Come on out and Help the Kelp.
Stillwater Cove, Sonoma Coast, Sunday, October 15, 2023 , 9:00am

Come join Eric at Stillwater Cove Regional Park in Sonoma County. We will be removing purple urchins from the cove in an effort to give the kelp a chance at recovery. Meet at the picnic tables between 8:30-9am. This is a removal dive as culling is not allowed at this location.

Some things you will need:

At least two tanks. A large green Trident game bag (or more) with a double ender stainless or brass bolt snap(s). A lift bag or a 6’ deluxe SMB that can double as a lift bag, one that has lift straps / exhaust valve, and capability to lift at least 25 lbs. A good pair of Kevlar gloves or leather gloves over your dive gloves to protect your hands. A small a hand tool to dislodge the stubborn urchins such as a small hand rake, abalone bar, or dive knife. A valid CA fishing license.
Two 20 gal Brute trash cans or one 45 gal Brute trash can or 8 five gallon plastic buckets to measure quantity. The daily bag limit is 40 gallons of whole purple urchins per day per license with no possession limit.

We can also use non divers that want to help with shore support. We need people to help drag bags of urchins from the waters edge to the containers.

Each diver will be responsible to haul away their own catch. I am working on setting up a place locally to dispose of the urchins for compost. I will update this info as I establish a positive location. Meanwhile, I have been disposing of the urchins in my green yard waste can and also giving some away.

There are restrooms and picnic tables/barbecues at the site. There is a small parking area and a loading zone at the entrance to the cove, but there is a 10 minute max time limit for loading/unloading. Please unload/load in a timely manner to give other people a chance to do the same. Parking is $7 day if you want to park across the highway up in the campground day use lot. You can also use your Sonoma County Parks Pass. There is also a turnout on the highway right above the cove that is free parking but it can fill up fast on the weekends so get there early!

Also, I want to make it clear that this is not a lead or guided dive, there is no lifeguard, divemaster, or safety personnel at the dive site, either on shore or in the water. Make sure your shore diving skills are up to par and adequate enough to be able handle some possible light surf, currents, and surge. You agree that you are volunteering to participate in this urchin removal dive under your own accord and you are diving independently based on your own decision.  You will be responsible for yourself to make sure you have a dive buddy/diving partner if you need one. You can partner up with someone willing at the site, but you will not be officially assigned a buddy. You also understand that you are fully responsible for yourself, your actions, your gear, your own safety, and your own well being. 

All dives are weather dependent so check in closer to the date to see if there are any changes or cancellations.

Don’t forget your lunch!

If you have any further questions or for more information you can call or text me direct at (707) 318-2577, or contact Seal’s Watersports at (707) 542-3100.

Thank you!

Stillwater Cove Map

Possible change: Due to weather and conditions, it is sometimes necessary to make last minute changes. Please be sure to confirm times and/or locations the day before.

Release of Liability: Please print and fill out