Spanish Rocks Reef is unique in that it is one of the very rare saltwater shore dives on the west coast of Florida.  The reef includes sponges, tunicates, lots of seaweed, and some corals (hard coral, sea fans, gorgonians). Various tropical fish live on an around the reef with turtles and nurse sharks spotted on occasion. Average depth is from 15 to 20 feet based on tides. Visibility is highly dependent upon prevailing wind direction and strength.

Volunteers needed for this event include:

• Divers - All divers must be PADI or NAUI Advanced Open Water certified with at least 30 open water dives in their logbook.  On the day of the dive cleanup, dive volunteers must submit their signed liability form (will send separately with Dive Plan). Divers cannot participate in the cleanup without the signed liability form.   In addition, diver/surface marker buoys are required for this dive event.
• Safety observers – Need shore and water observers.  Volunteers with kayaks or paddleboards will support the divers in the water.  Shore safety observers will assist divers in and out of the water.
• Data collectors - Document all debris collected for submission to Ocean Conservancy’s Marine Debris Index.

• For volunteers in the Tampa and Bradenton areas, we have a few dive shops that are providing support for this event.  Please contact them in advance:

• TAMPA: Scott Lucci, owner of World of Water, Incorporated, has graciously offered to provide dive gear for those who need it (based on availability). He will provide tanks (or just air if you have a tank), regulator and BCD for free.  He is located at 1416 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33606 and can be contacted at (813) 286-Dive (3483).
• BRADENTON: Troy Soreusen of Dive Florida has also graciously offered to provide dive gear for those who need it (based on availability). He will provide tanks (or just air if you have a tank), regulator and BCD for free.  He is located at 4601 66th Street West #616a, Bradenton, FL 34210 and can be contacted at (407) 271-2225.
• BRADENTON: John Falcon of Bradenton Scuba Quest has graciously offered one free tank or air fill, as well as 10% discount on any other daily rental for your event.  He is located at 3318 Manatee Ave. West #616A Bradenton, FL  34205 and can be contacted at (941) 745-2511.
• BRADENTON: Capt Bob Eskew of Blue Water Explorers Dive Charters has graciously offered one free tank or air fill.  He is located at 12507 Cortez Road W (Cortez Bridge), Bradenton FL, 34215 and can be contacted at (941) 798-DIVE.