AquaCorps—Managing Narcosis :: Flash Photography Underwater Tech

GLOBAL EDITION November 2011 Number 45 Travel Shark Diving Do's & Don't's Profile Wrecks Wanli Treasure EGYPT'S TABA & nUWEIBA Papua New Guinea B17 Black Jack 1TheX-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 Red Sea cover photo courtesy of jill heinerth DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope Media ApS Frederiksberg, Denmark www.xray-mag.com PUBLISHER SENIOR EDITOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Symes, PhD Peter Symes [email protected] Painted Cardinalfish Archamia fucata, Red Sea, Taba, Egypt. Photo by Peter Symes [email protected] SECTION EDITORS PUBLISHER, MANAGING EDITOR Michael Arvedlund, PhD contents & CREATIVE DIRECTOR - Ecology Gunild Symes Scott Bennett - Photo & Travel [email protected] Andrey Bizyukin, PhD - Features Mathias Carvalho - Wrecks Associate editors Wayne Fenior - Equipment & representatives Simon Kong - News, Books Americas & Europe Kelly LaClaire - Whale Tales Arnold Weisz Catherine Lim - News, Books [email protected] Bonnie McKenna - Turtle Tales Cindy Ross - GirlDiver Russia Arnold Weisz - News, Features Andrey Bizyukin, PhD, Moscow [email protected] Correspondents Robert Aston - CA, USA Svetlana Murashkina, PhD, Moscow Enrico Cappeletti - Italy [email protected] John Collins - Ireland Marcelo Mammana - Argentina South East Asia Nonoy Tan - The Philippines Catherine GS Lim, Singapore [email protected] Contributors this issue Andrew Bell ASSISTANT editors Scott Bennett & representatives Manel Gomes da Costa UNITED KINGDOM Barry Fowler, PhD Roz Lunn, London Kelly LaClaire [email protected] Catherine GS Lim Simon Lim USA East Coast Rosemary E Lunn Millis Keegan, Fort Lauderdale Jorge Antonio Mahauad [email protected] Alejandro Raul Mirabal Wayne Fenior, Orlando Bonnie McKenna [email protected] Andy Murch Yuri Romero USA Pacific Northwest/Canada Don Silcock Barb Roy, Vancouver Charles Stirling [email protected] Gunild Symes Kelly LaClaire, Oregon Peter Symes [email protected] Carol Tedesco 13 20 29 43 plus... Arnold Weisz Il l u m i n a t e d Tr e a s u r e : Nu w e i b a o n t h e Re d Se a Ta b a o n t h e Re d Se a Pr o f i l e : EDITORIAL 3 USA West Coast Lawson Wood Wa n l i Sh i p wr e c k Eg y p t Eg y p t Ji l l He i n e r t h NEWS 4 Matthew Meier, San Diego b y a r o l e d e s c o b y h a r l e s tirling b y e t e r y m e s b y o n n i e c e n n a [email protected] Contacts page: C T C S P S B M K WRECK RAP 13 Xray-Mag.com TRAVEL NEWS 20 ADVERTISING UNITED KINGDOM International Sales Rep 47 57 87 EQUIPMENT NEWS 41 Rosemary E Lunn, London Arnold Weisz Ha v e Re b r e a t h e r La n z a r o t e B17 Bl a c k Ja c k Wr e c k MARINE MAMMALS 54 [email protected] [email protected] Wi l l Tr a v e l Ca n a r y Is l a n d s Pa p u a Ne w Gu i n e a CEPHALOPODS 66 USA West Coast French speaking territories b y Jo r g e A. Ma h a u a d b y Ch a r l e s Stirling b y Do n Si l c o c k SHARK TALES 68 Matthew Meier, San Diego Mathias Carvalho [email protected] [email protected] TURTLE TALES 73 Not yet subscribed to PHOTO NEWS 86 SUBSCRIPTION columns... X-RAY MAG? Sign up now! X-RAY MAG International Edition in English is FREE It’s FREE! QUICK! EASY! To subscribe, go to: www.xray-mag.com 68 75 80 click here... Do's & Do n 't's: Te c h Ta l k : Aq u a Co r p s UW Ph o t o & Vi d e o : COVER PHOTO: Jill Heinerth Re s p o n s i b l e Sh a r k Diving Ma n a g i n g Na r c o s i s Fl a s h Ph o t o g r a p h y photo courtesy of Jill Heinerth b y An d y Mu r c h b y Ba rr y Fo w l e r , PhD b y La w s o n Wo o d (Continued on page 4)

