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Gifts & Holiday Shopping for Divers Discover Medical Diving with GLOBAL EDITION Dec :: Jan Diabetes 2006-07 Number 14 Portfolio David Pilosof Do It Right Ecology Stingrays Travel Tips AWESOME For Mermaids

TIGERAustralia BYRON BAY BONDI BEACH Going it Alone NINGALOO TASMANIA KENT GROUP

A co-production with underwater australasia — underwater.com.au COVER PHOTO BY PETER PINNOCK 1 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope ‘Tis the Season to Give Gifts: Copenhagen, Denmark - www.aquascope.biz www.xray-mag.com Holiday Shopping for Divers... See page 75 14K GOLD SEA TURTLE PENDANT DESIGNED BY EVAN LLOYD PRICED AT US$281.25 WWW.LLOYDSLIMITED.COM PUBLISHER CO- EDITORS (continued) . Photos by Wags & Kelly & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Millis Keegan Peter Symes - Opinions and ‘DiveGuru.net’ [email protected] Michael Arvedlund - Ecology MANAGING EDITOR Jason Heller - Photography contents & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dan Beecham - Videography Gunild Pak Symes Michel Tagliati - Medicine [email protected] Leigh Cunningham ADVERTISING - Americas & United Kingdom: Edwin Marcow Kevin Brennan - Sharks, Adventures [email protected] Willy Volk, Catherine GS Lim International Sales Manager: - News Arnold Weisz Michael Portelly [email protected] Arnold Weisz South East Asia Rep: Catherine GS Lim, Singapore CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE [email protected] Michael Arvedlund, PhD Marketing Manager: Dan Beecham Yann Saint-Yves Andrey Bizyukin, PhD [email protected] Thea Brolund SENIOR EDITOR Michael Symes Leigh Cunningham [email protected] George Evatt Richard Fitzpatrick TECHNICAL MANAGER Karen Gowlett-Holmes Søren Reinke [email protected] Jason Heller Thyge Dahl Hermansen CORRESPONDENTS Tim & Wandy Hochgrebe Scott Bennett - Canada/SE Asia Millis & Brian Keegan Enrico Cappeletti - Catherine GS Lim Jordi Chias - Spain Carly Maple John Collins - Ireland Edwin Marcow 28 31 34 40 Jeff Dudas - CA, USA 42 plus... Gary Myors AUSTRALIAN CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL BYRON BAY CHILLIN’ IN BONDI BEACH KENT GROUP MARINE EDITORIAL 3 Tim Hochgrebe - Australia ADVENTURE - BY WANDY TAGGING TIGERSHARKS NEW SOUTH WALES - BY SYDNEY HARBOR RESERVE, TASMANIA Tomas Knutsson - Iceland Peter Pinnock NEWS - DEMA 5 & TIM HOCHGREBE BY RICHARD FITZPATRICK TIM & WANDY HOCHGREBE BY RICHARD VEVERS BY GARY MYORS Marcelo Mammana - Argentina Cindy Ross MERMAID MATTERS 57 Yonatan Nir - Israel Gunild Pak Symes DIVE GURUS 62 Svetlana Murashkina - Russia Peter Symes WHALES & DOLPHINS 66 Gary Myors - Tasmania Anders Tychsen 46 57 68 71 88 SEA TURTLE NEWS 68 Barb Roy - & AK, USA Richard Vevers NINGALOO REEF COLOGY TOP THE ILLING MEDICINE: DISCOVER E : S K BOOKS & MEDIA 79 Nonoy Tan - Paul & Kelly Waghorn WESTERN AUSTRALIA - BY STINGRAYS TURTLES ON BALI DIVING WITH DIABETES THE SOLOMON ISLANDS BUSINESS DIRECTORY 94 Yann Saint-Yves - Karen Wilshaw PAUL & KELLY WAGHORN BY MICHAEL ARVELUND BY KURT AMSLER BY THEA BROLUND BY PETER PINNOCK & ANDERS TYCHSEN CO- EDITORS Andrey Bizyukin See our Contacts page for more - Caving, Equipment, Medicine information at: xray-mag.com columns... Not yet subscribed to SUBSCRIPTION X-RAY MAG? Sign up now! X-RAY MAG International Edition in English is FREE. 74 77 80 83 99 It’s FREE! QUICK! EASY! To subscribe, go to: www.xray-mag.com HOLIDAY SHOPPING: TECHNICAL: TALES: PHOTOGRAPHY: PORTFOLIO: click here... COVER PHOTO GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS DEEP DIVE WISDOM BITS & BITES SCUBA ZOO DAVID PILOSOF Diver with Big Eye Jacks, by Peter Pinnock EDITED BY GUNILD SYMES BY LEIGH CUNNINGHAM EDITED BY EDWIN MARCOW BY DAN BEECHAM EDITED BY GUNILD SYMES (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)

2 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 Amsterdam Barcelona Cape Town Chicago Copenhagen London Moscow Okinawa Oslo Paris Ravenna Reykjavik Sharm El Shiekh Warsaw and

There are “Only 50 years left’ for sea fish”, “UN considers deep sea editorial trawling ban”, “Seafood stocks are under siege, scientists say” and “Collapse of All Wild Fisheries Running Out of Fish Predicted in 45 Years”. Well, these were some random Are We Now? pickings from another bunch of These findings which imply thatfish- joyful headlines from the past ing can contribute to a boom or month or so. Almost makes you bust swing in the supplies of the and shaking can it take before it want to cancel the paper, no? targeted fish stock surprised some comes tumbling down in ruins and Of course most of the press scientists, who alledgedly thought becomes something else? corps goes right over the top as that fishing just caused predict- usual blowing things totally out able depletion. But it turned out Put simply of proportion losing track of both that sometimes it can cause an Now, to make a very long-winded facts and common sense. and technical explanation very Then, just as predictable, in The bottom line is, short, suffice it to say that a knee-jerk reaction, some quite simply, that we don’t need com- once systems get a just a short-sighted fishermen tries to teeny-weeny bit complex, rubbish the scientists’ findings plicated science to tell us that the way their future behaviour can’t right away in a desperate we effect, interact with and depend on be predicted accurately. You attempt to protect their liveli- have to resort to modellin—for hoods, as if it were the scien- the global ecosystem will be sending the example in computers—where tists who had invented the whole planet and humanity down the you simulate possible out- depletion of fish stocks. And comes. so, the pendulum swings and tubes, if we don’t change course Just consider a simple pen- debate goes on in the same dramatically and soon. dulum. The motion of this can predictable grooves with little be very accurately calculated. real action taken. increase. That makes predicting It was even used in clocks once, the amount of fish stock hard and right? But suspend one pendulum “Impact of Fishing on can lead to the collapse of fish- beneath another and the whole Species Found to be ing stocks when a bust follows a system—even as simple as this and Unpredictable” boom. even if the motion of the individual pendulums can be The longstanding debate on the Do’h! described accurate- impact of fishing on the variabil- I don’t know where the surprise ity of fishing stock in the world’s comes in, and which serious oceans then just got a tad bit researchers were actually sur- more complicated as research prised. I was dumbfounded. There published in Nature this past is nothing new or mysterious in October pointed out that the these‘news’. impact of fishing on the popula- You see, in my other previous tions of fish varies too much to be life, I used to be a researcher predictable. That led the research- myself working with ecological

ers to conclude that its impos- modelling, and my special area of ERIC WEISSTEIN’S WORLD OF SCIENCE sible to predict whether specific interest was looking into the pro- fish populations will collapse or gression of ecosystems over time rebound. and defining the limits of ecosys- tems’ structural integrity and which changes are likely if these limits were overstepped, i.e. by exter- nal disturbances. In other words, if we compare an ecosystem to a building, how much perturbation Click here to see it in motion 3 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ly—soon exhibits chaotic behaviour. Ecosystems are also systems of inter- linked subsystems, but way more com- plex, in what is popularly called the food web. Can we, from looking at the compo- nents, predict where it is all going? No! The unpredictability of complex systems was already established in the 1930’s, so where does the surprise come in again? Can we, from the whole ecosystem’s KURT AMSLER / SOS SEATURTLES apparent behaviour and trend and infer- ences from past experiences and exam- Support SOS-SeaTurtles ples, make any reasonable guess-timates as to where we are heading? Did we Sign the petition online, click here ☼ learn anything from almost wiping out the North American bison, the pacific salmon, Thousands of sea turtles are being slaughtered often suffering the rhino, the tiger? Hopefully, yes! an ugly painful death by being skinned alive. Click here to send an email with a “Letter of Protest” to the Governor of Bali A final note and copies sent to other important officials The bottom line is, quite simply, that we don’t need complicated science to tell Click here to visit SOS Sea Turtle’s webpage ☼ us that the way we effect, interact with and depend on the global ecosystem will Want to know why? Turn to page 68 and read on be sending the whole planet and human- ity down the tubes, if we don’t change course dramatically and soon. We just need to open our eyes. The The “Awesome Australia” travel section in this issue fishes are all gone in some places, and was brought to you thanks to our associates from steadily declining elsewhere. The progres- underwater.com.au: sion of this development doesn’t take a scientist to figure out (says this under- signed scientist). You can start by shopping responsibly next time you go to the supermarket! ■ We remember when he was just a minnow.

X-RAY MAG is distributed six Unsolicited manuscripts, ® times per year on the Internet. photographs and illustra- Editorial statement regarding As the official dive training agency for Walt Disney World for 10 magical years, our friendship there runs © 2004-2006 X-RAY MAG. All tions should be emailed to: News from NAUI in X-RAY MAG: pretty deep. To celebrate our decade together, NAUI® will host DiveQuest at Epcot’s ® “The Living Seas” rights reserved. [email protected] Material in this publication attraction during the national trade show this November. Industry professionals can win a VIP DiveQuest may not be reproduced or X-RAY MAG accepts no transferred electronically in responsibility for unsolicited ticket. Contact Chad Barbay at 407-245-7810 or [email protected]. any form without written per- materials sent to its office, It’s a chance to feel like a big fish in a very big pond. X-Ray Magazine is mission from the copyright nor is it liable for loss or This issue of X-RAY MAG and a proud member of owner. damage to such materials. others includes news and press releases from NAUI in sections & Marketing Views and information X-RAY MAG observes a designated by the NAUI logo. Association expressed in articles are those strict privacy policy. No per- While the page design is done by Visit us online at www.nauiww.org. X-RAY MAG as an integrated part www.dema.org of the individual author and sonal or private information of the magazine, these news sto- are not necessarily repre- will be shared with a third ries are brought to you by NAUI at sentative of views held by party without the written NAUI’s discretion. X-RAY MAG or its affiliates. permission of the owner.

4 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 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 HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED BY X-RAY MAG STAFF, NOR ARE THE ITEMS WARRANTEED. INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CONDENSED FROM MANUFACTURERS’ DESCRIPTIONS. TEXTS ARE USUALLY EDITED FOR LENGTH, CLARITY AND STYLE. LINKS ARE ACTIVE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION Seen at DEMA 2006

Ran Vered, David NEWS & Doubilet, and Howard Rosenstein from News edited Fantasea by Peter Symes Equipment JASON HELLER Impressions from Wayne Hasson, from the Aggressor Fleet, organ- ized busloads of 200 high POINT & CLICK ON the 30th DEMA school students to tour BOLD LINKS the show floor and learn

Orlando, November 8-11 JASON HELLER about careers in diving

Uh-oh. Time for the For dive industry professionals worldwide, spective buyers, some of which actually wares interspersed with training agencies, annual DEMA report DEMA is one of the major annual highlights brought some fresh thinking to the table. publishers, environmental organizations, of the year. As is the case with Christmas, On the floor, we also find resorts and dive treasure hunters, dive magazines, apparel again. Like tax returns, anticipation tends to start early nurturing operators from all continents offering their and jewellery and every imaginable flavour it routinely catches me ongoing speculation about what surprises a bit off-guard that it’s will be unveiled this year by the secre- already that time of tive manufacturers. For the uninitiated, the DEMA show is the biggest and most year again. I always significant dive trade show on the planet, struggle a bit with but it is also a trade show with admission either one as I have for dive industry professionals only—it is off to put all my creativ- limits for the general public. In a conven- tion hall that looks like the size of Boeing’s ity into one report but 747 assembly building, over 600 exhibitors none whatsoever into from all over the world have erected what the other—but here seems to be a small town of booths and displays big enough to warrant its own tram we go... line. Along the seemingly endless rows of long By Peter Symes isles of booths, pavilions and exhibitions, With additional reporting we find a diverse mixture of established and photography by equipment brands—such as ,, Millis Keegan Aqualung and many others—blended with Jason Heller a sound undergrowth of sprouting enter- and Eric Cheng prises all vying for the interest of the pro- PETER SYMES PETER SYMES 5 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Silly or Great? Ear dryer We used to be on The Sahara DryEar ear the lookout for the dryer circulates safe, gen- craziest or most silly tle, warm air inside the ear invention at the DEMA show, such as the twin canal and evaporates the tube or the snorkel with built-in FM-. This year, trapped water leaving the however, we are not quite sure whether the Amphibian fin by natural environment in the brothers Abraham and Ronen qualifies or it is a stroke of gen- ear relatively unchanged. ius in disguise. We are all quite familiar with the problematic It’s the first ever, totally issue of walking around in fins, right? In this original fin natural way to dry your design, the blades pivot up thanks to hinges placed ears and at the same time on both sides of the foot. Since the fin is already in minimize the number of two pieces, OmegaAquatics plans to add more infections due to the moist features like interchangeable blades in the coming environment in the ears year. Currently available in colors of blue, yellow, green after a dive. www.dryear.net and grey. www.omegaaquatics.com

of ocean-related businesses. dive industry has been struggling since here and there, which will be presented So, how was this year’s DEMA, the the turn of the millennium, and it has in the following pages. But DEMA is much 30th of its kind? I have been to 13 experienced a strong change in dive more than just displaying new inventions of the past 15, and in these years, it travel, which 9/11, SARS and the turmoil and travel destinations, it is also a buzzing has always been a dynamic market- in the Middle East didn’t exactly help. So, meeting place where numerous seminars place—some years much more so it was a pleasure to see that at this year’s are held. ■ than others. The past couple of years show, a lot of the 1990’s dynamic energy have been disturbingly quiet, with was back. Most of the major manufac- the show in Houston in 2004 being turers were back in the show, and there an outright lame show low point. The was once more some interesting news

A typical scene: Bartering on the show floor. Bob Evans, founder and of Fin, demonstrates his latest design

Some of our fellow digital media ‘accomplices’. Wendy and Jason Heller of DivePhotoGuide (above) and (right) Eric Cheng of WetPixel and Willy Volk of Divester

6 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Mares Alikai Today, we are highly restricted when traveling by air, and Mares has taken that to heart when presenting this lightweight BC for women. It folds to a compact size, is comfort- able and promises a great boyancy lift. A special feature Now for to save the back, is the Trim Weight pockets, placed on the saltwater strap, holding up to 6kg/13lbs. Will women be attracted by the fact that The new Submerge model is a fast u/w scooter that Allikai means the ”Queen of the Sea”? weighs under 50 pounds. With its single 20 cell pack it is www.mares.com supposed to run a minimum of 60 minutes up to 100 min- utes. It has the same driveline/motor and construction as previous models, and comes with a three-year corrosion warranty. www.silent-submersion.com

It’s here. The regu- Status lator that monitors your use and tells you when it needs service. The Status compact Liquivision first stage accomplishes that with a digital display. This could save you We were looking for some money. The Status is compat- something new in ible to EAN 40 and comes stand- mask design, and I think we found ard with an environmental dry kit it. The mask that you don’t have to equalize, is that suitable for cold water diving. Four even possible? The Nirvana-2 says it is, the mask is filled medium ports 3/8” UNF with salty saline water, and the special lenses in the goggle and one high pressure port 7/16” is supposed to correct your vision. Because the goggle is filled UNF. www.apeks.co.uk with water, it can never fog or leak. It sounds to good to be true, and I can’t wait to try a pair. www.liquivision.ca Cobra2 The air integrated Suunto Cobra2 is a full-featured Analox It only takes a small con- centration of Carbon . It Monoxide, breathed monitors and displays at pressure, to have an pressure, tracks your adverse effect on the These fins created with hydrodynamic MorFin rate of air consumption human body. The Analox ‘wing’ shapes aspire to lift you for- and continuously calcu- CO Clear™, with a fixed ward in the water like a small lates your remaining air alarm, that continuously airplane. They can be time. Two-gas switching monitors for high levels used with traditional , Air, and of Carbon Monoxide strokes, but Gauge modes, contamination from their strength and an elec- is a tool shows when tronical compass with tilt to help a filling station to using the sensor perfects this tool. deliver clean air. dolphin kick. www.suunto.com www.analox.net Mor-fin.com

7 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Aqualung i3

Next step in BC technology is the streamlined Sea Quest Pro QD with an integrated infla- tion and deflation system. The system has control- ling ascent and descent by pulling a lever up and down. The lever is fixed to the BC on the left lower side. Pull up, and air from the tank enters the Swiss Video Lights BC; pull down, and both the This small and powerfull video light gives a upper and lower one-way air natural white light of daylight quality with valve simultaneously releases a color of 5200 Kelvin at 21 air from the BC. This makes watts. It has eight settings ranging from 14 venting easier if you are in a to 28 watts. The light includes a bracket Wide head down position. For some that mounts easily on standard arm sys- old timers, this might take some tems and to top that off, it ads only 0.27kg screen time getting used to, but the to your gear. Burn time is 100-180 minutes. Designed to be easy-to-read, a large size dis- nice streamlined design could Another good feature is the overtempera- play was one of the primary requirements. To make up for that. Another neat ture protection that allows you to use the optimize readability in every circumstance, feature is the flat contour of the light also outside the water. special attention was also paid to the size valves, they are now actually www.keldanlights.com and brightness of the numbers when embedded in the vest rather designing this piece —so was maxi- than sitting on top of it. mizing the viewing angle of Nemo www.aqualung.com Wide. You have an easy four but- ton access to the system and a nice ergonomic design for comfort. www.mares.com

Hot Down It’s smaller Under Henderson than you think Perhaps Henderson’s most highly It can get cold while diving even advanced, patent pending mate- in , but with the help of the And it will rial. The material called Insta “Heated Kidney Belt” you can lead you through Dry™ dries in just minutes. It is still keep warm under your suit. Put the dive with light. It really warm, has anti-microbial prop- your kidney belt on, and doesn’t matter how good a dive computer is if erties and keeps the water when needed, you can’t see the display when you are diving. shedding. The outer layer a push on the The display of the Liquivision F1 - Technical is made of durable, right spot will Grade Bottom Timer really shows you big non-pilling Micro Mesh release heat fonts on the display, bright and clear, with a high carbon. for up to an 180 degree viewing angle. You can not miss www.hendersonusa.com hour. your dive time and depth unless you close www.hotsuits. your eyes. www.liquivision.ca com.au

8 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The first and only regulator dedicated to women, Ladies only writes Mares in their new 2007 catalogue.It is elegant, it is lightweight and comes (except in the US) with a anatomically designed ‘jAX mouth- piece’ that can be custom moulded. The second stage is built over the Mares Proton. www.mares.com

Whites Catalyst Unique above the May the Force shoulder to shoul- der self entry system (Fin) be with you CSS – patented Captive Suspension Bob Evans once again releases a forceful fin, System panels all not like any other. As always, a futuristic design, around the waist colorful, like nothing before seen. The beauty and above the of his new innovative models are that the knees (360°!) and blades are exchangeable. You keep the revolutionary pat- new comfortable footpocket and pick the tern design allowing fin blade that fits the dive you are about seven sizes to fit 90% to do. www.forcefin.com of all human beings! www.whitesdiving.com

Vyper2 The Suunto Vyper2 includes Gauge and Nitrox modes as the predecessor, but with the added feature of gas switching. The Suunto Vyper2 can be programmed in one per- cent increments for nitrox mixtures between 21 and 100 percent . It is also possible to adjust oxygen between 0.5 and 1.6 bar in 0.1-unit increments. Adjustments can be applied to both mixes. Wear it as a wrist unit with a protective boot, or mount it on a two-gauge console. www.suunto.com

9 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED TB130 Oxy booster This is a single stage, single acting air- driven gas (also suitable

for oxygen) All components are O2 clean. Technical Information: Length 600 mm/23.62 in, width 200 mm/7.87 in, net weight 15 kg/35 pounds (without whips) www.airetex.com

AquaSketch

Predator This new edition of the Neptune Space mask is constructed with parts made of Ergal, a lightweight and durable aluminum compound used in aeronautics for applications requiring high This new gadget, meant to Arc Lenses mechanical resistance. These parts have a light gold finish replace the u/w slates has a All Atomic Aquatics masks come standard with their which recalls the helmets of the first deep water divers. The phosphorescent writing sur- special Ultra-Clear optical quality glass with exceptional mask design allows divers to make sensitive micro adjustments face that illuminates during clarity, light transmission, and no color distortion. ARC to the airflow, even when using gloves. Surface treatments pro- night dives. Use the included technology coatings further improve this already incred- tect the mask from salt water damage and tech-polymer pro- Graphite pencils to write on ible lens material by reducing reflections and by allow- tection treatments allow the PREDATOR to be used in extreme a 5-foot roll of blank Vellum ing more light in the . Atomic Aquatics intro- conditions. The total weight of the mask is 970 g with a positive and sketch little Nemo if your duced Ultra-Clear to the diving industry and has never of just 296 g, creating a light and comfortable fit. buddy is boring. used low cost, poor quality green float glass like the other www.oceanreefgroup.com www.aquasketch.com masks on the market. www.atomicaquatics.com Side exhaust The Aqualung Kronos regulator has a combined venturi and -resistance knob to simpli- Weezle fy adjustments and also sports a side Cold feet are a major complaint of divers. exhaust system to warm the Weezle boots use the same innova- internal compo- tive materials as used in their undersuits. nents and Available in Compact and Extreme Flip-up camera . Instead of having an undersuit With HERO you will at least always have your camera sock that finishes at the ankle, we have ...erh... handy. It simply sits flat on a neoprene wristband extended it up the leg to just below the until you need it. Once needed, it pivots up in an upright knee. Ankle weight wearers will find that position—where it stays secured—you aim, shoot and this also adds a layer of comfort not hey presto your holiday shots for auntie Agatha is in disperse bub- featured in other undersuits and the box. Ant is not only for diving. Take it cycling, kay- bles—which especially long-legged people will aviod aking or climbing. Connects to your computer via a photographers will know having a cold gap. standard USB-cable. www.goprocamera.com to value. www.aqualung.com www.weezle.co.uk

10 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Smoke on Celebrating Two Years the Water of X-RAY MAG No, we are not referring to the clas- sic rock song by Deep Purple but the upcoming look on Atomic 12 FULL issues for just Aquatics Splitfin. As an added US$14.99! standard feature, the ele- gant “Smoke on the Water” Clever as Ever Includes Dive Guides for Malaysia, Aeris mask HUD model comes with the If you feel that you need Bali, South Africa, Cayman Islands, Not reallly the latest news as it was new spring strap. These some help controlling your Norway and the North American lauched by Oceanic mid 2006, but finally we have a variable pitch ascent rate and have an Pacific Northwest got to try one on. Like a Porsche, this mask is sort of and geometry that extra hundred dollars to spare, on the pricey side, but the finish is very nice and has both allows for a this handy little device might a luxurious feel to it. The mask feels good and, most more confortable be exactly what you need. importantly, the HUD display is both clear and easily fit and simple one- It clips on easily to your mask visible, yet not too imposing. Great for photographers handed remov- strap and gives off an alarm and others who carry stuff around and need to stay al. Available in when you ascend too fast. It focused. www.diveaeris.com early 2007. will also signal a safety decom- www.atomic- pression stop of 3 minutes at 15 aquatics.com feet of water. Will it help prevent diving death and diving-related injuries? It may or it may not, but it will most definitely make you aware of when you loose your and begin an unwanted ascent. However, what if you let yourself slip a lit- tle deeper than you were sup- posed to? Well, then you are on your own. The product is called Buy the CD & MARA, the Miniature Ascent Rate Alarm, and is invented by Master Help Save the Oceans! Underwater Technologies A percent of all sales goes to www.masterunderwatertech.com ocean conservation projects. Makes a great gift for your H2Odyssea dive buddies and friends Barry Cohen / Body Glove Regulator Whites who love the oceans. Watches The “Magnum” is H2Odyssea’s Legend To order, visit our NiteIze third generation regulator. What This, their first compressed 2mm struck me upon handling it at neoprene that incor- new online store today! LED Wand the show is how compact the porates the patented Captive 15 hours is how long a first stage was and the excep- Suspension System panels under tiny button battery will tional finish. This forged brass first the arms, waist and above the last you on this signal stage, with environmental seal- knees, allows the most difficult X-RAY MAG wand, or marker, from ing, screws into any size tank technical movements to be NiteIze. It is shock and with ¾” thread. It is mostly used achieved effortlessly. STORE waterproof with a depth for redundant air systems but www.whitesdiving.com www.cafepress.com/xraymag rating of 1000ft / 300m. It can also be used on rebreath- also doubles as a handy ers and argon systems. pointer. www.niteize.com (no website found) DISCOUNTED WHOLESALE PRICES AVAILABLE RETAILERS CONTACT: [email protected]

11 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED On Pure Oxygen A Push-button type of valve injects the oxygen in the breathing bag from the Oxygen cylinder. The gas is inhaled by the diver and the exhaled gas goes back inside the bag (one-way loop system). More oxygen is manually added by the diver as he/ she metabolizes. The gas is scrubbed by 2 in 1 the canister for Soda-lime Not exactly a new idea but modernized (CO2 filtration material). and sports a nice design. The OCTOS Gemini WARNING: replaces the conventional BC power infla- Rules stated by NOAA and Getting Hooked tor and back-up second stage regulator by the NAVY must Let’s face it, a certain fraction of combining the functions of both in a single be observed and followed humanity consists of knot-chal- convenient unit. Eliminates the need for one closely by the trained operator lenged members of our society. hose from the first stage. Provides excellent in order to avoid injury. The Figure 9 rope tightener breathing performance without the need www.divesafe.net eliminates the frustration of tying, for in-water adjustments. Power inflation, oral adjusting and untying knots inflation and exhaust trim valve operations www.niteize.com remain similar to the standard BC inflator and allow easy single-handed control. www.sherwoodscuba.com Getting Hooked Up Bag Tired of having your laptop running out of juice while Who doesn’t know the you are on a long-haul flight? Enter this little gizmo problem? Everyone which plugs into the passenger seat’s audio jack and tells you to be outputs regulated power to the attached USB charging careful with cable/connector. Price:$34.99 www.inflightpower.com your wetsuit, but no one shows you how Taking the inlaws on a picnic? to actually do The Discovery 1000 is a state-of-the-art submersible that offers that. iQ delivers panoramic viewing, contemporary styling, hydrodynamic effi- 55 mins of gas a : the ciency and extraordinary range, endurance and maneuverability. Homeland Security Group new Wetsuit Bag. Originally designed for launch and recovery from a superyacht, the International, Inc. informs us that With this bag the Discovery 1000 is a modular design available in either two, four or their newest product, Neptune transport and stor- six-passenger configuration all based on an identical external frame- EBD1, has been re-designed to age of your wetsuit work. A 40 KW diesel engine with hydrostatic drive can be added to extend the breathing time to fifty- will be a piece of each vehicle as an option to increase surface range and speed. five minutes. The new breathing cake. With a special The Discovery design prioritizes the following device measures approximately suspension feature, the characteristics: 13 inches long, 4 1/2 inches folding of the wetsuit will be * Minimum weight in air wide with a weight of just less reduced. An open net on one * Exceptional viewing than five pounds. The new side of the bag ensures ventilation, * High level of comfort version, which has not been officially while the other side is closed so that a wet * Low hydrodynamic drag named, will supply 55 to 60 minutes wetsuit will not drip during transport. An additional www.ussubs.com of positive, 2-stage regulated airflow compartment provides enough space for neoprene depending on stress. www.hsgint.com accessories like boots, gloves or others. It’s the best thing you can do for your second skin. www.iq-company.com

12 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Tiny Fish Learn to Sniff Out Predators Is It Okay to Eat Toothfish Again?

Small fish, big sense of smell... That’s what The Marine Stewardship Council in London has news researchers have found in a new study conduct- certified that a small Chilean sea bass (a.k.a. the ed at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada endangered Patagonian Toothfish) fishery in South and detailed in the journal Animal Behavior that Georgia and South Sandwich Islands in the South Edited by Peter suggests minnows can pick out the odor of a sin- Atlantic near Antarctica is selling sustainably caught & Gunild Symes gle predator. sea bass. Now grocery chain stores such as eco- The sophisticated sense of smell of minnows conscious Whole Foods in the U.S. are once again was discovered when scientists exposed the offering Chilean sea bass to their customers after small fish to two different batches of water scent- a seven year hiatus. Critics of the move worry that Transplants Rebuild ed with pike, a major predator of minnows. One customers will get the wrong idea, as the sea bass batch contained the scent of twelve pike fish, crisis is not quite over yet. Gerald Leape, the vice the other only two. The small fish reacted more president for marine conservation at the National Reefs Wrecked In Tsunami strongly to the latter because the batch con- Environmental Trust in Washington told the New York tained more “chemicals-per-pike”, which sug- Times News Service, “They may think that all Chilean New methods of transplanting the first crop was successfully trans- gests that the fish use smell to figure out how far sea bass are OK now, and that’s not true,” he said. coral grown to restore reefs off planted onto severely damaged away a single predator is by how concentrated “The certified fishery accounts for only 10 percent the coast of Thailand hurt by the reefs. The method will be appled its smell is. of the total catch. Chilean sea bass are 2004 tsunami have been devel- to reefs of Phi Phi and Phuket next. A second experiment with the minnows found still overfished and depleted.” ■ oped by researchers assisted by In addition to the transplant that the fish could also distinguish between individ- method, researchers have also ual pike. Apparently, the response is learned. The designed special concrete cyl- minnows learn to associate danger with the smell Minnows use their sense of smell to survive inders with lots of holes in them, of a dead minnow and the smell of a predator. ■ SOURCE: LIVESCIENCE Not Two, which will serve as beds for coral But One Genus larvae to grow, as part of an new kind of artificial reef. It has been Discovered: The World’s Second Smallest Fish for Clownfish found that the conventional con- A recent indepth study suggests that clownfish crete blocks and offshore marine A scientist in Malaysia has discovered a very Gayau, Mukah, Sarawak. The species name belong to only one genus. The study published in FAO wrecks did more harm than good small fish that grows no larger than 10mm at is derived from the Greek words that trans- the journal, Gene, provides evidence that shows in seas with strong currents and a maturity. Thought to be the second smallest lates loosely to ‘children, small in size’. Huat all clownfish descend from a common ancestor. lot of pollution or sediment. fish in the world, the “Perak fish” as it is unoffi- told reporters, “We call it a childlike fish. We Scientists Santini and Polacco sequenced the cyto- Thai marine biologist who heads cially called is still undergoing investigation in also believe that the two fishes are from the chrome b gene, 16S ribosomal RNA gene and the the project, Nalinee Thongtham, order to identify its genus and species. same genus but from a different species.” first half of the D-loop, of 23 of the 28-32 of clownfish explained, “Some rehabilitation Dr Khoo Khay Huat of the University Sains The scientist will continue to study the small to rebuild a molecular phylogeny. They found that work in the past unwittingly de- Malaysa found the specimen in a peat fish species in the peat swamps of Malaysia the molecular evidence for the monphyly of the stroyed the reefs, partly due to swamp in Perak. Before he found the Perak and other locations before the areas are Amphiprioninae pointed to a single genus for all NOAA inadequate knowledge of coral fish, he discoverd a 1.2cm fish of the Pae- destroyed to make way for oil palm planta- members of the subfamily. This finding is at odds with biology.” docypris Mecromegethes species in Sungai tions. SOURCE: UNDERWATERTIMES.COM NEWS SERVICE ■ the morphological taxonomy, which divides the sub- British divers. The are grown Six other countries including family into two genera: Premnas and Amphiprion. ■ in floating nurseries, netted cages Israel and the UK are collaborating Crayfish faking sex not war that are suspended in the sea, on the project to help coral larvae which protect the coral from have a better chance of survival Researchers have vertebrate animals. In many cases, it saves strong currents and grazing fish, after storms or other events cause found out that the lives of individuals who would most likely increasing the coral’s chances of coral debris to be strewn all over crayfish practice be killed by larger and stronger animals. survival. the seabed. SOURCE: SUNDAY TIMES ■ pseudo-sex in Neuroethologist Donald Edwards, who At a small island near Koh Phai, order to estab- has been studying the phenomenon lish dominence in Louisiana crayfish with colleagues at without violence Georgia State University in Atlanta, told Live NATIONAL PARK SERVICE among males. Science,“Universally, aggression or its threat Pseudocopulation, as it is called by scien- is used to set up and maintain dominance tists, is used by mammals such as primates rankings within a population of animals. to establish hierarchies while easing aggres- Aggression, however, is dangerous for both sion among males. This is the first time sci- dominant and subordinate, so many ani- FAO entists have observed the behavior outside mals try to discover ways to avoid it.” ■ SØREN REINKE 13 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Impending Collapse of Fish Stocks Worldwide news All species of wild seafood beyond anything we suspected.” quickly than people anticipated that are currently fished In 2003, he co-authored a study —in three to five to ten years. And warning that 90 percent of all where this has been done, we see Edited by are projected to collapse large fish—tuna, marlin, swordfish, immediate economic benefits,” “Unless we funda- Peter Symes by the year 2050, accord- sharks, cod and halibut—were Worm said. mentally change ing to a new four-year gone. study by an international The report also contains some UN rejected bottom trawling ban the way we man- North Sea Cod Fishing positive aspects; The data indi- A ban on bottom trawling in age all the oceans Ban Urged team of ecologists and cate that ocean ecosystems still international waters failed to get economists. Collapse is hold great ability to rebound. But ’ support as this species together, The International Council for the defined as 90 percent the scientists found that every issue went to press despite nego- as working eco- Exploration of the Sea (Ices) has depletion. The study pub- species lost causes a faster unrav- tiations that lasted long into the recommended there should be a elling of the overall ecosystem. nights. The decision has angered systems, then this complete ban on cod fishing in the lished in the November Conversely, every species recov- environmentalists worldwide, who century is the last North Sea for 2007 and zero catch 3rd issue of the journal ered add to overall productivity blamed Iceland for blocking the century of wild was needed for the next two years Science. and stability of the ecosystem ban. They said other countries, for North Sea stocks to reach tar- and its ability to withstand stresses. like Canada, have spoken out seafood” get levels. Any catches that were The scientists warn that the loss of “Every species matters,” the sci- against a full ban but always taken in 2007 would prolong recov- biodiversity is “profoundly” reduc- entists say. showed a willingness to negoti- Steve Palumbi ery to the target level, their report ing the ocean’s ability to produce “The data show us it’s not too ate. “It’s a tragedy that destruc- Stanford University warned. It said that the stock had seafood, resist diseases, filter pol- late,” says Worm. “We can turn tive practices are being allowed been reduced to a stage where lutants and rebound from stresses this around. But less than one per- to continue today after days of productivity was impaired, and such a overfishing and climate cent of the global ocean is effec- talks by world leaders about high that it was at or near its lowest change. tively protected right now.” seas fishing reform,” Bill Wareham N observed level ever. ■ “Whether we looked at “We won’t see complete recov- of the Vancouver-based David The Ultimate ew pools or studies over the entire ery in one year, but in many Suzuki Foundation. SOURCES: ENVIROMENTAL world’s ocean, we saw the same cases species come back more NEWS NETWORK, CBC NEWS, BBC ■ Scuba Tank/Spear Gun HoldeHolderr picture emerging,” says lead TEMPORARY – no permanent damage author Boris Worm of Dalhousie PRE-ASSEMBLED – no hassles or headaches University. “In losing species we The analysis is the first to examine all The results reveal that progressive INSTANT ATTACH & RELEASE – quick & effortless BAE SYSTEMS MULTIPLE HOLDERS – 2 & 3 tank racks- 1 slot lose the productivity and stabil- existing data on ocean species and biodiversity loss not only impairs the 4 tank rack has 2 speargun slots Unmanned Spy Planes ity of entire ecosystems. I was ecosystems, synthesizing historical, ability of oceans to feed a growing SPACE SAVER – compact for easy storage May Patrol North Sea shocked and disturbed by how experimental, fisheries and obser- human population, but also sabo- consistent these trends are— vational datasets to understand the tages the stability of marine environ- 800-920-2910 Unmanned aircraft could soon importance of biodiversity at the ments and their ability to recover PO Box 1967, Nokomis, FL 34272 (941) 484-0714 Fax: (941)-484-2749 be used to monitor illegal fishing global scale. from stresses. ■ activities in the North Sea, it has www.scubastorage.com been revealed. BAE Systems are working on producing a special agrees to cut its tuna fishing quotas Overall, the summit nations agreed Bluefin tuna are type of robotic aircraft similar in to a 20 percent cut in the bluefin also declining in the design to the planes now being Life just got a bit better for Conservationists welcomed the harvest, down to 11,530 tonnes from Mediterranean, where used in the Middle East war zones, embattled southern bluefin tuna news, which was announced on 16 the 14,000 taken this year. Japan France exceeded its but without the weapons and in the oceans around south-east October in Miyazaki, Japan, following and Australia account for 80 per 6192-tonne quota in specially designed for fishing Asia, New Scientist reports. a summit held by the Commission for cent of the total catch. 2005 by 3000 tonnes. ■ surveillance use. A spokesman the Conservation of Southern Bluefin for BAE Systems said they were After Japan’s admission that it Tuna. But they are still concerned so sophisticated that they could had overfished the species by that the proposed cuts are not pick out a lobster pot the size of 1800 tonnes in 2005, the country’s enough. WWF says that Australia’s a football from several thousand Fisheries Agency has agreed to quota of 5265 tonnes should feet up. “They could also be used halve its existing quota of 6065 have been cut too. Virtually in the search for men lost over- tonnes to 3000 tonnes for at least all of it ends up imported by board or for lost fishing boats,” he five years, starting in 2007. Japan. NOAA added. ■ 14 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A bleached elkhorn coral near St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Structure of in 2006. Scientists have issued their news strongest warn- Ecosystems Are Changing ing so far this year that unusually Edited by Abnormally warm weather, cou- warm Caribbean Peter Symes pled with pollution and overfishing Sea have contributed to a change threaten coral reefs in coral reef ecosystem structure that suffered wide- where larger species are being spread damage replaced by smaller varieties, last year in record- which don’t grow high enough to setting heat U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Philippines President protect the fish, lobster and other Moves to Protect sea life that rely on the underwa- ter reefs. Mark Eakin, director of the U.S. The U.S. government scientists EXPERTS “” Species such as the boulder star National Oceanic and Atmos- also warned for a second time Dive the Crystal World coral, which stretch several yards pheric Administration’s Coral this year that sea tempera- Arctic Kingdom has led some of the Reef Watch, said the coral study world’s most challenging ice diving President Gloria Arroyo has across, take hundreds of years to tures around Puerto Rico have expeditions to remote areas of the high enacted a new national conser- grow. In Jamaica, the species has documents an even more wide- exceeded healthy levels for coral, arctic. We have pioneered many new vation policy for the Philippines almost been replaced by mustard spread phenomenon. “That’s a saying the fragile undersea life types of ice diving and have developed specialized techniques and courses. to protect the archipelagic hill coral, a smaller species unable general pattern we have seen in could become more susceptible other places as well,” Eakin said, We now also offer training and ice country’s unique and rich nature, to make large reefs and around the to damage and disease during diving trips in southern Canada to with initial focus on the heart of US Virgin Islands it could be gone in referring to the Caribbean. “The overheating. everyone who wishes to experience the Southeast Asia’s Coral Triangle. the matter of few decades. remaining large coral, such as star best of this unique environment.

