Every year, Captain Slate and his crew of divers venture out to see the once a year, “sex on the reef” the annual Coral Spawn. This year it is predicted by the pioneering research of Dr. Alina Szmant of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington she has accurately predicted the spawn for over 10 years.
We expect it to be around 11:20 pm on the 22/23 of August. What happens is the coral have evolved a method of reproduction called ‘Broadcast Spawning.” The coral polyps send their eggs and sperm into the water in massive quantities. When egg and sperm unite resulting larval-stage “planula’ swims to the surface to drift in the current and grow. Thus creating our future coral reefs.
This is an exceptional opportunity for underwater photographers and nature lovers. This wonder of nature only occurs once a year, you cannot not miss it!
Over the years Capt. Slate has found the perfect spawn location and we always have ‘caught’ the spawn when the weather isn’t a factor. We already have two boats booked, so call today.
August 22/23 - Sign up now by calling 1.800.331.3483
Coral Reefs are among the most unique biological communities on Earth. Incredibly diverse, very productive and at the same time extremely fragile, they are found in warm, clear shallow waters of tropical oceans worldwide. Often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" because of their incredible diversity, coral reefs are home to over 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral and thousands upon thousands of other marine plants and animals.
Corals are a part of the group of small aquatic animals called "Cnidarians." Cnidarians include the corals, sea anemones, hydroids, and jellyfish. Some are motile (free-swimming), like the jellyfish and hydroids, and others are sessile (attached), like the corals and sea anemones. Corals are a very diverse group of Cnidarians. They are made up of many tiny organisms living together in a colony, and each individual organism is called a "polyp." Corals in the class Anthozoa are the chief reef builders. They do so by producing calcium carbonate from their tiny coral polyps which once secreted build up the reefs into communal structures slowly over time. This type of coral reef is almost entirely confined to warm, shallow waters, and it is their limestone skeletons which are critical to coral reef formation. While these corals are the chief architects of reef structure, they are not the only organisms at work. Coralline algae cement various corals together, and various mollusks contribute their hard skeletons as well. A coral colony may consist of thousands of polyps which are predominately carnivorous, feeding on smaller particles floating in the warm ocean waters and which have a symbiotic relationship with unicellular algae called zooxanthellae. Corals reproduce both sexually and asexually and an entire colony many meters across can start out as a single individual polyp.
Artist David Dunleavy set to paint larger than life “Endangered Species” mural in Key Largo
Key Largo, FL- Internationally renowned artist David Dunleavy will paint an Endangered Species Mural to raise public awareness of the importance of the Florida Keys living coral reef ecosystem May 15th on the exterior walls of Captain Slates Atlantis Dive Center.
Building owner, Captain Spencer Slate recently went diving with Dunleavy at the Christ of the Abyss Statue and is very excited about the project and all of the positive attention the mural will bring to the Keys. Dunleavy has plans to complete the Endangered Species mural in 10 days and the public is invited to watch the mural develop daily. “This will be my 54th Endangered Species Mural and I have completed 53 projects in 15 years” said Dunleavy. The wall has excellent exposure and I’m extra energized to dive in and start painting. As a scuba diver, I will take all the inspiration and beauty from local diving experiences and paint it on the wall for people to enjoy for many years to come.
The mural will showcase the Christ Statue, the living coral reef and colorful marine life that is indigenous to Key Largo. It’s going to wrap around three sides of the building located at Mile Marker 106.5 U.S. Highway 1, visible to all driving into or out of the Keys. The Florida Keys Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in North America, and is the 3rd largest coral barrier reef in the world. The reef runs approximately 221 miles from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas and is one of the most beautiful and accessible wildlife areas in the country.
Dunleavy’s Endangered Species murals can be seen in the U.S., the Bahamas Islands, Australia and a local mural at the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada. Dunleavy’s Art and conservation commitment have been praised by divers and world renowned explore Jean Michele Cousteau. Dunleavy and Cousteau partnered with the Oceans for Youth Foundation to bring environmental awareness programs and materials to children of all ages. His conservation message has reached an even broader audience with his collaboration with Cousteau and the Ocean for Youth Foundation.
Like Dunleavy’s previous walls, the Key Largo mural is designed to increase global awareness and stewardship, mainly in children.
