School of Atlantic Spadefish. Photo by Les Wilk. July was an amazing month at Laguna Beach Resort, Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. Reefnet set up shop for the entire month to conduct the great annual fish count, and count they did. Accompanied by one of LBR's favorite people and occasional manager/reef charter Liz Wayne, the Reefnet team set out to explore the waters of Utila. Even sites normally shunned (because they don't have pretty swaying gorgonians and big sponges) turned out to have a wealth of sea life. For example, Carey's reef which is not normally chosen by any of the captains or divemasters, turned out to have snow bass, orangeback bass, snowy grouper (juveniles), moustache jawfish, and yellowcheek wrasse, among other rare species. One of the most exciting finds was the reef cave brotula which, as far as we know was photographed and videotaped in its natural habitat for the first time ever.During the first week the team had already broken the previous record of sightings at 226 species (previous one was 217). Captain Farron Waterhouse helped tremendously with his knowledge of the area, Farron put the team on a variety of habitats, all around the island. One advantage and unique feature of diving in Utila, is the fact that in a single day one can dive on a number of sites on any side of the island. Lucky guests at Laguna Beach Resort were invited to nightly editing of the days underwater video and weekly fish I.D. seminars. As a result of their 4 week stay, Reefnet documented (photos and videos) over 300 fish species. At least 45 of these were new sightings for Utila (never reported on any REEF fish surveys for Utila before). More news on the count will be posted later at: www.reefnet.on.ca, www.reef.org , and www.utila.com .Want to explore the underside of Utila while having your own private peninsula and beautiful tropical surroundings for your surface intervals? Contact Utila Tours, Inc. to book the Laguna Beach Resort's best package: 7 night/8 days/ 6 days diving & 3 meals daily, $795.00 pp person double + 16% Honduras gov. tax. All of the above + a real possibility of whale shark sightings, what a deal! Utila Tours can also arrange your international air and island connections so call today! Call 800-668-8452 or click on www.utila.com. Or visit...