Holiday Issue Gifts for Divers Italy Polluce Wreck

GLOBAL EDITION Baltic Wreck December : : January 2005 : : 2006 von Steuben Number #8 Ecology Dolphins South

AfricaSardine Run Profile White Sharks Andre Hartmann Tiger Sharks Portfolio Thomas Peschak Safaris & 1COVERX-RAY MAGPHOTO : 8 : 200 BY5 ANDREW WOODBURN Photography DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope Underwater Photography Copenhagen, Denmark - www.aquascope.biz Holiday Gifts for Divers on page 68... www.xray-mag.com Say cheese! A Tiger Shark poses for a mug shot, South Africa PUBLISHER CO- EDITORS Photo by Andrew Woodburn & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrey Bizyukin - Caving, Peter Symes Equipment, Medicine [email protected] Michael Arvedlund - Ecology contents MANAGING EDITOR Dan Beecham - Photography & ART DIRECTOR Michel Tagliati - Videography, Gunild Pak Symes Rebreathers, Medicine [email protected] Leigh Cunningham ADVERTISING - Technical Diving The Americas + Asia-Pacific: Edwin Marcow Claude Jewell, USA - Sharks, Adventures International sales manager [email protected] REGULAR WRITERS Europe + Africa: John Collins - Ireland Michael Bremner, UK Nonoy Tan - The Philippines [email protected] Amos Nachoum - CA, USA South East Asia: Robert Aston - CA, USA Catherine GS Lim, Singapore Bill Becher - CA, USA [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Internet-advertising: Deb Fugitt, USA [email protected] Michael Arvedund, PhD Michel Tagliati SENIOR EDITOR Francesco Ricciardi Michael Symes “Matt” - Andreas W Matthes [email protected] Thomas Peschak TECHNICAL MANAGER Leigh Cunningham Søren Reinke Enrico Cappeletti [email protected] Gianluca Mirto CORRESPONDENTS Ken English John Collins - Ireland Michael Aw Yann Saint-Yves - France Liz Botha Jordi Chias - Spain Andre Hartman 14 22 24 31 37 plus... POLLUCE WRECK REPORT SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA Enrico Cappeletti - Italy Edwin Marcow EXCAVATION UPDATE ANTIBES FESTIVAL DIVE ADVENTURES SEAL HEAVEN SARDINE RUN Gary Myors - Tasmania Craig Nelson EDITORIAL 3 BY PETER SYMES BY YANN ST. YVES BY EDWIN MARCOW BY DANIEL BEECHAM BY PETER SYMES Marcelo Mammana - Argentina Yann St. Yves NEWS 5 Svetlana Murashkina - Russia Gunild Pak Symes NEW EQUIPMENT 5 2 Tomas Knutsson - Iceland Peter Symes OPINIONS 63 Jeff Dudas - CA, USA 44 49 56 71 78 HOLIDAY GIFTS 6 8 Barb Roy - WA, USA CARTOONS: SOUTH AFRICA PROFILE: SHARK MAN ECOLOGY: WRECK RAP: AFTER THE TSUNAMI: BOOKS & FILMS 85 Garold Sneegas - KS, USA Simon Cooke TOYING WITH TIGER SHARKS ANDRE HARTMAN THE LIFE OF DOLPHINS GEN. VON STEUBEN SUMATRA BY ANDREW WOODBURN BY DAN BEECHAM BY MICHAEL ARVELUND, PHD BY MICHEL TAGLIATI BY FRANCESCO RICCIARDI CLASSIFIEDS & Further info on the Contacts page of our website: www.xray-mag.com WET N WIERD 8 6 CARTOONS 93 SUBSCRIPTION X-RAY MAG International Edition in English is FREE. columns... To subscribe or donate funds, go to: www.xray-mag.com 63 81 84 88 Tell a friend about X-Ray Mag COVER PHOTO TECHNICAL: PHOTOGRAPHY: SHARK TALES: PORTFOLIO: click here: Divers meet the Great White Shark, South Africa SURFACE MARKER BUOYS LET THERE BE LIGHT RAGGIES THOMAS PESCHAK www.xray-mag.com/refer Photo by Andrew Woodburn BY LEIGH CUNNINGHAM BY DAN BEECHAM BY EDWIN MARCOW EDITTED BY GUNILD PAK SYMES

2 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 Amsterdam Barcelona Cape Town Chicago Copenhagen London Moscow Okinawa Oslo Paris Ravenna Reykjavik San Francisco Sharm El Shiekh Warsaw editorial Wishful thinking around the holidays

Nations climate change con- If we put our ference in Montreal, Canada, have started deliberating on mind to it we can how to push forward the bat- tle against global warming, how do it, right? to meet the targets in the Kyoto treaty and what measures should be followed when the We phased out the CFCs in refrig- Kyoto treaty expires in 2012. erators and freezers a decade What, if anything, can take its ago because they were breaking place? As most Kyoto signatories down the ozone layer. The Mexi- have already fallen short of the cans just deployed their armed targets set forth in the 1997 pro- forces to put a stop to the illegal tocol and as many developing poaching of endangered turtles states that have since become eggs. And we have pulled several significant contributors to global whale species and the rhinos warming are exempt from meet- back from the brink of extinction. ing targets, something far more It is all about making priorities substantial is needed this time. and decisions. The global eco- First of all, the most prominent Nonsense! system is in peril. That´s glaringly dissenter, the US administration Even the obvious to anyone exposed to the must come to its senses and start American busi- daily news stream. Global warm- to leading the way by putting all nesses beg to differ on ing, the oceans being depleted, its industrial might behind the ef- that point. the slashing and burning of the fort. The US is the primary contribu- Earlier this year, a number of US rainforests… the list just goes on tor of greenhouse gasses. Other cities, states and enterprises an- and on. It seems depressingly big emitters of CO2 like India and nounced that they would comply endless. China may be happy to reduce with standards set forth in the Kyo- The delegates to the United emissions if they can do it without to protocol thereby defying the hampering their rapid develop- Bush administration. As concerned The problem with being ment. parents and members of the a conservationist is that The current administration, the global community, mayors, sena- we have all become like same people who pulled the US tors and captians of industry also out of the Kyoto agreement, a know that conservation and Cassandra, the doom agreement which took three years reaching emission targets also and gloom prophetess to negotiate, maintain that they makes good economic sense. are serious about climate change. Clean technology is clearly go- princess of Troy. But the administration is nonethe- ing to become steadily important less still resisting targets in the global economy and many Paul Watson co-founder of and reiterating claims that meet- American corporations are con- Greenpeace, founder and ing Kyoto targets would put Ameri- cerned that they will lose out to President of the Sea Shepherd can businesses at a disadvantage. their overseas competitors if they Conservation Society.

3 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED do not pursue alternatives now. a bold one, to set things in mo- It is not all that complicated. tion on the grander scale that is Economy rests on ecology. Nature necessary to make the difference. still forms the basis of the econom- And a lot of concerned people ic food chain. We fish, harvest, at the grass roots need to vote a hunt and log. Once we deplete strong leader like that into of- these resources, everything else fice. When the late US president dries up too. Needless to say, we JF Kennedy in 1960 declared need to protect those resources that the US would put a man on and exploit them in a sustainable the moon before the end of the way. decade, it pulled an entire nation Europe has already become 1° together behind an almost impos- C warmer in the past century and sible mission. it is going to get worse. There will Can’t we do the same when be unpredictable consequences it comes to the global environ- upon environment and economy. ment? Isn´t there a greater sense Taking the necessary precautions of urgency now? now, aiming at meeting the set What we want for Christmas this targets, the estimated price is €45 year is that another bold states- per year per inhabitant in Europe. person like Kennedy to come for- Wait a little longer, and the price ward onto the world stage, finally may rise to €1500 according to placing petty politics and special analysts. interests aside, and formulate In the US, it has been speculat- a strong and resounding vision ed that the recent hurricanes, Kat- about saving this planet, putting rina and Wilma—which caused the whole of humankind’s amaz- damage into the billions of dollars ing ingenuity and industrial might and ruined many lives and busi- behind it. nesses—were also artefacts of We just want the world to go on global warming. How much more and Nature, as we know it, to pre- money and suffering could have vail. It holds so many wonders and been spared if we had just invest- beautiful creatures many of which ed earlier in greener technologies still await discovery by perhaps and implemented them already. someone like you or me. Greener technologies and their application is not just a fanciful Safe diving - and happy holidays dream. They can become real- ity. But someone at the top needs to make the decision, and make

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4 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 in the wind

News edited by Peter & Gunild Symes NEWS Hard-hitting Wilma ravages CaribbeanALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATT OF PROTEC DIVING IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO This year’s hurricane season has already reported finding three of the divers alive minimal damages after Hurricane Wilma seen the devastation o the category four and body of a fourth from the missing passed through the region. The hotel had storm Hurricane Katrina upon the Gulf boat later in the week. water damage and broken windows and coast of the U.S. October’s category In addition, 1 million acres of trees on the restaurant needed repairs but six of three storm Hurricane Wilma followed the Yucatán Peninsual have been dam- the operator’s seven dive boats made it leaving a swath of destruction in Mexico aged causing higher fire risk in the up through the storm unscathed. Guest rode and the Florida Keys. Reports of wide- coming dry season. Up to 30,000tour- out the storm at the resort and returned spread damage to resort communities ists were stranded in the area and took home safely after the airport reopened. and devastation of reefs and beaches shelter in less than optimal conditions at ProTec Team reported that Hurricane flooded in after the storm raged through roach infested schools. Tensions between Wilma caused damage to Riviera Maya the area. Despite dramatic losses, com- soldiers and tourists ran high as curfews mostly from flooding as the eye of the munities and governments are racing to were enforced to prevent looting. storm passed through Cozumel and repair the ravaged regions in time for the Although the U.S. Embassy pledged an Playa del Carmen. In Cozumel, the storm winter tourist season. extra $300,000 and a U.S. cruise ship with interrupted ferry transport and electric- aid was sent to Cozumel Island to pick up ity as well as damaged three cruise ship MEXICO Americans, complaints were expressed piers and the caletta marina. In Puerto Hurricane Wilma hit Mexico’s economy about the little the U.S. government had Aventura, there was power loss, downed hard by leaving much of its tourism indus- done to alleviate problems. Thousands try in shambles. In addition, looters left of residents in Isla Muieres had little or no shopping centres empty. According to drinking water or shelter from high winds, President Vicente Fox, the Caribbean waves and flooding. coastal resorts, which pull in 11 billion Meanwhile, the Mexican government yearly, will not fully recover for at least dispatched military ships, planes, trucks two months, but the Mexican govern- and workers to hand out rice, beans ment has placed a high priority on get- and sugar. Sailors shovelled large piles of uted to residents. short supply, security forces are ting tourists back for the high season this white sand that had been dragged from Locals report that fish are scarce growing in presence and res- winter. It has plans to have 80 percent of public beaches across streets and inside after Wilma ripped through the area. taurants and stores are already the resort in Cancun up and running by homes and businesses in an effort to help Fishermen and dive operators stand idle reopening. the 15th of December. restore the famous white sandy beaches as docks and beaches are repaired and Local reports state that the reefs and that attract so many tourists each year. restored. Local reports beaches as well as 110 hotels sustained While many island residents are receiv- Local dive operators are reporting con- Scuba Club Cozumel planned damages, six people were known dead ing supplies and bottled water, com- tinued reparations as well as restoration to reopen November 15th and a dive boat with several people plaints were reported that stored supplies of electricity and Internet to their cen- after surviving Hurricane Wilma. aboard disappeared. Belize police in some locations are not being distrib- tres and resorts. While gasoline is still in Scuba Club Cozumel suffered

5 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news Edited by Peter Symes & Gunild Symes

Wilma Blows NASA trees and damage to houses according to Mayor and buildings. Ten smaller boats Morgan McPherson, it sank in the marina. Flooding could become one soon Major hurricane could affected Playa del Carmen with as the pre-storm supply both water and two feet of sand was used up. make islands out of covering streets. Foundations While some businesses and beach roads were damaged and 92% room capacity ready for tourists reopened with the help of genera- Florida’s Pinella County two planes at the airport were turned by December 1st. Over 85% of restau- tors, city managers said that most over. Some buildings were damaged rants were up and running and 72% of local businesses would suffer losses A category four hurricane hitting the penin- beyond repair. However, power was related tourist services were also func- as a result of lost revenue from the sula of Florida could flood the area and leave restored quickly and security forces tioning. storm. While the government had behind two separate islands according to uni- were out in number to aid residence $14 million in hurricane reserves to versity experts. In such a case, the only way to and prevent looting. FLORIDA pay for clean up and repair costs, bring relief to the residents of the area would In Puerto Morelos, roads were closed Following the aftermath of Hurricane many residents who lived month to be by sea or air. Computer models revealing from flooding and a few large power Wilma, experts month were this outcome as well as a possible 20-foot (6 towers were broken, however restau- reported estimates not be able meter) storm surge, were devised by research- rants reopened quickly. In Cancun, the of $100 million in to make ers at the University of South Florida College of airport closed but was reopened soon economic dam- ends meet. Marine Science. While local government emer- after the storm passed. Martial law ages to the island Landlords gency management plans do not specifically was declared and curfews enforced of Key West in were asked address the downing of bridges, officials said due to riots and looting. Several hotels Florida. A seri- to be lenient they are aware that the possibility exists. and town areas were damaged and ous blow to the on tenants Experts say that it is the relentless waves atop flooded. Local reports predict that the area’s tourism while resi- the storm surge that will do the most damage. situation will improve rapidly as intense and construction dents recu- Concrete bridges are not designed to take the efforts to restore buildings, beaches industry, recov- perated after normally passed through the harbours horizontal pounding of these waves and would and resorts accelerate. For more infor- ery was being the storm. three times per week carrying around crumble under the pressure. Roads would also mation, visit: www.protecdiving.com stalled further While major 2,500 passengers each. To avoid further be impassable if the bay met up with the Gulf Riviera Maya Toursim Board reported by widespread ports in the losses, clean up of major tourist areas of Mexico. According to authorities, it is too that 60% of hotel inventory was opera- damages to vehi- area reopened, were being made a priority by the expensive to construct bridges that can with- tional and forecasted that another cles by flooding. financial losses local government. Dive centres contin- stand a category four storm. Government offi- 12% of the hotels would be up and Although fuel was were being felt ued to clean up their facilities but pre- cials said they would rely on alternative roads running by November 7th. They said not an issue in the from the lack of dicted a significant wait before scuba and means to aid residents in case a major that Riviera May should have over immediate future, cruise ships that divers returned to town. ■ storm hit and planned to focus on repairing damaged bridges as quickly as possible rather than on replacing them. ■

6 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news Edited by Peter Symes & Gunild Symes MARATHON SHARKS? Great White Shark travels over 19,000 km A great white shark named Nicole world. sharks was conducted by research- journeyed across the Indian Ocean Shark Nicole logged more than ers from the Marine and Coastal from South Africa to Australia and 19,000 kilometres on her journey Management organization of the back in less than nine months marking the first time a shark has Wildlife Conservation Society in researchers say. Tagged in a con- been known to travel this far over New York, the University of Cape servation effort by South African open sea. She was tagged with a Town and the University of Pretoria CSIRO, THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE and American scientists, the shark radio transmitter, which commu- in South Africa. It showed that named after shark-loving Australian nicated with a satellite when the great white sharks display homing actor, Nicole Kidman, was tracked shark surfaced. Researchers say the and patrolling behaviours as they Whalesharks dive 1 km deep to feast on ‘caviar’ travelling a straight line through the data collected from the tagging of migrate up and down the coast. vast expanse. Scientists speculate that the Scientists have discovered new information on the sharks stay in shallow waters during the Experts specu- sharks may use visual stimuli the world’s largest fish, the whaleshark, through night and make deep divers during the day fol- late that the such as the stars or the sun to a program of electronic tagging. According lowed by fast ascents that re-oxygenate their shark made navigate across oceans rather to data collected, whalesharks dive almost a gills. It is when the creatures feed at the surface the journey in than the Earth’s magnetic field half a mile (1 km) in search of food where they that ’pop-off’ tags are placed on the whale- search for a as previously thought. They also can eat the offspring, or ‘caviar’, of shoals of sharks to collect data. Later the tags fall off the mate rather found that the shark, Nicole, spawning fish. animals and return to the surface where satel- than for feeding preferred to swim most of the The findings of the Wildlife Conservation lites can pick up information gathered. purposes since time on or just below the sur- Society for the United States showed that In August this year, a Mexican team of sci- there is plenty face of the sea while she was whalesharks dive much deeper than previously entists tagged two male whalesharks off Isla of food in South in the open ocean. It is the first thought. The whalesharks, which can grow to Holbox near the northeast tip of the Yucatan Africa. time this behaviour has been over 65 feet (20 metres) in length and weigh up Peninsula. Through the tagging program, the It is thought observed in the species. to 15 tons, can reach depths of 3,200 feet (980 researchers found that whalesharks come that the behav- Only one other fish, the tuna, metres) in water just a few degrees over freez- to the feeding area in Holbox from many iour of the shark has been observed to travel ing. Now, scientists know why the fish have a far away places, not just from the Western is common. such distances as Nicole. The layer of insulating fat below their skins. Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico. They also Researchers finding of such vast and fast The new data gathered in Belize Barrier found that the whalesharks dive up to 3200 express con- migration in great white sharks Reef, a United Nations World Heritage site and feet. While some experts say the animals dive cern that such Group of Sharks, by Jean Lamy, oil on wood, 80 x 55cm is hailed as the most significant the second largest barrier reef system in the deep to find food, other say that the animals migrations put www.jean-lamy.com discovery in the study of the world, is valuable to policy makers who can take the deep dives to dump excess heat col- the sharks in species. It is the first direct evi- now adjust tourism programs and operations lected in their bodies at the surface. ■ danger of getting caught or injured 32 sharks including Nicole suggest dence of a connection between to protect the in long-line fishing nets. Lesser sharks that a minority of sharks may have Australian and African white sharks. endan- are captured and killed in this way. wanderlust. Similar indications of Researchers say that future studies gered Scientists say that the Great White long distance travel appear in salm- of the great white will need contin- species population cannot afford to lose on sharks that migrate from summer ued international cooperation. The and members in this way. Australia and waters near Alaska to warmer win- great white shark study was funded their South Africa are home to the widely ter regions off of Hawaii and Baja by conservation groups in the South feeding separated and important popula- California. African government. ■ sites. tions of great white sharks in the The study of the great white Scientists say

NOAA

7 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Trawlers kill 50,000 tonnes news Sharks: To be or not to be... of Atlantic sharks per year Edited by Shark populations in British and international waters Peter Symes & What’s for dinner? have fallen sharply because thousands of miles of Gunild Symes Are Great White Sharks in semi-permanent nets on the sea bed are being set Fish or Humans? Australian waters on the rise? by a fleet of trawlers. Each year, the 180 mile long gill nets are catching at least 50,000 tonnes of shark Australian researchers warn that great white Fishermen operating off the coast of Western Australia according to the fishery. Investigators form Ireland, sharks are switching prey to humans because warn of an increase in great white shark sightings. Norway and Great Britain say the catch is sold to of a decline in fish stocks. Due to over fishing, Numbers of white pointers encountered has soared with supermarkets for their meat and fish oil is sold to tuna, snapper, kingfish and mulloway declined dozens of sightings according to shark-boat captains from health food and cosmetic companies. up to 95 percent in the last 60 years according Perth, Albany and Esperance. Officials report that there has been immense dam- to reports from the South Australian Research Concerns were expressed by local skippers who worry age to several species of shark and monkfish. Stocks EDWIN MARCOW and Development Institute Aquatic Sciences. an increase in shark sightings will lead to an increase in of Atlantic deepwater sharks have fallen up to 20 Scientists say, as a result, hungry sharks are shark attacks. While fishermen suggest an increase in percent in the past 10 years. In addition, Leafscale exploring alternatives. The decline in fish popula- great white shark numbers, researchers speculate that the gulper shark and Portuguese dogfish numbers have Fishing for Great White tions is also attributed to the increasing number shark population may not necessarily be increasing, rath- dropped by 80 percent. Officials state that the cur- Sharks banned in New of people in the water. er the reporting of shark sightings, incidents and attacks rent fishing practices are far in excess of what is con- Another possible explanation for the increase by the public and media has improved. ■ sidered sustainable. South Wales, Australia in shark attacks on humans is the increase of A fisheries board vessel from Ireland found weight- seals in Australian and Californian waters. The ed nets on the sea bed and 24 miles of abandoned Fishermen were caught on tape targeting sharks may be confusing humans for seals. A Shark sex on the beach? gill net holding seven tonnes of shark, 60% of which juvenile Great White Sharkes in Australia. direct link between growing seal colonies and had to be tossed. It also found 180 miles of lost net The incident prompted government author- shark attacks on humans has been shown in Marine biologists in South Africa observed Great White that was irretrievable. Prompted by the report, UK ities to move to ban the practice. While the research from the US. Scientists disagree on sharks swimming into waters less than 2 metres deep near authorities have been sent out for the first time to fishermen in question claimed to be aiding whether sharks are switching prey. Many favour crowded beach areas. Ignoring bathers in the shallow determine the scale of the problem in UK waters. ■ research on the endangered species, infor- the notion that humans look a lot like a seal to a surf, the sharks returned to deeper waters after a time. mation from within the fisheries department shark that will most likely reject the human in the Similar sightings of sharks within 50 metres off the same confirmed otherwise. For the safety of both end. beach occurred in the next few months. Then the sight- the sharks and surfers in the area, the use A second alternative explanation is that the ings stopped abruptly. of wire trace and baits over 200g is now shark attacks are more a factor of distribution, Experts speculate that the shark behaviour is part of the banned. ■ than anything else. Researchers say that in reproductive activity among great whites. To date, no good years for sharks, there are more attacks mating ground for the species has been identified, so the recorded. It is not known what drives the dis- sightings may prove to be the first key to discovering the Search and caesarean? tribution differences and it has not been long sexual behaviours of the great white sharks. During a routine inspection, two fishermen enough since the species was protected to It would be a first step towards adjusting public poli- with an illegal catch of sharks aboard attribute the increase in attacks to growing cies to protect breeding grounds and humans from shark were apprehended by marine and coast- numbers. ■ attacks. ■ al management, working with inspectors of the South African National Parks. When one of the fishermen tried to flee, the The injured surfer believed that because officials discovered the sharks on board Boat chumming brings the boats come in shore with bate, the their boat. Gill nets and the boat were sharks closer to surfers? percentage of shark attacks is higher confiscated. When the officials exam- than if the boats were not operating ined the shark catch, they found several A shark victim in South Africa said boat in the area at all. The boaters said that pregnant females, some in the process operators that throw out chum to attract boat-based chumming has not been of giving birth. The inspectors rushed the sharks for tourists are partly to blame for the proven to stimulate sharks to associate baby sharks to the sea after performing shark attack that left his foot in tatters. While food with humans. However, regula- impromptu ‘caesareans’. Despite doubts boat operators state that they operate with- tions Marine and Coastal Management whether the babies would survive, 26 of in legal limits, surfers claim that they have stipulate coordinates in which opera- them revived and transferred to the open often seen the boats come in close behind tors can work to keep them away sea where they were released. ■ the break line about 200 metres from shore. from populated beaches. ■

8 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Advertisement news Edited by World’s BEST SELLER Peter Symes & Negligent safety practices on Gunild Symes UNDERWATER DIGITAL GUIDE dive boat leads to death of diver AN ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL for those who wish to capture Advanced Diving of Belize has been forced to shut down in the aftermath of a dive trip accident that successful digital pictures killed one scuba diver and critically injured three others . Owner permanently banned as dive guide underwater – now the 2nd Edition A weekend diving trip in stormy master to take a group of divers out to aboard the vessel and the dive master Caribbean seas off the coast of Belize South Water Cave. The divers were not leading the trip had a prior record of a OUT DEC 2005 ended in tragedy when the dive boat informed of the warning. Shortly after boating accident with ten divers aboard. went adrift. An American woman per- the boat reached the destination, the The previous incident also involved ished and three other divers spent three motor died. Once set adrift, the divers Advanced Diving out of Placencia. UPDATED treacherous days in rough seas until they discovered that the anchor was also bro- Although no one was seriously injured, With more ‘How to’ techniques were found and rescued by the coast- ken. The radio was also discovered to be the license of the operator was suspend- Professional secrets guard. dysfunctional. Despite finding the divers ed for a brief period of time. The body of Abigail Brinkman, 28, of discovering that none of the dive equip- Despite numerous safety regulations on Recommended Retail USD25 Columbus, Indiana, was dis- ment aboard was outfit- the books for dive boats, there is concern covered south of Belize. ted with compasses, the that the Belize Tourist Board is not making Pre-print promotion: USD 22 – Another diver, John divers decided to swim for sure that the rules are fol- Bain, 50, was hospital- land, but were unable to lowed by tourism opera- international postage included. ized for hypothermia and reach the shore in the dark tors. However, survivors jellyfish sting. Two other and became separated in of the drifting ves- survivors, Nancy Masters, the water. sel say that Belize RAVES: 38, of Portland, Oregon, The divemaster, Vance rescue workers A well-structured, comprehensive work, lavishly supported with explana- and Japanese citizen, Cabral, stated that he and community tory diagrams and magnificent images the, ‘Essential Guide To Digital Underwater Photography’ will undoubtedly prove to be as much an edu- Yutaka Maeda, 34, were advised against the idea. members made cational tool for novices as it will a reference work for those with great- found in good condition. Survivors disagree. They an heroic effort to er proficiency in underwater image making. - “David Strike” Editor NEKTON Despite a small craft report that he actually rescue them and warning and rough seas helped them into the water. did whatever they I am already stocking your digital photography book, I think it’s excellent and I will also rec- from the recent passing Investigators found that could do to help the ommend it on my U/W image capture classes. I also teach a 3 week photography course of Hurricane Wilma, the there was no backup distraught divers. ■ at James Cook University, Cairns twice a year. Students are taught on Nikonos & Nikon captain of the dive boat engine, radio or safety Coolpix systems. I will introduce your book to these students every class as well. Your operated by Advanced equipment aboard the ves- book is really good timing and much needed, well done! - Kevin Deacon, Dive 2000 Pty Ltd Diving allowed a dive- sel. The captain was not

This book is an absolute Essential Guide for those who want to shoot beauti- ful digital pictures underwater. The modules are well thought-out giving detailed descriptions and explanations about using digital cameras underwater, exposure, Head count saves two divers in Australia use of light and shooting techniques for macro and wide-angle imagery. Includes tutorials on photo editing, colour correction and file management. A generous Two British divers were saved when the found and rescued the divers. number of colourful graphics and photographs are used to illustrate the techniques captain of their dive boat counted New logging procedures implement- and key points of underwater photography. This guide shares with you the fine heads and sounded the alarm 30 min- ed after the high profile death of two art of composition and other secrets for taking great underwater photographs. utes after the pair were slated to return divers left out at sea near the Great

to the boat. Barrier Reef by their dive boat in 1998, LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT The two divers had been swept six were responsible for the quick response. ORDER NOW – Email [email protected] for details; trade enquires welcome: miles from their boat by a strong cur- The American couple who disap- perished. The story of the lost Lonagans www.michaelaw.com rent. The alarm brought a full scale air peared seven years ago were dis- was portrayed in the 2003 film, Open and sea search by the Coastguard who covered missing after 48 hours. They Water. ■

9 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED This sea lily, Endoxocrinus par- rae, was found at a depth of about 1200 feet (366m) on the news sea floor off Grand Bahama Island in the Caribbean. The Edited by image was taken from a video Peter Symes & by T. K. Baumiller and C. G. Gunild Symes Messing from Johnson Sea Link II submersible, Harbor Branch ■ Oceanographic Institution. Click on the image to watch a Unusually warm clip from the video Caribbean seas What? Sea Lilies move? A new video showed that sea lilies crawl to escape predators much like their stalkless relatives, the feather causing severe stars. It was previously assumed that sea lilies, which are named for their garden-variety namesakes, stayed root- coral bleaching ed. The animal used its finger like appendages to move from place to place. The discovery was caught on tape The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by researchers operating a submersible for the Harbor reported that unusually warm temperatures in the Branch Oceanographic Institution in the USA. ■ Caribbean have set off severe and possibly irrevers- ABOVE: A tube-worm colony is captured on high-definition ible bleaching of corals in the region. The Alerts were video, which has seven to 10 times more clarity than standard issued for Puerto Rico and the US by the NOAA, which definition monitors 24 coral reef systems around the world. In some reefs around Puerto Rico, up to 85 to 95 percent LEFT: Owned by the Office of Naval Research and operated of coral colonies were reported bleached accord- by the School of Oceanography, University of Washington and ing to researchers. Since early September, the surface Canadian ROPOS, the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson is temperatures of the Caribbean have averaged 2 274 feet (84m) long and supports 36 scientists, two marine tech- degrees above historical norms. The higher tempera- nicians and 22 crew members and officers. It hosts a variety of tures put coral colonies in extreme distress causing remotely operated vehicles such as Jason II, them to expel the symbiotic micro algae living in their tissues and providing them with food. If the bleaching ABOVE & LEFT: Photos courtesy of the VISIONS05 expedition lasts longer than a week, it can kill corals. ■ www.VISIONS05.ocean.washington.edu

Hydrothermal vents viewed live on HDTV Dive hoppen For the first time, a high-definition tel- Founded by the W.M. Keck Foundation, S evision camera was used to capture live the University of Washington and the views of a volcanic region of the ocean national Science Foundation, the study Udstyr og Kurser i City floor proliferated by hydrothermal vents was conducted on a research vessel sup- and black smokers, chimneys that vent porting two remotely operated submersi- 700 degree F (371 degree C) hot water. bles from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Gothersgade 159 · 1123 København K Images of the Endeavour Segment of the Institution. A 6-mile-long electro-optical Telefon 3332 3537 Juan de Fuca Ridge 200 miles off the coast cable permitted scientists to watch images of Washington state in the US were broad- captured by the submersibles’ cameras Åbningstider Tirsdag til Fredag 11-18 · Lørdag 10-14 cast from the sea floor on HD video which and study the tectonic-plate interaction Mandag Lukket allows for 7 to 10 times more clarity than supporting ancient microbial life forms www.diveshoppen.dk standard broadcast definition. deep on the ocean floor. ■

