Lizzie Lives Makai
The Shaka Kai Guide to Key West
With the warm weather of spring in full swing, you might be seeing a lot of posts from one of Florida’s most popular vacation spots: Key West. We at Shaka Kai are big fans of the southernmost point in the continental United States of America, and have compiled our own little guide of all our favorite grub spots and watering holes for you to enjoy! Key West is a diverse town full of old Florida history (with big names like Ernest Hemingway), exciting night life, and water activities. First things first, Duval Street is where it all happens. All the bars, snacks, and shopping you could need on your vacation will be right on Duval. Whether you come by car or by boat, there are plenty of marinas and parking lots to leave your vehicle and continue the journey on foot. If walking isn’t your style, Key West has a number of rental companies with everything from golf carts and mopeds to bikes and electric scooters. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy a classic “Duval crawl.” We like to park near Half Shell Raw Bar to get our day started with fresh seafood and delicious cocktails. From there, you can mosey down to Hog’s Breath for live music and a great outdoor bar atmosphere. If you’re looking to get out of the heat and see one of Key West’s oldest bars, check out Captain Tony’s where you can leave your mark by signing a dollar bill and stapling it to the walls! And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper St. Patty’s Day vacation without a stop at Irish Kevin’s (remember to wear green!). For boaters, our favorite marina here at Shaka Kai is the Galleon Marina. It’s got the easiest docking experience and is within walking distance of Duval Street. If you’re not able to sleep on your boat, there is also a hotel and restaurant to rest and refuel yourself. This marina can be a great waystation if you’re continuing past Key West and heading to Dry Tortugas. When the day is over, we recommend watching the sunset at Mallory Square. This dockside walkway is the perfect way to wind down after a long day of fun in Key West. Like many other spots in Key West, this is a great place to find local art and discover more of Florida’s history. If you’re lucky, you may even see the green flash as the sun sinks below the horizon. If you’d rather be on the water, be sure to book a sunset cruise for the full experience. Whether you’re a history buff or just love to bar hop, Key West has something for all ocean lovers to experience and enjoy. If you can’t stay in Key West, always remember to drive sober and safe. We at Shaka Kai want you to keep going on adventures and making new memories!
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Shaka Kai's Cruising Guide to the Exumas
Whether you’re charting your own course or just going along for the ride, the Bahamas offers a staggering variety of experiences and islands. Made up of over 700 islands and cays, more than 300 are in the Exumas. Located just past the tongue of the ocean, the Exumas have everything from swimming pigs and Hollywood landmarks to fine dining and shark encounters. Our journey truly began in Shipping Channel and Highbourne cays, where we looked for nurse shark breeding grounds and ate lunch at Xuma’s. While there were no nurse sharks to be found, the shallow saltwater creek is a great place to look for shells, shorebirds, and small stingrays; or to simply splash around. After, we made the leap all the way south to Chat n Chill in time for their weekly pork roast and swam with the lemon sharks that occasionally investigate the beach, looking for conch scraps. With full bellies we headed to our next home base in Grand Isle. This secluded resort is very peaceful and offers a par-72 seaside golf course for those who like to get their strokes in. With its own pool and beach, there is something for everyone to enjoy; as well as two restaurants. The next day we caught a taxi ride with Queenie (the best on the island!) and went into George Town for lunch at Peace and Plenty. From there, Queen directed us to Hopper Bay to swim with turtles. Tourists often feed these turtles lettuce, so be prepared for a magical experience of multiple curious turtles swimming up to you! We also visited the Jacque Cousteau mystery cave (in the same basin as Chat N Chill); an underwater cave that connects the Atlantic and the bay on the other side of the island. It is an easy snorkel, and you can feel the cold currents coming in from the other side! There are all kinds of fish swimming near the mouth of the cave, just waiting to catch smaller prey that gets caught in the current. Enthusiastic snorkelers should also check out Rolle Reef for stunning coral specimens and high fish diversity. After leaving Grand Isle, we found ourselves exploring the small cays in search of reefs, iguanas, and stromatolites on the way back to Staniel Cay. First, we headed to Leaf Cay to see one of the famous iguana beaches. These endangered rock iguanas really enjoy their grapes but be sure to respect their tails! After, we tracked down the ancient stromatolites (think of them as an evolutionary prototype of coral reefs) and collected shells from the nearby beach. Another great snorkeling spot was the Mermaid Playing a Piano underwater statue near David Copperfield’s private island. The current here can be challenging, so fins are necessary. There are also numerous plane wrecks in the area that provide quick, interesting snorkel sites or a great spearfishing stop. Once you’re ready for a break, stop at Little Farmer’s Cay and see JR for hand carved wooden artwork. Finally, we headed up to Staniel Cay for the remainder of the trip. Staniel Cay and the surrounding adventures requires a few days to fully appreciate all it has to offer. Likely the most notable is Pig Beach, where you can get in the water and swim with the local pigs. Be sure to bring some veggies! These guys are very friendly and love it when you bring them some snacks. For the more adventurous, Compass Cay marina has a host of resident nurse sharks that hang around for the feedings and are with attention from humans. Coral Reef lovers will definitely want to check out the natural wonders of Exuma Land and Sea Park, where there are countless reefs to snorkel and even land trails for those that like to look at local wildlife. If you are a birdwatcher, this is a great place to watch for shorebirds and a few inland species. This is only a precursory overview of things to do in the Exuma islands of the Bahamas, and is by no means a complete guide. If you are plotting your own course, consult experienced mariners and refer to official charts and professionally published cruising guides for specified information on navigation, ports, interesting stops, and more. We at Shaka Kai love the ocean, but the most important lesson to be learned is respect for the natural wonders of our world.
