Having dived the same little area near my home, Cane Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Part of the problem is that I’ve watched the decline and death of the reef here. I am amazed at beginners who get so excited, when I just get depressed.

The first time I got sick of diving was from having struggled to live on the income of being an Instructor. I wanted $35 to get wet, and then I refused to show things to others.

Then I was diving for fun, again, and became bored, so I decided to map my little area, what can be reached in shore diving from one entry.

Then came the Bleaching Event of 2005, and i took thousands of photos of the corals bleaching and mostly dying. About 30% recovered.

Now I am just unhappy seeing the decline, and so much is dead, and the fishermen’s success at taking everything over five inches long.

I read someplace that younger people aren’t learning to dive, and to see all the gray hair on the local dive boats, I agree it seems to be true.

One type of dive I haven’t done in a while is to go along the drop off, or out into bluewater at fifteen feet depth for the whole dive. Schools of fish come look at you, and maybe a Mr. Big, also. You feel rather vulnerable.

Ah, well, Here’s to you!

Melissa, aka MolaMola