10 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Many new species found news in Philippines Newly discovered Florida deep-sea An international team of researchers Edited by reef may receive federal protection reported the discovery of new species of Peter Symes & molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms Gunild Symes Just off the eastern coast of deep-sea reef, which grows 3-5 (starfish, sea cucumbers and sea urchins) as Florida in the US lies the newly foot coral bushes up to 100 feet well as fish new to science from the depths discovered Oculina reef, now from the ocean floor at a depth around Bohol province in the Philippines. considered one of the most of 200-350 feet below the sur- The team gathered rare to very rare spe- biologically productive reefs in face. In addition, images were cies in the area. These were animals previ- the world by scientists. Marine captured of the numerous spe- ously thought not to be found in Southeast biologists from the Harbor cies that are supported by the Asian marine ecosystems. Branch Oceanographic Institute reef. Unnamed deep-sea shrimp and rare returned from an expedition It is hoped that this study and crabs and bi-valves as well as a saw- to the region armed with vid- additional research will prompt toothed shark were found at depths up to eorecordings documenting the legislators to implement strong 2,300 metres by the scientists of the Panglao protection for the reef Marine Biodeversity Project 2005: Survey of and prevent trawl- the Deep-water Benthic Fauna of Bohol Sea Cliff Simoneau loses battle with ers from destroying and Adjacent Waters. Cancer. The death of popular the slow growing reef. Over a hundred species of fish and echi- Oculina variscos coral noderms, 600 species of crustaceans, and Dive Industry Veteran is a serious is the dominant spe- several thousand species of mollusc were loss for the entire Industry cies that makes up the collected by the end of the expedition reef. Scientists say that making it the most comprehensive survey Cliff Simoneau, of Silent Diving Systems it is more vulnerable ever made here. passed away peacefully on Sunday to devastation due to It is hoped that the dis- November 13th with his family and friends its slow growth rate. covery and cataloguing at his bedside. Cliff was diagnosed with While other shallow- of new species will high- Pancreatic Cancer in early September water corals grow as light the uniquely rich and courageously battled the disease much as 10 inches diversity, the natural and right up until the last hour refusing to per year, the Oculina scientific heritage and accept defeat. It was typical of his variety grows only half value, of the Philippines approach to life and business. He had an inch per year, yet and encourage the recently celebrated his 46th birthday. it hosts up to 2,000 sea Philippino government to Cliff is survived by his beloved wife of creatures upon its vol- issue more protection of Oculina Deep Sea Coral off Florida. 25 years, Kathy who would like to thank leyball-sized bushes. ■ its marine ecosystems. ■ Photo: NOAA everyone for all the cards and emails received over the last ten weeks since the onset of Cliff’s illness. The support of his friends kept his spirits high and his attitude positive right until the last hour. US Senate backs protection for sea coral One of Cliff’s last wishes was to have his company, Silent Wide support came from both as snapper, rock shrimp and anced legislation divides sec- Diving Systems, stand as his legacy in the industry. While Republicans and Democrats sea bass. There is concern tions of the ocean into trawl- SDS may stand as a solid testimonial to his entrepreneurial in the US Senate for recently from environmental groups ing and no-trawling zones. It is talents, his undying enthusiasm and unquenchable spirit of introduced environmental that large-bottom trawler ships unique in its bipartisan support vigour will also be remembered as his trademark. No one legislation to restrict trawling will destroy these cold-water as well as its approach to bal- worked harder at promoting diving and embracing inno- in parts of the ocean that corals as they rake the sea ancing commerce with pro- vations that led the industry. His long time friend and busi- hold deep-sea coral and floor. tection of ecosystems. There ness associate Bret Gilliam reminds us all that “The Key To sponge communities. The In addition, environmen- is also a research component Immortality is Living a Life Worth Remembering.” Cliff will be Bottom Trawling and Deep talists warn that destroying of the bill which will give the remembered fondly by all who knew him. Sea Coral Habitat Act of 2005 coral reefs curtail efforts in the federal government, interest is designed to protect habitats chemical properties of deep- groups and industry officials Cards can be sent to: for species that are important sea corals in medical research more concrete data on the Kathy Simoneau - PO Box 1797 Wolfeboro NH 03894 USA to the seafood industry such for treating diseases. The bal- habitats of deep-sea corals. ■

11 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Jacques Cousteau’s famous ves- Legal battle over “CALYPSO” sel Calypso have been sitting rot- comes to an end ...for now ting in the harbour of La Rochelle news while a legal battle has been fought over her. Opponents were Cousteau’s widow, now heading Cousteau Edited by Society ( formerly l’Equipe Cousteau), and the original Calypso Team, Peter Symes & and their association: the ‘COF’ (French Oceanic Campaigns). The Gunild Symes court has now ruled in favour of Mrs. Francine Cousteau. It is presumed, or feared, that she will sell the boat to an american company, Carnival Cruise, who wants to repair the legendary ship before giving to her a Iran—the next hot scuba new life in the Carribean Sea. The COF have diving destination? appealed the ruling in The Southern beaches of Iran in order to keep the ship Chabahar area will become a center “French”, and in the for dive training, reports www.iranmania. Mediterranean . com. The skin diving club of Chabahar (To be continued in a has within its 11 months of operation later issue of X-Ray) managed to take 500 tourists diving in the waters of the Persian Gulf, said Model of Cousteau’s Mohamad Nayebpour, head of the Skin famous vessel Diving Club of Chabahar. The Persian Gulf enjoys calm waters, and regarding the variety of fishes, it is a unique location for skin diving in the More Marine Parks world. The best time for skin diving in Chabahar is in the middle of fall. According to Nayebpour, a group urgently needed of divers from the International British Skin Diving School is due to arrive in World Conservation Union Resistance to Bleaching.” Chabahar and added that the first calls for the establishment “Another 30 percent will become professional diving school in Iran will be of additional marine pro- seriously depleted if no action is established in Chabahar in a near future. taken within the next 20-40 years, tected areas to prevent fur- with climate change being a major ther degradation by mak- factor for their loss,” Lundin said. Ecologists slam ing corals more robust and “Current predictions are that mas- helping them resist bleach- sive coral bleaching will become Dubai’s luxury islands a regular event over the next 50 ing. years,” The 20 billion dollar islands being built off In its report, the organization the coast of Dubai may look spectacular Nearly half of the world’s coral said that marine parks reduce the but the Gulf’s delicate marine ecosystem reefs may be lost in the next 40 stress on coral reef ecosystems by is paying the price says enviromentalists years unless urgent measures are reducing the impact of pollution Environmentalists say dredging work taken to protect them against the and overfishing. “Destructive fishing destroyed the only known coral reef off threat of climate change, accord- practices such as blast or poison the shores of Dubai. Turtle nesting sites ing to a new report released by the fishing can make coral reef more have been destroyed, natural currents WCU. vulnerable to bleaching,” said The rerouted and silt has muddied what were “Twenty percent of the earth’s Nature Conservancy’s Rod Salm in crystal-clear waters, they say. coral reefs, arguably the richest a statement. “It has been detrimental for the natural of all marine ecosystems, have The report also recommends a environment of the Dubai coast, espe- been effectively destroyed today,” strategy for the establishment of a cially at the place and location of the said Carl Gustaf Lundin, head of global marine park network in the first Palm island,” said Frederic Launay, the agency’s marine environment face of climate change, covering director of the World Wildlife Fund’s program who helped write the all important marine ecosystems office in the United Arab Emirates. report “Coral Reef Resilience and including coral reefs.

12 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Five new wrecks news located in the Red Sea Edited by Five new wrecks were located Gharib in 1988. The wreck lies Peter Symes & in the Gulf of Suez on an expe- on its port side, and much of Gunild Symes dition run by wreck hunter the original cargo - bottles of Peter Collings and members of cough medicine - can still be Bromley BSAC have located found. five new wrecks in the Gulf of The other wrecks inclided the Diving restrictions Suez writes UK magazine Dive Alita, a 1,365-tonne Maltese on their website. It is thought vessel, which sank when her being lifted in Greece that this was the first time a cargo shifted on a voyage group of divers has ventured from Thessaloniki to Sudan in A bill lifting restrictions on recreational so far north into the Gulf which 1988, and Bakr, a survey vessel scuba-diving was passed by both is a notorious area for ship- belonging to the United Arab main parties following a discussion in wrecks. Republic Petroleum company. a parliamentary committee. in past One of the wrecks is the It sank after being hit by Israeli years, recreational diving was strictly Scalaria, a Second World War missiles in 1973 during the Yom restricted in Greece in order to deter tanker that fell victim to an Kippur war. The Russian-built antiquities smugglers, with diving only aerial bombardment in 1942. ship is about 44m long. permitted in specific, closely-watched At 122m, it is one locations. of the largest It was argued by members of par- diveable wrecks in Visit our online gallery at www.jean-lamy.com liament that new laws would help the Red Sea. Also make Greece one of the most popu- found was a 76m- lar worldwide destinations for scuba- long Egyptian diving holidays and bring in significant cargo ship, Jean Lamy - 100 rue des Martyrs 75018 Paris revenue. The Communist Party of Aboudy, which tél. 01 42 52 31 55 - fax 01 42 52 31 55 - [email protected] Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of foundered off Ras www.jean-lamy.com the Left, Movements and Ecology expressed reservations about whether the new laws ade- Red sea wrecks are in high popular demand. File quately protected sub- photo: Cedar Pride off the Jordanian coast New Zealanders get new wreck merged archaeological remains, however. The On Nov. 14, the former HMNZS in the area . old law came into force Wellington was sunk off Island Explosives were strategically in the early days of scu- Meanwhile, a “Scuba Diving License” Bay in Cook Strait. It took less placed on the ship to make it badiving after several than two minutes to turn the 113 sink fast and land squarely on incidences where under- is under consideration in Australia m long former frigate into an the sea bottom at 26m. The frig- water artifacts have been artificial reef. The ship had seen ate had been holed from bow illegally recovered. In Australian, the New South Wales had recently met with senior diving industry service with both the Royal Navy to stern before the sinking, with Merchant Marine government is considering establish- representatives, who expressed support for the and the Royal New Zealand especially created holes for div- Minister Manolis ing an annual licence for scuba divers proposal. “The state government was previ- Navy before being decommis- ing through the wreck. Kefaloyiannis stressed that all similar to that required by recreational ously considering introducing a fee to dive sioned and prepared for measures in the new bill were fishers. According to several Australian in these areas but the licence system will be scuttling. The former war- fully harmonised with European media primary Industries Minister Ian simpler and fairer – instead of paying a fee ship was bought from the Community law and aimed Macdonald said the scheme would for each dive Government for $1 by the to allow full exploitation of the involve the creation of an independent in the habitat charitable trust formed sole- favourable weather conditions scuba diving trust who would allocate sites, divers will ly for the acquisition of the prevailing in Greece for the greater licence costs to programs to improve now have an frigate, to create an artificial part of the year, as well as its natural, amenities for divers and possibly programs annual fee,” marine reef and world-class historic and cultural attractions, to to protect the habitat areas of the critically Mr Macdonald attraction for dive tourists draw the recreational diving sector. endangered grey nurse shark.. He said he said. and commercial operators

13 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Top: A delicate fingerring with ivory portraits Above: the sort- ing table. Right: Massimo Anselmi The with a gold Official pocket watch THE CONTINUED STORY ABOUT POLLUCE Recovery WRECK. FIRST PART CAN BE FOUND IN X-RAY #7

Text by Peter Symes Photos by Enrico Cappeletti & Peter Symes

It was one of those highly unlikely chains of unfore- seable events that led us to Elba the pictoresque but somewhat mislaid lump of land in the Meditterean made famous by emperor Napoleon’s exile here: The fact that the treasureship Polluce was finally being excavated.

As our regular readers may recall from our previous A model of issue this is where the treasureship Pulluce sank to how Polluce the bottom in 1841. The official excavation is finally looks like on the sea- under way coinciding with our attandence so this bed, 103m down

14 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED update

Four pictures above, clockwise from top left: The excavation barge that was held in place by four massive anchors. The winch bringing up the bas- kets with artifacts. The mesh cash into where all the suctioned mud and objects were deposited, There was mud, mud and mud everywhere.

(above). A watch as it came out of the mud. A little later the face came to light too (below) as did more coins and some yet to be identified artifacts Polluce Wreck

was a once-in-a-life time opportunity not to be missed. And here we are on a - rather uncharming I must say - barge with a huge crane, a lot of commercial diving equipment, a decompression chamber and lots of pressure tanks.. It is a truly big set-up. I am couple of containers the dive tenders have their command center from where they are in constant contact From top: Work at the sort- with the divers below. ing grid where two meshes, one finer below retained Saturation divers any solid objects. A lump 103 meter below the surface saturation of coins, silver or gold stuck divers, are working their way across the together. Officers from the remainder of the wreck meticulously carabinieri displaying som sorting and sifting through the debris, of the finds. A big lump of rectangle by rectangle. On a tv-moni- coins being wrapped for tor in the coffee-room we can follow the shipment back to the safe divers’ progress. The image is grainy and in the castle on shore. comes from a camera mounted on the divers’ helmet, enabling us to see what is going on in a restricted field in front of the divers. Sometimes we see a hand, some- times the suction head protrude into the

15 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED update Polluce Wreck

Another 4 x 4 meter goldbars were stashed somewhere in the search grid has been fore departments and not listed on any welded together and cargo declarations. When Polluce sank is now being lowered it was a volatile era in Europe’s history into the water by the and many of the familar nationalstates huge crane. In the fore- that we know of today,most notably ground the decompres- Germany and Italy, were only starting to sion chamber can be come together in a painful process. seen behind with the big umbilical cord car- It is an unreal sensation being out here. rying the essential com- How many of us have heard tales or muncations, hot water stories about treasures, say like in the for the divers’ suits and tales of 1001 night, pirate movies or our breathing gases going childhoods’ bedtime stories? Most of us I over the chamber guess. How many ever get to see actual treasure, see it come to light, let alone get to handle it? The chances of this must be like winning the lottery. Yet, I am witnessing it. Gold, silver, glassware, jew- ellery and other items come out of the grey clayish mud being brought up from the seabed. Mud all over One of the metal baskets is now being hoisted out of the water and swung into the cradle on the scaffold in which it view as they remove a century and half mate boredom in compression where Sturdy, with grey hair and furrowed faces fits and a new empty basket sent back of silt from whatever remain of this once they work in four hour shifts. they radiate all the experience and hard down. The crew and the carabinieri so stately vessel. Once in a while we see lives you can imagine. Yet they seem to shovels the content out on a big mesh some old timber, then some rock and €350 a day retain this boyish goofiness and childlike for closer examination. It is a very dirty then something that appears to be … They must be paid very well I surmise expectations that only boys with toys job. There is mud and grey stains every- treasure? … or...maybe not. out loud. About €350 a day comes the can muster. Maybe a treasurehunt is a where. It is hard to make out on that little answer from behind me where one of pleasant break from the dirty oilbusiness The slurry of the mesh is then doused grainy monitor in the crewroom, the the Italian tenders is having a smoke and or the tedium of salvage work. down with hand showers to wash off image quality isn’t exactly a match for a break and we get to talk. Not exactly a the silt from any solid objects. Most of BBC’s Blue Planet DVD collection. stately salary for enduring such an ordeal Carabinieri it is gravel, sticks, pieces of timber and From the starboard side of the wide with the ever present dangers and last- Needless to say there was also police seashells. But here and there is a coin or barge the dive bell is suspended in ing effects on your health. And for being on board. Huge, stern looking carab- two. Or some manmade object or piece heavy cables and a umbilical. The without the wonderful Mediterranean inieri from the art and antiquities sec- thereof that is not always easy to identify. stream of bobbles rise from so deep sunshine that we can now enjoy - the sea tions’ underwater squad who, however, Who knows what broken of corner of a – over 100 meters – through the water is flat and it is pleasantly warm consider- turned out to be just another bunch of 1830’s household item look like? I don’t column that they break up into a myriad ing it is almost November. The atmos- jokesters, were there in strenght to pro- for sure - and I am helplessly puzzled by of smaller bubbles that turn the surface phere is pleasantly relaxed yet laden with vide the necessary protection and guard this clearly manmade, round object with beside the barge into a froth. I can’t tickling expectations of what the baskets the treasure. No wonder. Some rumours concentric grooves and a spongy feel help pondering how “another day at may bring up next time. Many of the had it that there might be as much as to it that I am now holding in my hand. I the office” may be like down there. The men around me are weatherbeaten vet- four tons of goldbars down there too. It have no clue whatsoever what it might divers has to spend three weeks of ulti- eran of the offshore or salvage industry. has been alleged that a secret cache of be. There is also this oblong cylindrical

16 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED update Polluce Wreck Dig in and pick out Securing the treasure. the coins, lads G. Mirto co-author on the book about Polluce smiles arfter a good day’s work And, no fellas, we didn’t sneak any coins down our pockets. It is all ging to end up in the museums

the watch turns up too, still with a Polluce, the Mongibello, doing here, on this hand attached to it. It seems that weird offsite location also? it stopped at three o’clock. Further speculations The plot thickens Enrico speculates that the collision wasn’t Was that the real time for the col- really an accident after all - though the lision frozen in time like on the result of Polluce sinking was probably crimes series on tv? That time not intended. The matter at hand is that doesn’t correspond with the offi- Polluce was carrying a very significant cial records, so did the hand sim- amount of valuables and had very promi- ply shift later perhaps as a result of nent passengers among which we find the all the dredging? Perhaps. count of Canino, Napoleon’s grandson.for But there is, nonentheless some- one. Was the Polluce perhaps intercepted? thing quite fishy, pardon the unin- And how could the Mongibello hit Polluce thing about the size and shape of a hand, not knowing before I came here tended pun, about this shipwreck. For one, in her port side, behind the paddlewheel, if modern ballpen casing, but ending in what to prepare for, I am wearing a what is it doing here, many miles from the Polluce was heading north and Mongibello what seems to be a knee joint. What the sweater and trainers which is less than shipping lane? Granted, that they didn’t south as otherwise claimed? h… is it, everyone seem to speculate. ideal. Much less. Needless to say, before have much radar and GPS in those days It doesn’t take much analytical skill to arrive Nobody was able to help me out for my the day was over I was in a complete but the night was clear and calm and there at the conclusion that the Mongibello must ignorance however. mess. But who cares? And my mother is were lighthouses guiding the traffic up chan- most likely have came from behind, and not not here to complain. Coins come out nel of Piombino. Yet this wreck lies tucked from the front to strike where she did. Did I can’t help wanting to get close to the of the slurry, then a delicate chain, some away under the coastline of Elba. And Polluce head south at the time, or did the mesh and watch. The men rinsing are glassware, a bit of charred or tarred what was the other ship that collided with Mongibello come after her round the island wearing oilskins and with all the water rope and then this casing of a exquisite of Elba. and mud going everywhere it is a wise pocket watch with a delicate clockwork Who knows? Only one choice of garment. Me, on the other inside. A few moments later the face of thing’s for sure and that is Polluce still proves to be fertile ground for speculation and Polluce’s position (red dot) in that is where we leave the relation to the shipping lane tale about Polluce and the passing north-south through island of Elba for this time. But the channel de Piombino - the last chapter is surely not the strait between mainland written yet. ■ Italy and Elba. For an idea about the scale the strait is about 10kms wide. So the question remains: Elba What was Polluce doing Tuscany on that position? And Author Enrico the Mongibello, the other Cappeletti (right) steamer that collided with savouring the moment her? with master diver Primo Padoan (lieft) 17 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED European Union suggests controls to stop octopus news overfishing Edited by Peter Symes & Octopus which is a delicacy in ship agreements that the EU has agreed Gunild Symes many Mediterranean cuisines, with countries such as Morocco, Senegal North Atlantic Right may be at risk of dying out in EU and Mauritania many European trawl- ers also fish in African waters. If agreed Whale Given Less waters if controls are not enforced by EU ministers, the measure would apply to stop overfishing, warns an EU to octopus marketed anywhere in the Than 100 Years executive. European Union, whether caught by EU or non-EU vessels In a Far too many undersized octopuses recently were being sold in the 25 EU coun- No more calamare romana? published tries, leading to a depletion of study in stocks. Science maga- To curb the overfishing, the zine a group of European Commission has called promiment marine for a minimum size of 500 grams scientists warns the North for octopus caught in eastern Atlantic right whale faces extinc- central Atlantic waters. The area tion if the current mortality rates con- in question is that extending into the tinue. mid-Atlantic roughly from Morocco down “Despite good calving years, our popula- the African coast to Congo. This is below tion models suggest that there are still more the standard 750 grams allowed within EU whales dying than being born every year,” waters but above the 350 gram minimum says Scott Kraus, lead author and senior scien- that applies in Senegal. Thanks to partner- tist at the New England Aquarium. In the past 16 months, there have been eight recorded right whale deaths - but the group’s population models indicate that Whaleshark spots identified Ship strikes only 17 percent of right whale deaths are detected each year, by NASA technique and gear leaving 83 percent undiscov- entanglement ered. According to this model A new method of recording and identifying individual and based upon the known whalesharks may help save the endangered species account for at deaths, as many as 47 right from extinction. According to scientists, whalesharks least half of whales may have died in the each have a unique pattern of spots on their skin. past 16 months, although Using software used by NASA to map stars in the all recorded only eight of the deaths have Hubble space telescope, the spots right behind deaths of this been detected. the gills of individual sharks slits are photo- The eight dead whales graphed and the images entered into species included six adult females, a computer. Using the pattern rec- three of which carried ognition tool to identify individual near-term fetuses. At least four of the whalesharks, it is hoped that whales were killed by human activities; scientists will gain a bet- ships hit three; and one whale was entan- ter understanding of a gled in fishing gear. Ship strikes and little understood spe- gear entanglement account for at cies and their least half of all recorded migratory deaths of this spe- patterns. ■ cies, the scientists report.

18 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED DEMA announces launch of www.demaauction.com to aid X-Ray Magazine’s victims of hurricanes Katrina, website gets overhauled

Rita And Wilma www.xray-mag.com is undergoing a facelift, and while new features are going to be added in early 2006, the 100% of new look with a more intuitive “tabbed” navigation Winning and a more direct access to magazine download has NAUI Launches Fresh, already replaced the old look. To come is a range of Bids on All enhanced features and competetions with attractive Newly Designed Auction Items prizes. Be sure to check back often. To Support Website American Red Cross Relief Efforts. Patong Beach Thanks to the feedback and great To help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina, suggestions of our valued members Rita, and Wilma, the Diving Equipment Clean-Up Project and divers around the globe, NAUI & Marketing Association (DEMA) Worldwide,has the launched a newly has announced the launch of www. NAUI Services Pacific Rim once again sponsored the designed website! The new site is now DEMAauction.com. Annual Opening Festival Day, which was held this year complete with a fresh new look and This DEMA-sponsored website will ena- on Nov. 1 in Phuket, Thailand, entitled the “Patong Beach functionalities for NAUI members, the ble members of the diving community to Clean-Up Project – Phuket”. diving public and those interested in donate items to be auctioned to the gen- In addition to NAUI, the event was co-sponsored by the learning more about the world’s second eral public, with 100% of the winning bid Thailand Government Department, the Thai Department largest diver training and certification of each auction item sold through the site of Marin Coastal & Resource, a Local Long Tail Boat agency. The new website design fea- until Dec. 16, 2005, to be donated to the Conservation Group, and the Patong Administration tures updated graphics and a compre- American Red Cross to support the organ- Department. Hundreds of NAUI divers and members vol- hensive search option add attractive- ization’s Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, unteered their time and expenses for the clean-up cause. ness and functionality. Popular pages and Hurricane Wilma relief efforts. NAUI gave away T-shirts, caps, mask-straps and chanc- from the original site such as “Scuba DEMA anticipates items such as non- es for additional prizes to clean-up project divers. NAUI Jobs” and “Diving Events” are still avail- life support dive gear, electronics, eye- Services Pacific Rim also provided dinner to the hundreds able. Be sure to visit the new NAUI web- wear, t-shirts, trips to exotic destinations of participating divers on event day. site at www.nauiww.org! and marine-inspired artwork to be donat- ed and made available for purchase on the site. British Sub Aqua Club launch their 21st “Our hearts go out to the people of the Century IT Rollout Programme Gulf Coast and Florida that have been SCUBAPRO UWATEC invites you to affected by the recent hurricanes,” said BSACs new Forums are now on line at each group taking owner- “Have Your Say” Tom Ingram, DEMA’s Executive Director. and a brand new web server sys- ship of their own forum. The “We had many ideas on how we as an tem, using the latest and probably strengthened commitment SCUBAPRO UWATEC have just posted on their Website organization could help, but ultimately the most popular forum software to online forums and to their first Global Diver Survey, “Have Your Say”, in order realized that we would make more of an have been installed. The result provide divers with a to gauge their customers’ needs and to gather valu- impact if we enlisted not only the help is a solution designed to provide solution tailored spe- able feedback. of our members but also of fellow divers divers with a quick, easy and fun cifically not only to the around the world.” way to communicate and find needs of members “Our aim is to listen to and better understand our cus- information. BSAC wanted some- and BSAC, but also tomers,” says Joe Stella, Vice President of Global Diving To donate to the auction, go to www. thing flexible, and that can grow everyone inter- at Johnson Outdoors, “I myself am a passionate diver DEMAauction.com, click on DONATE and evolve as Member’s needs ested in diving is and I think it is very important for us to know our customers in order to be able to NOW! and complete the Online Auction change. One aim was to build part of a new long serve them as best we can.” Donor Agreement for approval by DEMA. and develop a range of dedi- term strategy and To bid, simply complete the bidder reg- cated forums for Branch Officers, changes the way To access the survey go to: istration process at www.DEMAauction. Coaches, Instructors, BSAC Clubs, BSAC is using IT. http://scubapro.com/haveyoursay/survey_usa.asp com and submit your bid on a selected Members and others, with the key www.bsacforum. http://www.scubapro.com/haveyoursay/survey_scandinavia.asp item. www.DEMAauction.com word being ‘involvement’ aimed co.uk The survey will be on the SCUBAPRO UWATEC until Monday 9th January 2006.

19 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news Edited by Peter Symes & WWF launches fishing gear competition to Gunild Symes reduce marine bycatch, $25,000 grand prize “WWF is looking for The WWF (formerly known teachers, students, engi- former high-school biology as the World Wildlife Fund) neers, scientists and back- teacher and commercial real-world fishing solu- has launched the second yard inventors. fisherman; changes to the tions that allow fisher- WWF International Smart Conventional fishing gear chemical properties of fish- men to fish ‘smarter’ by Gear Competition. The does often not allow users ing ropes and nets by a contest seeks innovative to selectively target their North American team; and better targeting their fishing gear that reduces catch. As a result, non- modified trawls to reduce intended catch while marine bycatch which is target fish species, marine bycatch of undersized the accidental catch and mammals, birds, sea turtles shrimp and fish by a team safeguarding the dol- related deaths of marine and non-target fish species of Indian scientists. phins, sea turtles and mammals, birds, sea turtles are caught and sometimes Instructions for entry and non-target fish species killed. More than 25 per along with the competition other marine life often in fishing gear such as nets cent of what is caught in rules are available at www. caught unintentionally,” and longlines. the course of fishing — as smartgear.org. Completed The international compe- much as 20 million metric entries must be submitted Ginette Hemley, tition will award a US$25,000 tons annually — is thrown by March 15, 2006. Vice-President for species grand prize and two over the sides of fishing conservation at WWF-US. US$5,000 runner-up prizes to boats dead or dying. This “This unique col- the designs judged to bycatch is the leading be the most practical, threat to many endangered laboration among cost-effective methods marine mammals, sea tur- conservationists, fish- for reducing bycatch of tles and sea birds around any species. The com- the world. ermen and scientists petition is open to eli- Last year, WWF awarded is designed to inspire gible entrants from any three new practical solu- background, including tions to marine bycatch: a new technologies for fishermen, professional system for keeping longlines more sustainable gear manufacturers, away from sea turtles by a fishing.” Turtle caught in net as bycatch. Photo: Greenpeace

The Academy Of Underwater advance their knowledge or to enter • Must be a student enrolled in an Arts And Sciences professional careers in any of the fol- accredited college or university Announces The Zale Parry lowing fields: Scholarship Amount: $1500 per Scholarship • Ocean exploration Recipient and a $500 voucher • Diving equipment technology towards travel expenses to the The Academy of Underwater Arts • Hyperbaric research Scholarship Presentation Ceremony and Sciences (AUAS) announced • Marine conservation The Zale Parry Scholarship at the Selection Criteria: Based on merit For an application, log on to the NOGI Awards Banquet in Las Vegas and financial need. Candidate AUAS website, www.auas-nogi.org, in October. Zale Parry herself made Requirements for The Zale Parry and click the Zale Parry Application the presentation of this new scholar- Scholarship: selection. Applications for The Zale ship in her name that will offer finan- • Must be a certified diver Parry Scholarship must be received cial support to individuals seeking to • Must be a citizen of North America no later than July 31, 2006.

