This month in the scuba bulletin:
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| Photo Contest |
Enter the 2011 Ocean Views Photo Contest! Entry deadline December 20, 2010
If you enjoy underwater photography, you likely have a photo of which
you’re particularly proud. Share it with the world;
The contest is open to professionals, amateurs and youths ages 12-18.
There are great awards for you to take home including, trips on liveaboards and diving equipment. Plus all Winners will be published in
Nature's Best Photography and Alert Diver magazines.
The Ocean Views Photo Competition was created to inspire greater
understanding and stewardship of ocean ecology through the art of nature
photography. Photographers at all levels of experience worldwide to are
invited enter your best shots.
To read more: https://www.naturesbestphotography.com/enter_othercompetitions.php
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| Breaking
news |
New large species of squid found
A new species of squid has been discovered by scientists during a research
cruise in the southern Indian ocean.
The 70cm-long specimen is a large member of the chiroteuthid family.
Squid from this group are long and slender with light-producing organs,
which act as lures to attract prey.
It was found during analysis of 7,000 samples gathered during last year's
Seamounts cruise led by the conservation group IUCN.
The project started a year ago when marine experts embarked on a six-week
research expedition in the Indian Ocean.
The aim of the cruise was to unveil the mysteries of seamounts -
underwater mountains - in the southern Indian Ocean and to help improve
conservation and management of marine resources in the area.
"For 10 days now 21 scientists armed with microscopes have been working
through intimidating rows of jars containing fishes, squids, zooplankton
and other interesting creatures," says Alex Rogers, of the Department of
Zoology at the University of Oxford,
"Many specimens look similar to each other and we have to use elaborate
morphological features such as muscle orientation and gut length to
differentiate between them."
So far, more than 70 species of squid have been identified from the
Seamounts cruise, representing more than 20% of the global squid
biodiversity.
To read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11760991 |
| Travel
news |
9th Annual Shark Week Palau March 19-26, 2011
Sign up now for another week of high adrenalin, pure shark diving as the
Micronesian Shark Foundation and Fish 'n Fins invite shark freaks, friends
and fanatics to join Shark Week 2011 which will take place March 19th to
March 26th. Participants will get the opportunity to dive world famous
sites like Blue Corner, Peleliu Corner and Shark City without other divers
being around.
Shark Week is an entertaining and educational week held annually by the
Micronesian Shark Foundation and Fish'n Fins. With nightly lectures,
presentations and documentaries the fun continues after the diving stops!
Every year we have guests from filmmakers to scientists and marine
enforcement officials helping you understand the world of shark conservation. Shark Week is planned to take place during the Grey Reef
Shark mating season, when hundreds of Grey Reefs come into the reef to
mate, giving you the chance to get close to these wonderful predators.
Dive packages for Shark Week 2011 start from US$1250, including 7 nights
stay in West Plaza Hotel (other hotels are available) based on double
occupancy, 5 days of diving (2 tanks), seminars, participation in studies
and research, lunches, transportation, a specially designed T-Shirt and a
Gala Dinner.
To read more: http://www.fishnfins.com/n/Shark-Week.html |
| Equipment
news |
DUI releases limited edition designs for 2010/11
Last year, DUI rocked the drysuit fashion world by introducing designs.
Red & yellow flames, blue camo and pink camo became the new black. But DUI isn’t stopping there.
DUI is excited to introduce 4 more new, very unique designs! You can
choose any of these for your DUI Select Series™, Special Production™ or
Signature Series™ or combine them with the other 28 colors/materials
available to design your own one-of-a-kind drysuit.
Remember, these are called “Limited” because they are only available for a
limited time. Red & yellow flames is almost gone and, once it’s gone -
it’s gone forever!
Dive warm, comfortable and with your own style in your DUI drysuit!
To read more: http://www.dui-online.com/ |
| Education
news |
Ever thought of becoming a Diver Medical Technician (DMT)?