“It is the policy of the state to NOAA “The big guys are becom- coral, is dropping away” and the Don’t touch! protect, conserve and sustain- Boulder star coral ing rarer. The small guys are smaller coral is moving in. The government warning urges TRAINING ROCKIES ably use biological diversity to becoming more common,” said A vital building block of marine scuba-dive operators and under- ‹ Introductory ‹ Ski & Dive ‹ Advanced ensure and secure the well-being Large species of coral Edmunds, Peter Edmunds, a biol- life, coral grows and reproduce water researchers in the U.S. ‹ Technical ARCTIC of present and future generations that form underwater reefs ogy professor at California State best at about 27.5° C (81.5 F) the Caribbean territories to look for ‹ Ice Formations GREAT LAKES of Filipinos,” said an Executive and create rich habitat for University, who recently began Caribbean, said Edmunds, who coral damage and use caution ‹ Bottom Life Order signed by Arroyo at a Nov. projects near Tahiti and Taiwan, has studied Virgin Islands coral for around the fragile reefs, which ‹ Shipwrecks ‹ Big Animals under Ice ‹ North Pole 8 ceremony on Verde Island in marine life are disappear- where he plans to compare data two decades. Edmunds said his are easily damaged by physical Batangas City. ing from in the Caribbean with that gathered in the U.S. research suggests coral in warmer contact. ■ The order applies to all of the warn scientists. Caribbean. water grows more slowly. natural wealth of the Philippines, and specifies initial steps to cre- ate marine protected areas in the Verde Passage, known as Transatlantic Ocean Array Acts as Climate Alert the “center of the center” of the Measurements from a network of monitors stretching across the Human Activities Are the tropical Atlantic and Pacific oceans world’s most plentiful shore fish Atlantic Ocean could offer an early warning of “sudden climate Boosting Hurricanes over the last century is linked to human region located at the apex of the change”. The underwater instruments measuring the temperature activities. Coral Triangle that includes the and salinity of seawater will detect any change to currents that reg- Rising ocean temperatures in key hurri- Hurricanes are complex phenom- Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia ulate Europe’s climate, a UK-led team of researchers tells BBC. cane breeding grounds of the Atlantic ena that are influenced by a variety and Papua . The data offered is the most detailed picture of the ocean’s cir- and Pacific oceans are due primarily of physical factors, such as SSTs, wind SOURCE: CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL ■ culation patterns. The array of 19 “moorings” is positioned at points to human-caused increases in green- shear, water vapour, and atmospheric 26.5 degrees north in the Atlantic Ocean, providing an insight to the house gas , accord- stability. But the important conclusion is Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) that acts ing to a study published online in the that the observed SST increases in these as the Earth’s “heat pump”, distributing heat via the September 11 issue of the Proceedings hurricane breeding grounds cannot be ocean from the equator to northern regions. SOURCE: BBC ■ of the National Academy of Sciences. explained by natural processes alone. Using 22 different computer models The best explanation for these changes Read more about the circulation patterns in this previ- of the climate system atmospheric has to include a large human influ- START YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY ous X-Ray Mag article: The Conveyor Belt (from issue 11) scientists have shown that the warm- ence,” the scientists wrote. +1 416 322 7066 ing sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of SOURCE: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ■ [email protected] www.ArcticKingdom.com

15 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Hannah Stacey UK news champion

Edited by Willy Volk UK FREEDIVING ASSOCIATION

Details On Vanished recently finished three weeks of shooting for her role in “Fish ‘Spy’ Diver Emerge Tales,” a film about a mermaid who falls in love with a university Quite unlike James Bond, not professor. Hannah, who currently all spy divers ascend perfectly holds the UK’s free diving wom- coiffed and ready for their next Lionel “Buster” Crabb, a spy diver an’s record (54 meters), said the assignment. In 1956, for example, whose headless body was found role was a dream come true. British spy diver Lionel “Buster” floating off the coast months after he Although it took costume design- Crabb vanished mysteriously disappeared during a mission ers three-and-a-half months to while diving near—and allegedly build her tail, director Alki David spying on—the Ordzhonikidze in So who hired Crabb? said Hannah found her groove Portsmouth Harbour. At the time, If the Royal Navy knows, it isn’t immediately: “She’s amazing in the Soviet ship was carrying Nikita saying. In fact, those recently the tail, she’s like a natural. As Khrushchev who was in London released documents state that soon as she put it on, she just took meeting with senior British officials. the unnamed officer “knows off. She knew exactly what to do Crabb disappeared that night; nothing of the background to and we couldn’t stop her.” The several months later his headless the story and will not be able to film, which also stars Kelly Brook corpse was found floating along answer any embarrassing ques- and Billy Zane, is expected to be the coast. tions even if they are asked.” released next summer. Can you Nevertheless, Howard Davies of say “Eeeeieiiiieieeeeeieie”? Speculations the National Archives said the SOURCE: BBC ■ According to papers recent- extent of the cover-up suggests ly released by the National something fishy is going on, and Archives, an unnamed, uniden- that Crabb’s intelligence serv- tified officer ferried Crabb to ice handlers did not take proper the Ordzhonikidze and stayed precautions to protect him or the onboard as Crabb dived below secrecy of the mission. Until more the surface. Not surprisingly, news details emerge—if they ever do— of the the alleged spying incident Crabb’s family and historians will wrecked attempts at a truce have to wonder who beheaded between Britain and Moscow, the British spy. SOURCE: BBC ■ which indignantly insisted it was being spied upon. In an effort to distance itself from the mess, the Free diver Hannah Royal Navy engaged in a hasty Stacey a mermaid public relations campaign, insist- ing it had nothing to do with the It’s been more than 20 years “mishap” and releasing a state- since “Splash” made waves in ment from the unnamed officer movie theaters. If you’ve been stating that he had been asked waiting for another mermaid-out- PHOTO COURTESY OF PURE BLUE WATER to assist Crabb “entirely unofficial- of-water story since then, then ly and in a strictly private capac- your long wait is nearly over. Hannah Stacey, UK champion free ity.” Free diver Hannah Stacey has diver does her mermaid thing

16 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED File photo: Jean-Michel Cousteau in news Antibes 2005 YANN SAINT-YVES

Edited by Willy Volk FILEPHOTO/WIKIPEDIA Fishing Trawler Nets Unusual By-Catch Fishing trawlers are well-known for destroying marine ecosystems and decimating Think your library of underwa- local fish populations. Consequently, even if you didn’t needed another reason ter images has everything? I bet to detest trawlers, here’s one more: a man diving off the coast of Portland, on the UK’s Dorset coast, was recently hauled up in the net of a trawler, the Shiraz. you don’t have a shot of this... Due to the diver’s quick, unscheduled ascent, he immediately started to suffer from the bends. A coast guard helicopter was summoned to the Shiraz, which In his charity exhibition “Quiet,” photogra- delivered the diver to a specialist recompression chamber, where he was treat- pher Michael Muller claimed he wanted to ed and later discharged. It’s unclear if the diver was using a diving buoy while portray the enveloping stillness and silence underwater. As such, the Coast Guard is investigating the incident. SOURCE: BBC ■ one experiences underwater. To achieve Jean-Michel Cousteau Bashes this goal, Miller showcased images of ob- the Late jects and people submerged in water. No surprise there. However, one of Muller’s In the last issue of X-Ray, we mentioned the Expert Rick images—“The Sinking Fear”—might surprise death of “The Crocodile Hunter,” Steve Irwin. you. It features actress/model Eva Mendez Since then, world-famous marine explorer/ in a couture gown swimming in front of a environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau has Stanton to Speak at Oztek’07 $63,000 (including op- revealed that, while he believes Irwin’s death If you’re not familiar with cave diving, you all in name of exploration. In tions) 2007 Mer- was “very, very unfortunate,” he disagreed might be surprised to know that the disci- the last 8 years, Stanton has cedes GL450 with the Australian’s hands-on approach to pline actually has two distinct styles. Some become increasingly inter- sus- nature television. Claiming Irwin would “in- cave divers choose to dive through flood- ested in technical cave terfere with nature, jump on animals, grab ed caves and rarely leave the water. Oth- diving using them, hold them, and have this very, very er cavers treat flooded sections simply as -- often two at a time! In spectacular, dramatic way of presenting obstacles to finding a dry portion of cave, 2004, Stanton was one things,” Cousteau dismissed Irwin’s tech- where they can celebrate with cheese of two divers tapped by nique as counter-productive and merely and crackers. Not content with master- the British government a way to draw in television viewers. To ing just one of these styles, British techni- to attempt the rescue of define his personal approach, Cousteau cal diver is a recognized six British soldiers trapped in explained that, “You don’t touch nature, expert in both disciplines. Concentrating a Mexican cave by flood you just look at it. And that’s why I’m still on the long water. Over the years, Stan- PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCEDES BENZ alive. I’ve been diving for over 61 years - a deep siphons of ton has developed and manufac- lot more years than he’s been alive - and I France, Spain, tured two CCR units, including a unique pended in a don’t mess with nature.” Cousteau expressed and Italy, Stan- side mount, fully-closed circuit , giant tank. Although submerging a 5,249- this opinion while promoting his recent 6-part ton is known for which was instrumental in his achieving pound vehicle might sound simple, Muller PBS special called “Ocean Adventures.” Iron- combining cav- the British cave diving depth record of 90 insists it wasn’t. “After rigging up the GL450 ically, during one of the episodes, Cousteau ing techniques meters at Wookey Hole. If you’re interest- to the crane, we dropped it in the tank and was filmed grasping the dorsal fin of a great with long and ed in hearing about his exciting—and of- I jumped in with my gear to start shooting,” white shark and “riding” deep multiple ten dangerous—exploits, you should plan said Muller, a certified diver. Surprisingly, the the fish for several minutes. sump systems, to attend the OZTeK’07 Diving Technolo- GL450 floated initially; Muller claims he was Excuse me, Mr. Cousteau, transporting gies Conference and Exhibition, sched- forced to clamber onto the roof of the SUV but that sounds an awful large amounts uled for March 17 and 18, 2007, Sydney, to facilitate its sinking. Hmm....usually, when lot like touching nature. of diving equip- Australia. In his presentation, Stanton will you think of a $63,000 vehicle in water, you SOURCE: THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD ■ ment through no doubt thrill audiences by sharing stories imagine people hauling it UP from depth. DIVEOZTEK.COM the dry sections about how righteously cool he is. SOURCE: MSNBC.COM ■ The late Steve Irwin, Rick Stanton of the cave, SOURCE: FINSONLINE ■ Australian conservationist AUSTRALIAN ZOO 17 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A first look at what is believed to be a new species of piranha. The fish is one of a number A lifeboat from UK’s Royal National of apparently new animal species discovered Lifeboat Institution. Since the RNLI during a survey by Conservation International was founded in 1824, its lifeboats news (CI) scientists of the Orinoco and Ventuari rivers have saved more than 137,000 in Venezuela lives. RNLI is a charity dependent on private donations. Edited by Further information: Willy Volk www.rnli.org.uk

Cousteau Diver “Missing” for 56 Hours versus Cousteau Will Not Be Charged Speaking of Jean-Michel, his father’s David Swain Denied widow, Francine Cousteau, has spoken Re-trial in Wife’s Death One Saturday morning in September, ed that Harvey had deposited his dive out against a 1,500-unit condominium 35-year-old Guernsey-resident Matthew gear with them for safekeeping. In reality, development on Hawaii’s Big Island that In 1999, American diver Shelley Tyre was Harvey told his family he was going Harvey hadn’t been knocked uncon- Jean-Michel is helping build. The 434-acre vacationing in Tortola with her husband, for a solo dive in a shallow bay off the scious: he left his dive gear at the storage project—Sea Mountain at Punaluu, which David Swain. While diving with him Channel Islands. Several hours later, af- facility, took a ferry to the British mainland will consist largely of condominiums but one day, Tyre mysteriously drowned. ter Harvey had failed to return from the on Saturday, and returned to Guernsey will also include a hotel and a resort— Although Tortolan authorities ruled the dive, his family notified local authorities, on Monday morning. Despite the fact would be the biggest single develop- death accidental, Tyre’s family brought and police frogmen, lifeboat crews, that the rescue effort cost in excess of ment ever undertaken on the east side a wrongful death suit against Swain, and coastguard helicopters began £10,000, Guernsey Police duty inspector of the island. Claiming she is “extremely alleging he had been motivated by to search for him. Missing for 56 hours, Jean-Pierre Le Breton said no charges will concerned about the potential environ- money and was pursuing an affair with Harvey astonishingly appeared 200 be brought against Harvey. The motives mental implications of the Sea Mountain another woman. Swain maintained his yards from shore -- exhausted but alive for Harvey’s disappearance remain a resort,” Francine -- ’s innocence and collected hundreds -- claiming he’d been knocked un- mystery; although no “other woman” has second wife and president of the Cous- of thousands of dollars after his wife’s conscious by a motorboat and swept been implicated, many wonder about teau Society -- openly opposes the ven- death, including two insurance pay- out to sea. Naturally, media outlets Harvey’s mental health. So far, the best ture. Though ments. In court, the prosecution alleged went crazy with the story, marveling at excuse has come from Harvey’s father: Jean-Michel that Swain attacked Tyre from behind, Harvey’s miraculous 2-and-a-half-day “He just lost his mind. It was some sort of insists he will restricted her air supply, and held her ordeal. Some news sites even reported breakdown. He just decided to get on make the underwater until she drowned. During that a pod of dolphins brought him to that ferry in a moment of madness. To get

project en- COUSTEAU.ORG the trial, Swain acted as his own law- safety. However, on the British main- back into the water like that was a cry vironmen- yer—though he was absent for most land, people reported having seen for help. He told me that he has no recol- tally and of the proceedings—and dismissed Harvey at a pub while he was “at sea,” lection and cannot account for what he culturally REUTERS Tyre’s death as a “tragic accident.” A and a Guernsey storage facility report- did.” SOURCE: SCOTSMAN ■ sensitive, jury found Swain guilty earlier this year, the project and awarded Tyre’s parents more has drawn Divers Break Record for than $3.5 million in damages; thanks to Katie Melua Sets Record for opposi- Underwater Dancing compounding interest, the award now Deepest Underwater Concert tion from stands at more than $6 million. For his environmentalists who say it will harm On October 27, 74 divers plunged into a part, Swain has declared bankruptcy Guinness World Records has confirmed that threatened and endangered species, like pool at Sydney’s Olympic Park Aquatic and asked the Rhode Island Supreme British singer Katie Melua has entered the KATIEMELUA.COM the hawksbill turtle. Cousteau’s nonprofit Centre. Their goal: to set the world record Court for a new trial, claiming that Su- record books by playing the world’s deepest organization, the Ocean Futures Society, for underwater dancing. The divers were perior Court Judge Patricia Hurst denied underwater concert. Melua and her band per- has been involved in a number of simi- required to dance simultaneously for ten him his right to an attorney by refusing to formed for commercial oil workers 303 meters lar projects in places such as Fiji and the minutes to set the record. No word yet on delay the start of his trial after one of his below sea level on the Statoil Troll A gas rig in Cayman Islands, and he insists his society what song the divers sluggishly boogied lawyers grew ill from cancer. However, the North Sea. Claiming the concert was the would take its name off the project if it to. Though Guinness World Records has earlier this month, the State rejected the “most surreal gig I have ever done,” the 22- is not completed in an environmentally not yet confirmed the record, the photos re-trial, on the grounds that Swain failed year-old singer underwent extensive medical conscious manner. SOURCE: MSNBC.COM ■ of the event speak for themselves. to raise this issue while the trial was un- tests—and even survival training in Norway!— Katie Melua at work SOURCE: EN.CE.CN ■ derway. SOURCE: BOSTON.COM ■ before switching on her mic. SOURCE: BBC ■

18 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Marine Biologist news in action Brad Norman Honored Australian Brad Norman, a marine biolo- Edited by gist who has spent 14 years researching Willy Volk whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, has been chosen as a Laureate in the 2006 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, which recognize outstanding contributions to humanity, science and the environ- ment. Assembling data and photographs from divers all over the globe, Norman has created an online library of whale PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHNCHATTERTON.COM shark encounters from around the world. This work has helped monitor the status and abundance of Earth’s largest fish, considered “vulnerable” to ex- tinction by the World Conservation Union. Despite Norman’s work, however, little is known about the popula- Nanologix Retains John Chatterton as a Consultant tion numbers, breeding habits and habitat preferences of the whale shark. Norman’s NanoLogix, Inc., a nano-biotech- and subsequent identification of use of the data of thousands of people Diver Outreach Program Unveiled by Oceana.org nology company engaged in the German U-869, off in the conservation of whale sharks was the research, development and the coast of New Jersey. The story described as “visionary” by the Rolex In line with its ongoing efforts conscious divers, the website servation-minded individuals commercialization of technolo- of the discovery was turned into Awards. Appropriately, Norman plans to to encourage ocean users to will serve as a reference tool to become engaged in the gies for alternative sources of fuel, a bestselling book by Rob Kurson use his £53,000 award money to devote protect, conserve and restore from which they can learn organization’s campaing to recently announced that deep called , and the two years to training local authorities, tour- the oceans, Oceana has un- more about threats to ma- stop destructive trawling and sea diver John Chatterton has movie rights were purchased by ism operators and 20 research assistants veiled a new website called rine ecosystems. They can increase the protection of been retained as a consultant 20th Century Fox. Bret Barnhizer, around the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian www.oceana.org/dive which also find fun ocean facts and deep-sea coral and sponge for the firm. A former commercial Energy Marketing Consultant oceans to observe, record and protect is dedicated to the SCUBA other divers committed to habitat, which more and diver, Chatterton is a U.S. Coast for NanoLogix, said, “John and I whale sharks. He may pop a bottle of diving community. The new the ocean’s future. There are more divers experience per- Guard licensed captain, and first worked as a team when we bubbly, too. SOURCE: DIVEMAGAZINE.CO.UK ■ website is a key component hopes that the website will sonally in their dives around holds numerous commercial, served together to the organization’s diver encourage the the world. SOURCE: OCEANA.ORG/DIVE ■ scuba, and cer- in Vietnam in 1970 outreach program. For eco- community and other con- tifications. Currently, Chatterton and 1971... As a co-hosts the Deep Sea Detectives deep sea diver, television series, which showcases John’s knowledge Beautiful Oceans Science Diver his groundbreaking diving ad- of the technical as- Want to learn more about Diver education, divers gain tinction of Science Diver. After ventures. Documentaries about pects of rebreather diving and coral ecology at fascinating insights into these completing all five science Chatterton’s diving expeditions devices and gas the same time? Now you can creatures’ lifecycles, behaviors courses, the diver receives the and discoveries have also aired mixtures as they with Beautiful Oceans new and relationships with other title, Master Science Diver. on HBO and PBS. In August of apply to biological courses for the Science Diver. organisms through linked land- Science Divers are recog- 2005, Chatterton and his partners processes is directly Beautiful Oceans lets divers based tutorials and discovery nized for their knowledge explored the RMS Titanic, diving to relevant to our pat- go beyond basic dive training dives with a trained Science of and commitment to the a depth of approximately 12,500 ented hydrogen and gain knowledge about Instructor. world’s coral reefs. For more feet in submersibles. Chatter- bioreactor system.” the coral ecosystems they Upon completion of at least information about the course, ton is probably most famous, how- SOURCE: PRNEWSWIRE.COM ■ love and the creatures that one science course, a certified visit: Beautifuloceans.com ■ ever, for his work in the discovery FILE PHOTO: TIM HOCHGREBE inhabit them. With the Science SCUBA diver receives the dis- Whale shark 19 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Scientists Discover Bacteria That Lampreys Have Been Around for 360 Million Years Sea ‘Monster’ Fossils Found in the Arctic Use Radiated Water as Food Scientists from South Africa Norwegian scientists have discovered a than 8m in length. Palaeontologists Deep inside a gold mine about and the US have uncovered a “treasure trove” of fossils belonging to from the University of Oslo’s Natural remarkably well-preserved fos- giant sea reptiles that roamed the seas History Museum discovered the fossils 2.8 kilometers below Earth’s sil lamprey from the Devonian at the time of the dinosaurs. The 150-mil- during fieldwork in a remote part of surface researchers from period in an ancient South lion-year-old fossils were uncovered on Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Indiana University have found African . The find of the the Arctic island chain of Svalbard. The Svalbard archipelago. a self-sustaining community of 4.2-centimeter fossilized speci- finds belong to two groups of extinct Jorn Harald Hurum, co-director of the men reveals that the blood- marine reptiles—the plesiosaurs and the dig, said he was taken aback by the bacteria that rely on radioac- sucking, eel-like fish of today ichthyosaurs. These animals were the sheer density of fossil remains in one tive uranium to convert water hasn’t changed much in 360 top predators living in what was then a area. molecules to useable energy, million years. relatively cool, deep sea. “You can’t walk for more than 100m The ancient lamprey One skeleton, which has been nick- without finding a skeleton. That’s amaz- according the journal Science attached its toothy, sucker-like named The Monster because of its ing anywhere in the world,” he told BBC mouth to, for example, pre- enormous size, may measure more News. ■ Many scientists have been skeptical of historic sharks almost exactly GREAT LAKES’ FISHING COMMISSION subsurface bacterial communities being the same way that modern completely disconnected from surface lampreys latch onto other fish Lamprey’s mouth. ecologies fed by the sun’s light but new today. This jawless mouth sets evidence points out that the bacterial the lamprey and its cousin, The lamprey fossil is only 4.2 cm communities are indeed permanent— the hagfish, apart from all other wide — and 360 million years old apparently millions of years old—and modern vertebrates—animals with WWW.FOSSILMALL.COM depend on radiation from uranium ores backbones. for their existence. Like modern lampreys, the ancient It is believed that jawless marine animals The scientists sampled the flowing lamprey had a backbone made not of were the first vertebrates and that they fracture water which contained hydro- bone but of cartilage—the generally emerged sometime after 540 million carbons and hydrogen not likely to have translucent, somewhat flexible substance years ago. When the fossilized lamprey been created through biological proc- that gives human noses and ears their lived, there were probably many types of esses, but rather from decomposition of shapes and that makes up shark skel- jawless vertebrates. Of the 46,000 known water exposed to radiation from uranium. etons. Unlike bony fish, only a handful of species of vertebrates, lampreys and DNA analysis revealed a vast number lamprey fossils have ever been found, hagfish are the only surviving jawless ver- of bacterial species present, but the because cartilage usually decays too tebrates. The evolutionary split between samples were dominated by a single fast to become fossilized. Perhaps most jawless and jawed fish probably hap- new species related to hydrother- important, the new lamprey fossil is the pened close to 500 million years ago. mal vent bacteria from the division first to give us a good view of the mouth. SOURCE: NATURE ■

Firmicutes. Analysis also suggests sub- HEINRICH HARDER, 1923 surface Firmicutes were removed from contact with their surface cousins any- where from 3 to 25 million years ago. West Australian Fish Fossil Find Rewrites Land Mammal Evolution Firmicutes do not use radiation directly as a source of energy, however. A primitive fish that swam in A 380 million-year-old fossil fish called fins with a well-formed humerus, ulna Radiation emanating from uranium tropical reef systems before Gogonasus fossil fish has been and radius—the same bones that are minerals in or near the fracture allows life clambered up on land had unearthed in the West Australian found in the human arm. The new fossil for the formation of hydrogen gas from Kimberley. The specimen, whose middle proves that features of land-living tetra- decomposition of water and formation more advanced features than ear and limbs resemble those of land pods (four-legged vertebrates) evolved of sulfate from decomposition of sulfur previously thought, a new study vertebrates, could be one of the miss- much earlier in their evolutionary history minerals. Firmicutes are able to harvest finds. ing links between fish and four-legged than previously thought. This means that energy from the reaction of hydrogen land vertebrates, bringing researchers humans can trace their evolutionary and sulfate, allowing other microbes closer to the point when life reached roots, and adaptations for life on land, in the fracture community to use the Gogonasus was an ambush predator, about the water’s edge. further back in time, to more than 380 chemical waste from the Firmicutes as 12 inches long. Once the species died out, The fish’s skull had large holes for million years ago. food. ■ the skeletons got buried by layers of shale in breathing through the top of the head The research findings are published in what is called the Gogo Formation. but importantly also had muscular front the journal Nature. ■ AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (ANU) 20 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED the Polluce wreck and they initially claimed Today, the men on wreck Polluce damaging the artistic that they had consent trial claim that every- and cultural patrimony from both the British thing is returned, and rap Case closed of property belong- and Italian govern- that they are sorry. ■ The trial for the three ing to Italy, and were ments to do so. The British divers accused facing up to four years prosecutor did not Get the full intrigu- of modern-day piracy in jail. The men recov- agree, he claimed ing story about the was held in October. ered quite a coin that the divers used Polluce wreck in X- They were accused stash— silver, gold false paperwork to get Ray Mag #7 and #8 of stealing items from and diamonds—and access to the wreck.

The Edmund Fitzgerald, Stuff of a Legend 15th November 2006 was the 31st anniversary of the sinking of the Fitz in eastern Lake Superior. Not one of the 29-man crew survived. No one knew why Edmund Fitzgerald went down. A number of theories as to why dive was made in 1980, with could have scraped a sandbar she sank have been bounced Cousteau in one of his mini subs. due to an inoperative . So around over the years, and up Starting in 1989, the Great Lakes today, November 2006, where to this day, it is still a mystery. Shipwreck Museum sent down do we stand on this mystery The freighter went down in a an underwater robot with cam- from the past? Even though one full-blown storm with hurricane eras. In 1994, Harbor Branch theory is ruled out, there are force gusts and huge waves. Oceanographic-Florida, visited many more to investigate, and The Coast Guard investigated the wreck with a submersible, despite all the underwater tech- the sinking. Their theory was and even though the project nology, we still have a mystery. that the hatch covers might not at hand was to study the ecol- the Fitz is deep in mud, well have been secured. Another ogy of the bottom of the Great settled. So, at this time, the hull A Future Reef with a Lot of History popular theory was that she Lakes, three days were spent can’t be inspected for dam- broke in two sections due to diving on the Fitz. age—hence, still a mystery for The Texas Clipper, who served the Mediterranean as a cruise the wave actions. Only one Other dive expeditions have future divers and investigating America well through a number liner. Her longest mission was way to find out, right? Look for tried to solve the mystery. What minds. ■ of wars and occupations takes as a training ship for the Texas your self. Well the wreck made they found was that the wreck the plunge in the Maritime Training Academy, a landing 530 feet down. Not indeed was broken in two next year as part of The Texas from mid 60’s to 1996. I am sure so easy, then, to investigate parts, but the parts were close Parks and Wildlife’s she will be remembered by why. Imaginations ran high over to each other, which indicates Program. A lot of history follows many students, fondly or not. the years—a legend and even that the freighter broke upon her on this, her last mission as an Those with a dive certificate a song about the event were bottom impact—another theory artificial reef on the sandy bot- will have a chance to relive born. ruled out. The Coast Guard’s toms of the Gulf. their time on board next year But we are human being; it investigation saying that the The Texas Clipper was origi- when the Texas Clipper takes is in our nature to investigate. hatches were not properly nally a troop transport ship in the plunge to settle on the And since a lot is possible with closed is still a possibility, World War II. She ferried troops sandy bottom of the Gulf of underwater technology, what is but so is the theory that into battle and brought back Mexico off Port Isabel. She will to stop us? The first manned says that Fitzgerald wounded. After that, she was part be more than a typical artificial of the American occupation at reef. Chances are that she will Sasebo, Japan. She was decom- become a world class diving missioned in 1946. From 1948 to destination, an oasis for marine 1958, she served as one of the life in an otherwise vast expanse post-war four aces for American of open Gulf of mostly sand Export Lines. Then she sailed in and mud bottom. ■

21 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED USS Grunion SS-216 1. Aug 1942

wreck WWW.AWM.GOV.AU rap

WWW.OLDSUBSPLACE.COM Shadowy Object Off Alaska Coast May Be Lost WWII Sub Divers to Explore Historic For decades, relatives of the Grunion’s he thought he knew what had hap- 70 lost crewmen had no information pened to the Grunion. John Abele con- Gallipoli (WWI) Submarine beyond fragmented U.S. Navy records, tacted the man, Yutaka Iwasaki, who and a few rumours, about where and translated and sent him a report writ- Australians may soon know more about one of Gallipoli’s why the sub went down. They knew ten in the 1960s by a Japanese military WILLIAMSON & ASSOCIATES untold stories—the Australian submarine HMAS AE2. the Grunion had sunk two Japanese officer who served in the Aleutians. It An underwater image of a black It is referred to as the Silent Anzac and it was the first submarine chasers and heavily dam- described a confrontation between a shape near Kiska Island that may be the USS allied submarine to penetrate ’s Dardanelles as aged a third in July 1942 near Kiska, U.S. submarine and the officer’s freight- Grunion, which sank off the island at the tip part of a wider submarine campaign that paralyzed one of two Aleutian islands occupied er, the Kano Maru, on July 31, 1942, of Alaska’s Aleutian chain in 1942 Oriskany DVD enemy shipping in the Sea of Marmara. It was also by the Japanese. They knew her last about 10 miles northeast of Kiska—the Oriskany CVA34 – Status Re- the first allied submarine to be lost after entering the official radio message to the sub base Grunion’s patrol area. For more than two weeks, the Aquila port 06.19.06 to be released Dardanelles, off the Gallipoli coast, in 1915. The sub at Dutch Harbor, on July 30, 1942, The sub dispatched six or seven tor- carefully towed a sonar cable from east by the end of 2006 by ClearVis entered the straits of the Dardanelles on April 25, 1915, described heavy enemy activity at pedoes. All but one bounced off the to west and back again inside a 240- Productions, features the big- as the Anzacs first landed on the beaches. Kiska Harbor. They knew she still had 10 boat without exploding, or missed, the square-mile grid that the survey team gest vessel ever to be inten- Its Australian crew dodged minefields, evaded patrol of her 24 torpedoes during that com- officer wrote, although the hit knocked had plotted using information from na- tionally sunk to create an craft and survived heavy shellfire before torpedoing munication. They knew Dutch Harbor out his engines and communications. val archives and the Kano Maru offic- artificial reef. See the Books a Turkish . But HMAS AE2 came under attack responded with an order to return He said he returned fire with an 8-cm er’s account. In mid-August, the sonar Section on page 77 for details. from a Turkish boat, resulting in the crew losing to the base, but they didn’t know if deck gun, and believed he had sunk picked up a 290-foot-long object with control of the vessel and being forced to abandon ship. Grunion ever received it. Until a few the sub. the sharp angles and jutting shadows of Thirty-five people survived when it sank, and now it lies years ago, the clues were too sparse The Abeles then hired a marine survey something man-made wedged into a about 75 metres under water. to justify a search, said Bruce Abele, firm, Williamson and Associates which terrace on the steep underwater slope Now the story of the vessel will be told in detail. The whose father, Mannert Abele, was the after six hours of negotiating, agreed to of the volcano. Australian Federal Government and the Submarine Grunion’s commander. send sonar technicians and equipment The Grunion, however, was 312 feet Institute of Australia are contributing about $800,000 to Four years ago, a man who had aboard a Bering Sea crab boat to the long. The Williamson team believes the survey and preserve the HMAS AE2. heard about the Grunion’s disappear- frigid waters licking the base of Kiska bow may have plowed beneath a mat of The Minister Assisting the Minister ance emailed Bruce the links to sev- volcano. The U.S. Navy, citing lack of thick sediment, hence the apparent short- for Defence, Bruce Billson, says eral Grunion websites. One site held resources, is not involved in the search, age of about 20 feet. Skid marks show the Australian divers will carry out the an entirely new clue, a note from a and the Abeles prefer to keep the cost vessel slid to rest about 1,000 meters from survey sometime next year. Japanese model ship builder who said to themselves. the surface. SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS ■ “To see how we can best pre- serve it, how we can best bring to life the story of the AE2 and then Wrecks of Two Mysterious Discovered Off the Coast of Orkney, Scotland to consider options for its long- term management and care,” A survey team discovered two wrecks dimensional sonar device, but their place several miles away. he said. lying in about 70 metres of water to identity and nationalities are not Rob Spillard, hydrography man- Mr Billson says it is too early to the east of Sanday Sound in an area known. An Orkney diver speculated ager of the Maritime and Coastguard know if parts of the submarine where there were no reports of war- that the vessels might have been Agency, said the sunken submarines can be brought to the surface time sinkings, a coastguard official German U-boats sunk during the were something of a mystery.“We and restored. “At this stage it’s a said. Second World War. There were reports have no idea which subs they are, little too early to know,” he said. Grainy images of the submarines that the Royal Navy had successfully which nationality or who died in SOURCE: ABC NEWS ■ were captured using the latest three- depth-charged U-boats, but this took them,” he said. SOURCE: THE SCOTSMAN ■

22 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED US Navy Divers Survey WWII Aircraft