20 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED 13 million baby turtles hatched under Unregulated protection of Mexican armed forces aquarium fishing So far, about 13 million endangered Olive Ridley tur- cause for concern Dive shop owners on Hawaii tles have hatched on Mexico’s Pacific beaches and are growing worried about the have made it safely into the sea, thanks to armed unregulated harvesting of fish guards deployed by the government to protect and other marine creatures for against poachers, report Mexican environmentalists. the home aquarium industry are affecting the local environment While only one in thousand of where they were born. But after Marine biologists and divers too the juvenile turtles will actually surviving natural predators, bad are concerned that this industry survive to adulthood and breed, weather, fishing nets and con- – which some say are virtually strip biologists are cautiously optimis- tamination, hundreds fall prey to mining the reef will harm both the tic that the population is now on poachers. environment, the tourism industry the rebound and they are win- In August, after poachers and ultimately the aquarium fish- ning the battle in Mexico against bludgeoned and chopped up ery itself. the poachers. Raw turtle eggs some 80 turtles to steal their Only the Big Island’s Kona with salt and lime juice are sup- eggs, the Mexican authori- Coast has a now five-year-old posed to be an aphrodisiac. ties sent two Navy ships to project to regulate the taking of Mexico is home to half a Escobilla beach, Mexico’s top aquarium fish, but everywhere dozen species of sea turtle many nesting ground and deployed else, a 50 dollar permit allows of which are classified as highly armed guards on the beaches. collectors to net as many of a endangered. Each year hun- Guarding nests, and sometimes species as they want, whereev- dreds of thousands of females taking eggs away to safety, has er and whenever they want. come ashore each year to helped Olive Ridleys make a lay their eggs on the beaches comeback. Last year 33 million were born in Mexico. Strange sounds In the two main beaches no nests have been robbed this — and a burst of weird year but is still seem to be hap- electromagnetic waves pening at smaller beaches, that in the Indian Ocean

WWW.SEATURTLES.ORG are harder to protect but to a A hitherto unknown phenom- lesser degree than previously. enon has been observed along The turtles can’t be considered the beaches of Andaman out of danger yet, only recover- islands. The fishing boats in the ing. Each newborn takes 10-15 region have heard strange years to reach adulthood, so sounds since the last year’s dev- it will take years to stabilise the astating Tsunami, reports India population Daily. Biologists in Mexico are also Andaman is extremely active working to boost numbers of the seismically but when these larger Hawksbill and Leatherback strange underwater sounds turtles. “The task will be won and a burst of electromagnetic once we see a firm recovery of waves are experienced, no seis- six species. Right now we have mic tremors are recorded. the Olive Ridley growing, the The sound characteristic is Black Sea Turtle and Loggerhead strange but may be caused by stable, and the Leatherback, slow shifting of oceanic crusts. Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley still But there are no correlation in a critical state,” said a senior between small earthquakes and executive from the marine pro- this strange phenomenon can tection agency Profepa. be recognized.

21 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Whereever he goes, Jean-Michel Cousteau is always a center of atten- report tion from media and crowds aike

Text & photos by Yann Saint-Yves World ANTIBES Festival of Underwater Silver. MIrko Zanni Images 2005

Once more, for 32nd time, the the program first and select some according (NASA trainer), Jean-Michel Cousteau from World Festival of Underwater to interests and favourite topics. “Oceans Futures”, Kurt Amsler (the photogra- Images was held in Antibes on In the hallways, it was easy to meet celebri- pher) , Loïc Leferme (free diver champions) ties like Daniel “Mr President” Mercier, Bill Todd and Albert Falco, Denis Martin-Laval and the French Riviera. During the André Laban from the Calypso. They were last sunny days of October (27th all intensely busy, but also always ready and –30th ) 18,000 visitors passed the happy to have a short chat with anybody. turnstiles and were captivated The Antibes show is both a very public event with open access to every one with an inter- by the cosy atmosphere and est in subject and a lowkey professional gath- special ambience in this special ering where photographers, editors, filmmak- world of underwater imagery. ers, magazine, painters and what not meet and do trade. Unnoticed by the average Gold San Felix Manu

Inside the festival halls, entrants from 32 guests this is also very much a networking event that nations were competing for positions and most of the professionals enjoy being a far cry from the prizes for best photos and movies in a intense and stressful major dive shows elsewhere. number of different categories. Images in Here, any visitor have a chance to talk and exchange competition were on display in very first viewpoints with their favourite underwater photogra- hall just behind the entrance where they pher. First of all, when you’re in Antibes, you’re a sea were impossible to miss. lover among others and you can feel From Thursday through Saturday, pre- that you belong to a family, rather selected movies were screened in sev- than just being another eral movie theatres inside the festival face in the crowd. This is compound. The showing went on non- what makes the Antibes- stop from 9am to 11pm, in the three pro- festival so special. And jection halls making it necessary to study like most families, when the clock gets close to Freediving champion Loïc Leferme was auto- ... and plenty of these graphing his books 22 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED report

Text & photos by Yann Saint-Yves Festival

Mondial de Bronze. Paper prints. Mirko Zanni Philippe Valette from l’Image Sous- the Antibes Marine 2005 Festval

The grand theater where the movies are shown - and the awards ceremony is held 6 pm, many exhibitors are inviting their Following the event Daniel After a long season of shows and “The last of the friends, neighbours, even competitors for Mercier and his team will show productions, the media profession- musketeers” an informal drink at their booth. the best films and pictures at als loosen up for a short while. Our Crew members A big ceremony takes place on other event all around the Russian colleagues treated their col- from Jacques- Saturday night, The Award Ceremony. world. You can contact the leagues to caviar and champagne Yves Cousteaus’ The competitors or their representative, Festival organisation if you famous explo- festival guests, VIP, journalists, gather in want them to come by your ration vessel the Grand Theatre in tense anticipation city. There are many oth- Calypso - see waiting for the verdicts. There are many ers surprises at the show, but page 12. From different categories: Documentary, fic- to discover what they are left: Denis Martin- tion, black and white pictures, macro, you must come to the World Laval, André underwater modelling, press articles, Festical of Underwater Images Laban and Albert websites, music and anyone can partici- in 2006. Falco, pate. www.underwater-festival.com

Festival President Daniel Mercier gets interviewed on TV in the main exhibiti hall

Scuba Diver AustralAsia’s pub- lisher Michael Aw was obviously happy for winning first prize in the black and white catagory - see his winning picture in the South Africa (Sardine Run) article.

23 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A taste of SOUTH AFRICA

Edited by Edwin Marcow Dive photos by Andrew Texts by Edwin Marcow, Woodburn, Edwin Marcow, Andrew Woodburn and Dan Thomas Peschack. Beecham. Additional Wildllife photography reporting by Peter Symes by Edwin Marcow

Covering an area of be seen to be believed. over 1,200,000 sq km, Since the end of apart- with nearly 3000km of heid eleven years ago rugged coastline, South more and more people Africa boasts some of have started travelling to the worlds most awe South Africa, not only to inspiring diving. experience the breath From the Great whites taking diving but also of the Western Cape, the spectacular scenery, to the epic Sardine vineyards, safaris, archi- Run, the pristine coral tecture, and local people reefs of Sodwana Bay that together make this and the Ragged Tooth destination a must for any Republic of South Africa Sharks of Aliwol Shoal, seasoned traveller. many of the sights and experiences must Over the following pages we’ll take you through some of the best dives sites, as well as look- ing in more detail at some experiences you can enjoy there. Join us now, as we discover

EDWIN MARCOW South Africa

24 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel The Best Dive Sights in South Africa SOUTH AFRICA

WRECKS DOLPHINS MOZAMBIQUE AFRICA NORTHERN WHALES CORAL REEF PROVINCE KRUGER NATIONAL SHARKS PARK

GAUTENG MAPUTO JOHANNESBURG SOUTH NORTH WEST SWAZILAND

AFRICA THOMAS P. PESCHAK SODWANA BAY SA HLULUWE GAME FREE STATE RESERVE The primary three dive locations are Gansbaai, The KWAZULU NATAL Sardine Run, and Sodwana Bay - though there are also many interesting and varied shipwrecks dotting NORTHERN CAPE LESOTHO this rugged and extensive coastline. Since the 15th DURBAN PORT century ships from all over the world have come to DIVE SITESAliwal Shoal SHEPSTONE Landers rest here, the most famous wreck being the HMS Birkenhead. Protea Banks

A Note of Caution Diving in the proximity of Seal EASTERN CAPE Island, off Mossel Bay or any large seal island colony’s is

ANDREW WOODBURN MAP not recommended and should be considered hazardous. ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK EAST LONDON In June 1990 the first recorded fatal shark attack on a fully WESTERN CAPE CAPE TOWN kitted diver took place here. 21-year old Monique Price PORT ELIZABETH was attacked on the surface and later died of her injuries. MOSSELBAL GANSBAI

The following guide details the Cape a drysuit is strongly rec- locations and encounters of the ommended. Whether on land best sites to dive in South African or sea South Africa is home to waters. Conditions encountered predominately large animals. This in the Cape are not that dissimi- guide starts from Cape Town fol- lar to diving in the North Atlantic lows the coast and finishes on the Ocean. For the Cape and Western Mozambique border.

ANDREW WOODBURN Semi-rigid inflatable boat (rubber duck) is used through surf launches for divers, Indian Ocean ANDREW WOODBURN 25 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ATHENS South Africa travel ATHENS

SEAFARER ATLANTIC OCEAN Cape NORTH PAW Town SCHUILENBERG SOUTH PAW CLIFTON ROCKS

GELDIS TABLE MOUNTAIN JUSTIN’S CAVES HET HUIS TE KRAAIESTEIN ANTIPOLIS TWELVE APOSTLES CORAL GARDENS

ROMALIA

MAORI

OAKBURN

THOMAS P. PESCHAK

VULCAN ROCK Hout Bay KATZMARU Lobtailing

midnight on April 18, 1911. The 800 crew Vulcan Rock - a large rock pinnacle Cape Peninsula and passengers on board survived the rising to few meters below the surface grounding but eight passengers found- off the Karbonkelberg, a short boat trip ered when a lifeboat capsized. Two days south west of Hout Bay. It is covered with & The Western later the 5500 tons liner slid off the rock hard and soft corals and playful seals are and sank. It now rests in a position that plentiful here. Nudibranchs, deep-water Seaboard is quite exposed to the elements and cowries, and crayfish are other good This region is one of the most scenic and conditions have beautiful areas of the country. The coast- to be perfect line consists of spectacular mountain to dive this site and cliff drives that lead down to superb safely. There is dive sites, with cool water ich often have a rich and var- excellent visibility in gin clear - but cold ied sealife on water. The busy picturesque harbour of the wreck but it Hout Bay lies just a short drive from the remains a fairly beach and town of Llandudno, Horse deep dive with riding on the beaches of Kommetjie, a maximum and South Africa’s premier sunbathing depth at this site beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay with of 37m making excellent restaurants and bars, and peo- it recommenda- ple watching are all here. ble only to expe- rienced divers as The Lusitania This wreck is situated a strong surge 2.5 km off Cape Point. The Lusitania was can also be a twin-prop Purtuguese passenger liner encountered on ran aground on Bellows Rock around this location.

DANIEL BEECHAM Divers on their way to Sardine Run Close-up of mollusc ANDREW WOODBURN 26 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A diver examines a giant starfish travel on the sea floor South Africa night ofJuly 29 1977. The Romelia was destoyed but the stern is still relatively on tow with another ship destined to intact. As the wreck rests of the rocks be scapped in Taiwan when the storm the engine room is partially out of the proved to put too much of a strain on a water though it must be entered under- towing cable which snapped and sent water. Be careful however and don’t the Romelia to her final resting place attemp penetration without proper off Sunset Rocks, Llandudno. This big training and an accompanying buddy. wreck lies fairly close to the cost. From There can also be quite a suction the waters edge it is only a 200m swim through the wreck from the swell and to the wreck. The surge can, however, currents outside. Together with the sur- also at this site be very strong on the round areas with its dense kelp forest it southern side and there is a strong suc- makes for an interesting dive with lots tion through a hole on the Llandudno of good photo opportunities with col- on the northern side of the wreck so ourful invertebrates, crayfish, hottentots it should only be dived when condi- and other small fish living in the dense tions are perfect. The wreck is partially kelp forests. broken down with the bow section

EDWIN MARCOW

A moment of tranquility

Coral Gardens This site is one of the less known sites around the Cape but one of the most beautiful and rewarding ones nonetheless in spite of the location ANDREW WOODBURN being quite popular and crowede with picnicing families. Beneath the surface photo subjects here. Vulcan Rock however is stand out like an virtual under- has a large tunnel running through water garden with the brilliant colours its base at around 40m. The average of soft corals standing out in shades of depth for this dive site is around 25 pinks, yellows, reds and oranges and meter. healthy anemones everywhere. Vulcan rock lies in an area where As it is a rocky coast full of big boulders cold upwellings frequently occur and when it happens the water gets gin clear but icy cold - so wear an appropriate suit. There can be a strong surge if there is a swell run- ning and currents can occur at any depth even of there are none at the surface. Bringing a SMB (see Leigh Cunninghams article elsewhere in this issue of X-Ray Mag) and a drift line is strongly recommended as the surface current can run at up to five knots.

The Romelia - a 20,000 tons

LIberian oil tanker which foundered ANDREW WOODBURN on the rocks on the stormy winter ABOVE: Nudibranch (Gastropoda univalves) Tall fronds of a kelp forest EDWIN MARCOW on coral reef in the Indian Ocean 27 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa can serve as a resting place. This area is part of the Cape Town city metropoli- tan area—close enough for non-diving partners to take full advantage of all that Cape Town has to offer meanwhile you go diving. The water tem- perature along this side of the bay is always a few degrees warmer than on the western side of the Peninsula. Temperatures can reach as high as 18° C, but also drop to as cool as 12° C. Visibility is usu- ally between five and ten metres, if a south-east- ernly has been blowing, which is most likely during

Dolphins race alongside a rib full of divers EDWIN MARCOW

Yellowfin tuna DANIEL BEECHAM

with the site opening up toward the south-easternly can make the surface opens seas straight in the direction of water pretty rough and in these cases the prevailing swell resulting in heavy the swim forth and back to shore is surge, this site is best dived on a calm best done underwater. In these cases day. The maximum depth is no more bring a compass, as the underwater than 18m with an average depth of geography can be rather disorientat- 10m. ing. This is an excellent night dive as well, both for the novice or expe- Justin’s Caves is another recom- rienced diver with the abundance medable coastdive nearby Camps of marine life making every new turn Bay. It can be quite tricky to enter and around a corner worthwhile. exit, having to scramble up and down rocks and boulders in full kit but the Geldikis prolific and brightly coloured underwa- This rock about 400m out to sea off ter life makes this dive highly rewarding Sandy cove can make for quite a hard and recommendable. Most promi- surface swim through chilly waters to nently the majestic caverns - that gives get to but the dive makes it all worth- this site it name - and impressive arches while. It is a site to visit only in near and swim-throughs makes is an awe- perfect conditions as the swim can be some coastdive for novice and expe- very tiring in choppy seas, and there rienced divers alike. To make the most can also be quite a surge around the of the dive and spot the critters hid- blinder in a big sea. Once there how- ing in the crevices, bring a good dive ever the reef is the reef is un-spoilt, due torch. This place is known for its large to it being a bit bothersome to get to, crayfish. Also a lot of small bottom hosting a diverse range of nudibranchs dwelling sharks can be seen here. As and crayfish. with other sites in the area this location There is also a cave with a chimney is affected by the stong currents result- at 15m, and octopuses can be found ing in a strong surge through some of hiding in the crevices and overhangs the tunnels. in the reef.Put it all together and this is There are two entry points, which a naturally beautiful dive. IF the swim alter depending on the tide. Surface seems to long there two flat rocks swim to site is about 150m but a strong between Geldikis and the coast that

Meditation on a South African beach ANDREW WOODBURN 28 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa KALK BAY HARBOUR WALL The Western Shore of False Bay

SUNNY COVE summer, visibility may drop to zero. In rock climbs the water column to within (yellow tail in particular) as well as many QUARRY winter the visibility can be an incredible three metres of the surface and covers a of the other fish common to False Bay. The Eastern Side CLAN STUART 30m. large area. The Rock is also covered with colourful ROMAN ROCK The invertebrate life is very colourful growth common to the area. An excel- of False Bay WINDMILL BEACH Boulders Beach and unspoilt as there is very little div- lent dive for multi level dives as it slopes FROGGY POND & the famous penguins ing here. This is most likely due to the gently from 30m. Steenbras Deep THE ‘A’ FRAME This beach is one of the prettiest and increased chance of making contact The pinnacle is covered by big fans and

SPANIARD ROCK most sheltered beaches in the Cape. with a Great White shark – a number The Wrecks of sponges, with plenty of fish around. As it SAS PIETERMARITZBERG A large resident population of endan- of divers have had a Great White Shark Smitswinkel Bay starts at a depth of 17m it is best found MILLER’S PT. gered Jackass penguins reside here. A effortlessly cruise past them - so maxi- About 30 years ago five PYRAMID ROCK TO WHITTLE ROCK with an echo sounder. OUTER CASTLE great place to spend the day sun bath- mum caution should be exercised at all wrecks were scut- At this unsheltered position CASTLE ROCKS ing and relaxing as you share the beach times, though to date no shark has yet tled as artifi- PARTRIDGE PT. the sea can be choppy with a and quite often your lunch with these interfered with a diver. The site is huge cial reefs in strong surge if a south-westerly SMITSWINKEL BAY very lovable and inquisitive fellow beach and offers and wide variety of differ- Smitswinkel Cape of Good Hope WRECKS wind is blowing but it can Nature Reserve dudes. A good spot for beginner snorkel- ent diving from shallow to deep with Bay, where be dived in a moderate BATSATA ROCK lers, very fortunate divers have seen the the Rock formations creating a varied conditions are swell. penguins “fly underwater”. and interesting landscape. Due to the sheltered and fairly This dive is not recom- size of the reef there is always some- calm. An echo mended for novice divers Whittle Rock where different to dive. As with many sounder is essen- however. Maximum depth Whittle Rock is an awesome dive site of the further dive sites there is a prolific tial to accurately 30m. BUFFELS BAY situated in the middle of False Bay. The amount of sea life making a favourite locate these Spearfishing loca- wrecks. Gansbaai tion. If you plan on There are two [Afrikaans, English spearfishing, keep in former navy meaning: Goose mind that fish should frigates, the bay] be kept on the boat, SAS Transvaal This region not a float line as and SAS Good is home any speared fish will Hope, and the to some attract sharks. Rockeater which of the was a diamond most Batsata Rock dredger as well as This site is located on two fishing trawl- the Cape Point side ers, the Princess of Smits and consists Elizabeth, and the of a large blinder Oratava. that reaches within six The depth, com- metres of the surface. bined with the upright The rocks make an position of the frig- awesome underwater ates and the dredger scenery and with the makes these a thrilling and prolific abundance exciting dive. Maximum of fish makes a great depth 40m, average depth dive. There is a great 35m. Best accessed by boat chance of seeing from Millers Point, Kalk Bay, or some pelagic fish Simon’s Town.

The view over Cape Town. In the back- ground, we can see Robben Island 29 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa

world were you could cage dive with Great White Sharks nowhere else is it so accessible - with shore-based accommo- dation and modest boat trip. Dyer Island is just a ride from most base in Gansbaai.

Dyer Island This location is really a couple of islands, Dyer Island and Gyser Rock and the channel that separates these two islands is called shark alley. It is located off the southern Cape coast, a 30-minute drive from the holiday town of Hermanus and a two-hour drive form Cape Town. The boats leave from Kleinbaai [small bay], just outside of Gansbaai village. The boat ride to the site takes 20-25 minutes.

Caution: Several Great White Sharks inhabit this area. All divers Cape Fur Seals should do a full kit up and double check on the boat. Once a diver has rolled into the water which I recommend is done as quietly and gently as possible, descend immediatly to the bottom. Likewise, normal surfacing procedures do not apply here.

Cape fur seals are playful creatures - and the favourite meal of the Great White sharks awsome animals encounters one could wish for: A huge apex predator with very sharp teeth right in your face. Yes, we are talking about Great White sharks, close-up and personal. If you are looking for an experience that will leave you feeling both scared, excited, hum- bled, and privileged this is it. There aren’t really any words that can accurately describe the feeling of being slipped a notch or twos down the food chain. Though there are other locations in the

30 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Seal HeavenSouth Africa Text and photos Daniel Beecham

All of my instincts are telling puillus) which populate the island. me this is a stupid thing to Nowadays the seal population is very healthy but has suffered in the past do. I’m sitting on the side of from hunting, with great demand a small dive boat, in snorkel- from the far east for the genitals ling gear, camera in hand. of the bull seal for the aphrodisiac Dozens of playful Seal pups trade. It is thought that over 2.7 mil- lion individuals have been killed since are bobbing up and down in the 1900s. Seal numbers around the front of me, mystified by the island today can reach 60,000. strange rubber clad creature about to invade their terri- Living Legend I had travelled to South Africa to tory. It’s not them that phases come face to face with the Great me, it’s not even the large White Shark from the protection of bulls lounging on the rocks the cage. I was being guided by André Hartman, a living legend a few feet away that phas- amongst shark enthusiasts. André is es me. It’s the fact that I’m a pioneer in his field, working outside about to snorkel off of South the cage, freediving and scuba div- Africa’s Dyer Island, a world ing with Great Whites. Many profes- sional film makers and photographers renowned hotspot for Great from around the globe choose André White Sharks that’s getting to as their guide when recording this me. extraordinary location.

Cape of Storms Shark Capital The day had started like any normal Dyer Island is a mecca for shark cage diving day. The boat launched, divers. Lying 5.2 nautical from main- and we headed toward the island. I land Gansbaii, near Cape town, it was accompanied by a fellow shark has long been famed for the large enthusiast who had been diving the numbers of Great Whites which fre- Island for the past two weeks. The quent the area year round. Its one seas were unusually calm for the time of the few places in the world where of year on the cape of storms. Many divers can observe white sharks hunt, professional photographers choose interact, and breach. The sharks to visit Gansbaii for up to a month at are attracted by the thousands of a time and wait for the suitable vis- Cape Fur Seals (Artoccphalus puillus ibility and sea conditions to get the

Cape Fur Seals hunt and play in the waves around South Africa’s Dyer Island 31 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa I start getting Deep Trouble flashbacks; docu- Sat on the side of the boat, mask: check, mentaries about camera:check, fin: check. Just as I start André, in the water, slipping into the water André shouts out to no cage for protec- me “you guys are insured, right?” Damn tion, swimming with South African sense of humour. It was too sharks. This is the late, I was already in. man who pioneered After the initial plunge I feel disoriented, free diving with bubbles obscure my vision and hearing, I Great Whites, was check that I still have everything with me, that safe?. The only weight belt, mask, fins (or fin), camera, reason the sharks and then a quiet calm takes over, and I are there is the become more aware of my surroundings seals, surely jump- as the bubbles clear. The emerald green ing in the middle of of the swaying kelp is mesmerising, and them would not be from the gin clear water, black shapes the most sensible start to appear. At first the seals dart idea. away when they get too close to me, The temptation alarmed by my presence. Very quickly was too much, this the inquisitive young pups start coming There are two subspecies of this fur was too good a div- closer, spiralling around me and staring seal - the South African or Cape fur ing opportunity to at their own reflections in the lens of my seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) turn down. camera. The really brave ones bite and and the Australian fur seal (A. pusil- Traditionally when pull at my fin tips, when I look down to lus doriferus). cage diving only make sure its a seal biting, and nothing The Australian fur seal population a suit, mask, and more ‘toothy’, they quickly dart away, try- is believed to be derived from the weight belt are ing to look innocent. The number of them South African fur seal population. best photographic opportunities. Because guys want to go in?” worn. No BCD is required as you sim- is overwhelming, every where I look the of the ideal conditions we were having, Mauritzio and I looked at each other ply stand on the bottom of the cage, slender pinnipeds twirl through the kelp, The South African fur seal is found André decided we would visit a spot on and smiled, it didn’t seem like the best wearing plenty of lead to avoid floating as the morning sunlight strikes through the along the coast of Namibia and the island where he would be able to idea he’d ever had, jumping into shark around. Air is provided either by snorkel, water in dramatic shafts. the west and south coasts of South manoeuvre the bough of the boat close infested waters, surrounded by what must or a billie line-a second stage attached to To get a real seals eye view of the Africa. The population size is esti- to the waters edge so we could photo- be shark canapés, without the protection a long hose with the first stage and cylin- scene I free dive down to around three mated to be 1.5-2 million, about two graph the seals sleeping the rocks. of a cage. der on the boat. Because of this Mauritzio metres and hold thirds of these in Namibia. When we were in position we both “Yeah ok” I shouted back sarcastically. had decided not to bring the rest of moved onto the bough of the boat with “No, i’m serious you’ll be fine””. We his diving gear along. This presented a Breeding sites tend to be on small our feet dangling over the edge so that climbed off the bough of the boat and problem; one set of fins between two rocky inshore islands, but are also we could get as close as possible to the André began to explain to us that if we snorkelers. I didn’t fancy the prospect found on the mainland in rocky seals. At first, despite the noise of the wanted to go in on snorkel, we could. of going in on my own, and it would be areas and on sandy beaches. The engine the seals remain fast asleep, after “There’s a line that the sharks won’t impractical for him to go in without fins, female mates about 6 days after giv- a quick wake up call, and some revving cross, the water is too shallow for them, mild swells can pick up around the rocks onto a ing birth and then starts going to sea of engines, they looked up at us thor- I‘ll put the boat parallel to the rocks, you so you need a degree of control to pro- Kelp holdfast to feed. Initially she spends alternate oughly unimpressed, check out what’s guys can jump in and you can have a tect yourself. We decided to go in with - the thick woody periods of 3-4 days feeding at sea going, and immediately go back to play with the seal pups” one fin each. root that bolts the followed by an average of 2.5 days catching a few z’s. “Just where is this line?” I asked. Flashbacks again: programmes about giant plant to the suckling her pup on land. The female After a while we decide to leave them “Oh you can’t see the line, its invisible, natural selection, survival of the fittest-we seabed. At first nurses her pup for 8-10 months. in peace and start climbing back onto but trust me, its there, you’ll be perfectly were going to look like injured seals flail- the seals dart away from the deck of the boat, when to our sur- safe” ing around with missing limbs. me, startled by my clumsy South African fur seals are not known prise a burly south african voice shouted This is when I began to wander about diving, but very quickly they to migrate. out from the wheel house “Hey, do you Andre’s definition of ‘safe’. are at ease with me again and

32 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Seal Heaven The Southern Cape Coast come close enough to touch, swimming through my legs and underneath my South Africa arms. Realm of Great White Sharks After a few dives I had used up my first Close roll of film, so I decided to reload, turn- Encounter ing my back to the rocks and looking out Alone, in mid into the green abyss, I suddenly remem- water... but for Hermanus ber where I am. three large Great I tentatively swim back to the stern of White sharks. the boat, trying to work out where the The largest one invisible line is, being careful not to cross measuring in it, and begin to scale the ladder. I pass at five metres, BIRKHEAD ARNISTON up my camera and fin without lifting my they began to DRYER ISLAND head from the water, constantly looking investigate me ORIENTAL PIONEER around. This is when I feel most vulner- in ever decreas- FIVE-MILE BANK able, my legs hang down like snack sized ing circles. As morsels, and when I’m ready I dart up the largest White the ladder without hesitating. shark approached me, closing the distance Over the next hour or so the seas between us, I was in awe of the sheer size remain calm, and we dive at our leisure, and girth of this incredibly large fish. either simply floating on the surface and I fired off a few shots and waited for watching the seals spiral around us, or by the inevitable. diving down to the sea floor and hold- This was not how it was meant to DANIEL BEECHAM Hermanus ing onto a frond of kelp. The seals are be! I was here to shoot an adver-

constantly amazed by our presence and tizement for A.P Valves with Amos OLD HARBOUR THE MARINE

never tire of us. Nachoum posing as my model and OLD HARBOUR The time soon comes for us to move Andre Hartman to work and control WALL on. The sharks are waiting for us, and we the sharks. BOILING POT GEARING’S PT. wouldn’t want to disappoint them. ■ As the shark closed down on me, I TAMATIEBANK could see right into her mouth—rows Walker Bay upon rows of BLOWHOLE shiny enamel.