2 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 Barcelona Cape Town Copenhagen Kuala Lumpur London Moscow Orlando Oslo Paris Singapore Tacoma Toronto Vancouver Warsaw Editorial

HKPFPGY It matters!

A string of U.S. states have now If the results from various marine passed legislation prohibiting parks and no-take zones are 'KTGEVKQP shark finning and/or shark fin anything to go by, we will also products. see various shark populations— HQT[QWTDWUKPGUUUWEEGUU alas probably not all—pulled A number of nations have back from the brink of extinc- either created huge shark tion. In some protected zones, sanctuaries or outlawed shark it has been remarkable how finning. fast ecosystems have rebound- ed and re-established them- abound in DEMA’s comprehensive educational programs — presenting And the numbers are growing. selves after they were left to tested strategies, insights and innovative ideas certain to take your recover. 1(:,'($6 business in new, successful directions. After being vilified for dec- ades as savage sea monsters This does not mean it is a uni- to the dive community while you learn from experts and peers, that were better off being versal . With a world 1(:EQPPGEVKQPU applying their ideas and successes to YOUR challenges. killed, sharks are now generally population that has just passed appreciated and recognised 7 billion—all of whom need to as indispensable parts of a be fed—the competition for resources for boosting your bottom line with show-only promotions healthy ocean ecosystem— resources, including those in 1(:TGXGPWG and specials offered by hundreds of exhibitors. DEMA Show provides to the point that even victims the ocean, it's only going to a generous return on your investment in time AND money. of the rare shark attack now get harder to protect natural plead for the animal to be resources against unsustainable spared and not culled. exploitation.

These encouraging develop- That is where we come in. The ments are very much thanks value of a shark, a manta or to the relentless campaigners, any other big creature in the grass roots movements and ocean in terms of income from NGO's who swayed public tourism is a hundred, if not, a opinions as well as the politi- thousand fold that of the meat cians and legislatures who took value. action to protect these mag- nificent creatures. So, go diving and help protect '(0$6+2: the oceans. In other words, if you lent any 1QXGODGTrq2TNCPFQ)/QTKFCqYYYFGOCUJQYEQO support to these efforts, it is thanks to you! — The X-RAY MAG Team Make plans to attend or exhibit, visit DEMAShow.com for more information.

3 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED “The consequences of overfish- ing can be severe to the ecosystem from the deep and may take decades to recover.”

—Dr Nick Graham of the ARC News edited Centre of Excellence for Coral by Peter Symes & Catherine GS Lim Studies and James Cook NEWS University World-first discovery may help save coral reefs