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Fish Fraud
Seeing the words fish fraud probably inspires some pretty comedic imagery in your mind, but believe it or not, it’s real. Restaurants across the world will serve one type of fish and call it another. So, while it is not fish in pinstripe suites defrauding other fish, this poses serious problems in the fishing industry. It may seem completely innocent to advertise snappers and serve tilapia; only a quick buck made and no harm done to a customer that can’t taste the difference. However, fish fraud isn’t always that simple. Ever heard of a slimehead? Probably not, given the extremely unappetizing name. How about orange roughy? This species might have two common names, but are all part of the same overfished group. Orange roughy takes almost twenty years to reach reproductive maturity but is being bottom trawled (a destructive fishing practice that drags a net across the sea floor) at an alarming rate. Still not ringing any bells? Try the Chilean sea bass. A.K.A the Patagonian toothfish (also not a very appetizing name). In short, you should always take a moment to ask where your seafood is coming from. There are a multitude of helpful resources out there to help identify which countries use sustainable or non-destructive fishing practices. My personal favorite is the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch. All you have to do is type in the fish you plan on eating, and the Seafood Watch provides a list of countries that you should and should not eat fish from. It also provides a list of other known names, that way you can’t be duped by convoluted name changes. Many people will also try to tell you that farm-raised fish are the best alternative to wild caught, but that’s not the case either. It’s all about the practice that is used- for both wild caught and farm raised. While farm raising may mean less boats out on the high seas, therefore reducing pressure, fish farms require large amounts of resources and space to be effective. A few countries in southeastern Asia currently struggle with the shrimp farming industry, which requires the destruction of mangroves (a crucial ecological habitat for coral reefs and coastal habitats) to build the pens. Additionally, guess where the fish food comes from? That’s right, fishmeal often comes from wild caught fishes and, depending on the species being raised, can have a ratio as high as 4:1 for feed to fish. Salmon, on the other hand, is considered the most efficiently famed fish; and still tastes good even if it is not wild caught. Circling back to our tilapia and snapper example, this kind of fraud is a sneaky way to overcharge a customer, but also puts pressure on certain desirable species and can be used to fudge conservation statistics (the issues with fisheries data fraud could be its own post). It also makes some unsustainable fish farming habits more desirable. Some people are skilled enough to taste the difference between different types of fish. So, to all my seasoned seafood eaters and lifelong fishermen, you have incredible skill that scientists need! (It’s true: real studies have tried using people that can taste the difference to gather data from restaurants) Fish fraud comes in many forms, but this is no reason to go on a seafood strike. Be sure to use your resources, and your head, to make smart decisions on your next meal choice.
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Conservation Documentaries That Aren't Blackfish or Seaspiracy
Conservation has been gaining traction in recent years; however, it has also fostered an environment ripe for fear-mongering. Many documentaries focus on our ‘doomed future’ and the seemingly unstoppable degradation of our world’s climate. Seaspiracy villainizes you for enjoying seafood, and Blackfish created a bandwagon for the uninformed anti-captivity crowd. Don’t worry readers, Lizzie has compiled a short list of must-watch documentaries that show you real solutions to the challenges we face in our current climate crisis. The Cove (2009) dir. Louie Psihoyos This intense documentary focuses on an underground Japanese market for slaughtering dolphins. If you’re an action fan, this one is for you. A former dolphin trainer and film maker go undercover in Japan to expose the gruesome operation- risking their very lives to expose the truth. Chasing Coral (2017) dir. Jeff Orlowski Taking us to the iconic Great Barrier Reef in Australia, we are immersed in the tragic die offs of one of the world’s most important ecosystems: coral reefs. In this documentary, the degradation of both soft and hard corals is recorded in time-lapse photography to bring awareness. Racing Extinction (2015) dir. Louie Psihoyos Likely one of the most pivotal documentaries I have ever seen. While it does focus on the negative impact that man has on nature, it also advocates for giving alternative solutions rather than simply complaining about the issue. The End of the Line (Updated Version: 2017) dir. Rupert Murray Rather than focusing on what will happen, this documentary examines the past and present state of the world’s fisheries in a plea for awareness. Even though it lacks the harrowing suspense and action of documentaries like The Cove or Racing Extinction, this film faces the facts. It is for the analytic thinkers and STEM science lovers. Bonus Book: Killing Keiko: The True Story of Free Willy’s Return to the Wild by Mark Simmons We’ve all seen the widespread outrage that Blackfish caused over animals in captivity, but it fails to examine the ones that can’t be released. Killing Keiko is about the push to release a killer whale who was in captivity for 23 years, and his subsequent death in the wild.