The tension THE HAKSTEEN TO WHALE ROCK built, and I OR TABLE TOP could feel the TO SKULPHOEK adrenaline pumping through my banked away. veins. I kept talking to I watched her as she swam away, and I myself, “Do not swim thought, now is the time to dive to the sea away or back off from floor—the safest place to be—and join Amos DANIEL BEECHAM this shark or you will Nachoum. Andre would be with us soon—he My mind raced. I was scared and excited. turn on its predatory was on the boat fixing dive equipment—and I This was the most intense experience I had Cage Type & Design behaviour.” would be okay. ever had. My heart pumped so hard I thought Lightweight and cylindrical, I flexed my elbows To my horror, this large five-metre shark, my chest was going to explode. I could feel this 12mm steel frame will outward and pushed which seemed about the size of a single story the blood coursing through my veins like a provide comfort and secu- my camera as far as bus, turned around, almost on a sixpence, fast flowing river. I kept talking to myself, “Do rity – though sharks do often I could in front of my and was swimming directly towards me at not swim away. Stand your ground.” mouth the cage and have a body to make myself head height and at great speed. As she drew good look at the divers within look as large as pos- closer, she gaped several times. This gaping Defining moment it this is investigatory behav- iour borne out of curiosity. sible. She came within was a direct threat to me. Either she saw me A cliché it is, but my life flashed before my It is not in the nature of the inches of my camera, as a potential predator, a threat to herself or eyes. I saw my family, ex-fiancé and ex-girl- sharks to attack the cage or and to my relief, she her food soource... or I was lunch! friends in my mind’s eye. For a moment, I was the divers within. DANIEL BEECHAM 33 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED SHARK LINGO: a player — name for a Great White South Africa travel Shark, which, once accus- I landed on Amos head and shoulders. floor with three large Great Whites patrol- Reflection tomed to the boat, will inter- We made ourselves comfortable, and ling the ocean around us. Every so often, This was the most humbling experience act and stay with you for moments later, Andre joined us. the five-metre shark would “dive bomb” I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. what will seem like a lifetime our position, and we would bury ourselves Although I have dived with White sharks Getting the shot into the sea floor with hands and camera before in the open ocean with no cage, From this new vantage point, we framed housing over our heads. When the shark this was an incredible, overwhelming, up- and shot as much film as we could would pass over us, she was so large she close and personal experience. because we were now stuck on the sea would black out the sun and the water in Furthermore, this incredible dive, which her wake would drag and pull on us. took place in July 2002, marked the

DANIEL BEECHAM Twice, one of the two smaller Great moment when I become the fifth person White sharks came from behind and had in the world to photograph a Great White to be “scared off”. By now, I had run out Shark in South African waters from the sea certain this is how it all was going to end. It film. I was running very low on air and the floor. One image was used for the A.P took all my concentration not to panic here situation was getting out of control. Andre Valves advertizement and another image alone in mid water with three Great White signalled that he was going to terminate from this dive went on to place second in Sharks. this dive and jumped up and pulled the the professional division of the Sport Diver/ I decided that I only had one option when tail of the large five-metre alpha female. PADI 2003 photography competition. the shark was within one to two metres, I She appeared to almost panic and shot Above and beyond the successful results would swim directly at her and push my off into the blue closely followed by the of the shoot, the dive with the Great White camera onto her nose. What would happen two beta males. Sharks gave me the privelege and oppor- after that, I could not know, but at least I We ascended to the surface in a triangle tunity to turn dreams into reality. It was a would have a fighting chance. Time almost of three with our backs to one another. great honour and an humbling encounter stood still. Seconds felt like hours. Moments Once on board, I was told I could not that changed my life and outlook. ■ felt like an eternity. Everything slowed down. speak for about an hour. It felt quite surreal, almost as if I was not really part of what was happening before my eyes. The shark closed in and gaped several DANIEL BEECHAM times. I was committed. I pushed myself forward and shoved the camera housing into her nose with all my strength. The shark Great White Shark Seasons banked hard, and I missed. I swam directly The shark viewing seasons can be divided up over the shark. My body was directly over into three seasons: hers with only a few feet between us. From the sublime to the ridiculous! I knew • High Season: May to August (winter) full well that the safest place to be was with • Intermediate Season: April, September and this alpha female as the two other smaller mid November sharks may just try and pick me off if I ven- • Low Season: mid November to end of March tured too far. I decided to stick close to the this large female. Just as Cape Fur Seals will During the high season it is almost a certainty swim on the tail of a great White Shark, I seeing a Great White Shark on any day at sea. decided to do something similar. It is winter, however, so weather can be a fac- Looking like a duck out of water or a tor and storms can prevent boats going out. The young child learning to swim, I furtively intermediate season probably provides the best waved my hands backwards, kicked hard compromise between sighting sharks and not and turned onto my side to swam paral- being hampered by bad weather. The chances lel with the shark. There we were, man and of spotting a Great White around this time is still shark swimming together... The whole time, a respectable 60%. Low season which falls in the she maintained eye contact with one of her peak summer holidays in December the rate large black eyes. of success will fall below 50%. This is due to the Spotting Amos on the sea floor situ- prevailing summer south easternly wind, which ated between two small rocky outcrops, stimulates the pelagic fish to school, and subse- I descended hard and fast—so fast, that quently the sharks will hunt the game fish. EDWIN MARCOW 34 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Shrimp (Periclemenes emperator) on a sea cucumber, Sodwana Bay, Natal, South Africa South Africa travel the bow, the engine room, and the stern. This site is rarely dived by sport divers but for those that do –this is a very rewarding experience. Legend has it that £300’000 in gold and silver rests within her bows. Money STORMS RIVER being shipped by the army to pay PLETTENBERG KRYSNA BAY its troops in the colonial wars. There have been many attempts to sal- TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK vage her, mostly recently with much MOSSEL BAY controversy in 1985, though with INDIAN OCEAN much disappointment. It is strictly The prohibited to remove anything from this shipwreck. that runs from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma Garden The beautiful long stretch of coastline National Park between the Southern and Eastern Cape provinces is affectionately called the Garden Route. In the middle we Caution Diving the HMS Birkenhead is Route DANIEL BEECHAM find Plettenberg Bay, or Plett, a hot spot only recommended for experienced for Cape Townians to holiday with beau- divers. Great White sharks are common tiful country and long deserted golden in the area and a strong undercurrent beaches. The Portuguese called her Bahia and big swells as well as the depth (maxi- Formosa, meaning beautiful bay. This is mum depth 28m) and often poor visibility where the warm tropical waters of the makes this a very challenging dive. Full kit North blends with the cooler waters of the up and check on the boat prior to entry. cape providing with a mixed underwater Entry should be as quietly as possible and flora and fauna that is not seen elsewhere descend to the bottom immediately due ANDREW WOODBURN in the world. While it at a first glance may to the possible presence of Great White sharks. Ascent should be made in rota- ► continued on page 35 tion with a maximum of two at a time— The HMS Birkenhead no one should be waiting on the surface This infamous wreck lies on the west- of the water to enter the boat. ern side of Birkenhead Rock 2.5km off Danger Point. HMS Birkenhead, a British troop carrier sank on the 26th of February 1852 after hitting the rocks at Danger Point, She sank with the souls of 638. It was on this fateful night that the tradition was born of “women and children first”. Of those that survived the initial impact ANDREW WOODBURN on the rocks, most either A porcelain crab hides in the fronds of a sea anemone drowned or were taken by Great White sharks. seem to lack the vibrant colours of be a very long arduous, walk with The wreck consists of a tropical reef the underwater life kit. three main sections, is very prolific as upwelling of deep This site is known for having some sea water takes place in this area. amazing sealife make a somewhat The best time to dive this area is awkward access worthwhile. The September through October. reef starts only 30 meter of the shore but access is difficult and a long Groot Bank walk with heavy gear, so in practice Known as the this reef starts 30-40m this is a boat dive. Also known as the ANDREW WOODBURN off shore. This is strictly a boat dive Sodwana of the east coast by the HMS Birkenhead went down in 1852 with the loss of 638. because a shore entry - exit would locals this site boasts fantastic pin- The drawing is made by one of the surviving officers

35 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Premier Photographic & Safari Reserves Eastern Cape nacles from 9-25m, large amphithea- Shark’s Gulley Though there are many excel- Addo Elephant Park tres and caves and tunnels which all An excellentl little location on Fountain lent and informative travel Elephants are an fantastic sight and make for very exciting dive where Rock off Port Alfred for seeing rag- here they can be photographed year you can expect to see many varie- ged-tooth sharks. As many as 30 have books and guides detailing round. It is quite easy to find the breed- ties of gamefish—steenbras, mussel- been seen on one dive here. There the vast array of South Africa’s ing herds, but especially in hot weather, cracker, romans and the beautiful are also beautiful reef formations here safaris and reserves, few, if any, as the elephant will make regular visits parrotfish just to name a few. Ragged and the nearby site called Towers has cover what every enthusiastic to the watering holes. This is excellent tooth sharks are also quite common colourful pinnacles rising straight up for action photography. Addo also has and when the occur a highlight to from the bright white sand. Maximum photographer amateur or pro- a population of red hartebeest, ostrich any dive. depth 15m - average depth 10m fessional needs to know. Here meerkats, and buffalos and black rhinos is a few tips. – though the buffalo and rhino’s are sel- PLACES OF INTEREST dom seen close to any tourist road. The Wild Coast As photographers we would, for exam- Aptly named after the big rolling Jeffreys Bay ple, like to know which safaris and Cape Peninsula National Park ocean swells that hits this coastline Also known as J’Bay – is known as reserves offer the best photographic The entire Peninsula National Park is right on, and the unpredictable cli- the home to the perfect wave! opportunities, has the best natural land- excellent for capturing dramatic coast- matic conditions that are prevalent With its unique combination of scape and, of course, flora and fauna. al scenes and fynobas flora, but the here. It is renowned for its rugged beautiful beaches, endless sum- If we have set goals to accomplish it is opportunities for game and bird pho- scenery, good spearfishing and mers, abundant shells, white gold important to know which animals are tography is limited. Do not visit when abundant sea life but is not a popular (calamari) and relaxed lifestyle, its best sighted at which a south-easternly wind is area for scubadiving. There are few no wonder this town has become reserve not to men- blowing. shore entries and those that exist are world renowned as a Mecca for tion at what time difficult to navigate. Yet for those with local and international traveller. of day, month, Boulders Beach equipped with an adventourus spirit Good surfing conditions and good and season so First mentioned in the there are still many virgin dive sites in diving conditions do not mix well we know what travelogue article this region yet to be discovered and – but as a place of interest the ANDREW WOODBURN time of year one “sharing the beach mapped. With many rivers flowing nearby St Francis Bay has spectac- Vibrant coral gardens are home to many should travel. with the other beach into the ocean it should be avoided ular surfing when the conditions species of brightly colored tropical fish Lastly and most dudes” who may well altoghether during the summer where are favourable. If you do dive notably what spe- pinch your lunch, sit there is much rainfall. – abalone and succulent oysters cies are you most on your towel, and if are abundant here, and can be likely to be success- you do get to close with picked off the rocks Travel in South Africa is as much ful photographing. a camera and lens even a nip. We are, of course, about capturing glimpses of Let’s start with a clari- daily life and meeting the local fication and a cautionary talking about the jackass pen- people as it is about diving note: In many safari parks or guins and this is a fantastic loca- reserves animal subjects are habitu- tion to get excellent images of these Meet a rhinocerous ated to cars and even people. This may stubby fellas hobbling about clumsily on one of the many seem like less than the real thing, but on land ― and, for the lucky ones, widlife safaris they are still very much wild animals. capturing them flying through the offered in Who knows whether they will attack if water. Our tip for a great shot is South Africa they feel threatened, or in the case of to try and shoot at sunrise or sun- big predators, whether they will inter- set with a deep red or orange sky pret your actions as that of a prey? backdrop. Always stay close to your vehicle (if you get out on foot) and always follow the Kistenbosch Botanical Garden guidelines of the camp you are stay- & Helderberg Nature Reserve ing at. People can be, and have been, ((Table Mountain & Somerset West) Very killed at safari parks and reserves in good places to photograph Cape sug- South Africa. arbirds feeding on proteas. Time: In the spring and early summer. ► EDWIN MARCOW EDWIN MARCOW 36 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Kgalagadi Transfrontier Par to learn that many keen and profes- The South Coast South Africa Formerly known as the Kalahari Gemsbok sional photographers tend to stay National Park, this park is a favourite away from Kruger. Good After Sodwana Bay the South Coast Drop-Off amongst photographers. It should be This is due to the large crowds that is the best-known and most popu- noted, however, that this area is an arid are drawn here with a traffic load lar dive destination in the country region with low game densities popula- that can turn into a literal gridlock of with Aliwal Shoal, Landers Reef and tions. But its brooding storms, awesome 30-40 cars and 4 x 4’s all vying for the Protea Banks being the three main sunsets – coupled with crisp light – and best position to view a pack of lions. NORTH dive sites together with their adjoin- SANDS the desert like landscape makes this an If you are lucky you may get a quick PINACLES ing reefs. At Aliwal shoal otherwise excellent location for the discerning pho- glimpse. MANTA PT. migratory spotted ragged-tooth tographer. But that is not the complete picture. sharks are in residence.

The best time to photograph predators Good news is there are still excellent LIONFISH HOLE The South Coast is a very well here is November to March, the hottest photographic opportunities in Kruger, Blow Holes developed tourist area and for non- months. Game herds – gemsbok, spring- you just need to know when to visit divers an absolute pleasure to holi- day in the sun and comfort it has to bok, and wilderbeest – usually peak the park. Avoid June or July or any TIGER COVE from March to May following good rains. school holiday periods. offer. Long golden beaches, golf, Black-backed jackal, cape and bat- You may also look at it this way: tennis, horse riding, shopping malls eared foxes, and meerkats can be pho- Animal life at Kruger has now become SHARK ALLEY and restaurants there is something for RAGGIE COVE tographed from the road. Just remem- so habituated to cars, 4 x 4’s and everyone here. Diving here is most ber that whichever subjects you pursue people so if you can put up with the dependable in the winter months and want to get in the bag; putting in traffic and people jostling for position from, May to September. the necessarry time is paramount. and being there with a different mind The Ragged-tooth sharks, (affec- There are three rest camps at Kgaladi: set, the opportunities are there for the tionately called raggies in South Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob. taking. Animal subjects come in close Africa) belonging to the are one of and thus intimate close up photogra- the most easily identifiable sharks in phy is possible here. the ocean. There are two species in the family. Bigeye and Bumpytail. The smaller bush camps and sur- SOUTH SANDS rounding roads offer excellent oppor- With their heavy bodies with a short ANDREW WOODBURN tunities very early in the morning or pointed snout, and with highly visible late afternoon. and distinctive protruding ‘ragged’ Diver and ray Premier bush camps at Kruger CATHEDRAL teeth and small eyes they can hardly

include Mbyamiti, Talamati, and be mistaken for any other species. Bateleur. These three Other characteristics include a light Raggie Cave and Shark Alley Map of Aliwal Shoal, South Coast, South Africa This dive site is located on the east side of camps are good for brown in colour with distinct Aliwal Shoal and best accessed by boat ‘the big five’, as well blotches, which fade with from Umkomaas River. The site can also be as general game and age. Being slow moving, so caution should be exercised. Probably other predators. Lower sluggish and docile they best known for being the winter home to a Sabie, Crocodile are somewhat the excep- group raggies which can be found in the EDWIN MARCOW Bridge, Skukuza, tion in the shark world. They caves resting. Please do not be fooled by Satara, and can also pump water over their docile and sleepy look. Many divers Shingwedzi their gills, and thus sleep The two most productive for photogra- have been chased out of the water for are also all and rest in caves and gul- phy are Nossob and Mata Mata but all pushing their luck too far. Do not enter the very produc- lies. Although not aggres- are worthy of a visit. Within the camps cave only observe from the sides or good tive bush sive some individuals whose take the time and opportunity to pho- vantage point. camps. For personal comfort zone tograph the tame ground squirrel, yel- low mongeese and small bird species cats choose has been encroached by Satara. divers these have been liter- South Sands that frequent the rest camps. Also look Also located on the east side of Aliwal Lower Sabie ally been chased out of the out for flocks of sandgrouse that visit the Shoal, this is a a good place to observe a and Crocodile ocean. The actions of divers waterholes at Dalkeith {Mata Mata} and large number of rays, skates, sand sharks Bridge can can easily disturb these Cubique {Nossob}. and guitarfish It is also a good place to start be also have shy and nervous sharks, so a drift dive, in a northerly current. Along good photo- please approach all raggies Kruger National Park the outer edge there are some seldomly graphic oppor- with respect and do not try Arguebly the most famous safari park of dived ledges at 18m-22m which only makes them all, although you may be surprised tunities. ► to interact with them in any way – observe only. exploring more rewarding. EDWIN MARCOW 37 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED South Africa travel The North Coast Want to photograph elephants? and being malaria free makes this an A densely populated, attractive subtropi- The number one location at Kruger is excellent park to visit. cal stretch of coastline north of Durban The Kanniedood Dam, situated next and a a very popular spot for holiday- to Shigwedzi camp. This spot is one of Zululand Reserves makers. Summer rainfall is high, winters the most productive and prolific hot- Mkuze of the Zululand reserves is a pre- are mild and pleasant, and the vegeta- spots to photograph elephants within mier photographic location. In the dry tion is lush, green and tropical. To my eye Kruger. Worth visiting all year round, season from June to October, excellent vast parts of this part of South Africa also though both predators and game are game hides allow access to water-hole resemble the green hills of England with most concentrated in the dry seasons photography. White rhinoceros, nyalas, a familiar look and feel to it. June to October. Bird photography zebras, wilderbeest, and baboons are The North-Coast is a very well devel- opportunities are good here too. With all here. Pelicans and hippos can be oped tourist region with much to do for a 200mm lens you can photograph the photographed at Nsumo Pan - also at divers and non-divers alike. Highly rec- habituated glossy starlings, various horn- Mkuze– but you will need a long lens ommended is a visit to the Natal Sharks bill species and colourful barbets. Also and a tripod would come in handy. ANDREW WOODBURN Board at Umhlanga [pronounced oomsh- keep a lookout for dwarf and banded langa] Rocks. mongeese and reptiles. Agama lizards Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park Tiger Cove 8m. The visibility is best from November are abundant here and offer rewarding The number one location within South Abundant with lots of caves and over- to May but diving is good all year with Diving opportunities. Africa when it comes to white rhinoc- hangs, named after a large colony of most of the sharks seen in the winter The best time to dive is May through July eros photography. Here you will also tiger cowries which regrettably fell prey months. and always an excellent chance when the flow from the rivers are still low. Pilanesburg find an abundant elephant population to souvenir hunter dives. Located mid- of encounters with game fish, Ragged- The swells can be big, and the ocean is The park is a great conservation success as well as general game. In the summer way along the westerne edge of Aliwal tooth sharks, Hammerheads, Zambezi, not always all that clean further out to story. Pilanesburg now holds a vibrant months when the grass grows tall and shoal it is also a good place to start a Copper, and Bronze Whaler, Threshers, sea. Lauching the boats through the surf healthy population of game habitu- makes productive photography difficult, drift dive along the inner edge. Maximum and even the odd Great White Shark. and out to sea is always exhilarating and ated to cars and people. ‘Big Five’ try the Seme area in south Hluhuwe. depth is about 14m. Depending on the strength of the current physically arduous. Hence, it can only be sightings are frequent, but the big draw Here the grass is cropped short, which you may be able to explore the reef, or recommended for fit and experienced here is the rare opportunity to photo- gives excellent views of white rhinoc- Cathedral a fast drift dive while you ‘fly’ past the divers. graph black and white rhinoceros. The eros, along with plenty of other game. An awesome site with a spectacular various game fish and sharks. reserve is very busy over school holidays hole in the reef and home to many large and even weekends, so if you have Ithala stingrays and moray eels. The visiting the option visit mid-week and miss the Although lions are absent here, black spotted Ragged tooth sharks often rests crowds. Good to visit all year round, and white rhino’s are frequently seen in this site but are very easily disturbed here. General game is abundant here here - even by the bubbles from your too and can be spotted all second stage bouncing off the archway year round. Avoid visits in at the entrance. The site should be dive February to April when very cautiously in a surge. Maximum the grass is at its depth 28m – average depth 27m longest. ■ Margate This is a very popular seaside resort which offers some of the best diving on the South African coast with large shoals of game fish congregating around Protea Banks followed by big groups of sharks

Arena Situated on the Protea banks about 5 kms offshore and far into the Mozambique current Arean can boast a visibility of up to 40m, and never less than

EDWIN MARCOW DANIEL BEECHAM

38 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED South Africa

DURBAN of 27m with an average depth of 18m. The wreck depth range is This regional capital is a city with much to offer from attracts pelagics that feed on the fish living on it. On down to 420 m. an aquarium, a snake park, bird garden, colourful night dives, you may be lucky enough to catch a They feed on rickshaws that ride up and down the streets to a glimpse of the pineapple fish and its its flashing lumi- small teleosts (A permanent amusement park situated on the beach nescent cells along its jaws. It is a small, plump, yel- large taxonomic front. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park offers the most low-patterned fish that is active at night and hides in group containing spectacular game viewing on unique walking safaris the crevices of the wreck during the day. most bony fishes, with good accommodation. ed) and other KWAZULU – NATAL sharks and ray, The T Barge Pleasant all year temperatures, luxuriant green hills squids, shrimps and This wreck is located 3km off the Virginia Beach covered in sugar cane and banana plantations other crustaceans and has a maximum depth of 27m with an aver- which roll down to golden-coloured beaches. This age depth of 20m. It can be accessed by the boat sub-tropical coastline encompasses the regions of Reproduction launch from Grannies Pool, Umhlanga Rocks. The T Maputaland, The North Coast, Durban, and the Length at birth is barge is an artificial reef sunk to provide habitat for South Coast, which we have just covered. In this What do we know estimated to be various marine life including butterflyfish, emporer area I feel we have left the best for last – Sodwana

ANDREW WOODBURN about the elusive about one meter. angelfish, batfish. Divers can see rays and skates as Bay. Females will grow well as trevally, daga salmon and giant kingfish. to a maximum size Sodwana Bay of 3.7m and 323kg The Trawler or Fontao Sodwana, which means “little one on its own” in Much confusion with the largest This largely intact Mozambique trawler was sunk in Zulu, is a paradise, of incredible beauty. Though The ragged-tooth shark Raggies recorded male 1990 to create an artificial reef. It is located 2km Sodwana’s coral does not form a continuous reef, genus Odontaspis was, being 2.75m long. out to sea south of Umhlanga lighthouse. It can but distinct reefs separated by the ocean the total until recently, one messy pile of extremely rare with only 15 They are almost certainly ovo- also be accessed by boat from Grannies pool. The reef is about 1.7km long and 900m wide. Orientation similar-looking snaggle-toothed known specimens worldwide. viviparous (eggs which remain dive takes you through shoals of batfish to a depth is roughly north-south, strong currents and surges sharks that differed only in minor in the mother’s body until they details. In various locations all Distribution are ready to hatch. When the over the world, the shark was The Bumpytail Ragged-Tooth young emerge, they are born assumed to be a different spe- Shark is widely distributed, but live) cies and given its own scientific records of its occurrences are Embryonic nutrition probably name. In other cases, like with so spotty it is all but impossible features oophagy (egg-eat- the american sand tiger shark to predict where one will next ing) and possibly embryophagy the species was thought to be appear. It is typically a deep- (womb mate-eating). No data the same. water species that is most exists on number of pups (2 - 4 Chaos reigned until in 1981 active at night. As a result, it is are a guesstimate), pupping the shark researcher Leonard rarely seen alive and very little season, or nursery grounds. Compagno examined museum is known of its behavior in the Males reach sexual maturity specimens from all over the wild. They are thought to be at a length of about 9 ft (2.75 world, corrected misidentifica- deep-water inhabitants of warm m), females at about 12 ft (3.6 tions and sorted out synonyms temperate and tropical seas; on m); no data on age at maturity leaving only two species of or near the bottom on continen- or longevity for either sex. Odontaspis: tal or insular shelves and upper The Bumpytail Ragged- slopes where they are observed Age & Growth Males reach Tooth Shark (O. ferox) and the by divers on coral and rocky sexual maturity at a length of Bigeye Ragged-Tooth Shark reefs near drop offs but also about 9 ft (2.75 m), females at (O. noronhai), the latter being occurs in open ocean. Known about 12 ft (3.6 m); no data on

ANDREW WOODBURN

39 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa are rare, and thus excellent for night dives. snakes and do need to return to the surface Depths vary from as shallow as 12m to a to breath, Extremely venomous, but are maximum of 36m. The surf launches like else- not considered a threat due to the fangs, where on this coast is exciting and great fun which are positioned backwards. They can- – everyone helps push the boat out to sea. not inflict a harmful bite on a human. If you Whale Sharks, pods of dolphins do visit here are fortunate enough to see one, enjoy the making this if you are lucky enough – a very experience – please do not follow any sea rewarding experience. snake it may became frightened and hide in a cave or crevice which can cause it to POTENTIAL HAZARDS drown. Malaria is present here; please follow malaria guidelines found in the travelogue article Seven-Mile Reef on South Africa. Because you are near the Structured with mushroom shaped pinnacles ocean do not be fooled there is no malaria and drop-offs, this reef boast a lot of charac- present here, it can be virulent in this part of ter and a great diversity of marine life includ- South Africa. ing rays and turtels, shoals of colorful goldies and various reef fish that hover above its Sea Snakes corals. Located about 11km north of Jesser Elegant, beautiful, and graceful, the mark- Point, the reef lies 800m offshore near the ings are usually black and yellow, patterned beacon that marks the end of the St Lucia in stripes or spots – with a flatted tail, which reserve. The dives here average 18m with a they use like a rudder or oar to propel them maximum depth of 24m. through the water. Sea snakes are true Five-Mile Reef A delicate reef system, Five-Mile is heavily protected by both the Natal Parks Board ANDREW WOODBURN and the charter boat operators. With its large Goby rests on flat reef and outstanding variety of fine cor- coral branch als, it makes one feel like one is diving in an aquarium. With a maximum depth of 21m, the reef is located 1km from shore 8km north of Jesser Point.

Potholed & Sponge Reef This reef is actually a large flat section of Two Mile Reef. Located on the eastern side of Two Mile, it lies in the deepest section of the reef, so coral cover is sparce. However, there are large red gorgonian sea fans and huge sponges along the potholed reef struc- ture to admire. Drifting along this reef on a dive is like hovering over a lunar landscape due to its terrain and greater depths. Divers average 27 m with a maximum depth of 42m.

Gullies, Caves & Overhangs Located on Two Mile Reef, this shallow dive is made up of sandy gullies, overhangs that DANIEL BEECHAM face the shore, pinnacles and coral arches. Dolphins travel with friends and family ► continued on page 41 40 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Sardine From the last week of May through early July millions of sardines, make this 1,000km journey through treacher- Run Why? ous ocean currents along the KwaZulu Natal on the East Coast. All of which is natural The Sardine Run has and, as far as anyone knows, been described as one has been happening forever. of the greatest marine Why do the sardines travel spectacles on earth. north? Marine science does not have a clear answer and Every year an unimagi- Sardine Run remains a unique nably vast shoal of sar- and unexplained phenome- dines makes its way up non, however of growing inter- est to tourists and fishermen along the east coast of alike. South Africa. Millions of Sardines, or Pilchards as they them. And hot on their are also known, are commonly trail an incredible array found in enormous shoals in various areas of the world of predators like sharks, including, of course, South dolphins, seals, gannets Africa where the main spawn- not to speak of under- ing grounds are on the Agulhas water photographers all banks off the Southern Cape coast. Here the adults gather gathering for this short- for a prolonged breeding sea- lived feeding frenzy and son through the spring and one of Mother Natures early summer. Their eggs are simply released into the water, . most spectacular sights fertilized and left to drift off in the open ocean. A benign ocean cur- rent carries most of

DANIEL BEECHAM DANIEL BEECHAM 41 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED South Africa travel the developing larvae westwards coastline and their appetite for plank- and northwards into the productive ton, these fish converge close to the waters along the South African West shoreline and to the surface, making Coast, that is the Atlantic Ocean. ideal targets for hungry predators an Consequently that large bulk of South awesome sight for scuba divers alike. African Pilchard Stock is found in the The sardines shoal closely together cooler water of the Atlantic Ocean minimising their chances of being off to the west of the Cape. taken by predators. But because the However, each winter, for reasons shoals become so concentrated into still largely unknown, a small seg- a narrow inshore band in the cool ment of this population (yet still mil- water, schools of marauding preda- lions of individuals) move eastward tors quickly locate the shoals and the up the Wild Coast and the Indian feeding frenzy begins. Ocean. The eastern bound shoals of Tens of thousands of birds plunge AMOS NACHOUM these small fish pursue migrate about from the 1,600 km northeast from the spawn- sky like dive ing ground at the Agulhas bank in a bombers, northwards direction, coming close to feeding shore in the South Coast area during on the fish autumn and winter, until the current which are reaches the Durban area. By Durban, driven to the current turns east, heads out surface deep into the Indian Ocean’s high of large seas and disappears and the sardine game fish, along with it. numerous Where do they go afterwards? Do species of they return south and if that is the sharks and case when do they do it? dolphins Because of the cold currents along that serve

ANDREW WOO

themselves from beneath and herd the gorging themselves on the tiny fish. Not fish into small baitballs and towards the be excluded are other marine mammals surface. Every one seems to be gorging like Humpback whales, Minke’s whales themselves on this unlimited selfserve buf- and Cape fur seals. And lately, this mixed fet. An astounding variety of sharks from party is often also joined by herds of divers, Bronze Whalers, Zambezies, Hammerheads, snorkellers, bird and nature watchers not Coppers and Great Whites can be seen to mention th plain MICHAEL AW by the hundreds. Bottlenose and Common tourists – some in Sardine Run image wins Gold at 2005 Antibes Festival dolphins employ their unique hunting strat- the water, some The image of a Cape Gannet catching a sardine at egy where they, like sheepdogs, herd the not, some with 60mph captured by Michael Aw has won the gold award sardines into a tight ball close to the sur- some without for Black & White print at the recent world underwater face. The dolphins then pounce on them, cameras. ■

DANIEL BEECHAM film festival at Antibes. See report elsewhere in this issue 42 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel South Africa WINE

ANDREW WOODBURN

South Africa boasts miles and miles of spectacular coast line

tropical fish and dense shoals of snappers, to offer underwater photographers. Depths goatfish and big-eyes. Divers will find scor- range from 15m to 18m. pionfish, large potato bass, marbled rays, small moray eels and triggerfish. Coral gar- Chain reef dens are thick and diverse forming walls, A long ship’s anchor gives this dive site its overhangs, vistas and swim-throughs. It is name where it lies draped over coral colo- ANDREW WOODBURN one of the region’s most spectacular and nies spread out over the sea floor. A wide popular areas of Two-Mile Reef with much variety of small tropical fish and clown fish can be seen as well as Leaf fish that live among the corals and anemones.Depths Get the monthly update Shrimp and diver mirror each other in the deep range from 15m to 18m. Divers will find large potato bass up to 1.5m on top South African wines that get up front and personal with you Reference and Take out an annual subscription to South Africa’s pre- especially if they smell a handout. Sea tur- recommended mier monthly journal on good living, fine wine, great din- tles and tiny cleaner wrasse are seen here reading: The Dive ing and the people and places behind the lifestyle. as well as a wide range of coral and inver- Sites of South tebrates due to the good light penetrating Africa by Anton Choose the digital version, delivered directly to your the shallow waters. However, Koornhof, pub- email inbox for the same price as local South African there can be surge where maxi- lished by New delivery. Just US $33 for 12 issues! All you need is high- mum depth does not reach Holland, 1995, speed Internet access. See www.newsstand.com for beyond 15m. ISBN 1853685631. ■ more information.

Anton’s Reef Or get the magazine delivered to your postal address Another fine dive site on Two-Mile Reef is Some creatures every month for R517 (US $78). Simply email the maga- Anton’s Reef which houses a plethora of like this sand diver zine at [email protected] or visit www.winemag.co.za and employ astounding subscribe through the website.

ANDREW WOODBURN camouflage

43 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Andrew Woodburn reports: Toying with The elusive tiger shark was rarer on my hit list compared to white sharks, bulls, hammerhead, sand tigers or oceanic white tips. I had Tiger Sharks! listened with envy to fellow divers who would tell me of 4m plus tigers South African style swimming within a group of divers just the day after I had been at the very same spot. So, when a team started working and present- ing tiger sharks as an open water option, in warm clear water, there wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation for me to try and create an oppor- tunity to experience this phenom- enon.