The 2010 course year for the DAN® Diver Medical Technician (DMT) program
and the new DMT continued education program have ended, but the plans for
2011 are already under way.
The 2010 DMT courses, hosted at DAN headquarters in Durham, N.C., were a
huge success with each class roster filling months in advance.
DMTs are trained as first responders for diving emergencies. Program
participants are as varied as the topics covered, drawing from dive safety
officers, hyperbaric chamber tenders and dive professionals alike.
"DMTs provide a vital bridge between the emergency medical services and
the diving community. As both divers and medical professionals with this
advanced diving medicine training, they can speak the language of both
groups, helping them provide the best care for injured divers," said Scott
Smith, DAN Education programs manager and the coordinator for the DAN DMT
programs. "These courses are tremendous learning opportunities combining
world-renowned faculty with a small, group educational setting that allows
students the opportunity to ask questions and get real answers."
To read more: http://www.alertdiver.com/becomeadmt |
| Marine
Conservation |
Chile creates a Marine Reserve around
Sala y Gómez
In a huge victory this morning for Chile’s marine health and our Chilean
colleagues, Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera announced the creation of
Sala y Gómez Marine Park, a no-take marine reserve of 150,000 square
kilometers around Sala y Gómez island.
Sala y Gómez is an uninhabited island that’s part of a biodiverse chain of
seamounts that are vulnerable to fishing activity. Dr. Enric Sala, marine
ecologist and National Geographic Ocean Fellow, called Sala y Gómez “one
of the last undisturbed and relatively pristine places left in the ocean.”
Last March, Oceana, National Geographic and the Waitt Foundation conducted
a preliminary scientific expedition to the island and found abundant
populations of vulnerable species such as sharks and lobsters, much larger
than in the depleted ecosystem in nearby Easter Island, which is not
protected from fishing. In addition, the scientists found unexpectedly
high biodiversity in deeper waters.
After the expedition, Oceana and National Geographic presented a proposal
to President Piñera advocating the protection of the entire exclusive
economic zone, a total of 411,717 square kilometers around the island. The
Fisheries Committee of Chile’s Senate supported the recommendation
unanimously.
The new park expands Chile’s total marine protected area more than 100
times, from 0.03% to 4.41%. Currently less than 2% of the global ocean is
protected, although the Parties of the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity – including Chile – agreed to protect 10% of their exclusive
economic zones by 2012
To read more: http://na.oceana.org/
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| New offers from the last minute board |
Here are a few of the ads featuring in the last minute board:
Utila
Price: 1'156US$
Includes week dive package, three gourmet meals daily, 10 boat dives,
night dive and unlimited shore diving on Utopia's world class house reef!
Insider tip –there is an extra bonus PADI Whale Shark Awareness Course - if
interested sign up at “Enter To Win a Free Week Stay” on their website and
get the course info and a chance to win a week dive package at Utopia Dive
Village.
Precise date of beginning February 4, 2011
Precise date of ending April 29, 2011
http://www.gooddive.com/board/classifieds.php?a=2&b=492
Malaysia
Price: 420US$
Book your PADI courses and Sipadan trips.
Sipadan Island is considered as one
of the top diving destinations in the world. So come ou and
enjoy some awesome diving!
http://www.gooddive.com/board/classifieds.php?a=2&b=485
Maldives
Price: 1'155US$
Departure Every Saturday to Saturday Price includes: All above rates
quoted in US$ Per Pax 7 night none-commissionable inclusive of: - Meeting
at Airport . All Applicable Taxes per person per day. Full board meals
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) per person per day 3 dive per day including
tank, weight & dive guide Return Transport (Airport / Liveaboards /
Airport)
http://www.gooddive.com/board/classifieds.php?a=2&b=433
Check the board http://www.gooddive.com/board/classifieds.php regularly for new great deals.
If you have a great offer don't hesitate to post it. This service is free!!
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