Lost and found - USS Macon

USS Macon (ZRS-5) was a massive airship Researchers from NOAA were brought made for scouting in the service of U.S. in, and video clips from the site are Navy. She was designed to carry five F9C now available to the public through the Sparrowhawk biplanes. The planes were OceansLive Web Portal, a service of the Two U.S. Douglas Torpedo Bomber Devastators, which played an kept inside the hull, in bays. A trapeze NOAA. Researchers are mapping the important role in World War II, were surveyed by a team of divers was used for launching and retrieving underwater wreckage with an under- from the USS Safeguard assisting the Naval Historical Center and The the planes. She looked impressive, like a water robotic explorer. With the help of International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery. giant blimp, but she had a short career. 10,000 images captured, they will make Lost since the early days of the war, the wrecks were investigated During a storm she went down after a photo mosaic of the site. over four days of diving during which data and samples were col- only two years of service, 1933 - 1935 , The hope is to get the site listed on lected for scientific analysis to find out if the wrecks were suitable for and got lost off the coast of California. the National Register of Historic places. recovery and preservation later. The storm threw the USS Macon into an The wreck site has not been released Safeguard’s commanding officer Lt. Cmdr. Doyle Hodges told Navy updraft; the structure was compromised to the public, and it will remain a secret News: “This was a unique opportunity for Safeguard to be involved in and trailing cables punctured the rear for now. No diving is allowed. Not only the conservation and preservation of an important part of naval his- cells. She fell slowly from the sky; it took is it too deep for , it is tory.” He added, “Just the process of getting to the wreck site in the almost 20 minutes. Then, she went down. also considered a U.S. Navy gravesite. Marshalls gives you a good appreciation for the bravery of the Sailors Almost the entire crew survived, thanks to SOURCE: NOAA & MBARI.ORG ■ who took these aircraft with rudimentary navigation systems across life jackets and warm water. thousands of miles of open ocean. Additionally, the diving conditions She was lost for a long time, and it was in the lagoon were terrific.” The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Immediately after the bombings of in WWII, the planes Institute (MBARI) that found her in 1991, went directly after the Japanese headquarters on the ,

or at least, the debris field left of the NOAA & MBARI but were lost in this first U.S. offensive strike. Launched from the USS Macon. Artifacts were retrieved that Yorktown (CV5), weather conditions made their mission difficult, and helped identify the wreck, and video the pilots of the bombers could not make a path for return on the sor- clips, sonar images and photos were tie. They ran out of fuel and ditched in the large central lagoon near taken. the Jaluit where they lay at rest today. SOURCE: NAVY NEWS ■ The MBARI returned in 2005-06 to con- duct an archeo- logical research Pollution Leaking from WWII Ships in project in the bay. Sunk more than 60 years ago, some dramatically.” Navy base as primary target. The U.S. Japanese war vessels are leaking greater It could be one of the biggest environ- unleashed at the amounts of diesel, oil, fuel and toxic mental catastrophes to hit the shores of on location for a two-day aerial bombing chemicals into the island-dotted lagoon of of the most populous states of campaign, which was carried on with sev- Chuuk, which has some of the best diving as 57 wrecks made up of cargo ships, eral more confrontations until the end of sites in the world. , transports, submarines, tugs, the war. Speaking on the subject at the tankers, carriers and other vessels rest on Environmentalists are very concerned Stockholm Convention on Persistent the sea bed carrying enough raw power with the imminent environmental threat Organic Pollutants (POPs), Joe and munitions now used by locals to blow these wrecks impose on the area and sug- NOAA & MBARI Konno, former Director of the Chuuk up areas of the lagoon and its reefs for ille- gest a cooperation between Japan and Scenes from the Environmental Protection Agency, gal fishing. local government should be developed to USS Macon wreck said,“The rate of leakage is rising During WWII, the U.S. viewed this Imperial take care of the problem. SOURCE: KASELEHIE PRESS ■

NOAA & MBARI NOAA & MBARI 23 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Roman Shipwreck Bearing Gifts of Fish Sauce Delicacies to thrill the richest ed Press that the freight has from Cadiz in the south of sea. But fish bone traces palates of the Roman Em- approximately 1,500 well- what is now Spain. It must do remain inside and can pire filled the storage hull of preserved clay amphoras, have been a terrible storm help researchers figure out RESERVED a shipwrecked first-century used to hold a condiment, because it was not common how the sauces were made vessel. Nestled inside some fish sauce, highly prized by for such a vessel to be so according to de Juan. of the hundreds of meter-tall rich Romans. close to shore. “We knew it was an impor- amphoras, or clay jars, on Archeologists not related “The crew did not care tant find but had no real the ship were 2,000 year-old to the project such as, Javier about the cargo or money idea until now,” said de FOR SOME fish bones. Nieto, director of the Center or anything. They headed Juan. “It is an exceptional Archeologists were de- for for land to save their lives,” find.” SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS ■ lighted with the dazzling find of Catalonia agree that the said de Juan. which should provide a lot of shipwreck is very important Unfortunately, the AD information about life in the not only for its size and easy wreck site was not ancient world. access that it offers—just 25 immune from raiding The cargo of amphoras meters (80 feet) below the by pirate scuba divers was discovered in 2000 by surface at about 1.5 kilom- who stole some of the boaters when their anchor eters (one mile) from the amphoras after the first lodged itself in one of the coast—but also because announcement of the two-handled jars. Years of of the fine condition of the find in 2000. The action red-tape later, Carles de cargo. forced the Valencia Juan was able to begin “For archaeologists, a government to con- exploration of the site, which sunken ship is a historic struct a thick metal grat- is located off the coast of document that tells us about ing to protect the jars Alicante in Southeast Spain. ancient history and how its and cover the remains. Estimated at 30 meters economy worked,” Nieto of Because the seals on long with 400-ton cargo Barcelona told Associated the amphoras were not capacity, the vessel is twice Press. “This ship will contribute hermetically sealed, the size of most other Ro- a lot.” the fish sauce isn’t in ad man shipwrecks found in the It is thought that the ship them anymore hav- Mediterranean according probably sank in a storm ing not been able to20 de Juan who told Associat- while sailing back to Rome centuries under the MARIAMILANI

Found: Civil War Schooner? DIVE STORE FOR SALE Officials aren’t saying yet, but a wreck discovered off the coast of south Baldwin County in Alabama, USA, might very well have been a blockade runner in the IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Civil War. Remains of a wooden ship were noticed by local residents after high and strong waves revealed Owner retiring after 35 years in the parts of the vessel at the surf line near Fort Morgan. The business. Serious inquiries only. 150-foot ship was found charred near the beach level. Over history, hundreds of ships ran aground in this area, so civil war experts speculate whether or not exact identification of the ship can be made. However, there are military reports that a schooner, Monticello, was [email protected] beached and deserted eight miles from Fort Morgan, then burned by the Union Navy in 1862. Further inves- tigation will be needed to get to the bottom of the mystery. SOURCE: PRESS REGISTER ■

24 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Aquariums in the News: Bering Strait Appeared Earlier Than Thought London’s New Coral Reef Researchers from Woods Hole land bridge between what is The £85m Biota Aquarium in London will be install- Oceanographic Institution in now known as Alaska and Si- ing an enormous coral reef made up of living Massachusetts, USA, have set beria flooded 11,000 years ago colonies from the Pacific and Indian oceans. the record straight on the Ber- to make the Bering Strait. London zoo marine specialists are “growing” the ing Strait. According to new Sediment core samples reef for the aquarium designed by Sir Terry Farrell findings, it actually appeared collected from new core sites as part of a 1.5£ billion scheme to rejuvinate the 1,000 years earlier than be- north and west of Alaska in London Docklands. To be completed in 2009, the lieved. This would have made the Chukchi Sea revealed reef is planned to reach 9ft high and 24ft across human travel by foot across skeletons of animals called in a tank with tropical fish for an exhibit in which the bridge impossible 1000 foraminifera that were radio- visitors can be immersed as they walk through the years earlier too. carbon dated and could be aquarium. A team from the Zoological Society of The scientists reporting to traced to specific water and London is supervising the project. ■ Geology magazine found evi- atmospheric temperatures. The dence along the ocean floor findings suggest that the first Public Supports where sediment deposits were humans to come across the Vancouver Aquarium Expansion deep enough to show a view bridge to settle in the Americas of geological history. From this came much earlier than previ- Over 4,000 people took part in a public survey which data, they calculated that the ously thought. SOURCE: REUTERS ■ found higher than expected support for a proposed expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium. The expan- sion proposal includes a 30% increase in the size of Tsunami Risk in the North Sea? the Aquarium at a cost of $80 million. Improvements mainly benefit marine mammals which may include Over 8,000 years wegian coasts whales and dolphins if they are returned back into ago, a tsunami where the last the wild if the public has its way. It is hoped that the hit Europe. Since big tsunami hit. construction will start next spring so the facility will be then it has been Could a tsu- completed by the 2010 Winter Olympics. ■ very quiet, right? nami hit Europe Not so, says again? Scientists U.S. aquarium docs examine whalesharks a new study speculate upon which reveals several ways it that there have could happen Scientists at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta met NOAA with a whaleshark for a ground-breaking check-up. been a number involving an With the help of around 50 staffers, a stretcher big of deep-sea earthquakes unstable continental slope and enough to hold a mini-bus and a hose transporting around Europe since the last the affect an earthquake or up to 300 gallons of liquid anesthetic, they exam- big one hit. Scientists say that rising temperatures and water ined Ralph, a 22-foot (6.6-meter) male, one of four cities and towns on the North levels may have on meth- whale sharks at the aquarium. Not much is known Sea coast are at risk next time anhydrates: gas-containing about the world’s largest fish, so researchers hope a landslide hits the continental ice caps which keep the sand the study will produce new information about the slope. attached to the slopes like mysterious animal of massive size and wide-ranging Researchers sifted through a kind of weak glue. If water habitat. Ralph and Norton, the other male whale libraries of ancient texts, church levels or temperatures change shark at the aquarium, traveled from Taiwan to documents, and historical enough, this ‘glue’ may fall Atlanta last June luckily before they met their doom chronicles from as far back as apart, said Angus Best of the as seafood in Taipei. Two females, Trixie and Alice, the year 1089 in Great Britain University of Southampton to joined them to find a disturbing number the scientific journal Eos. Gaps a year of reports and descriptions of in our knowledge of this subject later at the earthquakes that came more causes concern in the scientific aquarium frequently and in greater mag- community who suggest that where they nitude than previously thought. further research be conducted live together Further research has been to better understand the risks of in their 6 mil- done by Scandinavian scien- a tsunami in Europe and how lion gallon tists investigating landslides and to protect ourselves when it tank. SOURCE: underwater cliffs off the Nor- comes. SOURCE: SPIEGLE ONLINE ■ ASSOCIATED PRESS ■ FILE PHOTO: TIM HOCHGREBE. UNDERWATER.COM.AU 25 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED By Willy Volk Travel News Malta to Get a New “Marine Adventure Park”? would allow divers and snorkelers to pletely innovative-free name Marine swim with sunfish, rays, groupers, sea Adventure Park. According to a hounds, dog fish, angel shark, tuna, spokesman for the park, “Instead of Edited by Peter & Gunild Symes lampuki and other fish in one of two looking in as one does outside an netted enclosures that resemble aquarium, one snorkels and scuba modern, large-scale fish farms. dives among the fish and in many The difference between fish farms ways interacts with them.” The and these enclosures is that these spokesman also claims the Park will No Major Fall Out fish would be held only for viewing adopt a “Noah’s Ark” approach to in Dive Tourism (as opposed to eating). Roughly stocking the enclosures, meaning 10 times the size of Monterey Bay there would not be a large quantity from Irwin Death Aquarium, and capable of accom- of fish inside the Park, but a healthy Despite recent doom and gloom modating up to 125 snorkelers and and interesting variety. reports from some dive news 75 divers at any time, within the This sounds like a really interesting agencies, the death of popular enclosures, the investors plan to concept, meant to make up for the Australian TV personality and con- MALTA TOURISM AUTHORITY install replicas of megalithic tem- fact that divers and snorkelers are servationist, Steve Irwin, who was Malta and Gozo offers some of the most ples and ancient shipwrecks to seeing fewer fish while on their excur- killed by a stingray in the fall of exciting diving in the Mediterranean serve as artificial reefs that’ll provide sions. If you’re interested in learning this year, has had minimal nega- habitat for the fish. From the sky, the more about the proposal, check out tive impact if any, according to According to The Times of Malta, a two enclosures would resemble a the Marine Foundation’s PDF pro- spokesmen for the Queensland group of investors—including a fish ship’s portholes. As it would sit half a posal or Powerpoint presentation. dive tourism industry and the Cay- farmer, a hotelier, and members of mile offshore, divers would have to Although there aren’t any designs man Islands Tourism Association the diving community—are propos- access the area via boat. of the Park, I think you can probably (CITA), which promotes Stingray ing a new “highly innovative marine The “highly innovative” attraction imagine what a giant net enclosure City and Sand Bar as local attrac- tourist attraction.” The attraction is currently saddled with the com- looks like. ■ tions to millions of tourists each Gets a own year. Indeed, Steve Broadbelt, Hyperbaric Chamber Chairman of the Water Sports Philippines, Malaysia and Committee of CITA said that Indonesia to Fight Terrorism A nine-person chamber there has actually been a slight Galapagos Marine Patrols Get a Leg Up On Poachers With Better Border Patrol is now available at the rise in numbers of tourists visiting new hyperbric medi- the attractions as compared to An overhauled U.S. Coast Guard cutter has started patrol duty in the wa- In order to deter operatives of the Southeast cal center in Dahab, the same time last year. While ters of the Galapagos Islands in order to catch poachers at sea. It is the Asian regional terrorist network, Jemaah Egypt, at the northern the area is currently experiencing first National Park vessel fast enough to outrun them. Now, park officials Islamiyah (JI), from entering into Mindanao, end of the . its low season, attendance has finally have a way to catch illegal fishermen that threaten the highly cher- the Phiippine Government is seeking to work Although used, the been better than expected and ished marine life and diverse ecosystem of the Galapagos. Rebuilding of with Malaysia on bettering boarder patrols. Italien-made chamber may have even been positively the 95-foot cutter, Yoshka, was made possible by funding from the WWF. A proposal from the Defense Secretary is certified and in “great affected by the media coverage. The Yoshka hails from an illustrious career in its previous life having Avelino Cruz to the set up sealanes along shape” according to Dr Meanwhile, in Australia, tourism played an important role in the boarders so officials can effectively monitor Adel Taher, director of the Hy- agencies are reassuring visitors Cuban missile crisis helping to the movement of ships was given to Malay- perbaric Center in Sharm El Sheikh. that the reefs are safe and ex- transport refugees to Miami in sia and Indonesia. According to Cruz, estab- The Dahab center will help victims of decom- pect no negative change in the 1965. Now, after badly needed lished sealanes would let legitimate traffic pression illness more quickly than before when numbers of tourists taking part in repairs, the cutter is again able flow through the area while helping authori- patients had to be evacuated to the Sharm El scuba diving activities. SOURCES: CAYMAN to reach a top speed of 22 knots ties from the three countries check vessels Scheikh center to be treated. It is also hoped NET NEWS & ABC NEWS ■ and navigate for 7-12 days with- found outside the lanes. Thereby, strengthen- that the chamber will be used for research pur- out refueling, and serve once ing control over unauthorized boarder cross- poses in coordination with the Italian National again on missions to save lives, ings and illegal activity. Research Center and DAN-Europe. Dr Taher this time that of precious and en- These measures come none too soon as told DIVE that a new recompression chamber dangered sea life. ■ about 30 JI militants are now operating in the will be purchased for Sharm El Sheikh, which will WWF Philippines while other bombers and leaders operate in tandem with the chamber in The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Yoshka are being hunted in Sulu. SOURCE: SUNSTAR IN MANILA ■ order to lessen its work load. ■

26 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Jacques Rougeries passion for ocean projects goes back a long time. Under- sea Village is from1973 design. Jacques believes that living in the sea, with the sea, is a way to bring its mysteries to light. vessel and running scien- During one of his recent dreams, tific equipment on board. he envisioned an incredible boat, Crew members will mainly able to cruise freely among the be scientists, divided into longest ocean currents, as the two groups since the lowest biggest planktonic entity ever met. part of the vessel can be As a classical boat suddenly put in isolated, like a compression vertical position, above and blow chamber, meaning that a the water surface at the same part of the team can live in satura- may have a complete represen- time. tion for some time. The pressurized tation of marine life living at their deck has direct access to the doorstep. The first missions could Scientific project ocean, allowing scientists to dive last up to two years. Sea Orbiter is not just an impres- whenever they need to, with great sive boat, it is also a scientific savings in time, as they would Missions project. Understanding the great need no, or at least The campaigns should be first ocean currents and their impact Jacques Rougerie very reduced, launched in 2008-09 in the Atlantic on climate and marine life was decompression Ocean with the Gulf Stream the first goal of this project. On disc all around the now vertical stops. One of the study—then, the Pacific Ocean, the other hand, living under the structure for stabilisation. Well, advantages for and finally, the . surface is similar to conditions that’s the idea anyway... the scientists is that on space crafts where humans In reality, it’s much better and they will be able to Previous projects need life support systems and really quite beautiful. A three- observe the marine Benjamin Franklin proved the exist- have to live in confined spaces meter high model was first pre- life and natural ence of the Gulf Stream in 1769, while dealing with food, health sented in Paris during the centen- organisation of and 200 years later, many sci- and energy for long periods of nial anniversary of Jules Verne’s species around entists guessed that this marine time in relative autonomy. So, it disparition (1905) in the Musée this life shelter. In a current has a huge effect on was only logical that NASA took National de la Marine. The model, few weeks, scientists climate. Jacques Piccard has an interest in the project too. build by MARINTEK in Trondheim, been requested by NASA to After all, they’ve been training all Norway, captivated the imagina- build a submarine for studying their astronauts underwater since tion of thousands of visitors in the this current : from the 14th 1946. Also, the European Space museum. Sea Orbiter is to reach of July to the 14th ofAau- In Jules Verne’s Footsteps Agency, various environmental about 51 meters in height and 23,8 gust 1969, the Ben Franklin Text by Yann Saint-Yves hulls, short hulls, sailing boats with protection agencies and scientific meters in width. Twenty meters of with six crew members underwater windows to the sea, organisations have shown interest the structure is visible above water aboard, drifted in the Gulf Sea Orbiter. Wow. It sounds underwater houses, motor boats— including Institut de Recherche with 31 meters below the surface. Stream at a depth of like a novel by Philip that was his leitmotif between the et de Développement, Woods 100m to 600m. ■ K.Dick or a Stanley Kubrick 70’s and the 90’s. As every other Hole Oceanographic Institution Clean energy and the National Oceanographic Originally the project wanted to 1. Upper lookout deck, movie, doesn’t it? But the visionary, he was considered an original and a dreamer. and Atmospheric Administration. use 100% “green” energy. But bridge Sea Orbiter is not science Right... However, Jacques Together, they created the sci- technical for long trips 2. Trampoline deck, fiction but a serious project Rougerie is one of those very rare entific program behind the Sea were not efficient enough, and in relaxation zone individuals who actually transforms Orbiter. the end, two of two diesel engines 3. Surface deck on its way to become real- 4. Access deck, work- his dreams into reality. His very spe- were included for moving the ves- shops ity. A new Odyssey could sel long distances if needed. But cial boats can be seen all around The vessel 5. Sea level soon take its beginning... the world, allowing everyone Imagine a “classic” ship, then cut this is only for the first model, as the 6. Service deck, to discover underwater marvels off the superstructure and seal the next Sea Orbiter should use some bathrooms Jacques Rougerie is an architect, seated dry and comfortably in the deck. Then, place a lot of “plexi” cleaner engine technologies such 7. Atmospheric deck, well known for his incredible boats, company of the whole family. In a windows along the hull and put as hydrogen cells and electric living quarters which allow passengers to enjoy way, his recipe is simple: Aluminium a weight of more than 400 tons motors. For the rest, fans and solar 8. Research deck, “undersea sightseeing” through hull, methacrylate panoramic at the rear end. You finally add panels should provide enough laboratories 9. Pressurised deck, huge plexiglas hemispheres. Long windows, and a particular organic a huge underwater wing-shaped energy for life support, steering the living quarters

27 X-RAY MAG : 14: 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Awesome By Tim & Wandy Hochgrebe Australia Diving Down Under the Land Down Under

A coproduction with

28 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIEDYANN SAINT-YVES Australian Appetizers

DownIntroduction text by Wandy and Tim Hochgrebe under Down Under Underwater photography by Tim Hochgrebe all state summaries by Wandy and Tim Hochgrebe Topside photography by Yann St. Yves A coproduction with underwater.com.au

YANN ST YVES

Australia—the land ‘Down Under’— Australian wildlife, but there is also the renown for Uluru (the rock formerly know incredible Spiny Ant-eater (Echidna) and the platypus who both lay eggs, as Ayers), its red desserts and kanga- but suckle their young. roos. But the smallest continent on earth Most of the 20 million Australians are features one of the largest varieties of descendants of nineteenth and twen- tieth-century immigrants. The five larg- habitats ranging from tropical rainfor- JOHN SMITH - UNDERWATER.COM.AU est groups of the Australians who est to old-growth temperate forests were born overseas come from and alpine heaths—and that goes for the United Kingdom, New underwater as well. Zealand, Italy, Vietnam and China. Only a very small Due to the unique environment with percentage is made nutrient-poor soils, highly variable up of the indigenous weather patterns and geographic people—mainland isolation, a high percentage of Aborigines and Torres Australia’s flora and fauna is Strait Islanders. endemic and extremely well adapted to their unique sur- Relaxed rounds. Australians are known The koala in its gum tree for their relaxed atti- is probably one of the tude, their open- best-known icons ness and their love of of the nature—and all of that is KAREN WILSHAW - UNDERWATER.COM.AU true. Australia is home to many races and religions, and on the whole, every- body accepts each other’s way of life—and they all love their beer … With the increase of air travel, Australia has become a popular destination for tourists from all over the world and anything to do with

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Uluru formerly known as Ayers Rock; Seahorse; Dolphin trio; Wobbegong; map of Australia; resting Kangaroo STEVE GRIFFIN - UNDERWATER.COM.AU

29 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED RON WALSH - UNDERWATER.COM.AU travel Australia

YANN SAINT-YVES So where the Koala bears snuggle in deep sleep, nestlied in the branches of their favourite Eucaliptus tree ‘bloody hell’ water is extremely popular with as their close relative the endemic locals and tourists alike. The 2005 and incredibly beautiful Weedy are ya ? Surfing World Tour featured five Seadragon have found their home. Australians in the top ten—surfing Further south, kelpforests, seal col- is a cultural icon of Australia. But onies, rock lobsters, abalone and a other watersports like diving and multitude of sponges and ascidians opportunity to see the majestic Great White reef, called Ningaloo provides a magic and snorkelling enjoy growing popu- colour the rocky reefs. Shark from the safety of a cage. unspoilt dive destination. Fantastic coral larity. Off Adelaide, divers have the On the other side of Australia, a fringing gardens and walls not far from the main- Although most tourists land and snorkelling with whalesharks and are aware of the Great manta rays are some of the highlights—as Barrier Reef off the North- are spotting dugongs and dolphins. East coast of Australia, There are plenty of wrecks to explore,

more and more people are YANN SAINT-YVES caves to dive, off-shore islands to dream discovering the excellent of, endangered animals, aggregation diving in other parts of the sites for rare species such as the Leopard continent as well. With a sharks, the Grey Nurse Sharks, stingrays, coastline of almost 26,000 cuttlefish and of course the annual coral km—much of it still reason- spawning events. ably unspoilt—it should not About 89% of temperate fish species are come as a surprise that unique to Australia, so there is no excuse there are plenty of spots to not to come and visit the cooler regions. find amazing marine life. This feature about Australia is aiming YANN SAINT-YVES In the harbour of Sydney, to go slightly beyond the “road well trav- TOP: A pair of Nurse sharks, or the largest city in Australia, elled” and includes some destinations that Ragged tooth sharks, patrol the in only a few meters of some divers might not yet have heard waters for prey. ABOVE INSET: water dumpling squids, about. Australia is a fantastic place to live Discover Aboriginal culture anglerfish, Port Jackson and dive—so, as they say down under, sharks and seahorses as well “Where the ‘bloody hell’ are ya?” ■ SMALL INSET LEFT: Kangaroo X-ing LEFT: A view of Kata Tjuta from afar

30 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Catch a Tiger by the Tail!

Explorer scientists, I have been studying the shark populations out at in the Coral Sea, 60 nautical miles off the north-east coast of Queensland. Undersea Explorer visits some of the most pristine and remote reefs in Australia and provides a unique chance for tourists to do four dives a day whilst interacting with research scientists. Each week divers are able to join expeditions featuring projects on Sharks, Minke Whales, Nautilus, Coral Monitoring and Water Quality. Osprey Reef Osprey reef is an ideal dive site and a hot spot for sharks. White tip reef sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Silver tips are guaranteed and hammer- heads also seen regularly. To study the sharks here I need to insert a small id microchip underneath the skin, and for this I need to bring the shark up to the boat. This is easier said than done. Even the smaller sharks are incredibly pow- erful and quick, so I developed a technique of underwater shark rodeo! A crate of bait is placed on the reef and while the shark is preoccupied by the food, I grab hold of its tail and slip a rope around it. After that it is a gentle swim to the Undersea Explorer where we can do the necessary Text by Richard Fitzpatrick Many people think I must have a death in aquariums around Australia but even- research with the aim of having Photos by John Rumney wish because tiger sharks are known to tually left the aquarium world to move real field data on growth, repro- be pretty aggressive. I have stopped into underwater filming and to pursue duction and home range of these Hanging onto the dorsal fin of a telling people what I do at social gath- my dream to do hands on research with sharks. Our goal is to obtain the tiger shark as it swims is a truly erings, it is a guaranteed conversation wild sharks. I teamed up with a research information to work towards long stopper. “What do you do?” “I tail rope and adventure diving venture Undersea term sustainability and conserva- awesome experience. Feeling sharks in the open ocean”. People either Explorer to help establish a long-term tion of sharks. the immense power and strength think I am liar or a loony! shark monitoring program. For the last of these animals is incredible. I started off working with captive sharks nine years, in conjunction with Undersea THIS PAGE: Researchers tag tiger sharks in Australian waters 31 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Australian Tigers Queensland How? The Claw The first hurdle was ‘How?’ My ini- After a year of development and testing tial idea was just to up scale the I successfully used my new safer inven- existing technique. After all tigers tion—The Shark Claw’. On the end of are just big reef sharks. The saving a long pole, the ‘Claw’ is designed to grace to capturing an animal of clamp on to the shark’s tail. I attract the this strength and size is the bizarre sharks using a floating bait. Approaching way that sharks behave once their the bait in a small dive tender the tiger

tails are secured. Nobody really often comes over to investigate. The PETER SIMPSON - UNDERWATER.COM.AU knows why, but the minute the tail claw has to circle the peduncle in exact- is caught they stop swimming and ly the right place so timing has to be lie relatively placidly in the water. perfect. When we are close enough - I However until the moment that can grab the sharks tail using the ‘Claw’ that tail is secured the shark is far without jumping in the water. The ‘shark from placid! Grabbing the tail of a claw’ is attached to a rope and large thrashing three and a half meter float which the shark drags through the shark is pretty difficult, especially water till it stops swimming. This new tech- as the power of the shark turns nique is much quicker and less stressful Of course everybody has heard of the the water to foam and visibility for both the animal and me. and its numerous drop becomes almost nil. The only way offs, coral and coves. The waters I could get hold of the tail was Adam here are home to 1500 species of fish by jumping in the water with the The most recent tiger shark I have alone in addition to thousands of dif- sharks. I managed to catch four tagged was a 2.5 metre male, named ferent molluscs, crustaceans and other tiger sharks like this, but it was ‘Adam’. The satellite tag is attached to invertebrates. Further out in the Coral Sea pretty frightening. Seeing the gap- Adam’s dorsal fin, where a salt water the waters are even more pristine with ing mouth of serrated teeth over switch activates the tag every time the visibility often exceeding 50 metres. The After working with smaller sharks for Northern Great Barrier Reef. Raine two foot wide suddenly materializing just fin breaks the surface, allowing us to islands that are located on the Southern a few years I set myself a new chal- Island in the remote Far Northern inches from your face is an image that is track her movements from space for Great Barrier Reef are all surrounded by lenge- working with the mighty tiger end of the Great Barrier Reef is famous not easily forgotten. months to come. colourful coral reefs, pinnacles and clear shark. Reef sharks are strong, but as the world’s largest turtle rookery. In Not surprisingly the scientific community The satellite tags have revealed some turquoise water. Sail and dive around the being the largest tropical preda- November it has been known for more eventually decided that this method was fascinating new information about the well-known Whitsunday Islands. When on tory shark, tigers are a whole than 14,000 turtles to come ashore to too dangerous and quietly encouraged lives of tiger sharks. We now know that land you can watch turtles lying eggs or new ballgame! nest here in just one night. Raine Island’s me to look in to safer options. they do cover huge distances after leav- turtle eggs hatch, depending on the time I was introduced to the impressive turtle aggregations are no of the year. Further down on the Sunshine Tigers at Raine Island secret to marine predators like the cost the newly sunk wreck of the HMAS during Undersea tiger shark. As the turtles come in to Brisbane has become a big attraction to Explorer’s sched- nest, the tigers come in to feed. divers. Brisbane also offers artificial reefs in uled trips to Very little is known about tiger Morton Bay or make your way to Morton the Far shark behaviour and I wanted to Island and dive some wrecks. Plus you will find out just how far the tiger sharks find that Manta Rays pay regular visits to were travelling to feast on the North Stradbroke Island. ■ migrating sea turtles at Raine Island. To do this I needed to be able to track the sharks’ movements and the best way to do that is from space. I needed somehow to attach a satel- lite tag to the dorsal fin of tiger sharks at Raine Island so that I could follow them once they left the island. ÁKOS LUMNITZER - UNDERWATER.COM.AU

32 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Australian Tigers Undersea Explorer Remote Far New South travel Northern Expedition – 7/8/9 day expeditions available Oct-Dec Wales

Expeditions to Great Detached Reef, Raine Island, Mantis Reef and Wreck Bay near the top of Australia, with Richard Fitzpatrick as special guest scientist. Travelling to the Far Northern regions of the Great Barrier Reef will always be the pinnacle of extreme adventure diving. Australia’s spring is the best time to dive the outer walls, offering a great chance of encounters with megafauna. Brydes Whales, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks and of course Tiger Sharks are all regular visitors to this region. Raine Island is the world’s largest Green Turtle nesting site.During this expedition you’ll experience the excitement of 3-4 superb dives per day in remote areas, drift dives and deep dives. Onboard activities range from informa- SEAN PHILLIPSON - UNDERWATER.COM. tive presentations in the biologist room, ‘creature feature’ talks on the top deck, and barbecues on the top deck.Your panoramic flight to or from In the North, tropical and temper- Leave this type of encouter to the pros. Don’t try this at home! Lockhart River gives you the opportunity to view ate currents meet and you can swim the vast wilderness of the Cape York coastline and amongst Leopard Sharks in summer ing Raine Island travelling in all direc- suggests that we must rethink and find reefs.In addition to our Far Northern Expeditions, as well as loads of turtles, especially tions. For shark management this kind more realistic methods to protect these Undersea Explorer also offers 6 day Osprey Reef around Byron Bay. The critically endan- of information is essential to match the ocean wanderers. Shark Encounters throughout the year, and 6 day gered Grey Nurse Sharks, or Ragged most appropriate conservation plans This research has been possible through Minke Whale Expeditions in Jun/Jul. Prices are Tooth sharks are resident in the southern with the behaviour of the species. For the Undersea Explorer research program, from AU$2100 per person for a 6 day expedition part of the North Coast as well as fur- most large migratory species like sharks Digital Dimensions, and CSIRO. To follow including twin share cabins and all meals. Check ther down the coast. Try the awesome current marine parks only cover small the shark research go to www.sharkre- our schedule on the web: www.undersea.com. cave dive at South West Rocks about sections of their habitat. The shark data search.com ■ au/2007.htm or call 61 7 4099 5911 half way down to Sydney. While there, don’t just look at the opera house; YANN SAINT-YVES Sydney’s waters are surprisingly rich in marine life. Discover the rocky reefs and kelp beds teeming with life, such as Port Jackson sharks, Eastern Blue Gropers, Giant Cuttlefish, Weedy Seadragons and moray eels. South of Sydney offers anything from penetrable shipwrecks to diving with inquisitive Australian Fur Seals. ■

TRURINA COOK - UNDERWATER.COM.AU

33 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED School of Goatfish Victoria

ByronWhere Tropical And Temperate Waters Bay Merge By Wandy and Tim Hochgrebe Photos and video by Tim Hochgrebe

The township of Byron Bay lies on the east coast of the Australian continent, a mere two hours south of Brisbane and about nine hours north of Sydney. Byron Bay TONY BROWN - UNDERWATER.COM.AU is quite well known for being Bay for its East of Melbourne. imagine a land- the most easterly point of the culture it scape made up from granite boul- Australian mainland and is home also has some ders, drop-offs and pinnacles, col- to the most powerful lighthouse major natural attractions. oured by sessile growth. Yes, the water in the southern hemisphere. One of them is the annual whale temperatures can drop to 12ƒC, but migration of the majestic Humpback visibility can be up to 45 metres! Swim Whale. Between May and October 5000 landscape, through kelp or past stunning sponge Known for the alternative lifestyle and individuals make their way up North and coloured by sessile gardens. Melbourne itself is a big city friendly people, Byron Bay has grown back down to the Antarctica each year. life such as sponges, with some great diving! Interact with into one of Australia’s most popular Both land based whale watching and hard and soft corals Australian Fur Seals at the largest colony holiday destinations for people wanting the close-up experience from boats has hinterland is part and tunicates. in southern Australia at Seal Rocks. something more than beach alone. increased in popularity over the last few of the Cape Since 1982, marine life Explore the wrecks of the J-Class subma- The many cafes and the relaxed years. Byron Marine has been protected rines. West of Melbourne you find even atmosphere put you in a holiday mood Although Byron Bay is one of Australia’s Park and home to a certain extent more accessible shipwrecks. The Fiji, right away. For those seeking culture, most popular holiday destinations, only to the Julian Rocks through the creation Schomberg and Loch Ard are located nightlife and fine dining, Byron also has few people realise the fantastic marine Marine Sanctuary. of Julian Rocks Marine Reserve. This less than 10 metres deep. Explore the a lot to offer. Art exhibitions, gallery environment Byron Bay has to offer. This helped the emergence of a unique rocky reefs made up out of ledges, pin- openings, fire dancing performances and popular subtropical township renown Julian Rocks underwater Mecca for marine life at this nacles and gutters, which are covered plenty of live music are always on offer. for its beautiful beaches and stunning Julian Rocks consists of rock formation only 2.5km off shore. in sponges, zoanthids, bryozoans and People do not only visit Byron ancient igneous rock, remains of a In December 2002 Julian Rocks became kelp. ■ volcanic eruption more than 20 million part of the Cape Byron Marine Park and years ago. It is an extension of Cape in May 2006, the Marine Park zoning plan Byron separated by water and forms a came into action, which amongst other most unique habitat, providing shelter things means that an area with a radius of and food for more than 500 1500m around Julian Rocks has become tropical and temperate a Sanctuary Zone for most of the year. This fish species alone. will hopefully see fish stocks increase even Boulders, sand gutters more and give the critically endangered and trenches form a Grey Nurse sharks, or Ragged Tooth sharks, fantastic underwater some well deserved additional protection. Even though Julian Rocks looks rather small, dive sites are plenty and its rocky reefs extend to Spot X, Mackeral Boulder and the Cape Pinnacles. Diving is pleasant all year round with temperatures ranging from 18˚ C in winter to 27˚ C in

Loggerhead sea turtle cruises the reef FIONA LIGNUM - UNDERWATER.COM.AU 34 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Byron Bay

Byron Bay

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Leopardshark displays summer. Due to its sheltered location often congregate in the sandy gutters on dramatic markings and elegance in its streamlined diving takes place almost every day the North side of Julian Rocks at a depth form and fins; schooling reef fish; Brilliant red seastar of the year, with visibility ranging from of around twenty meters. 5 to 30 meters. Through the 1950s and 60s these The marine environment around sharks were hunted to near extinction in Byron Bay is quite unique as both Australian waters as they were wrongly tropical and temperate currents that believed to be man-eaters. With their total flow past Julian Rocks contribute population estimated to be less than 500 equally to the abundance and the Grey Nurse Shark population on the variety of marine life. With water East Coast of Australia is now considered temperatures and currents changing Critically Endangered. Fortunately, Julian throughout the year there are many Rocks has been identified as one of seasonal visitors. Every dive at Julian thirteen Critical Habitats for Grey Nurse Rocks is different unlike diving on many coral reefs and many people return to this dive site on a very regular basis to experience it during different seasons and conditions. Sharks along the NSW coast. Some be found in different places. fishing and even dive behavioural The juvenile Half-circled Angelfish Winter guidelines were put in place in the (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) can be The month of May, when water hope this will increase the chance of easily identified due to its bright blue temperatures start to drop, marks the survival of this species. colouring and white semi-circles on start of the Grey Nurse Shark season. the side. Once it becomes an adult These endangered and in NSW fully Spring the rings disappear, but they are still protected sharks are fantastic to In spring when the water stunning. Of the Surgeonfish the Blue encounter. Although these sharks temperature starts rising, a variety Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) must be look ferocious they are perfectly safe of tropical species become more the most noticeable one and juveniles to dive with. common around the rock and can be found hovering just above table The Grey Nurse Sharks (Carcharius different kinds of butterfly fish, corals together with Headband Humbugs taurus), or Ragged Tooth Sharks, angelfish and surgeonfish dart (Dascyllus reticulatus), ducking inside for prefer the deeper waters and they around the coral outcrops that can cover as soon as anything approaches.