An international team of scientists has achieved breakthroughs They published their find- olds like increased seaweed form poorly, with some com- in the understanding of fishing sustainability on coral reefs, which ings in the Proceedings of growth and urchin activity, pletely collapsing. No-take the National Academy of as well as a decline in coral marine reserves where fish- could play a vital role in preventing their collapse. Sciences, USA, describing cover and the reef’s species ing was prohibited were the See Why More Divers how overfishing can gener- richness begin to show. The best performers and tended Choose Sunset House ate a predictable sequence actual loss of hard corals to maintain key ecosystem of events that lead to the then follows; at this stage, it processes, such as preda- For Their Dive Holiday! collapse of reef ecosystems. might be already too late to tion. their research offers a vital save the reef. “But people depend on for managing corals At 300 to 600 kilos/ha, reefs for their livelihoods, so reefs and tropical fisheries, there appears to be a win- we can’t prohibit fishing eve- providing clear targets for dow of what is known as rywhere,” noted Dr Joshua sustainability to help reef maximum sustainable yield; Cinner, also from the ARC fisheries support the very but when the fish stock drops CoE. However, he added resource they depend on. below 300 kilos/ha, that’s that other regulations restrict- “Our work shows that as when the reef is in trouble. ing gear or the types of spe- fish biomass – the number Dr Aaron MacNeil from the cies that can be caught can and of fish living on Australian Institute of Marine also help maintain biomass. a reef – declines due to fish- Science adds: “This informa- “These regulations are ing , you cross a tion is critical to policy mak- often more palatable to fish- succession of thresholds, or ers and reef managers: if fish ermen than no-take closures tipping points, from which stocks can be maintained at and consequently receive Special Discounts for it is increasingly hard to get a certain level, the chanc- higher levels of support and X-Ray Magazine back,” explained Dr Nick es of retaining a sustain- compliance.” Graham of the ARC Centre able fishery and a healthy the researchers pointed Readers! of Excellence (ARC CoE) reef system are greatly out their work was carried for Studies and improved.” out on Indian Ocean coral James Cook University. the effectiveness of dif- reefs, and needed to be Follow URL Below! the study shows that in ferent reef management confirmed in the Pacific and well-protected areas, there schemes at maintaining reefs regions. are 1,000 to 1,500 kilos of reef within or above this sustaina- However, they were con- www.sunsethouse.com/xray fish of various species per bility window was also evalu- fident similar relationships hectare of coral reef. ated. between the volume of fish [email protected] As the volume drops to Reef fisheries without any and overall reef health exist peter symes below 1,000 kilos/ha, thresh- regulations tended to per- in other ecosystems. ■ 800-854-5767 345 949 7111

4 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Captive breeding of saltwater species could help save coral reefs

peter symes

Marine biologists are “It’s the kind of thing breeding saltwater fish in captiv- developing means to effi- that could transform the ity. Saltwater species also tend to spawn smaller, less robust lar- ciently breed saltwater industry in the way that vae which are harder to rear to aquarium fish, seahorses, the idea of ‘organic’ has maturity. In addition, they feed on plankton and invertebrates changed the way people like plankton that are not in captivity so as to pre- readily available in bulk. grow and buy fruits and Yet all these difficulties are sur- serve the biologically rich vegetables.” mountable, Holt says. ecosystems of the world’s case in point: Holt and her col- coral reefs. ­—Joan Holt, professor leagues have successfully bred and associate chair of in captivity seven species of fish, seahorses and shrimp they’ve A report in the Journal of the marine science, University caught from the Gulf of Mexico World Aquaculture Society (April of Texas, Austin and the Caribbean, including 2011) highlights the concerns species that other biologists had toward the establishment of sus- mental market, which comprises unsuccessfully tried to rear in cap- tainable collection, production mostly on fish raised in captivity, tivity. and trading practices for marine the saltwater ornamental mar- in time, marine biologists ornamentals, as well as the urgent ket is 99.9 percent wild caught. believe such efforts could help need to develop reliable trace- Joan Holt, professor and associ- shift much of the $1 billion marine ability protocols to distinguish sus- ate chair of marine science at ornamental industry toward entre- tainably caught and/or cultured The University of Texas at Austin, preneurs who are working sustain- specimens from wild ones. says this is largely because there is ably to raise fish for the aquarium unlike the freshwater orna- less accumulated knowledge on trade. ■

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News edited by Catherine GS Lim

Noisy Shrimp Rumble

Male mantis shrimp in the wild communicate in synchronised rumbles.