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, about as far as one can get (6hr drive) from the sea. I have been taking underwater photographs for many years now and have developed a speciality based on big ocean animals. With this in mind, South Africa has provided an unbelievable spectrum of big animals and nature spectaculars. These happenings have formed the basis of features such as the BBC’s Blue Planet with sardine run and white shark footage. I’m sure, by now, that any world-wide dive traveller and Discovery Channel viewer would put the country on the map for Great white shark viewing. In addition to its awesome eco-dive tour- ism, South Africa has been producing world class shark viewing out of cages based on sand tiger sharks (Raggies at Sodwana bay and Aliwal shoal), mako and blue sharks (off Cape point) and bull sharks (at Protea banks). As regards to tiger sharks, however, most of the global tiger shark interactive options involve more safety divers fending off sharks with long poles or divers huddling in reef holes for protection. So, when Mark Addison and I were sitting on a boat doing sardine run work, and he started talking of his vision to build a unique Text and Photos by programme where all users of the ocean Andrew Woodburn www.woodburnphoto.co.za

44 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Fact File: Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger sharks have stripes running across a dark back, Toying with with a paler belly. The snout is short and rounded and The Tiger Shark is considered one of the most dan- the teeth are sharply serrated. Juveniles have spot- gerous sharks. This is partly due to their occurrance ted dorsal fins. The largest recorded was 7.4m, but on in shallow waters and their indiscriminate feeding average, females are 3.75m and males are 3m. habits. They have been nicknamed the dust bins of Tiger sharks have good eyesight but rely on their Tiger Sharks the sea due to their voracious appetite and reputa- acute sense of smell to detect prey. Tiger sharks are tion for eating anything in their path including seals, solitary except when breeding. The female gives birth turtles, jellyfish, seabirds, fish, sea snakes, crabs, other to between 10 and 80 pups, which are completely sharks and rubbish. These sharks inhabit warm seas independent at birth. They can reach speeds of 20 worldwide and live near the surface and at moder- mph and can travel up to 50 miles a day. Source: ate depths. They are often seen near the shoreline. BBC Science

could benefit—sharks, divers, scientists, remained in a tight group between 5m and surfers and bathers—I was in complete 10m deep. support. Bathers and surfers... how could this work? Don’t sharks attack these Interactive... and no cages ocean users? Diving with these tiger sharks is the most The tiger shark programme has been interactive and close-up encounters I have an all inclusive programme with Mark ever had with multiple big sharks. These ani- Addison providing key access to tiger mals can approach you from above, below sharks while scientists attach sonic or behind, or they will circle you. This is real transmitters to them and monitor their adventure diving, no cages, no cold water, movements. Receivers on both ocean but rather, a slow intimate interaction where reefs, shark nets and buoys at surfing each stripe and mark on the sharks can be spots identify sharks movements and the seen and examined. They seem to find us potential behaviour changes that might as interesting as we find them and maintain occur due to active shark eco-tourism. a rigorous pecking order to manage social Over the next few seasons, Mark interaction between themselves. became more famous and his pro- As the dive progresses, the sharks become gramme built a database of interactions and experiences with primarily female sharks. This data was actually nothing new, as Mark had been interacting with tigers as a free diver and spear fisher- man on the Kwa-Zulu Natal south coast for many years. Shark wrangler free diving with one of his subjects Over time, Mark had noticed that it was very infrequent that there was any caught a glimpse of a small juvenile tiger one or two tigers approach the boats aggressive behaviour. Rather, there shark in his peripheral vision. He decided anchored at specific locations. A shark was curiosity displayed by the sharks. that it may require about three weeks of wrangler would then enter the water to Following these experiences, he began regular visits to put the shark at ease. This assess the shark’s behaviour and water the programme supported by dedicated was how it all started... with loads of effort conditions. individuals such as his father Brent and and patience. This is an exciting role to play. Using brother Wayne. freediving techniques only, the wran- One season we decided to go out Establishing practice gler will make contact with the animals to sea for the day, a memorable 10th of Seasons later, there was an established and then invite the other divers into the January. That day, we were lucky enough methodology which provided the most water. Divers were told to stay to one to catch a 22kg tuna, which provided a interactive and close-up encounters with side of the floating buoy and allow the wonderful sushi dish for us that evening. big tiger sharks. Diving trips began at tiger sharks to maintain their cruise pat- We also spent one hour and 40 minutes 9 am with launches through the South terns. With this process underway, any- freezing at 14m in a cave waiting motion- African surf on RIB boats loaded with where from one to five or more sharks less for tigers. At which point, Mark then divers and lunch. The divers waited untill would be in attendance while divers

45 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED TigerToying with Sharks

Andrew Woodburn is a freelance adventure photographer who lives in Total elation shivers of inspiration down my spine, South Africa. The post-dive elation and sense so much so that I have repeatedly He has been diving over 17years and of wonder among the group of tried to recreate the conditions and has been lucky enough to photograph divers is unbelievable. People attendance but without success. For whales and sharks to minute sand divers were jabbering away uncontrol- most dive travellers, the chance of and the oceans abstracts. He has also lably after what, for most, was experiencing this event is increased been published in Men’s health, Shape a truly once in a lifetime experi- by spending longer than I had (2 magazine, Travel Africa, Divestyle ence. days) at the ocean edge. Enjoy clas- Magazine and Marie Claire as well as The interaction with the sharks sic diving on wrecks and open ocean winning numerous U/W photo awards. is just unbelievable and converts reef with unique ocean creatures Andrew believes that the more peo- any anti-sharker into a shark such as the weedy scorpionfish (rhi- ple see what is under the ocean the conservationist instantly. In con- nophius frondosa), manta rays, bot- more they will value those things and Diver and tigers examine each other close up and personal, trast with the gruesome pictures tlenose dolphin, sand tigers (ragged hence stand up to defend them when close enough to touch. of shark finning I have seen, these live tooth shark) and incredible features the time comes. creatures are priceless. Tiger sharks are such as cathedral of Aliwal shoal Check out Andrews new website: more relaxed, and as divers also realise time, surfaced to change film five times. listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. to add to your international divers www.woodburnphoto.co.za and adapt to this unique process, they Each foray to the surface alone, was They are hunted for sport and for their logbook. Add more fun to your tiger also tend to drift apart a little. The sharks an interesting session. I thought tigers meat, fins and liver oil. shark safari with the Big Five (lion, can then swim amongst the group of would follow me up to capitalise on my leopard, buffalo, elephant and divers. This adds to the excitement as lack of support and separation from the Learning more rhino) on a traditional land safari. It there can be multiple interactions at one herd, but never once did I have a peril- The value of the sharks has become shouldn’t be passed up. Some of the time. ous experience. The wrangler, himself, interlinked to surfers and scientists in that world’s best safari lodges are only a The fish behaviour that carries on remained on the surface at the buoy funding from the surf clubs has bought few hours drive away. ■ around you also involves pilot fish and watching over things and indicated more sonic trackers to follow where these remoras all playing the game. Interestingly, when divers were in the wrong position. sharks go and to understand what dan- while tigers are about, there isn’t a single As sharks approach him to investi- ger they may pose at what times of year other type of shark around that may be gate, he merely placed his hands on and day. As much as this ground break- Photographing tiger sharks: seen. It is as if the pecking order starts with their snouts and pushed ing work may be inspiring, the tigers, and then it might descend to them through his legs or it is still saddening that Andrew Woodburn Shoots both bulls, black tips and others. off to one side. He almost This is real adven- we don’t fully understand digital (Nikon D70) and Film Nikon The images of streamlined, large, pow- made them seem like where these beauties F100 in SEA&Sea housings with erful sharks slowly and calmly swimming puppy dogs... even hitching ture diving, no cages, go in the off season and interchangeable strobe rigs from through streaming sunlight, as silhouettes, a ride on the odd occa- no cold water but what dangers they face. YS90 to YS350 strobes on variable and presenting stripy details, muscular sion. Towards the end of rather a slow inti- Constant long lining and arm setups. Shoot tigers with a min energy and dark eyed curiosity, is an the dive, as divers surfaced uncontrolled shark finning 20mm lens and be careful not to experience that will remain with me for- and fewer remained, the mate interaction offshore may mean more light any floating particles in the ever. sharks seemed to lose inter- where each stripe and than one of these regulars water. Insulate the strobes as these est, although one or two might not be returning the sharks will be curious about the 70 minute encounter remained to have a last mark on the sharks following season. charge stored in the capacitors I dived for 70 minutess with these majes- look. can be seen and When I look back on and want to either chew them or tic wonders of nature, and within that that one dive, I still see come very close to inspect them. examined. visual replays that send

46 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ZIMBABWE

BOTSWANA

fact file Pretoria South Africa Tshwana Johannesburg SWAZILAND

Richards Bay

Text by Edwin Marcow SOUTH AFRICA LESOTHO Durban When To Visit Summer is from Zulu’s, Xhosa, Tswana, Venda, Ndebele. restaurants you could November to January. The western Cape is South Africa has 11 official languages. find anywhere in the SOUTH East hot and dry. The rest of the country is hot, world. ATLANTIC London OCEAN humid and wet. Diving in the Cape is best Airlines All major airlines travel to South Saldanha Port Elizabeth at this time of year, although the water is Africa, British Airways and South African Terrain A variety Cape Town INDIAN cold. The Garden Route and KwaZulu-Natal Airlines have several direct flights to Cape of scenic landscapes OCEAN Mossel South Coast is also an excellent destina- Town per week from London. from burnt-out deserts Bay tion this time of year. The best time to do and arid savannahs Cape of cage diving in Gansbaai is in the winter Health Malaria alert in Kruger National to idyllic green hills Good Hope months. Autumn is from February to April. Park, northern parts of KwaZulu Natal [St and fertile valleys The weather is warm and balmy, becom- Lucia, Umfolozi, Hluhluwe, Kosi Bay] and to to dramatic mountain alpine snow peaks. Hout Bay is also a good place to dive from. ing decidedly cool by April. Diving over the northern arrears of Namibia [Caprivi, Two thousand kilometres of coastline hem There are a number of very good dive the whole country is variable. Winter is from Kaudom Kavango].Visitors are advised that the country from the rough, harsh and sites that are accessed from Hout Bay by May to July. It is cool and dry in KwaZulu- these arrears fall within the malaria zone. melancholic in the west to the mild and Zodiac. The water is very cold and, at times,

Natal. The diving in this region is excellent Precautionary measures should be taken Mediterranean on the east coast to the visibility can be almost zero. But on a good ANDREW WOODBURN and very exciting with the presense of when entering these regions. Most malaria tropically warmth of the northeast. migratory ragged-tooth sharks. It is cold cases occur in the wet season peaking and rainy in the Western Cape and bitterly from February to May. Medication recom- Places to see Cape Town is consid- cold and dry in the interior. Spring is August mended is a daily combination of Paludrine ered one of the most beautiful cities in the to October and is a good time to visit the and weekly Chroloquine [commercial world attracting millions of visitors each year Western Cape to see the spectacular flow- names Daramal, Nivaquine, Plasmoquine, from all over the planet. Surrounded by ers and late September-October for game or a weekly dose of Larium. Also strongly breathtaking landscapes, beautiful moun- viewing. Please note that local tourism is advised is to apply Tabard repellent and tain ranges, stunning wide golden beaches high over the school holidays, especially on the use of mosquito coils, vaporising mats and unique flora and fauna. Easter and Christmas holidays, the whole and mosquito nets. No malaria is found in Table Mountain can be accessed by of December and a good part of January. other parts of South Africa or Namibia. cable car. At its peak, you have remark- Traffic conditions in Cape Town at the Sun Protection — Be aware and care- able views of Cape Town from the beaches height of the December season can rival ful of the strength of the sun. Some of the of Camps Bay and Sea Point to the city any North American or European city. Two highest UV readings have been recorded in centre. Other attractions include visiting the hours to get from one side of the city to South Africa. Castle of Good Hope and several historical another is not how I like to spend my well- buildings from the Victorian and Edwardian earned rest and holiday time. The KwaZulu- Culture South Africa is a whole World eras. Natal coast is very popular during the win- wrapped up in one country. European first Shopping at the V+A Waterfront — you ter July Holidays. world life, western culture, a modern health can shop in style from European designer care system, a well maintained network labels to art galleries. Currency South African Rand of roads, a functioning economy, all com- Green Market Square — browse through Exchange rate: 10 Rand = US$1.50 / €1.27 bined with awe inspiring nature and tradi- the flea markets and arts and crafts stalls in tional African culture. Enjoy French, Malay, the heart of the city centre. Languages English, Afrikaans and Indian cuisine or Braaivleis [barbequed Not to be missed is Hout Bay — eat fresh numerous indigenous languages of the food] in some of the most sophisticated Crayfish in the many seafood restaurants. ANDREW WOODBURN

47 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: Fish eye Fact File RIGHT: Diver meets tiger shark South Africa

two to three days in Cape Town, pref- hiking in Malalotja Nature Reserve less erably at the end of a trip, to relax, than a day’s drive from Sodwana Bay, enjoy and unwind prior to heading a good value for the money, and big back home. game safaris are offered at Mkhaya The Western Cape reaches out to Wildlife Refuge. One day white water Plettenberg Bay in the east. This consists rafting trips in the summer can be of the famous Garden Route, a diverse experienced in the Great Usutu River. journey of breath taking scenery. Lesotho — A country within a coun- Enjoy stop-offs at quaint little towns try, Lesotho is completely surrounded such as Knysna. Walk through a rain- by South Africa. Miles of hiking, biking forest or just go for a ride on an his- and equestrian trails can be enjoyed in toric steam train whose path hugs the the mountainous terrain. These trecks coastline. are often organised in the small resorts Plettenberg Bay, a mecca for South or villages. Good trout fishing, hanglid- Africans in the December holidays, ing and paragliding. ANDREW WOODBURN has accommodations that range from Mozambique — After 20 years of civil luxurious hotels to comfortable guest war, this country is finally opening up day, the diving [particularly the ship houses. It is home to stunning, long to the rest of the world. Johannesburg wrecks] is rewarding. A dry suit is highly golden beaches, Robberg Sanctuary International Airport is the usual access recommended. and large pods of dolphins that swim port followed by a substantial drive Popular destinations include the and surf in the warm Indian Ocean. inland to a resort and the dive opera- winelands of Stellenbosch, Paarl and The best time to photograph the dol- tion that is run by Marine Dynamics. Franschoek. Speir, only 30 minutes from phin pods is in winter. The same applies Diving here is in conditions similar to central Cape Town, is a beautiful hotel to Great White Sharks in Gansbaai. the southern Red Sea. Big Manta and ANDREW WOODBURN and winery estate with restaurants A multiple of options in Plettenberg Whalesharks. and fine wines. It is home to Cheetah Bay include visiting the Cango sta- Before traveling to any region of Outreach, an organisation with which lactite caves, the ostrich farms of Southern Africa, be sure to check with I have had a long relationship. Here, Oudtshoorn or the Addo Elephant your physician about innoculations for you can meet ambassador cheetahs National Park near Port Elizabeth. various tropical diseases and preven- as part of a conservation program to tion of Malaria. ■ protect these magnificent animals. Neighbouring Countries It is strongly advised to try and spend Swaziland — You will find spectacular

48 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Andre Hartman

TextShark by Daniel Beecham Man Photos by Edwin Marcow & Daniel Beecham

Nowadays, sharks are big “It tried to bite me! ed sharks behaviourists in the business and many divers world. However, his knowledge I was spear fishing at does not stem from specimens and scientists have made the time and carrying studied in a lab or facts and a name for themselves a lot of fish. It came figures in scientific journals. It comes from spending time in the by making new discover- in and tried to take ies about shark behav- water, with no cage for protec- me. I saw it coming, tion, with one of the ocean’s top iour and biology. There is predators. however one man who so I gave it the gun. Andre was born in Bellville, for many shark enthu- It didn’t like it, so it Cape Town, in 1953. His relation- ship with White Sharks started in siasts needs no intro- swam away” 1977 when he first encountered duction. A true pioneer, them in open water. Andre Hartman is the top underwater photographers “It tried to bite me! I was spear original shark wrangler and cinematographers face fishing at the time and carrying a lot of fish. It came in and tried who, in an age of misun- to face with Carhcarodon car- charias, the Great White Shark. to take me. I saw it coming, so I derstanding, has pushed gave it the gun. It didn’t like it, so the boundaries of shark Andre Hartman, with his thick it swam away” diving to learn more bushy beard, his coarse South Many South African spear-fish- African accent and his towering ermen encounter large sharks, about a species that has physique, looks like a true sailor. including Great Whites. The ani- been misunderstood for He has enjoyed a long and illus- mals are attracted by blood and too long. trious relationship with the ocean the distress of speared fish. working in the navy as a com- The diver must use his spear mercial salvage diver and as a gun to fend off the shark. Some He has made discoveries that Springbok champion spear fish- spear-fishermen choose to carry have questioned our under- erman. a power-head, or bang-stick, for standing and has made many of Andre is a hero in his home- extra protection, which is used in the most memorable shark pho- town of Gansbaai. His discover- extreme circumstances. tographs and documentaries ies have earned him a reputa- “I was petrified of the things. possible by bringing the world’s tion as one of the most respect- I was spear fishing for South

Andre Hartman 49 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Andre Hartman - Shark Man above it, review its outline from sharks on long decompression stops in quent the waters year round; it’s one of Africa at this time, but before I got my above, and then I can go and mid water, however it was through diving the few places in the world where divers Springbok colours. We used to run into map it out. With every dive, you and spear-fishing around Dyer Island that can observe white sharks hunt, interact these animals all the time. We needed add more detail to the map. Andre grew to better understand and and breach. to learn more about them, which places That was basically my job. It appreciate the White Sharks. “I decided to start up a business here to avoid, how to push them off with a was frightening diving on those “I first came to Dyer Island in 1986. I because I had seen how many tourists spear gun or how to use a power-head wrecks, knowing that there were saw the White sharks here when I was were attracted to the sharks at Aliwal to scare them away. I never shot a shark such large white sharks around spear fishing. I again had to fend them Shoal near Durban. So, my friend, Jean with a power-head myself though.” and knowing so little about off. I was taking the fish to the boat. Pierre Botha, and I went into business.” Andre also worked as a commer- them.” There was blood in the water, and a Their company, Marine Dynamics, grew cial salvage diver on numerous wrecks shark investigated me assertively. But I in popularity very quickly and earned a around the Cape, playing a major role Appreciating Great thought: How nice they are here! “ reputation for being the premier boat in exploring, mapping and salvaging his- Whites It was in 1996 that Andre realised the charter for diving the island. Many sea- toric shipwrecks such as the British steam- Andre continued to encoun- commercial potential of Dyer Island soned professional photographers and er ‘Joanna’ and the HMS Birkenhead, ter white sharks underwater where large numbers of Great Whites fre- cinematographers, including crews from famed for the tragic loss of 445 men throughout his commercial div- some of which were taken by white ing career, often encountering sharks. The accident also gave birth to Andre Hartman accidentally discovered an unusual trance-like behavior of the Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, when it is touched on the nose the phrase ‘women and children first’, which after the sinking, became naval protocol throughout the world. “I have a very good memory under- water. When I see things like a school of fish in a hole, even 10 years later I can go back and find it. So, when I see something like a wreck, I first swim

50 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Andre Hartman Shark Man the BBC, National reached into the water from the back Andre is a man who has lived along- Geographic and deck of the boat one day to push the side the white sharks all his life. He is a The Discovery shark away by the snout. To his amaze- character who will go down in history as Channel to name ment, it lunged out of the water with its the man who introduced the world to just a few, travelled huge jaws agape, and then swooned the true character of the Great White to dive with Andre backwards into the water. The sharks Shark, a man who continues to try and using his unique seemed to be in a form of trance, but learn more about the most misunder- knowledge and Andre believed that when the shark’s stood fish in the sea. experience to get snout was touched, it experienced sen- To me, the man is a true diving leg- shots that had never sory overload. end. When I think of Great White Sharks, I been seen before. The Ampullae of Lorenzini, electro- can’t help but think of Andre Hartman. As well as work- receptors in the snout, are so sensi- ing as guide to tive that there is a rush of information For more information about Andre the world’s top putting the animal into temporary sen- Hartman, please visit: www.andrehart- underwater image sory overload. The shark is almost over- man.com ■ makers, Andre is whelmed by the experience, and only himself an accom- comes back to its normal state after a Disclaimer: “Don’t try diving with Great White plished cameraman few moments when the overload has sharks without a cage on your own. These shooting with Sony passed. great animals are top predators in their own VX1000 and VX2000 Andre continues this exer- environment and could kill you in an instant. cameras. He also cise today. One must see to produces and mar- believe it. kets his own inde- pendent produc- Guiding divers OUR WORLD-UNDERWATER XXXVI tions. Today, Andre continues

to guide divers around the th Understanding island running trips for shark Mark your calendar for Febuary 24, to 26 2006 when the 36 Annual OUR Great Whites enthusiasts and seasoned WORLD-UNDERWATER Consumer Dive & Travel Exposition will be The more time professionals alike. Many held just minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Andre spent around people decide to go, meet The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center will host the event featuring: the sharks, the bet- and dive with Andre after �� Over 200 dive industry exhibitors ter he understood seeing him in one of the �� Diving workshops, clinics & seminars them. It was during many documentaries in �� Today’s finest underwater films & photography the early years he which he has starred along- �� Children under 8 are FREE with paying adult spent working around the side various top wildlife pre- �� FREE, Saturday Children’s Film Festival island that he discovered senters and scientists. what many consider to be After meeting Andre, and For details & tickets visit www.ourworldunderwater.com one of the most amazing diving with him, I learned spectacles in the natural more about sharks than I ever SAVE $2.00 ON YOUR ADMISSION TO THE SHOW world. thought I could. As much as SUBMIT THIS AD WITH YOUR TICKET ORDER Often, whilst diving with they amazed me, I couldn’t (sorry no copies accepted) CODE: XR Great Whites, the animal help but be equally intrigued would attempt to bite the by Andre’s reaction to the out-board motors of the boat. animals. I revelled in anticipa- Sharks often ‘investigate’ tion as the shark’s fin broke metal objects in the water, the water, excitement as it attracted by the electronic lunged for the bait and won- impulse emitted by the metal. der as it effortlessly slid back Concerned about the shark into the deep. After all these damaging his motors, as years of working with sharks, well as harming itself, Andre Andre is still in awe of them.

51 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THE FACTS AND VIEWPOINTS IN THIS SECTION ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF X-RAY MAG. EQUIPMENT PRESENTED IN THIS SECTION HAS NOT BEEN TESTED BY X-RAY MAG STAFF, NOR ARE THE ITEMS WARRANTED, INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CONDENSED FROM MANUFACTURERS DESCRIPTIONS. TEXTS ARE USUALLY EDITED FOR LENGTH, CLARITY AND STYLE LINKS ACTIVE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATIONS POINT & CLICK Freedom fins ON BOLD LINKS The thrust fin from Freedom Fins is attached to the lower leg; not the feet and ankles. This attachment location produces considerably more force than conventional fins because Edited by What’s hot...what’s next the ankles and wrists are the weakest joints in Andrey Bizuykin the body.With a flick of the release snap, the & Peter Symes fins fold, facilitating seamless transition from shore or boat to water. FreedomFins are boat ladder friendly and enable good walking Equipment www.freedomfins.com X-Scooter Standard Dive Xtras Body Frisco model is the Standard power motor X-Scooter with a standard body length. Oceanic HUD mask This version uses one bat- The HUD contains a miniature liquid crystal display tery (not included) giving the (LCD) panel, multi-element optics, microprocessor, diver an burntime of 1 hour. depth transducer, wireless cylinder pressure receiver, Saltwater resistant powder coated diver replaceable battery, and controlling software - all built aluminum body and tail cone. Can be directly into a dive mask. .Oceanic’s wireless transmitter module Interchanged with one piece body length to Long or Xtra attaches to the regulator first stage and transmits the diver’s cyl- Long and additional battery packs www.dive-xtras.com inder pressure to the mask. While the HUD Mask will have immediate military applications, recreational divers will also benefit from this jointly created technology as Oceanic plans to release a consumer version next year. www.oceanicworldwide.com Mako fins from Aeris Cochran EMC-14 There were a lot of news from Aeris. Cochran has added a new computer, the EMC- Let’s start with the Mako fin. The 14 to their product line. Many of you familiar engineered channels and with the “Captain” which has been sold as a side rails direct water simple computer for the past many years will be flow off the tips of pleased to see its “big brother” return in the form the fin without allow- of the EMC-14. As with the Captain, it has user- ing water to “spill” off replaceable batteries but now it can be ordered the sides of the blade as a single-mix Nitrox computer. Please have a and reduce power. look because it generated a lot of excitement at www.diveaeris.com the DEMA show. www.divecochran.com

Report & Comment was disasterously slow and boring—and be fiend- minisubmarine – which is an obviously in the wrong location. Or is the ishly hard to interpret instant eyecatcher. Talk about DEMAshow 2005 - Las Vegas dive industry finally back on the upbeat? correctly but it seems that the a Ferrari-effect. Most boys at the show, Cautiously I would like to say the latter. world has now finally adapted mentally regardless of age, must have drooled. This year’s DEMAshow was a great show. This show was very busy, there were many to a post 9/11 reality and started being As regards to new equiment, the industry Plain and simple. And what a pleasure it new products and most of us who exhib- outgoing again. On the travelfront most has, for some years, seem to be struggling was attending. ited were bogged down by streams of destinations seem cautiously optimitic with their products being mature – I mean, What happened? Was it because so customers in our booths. The overall senti- being in positive mood but without stak- how much can you keep on improving many attendees were coming back after ment seemed to be energetic and opti- ing too much yet on major developments. on a snorkel? - and to come up with true skipping last year’s show in Houston which mistic with a lot of thumbs up. Trends can Set aside, maybe, Ocean Hunter’s new novelties. At the moment the cutting edge

51 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Special Ops Aquatek CCR The Special Ops Watch is the world’s first and only electromagnetic rechargeable Voyager from Aquatek is watch with LED lighting system. It’s pow- a mechanical design with ered by a rechargeable lithium ion cell manual CCR setpoint con- battery. To recharge, simply place the trol. O2 is injected into the Special Ops Watch on the included lid after the axial scrub- electromagnetic induction charger ber unit which comes with overnight. The Special Ops Watch is a clear canister. Without equipped with overcharge protec- tanks and absorbant it tion and low battery alert and is weights 14 kg/31 lbs. The Submerge Top water resistant up to 330ft. The band Voyager is CE certifiied to rated u/w links are individually connected with 40m with EANx and 100m with Underwater scooters with out- allen keys, making them easy to adjust Helium. www.rebreather.it standing endurance dif- www.specialopswatch.com/products.htm Propulsion ferent models of this make were recently used during a 14km cave dive in Mexico. The UV-18 model comes in at GBP 2500 incl. VAT and airfreight. More details at: www.silent-submersion.com Apeks WTX With the WTX series the manufacturer Nemo of the renowned regulators have announced a new selection of BCD products. Stainless steel plates, har- Mares Nemo nesses, buoyancy cells and acces- Dive Computer sories comes as modular compo- & watch. A cut- nents that can be assembled into ting-edge dive numerous combinations from highly computer and an technical BC rigs or scaled elegant watch. down to make a travel Haskel Now in steel with friendly rig that any diver would Now, those fine people at Haskel can say what they black PVD treat- want to use. Made out of 1000D want but pretty it ain’t, their new booster. But who cares? Haskel ment with sap- Armorshield Cordura are known for their quality products. Their newest series of elec- phire coated glass. Elegant and a complete www.apeks.co.uk tric driven gas boosters offers contamination-free operation at dive computer, offering all functions for dives lower cost and smaller size than metal diaphragm compres- with or without decompression. It can also be sors. The new EDA Series eliminates oil migration in applications used for Nitrox mixtures. For freediving enthu- using all inert gases including nitrogen, helium, argon, CO2 and siasts, it also offers the special “free-dive” air. The booster’s design includes separation; therefore, only mode. www.mares.com cleaning is necessary in order to use it for Oxygen service. www.haskel.com

Interview with DEMAshow 2005 (cont’d) neutral bouyancy such as the I would also like to rec- A good Al Hornsby those from Fouth Element, Radiotor as ommend to checking collection of seem to lie in the continued application of well as the new strechables from Bare. out WETPIXELS report videoclips hi-tech in dive equipment both electron- on the show and new from DEMA ics of course, like in the new Oceanic HUD Interested in rebreathers? Rebreather photography equip- 2005 are mask, new computers and rebreathers World has a in depth going show report ment presented here available but also in the application of new fabrics at OCEAN on these matters on their site at www. this year. in suits and garments. These recent years REALMs X-Ray Magazine publisher Peter Symes (left) rebreatherworld.com - it is worth a visit Link to wetpixel. has seen some interesting developments website with OCEAN REALM Magazine’s Ken English (just click on this link). Down the same vein, com’s show-report. in, for example, thin but warm wetsuits with and publisher Richard Stewart (right)

52 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED �������������������������������������������������

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53 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The latest Scubapro bundle Jetboots S555 on MK17 Sounding like something coming A powerful all-rounder, S555 is an air balanced high out of a Science Fiction movie, performance second stage; the ideal choice for Jetboots are an unique hands- divers looking for a simple to operate second stage free electric propulsion system for with superior breathing performance, coupled swimmers and divers engaged with a captivating design. This second stage in recreational, commercial, or incorporates diver adjustable Venturi Initiated military dive activities. Coming in Vacuum Assist (VIVA), also known as dive/pre- January, a new, less expensive dive control switch. The balanced flow valve version of Jetboots especially for initiates effortless and instant air flow. The anti- the recreational diver. freeze components for cold water performance www.jetboots.com make it remarkably durable and reli- able in cold water. www.scubapro-uwatec.com

Looking good for AquaSketch AquaSketch represents a leap forward your money in underwater communication. Not Spacy Still scratching your head, only does it simplify the The Neptune Space is a progression of not knowing what to give task of writing and drawing Ocean REEF’s current full face mask, the her for X-mas? Diving equi- underwater but it also offers Neptune II NIRA, which was introduced in ment or something fancy to unlimited paper capacity 1998. In Neptune Space the regulator has wear? Don’t despair, this making it unnecessary to been moved closer to the visor, reducing fashionable hydroskin rash waste time erasing during a the mask’s profile and reducing the breath- vest from Fourth Element dive. Holds up to ten feet of ing effort; the inhalation effort required for may just be the answer to waterproof vellum. Charts, the Neptune Space is 20% less than that of all your problems. Nothing graphs, dive logs or any tech- the Neptune II NIRA. quite does it like a soft nical or visual computer input www.oceanreefgroup.com package under the tree. can also easily be printed on www.fourthelement.com the vellum. www.aquasketch.com