35 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Byron Lighthouse was bulilt in 1901 the most common ones being the Byron Tasmania travel Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphoprion akindynos) and the Blue-lip Anemonefish (Amphiprion latezonatus). Bay Around mid December the anemonefish start laying their bright orange eggs. Interestingly, the eggs are cared for mainly by the male, which can be found fanning the egg mass with their fins, providing its offspring with oxygen rich water. Hatching generally occurs after a period of 6 to 10 days. It is at this time that the large stingrays arrive. Black Stingrays (Dasyatis thetidis), the Cowtail Stingray (Pastinachus sephen) and the Smooth Stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata) can be seen on most aggregation sites dives. With their huge wingspan of almost each year. Butterflyfish two meters or more they are a quite As the water begins to The butterflyfish are less shy and are found impressive sight. cool in early May the Leopard mostly in pairs, nipping on coral polyps or Sharks simply disappear from Julian Rocks. grazing. The Threadfin, Vagabond and Summer ABOVE: Red Morwong. BELOW: Manta Ray Manta Rays visit Julian Rocks on occasion, Dusky Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga, C. As the water temperature however the end of summer vagabundus and C. flavirostris) are some starts to reach its maximum in and early autumn seems to be of the species common at Julian Rocks. early January, Leopard Sharks their preferred time of the year. By the way, don’t cross into the territory of (Stegatosoma fasciatum) ERITH ISLAND’S WEST COAST ANCHORAGE. PHOTO: GARY MYORS the Girdled Scalyfin (Parma unifasciata) aggregate at Julian Rocks. Other Sharks and Rays as those little farmers are fierce in Very little is known about The most commonly observed Travel south and discover Tasmania’s protecting their algae patches. these prehistoric looking and shark around Julian Rocks is rocky reefs in clear water. Do not miss the Of course everybody knows the mysterious sharks. They mainly the wobbegong shark. Three famous Kelp Forests and immerse your- anemonefish, which live in symbiosis with lie together in small groups different species have now self in this completely different world with their anemone. At Julian Rocks a number on sandy patches and can been identified and they are a myriad of species, such as seahorses, of different species can be encountered, be easily recognised by their present all year round. crabs, stingarees and Weedy Seadragons. The Dwarf Ornate Explore the off shore islands and swim Wobbegong only grows amongst wrecks that have been there to one metre and is the over a 100 years. These waters are rich in smallest species. It is observed nutrients and without even trying you will regularly in the shallower find rock lobsters, abalone, leatherjackets, waters, draped over a sponge perch, handfish and morwong. ■

MAXI ECKES. UNDERWATER.COM.AU or table coral. The larger Ornate Wobbegongs are round forehead, pale skin with leopard- not as common in this area like spots and their characteristic tail. as the other two species. It has only just Leopard sharks are egg-laying sharks, recently been decided that this is a but no egg cases have ever been found separate species from the Dwarf Ornate near Julian Rocks. Much of the biology Wobbegongs and they can grow up to of the leopard shark is still unknown including where the individuals found at Julian Rocks go in winter and whether the same animals return to the few known

Around mid December the anemonefish start laying their bright orange eggs. Interestingly, the eggs are cared for mainly by the male, RIGHT: Frog, Planula

36 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Numbray Electric Another ray species seems to have found a Byron Bay travel meeting place at Julian Rocks as well. The Numbfish (Hypnos monopterygium), also called Electric Ray, becomes visible in higher num- bers during the beginning of autumn in March. Normally they bury themselves in the sand and wait for their prey to swim past, but during this time they actively swim around in the shallows. This behaviour has been observed during the same weeks of the year for many years at Julian Rocks and has not been reported elsewhere. These odd-looking rays have specialized mus- cles located on their back which can generate a significant electric current (50 amps, with peak of pulses sometimes exceeding 1 kilowatt). Not only Art resembles nature or nature does the Numbfish use this to stun their prey; it resembles art... ABOVE: Traditional three metres in length. Stingray (Dasyatis kuhlii) is believed can also seriously deter any predators. dot on dot technique used by The similar looking Spotted to be a solitary species, these rays Julian Rocks’ reefs are also home to the Aboriginal artists to create vibrant Wobbegong can be distinguished seem particularly active in summer White-spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari), designs. LEFT: Close up of a seastar BELOW: Diver greets Leapardshark. from the Ornate Wobbegongs by and can be found in the shallows, the Sparsely Spotted Stingaree (Urolophus (image from Fido Reef) its colour patterns, which consist piling on top of each other in the paucimaculatus), the Eastern Fiddler BOTTOM IMAGES: Wobbegongs of broad dark saddles and the sand. Hundreds of Blue Spotted Ray (Trygonorrhina fasciata), the Eastern distinct circles formed of groupings Stingrays can be observed in very Shovelnose Ray (Apytychotrema rostrata), the DOUG ANDERSON – UNDERWATER.COM.AU of small white dots. Most of the tight groups in the same area, usu- Giant Guitarfish time the wobbegongs lay at the ally in early to mid January which (Rhynchobatus Most of the time the (Myliobatis australis). And if you are bottom and feeding occurs mainly could be interpreted as mating djiddensis) and very very lucky you can witness spectacular at night. Their prey includes fish, behaviour. occasionally the wobbegongs lay at the schools of up to 200 Cow-nose Rays crayfish, crabs and octopus. Southern Eagle Ray bottom and feeding (Rhinoptera neglecta) that sometimes Closely related to the sharks are pass by Julian Rocks. the rays, most of which occurs mainly at night. are regulars at Julian Their prey includes Marine Turtles Rocks. Although One of the big attractions when visit- the Blue fish, crayfish, crabs ing Julian Rocks must be the friendly Spotted and octopus. sea turtles that live here. Julian Rocks is home to three different species: the GERARD BRAITHWAITE – UNDERWATER.COM.AU Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) currently experiencing serious threats to their and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys survival. imbricata). Not many people know that adult Green All three marine turtle species are Turtles are unique among sea turtles in

37 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Blue Groper

Rocks therefore not only attracts travel divers, many people that have never ever that they have a completely snorkelled in their life come vegetarian diet and feed on out here to swim and snorkel seagrasses and algae, whereas with turtles… and some of them Hawksbill Turtles feed mainly on will turn into divers eventually invertebrates like sea squirts and anemones. Cephalopods Most divers know that The rocky reef provides an ideal close for comfort they will try to make Loggerhead Turtles can reach habitat for many Cephalopods— themselves look as large as possible enormous sizes. One very large literally meaning head-footers— by extending their arms and rapidly Loggerhead seems to call Julian which include octopus, cuttlefish flashing colours are displayed often as Rocks its home. Its size indicates and squid. a warning. that it must have been around Several species of octopus Another member of the for a long time! The lifespan of a have been sighted on the reefs cephalopods, the squid, is seen around Loggerhead turtle is estimated to around Julian Rocks. Generally Julian Rocks only occasionally. be 50 years or more and adults shy creatures these invertebrates Like the other cephalopods they grow to an average weight of prefer to crawl into their burrow use a specialised foot called a siphon, about 100 kilos. Equipped with when they feel threatened, which enables them to hunt and powerful jaws they can crush holding shell fragments and rubble escape quickly by expelling water crabs and molluscs and even in front of them. under pressure. the spines of a sea urchin are no The cuttlefish around Julian defence. Rocks can be found hovering Pelagics and Predators Even though turtles are very just above the ocean floor, and Marine life does not only come to much at home underwater they usually move around in pairs find shelter at Julian Rocks, food is are in fact reptiles and need to When cuttlefish feel threatened abundant here attracting schools of go the surface to breathe. During they initially might try to blend in streamlined predators. Pelagic hunters resting periods they can stay with their surroundings and almost such as Mulloway (Argyrosomus submerge for long periods of time. disappear from sight. They are japonicus) and Yellowtail Kingfish If they become more active they true masters of camouflage. If (Seriola lalandi) are fast swimmers that will need to return to the surface approached too can be found regularly in the deeper more often—which is why turtles waters around Julian Rocks. Other are very commonly seen pelagics include Big-eye Trevally or by snorkellers. Julian Jacks, as well as Golden and Blue-fin Trevally. Occasionally barracudas pay a visit to the rocky reefs and can be seen in small schools out in the blue. Hunting closer to the reef are the spectacular lionfish. Several species are observed in this area including the Common Lionfish (Pterois volitans), the Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus) and the Spotfin Lionfish (Pterois antennata). It is common diver knowledge that Lionfish have extremely venomous dorsal fin spines, but they are generally not dangerous to approach.

38 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel

Detail of a sea anemone Dusky Flathead

Lionfish prey on a wide variety of equipped with razor sharp teeth. you can hardly see where you are smaller fishes, shrimps and crabs. The wide open jaws are generally going. They have few predators in their not a sign of aggression, the gape Byron Bay and Julian Rocks offer a native range. Their prey, which is is necessary for as unique environment that celebrates hunted mainly at night is obtained water has to be actively pumped and nurtures diversity, abundance with a lightning quick snap of the across the gills. During the day and colour and is considered one of jaws and swallowed whole. most morays are found in crevices Australia’s top 10 dive sites – and of Several species of moray can and holes affording protection course our number ONE. be found at Julian Rocks, including from predators and allowing them In addition to the amazing wildlife the Abbot’s Moray (Gymnothorax to strike at prey from a hidden that can be encountered at Julian eurostus), the White-eyed Moray position. Rocks, this diving site also has the (Siderea thyrsoidea), the Green Besides the animals mentioned advantage that it is only a short Moray (Gymnothorax prasinus), already there is plenty more boat ride from the shore. You can the Mosaic Moray (Enchelycore to see such as the playful Blue do up to four dives a day, but it is ramose) and the Sieve-pattern Gropers, bullseyes, fusiliers, Old also possible to do just one or two; Moray (Gymnothorax cribroris) Wives, Harlequin Ghost Pipefish, leaving plenty of time to relax and Moray eels can look quite Pineapplefish hiding under ledges, enjoy Byron Bay or explore the sur-

YANN SAINT-YVESfearsome, as their mouths are Sergeant Majors, Barred Soapfish, rounding national parks and villages. cowry shells, Diving is done on a small scale a variety and there are only two dive shops of brightly in town, which ensures that the dive coloured sites are never crowded. nudi- branchs, Getting there and plenty Apart from the obvious driving of other there, there are two airports nearby: molluscs, one at Ballina (20 minutes south) crayfish and and one at Coolangatta - Gold an array of Coast (40 minutes north). Regular smaller crus- flights from all Australian capitals taceans. and some international flights into Sometimes Coolangatta. Shuttle busses from there are so Brisbane airport for those from further many fish afield. More info from Planula Divers Retreat – www.planula.com.au. Thorny Devil, Please view videoclips to this story at Moloch www.byronunderwater.com ■ horridus 39 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED South Australia

JOHN SMITH - UNDERWATER.COM.AU GEORGE EVATT - UNDERWATER.COM.AU Hydroid bearing reproductive polyps and hosting a family of Amphipods Red Indianfish

Time to chill at Bondi Beach BRENTON DEAN Text by Richard Vevers and photos by George Evatt The area west of Adelaide is well known Sydney Harbour Despite their bizarre appearance, for the appearance of the magnificent Diving in Sydney is like drink- over twice as many species in the har- of it’s accessibility, so why isn’t its div- Weedy Seadragons are actually pretty , King of the Sea, ing beer, it can take a while to bour within sight of its famous Harbour ing equally famous? It certainly has the difficult to spot. There are only about 20 Predator Extraordinaire. This experience is than in the entire British Isles. marine life to justify it. A typical exam- at Bondi Beach and they blend in per- not for the fainthearted or the impatient. get used to but once you get The secret behind Sydney’s, marine life ple is the Weedy Seadragon—one of fectly with the kelp—which seems com- Luckily, there are other sites to safely the taste for it, you’re hooked is its proximity to the continental shelf, the world’s most amazing creatures. pletely ridiculous after you spot one and dive amongst encrusted pylons, rocky for life. It can be cold, it can bringing with it nutrient rich water and Growing up to 45cm, it is related to the then consider how brightly coloured reefs and sponge gardens, harbouring have poor clarity, but you’ll be a vast array of visitors including several seahorse, but as its name suggests, it they are. cephalopods, seahorses, spidercrabs, tropical species caught up in the East looks like a dragon, complete with blue Even if you don’t get to see the the Leafy Seadragons and soft corals. hard pushed to find anywhere Australian Current coming down from the stripes and yellow spots. How can a Weedy Seadragon on a dive at Bondi, Visit Whyalla where huge numbers of the in the world with Great Barrier dragon living on the world’s most famous there’s no shortage of other bizarre Giant Cuttlefish aggregate to mate and such great diving Reef. beach not be famous itself? The fact is, life to look at. The giant cuttlefish is a spawn. Just off Adelaide discover his- a stones through Bondi even the majority of locals don’t know favourite. Its ability to change shape tory and dive the HMAS Hobart, which Beach it exists. In virtually any other country, and colour in an instant is impressive now lies upright at a depth of 30 metres. from your office in epitomises everyone would be aware of this beauti- on its smaller cousins, but when you are Kangaroo Island, just off shore from the city. the diving ful creature, but Australia is so spoilt with faced with a group of cuttlefish all over Adelaide, offers plenty of opportunity to Australia is renowned in Sydney. incredible wildlife that it gets ignored. a metre in length, imitating their sur- find the Leafy Seadragon. In the state’s for its tropical diving: Visited by east, discover diving with a difference seeing Nemo on the millions of and plunge into the fresh water lakes, Great Barrier Reef, people sinkholes, cave and caverns at Mount schools of sharks in the each year, Gambier. Besides the thrill there is also Coral Sea, manta rays it is arguably some life in the crystal clear lakes such and the majestic whale the world’s as yabbies, eels, lobsters, and pygmy shark on Ningaloo Reef, most famous perch. ■ so it is not surprising that beach. A the diving in cooler waters goes largely beautiful surfing beach, within 15 minutes unnoticed. Especially diving in a major of the city centre, it is home to the oldest city, which is rarely a priority for divers. surf lifesaving club in the world. However, Yet the temperate waters of Australia despite its high profile, only a handful of boast one of the most diverse marine people ever check out what lies beneath ecosystems in the world—an amaz- the waves. ing underwater world that few ever Bondi Beach has become world explore—Sydney is at its heart. There are famous as a surfing beach because

CLOCKWISE: Polyp, Diver spots red coral, Mosaic Leatherjacket, Sydney Opera. INSET: Old Wives RON WALSH - UNDERWATER.COM.AU 40 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Sydney Bridge; Anemonefish guarding anem- one; Stargazer; Sydney Opera House travel Bondi Beach at night mately 500 of these sharks left in Australia and you feel very privi- leged to be able to get up close and personal to these harmless rare large sharks. Sydney is the oldest settled city in Australia and its coastline and waterways are littered with wrecks of every description; some the result of maritime misfortune and IAN PENFORD -UNDERWATER.COM.AU others that have been purposely scuttled. In Sydney Harbour alone there are more than twenty-five you can swim through the funnel and known wrecks and offshore there come out through a hole in its side. are an even greater number. Diving in Sydney surprises virtually eve- Although many of these vessels lie ryone. Once you get used to the colder in water depths only accessible water (16 to 24°C) and the lower visibility roundings as the takes them from strip of sand. JOHN NATOLI – UNDERWATER.COM.AU to technical divers, others are in than the tropical diving up north, you’ll sand to rock, the image is mesmerizing. However, Bondi is not shallower waters just metres from find the experience unique. The sheer The Wobbegong, a three-metre even considered the best shore dive site man-made shark nets. Tell anyone on shore. diversity of life in the temperate waters Carpet shark, aptly named for its ability in Sydney—there are many other con- the beach about them and they’ll think One of the most popular is the means that there are always new things to look and act like a kitch 1970 carpet tenders. The more popular sites include you’re crazy. Coolooli—a large wreck scuttled off to discover. In fact, despite being in a is another local favourite. It lies on the Shelly Beach and Fairlight in the northern Bare Island is a personal favourite—one Long Reef. An old bucket dredge that major city, even in the harbour there are bottom motionless until an unsuspecting beaches, Camp Cove and Gordon’s of the most scenic shore dives. It has now lies on her side on a sand bed in new species waiting to be discovered diver swims too close and Bay on the eastern harbour many of the same species as Bondi but 48 metres off long reef. This dive has and named. is shocked to suddenly Diving in foreshores, Bare Island—a with a few stunning additions including something for everyone and begins at For more information, please contact see the seafloor bust into small island on the northern the red indian fish that looks exactly like 36 metres. The wrecks superstructure is Richard Vevers at: www.underwateraus- action. Sydney surprises foreshore of Botany Bay—and a red indian chief and the elusive blue intact and it is possible to penetrate vari- tralia.com.au ■ Other marine life seen virtually everyone Shiprock, in Port Hacking. devil fish that never ceases to amaze ous areas. For the more adventurous, regularly at Bondi Beach Manly, the other great divers. They live in a surreal landscape include piles of a dozen or surfing beach of Sydney, like consisting of bright orange and pink more Port Jackson sharks having their Bondi is also typical of Sydney’s amazing sponge. afternoon siesta (a shark that can’t bite marine life. Ten metres off the crowded Although the shore diving is excellent, you but can give you a nasty sting from harbour beach, in three metres of water, sometimes it is great to get on one of its horm), large bull rays, fiddler rays, lives a colony of 200 seahorses on the the dive boats in Sydney and get out to octopus, schools of squid and some of the other dive sites. Almost all the large sex-changing, bright of the 30 odd dive facilities either own, blue grouper that follows you or have on permanent charter, a dive around like a puppy. Then there boat—capable of carrying anywhere are the balls of stripped catfish between six to twelve divers. Whales and that you can swim through (if dolphins are regular visitors to Sydney you dare—their poison never and frequently appear alongside dive leaves your body if stung), the boats and even the occasional giant large schools of salmon tuna sunfish makes a trip in close to shore. and kingfish that form a perfect One of the most popular boat dive barrel around divers, brightly sites is —a fabulous dive that coloured nudibranchs, big red starts off at a large amphitheatre with an stonefish… the list goes on. They overhang that goes back under the cliff. all live a few hundred metres This is where the endangered Grey Nurse from the 35,000 oblivious topless Sharks cruise by. There are only approxi- sun-worshippers on this famous Frogfish 41 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Tasmania

BoundText by Gary Myors For Adventure Photos by Baron and Gary Myors and Karen Gowlett-Holmes

One look at the prognostic Our destination, the Kent Group of We threw off the lines late the weather chart told me that we islands, was north west of our departure next afternoon and motored to the point, Inspection Head at the mouth of mouth of the Tamar and into Bass would not sail on schedule. The the Tamar River in northern Tasmania. Strait. The wind was still a gusty 25 forecast was for 30 knot north- The vessel of the brigantine Windeward knots from the North West but was westerlies with gusts to 45 knots Bound had taken aboard a motley forecast to swing west, then South throughout the night and for the crew organized by Christian Bell, the West hopefully giving us ideal sail- Tasmanian Co-ordinator of the Marine ing conditions early next day. We next 24 hours. and Coastal Community Network. We were divided into groups under had eight divers out of a full complement the supervision of the experienced crew to stand watch during the journey. Many of the new crew and some of the old fell victim to the poor sea conditions, which the skipper Brian Parry-Adams rated, by chunder factor. My watch was the middle watch from midnight to 0400 and it was an experience that I’ll remember forever. The moon was nearly full and on the bow, bathing the ship and the heaving sea in silver light for all of my four hours at the helm on the opened quarter deck. The clear cold sky and the fresh wind that combined with the natural light show made standing at the helm pass rapidly. I became aware for the first time in many years of just how insignificant we are when nature chooses to display her charms. All too soon it was time to crawl back into my warm bunk and catch some sleep. Nudibranch graces the dark coral reef of twenty four, twenty five if you counted Several hours later, I re-emerged LEFT: Traveling to the Kent Group Marine Oscar the ships dog. to find the wind had changed Reserve the old world way aboard the The aim of the voyage from my point and the square sails had been set wooden brigatine Windeward Bound of view was to video and photograph as creating a new feeling to replace much of the marine life and historic ship the magic of the wild night with a wrecks as possible to help with the crea- superb morning with ideal sailing tion of the Kent Group Marine Reserve. conditions. Several of those who

42 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ‘The DVD Engraving of the ‘BYRON SS Bulli in its glory days Tasmania UNDERWATER - where tropical travel and temperate to make an effort in case the weather near NE Island and was forced deteriorated in coming days. We had to return to West Cove. The crew waters merge’ two small inflatables aboard and we tried to save the ship by throwing is now avail- assembled the smaller of the two first. It the cargo overboard this however able from www.under- was able to deliver us one at a time onto failed and the ship was aban- water.com.au the wreck, which sits upright on a sandy doned. The crew of 26 landed on bottom in about 17 metres of water. Erith Island and later with the help The SS Bulli laden with coal and bound of the lighthouse keeper, signaled for Launceston had taken shelter from a passing New Zealand steam- heavy southerly weather on the after- ship the SS Tararua which rescued noon of the 28th June 1877. The weather the crew and transported them to cleared that evening and the master of Melbourne. the vessel recommenced his journey. The wreck is marked on all current Filmed by Tim Hochgrebe Edited by Andrew Bambach Unfortunately, the vessel struck rocks charts and being 180 feet (54 metres) Directed and produced by PLANULA and In Your Face Productions Soundtrack by Simon Perroni (former DO3) and Bhakta. Release date: 10 December 2006. DVD: 58 minutes, full narration, multi region PAL format Take a marine journey through the seasons of Byron Bay to encounter an amazing kaleidoscope of life with the latest DVD release from Planula Pro- ductions and In Your Face Productions. Byron Bay is unique and reknowned for its increadible diversity and “A truly beauti- abundance ful piece of work, of marine life extremely profes- caused by its sional with excep- water tempera- tional animal tures and cur- behaviour and a rents changing wealth of origi- throughout the nal natural history year. records ... “ On the reel, you’ll see mat- ing octopus, hunting wob- begongs, massive schools of pelagic fish such as kingfish, mulloways and trevallies. Nature celebrates in astonish- ing abundance of life at Julian Rocks where tropical and temperate currents ABOVE: Erith Island’s converge, to form this unique environ- LEFT: Anthropod West Cove anchor- ment. Over 1000 dives and hundreds of age hours of film over six years went into this hadn’t been able to crawl from their bunks Steamship Bulli production. to take turn on watch began to appear This vantage point was most suitable LEFT INSET: View The DVD ‘Byron Underwater - where green faced into the fresh air as the weath- from my point of view as the wreck of the of the stern of the tropical and temperater waters merge’ er mellowed and our destination material- steamship Bulli was only 50 metres from us wreck of the SS Bulli is now available at underwater.com. ized on the horizon. Almost 24 hours to the and although almost sunset Mick Baron, au FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE offer minute since departing Inspection Head, Graham Collins and I decided to gear up good from now until end of 2006. Extra the anchor plunged through the glassy sur- and go for it. My theory was that we were features: Byron Underwater—a musical face of West Cove on Erith Island. already one full day behind and needed journey, Cape Byron Marine Park zoning plan, Marine Passions DVD trailer. ■ 43 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Tasmania Island near a place we called The SS Karitane was bound Indian Head. This was a deep wall for Port Kembla and Sydney in dive that took us to 35 metres. It December 1921. She carried was another of those dives that, copper ingots from Mount Lyell should the chance arise, I would mine, timber from Burnie and not hesitate to repeat. Clouds of produce from Devonport. While Butterfly Perch swarmed around steaming across Bass Strait, she us almost blocking out the sun on encountered thick fog and some occasions. Several Old Wives, crashed into the rocky head- a big bull seal and spectacular land on the southeast corner invertebrate life kept us spellbound of Deal Island. Captain Spain for nearly 40 minutes. Our fear assessed the damage and of being swept away in the cur- chose to beach the vessel in rent that passes through Murray Squally Cove about two miles Passage was unfounded although from where she first struck.

Shipwreck of the Karitane

long is easy to locate as its shape is visible is stunning with some of the most colorful from the surface. The current in the area is invertebrate life in the region. I did three strong and inexperienced divers should be dives on the Bulli and still didn’t get all the supervised carefully. The ship is extemely video footage I would have liked. photogenic; the stern makes a wonderful The next morning, Mick and I decided silhouette. The interior forward of the boilers to dive on the southwest corner of Deal

The fantastic fronds of a Lionsmane jellyfish

blown to bits by the enthusiastic salvors led by the Johno Johnstone (of Niagra Gold fame). The ship has very little in the way of artifacts as it has had a pretty good going over since 1921 and is shal- low enough to allow snorkellers to dive most of it easily. From the boilers to the stern is the most photogenic area with ABOVE: Strange forms of a Ctenophor the stern laying starboard side down on LEFT: Schooling fish hover over a garden of sponges and corals a sandy bottom. If you want good pho- tos, warn the other divers to stay off the Stuart Lennox, our boat watch, had We moved the Windeward Bound to bottom as the sand stirs up very quickly. trouble finding us. Eventually, we Squally Cove on the south side of Deal This is a dive for all levels of diver if were retrieved and returned to the Island and located the wreck easily, as there is no swell. Just remember that the ship none the worse for wear. part of the bow is visible on the shore. weather can change very quickly and Originally 247 feet (73m) in length, the make returning to a safe anchorage dif- SS Karitane remains of the ship lies with the stern in ficult. The fish life around the wreck was Thursday’s plan was diving another 12 to 15 metres of water and can be inspirational and includes species that historic ship wreck, the 1,376 ton SS seen easily from the surface of the clear are not found further south plus many Karitane. water. Unfortunately, the vessel was others that are not found further north. It

44 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Tasmania were many interesting night critters to see and just having the lights and camera strobes fir- ing made the whole scene seem like something out of the X-Files. At one stage, while under the ship, I noticed that the mast head and deck lights cast a silhouette of the whole ship onto the sandy bot- tom. The masts and people walking on deck cast their shimmering ghost- like shadows down through the clear mill pond calm water. It was a dream like feeling as we sank towards the bottom and focused on the job of finding the small creatures of the night. Port Jackson shark I rose early on Friday to see and photo- Free swimming anemones graph the sunrise and wasn’t disappoint- ed by the dazzling light show provided of fish. All too soon we had to leave this not as bad as it sounds as far as deco The crew of the Windward Bound enjoy a moment over the waves by the location and the vessel. The main amazing dive site and head up into real- stops go as the fish life, including a good dive of the day was to be another deep ity for a deco and safety stop. This was size Port Jackson Shark, kept us occupied was a real mixing pot and offered many on Erith Island, four of us elected to do a one this time on the north- great photo and video opportunities. night dive in the sea grass bed near the east side of Erith Island, Owing to a later than normal first anchorage. For me, this was a disaster which was more or less just dive and the necessity to move the of a dive with first my video light failing, around the corner from Windeward Bound back to West Cove then my video battery going flat. There where our ship lay. This was another awe- some dive Mick and I fol- lowed the almost barren bottom down to 33 metres and along the sand edge into a world of brilliantly colored encrusting corals, sponges and thousands

Gary Myors with Port Jackson shark 45 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A carpet of golden Zoanthids bloom on travel red sponge

Graceful pink jellyfish dances in the deep

KAREN GOWLETT-HOLMES Advert for the remainder of our dive. it was back to the business This was our last night at of heading home. The return Erith Island and first light on trip overnight to the mouth of Saturday morning saw us cir- the Tamar River was unevent- cumnavigating Deal Island ful and very pleasant if not to catch the beautiful soft a little sad. We had made morning light on the eastern some very strong friendships, side of the island. Then off to done some world class diving, the west to Judgement Rock and had a week the likes of seal colony. While most of which usually happen only in the divers had a swim with adventure documentaries. the seals, I shot some top-side footage from the rubber duck New Marine Reserve and Mick did the diving. Then As a result of the work done

KAREN GOWLETT-HOLMES

on this expedition and fol- lowing work by Christian Bell from MCCN the Tasmanian Government made the announcement in 2005 declar- ing the Kent Group of Islands a Tasmanian marine reserve. It is our hope that we will return to Bass Strait to continue the saga and broaden our knowledge of the dive sites in this magnificent group of islands. ■

A garden of sponges and soft corals decorates the reef 46 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Western Australia

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Tail end of the whaleshark; Divers Western Australia try to keep up with a whaleshark; Underwater photographer Text and photos by Paul and Kelly Waghorn encounters schooling fish; The ubiquitous emu in the desert

Divers the world over can be ize diving pack- Ningaloo for a beach or dive site to one- divided into two groups, those ages based Traditionally Ningaloo Reef has self becomes more likely. Diving who would like to visit Exmouth on experi- been referred to as having a ‘sea- is great all year round, as long as and Ningaloo Reef and those ence, budget son’, being somewhere between divers are prepared to be flex- who would like to go back there. and seasonal April and July. This is largely due ible and make choices based on Of course, this could be said of diving condi- to the desire of many visitors to conditions and local knowledge hundreds of highly promoted, well tions. Exmouth coincide their visit with the pres- provided by local operators and managed tropical diving destina- is not a place ence of Whale Sharks which visit internet weather forecasts. The tions offering resort facilities, reli- where divers can Ningaloo to feed during these word is also out that whale sharks able diving conditions and top expect exciting months. The weather during this aren’t the only reliable ‘big’ ani- notch service, and herein lays the nightlife, shopping period is generally considered mal at Ningaloo. difference. Exmouth is remote, or a large selec- milder and more bearable, Options for diving Ningaloo facilities are basic and conditions tion of restaurants. particularly for European Reef from Exmouth span several are unpredictable, however the The allure lays in travellers who find the 40°C locations. Not all can be dived marine life is abundant, the reef the rich, natural days, common through the at all times of the year and are is highly accessible and the area resources of the summer months, unbear- heavily dependent on wind, is largely pristine. Ningaloo Reef is region, which are able. However, the prefer- swell, currents and tides, all of a place where divers can experi- currently under con- ence for the ‘season’ is which the Ningaloo Reef are at ence a diverse range of depths, sideration for World becoming less obvious as the mercy of. However, due to marine life, topography and vis- Heritage Listing, most more visitors arrive to take Exmouth’s location of the North ibility and patronise genuinely significantly Ningaloo advantage of the less busy West Cape peninsula, at least local operators who can custom- Reef! months, where the chance

47 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Ningaloo Reef The Ningaloo calendar November- January: Turtles mating in the Shallows and nesting in the evenings. Sharks mating and nursing in shallows. (Good diving unless cyclone) February- March: Baby turtles hatching, baby sharks in shallows. (Good Diving unless cyclone) March- July: Whale Sharks on West Coast June- July: Manta Rays feeding/ cleaning on West Coast June- August: Humpback Whales West Coast and time underwater are better ‘cattle truck run’ due to expenses, protected by the shallow inner August- November: spent by working with the condi- logistics and time. However, the lagoon. The Whale Sharks congre- Humpbacks in Gulf tions. This may well be the reason discerning diver with a few Aussie gate on the west coast, feeding divers come back time and time dollars to play with will always find on the nutrient rich waters dur- Pilot Whales, Minke Whales, dolphins, again, in the hope that the Indian an operator willing to negotiate a ing ‘the season’ and there are dugongs, manta rays, orcas and other Ocean will allow them access to private, customised charter. opportunities to dive both inside ‘big’ animals appear sporadically visit a different, wondrous part of and outside of the lagoon. The throughout the year to the delight of Ningaloo Reef of each visit. And Lighthouse Bay Referred to deeper water outside the back divers and crew- anything can hap- given time it will… as ‘Local Reef Diving’ by opera- of the reef has some interesting pen on Ningaloo Reef! The following is a brief tors, is a 30 min boat trip from the country, ranging from steep walls description of each of the boat ramp at Bundegi Beach. to huge overhangs and swim areas of Ningaloo Reef acces- This is considered the ‘bread and thrus in15- 25. At certain times one side is partially protected sible to divers from Exmouth. butter’ diving of Exmouth due to of the year, these swim thrus fill from the prevailing conditions. In Unfortunately, even if conditions close proximity, reliable marine life up with glass fish creating ‘bait a perfect world, divers could visit are conducive to diving the more sightings, numerous dive sites, and cracks’. The bait cracks attract all each location during their stay, remote areas, often operators shallow depths. Dive sites include types of pelagic fish, schools of but the reality is that their money won’t deviate from their local ‘Blizzard Ridge’, the Labyrinth, Trevally, Rankin cod, sharks, snap- Gulliver’s, Eldorado’s and the Fish per and bull rays. The outcrops Hole. These are huge limestone are also permanent homes to outcrops, which appear like oases huge sea turtles, friendly potato in the sand, attracting thousands cod and lazy wobbegong sharks. of fish of all sizes and regular Unfortunately big, constant swells appearances of sea snakes, limit the number of clear days on turtles, manta rays, sharks and the west coast, but there is some colourful nudibranchs. Most of deeper ground that has more the dive sites here are in an easy reliable visibility although nota- 8-15m depth, and allow for long, ble less life. The inside of the reef relaxing dives and great light and also delivers some great diving colour. to those that can overcome their contempt for shallow diving. The West Coast lagoon has a maximum depth of The West coast is where the 9m and has provides great snor- actual exposed; fringing reef kelling opportunities, however the runs parallels to impossibly white advantage of being on SCUBA COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Snorkelers swim with a whale shark; the sandy beaches, whose shores are and being able to remain sub- islands of Ningaloo Reef; Gaping jaws of a whale shark

Nudibranch 48 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The sea splits a gorge into the rocky desert plateau; Western Guitarfish with remoras and cleaner wrasses; Ningaloo Reef travel Octopus on reef Australia The North West of Western Once at the Islands, there is usually Islands have experienced significant fish- Australia is remote, but you can experience somewhere sheltered to dive, however ing pressure over the years and stories of an untouched coral habitat that is visited conditions are unpredictable and heav- huge cod feeding frenzies and bommies by less than 200 divers a year—the Rowley ily affected by wind, swell and current. choc full of jumbo crayfish are becom- Shoals! Imagine 400-meter drop offs, diving Visibility is rarely exceptional at the islands, ing harder to believe. Unfortunately, this while surrounded by wrasse, other colour- due to the constant movement and the is also the reason why local diving opera- ful fish and schools of pelagics such as powder find sand of the seafloor being tors have declined marine park manage- mackerel, tuna and trevally. Further down constantly tossed into the water column. ment offers to install moorings at heavily is Ningaloo Reef, which is just as spectacu- Seasickness and poor visibility aside, the dived locations. The reasoning is that for lar as the Great Barrier Reef and offers an Islands do provide an awesome oppor- the small amount of coral destroyed by impressive combination of marine life, such tunity to explore some wild country. The anchor damage, leaving the dive sites as Dugongs, aggregation of Whalesharks strong currents make this an ideal place unmarked will minimise the loss of fish life and schools of Manta Rays. Around Perth for soft coral s and sponges to live and from the area. you will find magnificent Marine Parks the colourful gardens stretch out as far with a mixture of tropical and temperate merged allows for excellent light filled stretching towards sheltered clear water, as football fields. There are swim thrus Bundegi Reef marine life. Just south of Perth, limestone photos with brilliant colour. Life includes fringed by shallow coral reef. The Muiron that wind from 5m to 12m and some BIG Bundegi Reef is the “get out of jail card’ reefs have formed an astounding under- chevron barracuda, lagoon rays, schools Islands are a little different. Pronounced pelagics! Kamikaze mackerel and tuna for local operators, although ask any water landscape with swim-throughs and of puffer fish, colourful reef fish and even ‘Myoo- rons’, these Islands are recognised fly overhead, while curious manta rays Exmouth locals and dive crew and they caves. Access from here a dugong slinking by. as the most Northern boundary of the inspect divers’ bubbles. Lazy nurse sharks will tell you that it is one of THE most and explore the whole range of dive sites Ningaloo Marine Park. The Islands take rest in caves and BIG cod appear from underrated dive sites of Exmouth and no available. Further down, you can’t miss to Muiron Islands around 50mins to reach from Exmouth nowhere. The Islands are a place for BIG less spectacular that the Eastern sites on dive Busselton Jetty as well as a few awe- For most divers, the term Island con- and the crossing is not always appeal- things and the best piece of advice here the Muiron Islands. Bundegi reef is rec- some wrecks including the Swan and the jures an image of lush green palm trees ing to divers susceptible to seasickness. is to look up! Unfortunately the Muiron ognised by coral reef scientists as having Lena. Still considered Australia but really much closer to Indonesia, are the exotic Christmas and Cocos Islands. Envision your- self in a tropical paradise with nothing else to worry about other than floating weight- less amongst colourful fish and corals. ■