Watching marine animals going about those 'songs' emitted by dolphins and acoustics (sounds from the ocean floor). ● Each male mantis shrimp appeared to their business on television, it is easy to whales. Many other animals also contribute There has always been suspicion that have his own 'voice'. forget that they do make sounds to attract to the oceanic chatter, one of which burrow-dwelling creatures like the mantis mates or warn off predators. is the benthic California mantis shrimp, shrimp make some sort of noise, and ● The males made rhythmic rumbles Indeed, the ocean is filled with all sorts Hemisquilla californiensis. our research is going to help us better in groups of three, a technique that of sounds, and this is not just limited to “Rarely are there studies of benthic understand life and communication seemed aimed at attracting females or on the ocean floor,” said Erica defending territory. “Our research team Staaterman, then a staff member noted the ‘rumbles’ were so synchronised at the University of Massachusetts. that it sounded like a chorus, similar to She was part of a six-person team that of groups of birds or frogs,” said that sought to learn more about Staaterman. the sounds made by the California mantis shrimp in the wild. ● Rumbles were recorded mostly during the scientists had previously dawn and dusk, times when the shrimp recorded low rumbling sounds from were likely to be searching for or the male shrimp in the laboratory. defending their burrows. During midday The shrimp made the sound by and nighttime, sporadic, low-level sounds vibrating their muscles; and used were heard as the shrimp remained sensory hairs on their body to 'hear' inside their burrows, closing a mucus cap rumbles made by others. over the opening. the next stage was then to study the sounds made by this 20-25cm ● Like in the laboratory, female mantis long crustacean in the wild. shrimp remained silent, so it is unclear if Armed with scientific instruments they could make any sounds. like a coupled audio-video system, a hydrophone array and an “These sounds recorded in the field autonomous recording unit, the were different than what we recorded team set out for the muddy waters in tanks, so to hear these creatures off the coast of Santa Catalina communicating in the wild was very Island, California, in March during special,” said Staaterman. The rumbles the early mating season. produced by the mantis shrimp living in the their research revealed the wild were more variable and occurred in following: rhythmic groups. ■ Andrea Ferrari Mantis Shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus 6 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Marbled electric ray, Torpedo marmorata, (right) glides over forest of kelp, Laminaria och- roleuca, at Gettysburg, Oceana expedition explores Spanish news Gorringe Bank, Portugal; Oceana Ranger departs from the harbor of Portimão, Algarve, and Portuguese waters Portugal (bottom left)

Text and photos provided by Oceana In late June, Oceana launched its 2011 Expedition with the depar- For two months, the ture of the Oceana Ranger Oceana Ranger Expedition research catamaran from the port of Burriana (). The 2011 traveled through the two-month expedition aim was western Mediterranean to cover various Mediterranean and the Atlantic to study and Atlantic countries to study and canyons, environ- seamounts and underwater can- yons. Despite their rich biodiver- ments rich in biodiversity sity, these environments remain but relatively unexplored relatively unexplored due to their due to their depth and depths and the complexity of complex terrains. their geographic structures.

Exploring seamounts A team of marine scien- tists, divers and underwater robot (ROV) technicians joined the Ranger’s crew. Oceana is backing its pro- tection proposals with spe- cific data about deep sea marine habitats collected with the help of an ROV. This device records video footage in high resolution © OCEANA / carlos minguell and can also take pho- tographs. During the 2011 in this new expedition, Oceana as part of the European Union anic currents and of years documenting the Atlantic expedition, it was used to collaborated with the Portuguese project, LIFE + Indemares. nutrients that attract species of and the Mediterranean, and as film at 800 meters depth. Government and the country’s “Seamounts and underwater commercial interest and vulner- in previous expeditions, scientists oceana has a team of scientific community on the explo- canyons are rich in biodiversity”, able species, like cetaceans. from various institutions collabo- scientists specialized in the ration of the Gorringe Bank, a little explains Ricardo Aguilar, Director Thus, studying these structures is rated to exchange knowledge. visual identification of live explored seamount and a verita- of Research at Oceana Europe an important first step in designing The Portuguese government and organisms. Once the imag- ble oasis of biodiversity southwest and leader of the expedition. adequate protection measures Portuguese scientists supported es have been viewed and of Portugal. Oceana last explored “They provide a hard substrate that lead to the conservation of the project in the Gorringe Bank, processed, the information these waters in 2005. Additionally, on which a variety of species their biodiversity and create a a seamount that is rich in biodi- is used to propose the crea- Oceana, in collaboration with become attached and constitute safe environment for the repro- versity but remains mostly unex- tion of new marine protect- Fundación Biodiversidad will con- habitats and feeding grounds duction of species of interest to plored. Oceana already docu- ed areas or other conserva- tinue to provide information on for many organisms. In addition, fisheries.” mented the seamount in 2005 but tion measures. the Seco de los Olivos seamount they generate changes in oce- oceana has spent the last six this time worked at intermediate

