Page 1317 - Dive the Seas and More-2

1990's. This is a great night dive, and an the moat wall area west of Fort Jefferson.
excellent site for snorkeling with lots of
spiny lobsters.
CAYMAN SALVAGE MASTER to 90'
Adv. This upright 187-foot cable layer
was intentionally sunk in 1985.
Deterioration makes this wreck hazardous
for penetration. Caution: Strong currents.
TOPPINO'S BUOY to 30' Beg. Located
at Nav. Marker 32. Typical shallow spur-
and-groove reef. Nurse sharks, green and
hawksbill sea turtles are commonly seen.
A great night dive and good for
snorkeling.
DESCRIPTIONS FROM SIDE TWO OF
FRANKO’S GUIDE MAP OF THE
FLORIDA KEYS:
DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
Located 70 miles west off Key West, the
islands were named "Las Tortugas" by
Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513.
Sailors later added "Dry" to the name,
since the islands lack fresh water. Fort
Jefferson, on Garden Key, was built in the
1860's and is the largest masonry structure
in the western hemisphere, with 16
million bricks. The Dry Tortugas are
visited by boaters, ferry passengers, divers
and bird-watchers. Bird-watchers come
primarily to see seabird colonies on Bush
Key.
DRY TORTUGAS UNDERWATER
LIFE Tortugas Ecological Reserve has a
line of underwater moorings that dive
boats use. There are a few other rocks,
reefs and wrecks to dive as well, including
This is a low-relief habitat with diverse
coral reefs, carbonate banks and sandy
coral rubble hardbottom. Depths range
from 30 to 75 feet. This is some of the
most species-diverse water in the
Caribbean, containing more than 75
species of hard and soft corals and 330
species of reef fishes and pelagic species.
Many colorful sponges and invertebrates
also live here. The Tortugas area plays an
important nursery role in the larger
Florida subtropical seascape. Currents
that sweep from Gulf of Mexico, the
Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean
converge here.
ISLAND DYNAMICS The tiny islands
of the Dry Tortugas are in a constant state
of change due to the erosive effects of
currents, storms and wind. At times, for
example, Middle Key is awash, and at
times it may appear as a sand island. Bush
Key is sometimes connected to Garden
Key, but after a storm it may be a separate
island.
TORTUGAS SOUTH HABITAT
Interestingly, the Tortugas South portion
of the reserve includes a wide range of
deep water coral reef habitats and
numerous rare and unusual reef species.
However, the deepest portions of
Tortugas South are far out of reach for
sport divers, with depths of 1,600 to 1,800
feet. Here, limestone ledges feature deep-
dwelling sea life such as lantern fish,
tilefish, golden crabs, and giant isopods.