Pressrelease from Diversitea: Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. received plain water. Upon indicated. Diversitea is marketed A controlled study was con- ascent, the mice who received through live-aboard dive boats, ducted where two groups of mice Diversitea had a mortality rate of dive shops, the Internet, vacation Russian Navy says were taken to 200 meters (657 28%, and the control group mor- resorts and specialty retail and gift feet) in a hyperbaric chamber tality rate was 84%. stores. Diversitea has positive over a period of 20 minutes, then This led the testers to conclude effect brought up to surface pressure in that Diversitea Herbal Supplement This release has not been edited five minutes. Tea appears to have a posi- or validated by X-Ray Magazine. Diversitea Herbal Supplement One group was given Diversitea tive effect on the reduction of More info about Diversitea on Tea for Divers was recently tested for two weeks before being sub- Nitrogen waste in the body, as less www.diversitea.com at the Makarov State Maritime merged and the control group formal experiments had previously

54 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Ecology

Text by Michael Arvedlund, PhD ILLUSTRATIONS BY GUNILD AND PETER SYMES Dolphins A few things you probably didn’t know about them

When you are on the Usually after a few minutes, the dol- much – or how little - do we actually culture. The latter is currently the subject way back to the harbor phins disappear again. If you enter the know about dolphins: their biology, of a lot attention and debate among sci- water, they also usually disappear. Only ecology and behavior? entists as it is argued that animals with a after the afternoon dive, recently did I experience swimming culture should have this quality included wild dolphins often swim together with some of these dolphins: In captivity Much of what we knew as regards to conservation issues. in front and along the two young dolphins were simply to was about dolphins was, until quite Fortunately, in recent years field based dive boat. They seem curious about the noise the bunch of recently, entirely based on studies of ani- studies have been on the increase which snorkellers and divers made, and came mals in captivity and only from the spe- have provided us with many new insights to love following boats. within a distance of less than a meter. cies of bottlenose dolphin, i.e. “Flipper”, into the fascinating lives of dolphins. We Sometimes they then per- My biggest surprise was to see how Tursiops spp, and the orca or killer whale will present some of the known facts as form for us, in form of huge fast these beautiful animals actually Orcinus orca. well as some of the many newest find- jumps out of the water swim underwater. One of these young From these studies we know they talk, ings. dolphins tried to teach me her kind i.e. they have a language and there and “tail shows”, keep- of swimming, but quickly gave up on are even different dialects among some Dolphin Sonar Dolphins contain a ing the tail up for minutes such a clumsy student. This recent first groups of orca, that they have com- unique sensory organ which is used remaining still in the water. encounter made me think about how plicated relationships and they have a for hunting and communication: the

56 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology Dolphins

organ for echolocation, which are capable pick up minute discriminate between the densi- increased as a function of time. animals in coastal areas and up also bats possess. Echolocation objects with their echolocation ties of objects. They can appar- But with the dolphins, what to hundreds in oceanic waters. is also known as “dolphin sonar”. with outstanding accurateness. It ently even distinguish between happens is that they control their Spinner dolphins inhabit tropi- By listening to the echoes of the is still not quite clear how the dol- different species of fish. This is level of their emissions so that as cal and subtropical zones with of course used when they hunt: they close in on a target, they herd sizes that range from 2 to 300 Brain echolocation is used in the detec- reduce the amplitude of their sig- in coastal areas and up to thou- Nasal tion and tracking of prey. Some nal, so that they try to keep the sands in oceanic waters. Spinner sacs scientists think that the eco sound amplitude of the echo relatively dolphins rest and socialize during can stun fishes: It is thought that constant.” the day, feeding at night on fish dolphins stun large schools of fish in the open ocean, whereas bot- with the sound beams and then tlenose dolphins rest, socialize, “Melon” make the attack. Dolphin society and feed both during the day Aspects of the social structure, and night. Bottlenose and spinner The dolphins sonar Building knowledge language and learning abilities dolphin acoustic emissions or pho- clicks reflects off fish’ Much is still poorly understood in dolphins nations can be classified into two swimming bladders about the echolocation ability general categories: sending the echo in dolphins, but progress is made The Mexican dolphin researcher a) tonal whistles, and back to dolphin every year. One of the leading Dr. Carmen Bazúa-Durán recently b) pulsed sounds researchers within the field of conducted a comparative study or clicks. dolphin echolocation is Dr. Au on the ability of spinner- and bot- Mandibular nerve from the University of Hawaii. In tlenose dolphin to whistle which a recent interview he says the seems to be a kind of “language” following of some of his new that at least some species of dol- research results: “We recently phins possess beside their sonar It is theorized that the sonar “clicks” are being discovered that by looking at system. She tells the following generated in the nasal sacs and then focused echolocation signals from wild about her and other researcher’s through the “melon” which acts as a sort of dolphins that they have a form of recent findings of the social struc- acoustic lens. The returning echo is then prob- automatic gain control or a form ture and language in dolphins: ably being recieved through the lower jaw of time varying gain. Now they do “Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins it very different than our live in coastal and oceanic sonar would do it. In tech- waters of the world’s oceans. A dolphin is capable nological sonar, time var- Bottlenose dolphins inhabit sound they produce, dolphins can phin sonar sys- ying gain usually occurs tropical and temperate locate objects and fish with amaz- tem works. The of creating an acous- with the receiver, where zones with herd sizes ing achievement. A dolphin is echolocation tical image of its the gain of the receiver is that range from 1 to 30 capable of creating an acoustical may be in its environment, includ- image of its environment, includ- lower jaw. If this ing other animals, by using the jaw is covered ing other animals pulses of ultrasonic sound which experimentally, A dolphin sonar click of a free-ranging bounce off surrounding objects, dolphins have bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) almost like an x-ray image. Even difficulties echo Dominant frequency ~ 75-110 kHz, time when captive dolphins are experi- locating. Another hypothesis duration ~ 25-50 µs) mentally blinded they are still able says that the ear canals, even to echolocate to make their way though this is a reduced organ in to whatever the target is. The dolphins, are where the center echolocation, sounds like a bunch of echolocation is. Dolphins can of clicks or squeaking sounds, learn about its surroundings by however, they are beyond the measuring how long echoes field of human hearing. Dolphins take to come back. They can

57 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology Dolphins Dolphins belong to the Whistle spectrogram tours into classes and the extraction of together and cooperating “herding” family Delphinidae. Most Dolphin whistles have typically acoustic parameters from each whistle females: small gangs of males kidnap species of dolphins are larger been characterized in terms of contour.” females and keep them for a consider- than porpoises, with the males their frequency as a function of The two American dolphin research- able time span for mating. Within the usually being larger than the time (spectrograms) which is also ers Dr. Rachel Smolker and Dr. John. W. male individuals studied by Dr. Smolker females. The family Delphinidae referred to as ‘‘whistle contour’’. Pepper recently documented a previ- and Dr. Pepper, the whistle repertoires is the largest and most diverse Whistles are frequency modu- ously unknown whistle “union” phe- were more variable than expected, family of the cetacean order. lated sounds with a fundamental nomenon among adapted free-living based on previous studies, mostly Scientists have discovered fossil frequency usually below 20 kHz male bottlenose dolphins. During a four performed with captive dolphins, but records of ancient delphinids, and harmonics up to 100 kHz and year study period, three males formed became less so during the time span which date back 11 million durations between 0.05 and 3.2 an alliance, spending most of the time of the study. Among the individuals, years. This family is composed s. Whistles are considered signals of what we commonly call used to regulate group organiza- Dolphins Parade, by Jean Lamy, oil on wood, 80 x 55cm dolphins. There are over 30 dif- tion and function. The study of www.jean-lamy.com ferent species in this family, the dolphin whistles has included the largest of which is the Orca, or categorization of whistle con- killer whale. One of the smallest know dolphin is Hector’s dol- the distinctiveness of indi- close “alliance” and had phins, Cephalorhynchus hec- vidual whistling repertoires all reached the same point tori, with a length of only 1.4 m. decreased such that the on one particular shared Delphinids are characterized by three males were practi- whistle form which they sharp, cone shaped teeth; most cally indistinguishable by had only rarely produced (but not all) possess a semi- Wavesample from 525ms to 680ms shows amplitude modulation in pilot whale the end of the study. The before the forming the alli- circular fin on the back and a SOURCE: HTTP://HOME.SNAFU.DE/ULISSES/ANALYSIS/SPEC2.HTM#NEXT0 three males had formed a ance. “melon”, i.e. a rounded waxy mass found in the head that is thought to play a part in the Getting behind the technical terms: focusing of sound signals. This What is amplitude modulation really? “melon” is joined to a distinct The amplitude of a sound wave (below) is the maxi- beak. Dolphins are found in mum amount by which the instantaneous sound most sea of the world from the pressure differs from the ambient pressure. One cycle arctic to tropical regions. corresponds to the frequency (tone)

Amplitude modulation (AM) is the process of varying Modulated amplitude the amplitude of a sound, often periodically. An exam- Click here to hear example of AM. ple of AM is the violinist’s Tremolo, where the amplitude Requires Quicktime plugin and online con- of the vibrating string is rapidly altered by a movement nection. Example from Simon Fraser University of the bow. 500 Hz carrier, 50 Hz modulator, raising the depth of modulation from 0 to 100%.

58 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Dolphins ecology The only way to determine a dolphin’s gender in the More than 30 species Dolphin sex wild is to see a clear view Dolphins, whales and por- — now we got your attention, huh? of their genitals, or to poises are placed in the scientific order Cetaceans. The staff at the Dolphin research center observe an erection, act of Playing games Cetus is Latin and is used in in Florida, USA (www.dolphins.org) has intercourse, or a calf swim- Much of the amorous biological names to mean been breeding bottlenose dolphins for activity between dol- “whale”. It’s original mean- many years and has become experts ming close to an adult pre- phins includes chasing ing, “large sea animal,” within this field. They tell the following of sumed to be a female. each other around and was more general. It comes sex and reproduction in bottlenose dol- raking each other with from the Greek word ketos phins: dolphins have no secondary sex their teeth. (“sea monster”). characteristics. Females also have a set of slits hous- Dolphins have a ten- Cetology is the branch The only way to determine a dolphin’s ing the mammary glands. These slits dency to get lazy look- of marine science associ- gender in the wild is to see a clear view flank either side of their genital slit. ing eyes and lay on their ated with the study of ceta- of their genitals, or to observe an erec- Occasionally females will have extra false sides, sinking like a log, ceans. tion, act of intercourse, or a calf swim- sets of mammary slits. These extra slits are when they are feeling ming close to an adult presumed to be a generally non-functional and could be amorous. This seems to Shapes and form female. a hold over from the dolphin’s terrestrial be the height of erotic Cetaceans are the mam- ancestor. behavior for a dolphin. mals most fully adapted Spotting the difference The more dominant to aquatic life. Cetaceans Males have two slits that look similar to an Doing it anytime dolphin is usually found are nearly hairless, and are exclamation point. The long anterior slit There is no actual mating season for dol- beneath the more pas- insulated by a thick layer houses the genital region, while the small- phins. They mate 365 days a year, just like sive, which is playing the of blubber. As mammals, er posterior slit houses the anal region. humans. Ninety percent of their mating “floating log”. cetaceans have these Two small pores are present on either side activity, however, is foreplay. Intercourse characteristics that are of the genital-anal slit, which have been only takes seconds. common to all mammals: considered possible vestigial nipples. Males become sexually mature Females have one continuous slit which between 5 to 13 years of age. Females — They are warm-blooded houses both the anal and genital open- become sexually mature a little sooner animals. ings, the anus being towards the posterior. at around 9 - 14 years of age. — They breathe in air through their lungs. — They bear their young It can be difficult to tell the difference between males alive and suckle them and females but females have mammary slits on their own milk. — They have hair - though Male generally only a few ‘whiskers’. Whenever, whoever Dolphins are indiscrimi- Another way of discerning Navel nately amorous. They a cetacean from a fish is have sex with the opposite gender, the this type of behavior to learn about sex as well by the shape of the tail. The Genial slit same gender, and engage in mastur- as to maintain strong social bonds for many sorts tail of a fish is vertical and bation with inanimate objects. Female of cooperative activities. Dolphins must maintain moves from side to side Mammary dolphins have been observed suctioning a streamlined body to move efficiently through when the fish swims. The slits things (like plates) to their genital region the ocean. Therefore, male dolphins have both tail of a cetacean - called when they are feeling amorous. They also their penis and testicles packed inside their body. a “fluke” - is horizontal seem to enjoy buzzing on each others’ On mammals, testicles are usually found outside and moves up and down Anus slits using echolocation. What are the the body since sperm dies at body temperature. instead. possible reasons for this type of behav- Dolphins compensate for the extra heat that their ior—as it is not just leisure? It is believed testicles must endure by utilizing a special feature Female that dolphins may possibly engage in of their circulatory system.

59 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED

FREE back Pregnancy in the mother’s womb. These issues Recent research indicates that bot- bands will slough off after mul- tlenose dolphin pregnancy lasts about 12 tiple weeks. Newborn dolphins months. During this time, there is very little are very dark in color. It is pos- room in the uterus for a baby to develop. sible that this dark shading is As a result, and to make birth easier, the used for camouflage as Adolescent tail fluke and dorsal are cartilaginous and the baby travels in dolphins also are folded over in the uterus. The organs the mother’s congregate in are also located beneath the develop- shadow. This separate groupings called ing baby, which could be the reason coloration is every twenty minutes or more juvenile pods. This will occur once a for a female gaining more girth during also sloughed off after multiple weeks. for 24 hours a day. In the first few calf is old enough to leave its mother. pregnancy and not developing a bulge. weeks of life this can be in more fre- Each female dolphin seems to have a Mothers double their intake of food fol- Learning to breathe quent intervals. They nurse, on average, unique mothering style. Each female dol- CAYMAN ISLANDS, Bloody Bay Wall, Freediving World Records, Coral lowing the birth of their babies. Intervals When calves are new to the world, they a minimum of two years but have been phin seems to have a unique mothering Spawning, Innerspace, Wrecks of Narvik between calves vary from about three to have to get used to their bodies not only observed to nurse up to four and a half style. Some mothers are very protective Norway, Siberian Cave Diving, Tagging five years. swimming, but also breathing. They have years. Calves have many fringes along parents, while others seem more relaxed Whalesharks, Cabilao. Link: X-RAY #5 to get comfortable with where their blow- the edges of their tongue, believed to be with letting their calves explore. These Calves hole is. As a result, calves do something an aid in nursing. Calves apparently roll variations have also been observed in Calves are usually born tail first, weigh 25- called chin slap breathing, which involves their tongue and clasp the fringes togeth- the wild. 40lbs, and are generally three to four feet taking its head farther out of the water er in order to form a watertight funnel for long. We can get an approximate idea than necessary to breathe. the milk to flow through. Mothers take the of how old a baby is by looking at the Echolocation is an ability that babies active role in nursing by squirting the milk Dolphin Culture dorsal fin. It is thought that the dorsal fin have to learn how to use over time. For into the baby’s mouth. – a case for better conservation? stiffens within a few hours. The tail flukes this reason babies end up with a few cuts seem to take a bit longer. and scrapes within the first weeks of life. Maternity pods There is increasing evidence that culture A calf swims in a position next to its Due to the need to look out for a Groupings of females with calves are is an important determinant of behavior PACIFIC NORTH WEST AMERICA. mother called the echelon position. clumsy calf, you sometimes see mothers naturally occurring in the wild. in some non-human species including Vancouver Island, Puget Sound, Neah The calf swims in this position to catch “steering” their calves away from The groupings are called mater- great apes and whales and dolphins. Bay, Alaska, Honduras Sharks, Amous mom’s slipstream, allowing the calf not what might be considered nity pods. It is important to have Recently, a team of Canadian, British Nachoom, Jon Gross, Apeks, Fish Sense Link: X-RAY #4 to work as hard in order to keep up with a danger. Calves other females available to a and American researchers lead by Dr. its mother. When calves are born they nurse an aver- mother dolphin. Female dolphins Hal Whitehead of Novo Scotia, Canada, have lighter colored bands spanning their age of about have been seen assisting in birth, has argued that at least in some cases, mid section. These are called and more consistently as “baby- there may be repercussions for popula- fetal bands and are sitters” or “aunties” helping to rear tion biology and conservation in dolphins derived from being young dolphins. One of the best ways a and whales. This may of course depend scrunched up female dolphin can learn how to care for on how “culture” is defined. a calf is to be around a baby and other Dr. Whitehead and his team follows more experienced females. Adult male the definition that “culture” is information dolphins generally do not appear around or behavior, shared by a population or MALAYSIA. Coralreeefs after the Tsunami, females unless mating. Male dolphins subpopulation, which is acquired from Whale beachings, Tragedy in South Africa, Nemo’s Nose: The Science of Fish tend to congregate in groups of two or conspecifics through some form of social Fashion, Ice Diving in Russia. Todd three and sometimes form what is known learning’. Essick Link: X-RAY #3 as a pair bond. A ‘‘population’’ could in these cases include the whole species, and ‘‘subpop- Bonded for life ulation’’ any subdivision of a population Pair bonded males will stay together for which contains at least a few individuals an extended period, if not all, of their in each set. Dr. Whitehead and his team lives. Male dolphins play no role in raising argue that culture can affect behavioral their young. In fact, male dolphins have and population biology, and thus conser- been known to be a threat to the calf. vation issues, in ways that are importantly Diving in the Himalayas, Swimming with Orcas in Norway, El Dorado in the Philippines, Gaansbai in South Africa Link: X-RAY#2 NOOA

60 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED different from those traditionally “Dall’s Porpoise”

expected from a model that only Carved and painted red cedar cutout includes genetic inheritance. wall panel. By Odin Lonning. Read Culture is very varied, and this more about his current works in variation has implications for its both traditional and contempo-

interactions with conservation. rary media about his tributes to the killer whale on his Horizontal or website: vertical culture www.odinlonning.com For instance, contrasts have often been drawn between horizontal’ ����������������� ��� cultures, where transmission is between members of the same generation, and vertical or oblique cultures where animals learn behavior from parents or other members of previous gen- sophisticated non- erations. dolphins, and, com- human imitator. This Horizontal cultural pared to primates and social learning seems transmission can be songbirds, a lack of to have led to culture, highly effective in knowledge on behav- of various types. Among quickly changing ior, communication the baleen whales (subor- population behavior Culture is very and social structure, der Mysticeti), there are several in adaptive ways, an there is strong evi- known cases of horizontally trans- example being the varied, and this dence for cetacean mitted cultures. rapid decrease in the variation has cultures in the four best use of certain chemi- implications for studied species , and Humpback song ������������������������������������� cals by humans once some most interest- The best understood horizontal they are shown to be its interactions ing speculations for culture of cetaceans is the mat- toxic. with conserva- some of the others - for ing song of the male humpback Conversely, vertical instance on spinner whale. cultures, like some reli- tion. dolphins, Stenella lon- At any time during the winter gions, can be highly girostris. breeding season, all the males conservative and can Sophisticated social in any ocean sing more or less constrain adaptive learning abilities exist, the same elaborate song, but responses to environ- at least in bottlenose this communal song evolves over mental change. dolphins and orcas. months and years. Songs in differ- ent oceans at any time are differ- Cetacean Culture Social learning ent but follow the same general Dr. Whitehead and his team Of the several types of social syntactical and evolutionary rules. ������������� argues that by these criteria, learning which have been rec- Horizontal cultures are also culture is quite common among ognized, imitation is often singled found in the suborder Odontoceti, animals, especially those that are out as being particu- the toothed more cognitively advanced, such larly significant for the whales and dol- as the dolphins. propagation of cul- Of the several types of phins. An exam- However, in most of the species ture. ple is the dead- possessing recognized cultural The bottlenose dol- social learning which salmon carrying capacities, only a small propor- phin can imitate both have been recognized, fad of the well- tion of behavior seems to be vocally and nonvo- imitation is often sin- studied southern determined by social learning, cally and has been resident, fish-eat- ���������������� and much of this may be func- shown to understand gled out as being par- ing, orcas of the tionally neutral. the broad concept ticularly significant Puget Sound Despite difficulties in studying of imitation. Some area of the ���� ��������� �������������� ������� ���� ���������� ��������� ����������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������� ����� ����� ������ �������� ����� ���� ����� ������������ ��� ���� the behavior of the whales and consider it the most for the propagation of northeast Pacific. ���������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� culture. ������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������

61 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED CORAL_Dirt_Day_8.25x10.875.qxd 11/19/04 1:25 PM Page 1

The famous K-Pod Cooperation with humans has been suggested that this divi- It began with a female in K-Pod In Brazil there are at least two sion was originally cultural. At low- carrying around a dead salmon cases where some, but not all, er levels, ‘‘communities’’, ‘‘clans’’ in 1987, spread to the other two bottlenose dolphins in a com- and ‘‘pods’’ of orcas may differ pods in the southern resident munity have a long-standing and in vocalizations, foraging behav- community over a 5–6 week complex cooperative relationship ior and social behavior, but often period and then stopped. It was with local fishers which are almost have overlapping ranges. noted a few times the following certainly vertically transmitted summer, and then never again. between generations of both dol- Sperm whales too Probably more significant from phins and fishermen. The complex, stable and sympat- the conservation perspective are The population of orcas off the ric vocal and behavioral cultures vertically or obliquely transmitted west coast of Canada is clearly of orca groups have no known cultures. structured at a number of hier- parallel outside humans. The It’s called archical levels, and much of this closest analog is with the sperm Populations of all the structuring seems to be cultural. At whale, whose society is also ar- well-studied odon- the highest level, different types ranged into a multi-level hierar- tocetes are cultur- of orca (‘‘residents’’ and chy, at least two levels of which Earth Day. ally struc- ‘‘transients’’) may support cultural differences tured are sym- among sympatric groups: the ap- patric, proximately 10-member ‘‘social but units’’ and ocean-wide ‘‘clans’’ with thousands of members each. Dr. Whitehead and his team That’s not to say concludes that we have heard arguments that if we are at the and stage of conserving non-human subpopu- show cultures, then the real conserva- we need to treat it lations with distinct sufficient differ- tion battles have already been cultural trait groups are ences in feeding behavior, won. Dr. Whitehead and his team often sympatric. Among the vocalizations, social systems, disagree. For a range of non- bottlenose dolphins of Shark morphology, and genetics that human animals, culture is a vital like Dirt Day. Bay, Western Australia, there are they may be incipient species. It determinant of phenotype, and at least four distinctive foraging so how the animals interact with specializations, at least some of humans and our cultural artifacts. which are likely transmitted verti- For a range of non-human Thus, culture should be an inte- cally from mother to daughter. gral element of the conservation Similar population structure by animals, culture is a vital biology of these species: cultural foraging specializations is found in determinant of phenotype, organisms behave very different other dolphin communities, for and so how the animals than those for which culture has instance in cases of human dol- little significance. phin fishing co-operatives. interact with humans and At lower levels, “communi- our cultural artifacts ties”, “clans” and “pods” of orcas may differ in vocaliza- tions, foraging behavior and After more than thirty years, we thought it was time that the other 72% of the planet got some attention. Which is why we’re social behavior, but often asking people to Dive In To Earth Day the week of April 18 to 24. So grab some friends and install a mooring, do a reef survey, have overlapping ranges. or organize an underwater cleanup. Everybody into the water. For more information, visit www.coral.org or call (415) 834-0900.

62 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Letters & Section Holdays behind fences? security, including vehicle checkpoints to local communities are provided with both get into the resort. But while the authorities an income and a sense that tourists are All perspectives expressed in this I think not Opinions are right to crack down on terrorism, and guests who visit on an equal footing with section are those of the individu- al author and do not necessarily the proposed fence will be out of sight of locals. Creating resorts that facilitate such reflect the views of X-RAY MAG In an effort to improve security for tourists in the tourist areas, do we really want to take encounters will help to knock down any or its associates Sharm El Sheikh, Egyptian authorities intend a holiday behind a barricade? Sharm has perceived divides between cultures rather to build a 20km fence around Sharm already turned into a tourist ghetto, where than creating them in the first place is This summer three bombs exploded in tourists and locals live separately and a ultimately the way to overcome the “us Sharm, killing 88 people, including 11 wall or fence will only make this division and them” divide that is already afflicting Edited by Britons, wounding about 150 others. Yet this more stark. resorts such as Sharm. Fences are for pris- Peter Symes hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm; Sharm And if Sharm is fenced off, what’s next? oners and prisoners we will not be. Terrorists may just target other nearby comments is more popular than eve and this winter Jaime resorts such as Nuweiba, Dahab or Taba. the tour operator Thomson will be flying Huddersfield, England We can’t erect fences everywhere, nor 15 charters a week into Sharm, which is (no surname supplied) more than double from last year. Only this should we. We need tourism where locals Sinai: Build bridges, not barriers year, the tourists will encounter heightened and visitors are well integrated, where I am publishing the story of this special I read in on X-ray magazine’s website safari trip in at least one magazine i am about the new “Berlin wall” around working for in Israel, and I hope it will help Enough of the hypocracy imported from South East Asia. There Sharem El Sheikh. As an Israeli that is people to make the decision, to fight their Japan should admit its whaling pro- have been some success in reducing familiar with the conflict from within, fears, get out of the sofa - in front of the gram is a total farce. They have for this number through farming turtles and as a diving instructor, photogra- T.V. where they show us mostly the bad years maintained its scientific whaling domestically in China and in mak- pher, journalist and most of all nature news, to go to Sinai to travel, to dive, program is about real science, while ing the Chinese government and lover I would like to tell a short story. to enjoy the beauty of nature and life, it has been glaringly obvious to just public more sensitive to the fact that together with our neighbours from the about everyone else what was really these species are threatened. But the other side of the border. going on. Now genetic testing has reports that turtle markets in China About one month ago I was leading A confirmed that the blue whale, one appear to be changing and that group of nine Israeli divers on A diving We are all sharing the same future. we of the world’s most endangered spe- the Chinese seem to be taking to Safari to the Ras Mohamed National Park all share the same beautiful Red Sea, and cies, is being sold at Japanese fish farmed turtles should be viewed with in the south of Sinai. I went there with a I believe after all we all love Dolphins. markets. Blue whale is one of the spe- extremely guarded optimism. Israeli group under very strong recommen- There are only a few extremists on each cies Japan is not allowed to kill under The demand in the market is still too dations from the Israeli ministry of defence side, and we shouldn’t give them the International Whaling Commission high to be met from China’s own NOT to go down to Sinai during this time pleasure and bring hate or fear into our (IWC) rules. farming which has resulted in the as there are many warnings about terrorist hearts. They want us to stay home scared, recent inclusion of Red Crowned organization that are intending to kidnap and to hate the other side. Charles Hook Turtles (Kachuga kachuga) in the red tourists in Sinai (and especially Israelis). We should fight them without weapons, San Diego, United States list of IUCN. only with our spirits and love and we will After many cancellations and doubts win in the end. At least that what I felt Sonia Singhani, we finally made the 3 hours drive from our when those beutifull peaceful creatures Turtles go into soup too Mumbai, India border in Eilat to the harbor in Sharem El were swimming with us right next to that Dear X-Ray Magazine, Sheikh safely. We went on board with the huge broken war machine that lies on the Thank you for taking such a clear lovliest egyptian crew and on the second Pollux or Polluce? ocean floor. stance on the issue with Disney serv- Your article on the Polluce - page 56 day of the journey when we arrived to I don’t think Sinai is anymore dangerous ing shark fin soup at their Hong Kong - states: the world famous Thistlegorm wreck, we then anywhere else on the planet, neither resort. Unfortunately sharks are not “Nigel Pickford lists it as the treasure received the most beautiful gift we could does Israel. please come and visit us!!! the only species threathened by of Pollux in his authoritative Treasure imagine from Nature: six wild dolphins culinary practices in the region. If For me it is very important that people Altas, so it is well known. However came to play with us, and swam around endangered species of Indian turtles around the globe will know that there are there has been much confusion us for long minutes which happennes very also seem to vanish, them being a many Israelies and Egyptians that are sick about the names Pollux and Pol- rarely in the Thistlegorm. They where so delicacy in Chinese cuisine has very and tired of that war, and are searching luce. Pollux has to a large extent close and so lovely as you can see in the much to do with it. The demand for for peace, underwater and above, and been the one that got stuck in the picture turtle meat in the Chinese market has sometimes even find it... minds of people but wrongly so. The reached such a level that it has land- Pollux is a vessel that were lost in the My best to you ed these species in serious trouble. beginning of the 1800’s. One refer- Moreover, they make a detour via ence tells that Ferdinand IV, King of No! Kolkhata (Calcutta) and Bangladesh Yonatan Mir the Two Sicilies, fleeing Napoleon’s Eilat, Israel to reach Chinese kitchens. A survey advancing forces as they were in- done in 1999 in South China had vading Naples, loaded his treasures revealed that 70 per cent turtles were I believe our love for nature and aboard an English sailing ship, and diving can be a bridge. 63 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED sent it northwards, towards a friendly port.” I have Pickford’s book and it says POLLUCE – it does however state 1806 and talk about fleeing Napoleon’s forces. Could you please clear this up for me? Could he have meant: 1841, POLLUCE and the traditional story of the 1841 Polluce? Help! I’m so confused!! paddles. It wasn’t a sailing ship of course but something else. It took us Eating fish - or not Kathy Cunningham more than a year to find out that a Your editorial on our consumption (no adress supplied) ship went missing between Marseille of tuna and it is implications for and Naple just looking the timetable. the dwindling stocks was right on. Enrico Cappeletti replies: This ship was the Polluce belonging to Finding substitutes or solutions will the Rubattino Company, Genoa, She not be easy. was bought in Le Havre in 1839 and Kathy, is a good question. In the meantime there are ab- Even the great Pickford made a mis- entered service on the line in April solutely no excuses that we don’t take. I spoke few times with him and 1841. he learned about the mistake. He The story that circulated on Elba put an immediate stop the indul- mentions the POLLUCE- the ship went was telling about a golden trolley. We gence in exotic species just on down june 17, 1841 at 11.45 pm. She found out in Marseille in an old new- culinary reasons when the fishing had on board a lot of coins in silver paper that Della Rocca princess had practises wreck havoc with the and gold. onboard her trolley. ecosystems in the seas. Orange If you go in our website www.hdsi- But there is more to the mystery Rought costs about the same as talia.com you can see all the pictures about this ship. Why did Polluce smoked salmon and is served up already in 1859 come under the eyes I shot October 10 -31th during the sal- in the smartest restaurants. But of the treasure hunters? Why did the vage operation of what was left after although Orange Roughy may a group of illegal english treasure owner try to salvage the ship in Oct seem a luxurious treat for the well- hunters. Polluce was a ship of Sardinia 1841? Why did English, Swiss, French Reign. She sailed on the Marseille-Na- and Germans come to the waters off, bringing it to the table comes ples route twice a week. We spent off Elba island water to give it a try? at a horrendous price. three year to understand that was How come the greatest the treasure the same ship that an anglo-italian hunter in the world didn’t touch her team broke to pieces. while someone in the United Kingdom Polluce is the name in Pickford’s was was able to buy the histroical Treasure Atlas. But the date is wrong. information? Why aren’t there any Pickford, as others before and after evidence of the vessel in the Italian him, relayed a story that went all over historical database? How much was Orange Roughy. Illustration from New the island (Elba) about a Spanish sail- really on board? From what we can Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries ing ship that in 1806 carried a treasure gather from the latest information it was much more than first assumed. belonging to the king of Naples. Few It is fished by bottom-trawling miles from Elba—and this was at that The four english divers went on in which trawls suspended from time when Napoleon was exiled on trial in UK. They were fined for £ 2500, the island—she sunk herself in order to that’s all. They smashed the only factory-size fishing vessels are not fall into the hands of the French. treasure ship we had in our waters dragged violently along the sea- As this story goes this ship was Pollux, and nobody can do anything about bed while their metal plates, nets or Polluce in Italian. what happened. They were backed and rollers ploughs everything When we found the ship, it was up by some Italian and one French up in their path. But the hauls made of iron guy and they will go on trial in Janu- bring up nothing more than a and with ary 2006. small catch of deep sea fish while Next summer we will breaking huge areas of tonnes go back to collect what is left. Mean- of ancient coral. Like with the while I have ten shark fin issue please help pressure month to discover fishmongers and restaurants not to what else might stock these fish. be inside that ship. Robert Smith regards United Kingdom Enrico Cappeletti

64 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED

������ � ��������������������� technical Leigh Cunningham is matters the technical manag- er and TDI Instructor Trainer for Ocean College, Sharm El From mask removal, replacement and clearing Sheikh.

