UnderwaterAsia.info News

Australian scientist discovers link between coral reefs and rain

UnderwaterAsia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:15:18 MST

An Australian Scientist has discovered a startling connection between healthy coral reefs, rain & global warming.

Professor Jones of Australia's Southern Cross University has found that algae living in coral tissue and in the ocean produce massive amounts of a substance called DMS. When it reaches the air, DMS forms cloud nuclei or ‘cloud seeds’ which help clouds form. The clouds both produce rain and reflect sunlight back into space, creating a cooler planet – phenomena with interesting implications for global warming.

Auction launched to support Raja Ampat No Take Zone

UnderwaterAsia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:34:36 MST

To support the expansion of the Misool No Take Zone, the Daram Project has launched an auction for a once in a lifetime 14-day trip around Daram & Misool in Raja Ampat, with a week on the Seven Seas Liveaboard and a week at the stunning Misool Eco Resort.

Daram is a spectacularly beautiful group of islands situated within the South East Misool Marine Protected Area and just outside the border of the No-Take Zone created in 2006 by Misool Eco Resort, The Nature Conservancy and local villages.

Because of its distance from the villages which have the lawful rights to this area, Daram is the perfect entry point for illegal fisherman. Illegal long-liners and shark finners ply these waters, using endangered sea turtles as bait and systematically stripping the area of its riches.

$60,000 of rare, protected corals seized in Thailand

UnderwaterAsia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:26:48 MST

Customs officials in Thailand have seized more than 800 pieces of rare and protected corals and sea anemones smuggled from Indonesia, worth about 2 million Thai Baht (US$60,000), a senior official of the Customs Department announced this week.

Customs Department deputy director-general Kornsiri Pinnarut told a news conference that it confiscated 858 corals, sea anemones, giant clams, cowries and sea fans - a haul weighing in at around 300kg.

According to the customs official, Mr Siriporn Umphu imported the items from Indonesia on March 1, giving false information that they were ornamental fish. It is thought the corals were destined to be sold at Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok.

New Species of Stingray discovered in Ningaloo

UnderwaterAsia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:49:16 MST

A new species of stingray has been discovered by scientists at Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia. The discovery was made during a series of dive surveys conducted as part of a Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) project led by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) working with scientists from CSIRO.

CSIRO scientist Will White said the discovery of the ray (Neotrygon sp.) highlighted that there was still much to learn about the sharks and rays that inhabited the Ningaloo coast.

Philippines divers discover mutilated Whale Shark

UnderwaterAsia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:34:30 MST

An 18-foot long Whale Shark, de-finned and fighting for life, was found floating belly-up amidst the rough waters of Bahay Kambing, a sheltered cove in the municipality of Tingloy, Philippines. Its twin pairs of dorsal and pectoral fins were neatly sliced off – the soft, white flesh glistening in the morning rays. Knife-marks were evident all over its tail – mercifully too think to cut through.

"Scuba divers from Mabini's Acacia Resort first discovered the mutilated shark on the morning of 15 February,"; recounts Casita Isabel resort owner Linda Reyes-Romualdez. "The shark was towed to nearby Caban cove, whose waters were more placid. Together with a Bantay Dagat unit, volunteers splinted the shark by flanking it with bamboo poles and installing a net underneath to minimize further injuries. We wanted to ease its pain."

Winner of Andaman Freediving Contest donates winnings to charity

UnderwaterAsia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:48:42 MST

Italian competitor Andrea Richichi was the toast of Koh Lanta this month after he swept the boards in the third annual Andaman Freediving Challenge, the only competition of its type in Thailand.

The 52-year old reached a depth of 53 metres in the constant weight category and managed an equally impressive breath-hold of six minutes and 33 seconds during the confined water competitions at the Rawi Warin resort on the picturesque island.

Asian Dive Operators receive environmental honours from Project Aware

UnderwaterAsia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:14:36 MST

Twenty-two dive centres from across Asia and the Pacific have been recognised by PADI's Project Aware foundation for their achievements in protecting & preserving the environment.

Project AWARE Foundation honors dive operators around the world who display commitment and excellence in their efforts to protect underwater environments.

"The Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," said Henrik Nimb, Project AWARE Foundation Director, Asia Pacific.

Winners announced for Our World Underwater 2010

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:41:13 MST

DivePhotoGuide and Wetpixel have announced the winners of the 5th annual Our World Underwater international underwater photography and video competition. The competition was held in association with Our World Underwater and is part of a joint series often referred to as the "Super Bowl" of international underwater imagery events, with world-class prizes, esteemed celebrity judges, and significant global media support.

Thousands of entries were received from dozens of countries and the winners represented fourteen countries. The winners were presented during the film festival at a special 40th anniversary Our World Underwater show in Chicago.

Dive the world from your armchair with the Nintendo Wii

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:09:42 MST

Avid scuba divers can now enjoy the world's oceans from the comfort of their own home with the launch of Endless Ocean on the Nintendo Wii.

According to Nintendo, Endless Ocean: Blue World takes Nintendo's unique ocean simulation series to the next level, with new features and story elements that create a mesmerizing aquatic odyssey for players of any age or experience level.

The plot involves Oceana, a girl who investigates the 'Song of Dragons', which her father, a prominent ocean explorer, sought before his death. Players can advance the story by exploring the game's stunning underwater environments at their own pace.

Shark Diver NZ Announces Great White Shark Dive

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:34:09 MST

Shark Diver NZ CEO Peter Scott unveiled the world's newest white shark aggregation site to the world this week. "After a few years of careful planning and work with resident researchers we are ready to open this site to interested divers, photographers, and the general public," said Scott.

"In a co-operative conservation venture with New Zealand's White Shark Conservation Trust we will move forward to promote and support research with these magnificent animals helping New Zealanders understand the critical role they play in the environment of the South Island."

Sea Shepherd demand apology from Japan over pepper spray claim

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:55:57 MST

In a further escalation of the Whale Wars between Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean, Sea Shepherd have demanded an apology from Japan after an incident where three Japanese sailors were injured by pepper spray.

"If Japanese Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu has any sense of honor and dignity he will apologize for the lies that the Institute of Cetacean Research have made in accusing Sea Shepherd of injuring three Japanese whalers on February 11," said Paul Watson, the Captain of the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin.

New waterproof cameras hit the market

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:35:36 MST

Both Olympus and Panasonic have released new tough, waterproof cameras, ideal for photographers who want their cameras to be able to withstand the elements and perfect for use on a dive boat or for snorkelling.

Olympus have released the TOUGH-6020 and the TOUGH-8010, which are shock-proof and waterproof to 5m and 10m respectively, while Panasonic unveiled the LUMIX DMC-TS2, a follow up to their popular LUMIX DMC-TS1, which is waterproof to 10m.

Sensational Seas 2 previews through DiveFilm.com

UnderwaterAsia — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:22:07 MST

New World Publications is pleased to announce the premiere of the Sensational Seas Two trailer as a free DiveFilm iTunes podcast. The two-minute preview showcases some of the fun-filled underwater images from the Sensational Seas Two DVD production. The trailer is also available for viewing by visiting www.SensationalSeas.com.