News
Free program introduces Riviera Beach kids to undersea wonders at top Florida dive site
In years of diving at the Blue Heron Bridge, Jim Abernethy and Dan Volker often surfaced to find kids running to the edge of the water, asking what they’d seen and begging to try on their masks.
The divers wanted a way for the children to see it themselves. So they started Project Seahorse, a program that offers free swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving lessons at the bridge to youngsters who live in Riviera Beach.
“Instead of coming up to us and asking what we saw, they’ll have diving in their hearts and souls,” Volker said.
After months of planning, Project Seahorse launched last week. It has the backing of several city and county agencies, but was paid for by Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures and a few donors.
Approximately 50 school-age kids turned up Thursday and Friday to explore the wonders beneath the Blue Heron Bridge, in Phil Foster Park. They were amazed by what they found: seahorses, jellyfish, octopus, starfish and barracudas.
“It was awesome,” said Paul Robinson, 8.
Although the diving spot under the Blue Heron Bridge is considered one of the best in the world, most of the kids had never experienced it. That seemed wrong to the organizers of Project Seahorse.
“Most of these kids have never put a snorkel in their mouth,” said Jonathan Dickinson, owner of West Palm Beach-based Florida Freedivers, which provided snorkeling lessons. “A lot of them were excited about just being able to experience this new world that they see from the surface but never underwater.”
“It’s like you’re living in Vail, Colorado and you’re not skiing,” said Volker.
Volker wants every kid in Riviera Beach to get the chance to see what’s below the surface, and develop a connection with the ocean. That way, maybe they’ll care about conserving it.
“We’ll have this army of little kids looking after this area,” Volker said.
He and other organizers are hoping to expand the program and offer the snorkel and scuba lessons at least twice a year, at the beginning and end of summer. The event was also filmed for a planned documentary aimed at raising awareness of the diving spot.
Volker and others said the first set of lessons was a success. As the day wrapped up Friday, they joked that it was tough to get the kids out of the water.
“The main thing I wanted,” 11-year-old Jamarri Brown said, “was a little more time.”
To find out more about Project Seahorse, visit www.projectseahorse-bhb.org.
Source: www.sun-sentinel.com
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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