Probably best known for his records - Leigh once Leigh held the record for the Cunningham Getting it all right deepest dive in the Red Sea - and attempts of reaching extreme depths, to SMB deployment he also has a wide range of teaching credentials to his cur- riculum:

Mask clearing and deploy- in years gone by and the experiences During training TDI instructor trainer, DSAT Tech ment of the Surface Marker related by fellow diving instructors. I have often been thinking that train- Trimix instructor, PADI MSDT I can clearly remember spending hours at ing agencies should consider additional IANTD Technical diver instructor Buoy. What’s the connec- the pool side, telling students that it is per- equipment requirements for the instructor CMAS 3 star instructor. tion between these two fectly normal to not be able to breathe during confined water training. Namely unrelated skills, you may solely through your mouth without breath- a cloths peg with a reasonably strong be excused for thinking. ing through your nose at the same time. spring. After all, this is the first and only environ- During mask removal and replacement They are both giving many after training by a diver who has not ment that we have been in where this is in confined water training, if students start mastered separating breathing between students problems during necessary to sustain life. to snort water while apprehensively look- the mouth and the nose. It is simply a training, that’s what. In ing at the surface, the cloths peg could tool to be used during training to help both cases it’s all about Rewinding the tape be swiftly attached to the students nose the student and instructor reach the end However, under water we might one fine by the instructor. The cloths peg in this getting it right from the goal. Mask removal, replacement and day find ourselves in a situation where situation would have a constructive dual clearing must be mastered without the beginning we will have to rely on being able to do purpose, as well as being a useful tool for use of the cloths peg before an Open just that. So even though you weren’t all hanging your washing out to Water diving license is During entry level “Open Water that cool with this mask removal business dry. issued. Rocky (my dog) Diver” training it is the mask remov- back then, let’s rewind the tape and used to piss in my house, al, replacement and clearing skill redo some exercises. It will do you good 1) It would prevent the stu- I would slap him on the that students routinely have most and, in case you had problems back dent from inhaling water nose and rub his nose in problems with. Likewise, during then, you’ll probably be a lot more at through the nose reducing it, he soon stopped piss- entry level technical dive training, ease with it all now anyway. the likelihood of drown- ing in the house. I don’t the deployment of SMBs, Surface ing. think slapping students is Marker Bouys is surely the exercise A good exercise 2) Cause sufficient pain the answer, in the case that ranks highest on the tricky- Try to adopt a circular breathing pattern. to deter students of mask problems. The cloths issue hitlist. That is, inhale through your mouth exhale from snorting water peg could be the key. It is all and through your nose. Practice at the in the future, helping about conditioning. Problems and cures pool side, with no mask and just a snor- students to adopt In this article, we are therefore kel. Lie face down in the water, at the the correct going to discuss possible cures surface, in the shallow end. With some breathing pat- Anyway, after a number of for problems associated with the calm and focused practice, any prob- tern. years teaching open water courses, above skills, hence prolonging the lems associated with near drowning from the open water students got the bet- sanity of the diving instructor as inhaling water in the mask or while the Obviously the ter of me and I decided to make the SMB deployment SMB well as making the world a bet- mask is off, will be resolved quite quickly. cloths peg is not transition to technical teaching. I’m ter place. On both accounts I am For some it’s going to take a little longer. a tool to be con- much happier now and I only have to► talking from personal experience tinuously used see my psychiatrist once a month.

65 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED technical matters Worst case scenario: if the reel does jam, let it go!!

2. The line attaching the For the decompression diver the reel, SMB to the surface will act line and SMB could determine the Now onto SMB’s as a reference for divers dur- safe return to the surface ―or not. —Surface Marker ing open ocean drift decom- Bearing this in mind, it becomes an Buoys pression. fundamental and essential skill to be able to deploy the SMB These are sometimes car- 3. Hanging slightly negatively comfortably without prob- ried by the recreational buoyant on the line/SMB will lems in open water. diver in specific environments make a series of complicated How to do this correctly (like drift diving in strong cur- decompression stops more depends to some degree of what rents) and as a required equip- accurate and comfortable to type of SMB you carry. There are ment for all technical divers in carry out. three different types of SMB. most environments. with the small cyl- than a ballistic missile fired from a 4. A predetermined emergency 1) The open ended, which is the inder attached for submarine. You simply add sufficient The SMB has many uses: SMB can be deployed by cheapest and least reliable. independent inflation. But gas to the SMB via the LPI, the hose a diver from underwater to 2) The type with a one way don’t forget to fill the small slips off and the SMB makes its way to 1. To act as tracking device valve allowing gas to go cylinder every time before signal the support team that the surface with expanding gas vent- during drift decompression, in one end, so, if the SMB you dive. One fill is good for back up gas on the boat or ed from the dump valve on the side so surface support and the reaches full gas capacity one deployment only. The small shore is needed in the water of the SMB. boat captain can track divers now, or simply as a signal for during the ascent, gas cylinder can be filled by attach- underwater from the surface a support diver to come in will escape through a ing it to a standard scuba during the dive and to signal the water and see what the standard dump valve cylinder and equalizing the The semi closed the support team that the dive problem is. on the side of the SMB, pressure. The disadvantages (one way valve) has run to plan. instead of out the end where the with this type is that it’s quite type has the gas went in (one way valve) bulky (more difficult to stow) and same options This type is more reliable than you need to remember to always regarding how the open ended. have the tank filled or topped up. 3) Closed end with a LPI (Low Pressure Inflator) inflation system (Halcyon) Therefore the closed end with a LPI *) Don’t clip or a small .25-.5 liter cylinder inflation (Halcyon) system is my per- your reel attached to the SMB for independ- sonal favorite. A standard low pressure onto your ent inflation. These are, in my opin- inflator hose/connection is used to wing or ion the best types, and the most add gas to the SMB. BCD. If a boat reliable. The male connection on the SMB passes you Deploying and has no ridge, so the LPI cannot lock might get decompressing Don’t opt for the cheapest type. onto the SMB. Good thing. Just imag- dragged under a SMB You get what you pay for. ine if the buoy started going up and faster to is an essential you couldn’t disconnect – you would the surface skill, which There are several methods for deploy- be dragged with it to surface faster than you however, takes Surface Marker Bouys Marker Surface ing the SMB (adding gas). The most bargained some practise for to master. trouble free is the closed end type *) LPI: Low Pressure Inflator CRAIG NELSON, WWW.AQUAIMAGING.CO.UK CRAIG NELSON, WWW.AQUAIMAGING.CO.UK 66 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED to add gas to the SMB, as the Size matters the spool is actually ON the spool. If you have excess line running open ended. But filling it is less Something divers should consider off the spool as you are about to sophisticated. One method is the size of the SMB. Bigger is not deploy, the line could snag on would be to use a second necessarily better. Yes, in open the locking nut/brake or handle stage, i.e. simply purge sufficient ocean environments with a big on the side of the reel. gas into the SMB. This method is swell at the surface, the 2 meter not to be recommended in cold tall SMB would be the way to go. Worst case scenarios water environments as extensive A 1-1.5m buoy in this environ- If the reel does jam, let it go!! Do purging of a regulator ads to the ment may not be seen clearly by not let the SMB drag you to the risk of it freezing and freeflowing. surface support as its lost in the surface. Once the SMB is up, do Dumping wing gas, on the swell. But the bigger the SMB, the not clip the reel off. If boat traffic other hand, into the SMB does’t harder it would be to get a good at the surface ran over the SMB ����� carry the risk of a second stage fill and a nice erect SMB at the you could find yourself on the sur- ����������������������� freeflow and has another advan- surface. face very quickly. ������������������������������������������������� tage over other methods of add- ����������������������������������������������������� ing gas. As you are simply mov- “Think Boyle’s a floppy sau- On a concluding remark ������������������������������������� ing gas from one bladder (your law” deploy- sage is no use Please get formal training where ��������������������������������������������������� wing / BCD) into another (your ing a 25 liter to anyone. considerations regarding SMB ������������������������������������������������� buoy) your overall buoyancy SMB from 20 deployment are thoroughly �������������������������������������������� doesn’t change. Until the buoy meters. The 2 covered and practiced, before ����������������������������������� is released that is after which the meter SMB would have a gas vol- deploying SMB’s from underwa- diver would need to add gas ume of 20-25 liters. Consequently ter. to the wing directly after releas- the SMB would need over 8 liters An article like this is no substitute ing the SMB to maintain neutral of gas added (1/3 full) to ensure for the real thing buoyancy. an erect SMB at the surface, as a Another method with the open floppy sausage is no use to any- Have fun and dive safe. ended and one way valve type one. is to exhale while holding the SMB For in-shore, above the second stage you are lake and calmer breathing from. Gas would then water environ- escape from the exhaust valve ments the 1- into the SMB. This method works 1.5 meter SMB well from deeper water, but would be a wiser it’s not the best method when choice as it easi- deploying the SMB from shallow er to fill. water. A third option would be to use a small air gun attached to Another impor- an LPI. tant issue as regards to Bigger is not neces- deploying the sarily better. SMB is to make sure the line on

�����������������������

��������� ����������������������� 67 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO ������������������������������CLASSIFIED for the diver who has not been naughty but nice...

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69 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED IF YOU ARE RETAILER OR DEALER WITH HOLIDAY ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE LISTED IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR SALES OFFICE AT [email protected]

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X

German ocean liner General von thousands of refugees fleeing the in the Baltic Sea making it one of Steuben was torpedoed by a advancing Red army with her to the the most impressive Baltic wrecks Russian submarine in 1945 taking bottom. She now rests at 72 meters and daunting technical dives.

General von Steuben (GvS) was Divers on the starboard side, built in 1923. A modern ocean above the lantern house liner for the time, her top speed (the ‘X’ on the drawing above) was 16 knots and she took 1100 passengers. With a weight of 38 500 tons distributed over a 168 meter long hull and a nearly 20 meter wide deck she was often referred to as “The beauti- ful, white Steuben” in advertis- ing material from that time. As it happened, GvS was the first German commercial ocean liner to port in the US after the First World War, opening the trade over the Atlantic once again. No one then knew what fait await- ed her and her passengers.

Text: Michael Tagliati

PETER SYMES PETER General von Steuben 70 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Spare steering at the front line was enough to make wheel on the whole families commit suicide in some aft deak areas. As the German front retreated the situation was desperate. Several ted the spar- hundred thousand civilians needed to kling lights on be evacuated to avoid the advanc- the deck in his ing Russian 9th Army. So what did the binoculars. German military command do? Promotional postcard for the “beautiful white Steuben” The End The beginning of the end At 00:52 two The ocean liners General von Steuben, torpedoes

The collapse of the East Front soldiers were eager for revenge. As far Wilhelm Gustloff and Goya were given struck the star- T.ÅGREN During the Second World War many as they were concerned the only good the task to evacuate wounded soldiers board side. commercial ocean liners were requisi- fascist was a dead fascist. Civilians, and civilians and rescue them from General von Steuben had 5 decks; the quarters were located exactly where tioned for military service as transporters. women and children making little dif- the wrath of the Russian army. But the lower was completely filled with immobi- the torpedoes hit, any organized effort The fighting on the East front was parti- ference. In retrospect, none was better risk was immense as the Baltic Sea was lized wounded German soldiers. Before in handling the emergency was crippled cularly nasty. The German campaign in or worse then the other. It was war. The dominated by Russian submarines. That leaving from Pillau General von Steuben from the onset. Panic ensued. Russia had soon erupted into an incred- stakes were high. The sheer fear of the the superior speed of GvS was sufficient was overloaded with people who want- Only 659 people survived in the 4˚ C ible carnage, violence and terror so Russian army among the German civilian to outrun these submarines was, in a ed to escape the Russian Army. Built for cold water and by 01:32 General von when the tide turned in 1943 the Russian population who now found themselves sense, a correct assumption. However, 1100 passengers, she now held nearly Steuben was gone from the surface. as this was not the case for escort ships 5 000 passen- The these, in this case, represented the gers. This sheer engine weakest link in the chain. One of them number of peo- room had a much worn down insulation in ple onboard tele- the chimney and running on steam it meant everal graph generated sparks which were visible at children was on the great distances at sea, regardless of the born onboard port wing blackout routines practiced onboard at every day. bridge of the time. Alexander Marinesco, captain As the most General of the Russian submarine S-13 soon spot- of the crew von Steuben - at 68m

The advancing Russian army drove hordes of German General von Steuben also evacuated wounded soldiers refuges in front on them 71 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED pleased. As I don’t have much experience diving to these depths and this alien environment I would have aborted the dive in case of bad visibility. Suddenly I get this feeling of being a tres- passer in a cemetery. This isn’t all that great. I am is the visibility? terrified. Everything worthwhile After seven minutes I finally living for is up at the surface, so “Is see the outline of the hull. The what am I doing down here? sound of breathing penetrates It is the helium enriched that a my mind. In the twilight all kinds breathing gas that makes my net?” of visualisations and fantasies fantasy overactive. After a cou- seep into my mind. “Is that a ple of minutes I manage to get net?” my composure back and feel like con- The visibility is quite good. tinuing the dive. The downline is like an This is very important and I am umbilical to life. If I am unable to find it

Buildplate beneath the bridge. The ship was built in 1923, but new owners took over in 1931. Being in a hurry is simply lethal. monitor all my equip- The biggest challenge is faced by the ment. The computers are Sentiments divers going down on the wreck first. working, the lamps are Sitting on the aft deck of the dive vessel They don’t know what they are going to functioning, the rebreath- Moskus brings many thoughts and senti- face, or whether it is possible to success- er is doing what it is sup- ments to mind. While one part of you is fully attach the downline to the wreck posed to do and the suit exhilarated about the adventure lying – which is a requirement in order for the isn’t leaking. Everything is ahead another significant part of you is dives to proceed in a safe manner. AOK. intensely focused on the concrete dan- In my case, I lie on the surface while At 20 meters the light gers and challenges ahead. You try to my pulse gets back down to its normal gets dimmer and the be very methodical, calm and focused resting level. My breathing become a temperature drops stead- on relaxing. It may sound easy but don- central aspect in controlling the mental ily. After four minutes I ning all that equipment is very symbolic. state. find myself at 40m but I Many technical divers therefore rely on still seeing nothing ahead ritual routines to prevent mistakes and Going down of me but the beam alleviate stress prior to the dive. I breathe with long calm breaths. The of my divelamp. Am I If you are already stressed before you downline goes straight down into the heading straight into a leave the surface one thing is certain; it darkgreen haze. I start pulling myself big fishing net? Am I run- is not going to get better once you dive. gently down by the line while I routinely ning into a current? How

72 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED T.ÅGREN tipsWrecks

Sign on compass

again the risks associated with this makes me lose the sensation in my the bridge. It is in a vertical posi- dive will suddenly rise exponential- hands. We read each others eyes tion, the door is like a windbreak. ly. Every fin stroke which takes me and movements in the water. The I can’t enter with all my tanks, it is further away from this exit point trepidation from being in a grave- too narrow. I am aware that more has consequences. It is impor- yard won’t let go. I didn’t expect dives are possible and that time tant to be present. Over the port it to feel like this. I feel perturbed, is now against us, and I decide bridge wing I spot a big cod being get philosophical and start thinking to turn around and head for the caught in a net. It is struggling. intensely about my family, my wife downline. After 25 minutes we are Once again a fear of becoming and my children. back at the downline as planned. entangled in the net myself creeps Ahead of us waits one hour of in on me. There are plenty of nets Focusing decompression during which one on this wreck as it has been down I focus once more on my breath- can ponder a lot on life. Each here for 60 years. ing. Now I start longing after see- diver seem to be engrossed in his ing the downline Experience matters again. This dive I signal my buddy Larry that I am has been very uneasy. We haven’t had many demanding. The dives together and there aren’t thousands for many people around in this county hours spent under doing these kind of dives in the first water is starting to place. But we have spent a fair pay off though. deal of time together on the dive I am calming vessel Moskus, enough to establish down. I see a a trust in each other. Larre is very boot lying beside experienced, which is comforting the engine-room for me who is not. telegraph at 65m. The cold is starting to make itself I take a look at felt and time is ticking away. I was at the downline at 50m after seven minutes and at the bridge Penetration on at 65m after 15 minutes. The cold the starboard

promedadedeck M.TAGLIATI

73 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Filephoto. Artifacts recovered from other Baltic wrecks. Should these wartime wrecks and sea- Wrecks mens graves be disturbed? own thoughts busy with the dive com- beautiful Steuben” as it was promoted in Geographic were quick to fund a puters, changing gasses and timing the days when she served as a liner. Now Polish diving expedition and others each stop. The water gets warmer and she sits like a church on the seabed. soon followed. the light and hope returns. Once all the As far as I am concerned I was tested divers are gathered aboard Moskus we to my limits. But what I have witnessed Issues start comparing experiences and infor- and the experiences I can now share General von Steuben rests in interna- mation constructing a joint picture of the with a wider audience, will hopefully tional waters and the legal aspects circumstances down there. help remembering the incredible suffer- of accessing the wreck are not well The next dives take on a different char- ing the second world war brought upon defined.

acter of a somewhat more intellectual so many people. We now have some- Ethically the issues are more trou- PETER SYMES flavour. The trepidation I experienced thing in common on board. Humbled by blesome. How long is long enough to during my first dive recedes and armed the experience, we have found a new allow divers to enter what is a grave? with more information and confidence respect for life and for pulling this venture Ask different divers and you will get dif- Swedish diving expedition to The Swedish diving vessel “Moskus” being it becomes possible to perform more off together. ferent answers. For those with national, General von Steuben smaller, no less offered all needed for advanced dives later on. We stay on cultural or family ties to the wreck such Our dives took place July 2005. With men with courage. Yes, the stories after site for three days and dive twice a day. Rediscovered after 60 years activites stirs strong emotions. For those the Swedish diving vessel “Moskus” and National Geographic featured their arti- That is all you can cope with mentally Until 2004, the exact location of General with a profound interest in contemporary Captain Tobias Åberg our resources cle were that General von Steuben was and physically. Many of the divers have von Steuben’s was unknown. Discovered history, naval design and technical diving was somewhat limited compared to the covered in nets, after 60 years of fishing a passionate relationship with vessels and by Swedish company “Marin Mätteknik” the perspective is a different one. extensive Polish expedition which fea- in the Baltic. As locals, we knew that this their construction and find each ship has and Deep Sea Production, a Swedish film It is all about perspective but if one tured large ROVs, decompression cham- is true for most wrecks in these waters. a personality, a soul. production company she re-emerged as can show respect and understanding for bers and other goodies on a 100-ton However, dropping the anchor on an General von Steuben was“ the white a dot on the GPS once again. National fellow human beings it helps, no doubt. commercial diving vessel. echo and seeing Tobias Åberg and Peter

74 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Russian submarine captain Marinesco aboard the S-13

Descending I turned the rebreather to high-set point of (1.3bar) pp02 and filled the suit with gas. 40 meters time was reached 5 minutes into the dive. We had intentionally a short anchor line to reduce decent time to minimum. Our decompression line was separate from the anchor line. A good thing at times of unstable weather conditions. It was dark now. Partial pressure The partial pressure was holding stable much thanks to the ADV. (Automatic Diluent Valve that equalises the counter- lungs on the rebreather, ed.) Lights were good. Visibility was excellent! I noticed the portholes at 45 meters and touched the hull. Leaving an 80 cc bottle 50/50 mixture for backup on the line. Larre Oleander descending down to secure mixtures for bottom gas, partial pressure Ländin, my diving buddy and I both the anchor line and decompression line of oxygen set to 1,2 Bar and some of noticed the bridge from the drawings on the wreck left us concerned for a us had 4th oxygen sensor and real-time we had on General von Steuben. while. More then one diver has perished tracking of actual gas mixture for basis Leaving the starboard bridge and in fishing nets in the Baltic. of decompression. The nets were fought descending to 55, 60, 65 and 68 meters with conventional tools, but the water we found ourselves five meters above Anchoring temperature and the penetration dives the bottom. General von Steuben is rest- Tobias and Peter are experienced with were too much for our digital video ing on her port side, tilted more then 90 more the 1000 hours each in these equipment. Read more details and see degrees. A great deal of debris and nets waters. After 80 minutes they surfaced. more images from the expedition on are located on the port side. We looked We learned that our anchoring point www.cortex.se. (link) straight up into the bridge, which was all was just below the bridge. The hull intact. Very few divers had been here. located at 50 meters and the bottom Diving General von Steuben at 72 meters with the amount of fishing The Baltic Sea provides very varying div- nets being a concern to us. Darkness ing conditions. One day is never like the prevailed at these depths, but visibility other, even on same location. During was good with no currents present. With summer, the algae are blooming and winds of less then 4 meters per second this reduces visibility quite considerably, and nearly dead calm conditions at the especially along the coasts. In open surface the conditions were excellent, sea visibility usually improves a lot twith which is very rare in these waters. The depth. This is quite paradoxical as the Baltic Sea is generally a shallow basin sun doesn’t penetrate further than 30-40 so winds above 6-8 meters per second meter, even in blue sky conditions. immediately generate very rough condi- I rested on the surface and wait- tions at the surface. ing for my pulse to come back down after all the preparation and dressing Technical aspects up under the burning sun on a 25° C Our dives was based on using CCRs, hot day wearing nearly 80 kg of div- mostly Inspiration, KISS and MK15 units, ing equipment, before I turned on the VR3 computers and trimix with 10/50 lights and monitored my oxygen sensors.

75 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The previous expeditions had scopalamine, an anti-cholinergic Lesson learned Who was General von Steuben? done a lot of penetration dives. substance has been gaining use Scopalamine transdermal patch- Lines into the ship were obvious since the introduction of transder- es and trimix diving is not an The First Inspector General of the contributed a great deal to and observed from several other mal patches which permitted acceptable combination. Not all American Army von Steuben actu- the victory of the American diving colleagues who did other slow release over 72 hour period. will hallucinate, but the compro- ally immigrated to America during Army. tours on the wreck. However, side effecsts such mise if you have to travel great the Civil War. Offering his services to In recognition of his serv- Time was now 18 minutes, and as impaired accomondation lenghts at sea before reaching the American Army and not asking ices, the Congress granted we realized that we needed to (blurred vision), bradycardia (slow desination is to put these patches anything in return unless he was suc- him an annuity and New return to the ascent line to follow heart rate), reduced salivation on 4-6 hours before trip starts, and cessful he found himself in service York State presented him or initial dive plan. The sensation still are very much a side effects remove them 12 hours before div- under General Washington in Valley with a large tract of land. was that of entering a relic of the despite the mode of distribution. ing. Better still is not use these at Forge late winter of 1777. He became an American tragedies that took place here. all, stick to antihistamin drugs of Upon arrival von Steuben immedi- citizen and lived in New We felt uncomfortable at times Desorientation newer types. Ask your doctor. ately recognized that no military dis- York until his death in 1794. and avoided penetration dives Another aspect which technical It is plausible that pressures cipline was present. Many of those He was laid to rest in a initially. The cold water was also divers need to take into consid- above 5 bar along with trimix who fought for the Army was doing hero’s grave on his estate affecting us and the expecta- eration is that an unusual but gases potentiate and increase so out of free will. Hence, they con- in Steuben County, where tion, anticipation and preparation reported side effect of scopala- serum concentrations that might sidered their actions to be of individ- the inscription on a bronze started to take out its toll. In the mine is “desorientation, anxiety give a higher frequency of report- ual rather then military incitement. plaque sums up the contri- later dives we did pursue deeper and halluciations” in less than ed side effects. Better safe then Steuben had served in the Preussian bution that he made to the penetration dives, much forced one out of thousand cases. Not sorry. Task load is enough with army which was considered one of new nation: “Indispensable upon us by appearing underwa- a good thing to experience such CCR, trimix, Baltic Sea deep div- the most modern and advanced to the Achievement of ter currents. side effects when reading your ing and videocamera as it is more internationally at the time. Using his American Independence”. The General von Steuben is diving computer at 70 m in 4° C then so often. experience he quickly gathered the Steuben’s military services extremely spacious and excellent pitch black water. best 100 men in the American Army in America are likewise very ade- as indispensable to the achieve- for penetration diving. However, Add to this the combination of Summary and started military drills marking quately indicated in General John ment of American independence. due to its awkward position it is trimix gases and the lack of men- We did penetration dives into the excellence and precise attitude McCauley Palmer’s biography on These two men were Washington difficult to maintain a good sense tal sedation which nitrogen oth- the General von Steuben and needed to successfully operate Steuben by his most praiseworthy and Steuben. When I say that their of location and the size does influ- erwise brings (which we of course saw many things, which we out as a group in combat. As he fin- statement: military services were indispensable, ence the perception and attitude do not want). The combination of of respect for the readers and ished training the men, they were I mean that each of them contrib- regarding bottom time. We went trimix gases and medications at relatives do not speak about or dispersed to conduct the same “...In the course of my researches, uted something essential to final from doing profiles 65 m and 25 partial pressures well above nor- have taken pictures of. Over 4000 training with the remaining soldiers. I was soon convinced that the victory, that could not have been minutes bottom time to doing 70 mal levels speaks people rest here, and we Essentially this initative changed the military services of two men, and contributed by any other man in the m for 40 minutes bottom time. it own language. Scopalamine have not disturbed them. structure of the whole army and two men only, can be regarded American Army...” After 3 days most of us was men- Very little research transdermal patches We think of it as visiting a tally and physically exhausted. have been done, gravesite. She is very intact, preclinical and in and trimix diving has tremendous spacious Blurred vision & laboratory envi- is not an acceptable internal areas that provide Hallucinations at 70m ronment only. No excellent, world-class pen- Being a landlubber, going out on case reports have combination. etration dives. If you have General the Baltic Sea usually means hav- been published. the opportunity and have the skills, ing to use some kind of motion- Personally as a physician and equipment, experience and crew sickness medication starting out as a technical closed von Steuben needed this is a wreck you have to Most divers have been told circuit rebreather diver with the dive. But read up on your knowl- In the middle of the Baltic Sea the German oceanliner about the side-effects of medicia- aim to take pictures of the wreck edge of the 2nd world war, share has been resting undisturbed for over 60 years. tion will be altered with increased General von Steuben, I found it with others and have a deeper Nearly 4 000 people lost their lives when pressure, most common relating after comparing my experiences more meaningful experience then the ship was hit by a couple of Russian to drugs which will aliviate swol- with my dive buddy back at the just another logged dive. This site len muchous membranes in the surface that I have had visual hal- torpedos in february 1945. demands a humble approach, as Follow the Swedish expedition down upper airways and problems to lucinations and that my footage is true with many physical and psy- and into the wreck at more than 220 ft equalize, which we all know is and video from many dives was chological challenges in life. where the sun never reaches. contraindicated and relates to out of focus, as I thought my mask risks of reverse block and ruptured was fogging up on me as it might Additional links http://www.cortex.se/steuben.html tympanic membrane (ear-drum). have in previous thousands of Swedish diving vessel “Moskus”in With motion sickness, the use of dives I have done. Ystad, Sweden. www.moskus.se

76 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Now, one year after, the situation remains difficult.

on Sumatrain retrospekt

It was a day of unbelievable Geography has changed, Debris violence. Sometimes Nature the beach has moved brought on away. Everything that was the uplifted decides to wake up and underwater, corals, spong- coral reef with an unforgettable result. es and algae is now out of after the This was the case on 26th the water for hundreds of backwashing December 2004 when the kilometres along the coast- wave line. The earthquake on giant earthquake struck and Dec. 26 lifted the seafloor a day that will be remem- about 2 meters both in bered for long time in areas Simeulue and Nias. Now, one year after, the as Simeulue and Nias Island, situation remains difficult. North Sumatra, Indonesia “Everything is changed which were the nearest in the lives of Northern points to the earthquake Sumatra’s inhabitants”, says Sebastiano Gulinello— epicentre. From this day on the Italian owner of the life changed profoundly for boat which carried us into the islands’ inhabitants the tsunami area. He has been living in Indonesia Text and Photos: since 1999, doing surfer’s Francesco Ricciardi cruises. www.biodiving.it “Most of them humanitarian aid arrived in abundance. are going away. Boats that were usually charterboats for The earth is con- surfers transformed themselves in hos- tinuously moving, pitals, medicine cargoships, and water and the people and food transporters. But despite of this, who remain are almost a year later, recovery is not com- dependent on plete and inhabitants are still completely the international dependant on aid to survive. aid. The economy Sebastiano and his crew are experts in is stagnant, and this area, which was seriously affected there are no signs by to big earthquakes in 2004 and 2005. of recovery”. They took us on tour to visit both islands Immediately after for a scientific expedition organized by the event, the Ancona University (Italy), whith the pur-

Crab left high and dry by the earth- Table corals broken by earth- quake. Unable to make it back to sea quake and killed by sand it now lies mummified by the sun and debris in the water.

