 Billfish Invitational Wrap Up!&body=During this week’s Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/renaissancegettingaward11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-756 " title="Team Renaissance Getting Award" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/renaissancegettingaward11.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="320" /></a>Team Renaissance accepts the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy as the overall team at the 2011 Billfish Invitational. Presenting the trophy is sculptor Kent Ullberg.
After three days of hard fishing by more than 50 anglers, the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>'s <a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational</a> wrapped up on Saturday with the Renaissance/Team Varsity Jacket team winning fish place on a blue marlin caught the first day. Each team saw at least one billfish in the baits and most teams jumped at least one blue marlin. Four of the fish were reported at over 500 pounds and a couple were estimated in the 300-400 pound class.
Angler Mark Benka’s hooked the top blue fish and Renaissance/Varsity Jacket team also won first fish and top angler and received the striking stainless-steel, <a title="About the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2011/04/29/hemingway-lerner-trophy-unveiled-for-guy-harveys-upcoming-billfish-invitational-in-bimini/" target="_blank">Hemmingway-Lerner Trophy</a>, crafted by world-famous wildlife sculptor <a title="Kent Ullberg's web site" href="http://www.kentullberg.net" target="_blank">Kent Ullberg</a>. In addition to recognizing the overall winning team, the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy represents the ideals of friendship, teamwork and the pursuit of sportfishing achievement.
Second place went to Team Mirage, with angler Darren Davis taking the top fish. Mirage called in a hook up each day and converted on the third day at 11:20am on a 200-plus pound blue marlin caught within sight of the marina. They released the fish within 10 minutes of the hook up. Mirage also had the potential winning sailfish for the tournament but was unable to convert. Rounding out their awards, Mirage also took the prize for last blue marlin and second place marlin.
In the fun fish division, Pete Woods’ Get Reel team brought in the largest dolphin at 30.6 pounds to take first place. Second place in fun fish and top lady angler awards went to Karen Wimmer on the vessel Conquest. The Billfish Invitational was their first tournament.
Third place in the fun fish and second place lady angler went to the El Viejo team with angler Caroline Ellert. The Hard Luck trophy went to Tedd Amberg of the Hillary Lynn team for his collision with a dolphin.
Some of the toughtest competition was in the most unusual catch category where Hells Bay Hoppers, who dove with a pod of pilot whales, missed taking a first place from Team Tagline, who was able to ride and “release” a whale shark in 2500 feet of water.
The closing ceremonies ended with another fabulous dinner and a sincere endorsement from <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, Bill Shedd, and Mark Ellert that next year’s tournament will be even better. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/2011-billfish-invitational-wrap-up/){kind=link}
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