Divers and Island lovers alike will be able to celebrate this mural for many years to come. Dunleavy hopes the mural will become a landmark and serve as a constant reminder and inspire people to help protect these pristine environments for future generations as we continue exploring our amazing ocean planet.
For more information about Dunleavy’s Key Largo “Endangered Species” mural, visit
www.daviddunleavy.com or call 304-451-3020 .
Kind Regards,
David Dunleavy
David Dunleavy Art
4 Admirals Court
Cape May, NJ 08204
www.daviddunleavy.com
Notice: David Dunleavy retains all copyrights. All images in this email may not be reproduced in any manner with intent to create other products for sale or resale or profit in any manner whatsoever without written consent from David Dunleavy of David Dunleavy Art, phone (609)408-5737. This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited.
Artist David Dunleavy set to paint larger than life “Endangered Species” mural in Key Largo
Key Largo, FL- Internationally renowned artist David Dunleavy will paint an Endangered Species Mural to raise public awareness of the importance of the Florida Keys living coral reef ecosystem May 15th on the exterior walls of Captain Slates Atlantis Dive Center.
Building owner, Captain Spencer Slate recently went diving with Dunleavy at the Christ of the Abyss Statue and is very excited about the project and all of the positive attention the mural will bring to the Keys. Dunleavy has plans to complete the Endangered Species mural in 10 days and the public is invited to watch the mural develop daily. “This will be my 54th Endangered Species Mural and I have completed 53 projects in 15 years” said Dunleavy. The wall has excellent exposure and I’m extra energized to dive in and start painting. As a scuba diver, I will take all the inspiration and beauty from local diving experiences and paint it on the wall for people to enjoy for many years to come.
The mural will showcase the Christ Statue, the living coral reef and colorful marine life that is indigenous to Key Largo. It’s going to wrap around three sides of the building located at Mile Marker 106.5 U.S. Highway 1, visible to all driving into or out of the Keys. The Florida Keys Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in North America, and is the 3rd largest coral barrier reef in the world. The reef runs approximately 221 miles from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas and is one of the most beautiful and accessible wildlife areas in the country.
Dunleavy’s Endangered Species murals can be seen in the U.S., the Bahamas Islands, Australia and a local mural at the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada. Dunleavy’s Art and conservation commitment have been praised by divers and world renowned explore Jean Michele Cousteau. Dunleavy and Cousteau partnered with the Oceans for Youth Foundation to bring environmental awareness programs and materials to children of all ages. His conservation message has reached an even broader audience with his collaboration with Cousteau and the Ocean for Youth Foundation.
Like Dunleavy’s previous walls, the Key Largo mural is designed to increase global awareness and stewardship, mainly in children.
Divers and Island lovers alike will be able to celebrate this mural for many years to come. Dunleavy hopes the mural will become a landmark and serve as a constant reminder and inspire people to help protect these pristine environments for future generations as we continue exploring our amazing ocean planet.
For more information about Dunleavy’s Key Largo “Endangered Species” mural, visit
www.daviddunleavy.com or call 304-451-3020 .
Kind Regards,
David Dunleavy
David Dunleavy Art
4 Admirals Court
Cape May, NJ 08204
www.daviddunleavy.com
Notice: David Dunleavy retains all copyrights. All images in this email may not be reproduced in any manner with intent to create other products for sale or resale or profit in any manner whatsoever without written consent from David Dunleavy of David Dunleavy Art, phone (609)408-5737. This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited.
During the Creature Feature dive, you will get to see me feed a barracuda right out of my mouth, watch and see!
Captain Slate opened Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center in 1978 and has been doing weddings both underwater as "Justice of the Pisces" and above water for the past 23 years.
Captain Slate not only invented the underwater wedding but holds the Guinness book of world records for the largest underwater wedding!
For 20 years our weddings have been featured on American and British television, along with feature articles in People Magazine, Brides Magazine and other publications.
We preside over ceremonies at the famous Christ of the Abyss statue, 25 minutes from our docks.
Get married in our "underwater chapel"
On-board catering of all your wedding needs is available....
Artist David Dunleavy set to paint larger than life “Endangered Species” mural in Key Largo
Divers and Island lovers alike will be able to celebrate this mural for many years to come. Dunleavy hopes the mural will become a landmark and serve as a constant reminder and inspire people to help protect these pristine environments for future generations as we continue exploring our amazing ocean planet.