49 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Northern travel Exmouth Navy Pier Territory

UNDERWATER.COM.AU

Not very well know for its diving but it is definitely worth it to check out the wrecks scattered in Darwin harbour, remains of a mined to return Bundegi reef to its former Australia and one of the top ten Pier Japanese air raid in 1942. Find an abun-

MEGHAN STEUDLER – UNDERWATER.COM.AU glory. The larger boulder corals which dives in the world- and with good reason! dance of reef fish darting around trucks, survived the cyclone are like huge apart- The pier has been closed to fishing for rifles and a Harley Davidson. Take a trip one of the highest coral recruitment rates ment blocks, filled with fish and animals a number of years all the life has been out to the Fenton Patches Artificial Reef in the world and has been deemed a at every level. Bundegi reef is “busy” with left to grow and breed. As a result, the with it reefs formed by tires, confiscated productivity hotspot. This is hardly surpris- fish. Reef sharks, turtles, sweetlips, coral water beneath the Pier is filled to the Chinese fishing vessels, bus stop shelters, ing as it is nestled between the nutrient trout and Spanish flag can be found loi- brim with fish of all sizes and species. The barges and concrete pipes now har- rich Exmouth Gulf, (the lifeblood of the tering amongst the bommies and manta max depth is around 10m, providing an bouring tropical reef fish and schools of area) and the Ningaloo Reef. The dives rays will glide past later in the year. easy dive and allowing plenty of bottom Jewfish. North of the Gove Peninsula you here a shallow and need to be timed for Bottom scratchers enjoy diving Bundegi time. Entries are from the shore or a giant can find Barramundi, turtles, Whalesharks, slack tide or executed as a drifts. When reef due to never ending species of nudi stride from a platform and dives need Manta Rays, Trevally and Barracuda. ■ category five cyclone Vance hit Exmouth branchs which crawl past as well as tri- to be made during the window of slack Gulf in 1999, a lot of the coral here died ton shells, flatworms, sponge crabs and tide. Due to tidal movement, visibility on either as a direct result of being pounded other critters. Although isn’t the Pier is rarely exceptional, however by storm surge or being smothered by the offered by most operators in Exmouth, the trade of is that the sheer abundance turbid water and silt. A lot of this dam- Bundegi Reef offer’s something of life requires the diver to look little more age is still visible, however the reef special after dark action- than 5m for the next breathtaking sight! is recovering at an impressive rate most notably the Despite low visibility the dive is easy to and it is fascinating to observe the coral spawn- navigate and is a photographer’s dream, new corals reaching ing which with life everywhere and seemingly una- up through skele- occurs, fraid of divers. Huge, curious estuarine tons of dead seven to ten cod follow the groups of divers over the coral, days after top of wobbegong and white tip sharks deter- the first full moon sleeping on the bottom. Sea snakes wind in March. through the coral encrusted pylons and frog fish stare out from the discarded pip- Exmouth Navy Pier ing which litters the sea floor. Thousands The world famous Navy Pier stretches of trevally swim laps close to the surface TOP TO BOTTOM: Diver peers through a school of out into Exmouth Gulf and is next door to and elegant lionfish hang suspended in reef fish; Abundant soft coral decorate the reef Bundegi Reef. The Pier has been rated the water column and most divers exit housing numerous reef fish species; Bannerfish as one of the top ten dive sites in the the pier completely exhilarated and and reef fish; Sea turtle chases jellyfish UNDERWATER.COM.AU

50 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The Great Barrier Reef in a nutshell Australia Text by Michael Arvelund, PhD Whale watching, anyone? (SOURCE: THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT; and coral cays. It includes some 2,800 quoise sea, the casual and aloof DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE. individual reefs, of which 760 are nature of both the local people SEE ALSO: WWW.DEH.GOV.AU/HERITAGE/WORLD- fringing reefs. These reefs range in size and marine life. They come back HERITAGE/SITES/GBR/VALUES.HTML) from less than one hectare to more because there is nothing plastic, The Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s than 100,000 hectares, and in shape micro managed, strategically first World Heritage Areas, was inscribed from flat platform reefs to elongated marketed or consumer driven on the World Heritage List in recognition of ribbon reefs. about Ningaloo. The life is there its outstanding natural universal values: The Great Barrier Reef provides and the diving speaks for itself. • as an outstanding example represent- habitats for many diverse forms of No five stars, no performance, just ing the major stages in the earth’s evo- marine life. There are an estimated a box of chocolates- you never lutionary history; 1500 species of fish and more than know what you’re gonna get! • as an outstanding example represent- 300 species of hard, reef-building Wags and Kelly live, work and ing significant ongoing ecological and corals. More than 4,000 mollusc spe- breath the Ningaloo Reef. They biological processes; cies and over 400 species of sponges have dived and filmed the reef • as an example of superlative natural have been identified. extensively and their high defini- phenomena; and Other well-represented animal tion footage has appeared in • containing important and significant groups include anemones, marine documentaries, DVDs and on habitats for in situ conservation of bio- worms, crustaceans (prawns, crabs SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY IN LISMORE, NSW televison around the world. Their logical diversity. etc.) and echinoderms (starfish, sea Breaching Humpback Whale passion is for educating people urchins etc.). The extensive seagrass beds about the underwater world and It is the world’s largest World Heritage are an important feeding ground for the determined to dive it again. Night nurturing a love and respect for Area extending 2,000 kilometres and cov- dugong, a mammal species internation- dives on the pier are equally the ocean. They have produced ering an area of 35 million hectares on the ally listed as endangered. The reef also amazing and are offered to several underwater DVDs and north-east continental shelf of Australia. supports a wide variety of fleshy algae advanced divers when tides are continue to add to their archive Bigger than the entire area of Italy, it is that are heavily grazed by turtles, fish, sea conducive. year after year as Ningaloo Reef probably the best known marine pro- urchins and molluscs. The reef contains Ningaloo is exposed, unpredict- continues to surprise and delight tected area in the world. The Great Barrier nesting grounds of world significance able and pristine. It is one of the them with new creatures and Reef’s great diversity reflects the maturity for the endangered green and logger- few places with world where you behavious year after year. They of the ecosystem, which has evolved head turtles. It is also a breeding area can visit and dive are highly active over hundreds for humpback the exact same Come during the in assisting local of thousands of whales, which dive site three researchers with years. It is the come from dives in a row and winter and you are whale sharks, turtles world’s most the Antarctic see something dif- virtually guaranteed to and other marine extensive coral to give birth ferent on each. It encounter the biggest life and vocal on reef system and to their young is a place where local conservation is one of the in the warm you can sit at 14m fish on earth issues arisng on world’s richest waters. and just ‘be’ with Ningaloo Reef. They areas in terms of The islands a turtle, or share a also run their own faunal diversity. and cays sup- cleaning station with a manta ray small diving charters for expe- The Great port several three meters across and weighing rienced divers and are sought Barrier Reef hundred bird 700kgs. after by film crews and profes- World Heritage species, many Come during the winter and sionals to help capture the best Area contains of which have you are virtually guaranteed to of Ningaloo Reef. more than just breeding colo- encounter the biggest fish on More pictures on Ningaloo coral reefs. It MARK THOMPSON - UNDERWATER.COM.AU nies there. Reef earth. Come during the summer reef can be found here: www. also contains School of Big Eye Trevally herons, osprey, and observe a sea turtle orgy. ningalooreefteach.com/pictures/ extensive areas of pelicans, frigate Divers around the world come page1.htm seagrass, mangrove, soft bottom commu- birds, sea eagles and shearwaters are back here because Ningaloo To contact Wags and Kelly, nities and island communities. Contrary to among the numerous sea birds that have gets under their skin. They are please visit hdvunderwater.com ■ popular belief, the reef is not a continuous been recorded. seduced by the red dirt and tur- barrier, but a broken maze of coral reefs (CONTINUED ON PAGE 52) ► Serene azure waters at Heron beach YANN ST. YVES 51 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A Taste of the Cocos

Text and photos by Karen Willshaw (Keeling) Islands

For many, this question still arises: Still not sure where it is? Well, draw a “Where the heck is the Cocos line from Perth in Western Australia to Sri Lanka and then a horizontal line from (Keeling) Islands?” and more Darwin and where the two lines meet than likely they proceed to look is approximately where this tiny horse- for Cocos in the Pacific Ocean. shoe shaped atoll is located. By the WRONG! Now I have to confess, I way, Charles Darwin visited the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1836 aboard the HMS am one of those geographically Beagle, and it was during this visit that he challenged people. After grab- developed his theory of atoll formation. bing the ever trusty and very He spent some time exploring the south- COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Divers dusty atlas that had been deeply ern atoll and also visited the northern explore the reef around the Cocos Islands; atoll some 24km further away. In his pub- fan corals and lacey soft corals grace the buried since school days and lication on coral reefs in 1842, he was the ledges of the reef; An octopus stands on its after much searching, I found this first to propose the theory of reef forma- arms in an upward stretch tiny speck in the middle of the tion and evolution, building on his discov- ery of coralline fossils in inland areas and Text and photos by Karen Wilshaw Indian Ocean. in mountains earlier in the journey and his visit to the islands. That theory, which is still held as valid, explains the dynamics of the three principal categories of coral formation. Before moving to Cocos, I was a non- diver. So, after a few months of being land-locked, it became obvious that I really needed to learn to dive. That was nearly seven years ago. My open water sessions were conducted in pool-like conditions at Direction Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the atoll. Here, whilst taking my first fin strokes and learn- ing to trust the reg, endless schools of small fish came in close to investigate this clumsy noisy bubble blowing human. My first 18-metre dive was conducted at the Cabbage Patch, and this is the first “taste of Cocos” I am going to share. The Cabbage Patch is one of my area well over 500 metres square and is water background, it really is an unbe- favourite dives and I suppose, as it was home to a myriad of fish life. Thousands lievable sight. my first experience seeing the extraordi- of Goldenback Anthias (Pseudoanthias The corals end around a depth of 18 nary colours the underwater world has, evansi) and Ternate Chromis (Chromis metres. From there, the scenery changes it remains etched for life. Huge stands ternatensis) use the leafy formation of this to a rocky substrate before ending on a of pristine golden and green Turbinaria hard coral as their refuge. When the sun- pure white sandy beach adorned with reniformis, Cabbage or Salad corals, light hits the anthias and the cabbage red whip corals. Indian Ocean Bannerfish adorn the steep drop-off. It covers an coral, it literally glows golden. With a blue and Golden Damselfish appear to have

52 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED (THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50) The World Heritage property is also of cul- The Australian Cocos Islands tural importance, containing many middens Government travel and other archaeological sites of Aboriginal and State or Torres Strait Islander origin. Some Government notable examples occur on Lizard and have a coop- Hinchinbrook Islands, and on Stanley, Cliff erative and and Clack Islands where there are spec- integrated tacular galleries of rock paintings.There approach to are over 30 historic shipwrecks in the area, management of and on the islands are ruins and operat- the Great Barrier ing lighthouses that are of cultural and Reef World FIONA LIGNUM - UNDERWATER.COM.AU historical significance. Heritage Area. About 98 per cent of the World The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Heritage Property is within the Great (GBRMPA) is the Australian Government Barrier Reef Marine Park, the remainder agency responsible for overall manage- being Queensland waters and islands. ment, and the Queensland Government, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was particularly the Queensland Parks and Wildlife declared in 1975 with the purpose of Service, provides day-to-day management to truly looks like a ski slope, falling gently preserving the area’s outstanding biodi- the Authority. Integrated management is also at first to get your confidence before versity whilst providing for reasonable use. assisted by: a Commonwealth Act specifically it drops steeply into an endless abyss. This has been achieved using a spectrum for the Marine Park that, if necessary, provides It’s another favourite for the photog- of zones ranging from General Use Zones to over-riding powers; complementary legislation ABOVE: Dugong. TOP CENTER: rapher, as this is critter heaven. Here, Preservation Zones. In very broad terms, these for most adjoining State waters; formal agree- Dugong and dolphins. LEFT INSET: you can spend weeks and never really zones allow ecologically sustainable activi- ments with Queensland, and with various Coral reef fish see all of what it has to offer. There ties, but all have an overriding conservation government departments, industry, research are bombies dotted here and there objective. Most reasonable activities such as institutions and universities; and strategic zon- This little guy has its eggs lined that have treasures of marine life that tourism, fishing, boating, diving and research ing plans and site-specific management up on an old strand of wire I am only just beginning to discover. are permitted to occur but are controlled plans. coral and is very photogenic Dotted over the snow-like slopes, the through zoning and management planning GBRMPA’s current work program stems and extremely co-operative bombies are covered in soft leather to minimise impacts and conflicts with areas from four issues that have been identified as while he protectively guards his corals, porities, Lobophyllia and deli- of high conservation value and other users. being critical for achieving adequate protec- eggs. It’s just one of the many cate sea ferns. Within these bombies, Today, the great majority of the Marine tion and management of the Reef in the short fish friends I like to check on with their many hidey-holes are Durban Park is still relatively pristine when compared to medium term: water quality and coastal claimed these whips as their piece regularly to see what has changed in Dancing Shrimps with coral development; fisheries; tourism and recrea- of paradise. Travelling slowly along the family. (Rhynchocinetes dur- reef systems tion; and conservation, biodiversity and world the slope, the coral comes to an Returning towards the boat at a banensis), Yellow-mar- elsewhere in heritage. end and opens up to a lovely white shallower depth, the enormity of the gin Morays, Juvenile the world. An sandy chute—home to hundreds of Cabbage Patch becomes apparent. Emperor Angelfish, independ- Further reading curious and shy Spotted Garden Eels It truly is a spectacular dive site with its nudibranchs and thou- ent report Driml, S. 1999, Dollar values and trends of (Heteroconger hassi). Great to watch, most amazing marine inhabitants. sands of tiny glassfish published in major direct uses of the Great Barrier Reef hard to photograph successfully. The Ski Run, as the name suggests, just to name some of 1997 con- Marine Park,Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Whitetip Reef sharks are often the marine life. During cluded that Authority, Townsville, Qld. found sleeping on the sand my last dive, our dive the Reef is in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 1994, —now these are great to group discovered good condi- The Great Barrier Reef--keeping it great: A 25 capture digitally as they tend three different species tion and is year strategic plan for the Great Barrier Reef to allow you a close encoun- of tiny pipefish and an being man- World Heritage Area. ter before slowly moving off. indescribable tiny see- UNDERWATER.COM.AU aged effec- Lucas, P. H., Webb, T., Valentine, P. S. and Just a little further along through shrimp. tively. These Marsh, H. 1997, The outstanding universal the corals change to another Each time I go to are also the value of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage greenish hard coral, Porites the Ski Run, I rarely fail to see octopus findings of two major workshops to which Area, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, rus, a prostrate type of coral and usually it’s not just one, but several. over 100 scientists and management experts Townsville, Qld. with fingerlike formations. They are amazing to watch, particu- contributed. Both these workshops have now Wachenfeld, D. R., Oliver, J. K. and Morrissey, Here, I like to visit a very larly when hunting with the scavenger been summarised in the report titled State of J. I. 1998, State of the Great Barrier Reef World friendly Golden Damselfish. mates, the Bluefin Trevally or Goatfish. the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Heritage Area, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 1998, released in November 1998. Authority, Townsville ■ Lizardfish 53 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cocos Islands

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A pair of Trapezia crabs share a shelter in the hard coral; Fusiliers school in a blue mass; Blacktip sharks slither along a shallow bed of a lagoon

turtles, tuna and barracuda that are regularly seen, or the unusual and gen- tle dugong, Kat, who made Cocos his home some 4 years ago. The diving I can spend hours with these guys (and it is here at around 35 is extremely diverse and caters to the sometimes my entire dive is with the metres (and sometimes majority of divers, whatever their interest. occy’s). Once they realise you aren’t deeper) a very unique Crowds are not an issue as Cocos Dive going to interfere, they happily allow you angelfish is found, is the only dive operator. Between their to accompany them on their hunt. the Ornate Angelfish two vessels, Putri Laut and Sayap Kecil, But, I must move on from the shallows. (Genacanthus bellus). Rarely seen, let somewhere. However, the female’s unu- heaps of time off gassing whilst exploring. the maximum number of divers they If you are a deep dive junky, then the Ski alone photographed, these gorgeous sual markings and colouration is most The Cabbage Patch and Ski Run are cater to is sixteen, with preferred num- Run can cater for you as well. Heading fish have the most tenacious character, beautiful. Obviously, at these depths, just a miniscule taste of diving on the bers from four to ten. down the kiddies’ slope, the terrain drops swimming towards you most defiantly bottom time runs out pretty quickly. Cocos (Keeling) Islands. There are over For more information contact: sharply into a steep canyon with beau- before taking cover under one of the However, as most of the smaller bom- 30 regularly dived sites and hundreds Dieter Gerhard, Cocos Dive, at tel. +61 8 tiful healthy stands of Gorgonian Fans ledges. I have only seen the females and bies and their hidden treasures are at 10 more to discover. I haven’t even men- 9162 6515, www.cocosdive.com or email and Whip Corals adorning its sides. And can only assume the males are around metres and shallower, you can spend tioned the mantas, sharks, dolphins, [email protected] ■

54 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: Close up of the lacey coun- tanance of the Leafy Sea Dragon BOTTOM CENTER: Close encounter The Vanishing Dragon Text by Carly Maple with a dragon When cameraman Brenton interest many, especially an and is told by those who know it Dean first approached me a entire documentary on what best. Prepare to lose yourself in a is, the larger cousin of a sea beautifully shot film and learn more few years ago, about writing about a dragon so majestic in a wildlife documentary script horse. But 4 years later, the nature and appearance… the van- that would tell the life ecol- completion of the documen- ishing dragon. ogy of leafy sea dragons, I tary that we would come The making of... thought, “an entire hour on to name, “The Vanishing “The Vanishing Dragon” took well the one sea creature?” That Dragon,” would be seen over a year to completely research would absolutely bore peo- and heard by more people and write. Little has been recorded ple to sleep right?! I had only than we ever anticipated about these creatures, and infor- mation is very hard to find. The only just got my scuba diving and even begun to imag- way to properly research them was ticket and my diving experi- ine. Having screened twice duction. After a courting dance to visit them and study their behav- ence was little to none. The already Australia wide on that can continue up to weeks at a iour in their own environment. The the National Nine Network, time, it’s the male that will eventu- documentary reveals information, leafy sea dragon is the state ally fall pregnant once the female which has never been recorded marine emblem in South to now being distributed has deposited around 250 eggs before. For example, the incubation Australia, where we both live internationally by National onto his tail. For the next 5-6 weeks, period… it was believed that leafy and our filming production Geographic, it seems the the father will spend his time buried sea dragons took only 4-6 weeks deep in the thick kelp meadows to hatch the eggs. But this isn’t the company; ‘Abyss Pictures’ entire world has a fascina- of the ocean floor and protect his case. The male carries the eggs for is based. And the thought of tion with one of our biggest young relentlessly from predators. a period of about 7-8 weeks, and filming a creature in our own secrets downunder. This is an Eventually the father will give birth as the eggs begin to turn a ripe pur- backyard was something insight into the documentary and the eggs will drop. ple, he drops them all in 24-48 hour Sadly, only 5% of the newborn period. But the eggs don’t just drop that I thought really wouldn’t on leafy sea dragons… will survive to reach maturity of 2 off, he aids in the babies hatching years of age. Once born, the tiny by shaking his tail, causing the eggs prints and cm long dragons are highly suscep- to jiggle. Also, he rubs his tail gently Vanishing Dragon DVD its own environment. are unique tible to predators. But surprisingly, against seaweed and rocks as an “The Vanishing Dragon” (a For scuba divers, the chance to each and these predators are not the biggest aid in dislodging them. Such infor- winner at the Japan Wildlife of seeing one of these ‘medi- every drag- threat to the species. The sea grass mation as this, has been corrected Film Festival 2005) is a visually eval’ creatures in the wild, is to on. loss along the southern coastline of and the documentary is full with spectacular 52’ wildlife docu- travel to the southern coastline In terms Australia is astounding. Effluent dis- new and exciting information and mentary based on perhaps of Australia. One of the drag- of sexing posal and stormwater run off have footage. the most camouflaged of all on’s most favourite of homes is dragons, the been killing off the sea grass along Cameraman and Producer, ocean creatures; the leafy under Rapid Bay Jetty situated easiest way this coastline for years. The degra- Brenton Dean, spent summer after sea dragon. Unique to the on the Fleurieu Peninsula in to tell is dur- dation of sea grass not only affects summer under Rapid Bay Jetty in rugged and fierce coastline South Australia. Under this par- ing breed- the leafy sea dragon, but is the ini- South Australia attempting to cap- of Southern Australia, the deli- ticular jetty there are known ing season. tial feeding ground for all creatures ture the breeding and the egg cate leafy sea dragon resides. to be over 30 breeding pairs The leafy that live in the ocean. All sea crea- transfer in the wild. He has been fol- In order to survive in such a and another 15 individuals that sea dragon tures rely on it. lowing one pregnant male leafy sea hostile environment, the leafy haven’t yet paired up for mat- belongs The underwater world makes up dragon in particular over the eight sea dragon relies completely ing. Because of their tremen- to the over two thirds of our planet. To pre- week course of incubation. This is the in its ability to mimic a piece of dous ability to camouflage, serve this world and the creatures only recording ever, of a male leafy seaweed. The leafy append- the leafy sea dragon is hard to er, is to take a close up photo of Syngnathidae family, and just like its that live in it, means the sea grass sea dragon giving birth in the wild. ages placed on the head and find. Not to mention, they all their head and compare it to other cousins, the weedy sea dragon, sea- must flourish like it once did before. “The Vanishing Dragon” DVD is body of the sea dragon mean look the same. The only way to photos the white markings on their horse and pipefish, it’s the male that This is a story about a dragon that available for purchase from under- that it can perfectly blend into tell one individual from anoth- face and snout, are just like finger has the extraordinary role in repro- symbolises all of these creatures water.com.au ■

55 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED

- UNDERWATER.COM.AU factAustralia file ÁKOS LUMNITZER

▼ Map of Australia

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Arafura Sea History About 40,000 years ago, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria There are lim- aboriginal settlers arrived on the and Western Australia. It has several ited natural Timor continent from Southeast Asia. In dependent areas including Ash- fresh water Darwin Great Barrier Reef INDIAN Gulf of Coral the 17th century, the first Europe- more and Cartier Islands, Christmas resources. Carpentaria Sea ans began exploration. Formal Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, OCEAN Cairns territorial claims were first made Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and Economy in 1770, when Capt. James Cook McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, A Western- Townsville took possession of the land in the Macquarie Island. It is the world’s style capital- Port Hedland Delicate spiral forms of the Christmas worm. INSET: Tiger anemones name of Great Britain. In the late smallest continent but sixth-larg- ist economy Dampier Mackay 18th and 19th centuries, six colonies est country with a majority of the with a per Alice Springs were created which federated population concentrated along the capita GDP Gladstone and became the Commonwealth eastern and southeastern coasts. on par with Lake Eyre of Australia in 1901. Rich in natural Perth, on the west coast, is affected the four dom- Brisbane resources, the new country began by the invigorating tropical sea inant West to rapidly develop agricultural and breeze known as the “Fremantle European Perth Newcastle manufacturing industries. The coun- Doctor”. It is one of the most consist- economies Fremantle try made a major contribution to ent winds in the world. Coastline: keeps Aus- Great Australian Adelaide Sydney the British effort in World Wars I and 25,760km. Terrain: mostly low pla- tralia eco- Bight CRANBERRA Mount II. During the past century, Australia teau with deserts and fertile plains nomically Melbourne Kosciuszko has transformed itself into an ad- in southeast. Lowest point: Lake competi- SOUTHERN Tasman vanced, internationally competi- Eyre,15m. Highest point: Mount Ko- tive. What’s OCEAN Launceston Sea tive market economy. Due in large sciuszko 2,229m fueling the Tasmania Hobart part to economic reforms in the economy? 1980s, the country boasted one of Climate is generally arid to semi- Rising domes- the OECD’s fastest growing econo- arid. It is temperate in south and tic output, mies during the 1990s. Long-term east and tropical in north.Natural robust consumer and business con- tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, 15.3% (2001 Census) Decompression Chambers concerns include pollution, : cyclones along the coast, fidence and rising exports of agri- diamonds, natural gas, petroleum. Wesley Hospital (07) 3371 6033 layer depletion, and conservation severe droughts and forest fires. cultural products and raw materials. Agriculture: wheat, barley, sugar- Languages English 79.1%, Chi- The Alfred Hospital (03) 9276 2269 and management of coastal areas, Environmental issues: industrial de- Key factors include low inflation, cane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry. nese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other lan- Hospital especially the Great Barrier Reef. velopment, urbanization, soil erosion Australia’s emphasis on reforms and Industry: mining, industrial and trans- guages 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (08) 8222 5116 Government: federal parliamentary from overgrazing and poor farming growing ties with China. However, portation equipment, food process- (2001 Census) Royal Darwin Hospital democracy. Capital: Canberra practices, rising soil salinity due to drought, weak foreign demand, ing, chemicals, steel (08) 8922 8888 the use of poor quality water, de- and strong import demand inflated Currency Australian dollar (AUD); Fremantle Hospital Geography Located in Ocean- sertification. Clearing for agriculture the trade deficit from $8 billion in Population 20,264,082 (July 2006 Exchange rates: 1 USD= 1.31 AUD, (08) 9431 2233 ia, Australia is a continent between threatens natural habitats of many 2002 to $17 billion in 2005. But Con- est.). Ethnic groups: Caucasian 1 EUR=1.67 AUD, 1 GBP=2.48 AUD, 1 Royal Hobart Hospital the Indian Ocean and the South unique plant and animal species. servative fiscal policies maintain 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other SGD=.84 AUD (03) 6222 8308 Pacific Ocean. It is made up of six The Great Barrier Reef off the north- Australia’s budget in surplus from groups1%. Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Prince of Wales Hospital states and two territories: Australian east coast is the largest coral reef 2002 to 2005. Natural resources: Anglican 20.5%, other Christian Internet Users 14,663,622 (2006) (02) 9382 3880 Capital Territory, New South Wales, in the world and is threatened by bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, SOURCE: WWW.CIA.GOV Townsville General Hospital Northern Territory, Queensland, increased shipping and its tourism. tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none (0)7 47962080 ■

56 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED mermaid matters Edited by Gunild Symes Going It Alone: Tips for Diving Divas Traveling Solo Text by Cindy Ross

Many women dream of taking a based activities. It’s important as you travel als, then definitely hire a “registered” taxi solo adventure. Kayaker extraor- to respect the culture you’re exploring and driver. These drivers have been approved by avoid negative attention. the local municipalities to drive visitors and dinairre Sheryl Clough coined the Pack smart. You will be bringing your dive are a safer choice. phrase, “Go now, and go solo”. kit along, so think carefully about the cloth- Women travel safely all over the ing/accessories that you’ll want to bring Walk with a purpose Even if you don’t world, both solo and in the com- so you can cart your gear and get around know where you’re going, by appearing without assistance from others. that you’re confident and in control, you’ll pany of others. As you embark avoid looking like a target. If you must carry on a solo adventure, you’ll have Take a self-defense class This is not a map, try to leave the poster sized version naysayers. Thank them for their just a good idea for foreign travel, but also at home. Be discreet and don’t hesitate to concern, prepare yourself well and for day to day explorations. Bad guys don’t ask for directions, afterall...we’re girls, we just abide overseas. Being aware of your sur- can do that. Be aware of how other women then you’ll be ready as you arrive roundings and learning a few techniques to in the country interact, as non-verbal signals at your destination. ward off would-be attackers can give you a mean different things in different cultures. greater sense of confidence. When in Rome.... Before you go, research your destination. When traveling abroad, realize that Not just the fish that you’ll see on your dives, though a foreign environment may seem Safe travel is about common sense but the culture of the country so you’ll know intimidating at first, if you stay alert and in Don’t walk down a dark street, late at night what to expect when you arrive. Be sure tune with the surroundings, you’ll soon feel by yourself. Don’t allow men you don’t know to understand their dress code. In some like the locals. To ensure your safety while into your room. If you didn’t call for room cultures, women are expected to wear abroad, make sure someone knows where service, and “room service” knocks, call long skirts or not expose their shoulders and you’re going. Leave your travel itinerary the hotel desk. Remember...there is no such arms. Some cultures are “beach casual” with someone at home and send an email thing as a free lunch. Be wary of men who where others dress more formally for land or phone call upon arrivals and departures. offer free, private dive tours. They may have Many cell phones are able to be something else in mind. used overseas so you may want to check with your carrier to see So, what do the “bad guys” look if yours is compatible with your like? Yes, there really are men who set out destination. to prey on women travelers. They typically fall into a few basic categories that will help Arrive at your destination you to pick them out. during the day This does two things, first it allows you to take The Silent Type: This man is the one who in the area by daylight and sec- seems to be constantly where you are. ond, it helps your body to adjust They’ll trail you for a couple of hours, trying to the lag time when changing to make eye contact or get recognition time zones. If you must arrive from you. They may even try to start a con- at night, be sure to secure your versation. This gentleman can be annoying, lodging and your transportation but normally is not a danger. To deal with ahead of time. If the hotel does Mr. Silent, ignore him and avoid eye con-

not have a driver for airport arriv- tact, while keeping an eye on the situation ELBA, ITALY. FILE PHOTO: PETER SYMES

FILE PHOTO: PETER SYMES A woman diver explores the wreck of the Island in Storebelt, Denmark The world is your oyster if only you take just a few savvy precautions... 57 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED mermaid matters

at large. If this doesn’t drive him away, consider going to a police station or hotel, and chances are he’ll not follow.

The Crossing Boundaries Guy: This man will start with questions. Maybe in multiple languages, if needed, until he finds the language that you speak. Again, if you ignore him, he’ll probably go away. Note here, that not all gentlemen who try to engage you in conversation are dangerous. Brilliant stories abound about women meeting the love of their life on holiday. Just be aware that if the ques- tions get to personal, dealing with where you are staying, are you traveling alone or other questions that make you feel uncomfortable, you should simply stop talking to him.

FILE PHOTO: PETERSYMES The Guide: This is the local native who offers the free boat ride, jungle exploration Diving diva explores the wreck of Dr Eichelbam in Storebelt, Denmark or simply a car ride. These types usually inhabit touristy destinations and can be ance. On a bus or train, ask a fellow pas- that I need to have my documentation in with a passport. easily dissuaded, as there are many other senger or driver for help. Men like playing order, to keep that trip fast and carefree. Without a passport, you will still be able travelers for them to focus their atten- the part of hero. It’s in their wiring, no mat- Post 9/11, the tightening of border secu- to travel to US Territories, such as Puerto tion on. Trust your instincts...if they seem ter where they are from. rity and new passport requirements mean Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, the creepy, they probably are. that as a traveler, you don’t want to over- Northern and American If you find yourself the target of unwant- Leave your polite self at home look pertinent details of the passport poli- Samoa. However, if you plan on hopping ed attention, you’ll want to deal effec- If you’re being harrassed or encroached cies, only to find out when it’s too late. from a US Territory to a foreign region, such tively with it. First, intuition is a gift that we upon, stop talking and ignore the per- Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean as from the US Virgin Islands to the British have been given...embrace it. If that little son, while being aware of their actions. were travel destinations that only required Virgin Islands, you will need a passport. voice says somethings wrong, it’s usu- If you need to say “NO!”, say it repeat- a birth certificate if you were from the US. The State Department hosts an entire ally right. Don’t let someone talk you into edly and loudly to get your point across. If However, the new Western Hemisphere website dedicated to information about something you don’t want to do. You are you’re attacked, be loud and aggressive Travel Initiative goes into effect on applying for passports, as well as the ultimately responsible for your decisions, to show that you’re not an easy target. December 31, 2006. At that time, all US appropriate forms and a search engine to make sure your decisions are the responsi- Remember, the bad guys are not a hard citizens traveling by air or sea, to or from find a passport acceptance facility in your ble ones for you. working lot, and they like victims that don’t Canada, Mexico, Central and South area. You can also find details about inter- require a lot of work. America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will national travel and visa regulations. Or, Don’t be afraid to ask for help need to possess a valid passport. And on you can call 877-4USA-PPT (877-487-2778) Worldwide, most people are eager to Passport December 31, 2007, the initiative will be to request further information. help travelers to their country, especially The crown jewel of Canada, Vancouver extended to include land border cross- Cindy Ross is a dive instructor and writer women going solo. If you’re being fol- Island, was only a quick trip across the ings to these countries as well. So, the dedicated to promoting the scuba lifestyle lowed on foot, the local police station or border just a year ago. However, with the Caribbean cruise or ski trip to the popular for women of all ages worldwide. For more hotel front desk will gladly give you assist- new passport regulations, I have found Canadian Rockies will be accompanied information, please visit: Girldiver.com ■

58 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Ecology

Edited by Michael Arvedlund, PhD

ILLUSTRATIONS BY PETER SYMES The biology of

Text by Michael Arvedlund, Tyge Dahl Hermansen and Peter Symes Stingrays Can they be handled? PETER SYMES

There are more Stingray kills television host During the filming for a documen- What kind of fish are stingrays? over 100 less species than rays and Their habitat The headlines soon spread all tary, Steve Irwin was swimming Stingrays are rays, i.e. cartilaginous skates—sharks have received con- Most species live on the sea than 500 species over the world when the famous along with the ray and apparently fishes related to skates and sharks. siderably more attention than rays floor, in a variety of geographical of rays and skates Australian philanthropist and televi- spooked it, causing it to raise its tail Rays and skates comprise a scien- and skates, both from the general regions—many in coastal waters sion host, “crocodile hunter” Steve in defence. In a terrible instant, the tific so-called super-order of carti- public and from the scientific com- and a few species live in deep Irwin, was recently killed by a sharp and serrated barb on the laginous fishes named Batoidea. munity... at least until now. waters. Most batoids have a rather stingray, also known as tail went into Irwin’s chest inflict- Cartilaginous fishes do not have cosmopolitan distribution in tropical a whiptail stingray. ing a lethal injury by perforated his a skeleton of bone. Instead, it con- The Dasyatids and subtropical marine environ- heart. Steve Irwin just managed to sists of cartilage, a type of dense The scientific name for the family ments or temperate waters. Only pull the denticle out before he lost connective tissue. It is composed of stingrays, or whiptail stingrays, a few species, like manta rays, are conciousness, and soon after, he of collagenous fibers and/or elastic is Dasyatids. They are common in oceanic, i.e. they live in the open died. fibers, and cells called chondro- tropical coastal waters through- sea. A couple of species are con- Steve Irwin often took chances, cytes, all of which are embedded out the world. Freshwater species fined to freshwater. Some batoids yet, somewhat paradoxically, risk in a firm gel-like ground substance are also known from e.g. Asia and can live in brackish bays and taking didn’t lead to his demise. called the matrix. Africa. The species of the genera estuaries. Bottom-dwelling batoids This time, he didn’t do anything Potamotrygon, Paratrygon, and breathe by taking water in through other than swim. Based on these Over 500 species Plesiotrygon are thus endemic to so-called spiracles, rather than and other similar conditions, it may There are more than 500 species of the freshwaters of South America. through the mouth as most fishes be worth revising the belief that rays and skates in twelve families, Rays range in size from just a do, and passing it outward through stingrays are harmless. including stingrays, skates, electric few cm to several meters wide. the gills. Their mouths and gills (like The ‘sting’, which gives these fish- rays, guitarfishes and sawfishes (Box The smallest ray is probably the almost all rays) are located on es their common name, is a modi- 1). The Batoids are closely related short-nose electric ray, which is the the underside of their flat bodies fied dermal denticle mounted near to sharks. In fact, in the early part size of a pancake; it is only 10 cm making breathing an issue if you the base of the tail, about one- of the Batoid life cycle, they look across and weighs about half a lie on or are more or less buried in third along its total length. The sting much alike young sharks. It is inter- kilo. The biggest ray is the manta, sand. To overcome this hurdle they consists of a blade-like barb with esting to notice that there while which can reach a width of over have developed extremely large serrations along both there are only approximately 370 three meters as an adult. FAO edges and a venom extant species of sharks—which is gland at the base. (see figure next page)

NOAA PETER SYMES 59 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH The biology of

has reached the point where they will eagerly accept scraps straight from the hands of tourists. Although these interac- tions have altered the stingrays natural Stingrays behavior, there is no evidence that they have lost the ability to hunt on their own.

