Dive Nomad Sets Sights On Marion Reef
November 19, 2008 – In June 2009, Queensland-based live-aboard Dive Nomad will launch the ultimate in adventure diving at Marion Reef, in the outer Coral Sea. Dive Nomad has spent the last two years exploring the Coral Sea in search of some of the most extraordinary reef systems available. From 2009 Dive Nomad will be able to share one of these amazing destinations with those seeking a new and exhilarating dive location.
Marion Reef was once the most popular of the Coral Sea reefs in the 70’s and 80’s, but for the last two decades has rarely been visited by divers due to limited access. Dive Nomad’s vessel, Odyssey is the only dive live-aboard purpose-built to access remote locations like Marion Reef. Using floatplanes, divers can enjoy an easy 1.5-hour hour plane ride to the outer reaches of Australia’s territorial waters – a much more comfortable way to travel than the 30 or more hours required to get there by boat!
This is your opportunity to be amongst the first to explore an untouched, pristine and simply amazing dive destination. The dive site are countless, both discovered and not yet discovered. (Photo courtesy Ken Hoppen.)
Japan’s Whaling Fleet Sets Sail For Antarctic November 18, 2008 – The main ship in Japan’s whaling fleet set out for the Antarctic on Monday for its first hunt in the region since limping home with just over half its planned catch in April following clashes with militant anti-whaling activists, environmentalist group Greenpeace said.
The Nisshin Maru set out from Innoshima in western Japan, part of a plan to take about 850 minke whales and 50 fin whales. Last year six ships took part in the hunt.
The vessel’s movements will be followed by a ship belonging to Sea Shepherd, an anti-whaling group that skirmished repeatedly with the fleet at sea last year in an attempt to halt the hunt.
Earlier on Monday, Australia urged Japan to abandon its yearly hunt, launching its own scientific whaling study in the Southern Ocean to prove it was not necessary to kill the ocean mammals to study them.
“Modern-day research uses genetic and molecular techniques as well as satellite tags, acoustic methods and aerial surveys rather than grenade-tipped harpoons,” said Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett.
Philippine Heart Association Recognises EFR November 18, 2008 –Emergency First Response Pty Ltd is pleased to announce formal recognition of EFR programmes – like PADI’s EFR course – by the Philippine Heart Association Council on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Consequently, Emergency First Response (EFR) is now a member agency of the Expanded CPR Council.
The Council on CPR’s primary goal is to train medical institutions and medical practitioners to competently address coronary emergencies. However, the Council on CPR also recognises the important role of lay responders in the chain of survival and thus seeks to network with agencies involved in providing first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training to the general public. This recognition will no doubt greatly assist EFR instructors in the Philippines to promote and successfully offer EFR programmes.
EFR is the fastest-growing international CPR, AED and first-aid training organisation. With more than 31,000 instructors worldwide, EFR is backed by 36 years of experience in the development and delivery of instructional courses, training materials and educational curricula. EFR courses have gained widespread international acceptance.
Jeff de Guzman Discovers New Species
November 17, 2008 – Frequent contributor Jeff de Guzman found this very interesting nudibranch on a recent dive in Anilao, Batangas, Philippines.
It was found just 10m deep, and was five centimetres long with gorgeous patterns along its length. Jeff has consulted nudibranch experts including David Behrens and Terry Gosliner to determine whether it’s an undescribed species, and it turns out it’s a Marionia sp. 5. Great find, Jeff!
Dave Harasti On Australian TV November 14, 2008 – Dave Harasti, a Scuba Diver AustralAsia Field Editor and author of the popular Species Spotlight articles, recently appeared on Australian national television.
This is an awesome piece on Dave’s research into the ecology and biology of seahorses, primarily in New South Wales but hopefully with far-reaching results. As luck would have it, SDAA is featuring an article on his research in the upcoming issue, so this video couldn’t have come at a better time. Enjoy.
Japan Denies Report To Cut Whaling November 14, 2008 – Japan rejected a report that it would cut by 20 percent the number of whales it planned to hunt in the Southern Ocean because of anti-whaling protests, but said it would keep its moratorium on catching humpbacks.
The Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan aimed to cut its target to 700 minke and 50 fin whales in the southern summer hunt, due to start shortly, which Australia’s environment minister said would be the first cut in numbers since Japan started its current whaling program 21 years ago.
A government official said there was no truth to the Asahi report, which said the reduced target was because of high-seas skirmishes with anti-whaling activists in recent years and dwindling demand for the meat from Japanese consumers.
“There is no change to our plans,” said Toshinori Uoya, assistant director of the far seas fisheries division at the Fisheries Agency. Japan still planned to hunt around 850 minke whales and 50 fin whales, the same target as last year, Uoya said.
Tabata Australia Joins Forces With Waterproof November 13, 2008 – Tabata Australia is proud to announce its partnership with the Swedish company Waterproof to bring its high quality dive products to Australia for the first time.
Waterproof is one of the leading wet and drysuit manufacturers in the world, with over 25 years of experience in this field. Waterproof has won numerous awards for its range of products including:
• 1st prize for best wet- and semidry suit, Tauchen Award 2006;
• 1st prize for best wet- and semidry suit, Golden Dolphin 2005 Moscow International Diving Festival; and
• 1st prize for best drysuit at the Tauchen Award 2006.
Waterproof products are renowned for their amazing fit, high level of comfort, extreme durability and a commitment to exceeding even their own umcomprising high standards.
Like TUSA, Waterproof are manufacturers, which means they have full control, understanding and say over production from design to packaging. From experience, Waterproof understand neoprene and what is required to produce the optimal material for the job – from extreme cold of the Antarctic or warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The Waterproof style and quality are unprecedented – quality without compromise but with value for money.
Included in the range Tabata will be bringing to Australia are the gender specific wetsuits:
• 3 mm Capri
• 5 mm Lynx
• 7 mm Aries, and
• 7 mm Semi-dry Taurus
Drysuits will be available in 2009 and by request from Waterproof dealers.
Supreme Court Favours Navy In Sonar Case November 13, 2008 – A little more than one month ago we featured a small news piece that the US Supreme Court would rule on the case of the Navy using sonar around whales and other marine mammals. Well, the Supreme Court voted in favour of the Navy, a blow to environmentalists who’d hoped the justices would protect the whales.
Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the opinion for the court’s conservative majority, said the overall public interest in the case tipped strongly in favor of the Navy.
He said the Navy’s need to conduct realistic training with active sonar to respond to the threat posed by enemy submarines outweighed the interests advanced by the environmentalists.
The court lifted the restrictions in the injunction that the Navy had challenged, including a requirement that it stop using sonar when marine mammals are spotted within 2,200 yards (2,012 metres) and to reduce sonar decibel levels under certain ocean conditions.
DPG Wins Best Web Site At Antibes
November 12, 2008 – Don’t know how this one slipped through the cracks, but our good friends at DivePhotoGuide recently won the best Web site award at the 35th Annual World Festival of Underwater Images, one of the most prestigious underwater photo & film festival in the world, held annually in Antibes, France.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition from such a prestigious competition,” said founder and publisher Jason Heller. “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers from around the world as well as our exceptional team - Wendy Heller, Matt Weiss, Gyula Somogyi, Richard Morris, Andrea & Antonella Ferrari, Keri Wilk and Miguel Novey. I’m honoured to have such an amazing bunch of people on our team who share an intense passion for underwater imagery and the ocean.”
Canberra last year sent a customs and fisheries icebreaker to shadow anti-whaling activists and the Japanese fleet, gathering photo evidence of the yearly research hunt for a possible international legal case against Tokyo.
But after high-seas clashes between the whalers and activists in the frigid Southern Ocean, the brief detention of activists on a whale hunting ship and diplomatic protests from Japan, Environment Minister Peter Garrett would not promise a repeat.
“The Japanese whaling fleet is expected to launch within the next month, yet still the government refuses to take any active steps to prevent this annual slaughter,” Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert told reporters.
Despite the moratorium on whaling, Japan is allowed an annual “scientific” hunt, arguing whaling is a cherished tradition and the hunt is necessary to study whales. Japan’s whaling fleet will leave for the Antarctic within weeks and intends to cull 850 minke and 50 fin whales in the Southern Ocean this season, Australian lawmakers said. Japan has yet to confirm the hunt target.