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Plant Powered
While veganism can receive lots of criticism for its ideals, we’re going to focus on the positive. Going vegan can have huge health benefits. Fruits and veggies aren’t just side dishes or meal garnish, they’re extremely good for you! For example, blueberries are a great antioxidant, and it is said that even just a cup a week can improve your health (and ladies, it helps reduce your risk of breast cancer!). If you have trouble digesting all this information, just remember that you should have at least three colors on your plate. The more colors you have, the more nutritious your meal will be. Still think all of this isn’t for you? Try having designated vegan days, such as Meatless Monday. This way you can have your meat and eat it too, while still reaping the health benefits of eating your greens! Staying away from meat, red meats especially, can also help reduce your risk of heart and cholesterol related issues. Since foods like vegetables, whole grains, and nuts are abundant in antioxidants and fiber, they also help reduce your risk of diabetes and some types of cancer. Even if you can’t bear to part with animal products, it’s a good idea to add these to your regular diet. Alternative or substitute products are also a good way to cut back while making a more discreet change (such as dairy alternatives: soy milk, almond milk, etc). In addition to being good for you, reducing or even eliminating your intake of store-bought meat is also good for the environment and reduces your carbon footprint. Large scale, commercial meat production creates a variety of problems: from deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions. It requires lots of land to raise these animals, and it takes even more to grow enough food for them. In addition, making environmentally friendly purchases can get a bit expensive at times, so this is another good reason to try the Meatless Monday route. The vegan lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but let’s all remember to take care of our bodies and the environment!
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National Wildlife Day
Happy National Wildlife Day! Today we celebrate all the wonderful creatures all over the world! Big or small, endangered or not. That’s right, animals labeled ‘least concern’ still deserve our attention. But what does that mean? In wildlife conservation science, there is a sliding scale for the status of most species and their global health. Notice I say most; conservation science is difficult! Species that have not been closely studied are considered “Not Evaluated” (NE) and/or “Data Deficient” (DD). After all, you can’t analyze data if there isn’t any! Species with adequate study can be considered anywhere from “Least Concern” (LC) to “Extinct” (EX). Let’s take a closer look in between. Before we get into the Threatened category, we have “Near Threatened” (NT). This is one of the more obvious ones to understand, species on the verge of meeting criteria to reach a Threatened status. Following that, the Threatened category breaks down into three different labels: “Vulnerable” (VU), “Endangered” (EN), and “Critically Endangered” (CR). The easiest way to understand these labels is in terms of extinction. Species listed as Vulnerable is vulnerable for extinction. Endangered and Critically Endangered species are experiencing extremely rapid declines in population and, respectively, have fewer than 250 and 50 individuals. The final two statuses are “Extinct in the Wild” (EW) and “Extinct” (EX). Comparatively, these are the worst-case scenarios for a species to be in. It is worth noting that not all species go extinct due to anthropogenic (meaning ‘caused by people’) affects, but a very large percentage of our world’s wildlife is still heavily affected by us and the decisions we make in our societies. All of these categories are determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is often referred to as the ‘Red List’. The criteria for each one varies; however, they are all based on the percentage rates of population decline in conjunction with the species’ geographic range and actual population sizes. In the end, let’s all make sure we take time today to appreciate the wildlife species that we have left, and do our part to make sure future generations can learn from them in nature- and not only from a textbook picture.
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Dive on elbow reef
LizzWhat’s better than a relaxing weekend? A relaxing weekend underwater! The calm weather allowed for me and my new dive buddy to hit two different wrecks on Elbow Reef in Key Largo. This shallow (25 ft) reef supports a wide variety of tropical fish species. While I tend to prefer the deeper reefs for their higher coral diversity, I’ve been deprived lately of my precious underwater time. This adventure provided the perfect opportunity to get my dose of vitamin sea. And, in the true spirit of National Women’s Dive Day, our group took to the sea in colorful tutus to show our support! First stop was a wreck called City of Washington, well over a hundred years old but still fascinating. The highlight of this dive were the four flamingo tongues I spotted in a grove of sea fans. These little sea snails have been endangered for quite some time and are considered a rare find while diving. As gastropod mollusks, they actually stretch their skin over their shells. However, this misled many divers to try and collect them for their striking spotted patterns. Without the skin, flamingo tongue shells are actually a soft peach or white in color. On this wreck, I took the opportunity to practice more of my underwater film and photography skills. For our second dive, we stopped at the Hannah Belle; also over a hundred but not quite as old as the City of Washington. This section of the reef was absolutely teeming with life and biodiversity. While I didn’t spot any flamingo tongues on the sea fans there, there were TONS of yellowfin damsels to practice taking pictures of. When in their juvenile stages, they sport these absolutely gorgeous blue spots that seem to glow underwater. We were also fortunate enough to see a massive elkhorn coral growing healthy and strong! With the number of reef building corals still dwindling dangerously fast, seeing any amount in the wild is a small glimmer of hope. After putting in the work on our first tank, I took this second round to relax and enjoy all the wonderful sights that Elbow Reef has to offer. It’s so important that we treasure our moments with nature, especially with rapidly changing ecosystems being impacted by shifts in climate. Even if you can’t get out on the water to find your peaceful moment, remember you can always appreciate what you have in your own backyard. Don’t forget, we have to start by restoring the little ecosystems in our local communities before we can tackle the big stuff together. Stay in the loop for more upcoming dive adventures with Lizzie!
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The Importance of Native Plants
The recent quarantine and coming summer have driven many of us to finish our household projects, and maybe even start new ones. For some, this led to the discovery of a green thumb. Whether you’ve jumped on the variegated house plant trend or re-landscaped your entire yard, there are a few eco-conscious ways you can improve your new green space. The best way is to research your areas native plants. The results may surprise you. Native plants often attract a host of birds and butterflies, greatly improving the mini ecosystem of your yard. Believe it or not, plants often play an important role in the life cycle of other organisms. Butterflies have their preferred ‘host plants’ where they lay their eggs; that way the caterpillar has its food source readily available once it hatches. As it moves through its life cycle, munching on the leaves of its host plant, the caterpillar eventually turns into a chrysalis to become a butterfly. Even after this amazing transformation, the butterfly remembers which plant to sip nectar from and lay the new generation of eggs. On the flip side, birds know where to find their favorite insects for a tasty treat. Increasing the population of both birds and insects in your yard creates a healthy, balanced ecosystem for you to observe and enjoy. Native plants will also, naturally, be easier to care for in your backyard. They are already predisposed to the conditions you live in! It is important to remember that, while many environmental issues are occurring on a global scale, it doesn’t fall on us as individuals to fix all of it at once. Something as simple as skipping the exotics and using native plants in your garden and landscaping will have a greater impact than many may realize. Don’t forget: our greatest opportunity for change begins with ourselves and our own community!
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Happy Earth Day Readers!
Once again, it’s time for us to take a moment and appreciate our mother Earth. As usual, we’re going to discuss one small thing you can do to make a difference. During our stays at home, you may have started to notice a few new things about your own backyard. For example, the birds! They wake us up in the morning with their wonderful little songs and bring spots of color to our day. Birds can also reduce pesky bug populations, and are just plain adorable to watch. In order to help out our fine feathered friends, let’s make a bird feeder! It’s much easier than it sounds. All you need is a pinecone, some string, peanut butter, and bird seed. Bird seed and sturdy string can be found at your local craft, hardware, or pet store. For the pinecone, consider taking a fun nature walk with family or friends! Pinecone bird feeders, aside from being a fun activity, are also biodegradable! This means they will break down naturally over time once they’ve fallen off the string. Using hemp sting or jute twine becomes especially important here, especially if you want your feeder to be 100% eco-friendly and maintenance-free. To make the bird feeder, start by laying a healthy amount of bird seed on a plate (makes the rolling easier) and tie a length of string to the top end of the pinecone. Using a butter knife, take your pinecone and lather on that peanut butter. Be sure to lay down some paper towels for the kids! This part can get messy. Try to get as much peanut butter as you can on the pinecone. That way, when you are ready to roll it through the birdseed on the plate, they will stick well. After your pinecone is coated with peanut butter and seed, it’s ready for the birds! Hang your new bird feeder outside on the tree branch that you can easily reach and observe. After a while, the birds will stop by to appreciate your new gift! It’s important to remember, we have to give back to our local ecological communities too. More than ever, the natural world needs our help just to survive. The easiest way? Start in your own backyard!
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