ters is a welcome change that may be a critical factor in their future survival. Reproduction The batoids are extraordinarily varied in their mode of reproduction. Most rays and skates are benthic, lying on the PETER SYMES substrate for extended periods, often to A whiptail stingray lies buried in the sand, keeping a watchful eye on matters some extent buried. Some forms, how- ever (particularly the eagle, cownose, manta and devil rays) are secondarily spiracles (spiracles are the openings substrate it is a free swimming ray that pelagic, swimming strongly in mid-water positioned just behind the eyes through preys on oceanic squid and mid water and rarely resting on the bottom. Mating which a shark or ray can suck in oxygen fishes, which it manipulates by holding season occurs in the winter. When a rich water to flush over the gills). Through them between its pectoral fins. Because male is courting a female, he will follow this mechanism rays are able to remain of its unique behavior the Pelagic her closely, biting at her pectoral disc. motionless for hours at a time. Stingray is sometimes categorized in its During mating, the male will go on top Many whiptail stingrays are restricted to own genera—Pteroplatytrygon. Whiptail of the female (his belly on her back) and “Clearly, there are limits marine habitats but some are known to stingrays usually inhabit shallow coastlines put one of his claspers into her vent. Most migrate into brackish estuarine environ- down to 100 or 200 meters, but some spe- rays are viviparous bearing live young in to acclimatory processes

ments. A few species can live year round cies can be found at 600 meters or even PETER SYMES “litters” of five to ten. Therefore, batoid that can counter coral in both fresh and salt water. Whiptail deeper. Stingrays are crawling all over visitors in Stingray City on Grand Cayman. This location is prob- eggs, unlike those of most other fishes, stingrays are benthic. They spend much ably the island’s biggest tourist attraction are fertilized inside the female’s body. bleaching” time buried with only their eyes sticking Diet The female holds the embryos in the Softcoral Red sea out. This is a defensive strategy rather Most batoids have developed rounded three sardines, three anchovies, two flat- Stingray City tours are now a multimillion womb without a placenta. Instead, the Nephtheidae family than a stealthy way to surprise prey. teeth for crushing the shells of snails, fish, one mojarra, four flatheads, three dollar industry that attracts hundreds of embryos absorb nutrients from a yolk sac, Because they tire easily when swimming, clams and crustaceans and some fish, pufferfish, five squids, two crabs, and two tourists daily. Although the large Southern and after the sac is depleted the mother remaining buried is the ideal way to depending on the species of ray or mollusk shells! Stingrays get quite aggressive while they provides uterine milk. Skate egg cases avoid becoming lunch. Whiptail stingrays skate. Manta rays are plankton feeders Whiptail stingrays are known to gather are competing for handouts of squid, are often rectangular with extended are heavily preyed upon by a number Whiptail stingrays known to eat mollusks, at fishermen’s fish cleaning stations they rarely harm the tourists, preferring to tendrils at each corner, which serve to of shark species (especially by hammer- crustaceans, jellyfish, and bony fishes. to take advantage of the scraps that back off when trodden on rather than anchor them to bottom growth (washed heads). An exception to The recorded stomach contents of one end up on the seabed. In some loca- use their defensive tail stings. Traditionally, ashore, the empty cases are known as the benthic lifestyle is honeycomb stingray included: eight tions, such as Stingray City in Grand stingrays were feared by fishermen and “mermaid’s purses”). Fetal electrical rays the pelagic stingray threadfin bream, three mackerel, eight Cayman and Hamelyn Bay in Western beach goers alike, so the positive press (Torpediniformes) are nourished by pro- Dasyatis violacea. ponyfish, eight cardinalfish, Australia, their tolerance towards humans that the rays receive from these encoun- tein-rich secretions from the uterine wall, Although this ray can while fetal stingrays (Myliobatiformes) get also be found on the The tail spines of a whiptail stingray are actually highly modified dermal denticles. Each their nourishment delivered to them via spine features a soft center of venom-producing tissue and an enameloid casing with ser- secretions from pseudo-placentae that THYGE DAHL HERMANSEN rations pointing toward the base. This is a feature that makes removal hard and painful for enter their bodies through the spiracles. the unlucky victim. Like other dermal denticles, such as shark teeth, these stinging spines are replaced continually. Most Are stingrays dangerous? stingray species have two such spines, each stemming from Stingrays are not, as their close relatives, its own site on the tail and with its own cycle of develop- ment, growth and replacement. Substitute spines usually the sharks, known for being dangerous. interchange between loci spread out by about half a cycle, While sharks through history have worked up to 37 cm so that one spine (the older) is typically larger and more up quite a reputation among other things up to 37 cm worn than the other. thanks to their impressive denture, large

60 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED USGS

Jan Derk

�����Puts More Ogle in Your Goggle! Stingrays Flat masks block over 75% of your natural field-of-view. Enjoy natural panoramic vision. See almost 5X more through a Double-Dome™ lens perfected with NASA technology. NanoFOG™ coating, applied at the bodies and sometimes aggres- is whipped up. fairly powerful nerve toxin which factory, ensures fog-free dives. Only naturally nearsighted divers (broad sive behaviour the rays have This attack is nor- affects the heart in complex and Rx range) can use the MEGA® 4.5DD mask with their naked eyes. But over rarely made much headlines and mally ineffective against dangerous ways. World-wide, 700 divers around the world with 20/20 vision wear disposable contact lenses to use this mask. These divers become temporarily nearsighted. The for a good reason. Rays do not their main predator, several stingray-related fatali- incredible view is worth the effort. Endorsed by 1,000 eye doctors worldwide. present a direct threat to humans namely sharks. Humans ties are recorded every year - as Older divers love the Magic Bifocal phenomenon. Seeing is believing! venturing into the water. Unlike are usually stung in the sometimes occurs when a diver sharks, they can’t eat or bite us, feet (depending on the swims too close over a partially nor do they usually display any size of the stingray). The buried ray and is stung in the neck aggressive behaviours but tend to stinger often breaks off in or chest. www.HydroOptix.com LLC © 2006 HydroOptix mind their own business. But that the wound, which is non- As regards to Steve Irwin’s fatal doesn’t mean that stingrays are fatal to the stingray, and will accident, it is widely regarded as not dangerous at all. be re-grown. Contact with an unlucky combination of unfor- Like so many other animals, they the stinger causes local trau- tunate circumstances—a freak can become defensive if they ma (from the cut itself), pain accident in other words—but feel cornered or bothered and and swelling from the venom, it goes to show that divers and their stinging barb, a cartilagi- and possible later infection snorkellers should always keep a nous spine situated on the root from bacteria on parts of the minimum distance from stingrays of their tail, can inflict some nasty stinger left in the wound. of one to two meters. wounds. The ‘sting’, which gives these fishes their common name, is References Self-defence a modified dermal denticle Hamlet, W.C. 1999. Sharks, Stingrays use their stinging spines mounted near the base of the Skates, and Rays: The Biology of only in self-defense. Dasyatids tail, about one-third along its Elasmobranch Fishes. The Johns generally do not attack aggres- total length. The sting consists of Hopkins University Press. sively or even actively defend a blade-like barb with serrations Froese, R., Pauly, D. Eds., 2006. www.layanglayang.com themselves. When threatened, along both edges and a venom FishBase. World Wide Web elec- their primary reaction is to swim gland at the base. The serrae tronic publication. www.fishbase. away. However, when they are point toward the base of the org, version (07/2006). attacked by predators or stepped spine, making removal difficult Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the world. on, the barbed stinger in their tail and very painful. The venom is a 4th Ed. John Wiley and Sons ltd. ■

Ray and Skate Taxonomy (A) Order Rajiformes (true rays) 3. Family Gymnuridae (butterfly rays). Within the order Rajiformes are the 4. Family Hexatrygonidae (sixgill sting- Rays and skates (Batoids) are divided stingrays (Family no. 2). They are ray). into three orders: named for the venomous spines 5. Family Myliobatidae (eagle ray). along the tail; these contain a poison The largest of rays, including the that causes pain and may cause giant manta ray. Most eagle rays 10.Family Urolophidae (round rays). side. The snouts are up to 1.8 m long Electric rays have organs in their symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, have one poison-carrying spine. and 30 cm wide, and used for slash- wings that generate electricity, used PETER SYMES fever, chills, muscle cramps, tremors, 6. Family Plesiobatidae (deepwater (B) Order Pristiformes (sawfishes) ing and impaling small fishes and to to immobilize prey and for defense. paralysis, fainting, seizures, elevated stingrays). Sawfishes are shark-like in form, hav- probe in the mud for imbedded ani- The current is strong enough to stun heart rate, and decreased blood 7. Family Potamotrygonidae (river ing tails used for swimming and small- mals. Sawfishes can enter freshwater humans. pressure (depending on the species). stingrays). er pectoral fins than most batoids. rivers and lakes. Some species reach Family Narcinidae Some species’ toxins and, or, sting 8. Family Rajidae (skates). The pectoral fins are attached above a total length of up to 6 m. 1. Family Torpedinidae can be fatal to humans. 9. Family Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes). the gills as in all batoids, giving the 1. Family Pristidae. NOAA 1. Family Anacanthobathidae Contain a body structure similar fishes a broad-headed appearance. (smooth skates). that of the sawfishes, but are not They have long, flat snouts with a (C) Order Torpediniformes (electric 2. Family Dasyatidae (stingrays). thought to be closely related. row of tooth-like projections on either rays) Skate Lesser electric ray 61 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Section Letters & OpinionsAll perspectives expressed in this section are those of the individu- Thank you all, for your opinions on What do you think? al author and do not necessarily Terrorism and Diving and on the subject Get heard! Send us you opinion to reflect the views of X-RAY MAG, DiveGuru.Net, or their associates of DO WE EVEN CARE ANYMORE? Your [email protected] by Jan comments show some real insight, knowl- 10, 2007, and get a chance to win edge and concern, and we would like these exquisite Silver Hammerhead Edited by to share some of them with you: Cufflinks generously sponsored by ReefJewellery.com Millis Keegan

On Terrorism and Diving I just read Do We Even Care Anymore? Right or wrong? I would intellectually agree with the the letters We asked this simple and straightforward sentiment that we should not let terror- about div- question in a past issue. We would like to think that divers bring to a safe encounter since it squirts the food ism dictate nor control our lives. That ing in Egypt the water the notion of “take nothing but away from you, which keeps the fish from being said, I personally believe diving and had to From Jim Culter:

memories, leave nothing but bubbles”. nibbling at you by mistake. All sounds can be dangerous enough without NOWAK reply. My girl Actually, a very complicated question. Traveling as much as we do here at X- good in theory, but we divers, we know the added adrenaline of deliberately Dahab, beach promenade friend and The simple answer is some care and Ray Mag, we find that that is not always better, right? We know that feeding putting myself (or my loved ones) into a I were on a some don’t. Some readers have an altru- true, and in many cases, bad behavior the marine life teaches fish to associate potentially dangerous arena. trip to Egypt in February. We spent three istic response while others express the is encouraged by the dive centers and human beings with food, which disturbs One of the goals of the terrorists is to days in Dahab, and while we were there, rather myopic juvenile opinion that the dive resorts. This time, we at Diveguru. that very important balance on the reef, cause abject disruption of all aspects we ate at the restaurant Al Capones; it is only thing that matters is personal gratifi- net and X-Ray Mag want to bring up the essential to the survival of species. of the targeted society. The terrorists one of the places where bombs went off cation and anything that interferes with subject of feeding fishes while diving, a Our viewpoint is clear: only under a care nothing about life —yours or theirs. and killed people. While we were there, we personal consumption is either a fallacy popular activity to bring the marine life very few and specific circumstances, is it The terrorists care nothing about your found all the people there to be extremely or a conspiracy. to the divers/snorkelers in a misguided okay to feed the marine life. brand-new dive wing or regulator. The friendly and got to know the staff as well as The human species has a difficult time attempt to enhance the under water terrorists care not whether you dive split you can in a couple of days. If we weren’t relating to global issues or even regional experience. What¹s your take on this? fins or use the long primary hose. The on the beach or diving, we would be issues of ecology. Unfortunately, educa- Is it right or wrong to feed the marine life? terrorists want you dead. found at the res- tion has not enabled the general popula- At DEMA, we came across a few vendors Is it right or wrong for dive centers and We, the casual traveler and visitor, taurant. One of the tion to logically assess these issues. There selling the latest in fish feeding equip- dive resorts to enable fish feeding by sell- can do nothing to prevent the terrorists. I was asked a week people that was is a great paradox present in the role ment—a squirt bottle with fish food. The ing these kinds of products? But, if sufficiently motivated, govern- after the bombing killed there, was a of the human species on the quality of sales pitch was that the food is safe for Let us know what you think ments might. I can choose to spend my very friendly man life on earth. The actions of a single indi- the fish, and the squeeze bottle promises Millis Keegan, editor dive vacation funds where I like, and I if I would return. that worked the vidual on consumption of materials, food, will not be supporting any element of I would have left entrance. He would energy, conservation, are of no conse- a nation or a people that choose to joke around with us quence on a global scale. However, as a “look the other way” where terrorism is in an instant and and was a joy to species, our combined effect is changing concerned. I know this attitude still would. see and talk to. It is the fundamental nature of the earth’s We, the casual hurts the “little guy”, the hotelier a great shame that biosphere. So, the statements, “It’s not or dive shop, whomever, but innocent people my fault” and “It’s my fault”, are both traveler and visi- maybe, just maybe, this form of are dying. As far as traveling back there, true as odd as that seems. tor, can do noth- economic pressure can gener- I was asked a week after the bombing if I As a species, we have not yet devel- ing to prevent the ate sincere local pressure from would return. I would have left in an instant oped a sense of global scale. For mil- within, and maybe THAT can and still would. Yes, it is important to watch lions of years, the human species had terrorists. But, if persuade governments to get where you are going, but if I was to worry relatively small effects on the planet, Good or bad idea? sufficiently moti- more serious about the matter. about anywhere a bomb might go off, or and by most measures, the earth was A squirt bottle with fish As when underwater, I will not an act of terrorism happened, I may as infinite in size and resources. However, all food meant to be brought on vated, govern- be holding my breath! Thanks well stay at home. Thanks, of this changed with the advent of agri- a dive was on display at the ments might. for a great Magazine!! Ron Cooper culture and subsequent industrialization. recent DEMA show, meant to Bill Hilson, professor, TransAlta Utilities, Poplar Creek Power Suddenly, an individual in concert with be sold through resorts and Pratt Institute, New York, USA Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada billions of other individuals was capable dive centers MILLIS KEEGAN 62 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Letters &

Opinions Hurricane Catarina as Drysuit article in seen from the X-Ray Mag #13 International created some

NASA Space Station debate About Hurricanes Living in the relatively hurricane free UK tends to make us unaware of the true How to Dive With a suffering of those countries that suffer the consequences of a very strong blow. Dry Suit ... or Not On a recent trip to Grand Bahama (last February), I was amazed at the destruc- I have read several issues of your maga- We approached NAUI, PADI, IANTD Ice Core tion still very much apparent after two zine and quite enjoy the articles. I have and ANDI for a comment and got swift sample years of bad hurricanes. Desolate, found them very informative up to now, replies from ANDI and PADI. This doesn’t taken abandoned and derelict hotels and half but feel I have to write to you about the imply that NAUI and IANTD has chosen

LONNIE THOMPSON, BYRD POLAR RESEARCH CENTER, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY from drill empty shopping malls seemed to be the article on how to dive with a drysuit. The not to comment but, in all fainess, I must norm. So many locals out of work with author of the article recommends diving emphasize that the lead time we gave little or no prospects gradually slipping with a BC, but only using the BC inflation everybody was very short. We thank of depleting resources, creating toxic than originally predicted. Studies of ice nearer the bread line. Yet, most of the at the surface or in an emergency. This is ANDI and PADI for their reply, which I substances and causing global eco- cores have indicated that there may be dive sites were still in good condition. both incorrect and dangerous. A drysuit believe clearly shows the different proce- logical changes. At present, the human climatic trigger points, and when these So, why all this desolation and depres- should have just enough gas to prevent dures between recreational and techni- species is the most important organism points are reached, there are profound sion? It would appear that as soon as we a squeeze and allow the insulating mate- cal diving—and may no one confuse on the planet, because we are altering global climate changes that happen softies hear of hurricane damage, we rial gas to insulate. To use the additional one with the another! the fundamental ecological conditions rapidly, on the order of decades rather immediately cancel our holidays, pack gas required for buoyancy especially that enabled mammals and humans than centuries or eons. our bags and go elsewhere. Thus, island on deeper dives results in, at best, diffi- ANDI, technical training agency writes: to evolve and nurtured Sadly, the human species is its own communities not only suffer from nature culty maintaining proper trim when shift- There are different procedures on how Now we are our success as a species. enemy. The basic tools needed to create but from a great drop in tourist revenue, ing position in the water, and at worst, to use a dry suit and a BCD, depending It should be pointed out a sustainable society are simple: reduce which prohibits repairs, which means makes an uncontrolled foot first ascent on if you dive recreationally or techni- irreversibly that the current world the number of humans on the planet less tourism, which means less dollars, a very likely possibility. I do not know of cal, and it is important to know the dif- tinkering climate conditions have through family planning and access to and so on. I even spoke to an American ANY technical diving training agencies ference. Technical divers are highly been relatively stable with and birth control, practice sustainable agri- friend of mine who put it: “When I vaca- that recommend this technique for dry trained to use extra equipment while when compared to larger culture, utilize renewable tion. I like comfort. So, buddy, repair your suit diving and would suggest someone diving and they are probably capable changing time scales. Now, we are energy sources, stop con- Sadly the island, and we will return.” Surely, a very look into this and submit a follow up on of handling two buoyancy devices or irreversibly tinkering with the climate tamination of the environ- cynical and selfish approach. how to use a drysuit. more. However, to adress the issue issue and changing the climate ment with persistent toxic human What these communities Yours Truly, in question: conditions conditions that fostered substances. species is need is not for us to neglect What Jeffrey Mark, no adress supplied Recreational training agencies tend human life. that fostered I do not have much hope its own them, but for us to continue these com- to teach the diver to use the drysuit as The implications of these that such things will hap- as before. They still have rich Millis Keegan, Training Editor replies: a buoyancy device, feeling the diver is human life. changes are onerous, and pen. Sadly, the “Tragedy of enemy. natural beauty for us to see. munities Well Jeffrey, as with most things, there incompetent to control two buoyancy we cannot predict the the Commons” continues They still have wonderful need is are more than one way to do things sources. When diving with more than just outcome. We imagine that to be the norm for human- undersea sites to visit, and right. While recreational dive training a single tank, this is outright dangerous. we will be able to adapt ity. (If you do not know most of all, they still have not for us agencies do recommend performing Think of the following scenario: You to a changing planet, what this means, look it up. a great population who to neglect your buoyancy control the way the arti- have enough gas to offset 22lbs (10kg) one that could be quite different from Wikipedia is a good start.) would welcome us tourists cle described it, technical diving pro- of negative buoyancy—this is a fairly today’s conditions. This may not be pos- and our dollars. Despite the them, but cedures are different. But although the large gas bubble. You now orient your- sible. The latest information indicates the Jim Culter, Staff Scientist damage, Grand Bahamian for us to article did not target technical divers, self away from the prone position with a effect of green house gases on global Center for Coastal Ecology Benthic people showed me great continue I believe you have a point. There are head up attitude. Unless your neck seal is warming may be underestimated. Also, Ecology Program hospitality and displayed indeed differences and they should be tight, you WILL burp gas out of the neck the rate of change in global habitats Mote Marine Laboratory great resilience. as before. highlighted. seal and quickly become negative. Using associated with the effects of climate Sarasota, FL Brian Naylor the drysuit as a buoyancy device is only change has been happening faster United Kingdom done during emergency procedures IF

63 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED OpinionsLetters & When I conduct PADI, recreational training agency writes: The proper rebreather train- There are no rules that forbid anyone to procedure ing, we now have use both a BCD and a dry suit for buoy- three gas spaces ancy control while diving, but for recrea- And the winner is… (...) to manage: tional divers using a dry suit, we recom- is to just add BC(wing), drysuit mend the following: What is the Best Environmental enough gas into and the breath- 1. Get proper dry suit training. Organisation we asked? Our ing loop. Divers 2. Use your BCD on the surface for readers pointed to GREENPEACE the drysuit to who were trained buoyancy, and if necessary, to help if as their favourite. Here are some manage squeeze to use the drysuit a dive buddy in distress needs extra for buoyancy buoyancy. of the arguments. and manage have all sorts of 3. Use your dry suit for buoyancy control buoyancy with trouble until I can while diving. retrain them on The reason is to keep air in the suit for I suppose Greenpeace for its longevity the wing/BC. how to correctly warmth and comfort and to avoid a and international focus along with the use a drusuit. I squeeze. There will always be some ability to engage media coverage. I say have trained sev- divers, in particular before they develop “suppose” because I’m not sure what

FILEPHOTO: ADAM BUTLER eral Instructors from agencies like PADI more experience with dry suit diving, measures one might use to gauge effec- Drysuit and/or BCD for main bouyancy device? that teach drysuit diving as a specialty, that will keep just enough air in their suits tiveness. Perhaps climactic changes will It all depends it seems. Photo is of Leigh that I have had to retrain because they to avoid squeeze and use the BCD for do the most to promote awareness in the Cunningham and Mark Andrews during their can’t maintain the proper orientation buoyancy control. That can cause prob- long run, being so much more “in-your- record dive to locate the Yolanda wreck and buoyancy control. lems for the same unexperienced divers face” with consequences. The procedure using a drysuit for that have to deal with two buoyancy Lance Evingson buoyancy is OK as long as the diver does devices during ascent, which can lead No adress supplied your wing fails. not have to overcome a large negative to an uncontrolled ascent. If the diver The managing of two or more buoy- buoyancy or have a large buoyancy shift uses too much air in the suit as men- For me, it is Greenpeace. I appreci- ancy sources takes a bit more work, but during the dive. Neoprene drysuits are tioned in the letter, he/she carries too ate the level of dedication and, at once mastered, the diver’s buoyancy especially bad here... much weight, and has not done a prop- times, agressive stance they take in an GREENPEACE / DORREBOOM, LORETTE control is superior to that of a diver using Joe Radomski, ANDI ITD#10 er buoyancy control before the dive. effort to actively prevent environmental just one source (such as the drysuit) for About technical diving and how to destruction. Case in point is the stance Greenpeace’s SV in buoyancy. use a dry suit... They might recommend Greenpeace takes on commercial whal- full sail between Majuro and Ebeye in the The proper procedure when diving with other techniques that will work better for ing. For their effort against the commer- Marshall Islands. multiple (and also better even with their equipment configuration and type cial whaling fleet, Greenpeace gets my a single cylinder—it is just a bit harder at of diving, and I leave that up to them to vote (and my money). best job of protecting the environment. the beginning) is to just add enough gas answer. Kristjan Snorrason, Although some may think Greenpeace’s into the drysuit to manage squeeze and Michael ‘Mox’ Moberg, training director No adress supplied methods extreme, they are effective. manage buoyancy with the wing/BC. and regional manager for PADI Nordic Greenpeace is an international organiza- There are several reasons why using I think Greenpeace is the best tion that focuses its efforts on worldwide the drysuit for buoyancy is dangerous. Environmental Organization due to the threats to biodiversity. They have served First, the amount of gas needed to offset fact that they are global, important to protect both the terrestrial and marine additional negative buoyancy calls for (attract media attention) and extremely environments. They are highly visible in a large volume of gas that causes a gas brave (some of them have died on oper- the media and their efforts spawn aware- bubble to move around. With additional ations). ness of environmental problems from gas, it’s impossible to dive with head Granted, it is not Mario Mizrahi S, ocean dumping and whaling to clear- slightly down and feet up without end- always that the Mexico cut logging practices. They also encour- ing up with too much gas in the boots. bouyancy from the age sustainability practices and promote Whereas, using just enough gas to elimi- drysuit is enough, or I would have to say that Greenpeace awareness of global climate change. nate squeeze, this attitude is easy. the right means. But is the best and most visible environmen- Tom Carlson everything needs to tal groups in the world and does the be seen in the right Tacoma, Washington, US context FILEPHOTO: ADAM BUTLER 64 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Sharing second place is Other Organisations WWF and PADI Mentioned I think PADI Project AWARE does My nomination for the organiza- The Cousteau Society, The Nature the best job as it focuses on pro- tion that does the best job pro- Conservancy tecting our oceans, coasts, reefs, tecting the environment goes fresh water lakes, etc. As our sport to WWF Global Network. For full I believe that the Nature It’s called grows in popularity, more of us will explanation of this tough choice Conservancy does the best job in become AWARE of our environ- see the attached file. Here is a conserving our environment. Not ment and make conscious efforts summary: only does the Conservancy pro- to keep it clean. This will go a tect the lands and waters of our Earth Day. long way in protecting the seas The WWF launches large scale great country, but all around the for future generations. Thank you, operations that yield large scale world as well. Without a doubt, Jim returns. With thousands of world the most important aspect of wide events and tasks yearly they this organization is that it com- PADI. Before diving, I was only have left legacies for generations pletely shelters a special place. vaguely aware of environmental to come. The mere size and repu- For instance, when a coral reef issues. During my Open Water tation of WWF empowers them is in danger of being polluted or That’s not to say course, I was made aware of to be heard and influence policy ruined for one reason or another, deeper concerns and the nega- and corporate behavior around the Nature Conservancy acquires tive impact we have on our envi- the globe. everything from the headwaters ronment and that by following WWF works on many levels. With of the estuarine rivers to the reef a few recommendations and the help of partners WWF seems itself, so the area is totally protect- we need to treat it respectful diving practices, we to aspire to treat both symptoms ed. Thanks, can positively influence and help as well as try to solve underlying David Ward reverse some of the damage causes. Their environmental pro- Lakeland, Florida inflicted. grams go hand-in-hand with their like Dirt Day. I have witnessed many PADI social programs. They also have a professionals give advice and large educational program that About the DiveGurus knowledge to hundreds of divers. teaches others how they also can I would like to believe they are make a difference in the future Millis Keegan, owner and found- thus respectful of the environment of our planet. These factors make er of www.diveguru.net, the in which they exist and go on to them stand out amongst the envi- homepage that answers questions help educate the people they ronmental organizations. Luckily, for divers, snorkelers, anyone with a love for our oceans, is a new interact with. I know I do. they are closely followed by member of X-Ray Magazine. With Tony Williams many other organizations. the help of reputable experts www. United Kingdom Sincerely, diveguru.net will find the answer. Laurits Thomsen

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

asking people to Dive In To Earth Day the week of April 22nd . So grab some friends and install a mooring, do a reef survey, or

organize an underwater cleanup. Everybody into the water. For more information, visit www.coral.org or call (415) 834-0900.

65 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKSdirtday07_8.25x10.875.indd SCIENCE 1 & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED9/21/06 12:31:12 AM whales & dolphins

Edited by Peter & Gunild Symes Whales And Dolphins Show Many Humpback Whales Distinctive Human Traits More scientific evidence is ously known to be the domain spiny sea urchins might other- ing. This may Have ‘Human’ piling up that whales, dol- only of humans and the great wise cause puncture wounds. range from the phins and porpoises are truly apes. They show remarkably complex songs Brain Cells extraordinarily intelligent crea- Dolphins can also “point” human-like emotions, rang- and calls to foraging tures. According to a new at objects with their heads ing from joy to grief to atten- strategies. Humpback whales are probably much they are thought to be involved in learn- review of the scientific litera- to guide humans to them, tive care of the hurt. Mr Where the jury is still out, smarter than they have been given ing, remembering and recognizing the ture by Mark Simmonds, direc- and they can also manipu- Simmonds quotes a case of Mr Simmons says, is on credit for. US researchers have just dis- world around oneself. The researchers tor of science for the Whale late objects spontaneously, a 30-strong pod of false killer whale and dolphin lan- covered a type of nerve cell called a found spindle neurons in the same loca- and Dolphin Conservation despite their lack of fingers whales which remained with guage. “What were previ- spindle neuron in the cortex of tion in toothed whales with the largest Society. A growing number and thumbs. an injured colleague in shal- ously regarded as ‘living their brains, in areas com- brains, which the researchers of studies strongly suggest There is a well-documented lows for three days, exposing marine resources’—and parable to where they said suggests that they may that whale and dolphin brain- use of tools in an Australian themselves to sunburn and typically, widespread spe- are seen in humans and be related to brain size. power is matched only by population of wild Indo-Pacific the risk of stranding, until the cies distributed across an great apes. The find- Toothed whales such as the higher primates, including bottlenose dolphins, which are injured animal died. And there inexhaustible sea—should now ing may help explain orcas are generally con- man, often seen carrying sponges is an “emerging but compel- be recognised as unique indi- some of the behaviours sidered more intelligent For instance, captive ani- on the ends of their beaks, ling argument”, that some viduals, communities, societies seen in whales, such as than baleen whales such mals have been shown to be probably to protect them species exhibit culture—infor- and cultures and valued as intricate communication as humpbacks and blue able to recognise themselves whilst they forage in the sedi- mation or behaviour that is such.” skills, the formation of alli- whales, which filter water for their in a mirror, which was previ- ments on the sea floor where acquired through social learn- It means that the potential ances, cooperation, cultural food. impacts of whaling may be transmission and tool usage, the “It is important to note in this context far greater than they appear, researchers report in The Anatomical that sperm whales, killer whales, and cer- and we should make a new Record. tainly humpback whales, exhibit complex approach to the conservation Although the function social patterns that included intricate of these species which takes of spindle neurons communication skills, coalition-formation, into account their intelligence, is not well cooperation, cultural transmission and societies, culture—and poten-

understood, tool usage,” the researchers wrote. ■ NOAA tial to suffer ■

research under way at MOTE Marine beets for correct test responses—reveal- animals hear well enough to avoid boats, Manatees May Also Be Laboratory suggest otherwise. ing that manatees aren’t so stupid after researchers are not sure why manatees Here, manatees in tanks have been all. The buzzer experiments are hear- keep getting hit. They could be surfac- Smarter Than We Think trained to respond to whistles and stop ing tests in which the tones gradually ing to breathe while sleeping, or they at underwater targets. At the sound of a grow shorter and softer. The researchers may have grown too accustomed to the buzzer, a 1,300 pound manatee will aim want to know: At what distance can the sound of boats. At least 75 manatees Manatees have generally been viewed as his whiskered snout toward one of eight manatees hear a boat’s propeller churn- have been killed this year in collisions with cute but somewhat dimwitted creatures loudspeakers lowered into the water. ing in the water and can they deter- watercraft, according to the Florida Fish incapable of doing anything more com- Pointing out the correct speaker earns mine where the sound is coming from? and Wildlife Conservation Commission. ■ U.S. FISH & plicated than chewing sea grass. But new him treats— apples, carrots and Despite recent findings that suggest the WILDLIFE SERVICE

66 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED whales Narwhals’ song explained? Mapping East Africa’s Dolphins Marine biologists from Woods Hole Oceanographic For the first time ever by the straits of Wasini, an inter- Institute in the U.S. have found preliminary evidence national research body, Global Vision International, that narwhals produce signature vocalizations that has set up base in the village of Mkwiro to study the set individuals apart. dolphins. “There has been no research on dolphins off In a paper published in the September issue of the East African coast,” says Graham Corti, expedi- Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Ari tion manager with Global Vision International. “Hence there is nothing published.” PHOTO COURTESY COLIN D. MACLEOD, UK. CETACEAN SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL Shapiro and colleagues write that these narwhal vocalizations by might facilitate individual recogni- “Our principal reason for partnership with the Kenya tion or their reunion with more distant group mem- Wildlife Service (KWS) is to quantify our research on Deep Diving Beaked Whales Suffer The Bends bers. Narwhals are found in Arctic waters and can the dolphins,” continues Corti. “Everyday, we patrol migrate thousands of miles in large numbers with the area around Kisite-Mpunguti, and the peninsula of New research reveals that beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) subgroups moving in a coordinated fashion. Shimoni and towards Funzi Bay,” In total, this covers an beaked whales dive deeper than and Blainville’s beaked whales “Many unanswered questions remain about area of about 100 square kilometres. any other air-breathing creature, (Mesoplodon densirostris) in Italian narwhals, and understanding their vocal commu- In the expediton are two KWS rangers going through yet can experience decompres- and Spanish waters using a non- nication will provide insights into their social behav- the whole exercise. “We have KWS working with us. By sion sickness when diving in shal- invasive digital archival tag or D- ior,” said Shapiro. Shapiro said he also plans to training the KWS officers, we will be able to give KWS low water. The medium sized tag developed at WHOI by one study vocalizations and movements of free-ranging the tools to see the patterns of dolphin movement and toothed whales can reach lengths of the authors, engineer Dr. Mark killer whales in Norway this November. behaviour. KWS can then use this information to base of 4 to 14m and can dive as deep Johnson. SOURCE: JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. ■ its management decisions on,” says Corti. as 1,900m for up to 85 minutes. Whales of these two species The photo identifications and the Global Positioning The research funded by the have been found stranded in System (GPS) recordings complement the surveys that U.S. Office of Naval Research mass during naval sonar exercises. record the impact of the tourist dhows on the dolphins’ and Woods Hole Oceanographic Results of the study suggest that behaviour. “We watch how the dolphins breathe, as in Institution (WHOI) was important the extreme diving of the beaked do they take shallow or deep dives. We know from the because it is thought that naval whales does not seem to put shallow dives that they are passing through but when sonar exercises may contribute to them at greater physiological risk they take deep dives, they may be feeding.” the whales’ decompression sick- for sonar exposure. However, their Today, the impact of tourism is on the increase as ness. behavioral response to more people travel globally to far flung areas of the A study conducted by WHOI, seems to play an important role. world in search of new vistas. Nobody can doubt the the University of La Laguna in Scientists say more research is importance of the tourist dollar. However, it is also Spain, the University of Aarhus needed to learn more about this more obvious today that if we do not manage our in Denmark, Bluwest and the little understood species in order ■ natural resources well, then even the tourist dollar can- Nato Undersea Research Centre to prevent more incidents of acci- not bring back the disappearing wildlife or degraded in Italy focused on two spe- dental exposure to bay sonar. natural ecosystems. ■ cies of beaked whales, Cuvier’s SOURCE WHOI ■ NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY Pollution And Ocean Debris Worse For Whales Than Hunting Rare Dolphin’s Breeding Area Discovered A new study shows global warming nerability to ship collision. The lines “Pollution may be killing 10 to A group of the rare Risso’s mation which can inform and pollution will have a greater also can impede the whale’s abil- 20 times as many whales as the dolphins including offspring conservation plans to pro- impact on whale populations than ity to feed, leading to starvation, or Japanese, the Icelandics, the was sited off the tip of the tect the species from extinc- hunting. An estimated 300,000 can cause physical trauma when Norwegians and the aboriginal Llyn Peninsula of Bardsey tion. whales, dolphins and porpoises the skin is cut, leading to infection whalers together are killing right Island in the UK. The research was funded die each year from entangle- and death. now. The debate has been impov- Researchers from WDCS by the Countryside Council ment in fishing gear, making fishing Meanwhile, researcher Mike Iliffe erished because of an excess of said the unusual sighting for Wales’ (CCW) Species gear the single greatest human- says commercial whaling issues emotion over rational argument,” suggests that the location Challenge Fund. related cause of cetacean mor- are dominating the International Dr Julia Jabour added. is a potentially important More information about tality, according to the National Whaling Commission (IWC) at the “When you listen to some of the breeding area for the Ris- the Risso’s dolphins and Oceanic and Atmospheric expense of the real threats to the arguments that the anti-whaling so’s dolphins and more the threats facing dolphins, Administration. mammals and to the point where countries put forward they are based investigation needs to be whales and porpoises in When whales get caught in lines, the polarisation of the pro-whaling on cultural or moral high ground and made to understand the general, please visit www. their ability to swim is hindered, and anti-whaling groups is making I would suggest that that’s pretty dolphins habitat use, infor- wdcs.org. SOURCE: WDCS/CCW ■ Risso’s Dolphin, Grampus griseus WIKIPEDIA which can result in or vul- the commission dysfunctional. shaky ground to be on.” ■

67 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Turtle “One is only willing news to protect what one actually knows“ By Kurt Amsler Author and world renowned photographer Kurt Amsler is the founder and primus motor behind SOS-Seaturtles