© OCEANA / carlos minguell

7 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Black coral, Antipathes sp., (right) and soft news coral, Anthomastus cf. grandiflorus, (bottom left) in the Alboran Sea

depths. Another seamount Large coral reef in the that was documented dur- Mediterranean discov- ing the expedition was the ered Chella Bank, off the coast The international marine con- of Almeria, Spain. With sup- servation organization dis- port from Spanish Fundación covered a deep-sea, white Biodiversidad, coral reef in the Alboran sea oceana studied this area (Western Mediterranean) for the second consecu- located on the high seas at tive year as a partner of the almost 400 meters depth and European Commission’s LIFE+ covers over 100,000 square INDEMARES project, aimed at meters. Oceana estimates documenting marine habi- that the reef’s surface area tats for subsequent incorpo- may exceed ten hectares ration into the Natura 2000 and covers a large part of Network. the surface of a seamount between 320 and 400 meters European waters and the whose peak is located depth. The finding proves Mediterranean due to bot- that there are still unexplored tom trawling, changes in areas in this region that may water or natural harbor many more surprises. catastrophic events. “We are not only talking about a large coral reef 100 marine species but also extensive gorgo- identified on Gorringe nian gardens, black coral seamount forests and glass sponge Oceana identified over fields, all of these important 100 different marine spe- habitats for the health of the cies on Gorringe seamount Mediterranean,” explained after completing a scientific Ricardo Aguilar, Director of expedition in the Portuguese Research of Oceana Europe. Atlantic during recent the reef still maintains weeks with support from important live colonies grow- the Foundation for the Third ing on structures older than Millennium. Apart from impor- the dead corals, reaching a tant kelp forests, the interna- height of over one and a half tional marine conservation meters. organization documented Deep-sea corals area deep-sea sponge fields, among the most vulner- black coral forests, extensive able ecosystems and the oyster beds and over 100 dif- United Nations has called ferent species including spot- for their protection. Most ted dolphin, Minke whales, of these interesting com- sea pens, slipper lobsters munities have disappeared and fish including orange from large extensions of roughies, longspine snipefish, © OCEANA / carlos minguell Videographer at safety stop, Recifes artificiais, Algarve, Portugal

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information about unexplored dition, Oceana received support protection proposals based on sci- areas. This information can be from scientists from the University entific data. This is our way of col- used to identify these as areas of of the Algarve and the Portuguese laborating to reverse the special interest because of the interministerial agency Estrutura de situation in Portuguese waters and species and habitats they harbor. Missão para os Assuntos do Mar make advances in marine conser- Furthermore, these areas must be (EMAM) that provided advising vation.” protected in order to comply with for the design of the expedition in European legislation and the dif- Portuguese waters and collaborat- Oceana documented ferent international commitments ed in the identification of species Portuguese sea beds for the first Portugal has acquired. and data collection. time in 2005 when the organiza- Despite the fact that the According to Ana de la tion explored beds around the morays and conger eels. Habitats Directive was approved Torriente, Oceana’s marine scien- Azores, specifically around Faial the findings reflect the area’s 19 years ago, currently only 0.10 tist, “Collaboration between scien- Island and Joao de Castro bank, high levels of marine biodiversity percent of Portuguese marine tists from both countries has been apart from one of Gorringe’s and richness and, in Oceana’s areas are part of the Natura 2000 very enriching and played a key peaks known as Gettysburg. To opinion, justify the inclusion of Network, making Portugal the role in the expedition. From the complement the data obtained this seamount in the Natura 2000 E.U. country with the least per- moment we embarked, we main- in Portuguese waters, the interna- Network, Europe’s most important centage of areas designated to tained constant contact, working tional organization also completed eco-network. “Gorringe bank is form part of this network. Various together to analyze data, and various dives off the coast of the an impressive place. The base international conventions, like the this will allow us to make specific Algarve, in southern Portugal. ■ of the mountain lies on the sea Convention for the Protection of bed at 5,000 meters depth, but the Marine Environment of the its peaks rise up to 30 meters. This North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), and means kelp can develop down the scientific community in gen- to 80 meters depth, something eral, consider seamounts to be pri- that doesn’t occur in other areas ority areas due to the biodiversity and would explain this area’s high they harbor. Within the European productivity,” explained Ricardo Union, Portugal is the country Aguilar, Director of Research at with the largest marine area and Oceana Europe. the one with the most number of seamounts in its territory; its respon- © OCEANA / carlos minguell Collaboration to protect sibility to protect these ecosystems Crew members (above) lower the ROV into the water from the By disseminating these preliminary is unquestionable. of the Oceana Ranger; Mediterranean rainbow wrasses, results, Oceana hopes to collabo- Coris julis, (top left) hover over forest of kelp, Laminaria ochro- rate with the Portuguese govern- International cooperation leuca, on rocky seabed at Gettysburg, Gorringe Bank; Wall deco- ment by providing new scientific For the development of this expe- rated with jewel anemones, Corynactis viridis, (bottom right) at Ormonde, Gorringe Bank, heading towards Seamounts

