Scuba Divers Slash Massive Underwater Net, Save Animals

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Back in 2006, off the coast of California, the Infidel, a trawler (or commercial fishing vessel), sank near Santa Catalina Island. Since that time, its 9,000-pound net-which was 40 feet high and hundreds of feet long-has remained attached to the underwater wreckage, thereby entangling and killing countless marine animals.However, the brave and strategic efforts of the Ocean Defenders Alliance and a number of divers might soon make that net a thing of the past. From LATimes:On Sunday morning, a team of volunteer scuba divers armed with filet knives and shears began cutting away the danger. Guided only by flashlights, they sliced off swaths of the netting, which they then attached to inflatable air bags that rose to the surface. From there, the netting was hauled aboard the 75-foot trawler Captain Jack.One cool component of the story is that the team was comprised of a bunch of people who are technically business rivals. But they were able to work together toward a common goal and net a good deal of success. The team expects to dive nine more times to complete the cleanup.Check out a slide show of the mission here.(Photo by Bob Chamberlin, via LATimes.) Thanks, Chris!