Tuna Clipper

Location: Catalina Island, California

Wreck/Site: Tuna Clipper

Teams:

Team 1: Jim Babor, Symeon Manias, Terry Koritz

Surface Support: Angie Biggs, Jamie Mitchell, Mark Self

Mission Impact: 300 pounds of net removed.

A small but might team of Ghost Divers set out as part of the World Environment Day of Action Campaign. We headed back to the wreck of the Tuna Clipper to continue our ongoing clean-up of the site.

The plan for the day was to descend, survey the site to check the status of the clean-up effort and, of course, remove more net. As the team descended, they found a large section of net out in the sand. As the team briefly surveyed the wreck, they found that there were multiple animals ensnared by the net. These animals included a cormorant, multiple fish, and a seal that was at an advanced stage of decomposition. The animals were documented.

The team opted to remove the large section of net out in the sand. The team used 5 lift bags to lift the net and were able to send all the net to the surface. They completed their decompression obligation and returned to the boat.

The surface crew, with help from Captain Galvin, were able to get all the net on board. The team was very happy to be part of a global initiative that brings awareness to the needs of our environment and empowers everyone to be part of the solution.

The nets were taken to a local partner to be upcycled into sustainable materials.