The Indonesian island of Bali has used for jewellery and ornamental Trade of Endangered Species. been known as a hub for the objects for sale to tourists. All of Nevertheless, the number of these trade of sea turtle for over two which are unnecessary objects, for magnificent animals—who have decades. The buyers of turtle which hundreds of thousands of inhabited our oceans for over 150 meat, shells and eggs are mainly turtles have to lose their lives. million years—is dwindling. Until found in the Asian markets as well four years ago, in Bali alone, an as in Indonesia itself. The meat and All eight species of sea tur- annual average of 25,000 sea eggs of the turtles are not meant tles are threatened by extinc- turtles were brutally cut out of for feeding the poor, rather they tion and therefore under strict their shells alive! As a result of sev- are status symbols in more afflu- protection as set forth by CITES, eral campaigns initiated by the Captions captions ent societies with turtle shells being the Convention of International Indonesian ProFauna and SOS- captions Captions captions captions SOS-Seaturtle Campaign Stopping The Killing And Trade On Bali Seaturtles, this number has front legs are pierced and turtles have a highly devel- dropped to around 3,000 a tied up, the animals stacked oped nervous system and year. However, as sea turtles on top of each other in the are unable to cry. are threatened by extinction, hull with no food or water, every single spared animal is they finally end up in Bali. The new Campaign important in order to preserve Herded together in cages, The objective of the new the population. they await their horrifying end campaign is similar to what here before delivery to the we did the first time and it The brutal slaughter national or international mar- did work very well. With let- of sea turtles in Bali ket. ters of protests, signatures The killing of sea turtles in The brutality of the killing is and statements, we want the Indonesia is more than just unimaginable: With a sharp relevant authorities of Bali a national problem, it has knife the lower tortoise shell and Indonesia to be aware already been decades since is separated from the upper that people from all over the local population of sea one while the animal is still the world will once more turtles in the Balinese waters alive. Next, the butchers slowly focus on Bali’s sea turtles collapsed. The animals now disembowel the turtle without and call upon the govern- being butchered in Bali are paying any attention to the ment to stop their slaughter caught all around Indonesia, unbelievable pain inflicted now and forever. At the Borneo, Malaysia, on the helpless and tortured moment, Indonesia and Bali and off Northern Australia. animal. The agony can last up are both struggling for every After months of grueling trans- to half an hour—a total horror, single tourist. Tourism is very portation, during which their when you consider that sea important for their econo-

68 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED sary footsteps which allow the PROFAUNA members to put pressure an officials and police to crack down on the turtle mafia in Tanjung-Benoa. A so-called “Turtleweek” in Denpasar, the main town on Bali, with public statements and media conferences with visiting jour- nalists and TV-crews from Europe and rep- resentatives of tour operators, is planned for April 2007. more than 6400 letters of protest and statements Everyone can help from all around the We have chosen a new, more updated world. As a result, means of communication to broadcast the Indonesian the present campaign and to transmit Organisation the signatures, statements and letters of ProFauna, which protest. With the internet replacing the is supported by former brochures and petition SOS-Seaturtles, can put more pressure sheets, everything can be done on officials and police. Since this spring, online! Everyone in the world will several raids have taken place in Tanjung were enthusiastic to take part! be able to get instant information Benoa, the capital of turtletrade. Further The release attracted hundreds of about the the Seaturtles campaign details and images can be found on this spectators and the ProFauna members through one mouse click on: www.sos. webpage: www.sos-seaturtles.ch/news- took the opportunity to issue an official seaturtles.ch. Here you can sign petitions seite_english%20.htm statement informing the people about the and e-mail pre-printed statements straight turtle slaughter and the illegal trade that to the relevant government organiza- This October a “big fish” was caught by still continues in Tanjung Benoa. Usually, mies, and anything that may harm their tions. We are convinced that by these the Balinese police. Thanks to a tip-off by protests against the turtle mafia were image is subsequently taken seriously. direct means of communication, we of an investigator, ProFauna activists and always heavily harrassed by the traders This is the best leverage to obtain the will reach far more people and there- the police confiscated a boat carrying and turtle catchers, but this time nothing full attention of the authorities, although fore get more signatures and more more than 170 Green Turtles (Chelonia happened! That alone is a strong testa- we intend to use more pressure and less statements. Midas) which were caught off Sulawesi ment to the growing strength and recog- diplomacy this time. These are the neces- and on their way to Tanjung Benoa to be nition of the ProFauna organisation. Latest news from Bali killed and traded. The crew was arrested All that we have achieved since the The new campaign was launched and the boat chained and detained in start of the campaign proves that our in March 2006. Numerous hardcover Benoa Port for further examination. policy work and our actions makes a dif- and online magazines have published The Chief of the Bali Office Department, ference. ■ articles and placed banners with Irjen Pol. Drs. Soenarko Danu Ardanto, direct links to: www.sos-seaturtles.ch who personally supervised the seizure, Soon, hopefully, with your help, on their homepages as well as diving ordered the turtles to be released back there be no more tears manufacturers into the wild. The turtles were then meas- and enter- ured and tagged by BKSDA Bali (Forestry prises that Dept.). Unfortunately, three turtles were are related found dead due to the ordeals of the to the ocean. smuggling. The next day, the turtles were Until now the released in Kuta Beach under the protec- Governor tion of the police and coast guard assist- of Bali has ed by Kuta villagers, ProFauna members, received BKSDA Bali and numerous tourists who

69 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PETER SYMES Medical Dive Medicine & Health

The Diabetes Controversy Diabetes ranks as one of the most controver- sial medical conditions Insulin is normally produced by producing insulin, which means the pancreas; however, in diabet- that the Type I diabetics need to affecting divers and has ics, the ability of the pancreas to get their insulin via injections of the been the cause of heated produce insulin is lowered or gone hormone. debates worldwide for completely. Alternatively, the cells YANN SAINT-YVES of the body can have a resistance The risk of more than two decades. to the entry of insulin. In both cases diving with diabetes Traditionally, insulin- the result is the same: Glucose When diving, the body is usually dependent diabetics have levels build in the blood and can quite active, depending on the not been allowed to dive; In the mid-1970´s there was a div- on diving diabetics was imposed, diabetics and diving is serious, reach dangerous levels, which conditions in question, and there- ing accident in the UK. The diver with the exception of those dia- because diabetes is a globally can result in cells being starved of fore uses sugar. Most divers, espe- however, the evidence in question developed a sudden betics who could control their occurring condition that appears energy. Over time, diabetics can cially those diving in cold waters, supporting diabetic divers onset of decompressions illness condition by diet alone. to be more and more common. develop damage to their eyes, will be familiar with the solid appe- has increased dramati- and died. It was discovered that In the early 1990’s, the case was According to the WHO, at least kidney, heart or peripheral nerves, tite a morning of diving usually cally in the last decade. the diver suffered from diabetes, a re-examined, and a review of the 170 million people worldwide have if they are not well-regulated. builds. chronic condition where the ability post-mortem results showed that diabetes, and the figure is likely There are several different For diabetics, the use of sugar The time appears ripe for a of the body to produce insulin is the diver had a patent foramen to double by 2030. As more and degrees of diabetes, and the ill- during diving can constitute a change in mentality. either diminished or lost entirely. As ovale, or a hole in the heart more people get diabetes, the ness varies from person to person. problem if they for some reason insulin is the hormone that allows between the right and left atria. numbers of diabetics who want to About 90% of all diabetics have start their dive with too low a level By Thea Brolund the body to control blood sugar Whether this, his diabetic condition experience diving will increase. what is commonly called Type II of blood sugar. This can happen and Anders Tychsen levels, and the treatment varies on or a third factor caused the div- diabetes, and can control their if the diver has taken too much an individual basis, diabetes can ing accident, remains uncertain. Diabetes blood sugar levels by diet and oral insulin before the dive, has been be a life threatening illness, if not However, by that time one of the The human body uses sugar (glu- medicine. Typically, the pancreas drinking alcohol or lacks exercise, treated properly. While in the con- most heated discussions in diving cose) as fuel, which is derived of Type II diabetics still produces has eaten too little or improperly. Disclaimer: Information and views in this arti- crete case there was no evidence and hyperbaric (diving) medicine directly from what we eat and insulin, but at a lower rate. The In these cases, diabetic divers run cle are those of the authors and should not that the divers diabetic condition to emerge had already been run- drink. The hormone insulin, present remaining 10% are called Type I the risk of their blood glucose level be taken in place of the advice of a quaiifed physician. In all cases, please refer to your dive had contributed to his demise, an ning for 20 years. in the bloodstream, is necessary diabetics. In this group, the pan- falling to a level where hypogly- doctor first for appropriate medical recommen- international and complete ban The problem associated with for the cells to metabolize sugar. creas has completely stopped cemia, or low blood sugar, is dations on diving with medical conditions.

70 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PETER SYMES

precipitated. A hypoglycemia episode can, dependent on the severity, cause everything from mild headaches to weakness, tremor, sweatiness or chilling, irri- tability, alterations or loss of con- sciousness to convulsions. Needless to say, the extreme end of these effects is highly dangerous in a div- ing situation. A convoluted problem The risk of developing hypoglyc- Our entire pharmacopoeia emia has been the primary factor in the medical establishment hav- has its origins in nature....The ing traditionally banned Type I dia- importance of natural products betics from diving. Not only does for drug discovery cannot be a severe hypoglycemia episode endanger the diabetic, it can overestimated, because we do not potentially endanger their dive have the scientific capability to buddies as well. However, during the early 1990’s design drugs from scratch. it was gradually realized that hypoglycemia while underwater Janice E. Thompson or on the surface appeared to be much less common than what was popularly believed. Furthermore, it was realized that the diabet-

ics were diving despite the ban. emic attacks while diving. (BSAC) decided to readmit Type I Network (DAN), an international Diabetics, already frustrated by This caused a problem for the and other diabetics into the club, organization, report- the way society tends to view medical establishment. On one providing that they fulfill a set of ed that out of 550 dive-related them as walking chronic condi- hand, the doctors lacked suffi- strict medical criteria, including fatalities occurring from 1989 tions rather than human beings, cient knowledge about diabetes excellent control of their blood to 1994, seven had diabetes. which seems to be a common and diving (i.e. the effect of pres- sugar levels through insulin injec- However, whether their condi- fate for people who have some sure change on e.g. blood sugar tions. At the same time, data from tion contributed to their cause of sort of disability or other, basically absorption) to approve diabetics diabetic divers started being col- death was not clear. Furthermore, disregarded the recommendation for diving, and on the other they lected in the UK. eight of 2,400 episodes of decom- of the hyperbaric doctors. To back did not want diabetics to dive In 1996, the Undersea and pression illness involved diabetic up their case, the predicted cases without at least proper instruction Hyperbaric Medical Society divers. Both numbers were in line of hypoglycemic-induced diving in how to handle their condition. (UHMS) chaired a workshop with the expected numbers in the accidents never materialized. A Furthermore, as many diabetics focused on discussing the issue general population, and there- survey was carried out on diabetic feared being banned from diving, of diabetic divers. Researchers fore the statistics failed to show an divers, and this showed that none they kept silent about their condi- debated the evidence at hand increasing risk for diabetic divers. of these had suffered from an tion. and discussed the possibility of Furthermore, DAN carried out a YANN SAINT-YVES increased incidence of decom- loosening the ban on divers with survey in early 1996, where 164 pression illness, or more important- Early investigations insulin-dependent diabetes. At diabetic divers replied. Of the 164, ly, none suffered from hypoglyc- In 1992, the British Sub-Aqua Club the UHMS meeting, Divers Alert 129 were Type I diabetics—and

71 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PETER SYMES ANDREY BIZYUKIN had participated in over 27,000 measurements of the sugar level in dives with no major complications. their urine to calculate how much A few reported having experi- insulin they should take, modern enced symptoms of hypoglyc- equipment allows measurement emia, but none reported the loss of blood sugar directly, in as little of consciousness that caused the as 30 seconds. This has facilitated ban on diabetic divers in the first unprecedented levels of control of place. Other studies were car- blood sugar levels. ried out, and e.g. the Camp DAVI project, carried out by Dr. George The ban is loosened Burghen and Stephen Prosterman With the evidence slowly mount- in the US Virgin Islands, reported ing in favor of the diabetic divers, similar positive results in detailed several countries began lifting the studies of 32 insulin-dependent band on diabetic diving, includ- divers. ing the UK, USA, Sweden and In parallel with the new evi- Egypt. Other countries began to dence on diabetes and diving, inquire about the standards uti- doctors published the experi- the medical industries had devel- lized by these countries, including ences with diabetic divers in the About the author oped more effective insulin types Australia, Holland and Denmark. In UK since the lift of the ban. Due and delivery systems. Including fast the countries that lifted the ban on to an excellent collaboration Thea Brolund is a Type I dia- and slow-acting insulin types. While diabetic diving around this time, between divers and their physi- betic, She is a multiple-award Type I diabetics in the 1970’s used medical guidelines similar to those cians, the UK had amassed a sub- winning PhD-candidate at the used in the UK were enforced, stantial body of evidence on the School of at which ensured that only fit, well- subject, including data from 323 the University of Technology, regulated Type I diabetics would diabetic divers performing 8,760 Sydney in Australia. She is a gain dive clearance. Furthermore, divers over 11 years. In that time diver with several years of standards and guides were devel- span, two fatalities were recorded, marine biological scientific oped to assist the diabetic, out- both in non-insulin dependent fieldwork behind her. She man- lining e.g. how to ensure stable divers, and only one incident of ages her diabetes through a blood sugar levels before, during hypoglycemia underwater in an combination of insulin injections and after each dive. In general, insulin-dependent diabetic was and an AustralAsian Medical these guidelines were developed reported. The study showed that and Scientific Limited Animas in collaboration with the diabetic in the group of well-controlled dia- 1000 insulin pump (the com- divers and based in part on their betic divers, there were no serious bination is often called the experiences and solutions; e.g. problems due to hypoglycemia “un-tethered” approach, and DAN, UHMS and BSAC all have when they dived; however, the is used by many active diabet- protocols for approving diabetic study concluded that diabetics ics). divers. As of 2000, most countries suffering long-term complications Brolund was the first Danish still enforced the ban, however. of their conditions, such as heart Type I diabetic to gain permis- problems, should not dive. More sion to dive, and presented New evidence evidence accrued, and was pre- her initial experiences at the From 1997 through 1999, DAN took sented at the 2005 DAN workshop EUBS 2003 hyperbaric medi- to the field again, collecting data on diabetes and recreational div- cine conference. She fought from more than 500 dives by insu- ing. The workshop resulted in the for a year to gain the same lin-requiring divers and a similar publication of a set of standard- diving rights in Australia as in amount of control dives by divers ized guidelines for allowing diabet- Denmark, and is currently a without diabetes. There were no ics who use medication, to dive. registered diver at two different adverse effects due to diving on The guidelines consist of 19 points, Australian research institutions. the diver with diabetes—even with and include e.g. the requirements She remains actively engaged 18 hypoglycemic episodes outside about the age and fitness of the in the effort to insure diabetics of the diving. diabetic, with one of the primary the right to dive globally. ■ In 2001, a group of UK-based requirements being no hypogly- YANN SAINT-YVES 72 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ... a couple of other medical tidbits

ANDREY BIZYUKIN Scientific evidence The Deep Sea Offers Hope For Cancer Sufferers points to the fact cemic episodes, requiring inter- problem with the situations is that Bryostatin-1 is a promising anti- the life form, was hit when the vention from a third party, within that the ban on the diabetic who actually wants cancer drug that might also be colony was lost in a hurricane. the past 12 months. Additionally, to dive cannot take the risk upon effective againsts Alzheimers. Now academics are trying a the diabetic should carry extra diabetic diving himself—which is what a rock It is made from a widely-dis- different approach. They believe reserves of blood glucose with climber can do. With diabetic tributed marine invertebrate, bacteria on the creature is them during the dive. was erroneously divers willing to take the risk of div- Bugula neritina, found world- responsible for producing the ing upon themselves, and practi- wide in temperate bryostatin and The problem continues imposed tioners of other extreme sports not waters and whose are now trying To the continued frustration of dia- having this problem, it is a valid stringy brown colo- to grow it in betics, the absolute ban on divers point to ask by the divers, instruc- nies are sometimes salt water. with insulin requiring diabetes tors and practitioners alike why so mistaken for algae, If success- remains under review and coun- many countries still prevent dia- often fouls boats’ ful it is hoped try specific, although more and betics from diving. hulls. However, the that, with more countries are lifting the ban. drug only exists in the help of Strangely, the problem appears small number of the Sunderland to be not so much related to the organisms and have chemists, they question of whether Type I diabet- proven hard to will find a ics are at increased risk when div- harvest. But scien- cheaper way ing or not, but rather a question of tists at Sunderland of producing responsibility. University in the UK dicovered bryostatin in the lab and even Extreme sports, like diving and problems. This may in part have extreme sports, diving has that the bryostatin is not only harvesting it from the North Sea. rock climbing, carry with them an something to do with the fact that always been associated found in the animal, but also ■ inherent risk for the practitioner the dangers associated with rock with medical clearances in the sediment around it on and those he or she climbs or climbing are obvious and under given by doctors. This means the sea floor of the Gulf of dives with. However, tradition- the domain of common sense. The that divers have fallen under Mexico. Now the researchers Scientists Isolate Anti- ally most of these sports have dangers associated with diving— a “paternalistic medicine” are attempting to create a

NASA Malaria Compounds not required any kind of medical nitrogen pressure, ear squeezes that tells them what they synthetic version in the lab and clearance—i.e., there is none to and similar however, need to be can and cannot do. Needless to Insulin crystals believe it could also be discov- From Mussel prevent people from rock climb- taught. Despite the obvious par- say, diabetics, already plagued in ered on their own doorstep—in ing, irrespective of any health allel between diving and other this regard, have rebelled against In summary, scientific evi- the North Sea. Indian scientists have isolated two this. dence points to the fact that the Dr Lyn Noble, from compounds from mussels that have It is however too easy to blame ban on diabetic diving was erro- Sunderland, said: “It is difficult been found to have anti-malarial Information on diabetes and diving the doctors, for the problem is neously imposed, and excellent to mass-produce the drug, but activity. Malaria kills more people If you would like to know more about diabetes and diving, or if you are a complex, and related to the collaborations between diabetics, if we do manage to find a way than any other communicable dis- diabetic who would like to know a bit more about how to avoid hypoglyc- phrase “” which is medical experts and instructors to do that cheaply, the lives of eases except tuberculosis. emia while diving, the following links will provide basic information. what a medical practitioner must have helped develop good inter- literally millions of cancer and The molecules, named agree to when clearing a diver national guidelines for diabetics Alzheimer’s sufferers worldwide NIO-1 and NIO-2, have been Safe Scuba Diving With Diabetes for diving. In some countries, the who wish to dive. However, as yet could be changed.” disocvered by the scientists – by Stephen Prosterman, of the Camp DAVI project medical clearance of “fitness to many countries still in practice do It takes 14 tonnes of bugula at the National Institute of www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/article.cfm?SK=5WZ2&SID=9&SSL= dive” has achieved legal standing, not allow Type I diabetics to dive to extract an ounce of pure . Studies have n&AID=1017&page=1 and this means that the medical (e.g. Australia), and the diabe- bryostatin. Creating a synthetic shown that the two compounds practitioner takes a very real risk of tes controversy is like to continue form of bryostatin is a complex act by directly killing the malaria DAN/UHMS guidelines getting blamed in case something with diabetics (and other groups procedure, which takes 65 parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/download/SummaryGuidelines.pdf goes wrong with the cleared diver. similarly affect e.g. as reported for reaction steps as compared to rather than just causing inhibi- On the other hand, the responsi- Australia by a study from 2002) div- the five to ten processes that tion of their growth. Importantly, The YMCA diabetic protocol bility of declaring a person fit to ing illegally, and outside the ability are normally economically via- the compounds were found to www.chesapeakebaydiving.com/Documents/diabetic_protocol.pdf dive can be delegated to the of the medical establishment to ble. Synthetic bryostatin costs be non-toxic to human cells. The dive instructor. In both cases, the monitor their situation, until the day £261 per 50 micrograms or £5.2 compounds, already patented, BSAC Guidelines involved people develop a natu- that the ban is lifted in these coun- million per gram. are cheap to obtain and can be www.scuba-doc.com/endmet.html#Diabetes_and_Diving ral fear of accepting the risk. The tries. ■ Research in the U.S., including prepared in bulk without killing a £4 million sea farm to harvest the mussel. ■

73 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THE FACTS AND VIEW POINTS IN THIS SECTION ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS POINT & CLICK OF X-RAY MAG. ITEMS PRESENTED IN THIS SECTION HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED BY X-RAY MAG STAFF, NOR ARE THE ITEMS WARRANTED. INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ON BOLD LINKS CONDENSED FROM MANUFACTURERS’ DESCRIPTIONS. TEXTS ARE USUALLY EDITED FOR LENGTH, CLARITY AND STYLE. LINKS ACTIVE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION

Edited by Gunild Symes

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Anchors Away by Gleb Boat on Ladder by Vladimir Sailing Waves by Tolick Yanev I Ching by Sydnie Irby Shark by Barry Nehr Timothy of the Coral Sea by Nazarov, 12 x 15” print US$155 Boderenko, 12 x 16” print US$155 12 x 16” print US$155 12 x 16.5” print US$43 12 x 16“ print US$75 Shawn Brasfield 12 x 16” print $85 76 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ADAM BUTLER technical matters The popular appeal and perceived machismo associated with deep dives tends to lure unsuspecting novice divers to depths beyond the capacity of Leigh their equipment, knowledge, Cunningham skill, and physiology.

Depth has been an allurement since humans first ventured Do it Right into the underwater world.

Something I find We can’t help it. Depth has filmed the sunken planning and attempting depth in the art of deep, decompression been an allurement since humans vessel for Life magazine. These records, has deterred more turn, in 2006m broke diving to a maximum training surprising in the first ventured into the underwater pioneering scuba divers used com- record attempts using air as John’s record with a dive in the Red depth of 100 meters. 21st century is the world. pressed air scuba at a depth of breathing medium. Sea to 318 meters, a record set only Nonetheless, it appears that it amount of divers In 1943, soon after develop- around 75 meters for these dives. too see Pascal Bernebe go to 330 is an everyday occurrence that ment of the first modern Aqua In 1967, Hal Watts made a record Meanwhile, a better meters off Corsica, France, only a countless recreational scuba divers that have had no Lung, Frederic Dumas dived to 61.5 scuba dive to 118 understanding of helium few weeks later. exceed their sanctioned depth formal training meters breathing compressed air. meters, and in 1968, Neal Watson and decompression and the Spectacular as all these records limits—fortunately, without notable In 1947, Cousteau’s team (formed and John Gruener reached 132 physiological and psychological might be, the popular appeal and adversity—and that technical below 40 meters, in 1943) made experimental com- meters. More recently (1989), Bret effects of gases under high perceived machismo associated divers go beyond their means too. which chose to con- pressed air scuba dives to 90 Gilliam completed a series of air pressure, led a new breed of with deep dives tends to lure The main difference between the meters. A decade on, dives in excess of 90 meters with deep diving pioneers—now using unsuspecting novice divers to go to recreational diver wanting to go duct dives regularly Andrea Doria dives an unofficial record dive to 136 —to once more push depth depths beyond the capacity of their to 60 meters and the advanced beyond this depth become popular for meters, later pushing his air record limits, to set cave penetration equipment, knowledge, skill, and Trimix diver with his/her sights set on the few at the cut- to 144 meters. records and going to the edge physiology. 150 meters is the fact that you can going to 50 or 60 ting edge, in July In more recent years (1999), of their physiological, skill and be trained to dive to 60 meters, meters on air and 1956, Peter Gimbel Mark Andrews conducted a equipment capabilities—and Training! whereas, there is no sanctioned and Dumas series of deep air scuba dives in some times beyond. For four decades, training agencies training in place to qualify you to in some cases even made the first the Philippines, breaking Bret’s air have educated the general diving deeper. dive to the record with a dive to 156 meters. Pioneering public in the art of non deco diving sunken luxury In years gone past to present deep mix diving to a maximum depth of 40 meters. liner, off the time, the seductive appeal of In 1994, dived to 287 For the past two decades, coast of New being a pioneer or explorer has meters breathing Trimix in a sink technical training agencies York. Two driven individuals to the edge hole (cave) in Mexico, claiming have been set up specifically weeks later, of physiological boundaries. This the open circuit depth record. to educate and certify divers Ramsey Parks, decade, however, a growing Unfortunately, his dive partner Earl Murray, controversy and probable and renowned cave diving Bob Dill, and consequences involved with pioneer, , did not Do you want to go below return alive from this dive. Then, 40? Go back to school. In his day, Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 2000 the late There are plenty of train- did not have many options but to broke Jim’s record with a dive in ing agencies offering learn about deep diving from his the Philippines to 308 meters. In technical diving courses own experiments. You do...

77 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED technical matters The Original Worn by professional and sport divers who go beyond 100 meters. The technical staff of the cruise ship made more diver aspiring to do so is left to gain than 600 air dives to depths up to 75 demand the best. Tested down to -1.5ºC. experience and only gradually increase meters. However, none of the divers & the Best Chosen for comfort and versatility. depth in order to retain as much as the in this survey had any form of formal safety that would have at less than 100 sanctioned training in diving below 40 For more information and a meter. meters. That’s not a pretty picture of list of our retail outlets, Only made The recreational diver, on the safe diving practices as they appear for and by: other hand, can enroll in a variety of today. visit our website: sanctioned courses to gain required Why so many divers trained only to knowledge and skills to safely plan and 30 or 40 meters would regularly plan to For many conduct dives down to 40 meters—and make 60 meter dives without proper www.weezle.co.uk once they are ready and capable training when it is so readily available, divers, to go beyond that, there are several seems both illogical and is a cause for perhaps you organizations offering technical training. concern. Contact Paul or Hilary on included, the So, why not go for the training options The community of deep technical on offer, and encourage safer diving divers who have the highest level of +44 (0)1535 655380 opportunity to practices? technical training on offer is very small, or fax us on make a deep but it is not meant for everyone to go Unsafe practices there. +44 (0)1535 657356 dive (below are way too widespread In 1943, when Cousteau formed his e-mail: 40 meters) is For many divers, perhaps you included, team of divers, they had no bench the opportunity to make a deep dive marks as no training agencies existed [email protected] the highlight (below 40 meters) is the highlight of and there were no NOAA or Navy of a tropical a tropical holiday on a dive safari or studies to draw on. They had to do cruise. Since there is no mandatory their own experiments and studies, they holiday on a record keeping and reporting were forced to be pioneers with all the dive safari or requirement for recreational divers, inherent risks. accurate documentation is hard to That is not the case any more. Now cruise obtain. However, one recent study and other and better options are readily analysis of 77,680 recreational dives available. But as more divers conduct ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� made by clients on a diving cruise ship dives below 40 meters and or dives ���� ������� ���� ����� ���� ������ ������ ����� ���� ������ ������ ������ ��������� ��������� suggested that 25% of the documented requiring decompression stops without ������ �������� ���� ��������� ��� � ����������������� ��� ����� ������ ����� ����� ���� dives conducted went beyond 30 appropriate formal training, they lead ���������������� meters. Forty percent of the divers using the way—setting an unfortunate trend ����� ��������� ��� ��� ��������� ���� ������������� ��������� ���� ����������� computers in this study (accounting for more divers to follow. ���������� ��������� ���� ����������� �������� ��������� ������������� for more than 44,000 dives) admitted ���������� ���� ������������ ������� ���������� ������������� �������� to exceeding the 40-meter depth limit, Be a good role model... do the right ���������������������������� and some dived in excess of 60 meters. thing and dive safe staying within your ��� ����������� ���� ���������� ���� ��������� During this same study, the professional limits. ■ ���������������������������� ����� ��� ���� ������ ��� ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������� ���� ����������� ���� ������ ���� ������������� ������ ����� ������ ������� ���� �������� ����� �� ������ ����� ����� ���� ������ ���������������������������������������� ������������ Do it right it Do �������������� ��������������������������

78 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED NEW Tsubute by R.J. Archer media PAPERBACK: 248 pages Dive Zero DVD PUBLISHER: NWIDI Press (2006) Books Film DVDs CDs ISSUE #1: US$15.95. NTSC format. ISBN: 0977910911 Edited by Peter Symes FREE shipping worldwide. Seeds of Civilization presents another & Gunild Pak Symes ISSUE #2: MySpace members can adventure novel with a Sci-Fi twist to it now receive $2.00 off the purchase by R.J. Archer. Each book in this series POINT & CLICK of a Dive Zero Issue #2 DVD, valid explores a different ancient mystery ON BOLD LINKS from now until Dec 25. Just email your in a search to find the lost civilizations MySpace account and join the Dive of old—and perhaps the origins of the Zero MySpace group before you pur- human race. This time, four friends go on chase the DVD. a trip to southern Japan to investigate the mysterious underwater pyramid off Dive Zero DVD Issue #1 is the premiere the coast of Yonaguni Island. The story DVD filmed in High Definition. Includes involves a case of murder and internation- eight sections: 1) A Day In The Life: al kidnapping. With a dramatic landing in Justin Bongers, Underwater Videogra- the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, the maiden pher, Grand Cayman; 2) Spot Check: voyage of the team’s newly acquired Learjet begins Pavilion Lake, BC—one out of only three freshwater coral lakes in the and, after a run-in with Japanese agents from the Department of FOR KIDS! world; 3) Tricks and Tips from the pros: Setting up gear, mask recover and Justice in Tokyo, the team starts to think they should never have left replacement, mask flood, how to blow those awesome bubble rings and home. But a Japanese-American exchange student befriends them Dolphin do the frog kick; 4) Hot Spot: Diving the Kettle River rapids in BC—lots when they reach Yonaguni, and helps familiarize them with the small of fish, cliff jumping and ; 5) Mixed Tape: The Wreck Spe- island of 1,200 people—as well as the dark secret hidden there. An Journey cialty—diving the Doc Polson in Grand Cayman with Ryan Lohr. Facts ancient Ninja throwing object called a tsubute discovered outside the by Erin Anne Pyne on how, why and where the specialty is a must; 6) Danger NWIDI headquarters in Seattle reappears on Yonaguni. This leads the AGES: 9-12 Zone: Wakefest 2006, Wakeboarding and Freestyle Motocross montage; team to a shocking discovery about the true nature of Yonaguni island PAPERBACK: 132 pages 7) Tune Up: Gear review by the pros—bcd’s, regulators, dive watches and its indigenous people. www.amazon.com PUBLISHER: iUniverse, Inc. and the recently popular shoes with holes enough to shame Swiss (March 16, 2004) cheese; 8) Paradise: Two weeks in Grand Cayman—best activities, ISBN: 0595314066 night life, sports and best dive spots—includes extra footage from a year filming in Grand Cayman. Funny bonus section ends it A tale for kids that let all. Also available, One Year American Subscription, Issues book plus Beneath them dive beneath the waves on a Dolphin Journey to #1-4, PRICE: US$49.00; Candadian PRICE: US$39.00; dvd! experience an adventure through the young dolphin International PRICE: US$59.00. North SulaweSea Serena’s eyes. Separated from her nursery by a storm, www.divezero.com Book and DVD by Michael Aw Serena embarks on an adventure of danger and HARDCOVER: 138 pages wonder with her three young friends alone in the big PUBLISHER/PRODUCER: blue sea without adults to help guide them back OceanNEnvironmet Ltd Australia home. They fend off fishing nets called Tanglers Limited Edition DVD/book set priced: and make up an Epic song so no other dolphins USS Oriskany DVD US$68.00 / AU$90.00 will get caught in them again. As they travel PRODUCER: ClearVis Productions Journey with award-winning underwater around Australia, Japan and east to Hawaii, DISTRIBUTOR: International Training, Inc. photographer, Michael Aw, to underwater volcanoes, gently brushing the friends fight sharks and other dolphins RELEASE DATE: end of 2006 past giant sea fans and diving into the middle of giant schools of barra- and near starvation. They meet all kinds of USS Oriskany CVA34 – Status Report 06.19.06... With a title like this, it’s cuda and trevally. This is underwater Sulawesi as only Michael Aw can humans good and bad along a journey gotta be good! This new DVD released by ClearVis Productionsfeatures capture it. The region is the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth. which tests the friends’ loyalty to each the biggest vessel ever to be intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. No less than 698 still images and video scenes artistically woven into other. Just when Serena thinks all the At 910 feet or 277 meters, the ship rests at a depth of 67m making it one of an unique presentation makes up the moving pictures DVD edition, all dangers are behind her, there is the the best advanced and technical dives in the world. The high resolution accompanied by an original sound score created by award-winning greatest peril yet to come! video offers 75 minutes of footage including the actual sinking of the craft, composer Eric Bettens. Part of the proceeds from this production goes www.amazon.com dive footage in the nager space at a depth of 52m and the U.S. Navy’s ani- to OceanNEnvironment’s SOS funds to support research and conser- mations of the sink plan. There is no narration, but a sound score accompanies vation projects in the Indo-Pacific. The imagery from this production is text-based information stills covering important details. Also available are sellected photographed entirely from the North Sulawesi peninsula including Bu- video clips and out-takes, preparation and archival photos. Free DVD available for naken Marine Park, Banka, Sangie, Ruang, Siau and the Lembeh Strait. dive shops. To order, contact: [email protected] www.michaelaw.com

79 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED EDWIN MARCOW shark tales Medical Check Up for Ralph the Whale Shark Sharks Make a Meal of It! Ralph, one of two male whale Hormone levels were checked, The recent death of a young sharks housed at Georgia’s too, to ensure Ralph was growing humpback whale in the Aquarium had a medical into a healthy adult. Ralph and his waters of Holualoa Bay on check up! With 600 gallons of buddy first came to the aquarium the Kona coast Hawaii and anaesthetic, 50 staff, and a in 2005 from Taiwan and were subsequent feeding by sharks, team of 20 divers used nets to soon joined by a pair of female has prompted local officials guide the 22-foot shark into whale sharks, Trixie and Alice, in at the Department of Land Edited by a giant stretcher, which hung June of this year 2006. and Natural Resources to Edwin Marcow from a gantry. Ralph was sub- Could love be blossoming use caution in these waters. jected to two hours of medical beneath the waves between the The whale’s carcass and the examinations including blood boys and girls? ■ sharks had drifted within 125 and DNA tests. yards of the shoreline before being towed out to sea. This

EDWIN MARCOW type of incident has also been documented in South Africa a number of times most famous- Super Size Me! Kissing ly, or infamously, when Chris Fallows jumped onto the body - The MV Islander has Sharks of a large whale carcass, reported back from a recent trip Dave Marcel, and with camera in hand, to Isla Guadalupe that they have a dive instruc- took images of Great White entered into the time of ‘The of tor who works at sharks tearing off large pieces Titans”. Luke Tipple, Dive Operations Capt Slate’s Atlantis of whale meat and blubber Manager, reported two 17-foot female Dive Centre in Key Largo before getting back into his Great White sharks most likely weigh- Florida, went in for a kiss boat. ■ ing in at a staggering 2,500 pounds per and got more than he bar- shark. Of course, all the crew at Shark gained for. The dive centre Diver were thrilled with these new arriv- was in the middle of their als. CEO Patric Douglas stated, “We’ve weekly Creature Feature

been documenting the arrival of much were you get to see Dave UNDERSEA EXPLORER larger sharks in late October and early feed and play with Goliath

November each season, just around grouper, Moray eels, and Nurse sharks. NOAA Halloween each year.” Picking up a juvenile Nurse shark, Dave This begs a question from the other turned it up side down and gave it a kiss. This is up to four times aboard, their fins are with tighter regulation, side of the world. In Australia, Michael A decision that left him requiring hours of Fished Out more than were the removed and the shark some fishing industries Brown has a theory: As sea tempera- reconstructive surgery as the small shark accepted numbers stat- is then tossed back into are turning to sharks as tures rise globally, will the number sank it’s hundreds of minute teeth into his For Fin ed—no doubt on the rise the ocean to die a slow an alternative catch. of shark scares rise expositionally? top lip lacerating the soft flesh! due to the demand for and painful death from Depressingly, some think There has been a rise in shark alarms “You kind of pick them up, rub their shark fin soup! either suffocation or they this number could be in Australia from 124 in 2004 to 171 belly, scratch them and hug them during Soup Dr Shelley Clarke of become prey for other higher. This is because in 2005 for the last financial year. It the Creature Feature,” said Marcel. “You It has been reported to the Imperial College stated, sharks. Species most at many fish are caught has been documented that baitfish might as well give them a smooch while United Nations Food and “Our findings confirm that risk are the blue shark, by unregulated fisheries are swimming even closer to Sydney you’re out there.” Agriculture Organization a far larger number of hammerheads and silky that do not report their

beaches, closely fol- Though Marcel has done this hun- WWW.CHINESEFOODDIY.COM that between 26 and 73 sharks are being caught sharks. catches. ■ lowed by the sharks. As sea tempera- dreds of times before, he picked the million sharks, weighing up every year than current The World Conservation If this is linked to rising wrong girl to kiss this time. When I to 2.29 million tonnes, are databases indicate. The Union has stated that sea temperatures, one tures rise globally was about 13, I had a prized sticker killed for their fins each fin trade is continuing 65 out of the 373 known day could we have will the number that read, ”Be kind to animals kiss year. These fins are then to expand and thus the shark species are cur- gigantic Great White of shark scares rise a shark!” Maybe Marcel kissed one made into shark fin soup pressure on shark popula- rently threatened largely Bits sharks visiting the too many. ■ that costs up to $100 per tions is constantly increas- due to the trade in shark shore of Mexico and expositionally? bowl in Chinese restau- ing.” In this barbaric fin- fins, and with fish popula- California? ■ rants. ing, live sharks are hauled tions in decline coupled & Bites 80 X-RAY MAG : 13 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED JASON ISLEY/SCUBAZOO.COM S.Enderby filming a Californian sea lion dur- ing Monty Hall’s Great Photo & Ocean Adventure II, La Videography Paz, Mexico.