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News edited by Catherine GS Lim

Why big claws are cool

The first thing you would notice that were missing theirs. The crabs' burrow affects the development about male fiddler crabs are their were measured time of the larvae. “A burrow of enlarged major claw. This claw is every ten minutes. The researchers just the right size allows larvae to extremely obvious, and is often discovered that the crabs lacking hatch at the safest time, the peak large enough to cover the crab's the large claw took much longer outward night time flow of the bi- entire body. Only the males have to cool down. weekly tidal cycle,” explained Dr them; all female fiddler crabs “The major claw likely functions deRivera. have normal-sized claws. like a heat sink, with heat being Based on her research at the And yes, the large claw is as transferred from the body to Sweetwater River estuary in Chula cumbersome as it looks. the claw and dissipated into Vista, south of San Diego, USA, university of Texas researcher the surrounding air through male fiddler crabs would stand in Dr Zachary Darnell describes convective heat transfer. With the front of their burrows and wave the problems posed by the large claw acting as a heat sink their major claws. As the female enlarged claw: "The large male fiddler crabs can remain on fiddler crab walked through the claw is metabolically costly, it the surface longer, foraging and colony, she might stop and size up hinders feeding because it is performing the waving display,” one of them. Then, if he passed cumbersome for this task, and concluded Darnell. this first test, she would inspect his it reduces endurance capacity so, while the size of the large burrow, and he would follow her when crawling on the sand. Male claw limits the crabs' ability in. crabs are both heat-stressed to remain on the surface, the if it was up to her standards, and hungry while on the surface, disadvantage is balanced by the the male would plug up the hole. foraging and performing the claw's function of dissipating heat, Otherwise, the female would claw-waving display.” thus prolonging its ability to remain leave, and continue her search. since it is so bothersome, why above land longer to forage for on average, the female would did nature evolve it? food and attract females. visit 23 burrows before deciding Well, it turns out that there are the ability of the claw to attract on the right one. several reasons for the big claw's females is another important hence, the enlarged claw does existence. feature, especially since the play an important role in mate for one thing, it allows the crab female fiddler crab is known selection, allowing its owner to to stay cool. Darnell discovered to be fussy when choosing a be spotted in possibly a 'sea' of this when he and colleague mate, according to Dr Catherine competing male crabs excitedly Assistant Professor Pablo Munguia deRivera of the University of waving their enlarged claws, shone lamps on Gulf coast fiddler California, USA. all eager to catch the female's crabs (Uca panacea) with an And not without good reason. attention. ■ intact major claw and on crabs It seems that the size of the

10 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED More to the Coral Sea than meets the eye It seems that the Coral Sea is a pretty happening place, according to a report BIGFISHEXPEDITIONS commissioned by Pew Environment Group-Australia. World class diving and photography adventures with Photo Pro Andy Murch Far from containing just corals Biophysical Profile, released wonder then that Professor Hugh (as its name might suggest), it— in August 2011 and written Possingham, director of the together with the Great Barrier by marine biologist, Daniela Ecology Centre at the University Tiger Beach, Bahamas Reef—hosts the world's only Ceccarelli. of Queensland, described the Tiger Sharks, lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, known spawning aggregation of in it, she describes the Coral report as an important contribu- nurse sharks and occasional great hammerheads black marlin. Sea as "a valuable scientific refer- tion to understanding the Coral and bull sharks. Plus one day with spotted dolphins. it is also regarded as a global ence site, as it is close to the glo- Sea ecosystem. 'biodiversity hotspot' for large bal centre of coral reef biodiversi- he added that “the Coral predatory sharks, tuna and mar- ty—the Coral Triangle". Sea may be the only part of the lin, with at least 28 species of As for coral reefs, the Coral world’s tropical ocean where a whales and dolphins having been Sea has 18 isolated reef systems permanent marine park of the Cat Island, Bahamas recorded there. There was also that include 49 small islands and scale of the interim Conservation Oceanic Whitetip Sharks and other Pelagics plus evidence of oceanic and reef cays and multiple small reefs. Zone could be established and sharks, as well as 52 species of According to Dr Cecarelli, early effectively managed with a rela- inshore species such as tigers, lemons and deep-water sharks and rays, 18 studies had revealed a great tively small impact on users”. reef sharks. of which are known to only exist diversity of habitats, including this point was reiterated by there. massive canyons at least three Imogen Zethoven of the Pew these findings (and more) kilometres deep, which pro- Environment Group: “The report were unveiled in the report duce unique ecological confirms that the Coral Sea is Australia’s Coral Sea: A com- munities. healthy and relatively intact. In Isla Mujeres, Mexico no light of this report, conservation The biggest whale shark aggregations in the world! groups call on the federal govern- Plus the chance to see mantas, schooling cownose ment to establish a very large, world-class, highly rays and pelagic billfishes protected marine park in the Coral Sea to provide a safe haven for its spectacular marine life.” ■ Sea of Cortez, Baja Dive with humboldt squid, pilot whales, sperm whales and finback whales and enjoy the best reef diving Male zebrafish adopt devious tactics to woo females in the Gulf of California.

Scientists from the University to smell the males but not make tion close to her. It was found that of Sheffield have discovered contact with them. dominant males had fathered that during spawning, smaller more offspring than subordinate male zebrafish were able to get After 24 hours, the scientists animals. Surprisingly, the subordi- , Eastern Pacific between a female that had just released the female, allowing the nates that had the best chance laid eggs and larger, rival males. fish to spawn. Males and females of fathering offspring were the Friendly humpback whales and enormous manta rays. Their smaller size gave them first then released masses of eggs smallest. Zebrafish are widely stud- Plus galapagos, silky and whitetip reef sharks and access to the eggs in order to fer- and sperm together ied by scientists, particularly in some of the best reefs in the eastern Pacific tilize them. at the genetic research. ■ base of the A single female was placed into tank. When the a tank with two males, one a female dominant male and the other a was Find out about more epic expeditions at: subordinate. The female was con- ready BIGFISHEXPEDITIONS.COM tained in a plastic cylinder cov- to lay ered in fine mesh, enabling her eggs, males jostled for posi-