78 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Some Porites colonies left dry after the uplift of the reef The uplifted reef bleaching under the sun. A big dead heliopora colony is a solemn are now becoming green with algae witness of the wonderful coral reef existing before December 26.

The following destination was Lakon, further out. In other words the water community as they were the only ones which were an incredible sight: The became clouded with particles and able to find some food in this devastated whole little island was lifted about two material that then settled on the corals ecosystem. Besides, the more striking meters, leaving wide areas of reef with knock-on effects on the whole eco- feature of the fish community was the exposed and out of the water. Giant system. Surgeonfish and parrotfish which impressive proportion of juveniles relative massive corals of the Porites genus, feed on algae were prevalent in the fish to adults (up to 70% of the herbivorous table-corals known as Acropora and Pocillopora lay bleached on the reef surface. Other areas, still moist from the sea sprays and high tide, were com- pletely green because of the colonisa- pose of evaluating the damage caused Our first dive, in front of Busung, one of the tion of algae. by the earthquake and tsunami on small villages on Simeulue, was a little sur- Walking on exposed reef was very Sumatra’s reefs, which are the resource prising: There were no apparent damage impressive. It was like a stony forest that the local population is dependent to corals due to tsunami, though there where we saw reef organisms such upon as well as a tourist destination. were some signs of dynamite fishing. The crabs, shells, sea urchins, stranded and On board were specialists in different ecosystem was healthy, with corals adapt- mummified by the sun, unable to reach fields of coral biology, from invertebrates ed to the strong waves that make this the sea that was now out of reach for to fish ecology. We were witnessing a island a favourite among surfers. Fish com- them. Now, the sea carried a lot of historic event, and were the first divers on munity seems to be in a good condition sand on the reef, transforming it in a the submerged reefs off Simeulue Island with butterfly fish, which are corallivorous, sandy beach. after the catastrophe. “All people living (eat corals, ed) and therefore a good indi- Diving in front of Lakon confirmed the in this area are frightened and people cator of reef health, are abundant and impressions from the topside scenario. with money are leaving the area or buy- colourful. Second dive was off the little The earthquake shook the carbonatic ing homes far from the sea”, Sebastiano island of Simelutjur, which is also exposed shelves, provoking some big collapses. says.“The Indonesian Government is pre- to strong waves, confirmed the previous The backwash of the waves then car- paring some emergency plans for the impression. The tsunami did not have any ried mud out to sea resulting in strong eventuality of another tsunami, since effect on a environment that was already siltation and unusual water turbidity experts confirm that the event of another well adapted to a “high-energy hydrody- one remains a possibility” namic situation”. Fish communities appear to be in a good condition 79 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Fish life sands of meters of coast. Tradition people. Few minutes later, in 2004, were and histories handed down from the tsunami wave on Simeulue prolific the village’s elders saved many killed only 6 people. even lives this day. Tales told about an “Sumong” in the local language after old earthquake where the sea means “tsunami”. The close tie the retracted following a giant wave Simeulue’s people have with quake that have destroyed the village in nature made the difference in the early ‘900. The escape from comparison to other regions, the village saved hundreds of where the wave killed thousands.

Some corals outside of the water

fish and 80% of the butterflyfish) recorded in the sites most affected by a strong siltation. This is unusual. Many fish spe- systems, continuously evolving depend- cies appeared in their recruitment stage, ing on external conditions. “There are while many adults have been likely killed some incredible dive sites in the Mentawai or displaced by the tsunami. Archipelago” – tSebastiano told us, a dive The same impressive situation met us in instructor before starting the surfer’s activity the front of Langi village, where the pres- - “and the Government is planning to make ence of rice paddies and human activ- some little Marine Protected Areas”. If not ity have stolen more space from man- damaged by human activities (like cyanide groves, which are plants with roots that and dynamite fishing), the coral will grow could have retained some of the mud again but slowly. It will probably need at and detritus (dead organic matter, ed.). least 50 years in the impacted areas. But People living in Langi told us about the we will given another chance of experienc- primoridal terror brought down on them ing Sumatra’s underwater beauties. Let during seven minutes of earth tremors, so Nature take her course. violent that they couldn’t remain on feet, while witnessing how the sea was sliding Life survived! away, and the corals going up for thou-

Last stop was the little island able to resist to the quake’s of Silaut Kecil, the region clos- power. Some big fish, as a est to earthquake epicentre. manta ray and some school- Some impressive breaks on ing bumphead parrotfish were the sea bottom was a testi- still present, while in the other ment to the incredible vio- dive sites they were com- An astonish- lence of the eartquake. Coral pletely missing. ing colony of reefs in shallow water were Now, the project is to moni- Porites massive completely destroyed, while toring the slow recovery of the coral broken the drop-off areas maintained corals. Probably the reef in this by earthquake a good overall condition, as area will never be the same and shifted by they were apparently better but coral reefs are dynamic tsunami wave 80 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Nikonos V type connector has five connections Photography

Edited by Jason Heller & Daniel Beecham

PRODUCT SHOTS OF COURTESY OF OCEAN Choosing & Using OPTICS (WWW.OCEANOPTICS.CO.UK), IKELITE (WWW.IKELITE.COM) AND LIGHT & MOTION (WWW.UWIMAGING.COM) Underwater Flash Units

Electrical or Optical? the camera-via a fibre optic cable, Early strobes which were designed Most of the principles of flash photog- rather than an electronic sync cord. for compact cameras used an ‘auto’ raphy are the same on DSLR’s (Digital The cable mounts onto the housing system to control the power output. Single Lens Reflex) and compact in front of the built in flash. When the With an auto system you set the cameras. There are however some built in flash fires, light travels up the desired aperture on the camera, and differences in the way flash units are cable, hits a slave sensor on the flash set the same aperture on a dial on connected to, and communicate unit, telling it when to start and stop the flashgun, this gives you the cor- with the cameras. firing. rect exposure. Newer strobes such as the INON By Daniel Beecham To fire an external flash unit on a When a built in flash is used on a D2000 now provide a ‘TTL’ system. DSLR, an electronic connection runs compact, the camera will put out a This has been achieved by building As any diver knows, Underwater photogra- water flash units, or from the camera hot shoe. through a series of pre-flashes before the main a slave sensor that actually copies at depth light is ab- phers are constantly ‘strobes’. We’ll also cable in the housing, and then to a flash fires and the image is recorded. everything that the built in flash does, look at some of the connector called a sync socket. From Because of this, when you want to including the pre flashes. These sorbed, and one by battling against the this socket, a sync cable connects fire an external flash unit, you must guns also feature exposure one the colours of the effect water has on problems that digital the housing to the external flash unit. use one that has been designed to compensation controls so spectrum disappear. colour and light, and cameras have pre- Most digital compact cameras do ignore the pre-flashes, and will wait you can adjust the Red is the first to go use various methods to sented with underwater not have a hot-shoe connector, and to fire with the main flash. If you try to power output even if it does, it may not be acces- use an older strobe (one designed to to achieve The which disappears at return good colours to flash units, and what to sible through the housing. Because be used with a film system) the exter- the desired around six metres, fol- their images. look out for when you more of this, external flash units for com- nal flash will fire early and so will not result. rugged lowed by orange, yel- In this issue we’re want to purchase your pacts generally work as slaves; they have time to recycle and fire on the S6 V type low… going to look at under- own flash system. are triggered by the built in flash on main flash. connector comes with six connections - and triple o-rings

81 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photography

Call for entries

A Tetra housing with Ultra 2006 - 1st Annual Wetpixel.com and Light arms mounted show- DivePhotoGuide.com ing how brands can often be combined - there ary many connectors, adap- tors and clamps available. International Photo Productphoto from Light & Motion’s website. Competition in association with Our World-Underwater

Other This has presented a problem for manu- understand, the downside with these It’s important to remember that the Over $25,000 in prizes! Compatibility facturers of underwater strobes, it takes is that they often mean you have to strobes generally have very wide cov- Wetpixel.com and DivePhotoGuide.com have Issues time to develop a flash unit that can retro-fit them to your housing, which erage, and as such they do not need teamed up to celebrate the beauty and delicacy Digital cameras have created a properly communicate with a DSLR, can be risky. to be pointed directly at your subject. of the marine environment by developing the first few problems with flash systems on DSLR and at the rate that new cameras are Even though TTL is now available instance of a new, annual, international underwa- cameras as well. Tradition film cameras being released, the strobes are often through various methods, many pho- Flash Arms ter photography competition. used TTL systems to meter the amount of out of date by the time they’re avail- tographers still choose to work with Do not underestimate the importance Photographers will compete in six categories to flash needed to expose the picture prop- able! manual flash, preferring the amount of good flashgun arms; it is through win more than $25,000 in prizes, including premium erly. DSLR’s use different TTL systems, such Many people continue to use older of control it offers the user. It is worth them that you control your light source. dive travel, underwater photography equipment, as DTTL, iTTL, and ETTL. If you try and use a strobes that have been designed for bearing in mind that you can always Good arms will hold their position when and more! Dive packages in the prize list include digital camera with a traditional TTL style film systems, and simply use the manual turn a TTL gun to manual; you can’t you move them, without the need to trips to some of the top photo destinations in the world: the Solomon Islands, Lembeh Strait, Raja strobe, the two will not communicate power settings to control the power turn a manual gun to TTL. loosen and tighten the clamps that Ampat, Komodo, the Galapagos Islands, Papua properly; they speak different languages. out-put. The instant review on the LCD hold the frames together. You don’t New Guinea, The Bahamas and Palau! Other screen allows you to check the expo- Strobe Positioning want to be wasting your valuable time prizes include camera housings, strobes, lighting sure, and adjust if necessary. If you feel The position that strobes are placed underwater adjusting arms, not spent systems, and other valuable items (see website for this is too much like hard work, there in is critical. Suspended particulate in taking underwater pictures. complete prize list). are ways to get a TTL system work- the water can be The contest includes a category for images that ing. illuminated as it focus on conservation and the marine environ- reflects light back ment, and one specifically for entries taken by Using land flash towards the cam- compact digital cameras. Some photographers use a era. This is often Another option is a manual strobe con- All entrants will receive one free, digital issue of normal land flash, and place referred to as troller, in this case for the Ikelite DS series Dive Chronicles Magazine, and all entrants in the it inside a custom built hous- ‘back-scatter’. To strobes. The stobe must be set to TTL mode Compact Camera category will receive one free ing, this means that the flash avoid backscatter when used with the Manual Controller photo lesson from renowned underwater photog- is wired directly from the cam- place your strobes rapher, Marty Snyderman, via TheUnderwaterphot ographer.com. era hot shoe to the flash, and in a position where so communicates properly. they will light the Winners will be announced on stage at the 2006 FROM OCEAN OPTICS, LONDON, UK Some small companies are subject only, and Our World-Underwater festival in Chicago, Illinois now producing converters that not the water in- (February 24-26, 2006). 15% of entry proceeds will Many change the signal from the cam- between the sub- be donated to marine conservation efforts. highend era into one that the flash unit can ject and the lens. Official Websites: strobes has Wetpixel www.wetpixel.com/contest manual settings WWW.IKELITE.COM DivePhotoGuide www.divephotoguide.com/ contest06 82 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED About The photoevent calendar

In an effort to keep our readers informed Considerations When and involved, each Purchasing Underwater Strobes issue will feature upcoming competi- 1) Power and Coverage tions, film festivals Photoevent Calendar by Jason Heller Make sure the power of the strobe and general event you’re looking at will fulfil your require- announcements. We Welcome to another great new X Ray feature ments; an underwater guide number hope we can help - our Dive Photo & Video Event Calendar, of around 22 will be sufficient for most you stay up-to-date provided by DivePhotoGuide.com. peoples needs. Regarding the cover- and further fuel your age of your strobes, look for a unit that passion for underwa- Dec. 1 covers around 100 degrees, or prefer- ter imagery. British Society of Underwater ably more. This will ensure your strobe Subtronic strobes have December is a big Photographers Annual Open Portfolio will cover most wide-angle lenses. built in Ni-Cad batteries month for underwa- Competition (UK) Often strobes also come with diffusers, ter photo and video ► www.bsoup.org/Open_Portfolio/intro.php future which will increase the coverage of competitions. There your strobes, although they will reduce strobe, servicing o-rings on the battery of strobes are 9 international com- Dec. 25 the power. compartment. can differ petitions with deadlines in Moscow International Diving Festival meets dramatically; December. Some com- “Golden Dolphin” (Russia) 2) Recycle Time Some strobes such as ‘Subtronic’s’ have also take into petitions are open to all ► www.mosfest.ru This is the time it takes the strobe to built in Ni-Cad batteries, which can be consideration photographers, while oth- classic recharge its power cells after firing on charged through the sync socket. These the size of the ers are only open to ama- Dec. 31 full power. Its important to check the batteries are generally very powerful and unit along teurs. Remember, always Underwater Photography.com Annual recycle time on a strobe you’re looking give the strobe a fast re-cycle time. They with with all make sure that you note Contest (USA - Online) to purchase, if the strobe is very slow to can also be more reliable as they have the necessary the specific usage rights ► www.underwaterphotography.com recycle, you may find yourself missing fewer o-rings because there is no bat- accessories secured by the competi- pictures whilst you’re waiting for your tery compartment, and therefore fewer including flash tion before submitting any 2nd Annual Manta Network Photo strobes to recycle potential weak points. These batteries are arms, cables, images or videos. Competition (USA) generally not user replaceable, and must chargers and/ ► http://mantas.somebox.com/html/docu- 3) Power Source be carefully maintained. If the cells are or batteries. Good luck! ments/Contest_Desc.pdf Some underwater strobes are powered allowed to drain completely, or are not re- Try not to get by normal AA batteries, whereas others charged often enough, they may be irrep- caught in the Beneath The Sea 2006 Photo and Video have built in cells. Both power sources arably damaged, and so you could find trap of hav- Competition (USA) have their advantages and disadvan- yourself on a dive trip with a strobe that will ing too much ► www.beneaththesea.org/v2005/contest.html tages. not hold its charge. gear to comfortably transport your gear When using AA cells you can travel as hand luggage, if your system get too The North Carolina Aquariums Photo with a couple of large packs of dis- 4) Size and Weight heavy or large it will have to be checked Competition (USA) posable batteries or with a few sets of This is an important consideration with pur- into the hold, and you risk paying excess ► www.ncaquariums.com/newsite/pressre- rechargeable batteries and chargers. chasing any diving gear or underwater luggage fines on your dive trips. leases/photocontest05.htm You should have enough to keep you camera equipment. The size and weight going for your dive trip, but if you run A full underwater camera system rep- 2006 Scuba Diving Magazine Photo out or your charger resents a significant investment for most Contest (USA) gets damaged you people, and a flash system may represent ► www.scubadiving.com/photocontest can source AA’s a large portion of that investment. Be sure almost anywhere, so that the system you’re getting into will ful- British Underwater Image Festival (UK) Up to new shores! you should be able to fil your needs now, and in the future. Visit ► www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article. keep shooting. a reputable dealer who knows the equip- asp?UAN=2108&v=1&sp= www.seacam.com One of the disad- ment before you buy, and if possible get Sweden • Norway • Denmark • Finland vantages is that you’ll in the water with the equipment you’re International Photoshop Competition Bäckebolslyckan 18, SE-422 54 Hisings Backa have more mainte- going to be using before you hand over (USA) Tel + 46/31/769 09 70, Mob + 46/708/29 33 41 e-mail: [email protected] nance to do on your your credit card! ► www.digitalcanvasawards.com

83 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED shark tales

Text and photo by Edwin Marcow The surf pounded and broke upon the shoreline pushing the diver backwards. As the surge swept back into the ocean, it pulled on the diver’s aching feet and legs.

The “heroic” diver hauled in his twelfth kill of the day, another man-eating shark, the rag- ged tooth one, now disposed of. With its huge bulk and protruding fangs, people would be in awe of the diver’s bravery. Girls would flock to be by his side. Guys would wish they could be “just like him.” That was the mid 70’s, the time of Jaws, where the only good shark was a dead shark. With the exception of a few, mass hysteria, mis-placed fear and above all, ignorance, played out on our all our parts. It is hard to believe that this could have taken place, but it did, time after time, in par- ticular Australia and South Africa. How things have changed…

Old Raggie The Ragged Tooth shark, Carcharias taurus, is also known as the Sand Tiger shark, Grey Nurse shark or fondly called “Raggies” in South the formidable large shark feeds only you “something in their will”. handful. It has been witnessed when Africa. It has a robust size and girth, brown skin Getting there on small fishes. This rather shy and The Ragged Tooth shark, for all it’s an over-friendly diver ventures too often commonly seen with large dark spots on If you should travel to South Africa to almost timid shark will only attack if imposing size and protruding fangs, is a close. The diver will be literally chased each flank, pointed snout and numerous fang dive with the Raggies. Please see The provoked, most often when disturbed passive animal. With their unique abil- out of the ocean. like teeth. Best Dive Sight’s in South Africa. Look from a restful slumber. ity among sharks to be able to pump So, if you should go down to ocean What a formidable killer this shark must be! under The South Coast chapter where Though “common” in South Africa in water over their gills, they Raggies can today, please, please observe only, or Well nothing could be further from the truth, there are numerous listings for dive particular off the coastline of KwaZulu sleep and rest in caves and gullies, you too, could be chased out of the although a large shark like this is made all the locations to see and observe these Natal where they mate or reproduce which seems to be their favourite pas- sea. ■ more lethal with the equal size of its dorsal magnificent fish. in summer bearing two pups nine time. and anal fins. Measuring in at an average Do please treat these wonderful months later, this is a species on the Although not aggressive, once the ABOVE: A Raggie or Ragged Tooth shark length of three metres and about 300 kg, this sharks with the respect, the kind of endangered list due to the actions of respect you would show to a wealthy personal space of a Raggie has been emerges from the deep. They can grow up large shark is slow, sluggish and docile. to three meters (10 ft) in length and weigh a few all those years ago. relative who you hoped would leave breached, they can become quite a For the un-initiated, it is hard to believe that up to 300 kilograms (662 pounds)

84 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED media Movies Books•Film•DVDs•CDs Screensaver Edited by Peter Symes & Game & Gunild Pak Symes All-in-one! POINT & CLICK OceanDive is a fun com- ON BOLD LINKS bination of an explora- tion game and 3D scuba diving screensaver. Now, you can enjoy realistic scuba diving vistas of the underwater world when you are not diving beneath the waves. No gear to don, no getting wet. Journey through DVD shoals of fish, undersea caves, coral reefs and stunning submarine views. OceanDive will take you far away from your desk. Check out the scuba diving exploration game or upgrade your older version. Guaranteed with no spyware and no adware. DIRECTOR: John Stockwell Free screensavers and free trial of the game are available for down- STUDIO: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer load at the website. Price for Ocean Dive Adventure game with free and Columbia Pictures upgrades: US$19.99 www.oceandive.com RATING: PG-13 LENGTH: 110 minutes RELEASED: 30 September 2005 STORY: Into the Blue is a deep sea thriller set in the shark-infest- Due to Enemy Action ed waters of the Bahamas. Four Author: Stephen Puleo young divers enter a game of Hardcover: 352 pages high stakes when they discover Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition a legendary shipwreck thought Date: June 1, 2005 to hold millions of dollars worth of Language: English gold. They cannot believe their ISBN: 1592287395 luck. But the plot thickens when General von Steuben DVD Price: US$ 22.95 nearby, they discover a sunken This DVD takes us to the German Ocean Liner General von Steuben, Author Stephen Puleo brings us an account plane on the ocean floor. It is full which was employed as a transport vessel for wounded soldiers by of the USS Eagle-56 sunk by a German U-boat of illegal cargo. The four friends the the Nazi navy during the Second World War. The ship carried near the end of World War II. At the time, the make a pact to keep silent about both civilians and soldiers out of East Prussia to avoid the advancing ship’s sinking was wrongly blamed on a boiler- both finds until they can extract Soviet army. In February 1945, she was sunk in the Baltic Sea by the room explosion by the US naval court most the shipwreck’s treasure before Soviet submarine S-13. The ship now rests at a depth of 72 meters, the likely to avoid embarassment that the Navy a rival team uncovers their secret last resting place for several thousand people who perished in the had allowed an enemy warship to operate so stash and beats them to the treas- freezing cold waters. Price: €49.00. www.divedvd.com closely to the mainland towards the end of ure. But things turn for the worse the war. But in March 1988, two sons of one of when the divers find out that dan- the Eagle’s crew members and their persistant gerous smugglers are already on lawyer, Paul Lawton, a naval historian, revived their way to the missing plane the case and persuaded the Navy to recant, and a fatal decision by one of thereby clearing the names of the crew and the young friends changes the setting the record straight. www.amazon.com role of the treasure hunters into the hunted...

www.IntoTheBlue-Movie.com 82 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Classifieds

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A Singing Iceberg? from an iceberg stuck on the seabed floor. Even sea lions have to brush their teeth The 50 by 20km iceberg had collided with Scientists recording seismic signals in an underwater peninsula. The scientists Captive sea lions living in an ocean dropped to them. Antarctica to measure tectonic move- found that when water pushed through park in China have to brush their At first, the sea lions were ments and earthquakes picked up a low the iceberg’s tunnels and crevasses at teeth before bed just like humans reluctant to receive a good but clear tune under the waves. Upon high pressure, the big lump of ice would do. In the wild, marine animals tooth brushing, according investigation, they found that the sounds, start to sing. Located on such as sea lions find that seaweed to keepers at the Laohutan which were around 0.5 the South Atlantic coast of makes a perfect dental floss. But in Pole Aquarium, but now hertz and too low to be Antactica, the melodious captivity, these animals need a bit many of them will open their heard by humans but iceberg was discovered of help from the electric toothbrush, mouth and close their eyes to Wet & Weird when sped up sounded and studied by research- which trainers and keepers use to enjoy the treatment. Although like an orchestra warming ers from the German Alfred clean the sea lions’ teeth at least some did not adapt to the up or a swarm of bees, Wegener institute for polar twice a week. Like humans, leftover electric toothbrush, several were actually coming and marine research. food stuck in between the sea lions’ went through a step by step teeth will cause tartar and stains as desensitisation process where- well as oral diseases if not cleaned. by they looked at it, listened Sea lions in the wild usually use to it, touched it and finally their teeth for hunting, but cap- brushed with the electric News edited by tive sea lions feed on food that is toothbrush. Gunild Symes NOAA 86 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Comex BC Classifieds

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Artificial Reef Society of British The Artificial Reef Society January 14th 2006 has been set for geous depth. It will be an excellent and Colombia —Pressrelease of British Columbia has sinking the airframe. This sink date safe place to learn basic wreck diving and will enable the society to meet the overhead environment skills. announced that all impedi- deadline for inclusion in the upcom- Howard Robins, President of the ARSBC, Boeing 737 Gets Go ments appear to have been ing Discovery Channel series “Mega who has also led the cleaning and prepa- removed in preparation for Builders”. Discovery has suggested ration of the airframe for sinking, said, Ahead To Be New the sinking of a Boeing 737 that this program will reach 100 mil- “A large number local divers, as well as lion viewers world wide. divers from Washington State, worked Artificial Reef airframe that will serve as an By virtue of her being only 40 feet very hard as volunteers to prepare the air- artificial reef near Chemainus, high, even sitting fifteen feet above plane for sinking. We expect that with this on Vancouver Island, British the ocean bottom, she will be able announcement many of them will plan to to offer divers the opportunity to do return for the sinking event January 14th Columbia. penetration dives shal- 2006. lower than 70 feet. This The regulatory requirements included makes for an ideal train- January For more information, go to a final inspection by Environment ing environment. www.artificialreef.bc.ca, or Canada, and completion of con- The 6 ships the ARSBC 14th 2006 www.divemaster.ca/boeing, sultations with the Hlu’qumi’num have sunk are somewhat has been set or contact Howard Robins at 604-733- Musti’muhw in what is a landmark deeper, with main decks for sinking 1122, or Peter Luckham at 250-252-0758 agreement with First Nations insofar as at over 80 feet in most their participating in the review and cases and the bulk of the the airframe permitting of an artificial reef project. artificial reef below that.

87 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Thomas Peschak

88 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED portfolio Thomas Peschak

Photos by Thomas P. Peschak With a snout equipped with an arsenal of Text edited by Gunild Pak Symes sophisticated sensors, this curious great white shark is about to lightly bump the dome port of my camera to learn more about the Thomas P. Peschak is a marine biologist strange object that has invaded its realm based at the University of Cape Town’s Marine Biology Research Institute, where he con- RIGHT: Sunlight struggling through the canopy ducts scientific research on kelp forests, ille- of a flooded forest gal fishing and the ecology of sea otters. He is an experienced field biologist and profes- PREVIOUS PAGE: During the austral winter southern right whales congegrate in great sional diver who has worked extensively in numbers along South Africa’s coast. They Africa, Central America, the Middle East and frequent shallow and sheltered bays to mate the South Pacific. and give birth

89 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED portfolio Thomas Peschak

In marine protected areas along South Africa’s sub-tropical east coast large preda- tory fish like potato bass are still oommon and often show little fear of divers

ABOVE & BOTTOM RIGHT: Indigenous spear fisherman. In addition he is also a award winning underwater Along a remote stretch of the South African east coast photographer and author dedicated to telling sto- live the Tembe-Thonga tribe, some of last true marine ries and capturing images of Africa’s oceans and hunter gatherer people left on earth. To survive they coastline and these days spends at least half his year glean food from the sea by spear fishing and harvest- in pursuit of elusive uniquely African marine subjects. ing marine invertebrates from the rocky reefs In 2004, Peschak was given the title of official marine photographer for the World Wide Fund for Nature - South Africa for whom he continu- ous to cover a diverse range of marine conser- vation issues. Thomas is a regular contributor to BBC Wildlife and Africa Geographic magazine and his images and words have also appeared in many international travel, natural history and

90 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED portfolio Thomas Peschak

RIGHT: Thomas Peschak ABOVE: His new book

A territorial west coast rock lobster attacks its own reflection in the dome port of my housing

dive publications as well as in over ten books. class photography both above and underwa- New Holland. He is also developing a guide His recent book, Currents of Contrast: Life in ter. You’re going to have to get this one!!!” to marine wildlife tourism and underwa- Southern Africa’s Two Oceans, was published Professor of Marine Biology, Dr. George M. ter photography in southern Africa for the in June 2005 by New Holland. It has received Branch, of the University of Cape Town said, same publisher. The guide is due out in 2007. critical acclaim and favorable reviews. “Above and beyond the stunning photog- Thomas P. Peschak’s book Currents of Mark Carwardine of BBC Wildlife Magazine’s raphy, the book is filled with authoritative Contrast: Life in Southern Africa’s Two Oceans Book of the Month Club said, “How I wish accounts of the key topics that capture the can be ordered from www.amazon.co.uk or is I had written this book! It is a joy to read imagination: sharks, whales, kelp beds, sar- available from most good bookshops. Limited and the breadth and depth of coverage is dines and coral splendour are all dealt with edition posters of some of his images are also very impressive…. the hundreds of spectacu- in satisfying detail but in an accessible style available from www.africageographic.com. lar colour photographs form one of the best that makes the book a pleasure to read.” For more information or to order images image collections I’ve seen from the region.” Peschak is currently working on three new directly from Thomas Peschak, please visit: The editor of Getaway Magazine, David major projects. The first is a definitive natural www.currentsofcontrast.com ■ Bristow, wrote about the book, “It is the next great history book on the shark fauna of south- work on southern Africa’s oceans, with world- ern Africa to be published in early 2007 by

A cape clawless otter, Africa’s very own version of the more well known North American sea otter, forages for lobsters, crabs and benthic fishes on rocky reefs

91 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED portfolio Thomas Peschak

Wherever divers encounter Cape fur seals , these agile and graceful swimmers are bound to put on a impromptu undersea ballet performance

South Africa’s Wild Coast is home to a rock formation know as the Hole in the Wall. Over millions of years the ocean and river have carved a massive opening into a sea cliff and during calm seas one can swimm through the hole from the river into the ocean

For most of the year, the waters off Dyer island, the region’s white shark hotspots are murky and green, but on a few rare occasions, ocean- ic water moves inshore and bathes great white sharks in near crystal clear water

92 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Thomas Peschak IN OUR NEXT ISSUE portfolio Diving in The Philippines

NONOY TAN

At the edge of a kelp forest a cape fur seal hunts fish by NONOY TAN herding them into a bait ball and pushing them to the surface

SCOTT BENNETT

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LEFT: Vast kelp forests thrive in the cold ABOVE: South Africa is a true shark waters off southern Africa’s west coast, hotspot and many species, like this taking advantage of the bountiful nutrients spotted gully shark are endemic to the driven to the surface by coastal upwelling region and occur nowhere else on earth

93 X-RAY MAG : 8 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED