WORLD NEWS news briefs

By Katherine M. Clements

AVALON — After being delayed due to the severe weather that California was experiencing, the 41st Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup was a significant success for the city. This was the first year Catalina Dive Supply hosted the event after taking over the duties for the University of Southern California’s Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies.

“Even though we had to reschedule the event we were thrilled with the participation, both from divers and sponsors,” said Christy Lins, owner of Catalina Divers Supply, in a press release from April 18. “We’re very grateful for everyone who stepped up and helped us make this cleanup such a success.”

This year’s event saw almost 500 registered divers and 70 non-diving participants, and more than 60 volunteers. In addition, nearly one ton of trash was collected and removed from the harbor. The event also raised more than $10,000, which was awarded to the Avalon Rotary Club Foundation and the USC Hyperbaric Chamber.

After the dive cleanup had finished, an award ceremony took place where winners were awarded to most interest- ing items collected from the seafloor. This year the top prizes were:

• A toy train.

• A fire extinguisher.

• A pirate hat.

• A cell phone.

• A clutch purse with a $10 bill inside.

Additionally, Christy Lin was honored with the Golden Flipper Award for her efforts in organizing the event, and Mark Guccione who received the Jon Hardy Award for his efforts in promoting the Casino Point Underwater Park. Raffle prizes were also awarded.

The event for 2024 is scheduled for Feb. 24, with the Catalina Dive Supply expected to host the event again.

“We’re exploring several new developments for next year,” said Lins in the press release. “We’ve learned a lot and are excited by how many people, businesses and organizations are eager to come together to preserve and protect our ocean world.”

For more information about the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup, visit www.AvalonHarborCleanup.org.

LOS ANGELES — On April 12, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that a Los Angeles Superior Court judged against a group of people and businesses importing and selling live, non-native abalone in Los Angeles— a violation of California law.

The discovery that non-native abalone was being unlawfully sold was first discovered in 2019 by the CDFW; the abalones sold were still alive at the West Olympic Blvd Galleria market.

The discovery was made when undercover wildlife officers purchased a live, non-native abalone from the store. Then the CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Laboratory conducted a DNA test on the purchased specimen and confirmed it was a disk abalone— a species not native to California. Additionally, it was determined that the abalone was being illegally imported through the Los Angeles International Airport from South Korea.

It was estimated that the store unlawfully purchased at least 797 abalones and sold at least 719.

The court’s verdict prohibits Galleria Market, LP, HK Galleria Holdings, Inc., H.K. Partners, LLC, and Young Jun Kim from further importation or sale of the live, non-native abalone unless permitted by it California law. The court ordered the defendant to make a public announcement regarding the illegality of their sales, to pay $174,242 in civil penalties and $4,757.03 to the CDFW to reimburse investigation costs. In addition, the defendant must pay $20,000 to the California Wildlife Officer Foundation’s Turn in Poachers and Polluters (CalTIP).

For the complete press release, please visit https://bit.ly/3mPxuFW.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — On April 17, the Marine Guardian announced via Globe Newswire a premier partnership offering comprehensive vessel security, monitoring, tracking, and surveillance solutions for boaters. The Marine Guardian is a leading satellite and global cellular tracking device provider, and Solid Signal is a premier technology solutions provider.

The Marine Guardian’s fully integrated hybrid solution uses cellular and satellite communications to achieve reliable coverage for tracking and monitoring boats worldwide.

GPS tracking devices are customizable for vessels of any size so that boat owners can stay connected on land and offshore with the peace of mind that their boat is safe.

Solid Signal, along with its team of experts, now offers all its dealers a range of insurance-approved vessel security solutions to meet the varying needs of its customers. Boat owners can speak to a real technician who can guide them through adding security to their boats and help them choose the security option that is best suited for their needs.

“We are thrilled to partner with Solid Signal to offer the most comprehensive vessel security, tracking, monitoring, and surveillance solutions on the market,” said Randy Manesclachi, CEO of The Marine Guardian, in the press release from April 17. “Our partnership with Solid