Edited by Daniel Beecham & Jason Heller —ScubaZoo making a living out of a dream By Daniel Beecham

Many people dream of ever make this dream a made a name for them- one day making a liv- reality. There have been selves through under- ing out of underwater only a handful of under- water imaging. One photography or vid- water cameramen or group that has, goes by eography, few people film crews who have the name: Scubazoo…

SIMON ENDERBY/SCUBAZOO.COM

◄ The full Scubazoo team, Octopus in Canada, Great White September 2006 Sharks in Guadeloupe and the great Sardine Run in South Africa, days a year, allowing them to see the Scubazoo crew have been creatures and behaviour that has there, done that and made the rarely, and in some cases, never T-Shirt! been filmed before. This has made their library an invaluable resource Saving the Seas to supply producers, publishers, What make’s the Scubazoo team

MATTHEW OLDFIELD/SCUBAZOO.COM and researchers with underwater so special is that much of their material that makes potential pro- work rotates around a strong con- For years now the Scubazoo ductions a reality. servational message; they strive to team have dedicated their lives Scubazoo is also heavily create a higher level of awareness to documenting the underwater involved in work with various pro- of the earth’s marine environment, world through moving and still duction companies including and the importance and need images. In a relatively short time, National Geographic, Discovery, for its conservation and preserva- they’ve amassed an extensive Animal Planet, BBC, IMAX and ITV, tion for the future. This only comes library of underwater footage and contributing to various projects through each individual team still images. Because their main ranging from television commer- member’s love and appreciation base is located in South East Asia, cials to conservation projects, for the marine world. one of the planet’s most biologi- promotional productions and Scubazoo are currently pro- cally diverse area’s, their camera- exploratory research assignments. ducing their own unique genre men can be in the water 365 Few film crews have filmed such of underwater documentaries. numerous subjects in such a wide With their stunning images, they Matthew Oldfield in the cage variety of locations. From Saltwater hope to be able to tell ‘The Whole during Killer Shark Live/CH5, Crocodiles in Malaysia, to Giant Story’ of the underwater world. Guadalupe, Mexico 81 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED JASON ISLEY/SCUBAZOO.COM S.Enderby filming a mola mola ScubaZoo during Monty Hall’s Great Ocean Adventure II - Bali, Indonesia Jason Isley & Simon Enderby filming salt- water crocodile for Jeff Corwin series, Animal Planet. Sabah, Malaysia MATTHEW OLDFIELD/SCUBAZOO.COM ROGER MUNNS/SCUBAZOO.COM

Whilst documenting the ocean’s fascinating and complex web of work under their weight belts, life, Scubazoo’s stories will always its more than likely you’ve seen aim to have a strong conservation Scubazoo’s footage at one time message. Continuing the conser- or another. Some of their recent vation theme, Scubazoo recently credits include ‘Smart Sharks released their coffee table book, – Roboshark’, ‘The Really Wild Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai – Sabah’s Show’, ‘Killer Shark - Live’, and Underwater Treasure, a publica- ‘Great Ocean Adventures’ with tion detailing the rich marine envi- . ronments found in and around The continued success of the these islands, and the threats they Scubazoo team should act as now face. inspiration to budding ‘would- With such a wide variety of be’ cameramen. Many individu-

S.Enderby filming green turtle, als strive to achieve the status of Sipadan, Malaysia professional underwater image maker, but become disillusioned by the industry and the chal- lenges it faces. Let Scubazoo set an example, that there still exists R.Munns, S.Enderby opportunities in the industry, whilst and J.Isley having a also being able to make a positive quick briefing with the difference to the oceans that we director in between all love so much. ■ dives. Killer Shark Live/ CH5, Guadalupe, Mexico JASON ISLEY/SCUBAZOO.COM 82 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Photo & Sea & Sea DX-D80 Underwater Housing Videography for the Nikon D80 Sea& unveiled their new DX-D80 housing for the Nikon D80 digital SLR camera. It sports some mighty bells and whistles. The com- pact housing of this new model, which has an underwatershutter lever that features a leak sensor, makes it easy for divers to hold the camera while submerged. The front case, which is made of alu- minum alloy, is corrosion-resistant. The rear case is made of polycarbonate and the grip is aluminum die-cast. The housing weighs 2.7 kilograms. Price: JPY 220,000 or approximately US $1,850

Fantasea Line FS-5 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S-5 & S-8 Digital Cameras

Designed for the ultra-slim Nikon Coolpix S-5 and S-8 digital cameras, the FS-5 housing is included in Fantasea’s new generation of fully functional Coolpix housings. Access all essential control functions with this housing, NEW Nexus: Fiber Optic which is ideal for outdoor and underwater Sync Ports and 45° Viewfinder photographers who want automatic expo- sure features for getting fast action shots eas- What’s next at Nexus? Fiber Optic Sync with TTL to the ily and creatively. Compact design allows for Nikon D80, D200 and Canon 5D. A Pop-up flash on top easy handling and accurate access to cam- of the camera is used to trigger the external strobe via era functions via critical placement of push- a fiber optic cable. Sea & Sea and Inon strobes will button controls. Protects Coolpix cameras have this option. Dual fiber optic ports are now availa- from dust, water, sand and other damaging ble as well as the Inon 45-degree viewfinder by special elements. Built in Flash Diffuser and an anti- order. Benefits of this finder includes an increase in the glare hood over the LCD screen. Additional image coverage and enlargement enough to see fine features include: Zoom, Macro, Flash, White focus as well as all the internal data display of camera Balance, Exposure, Mode, Menu, information in the camera’s finder. When in a verti- Review, Delete, Video/Still Image Control cal framing position, the Inon finder can also rotate to switch. Maximum work depth: 130 feet/40 enhance viewing. Regulator exhaust bubbles in front of meters. Complementary Accessory Systems your mask are no longer a bother with the 45-degree allow users the possibility to further enhance angle of the finder and low-angle photography of their imaging capability. Price: $200.00. Flood critters on the sea bed or under low ledges becomes a Insurance available through Fantasea gives breeze. Can be custom-fitted to the Nexus Nikon D200, underwater photographers peace of mind. D2x ,D80, Canon 5D and 1Ds Mark2 housings.

83 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photographynews

Beast of the Sediment by Göran Ehlmé of Sweden took this winning shot of a walrus feeding on clams taken off northeast Greenland. The image of the magnificent animal captured the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Overall Winner award for Ehlmé in 2006 whose picture was voted as being the most memorable and striking of all the competition’s entries. NOTES: Nikon D2x with 12-24mm lens; 1/50 sec at f4; 400 ISO; Seacam housing with wide-angle port

X-Ray Mag Contributors Photojournalism Making Waves by Andy Steel And the award goes to... The Great Mimic by Michael Aw HARDBACK: 176 Pages PUBLISHER: Rotovision 2006 has been a good year for 2007. The exhibition is now in its 42nd its usual brown and white stripes. It is a DATE: October 2006 Michael Aw named the Shell Wildlife year and showcases the commended very intelligent animal and can figure CO-EDITIONS: Dutch, USA, Italian, Photographer of the Year in underwa- and winning images from the largest out which dangerous marine animal to Russian, Estonian, Hungarian ter photography and capturing the wildlife photography competition in the imitate to ward off any predator. Re- ISBN: 2-940378-05-3 Best Picture Award at the BBC Natural world, attracting over 18,000 photo- cently discovered in 1998, the octopus PRICE: GB£25.00 / US$34.95 History Museum. graphs from 55 countries in 2006. has a repetoire of hunting and hiding Aw’s remarkable image of the mimic The image of the octopus was taken disguises including hermit crab, sand X-RAY MAG’s own Shark and Adventure editor, octopus, famous for being a brilliant while Aw was diving off Banka Island, anemone, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, cri- Edwin Marcow, has been published in a new book, Photojournalism: The World’s Top master of disguise, has won the Sydney- Indonesia. He saw what he thought was noids, blennies, lionfish and jawfish. Photographers and the Stories Behind the Greatest Images by Andy Steel and pub- based photographer the underwater a strange-looking eel moving along Aw is a big fan of octopus and says lished by Rotovision. This awe-inspiring book showcases the very best photographs of category in the prestigious Wildlife the sea bed. He followed it as it hunted he has given up eating them a long images that define our era from around the world. It is thought provoking and offers Photographer of the Year 2006 com- for prey in the sand and watched the time ago. a compelling record of some of the critical moments in recent world history. While the petition. Michael’s stunning image was animal shift in shape mimicing various PHOTOGRAPH NOTES: Nikon D2X with images speak for themselves, the photojournalists who work so hard to capture these featured with 91 other amazing images sea creatures such as sole, ray and 12-24mm lens; 1/100 sec at f14; 160 images often go unnoticed. This book honors the portfolios of the world’s leading pho- in the Wildlife Photographer of the even sea snake. What he was actu- ISO; Seacam housing, single S200 Ikelite tojournalists, celebrating their work which ranges from gritty to beautiful and provac- Year 2006 exhibition at the Australian ally following was the Indo-Malayan strobe. For more information, please tive to shocking. Includes insightful interviews with the photographers, unmasking the Museum from 9 December to 18 March mimic octopus seen in the shot wearing visit: www.michaelaw.com ■ stories behind each photo and the human tales behind them. www.rotovision.com

84 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Solomons THE SPIRIT OF MOROVO Text by Jeanne Liebetrau and photos by Peter Pinnock 85 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

LEFT TO RIGHT: Swirling barracuda frame a lone diver; Red coral branches out in spectacular colour; Big eye jacks school over the reef; Batfish sports racey stripes that serve as camouflage to confuse predators

A dark cloud developed The shape and direction of the shoal canoes) stopped at Mary Island to pre- ahead of me. Curious, I swam changed in perpetual motion as the pare for battle. Today, both lay claim front runners dropped back into the to ownership yet it remains unoccupied nearer to investigate. The folds and others took over. Barracuda and inaccessible unless one boards the cloud billowed getting big- eyes stared through me as they moved Bilikiki. ger and darker. Inside flashes around me, always keeping their dis- The Bilikiki moors at Mary Island for of silver struck like a highveld tance. Suddenly, I was in the middle an exhilarating day of unlimited div- of a whirlpool of barracuda—totally ing. In the early morning, the barra- thunderstorm. The cloud undu- surrounded by a wall of predators. As cuda are thick and close to the reef. lated with tumultuous move- a few broke away and headed into As the day progresses, the main shoal ment. It was massive. As it deeper water the mass shifted spread- moves further out to sea. Throughout twisted towards me I made ing out endlessly into the distance. This the day small groups of a few hundred phenomenal spectacle was unfold- barracuda are sent to scout the reef out the characteristic shape ing before my eyes on Mary Island, briefly, before rejoining the main shoal. of barracudas—the long sleek Solomons. Meanwhile, huge congregations of big- body, dark chevron markings Approximately 992 islands make eye jacks stream continuously over the up the Solomon Islands to form the reef. and the mean looking straight third largest archipelago in the Pacific Midday, the jacks are sparkling sil- jaw line. Thousands and thou- Ocean. Mary Island is only one such ver but as late afternoon approaches sands of barracuda were island situated midway between the courtship begins bringing colour swimming together in tight syn- larger Russell and New Georgia Island changes from silver to black. Jacks groups. When the Solomon islanders pair off performing intimate displays as chronized formation. were still headhunters, tumoko (war they search for the ideal mate. Lurking

86 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

in amongst the shoal are Napoleon wrasses and trumpetfish while herbivores such as surgeonfish and fusiliers sweep behind the shoal feasting on the abundance of faeces. By late afternoon, the main shoal of barracuda return to perform a few final spectacular pir- ouettes before scattering into darkness to hunt. That night, while I was reliving this unbelievable experience, the Bilikiki steamed on to Marovo lagoon—a green dot on the western horizon. Since 1987, Marovo lagoon has been proposed as a World Heritage site. Approximately 157kms long, it is perhaps the largest lagoon in the world. Marovo has two inactive volcanoes and over 300 islands, sand cays and mangrove islets. Only 20 of these are inhabited by 50 odd villages. Diving here exemplifies the diversity Solomons has to offer. Wall dives on the outside reefs can drop off to 2000m, channel dives on an incoming current yield rich pelagic sea life, whilst reef dives range from hard coral cities to soft coral

LEFT TO RIGHT: Sponge and feather star; close up reveals a goby with big eyes; masters of camouflage did not escape this photographer’s lens 87 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Goby rests on hard coral; Longnose Hawkfish; Mug shot of cuttlefish

gardens. Living inside the crinoids is yet anoth- clingfish and shrimps as well. This was Most dives in Morovo are done on er ecosystem. Crinoid clingfish may certainly communal living. the outside reefs in crystal clear warm occupy the very heart of the crinoid. Ending dives in the shallows of Marovo water. The most striking feature of the By assuming the exact colouration as Lagoon is always rewarding. The hard walls is the huge gorgonian fans. The their host, they have attained a perfect corals are prolific with yellow damsels fans jut out perpendicular to the reef camouflage. Pairs of clingfish in grey, and purple goldies zooming in and out as they face into the predominant cur- black, brown and even brilliant yellow of the coral structures. Trumpet fish swim rent. The fans’ labyrinths support a living are found. The crinoid’s numerous arms vertically amongst whip coral bushes try- community. In a spectrum of colours, often host Periclimenes shrimp couples. ing not to be noticed. The sand patches crinoids and featherstars dwell on the Again, cryptic colouring makes these in between the corals are a haven for outer rims while damsels rest in the pro- critters difficult to see. I must have scru- shrimp and shrimp goby combos. The tection of the large fronds. Exquisitely tinized a dozen crinoids before I found common goby found in Solomons is the beautiful longnose hawkfish take home a decent sized elegant squat lobster Steinitz goby but the delightful Twinspot ownership, seldom venturing far from the hiding amongst the cirri (feet). Even or Crab goby are sometimes seen in protection of their sanctuary. Yet, even though the female is much larger than pairs. When the Twinspot erects the two smaller, semi-transparent gobies regard the male, the squat lobsters only reach dorsal fins, two perfectly deceiving eyes the main stems as raceway tracks as a maximum of 2cm. Imagine my surprise are exposed—enough to mislead any they too search for food. when I realized this crinoid hosted both would be predator. These little gobies

88 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

use their pectoral fins like a hovercraft ing for those not wishing to do five as they hover and hop across the sand dives a day on a liveaboard. The resort to their holes. has spacious bungalows boasting pan- oramic tropical island palm tree and Uepi Island white beach views in an amalgama- Uepi Island Resort is located on one tion of rainforest and coconut planta- of the barrier islands at the edge of tion. The island is 2.5kms long with the Marovo Lagoon. It offers excellent div- vast lagoon on the one side and New Georgia Sound (the slot) on the other side. This was the route Japanese ships dashed under the cover of darkness to replenish their troops on the islands during the war. Resort operators Grant where in the Pacific. This newly identi- and Jill Kelly have dived the area for fied species (Hippocampus denise) is 22 years and still join guests on dives extremely challenging to find. Even as they proudly show off their favour- more frustrating is finding one only to ite reefs and critters. Jill speaks fondly watch as it uncurls its tail and swims of pygmy seahorses. She recently vid- further away on the fan. Worse still, it eoed a pregnant male for 20 consecu- ducks through the latticework and you tive days documenting the progress are left looking at a fan with a bobble of his tummy. The pygmy seahorses of where the tail was. At Uepi, we were Morovo are different in colouring and lucky to have Jill show us a fan with no even smaller than those seen else- less than 18 pygmies, one being a large (in pygmy terms) pregnant male at no LEFT & INSET: House reef provides hours of great snorkling and diving. ABOVE: A rare find, bigger than 1cm. a pregnant Pygmy Seahorse. INSET: Underwater caverns make for interesting exploration 89 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Sharks disperse a school of fish; Clownfish peeks out of anemone; Underwater caves provide opportunities to explore; Local children learn to paddle a wooden dugout early in life; Curious villagers and their children greet the crew of the Bilikiki

The main house of the resort overlooks teed sighting, whether diving or . Charapoana Passage, a channel link- On an incoming tide, the opposite side ing the lagoon with the open ocean. of Charapoana Passage offers great div- The house reef stretches on one side of ing. Starting on the outside wall, the soft this passage from Welcome Jetty to Uepi corals bloom in the current; goldies flit in Point. Blacktip and grey reef sharks are amongst the multitude of fans, whips and habituated at the jetty ensuring a guaran- ferns; a plethora of colourful reef fish go about their daily business; schools of fusiliers swarm in the current while sharks patrol the entrance of the channel. As the current rounds the point and heads up the channel so the other hand, is completely different. A too do the pelag- scenic boat trip from Uepi resort passes ics—trevally, dog- perfect tropical islands, villages and coco- tooth tuna, mack- nut plantations. On route, one is conscious erel, rays and the of being continually surrounded by islands. sharks. The boat negotiates a serene narrow canal to enter the shallow waters of a Babata Passage river lined with mangrove thickets. At the Babata Passage, on end of the river, the boat is tethered to an

90 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

overhanging tree. Incongruously, the shallow river becomes a sinkhole 28m deep. From the sinkhole, divers enter a large cavern, which empties into a vast canyon before spilling into the ocean. The return trip from Babata Passage passes Seghe air- field. About 50m from the edge of the runway is the wreck of a Lightning P38 plane that didn’t make it home. Laying in only 9m of water, it is still in good condition with wings and twin tails intact. The P38 was armed with one 20mm cannon and four 0.50-in machine guns. The rounds of artillery shells packed into the nose of the plane are clearly visible. The Solomon Islands has been in the news because of political tension. The ten- sion, which was restricted to the capital, has been resolved and RAMSI officials (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) are helping rebuild the country. Villagers welcome guests to share their simple lifestyle. It’s not uncommon for the entire village to be present for visits, the children hav- ing the most fun. From an early age, children learn to CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Diver inspects the delicate architecture of paddle a wooden dugout. a sea fan; schooling barracuda; a tornado of fish; clever camouflage of this twin-spot goby confuses predators; local children greet visitors 91 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

ABOVE: Remnants of a Japanese supply ship rests on the sea floor; The propellar of a Japanese warplane; Lionfish love wrecks

water spirits, guide the craft and protect The Japanese were soon detected by the the warriors. If the carved Nguzunguzo rests Allied and at least three of their supply its chin on clenched fists then its represents ships were torpedoed whilst at anchor. These war. It’s quite a procedure to purchase wrecks rest upright in 30m of silty water. Lion- carvings. Money is of no great importance fish love wrecks and these are no exception. as the nearest shop may be two days pad- Glassies, their prime source of food, nerv- Whenever the Bilikiki lay at anchor, children dling away. Bartering for clothes, batteries, ously congregate around the black coral from nearby islands would paddle out to fishing and diving gear holds far greater bushes. It is easy to penetrate the large holds greet the divers and trade fruit and vegeta- value. The carver takes one aside to begin where artillery shells, mortars, drums and bles with the crew. the negotiation. Everything is hush-hush. A cables are lying around. Two wrecks can be While most island life revolves around fish- first price is given. The buyer then spends dived in one day but due to proximity not on ing and gardening, in Morovo its woodcarv- the better part of an hour haggling and the same dive. ing that is the income generator. The rare attempting to bring the price down. Ebony, Queen Ebony, Kerosene, Rosewood Mangroves and Coconut wood are hand carved and War relics When tired of diving walls, caves and wrecks intricately inlaid with nautilus shell. The most During WW2, the Japanese occupied there are still the mangroves to explore. Col- popular carving is that of Nguzunguzu, a Marovo. The lagoon was the ideal place to onizing the shallows they host an assortment spirit figurehead traditionally positioned on hide ships among the hundreds of islands of unusual sea life. The archerfish is one such the prow of the tomoko to ward off evil and a harbour was established at Wickham. fascinating critter. The archer fish squirts a jet

92 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED adventure Solomons

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT INSET: Damselfish shelters in a coconut; Super visibility in the lush house reef; Diver looks through lacy fronds of a fan coral. INSET: Squat Lobster

and shrimps, but it’s the rich colours of DAY TIME TEMPERATURE: 28–32°C the clownfish that grab ones attention. WATER TEMPERATURE: 28-30°C Solomon Islands have no less than seven LANGUAGE: English and Pidgin English different species of anemone fish. VISAS: Onward ticket required and visa The Solomon Islands are often referred CURRENCY: Solomon Dollar to as ‘islands lost in time’. Visiting Morovo Travel contact for Bilikiki Cruises and Lagoon, one certainly understands why. Uepi Island Resort: www.bilikiki.com or But it is this untouched remoteness that www.uepi.com adds appeal to divers. There is so much Peter Pinnock has been photograph- to see in Morovo Lagoon, so much unex- ing the ocean realm for over 20 years. His plored and unspoilt. Yet, I will always award-winning images have appeared of water at flying insects like a missile and remember the warmth of the Solomon in numerous magazines and glossy cof- then feasts on the crash victims. A variety Islanders as they shared their ocean fee table books. Peter lives in Durban, of crustaceans, clams, nudibranchs, tube realm with me. South Africa where he dreams of exotic worms and starfish all inhabit the nutri- locations, clear water and has easy ent rich waters. Anenomes find even the Info access to the best diving in Southern smallest rock on which to grow. Hiding LOCATION: NE off Australia 5-12 degrees Africa.For more underwater images and under their folds are live porcelain crabs south of equator stories visit PeterPinnock.com ■

93 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED New Zealand Dive Experiences Bottom Bunch Dive Club, San Diego, US Danish dive shop & online store Dive Operators AMERICAS Dive Operators RED SEA Expand your diving and underwater Promoting safe diving and having fun www.dykcen.dk At the Water’s Edge, MA, USA Emperor Divers, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt photography horizons in Kiwi country www.bottombunchdiveclub.com Diveshoppen, Denmark When you just gotta dive! Your Red Sea dive specialists www.nzdivexperiences.com British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), UK In the heart of Copenhagen www.lovetodive.com www.emperordivers.com Ningaloo Reef Dive, Western Australia Where began... www.diveshoppen.dk Captain Slate’s Atlantis Nemo Divers, Eliat, Israel Preferred operators on the West Coast www.bsac.co.uk LondonDivingNet —The best place in For the very best diving in the Florida Red Sea’s best little dive center www.ningalooreefdive.com.au Dansk Sportsdykker Forbund, Denmark London to learn to dive Keys www.captianslate.com www.nemodivers.co.il Perth Diving, Australia —Western Aus- 7500 members in 152 clubs in Denmark www.londondiving.net Tiedeman’s Diving Center, NY, USA tralia’s premier diving organisation www.sportsdykning.dk Ocean Dive Explorers, Denmark Long Island’s Premier Scuba Ed Facility www.perthdiving.com.au Los Angeles Underwater Photographic TDI/SDI Scandinavia Dive Operators AFRICA Business www.tdconline.com Society, USA www.laups.org www.oceandive.dk Tuneffe Island Lodge Dive Solutions, South Africa —Diving Northumbria Sub Aqua Club, UK SuperDive.dk —Copenhagen Directory A private Caribbean Island Mozambique, tech & rec dive educ Dive training and trips dive center, tours and trips www.tuneffelodge.com www.divesolutions.co.za Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard, USA www.divenorthumbria.co.uk PADI, NAUI and NAUI Tech Dive Center, Honduras Diving Mantas to Icebergs Saddleworth Sub-Aqua Club, UK NAUI representative in Denmark Welcome to the Whaleshark experts www.nautilusexplorer.com Based in the Pannine hills of Lancashire www.superdive.dk www.utiladivecenter.com Dive Operators ASIA Ocean Rover —Cruises in Thailand, www.saddleworth-subaqua.co.uk Simply Scuba, UK & International Utopia Village —Coming 2007: Dive, Bali International Diving Professionals Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia Southern Division Diving Club One-stop online dive shop Fish, Relax in Utila, Honduras. Opening Specialists in Macro to Pelagic Sights www.oceanrover.com Netherlands: Dive with us, you can’t www.simplyscuba.com specials sign up www.utopiautila.com bidp-balidiving.com SMY Ondina —Dive Indonesia sink lower! www.sd-diving.nl Thyges Dykkercenter, Denmark —IAHD Big Bubble Center, Singapore www.smyondina.com Tufts University Scuba Club, MA, USA 5 star PADI instructor development ctr Taking the mystery out of scuba diving www.thebestdivingintheworld.co New adventures, new buddies www.thygedive.dk Dive Operators EUROPE www.bigbubble.com Star Dancer Liveaboard, Australia www.ase.tufts.edu/scuba Dive Academy Gran Canary Island Delphis Diving, Maldives Peter Huges Diving Adventures Underwater BC Photography Society Dive Travel Agents Europe’s most southern dive center Since 1982. Safe, personal & organised www.peterhughes.com Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada To order a directory listing: www.diveacademy-grancanaria.com www.delphis.com.mv www.ubcps.bc.ca AquaTours UK Diving World, Netherlands Lumbalumba Diving - Manado SCUBA & UWP Clubs Aquatours specialise in Scuba Diving Call or email to reserve space Dive travel specialists Small, cosy and personalized dive Dive Shops holidays world-wide. 30 days before publication. Text www.divingworld.nl resort in Marine Park Aalesunds Sportsdykkerclub, Norway www.aquatours.com due 15 days before publication Dykkercenter Langeland, Denmark www.lumbalumbadiving.com På Voldsdalsberga ved Borgundfjorden Blue o Two Operating since 2001, blue date. Send link and text info to: Cabins & Wreck diving in Denmark Sipadan Water Village Resort, Sabah www.aasdk.no Carlsens Dykkercenter, Denmark o two offers tailor-made diving holiday [email protected] www.dykkercenterlangeland.dk Luxurious diving resort in Borneo Ajax Scuba Club, Ontario, Canada Education, Equipment & Service packages to THAILAND, RED SEA, USVI Eden Roc Amigos Del Mar www.swvresort.com Serving Durham Ontario since 1975 www.cdcdyk.dk and MALTA. www.blueotwo.com €195 PER YEAR: Costa Brava Irish owned, reef, wrecks, Tioman Scuba —Finest diving at the www.ajaxscubaclub.on.ca Deep Six Underwater Systems, USA Dive Discovery, Houston, TX, USA Six serial text listings (60 x 15 mm, caves, Clubs & individuals welcome best price in Peninsula Malaysia Alberta Underwater Council, Canada New Paltz, NY —We ship worldwide Complete dive & adventure travel 3 lines x 30 characters per line www.eden-roc-dive.com www.tiomanscuba.com & eco-awareness www.deep-six.com www.divediscovery.com incl. spaces). Must be prepaid Media-Sub, Erstein, France —Underwa- Ocean Adventures —Philippines ws.albertaunderwatercouncil.com Divers Supply, USA —Shop us for the US Dive Travel Network, USA with credit card through PayPal. ter video and photography equipment Welcome to the world of wonder Barnacle Busters Scuba Club, USA best prices, equipment and service! Not just a vacation, an adventure! com and text received no later and service www.mediasub.com www.oceanadventure.com.ph Los Angeles/Long Beach (Gay/Lesbian) www.diverssupplyusa.com www.usdivetravel.com than 15 days before publica- Profondo Blu, Ustica Swanido, Biak, Indonesia Discover the www.barnaclebusters.org Dykkercentret, Denmark tion. An underwater paradise in the Med Hidden Treasures in Cenderawasih Bay www.ustica-diving.it www.swanido.com Wet & Weird FORMAT: Scuba.Lu, Luxemburg —Diving Luxem- Speak of the Devil LINE 1: Business name, city/state burg-Worldwide expeditions Dive Operators AUSTRALIA or province, country www.scuba.lu Abyss Scuba Diving, Sydney Australia Having an underwater nightmare? No, these are LINE 2: Slogan or services/offers Timuna Sea, London, UK Scuba diving in Australia is worldclass real people sporting some LINE 3: Website or email address Premier diving specialist in East London www.abyss.com.au fancy hoods created by (active link) www.timunasea.com Aquapro Dive Services Australia some zany Scots up in West Wales Diving Center, UK Your first choice for instructor training Orkney at Scapa Scuba. Longest serving dive center in Wales www.aquaprodive.com They started with a rabid News edited by INFORMATION: www.westwalesdivers.co.uk Deep Sea Divers Den, Australia shark hat for a joke, and Gunild Symes www.xray-mag.com Zapp Divers, Denmark Diving Great Barrier Reef & Queens- well, it just took off. Now, [email protected] Dive tours around Jutland land www.diversden.com.au they take custom orders for www.zappdivers.dk Eagle Hawk Dive Center, Tasmania those divers who want to What’s on your head? See Scapascuba.com Tazmanian Peninsula dive specialists SCAPASCUBA.COM stand out from the crowd. SCAPASCUBA.COM www.eaglehawkdive.com.au 94 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED —Working togeth- Lines & Shadows —Home of the best Underwater Australasia —Australia & Michael Portelly, UK er to keep coral reefs dive source of UWP, travel & adventure Asia Pacific’s most popular dive portal UW Photo, Video, Film Director and Cinematographer www.coralreef.org www.linesandshadows.com www.underwater.com.au Alex Mustard, PhD, UK www.portelly.com The Manta Network NauticFriend.com —The Ultimate UnderwaterTimes —A daily journal of UWP and Marine Biologist Nonoy Tan, Metro Manila, Philippines Help Save the Mantas Worldwide Watersports Directory life in and around water www.amustard.com Underwater images of the Philippines www.save-the-mantas.org www.nauticfriend.com www.underwatertimes.com Amos Nachoum Big Animals [email protected] Onderwaterfoto, Netherlands University of Michigan, OSEH Worldwide expeditions & adventure Poppe Images, Philippines Online Dive Resources Digital UWP Forum Dive links by Larry “Harris” Taylor, PhD www.biganimals.com Marine Iconography of the Philippines www.onderwaterfoto.net www-personal.umich.edu Bill Becher Outdoor & Adventure www.poppe-images.com Business Cairns Scuba Diving Australia One Ocean —Earn frequent diver WetPixel, USA Writing & Photography —CA, USA Thomas Peschak, South Africa Dive training & travel holidays points toward equipment & travel Digital imaging for divers www.becher.com Africa’s Oceans and Coasts Directory www.divedirectory.com.au www.oneocean.com www.wetpixel.com , Cayman Islands www.currentsofcontrast.com DiveGuru, Deerfield, FL, USA , Freediving Champion World-Newspapers.com UWP Center, Classes, Trips, Services Tony White, UK When you want answers... Accept No Limits Scuba Diving Magazines Online www.cathychurch.com Underwater imagery at its best! Publishers www.diveguru.net www.patrickmusimu.com www.world-newspapers.com/scuba City Seahorse, Dallas, TX, USA www.seaofdreams.co.uk DiveIndex.com —All links diving related Scuba Duba —Online diving resource UWP & Raja Ampat stock & tours UV Foto, Norway Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, AZ, USA Newest, top-rated, most popular for news, equipment, buddies & travel UWP Competitions www.cityseahorse.com Underwater photos of Stein Johnsen Scuba diving & www.diveindex.com www.scubaduba.com Edwin Marcow, UK www.uvfoto.no www.bestpub.com DivePhotoGuide —The essential Scuba Spots —The World’s Oldest, National Wildlife Photography Awards Marine & Wildlife Photographer Water Ventures Oceans Enterprises resource for UWPs & Videographers Largest Scuba Directory Deadline: July 15th, 2006 www.edwinmarcow.com Travel, diving and culinary images Diving and Underwater Books www.divephotoguide.com www.scubaspots.com www.nwf.org Jack Connick, WA, USA www.waterventures.no www.oceans.com.au Diverlink —A comprehensive resource Scuba.start4all.com —Diving directory Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival UWP & Graphic Design Pine Belt Publishing for divers and dive businesses in cooperation with Diving World Deadline: August 30, 2006 www.opticalocean.com Onlline Book Distributors www.diverlink.com www.scuba.start4all.com www.ocean.com John Collins Photography, Kinsale, UK www.pinebeltpublishing.com Divester ScubaDiveSites.com, Australia XARIFA Unterwasser Foto & Film Festival Cool Waters-Emeral Seas Wet & Weird Weblong’s premier diveblog Listing Dive Sites Worldwide 14-15 October 2006, www.johncollinskinsale.com www.divester.com www.scubadivesites.com www.uwfv.de/xarifa Jon Gross & Keith Clements, WA, USA Dive Manufacturers Dykcentralen, Sweden UK Diving —UK Scuba Diving World Festival of Underwater Pictures Marine Life Index Cochran Swedish divelink index Resource & Network 25-29 October 2006, Antibes, France www.seaotter.com Undersea Technology www.dykcentralen.se www.ukdivers.com www.underwater-festival.com www.divecochran.com Dive Junkie, Singapore —Fun, fashion- able and expressive scuba dive t-shirts News edited by www.divejunkie.com.sg Vodka from the Sea Gunild Symes Diving Unlimited International, USA Unlimited comfort, performance, quality dui-online.com Now just hold on there, wait a In addition, 100% USDA certified Fourth Element, UK —High tech, high minute! 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Silent Diving Systems, USA PHOTO: K. PARKINSON © AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM the deep ocean water, Koyo USA, tives, has 40% alcohol by volume (80 Closed circuit rebreather distribution first accesses the water from 3,000 Proof) and is bottled in both 750ml www.silentdiving.com Great Scot! It’s an ugly fish! This is a real fish folks... called a feet below the surface of the Pacific and 50ml sizes. A portion of the pro- Fathead (genus Psychrolutes) which was trawled up in June 2003 during Ocean and then desalinates, purifies ceeds from the sale of OCEAN Vodka the NORFANZ expedition. It was found at a depth between 1013m and and balances it with a state-of-the-art is donated to ocean conservation Non-Profit Organisations 1340m on the Norfolk Ridge, north-west of New Zealand (AMS I.42771-001). system. They say that the deep sea organizations. For more information, International Association of Its winning mug earned this fish the affectionate name, ‘Mr Blobby’, given water is “very cold and exceptionally please visit: www.oceanvodka.com ■ Handicapped Divers (IAHD Foundation) by the scientists and crew aboard the RV Tangaroa. Notice the parasitic pure”. www.iahd.org copepod on Mr Blobby’s mouth... beauty enhancer or fashion statement?

95 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED David Pilosof Diving into the Disabled Diver’s World

Text by Gunild Pak Symes Photos by David Pilosof

96 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Flying with the dolphins in the clear blue sea—what free- dom really means... The ocean is a great leveller, where bouyancy is law, not the number of working limbs we have David Pilosof nor the height at which we stand nor the speed at which we walk... where weightlessness in the blue lessens, indeed, nullifies the heaviness of land-based limitations... where human beings and undersea creatures meet with the same curiousity born inside all living things

Disability, while synonymous with serious limitations on land, is not necessarily so in the water. More and more individuals with disabili- ties are finding the joy and free- dom of movement in SCUBA diving as special courses and instructors trained to guide people with disa- bilities through certification increas- es globally. These pages show what words cannot... Shot by world renown underwater photographer, David Pilosof, these images capture the elation, liberation and connec- tion with nature, which divers with disabilities can experience in the underwater realm.

97 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED If you would like more information on dive courses for the disabled and dive operators who serve disabled divers or training to become an instructor for people with disabilities, please visit the International David Pilosof IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Association of Handicapped Divers at www.iahd.org Mexico dive industry including his Riviera Maya :: Socorro Islands role as producer of YAM, Inside Regulators the Israeli diving maga- zine and the diving portal idive. This past year, Pilosof organised Sandisk Red Sea 2006, the high profile inter- national underwater pho- tography competition held April 24-29 in Eilat, Israel, sponsored by YAM and the Sandisk Corporation, the world’s largest Flash mem- ory card manufacturer. For more information, email: [email protected] ■

FILE PHOTO

Is your regulator up to the job?

JENNY FOWLER

Underwater photographer, David Pilosof, first COMING IN FEBRUARY found fame with the production of his now world Subscribe now FREE! renowned album of underwater photographer, Samantha, shot with then newcomer model, www.xray-mag.com Samantha Bond, in 1977. Since then, Pilosof has managed to keep afloat a lively career in the

98 X-RAY MAG : 14 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED

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