11 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Training Bulletin Poseidon Announces Rebreather SSI announces rebreather partnership with Poseidon Technical Upgrades Program Edited by Peter Symes Scuba Schools International (SSI) has announced a new partnership Program for technical upgrades of the Discovery MK VI rebreather. with Poseidon for an entry level rebreather course using the Poseidon Discovery Rebreather. ■ The program will deliver three key 40M Deco: firmware upgrade, using air upgrades: 40M Deco, 45M Tri-Mix as diluent. and 60M Tri-Mix. All current owners of 45M Tri-Mix: firmware upgrade, using Discovery MK VI’s will be able to use Normoxic Tri-Mix as diluent, these upgrades as they become avail- with a choice of helium PADI’s 20 Millionth Certification able, Poseidon writes in a press release. fractions. 60M Tri-Mix: firmware and hardware Poseidon’s tech upgrade program has upgrade, allowing for man- — via Press release instructor, PADI Master 20 millionth diver certifica- been designed with two key objectives ual addition. Scuba Diver Trainer, tion campaign. The contest in mind: The PADI countdown to 20 Timmothy Aguon, and encouraged customers to Upgrade pricing and availability will million diver certifications is PADI Five Star Instructor earn their 1. To allow all existing and future be announced at DEMA in November, over and new PADI Open Development Center, course certification or con- Discovery MK VI owners to expand along with certification levels required Water Diver, Alexandra Micronesian Divers tinue their dive education the performance range of their MK for each upgrade. All current and future Swanson, is the recipient Association in Guam, also and enroll in a specialty VI’s beyond the recreational enve- Discovery MK VI owners will be able to of a dream dive trip to win trips to the Great Barrier course. Plus, we jumped lope, should they wish to do so. use these upgrades. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Both the instruc- at the chance to win a 2. To enable Dive Instructors to teach for further information, please visit: Reef. PADI Americas proc- tor and were trip to Queensland and both recreational and technical www.poseidon.com or contact james. essed Swanson’s winning 20 aware of the campaign experience the MV Spirit courses on the MK VI. [email protected] millionth certification on 4 prior to certifying Swanson of Freedom live-aboard,” September 2011. and worked diligently said Micronesian Divers towards the goal. “We Association and Additionally, Swanson’s were happy to hear of the owner, Lee Webber. ■

TDI announces Gem Level One diver course

— via Press release “For years there has been Rebreather (SCR) course a void in the rebreather is the ideal course for market for a semi-closed photographers, cold water International (TDI) has system,” stated Sean divers or anybody wishing released the course Harrison, Vice President of to enjoy a quieter dive standards for the TDI Gem Training and Membership and closer interaction with Level One diver course. TDI Services. He went on to say, marine life. The course is unit worked closely with KISS “I think the new GEM will and level specific covering to get these meet the needs of divers the GEM Level 1 skills and completed. Kim Mikusch looking for a way to extend academics. The GEM is an of KISS Rebreathers stated, their diving times and SCR that can be attached “We are very pleased reduce the noise without to any size cylinder within to have worked with the going the fully closed circuit minutes and ready to go for professionals at TDI in the route.” a 2-4 hour dive (times water developing of the KISS GEM temperature dependent). training course.” The TDI KISS GEM Level eager to get started with 1 Semi-Closed Circuit their programs. ■ Promotional photo from Poseidon Industries

12 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Close-up of porcelain motif. According to archaeologist wreck and COO Alejandro Mirabal, identified ceramic artifacts rap point to the Wanli period of the late Ming dynasty, and originate from kiln sites in the provinces of Jiangxi, Guangdong and Fujian 明 Illuminated Treasure Text by Carol Tedesco the ceramics not only for their Photos by Yuri Romero, Alejandro Raul beauty and their brilliantly Mirabal, Manel Gomes da Costa and reflective hard, translucent Simon Lim glazes—they believed that they would reveal the pres- When translated, the Chinese ence of poisons. word Ming expresses bright- the ocean wastes no time in concealing her sacrifices. ness, luminosity, and illumina- The lost merchant ship lay tion. Approximately four centu- undiscovered until 2009, ries ago, a merchant ship sank when it was happened upon in more than 50 meters of water and reported by some area fishermen. Eventually, its plight off of the Indonesian coast. Her was brought to the attention cargo: thousands upon thou- of the Portugal-based profes- sands of precious Chinese Ming sional shipwreck exploration company, Arqueonautas Dynasty porcelain wares, craft- Yuri Romero © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. Worldwide – Arqueologia ed during the reign of the Wanli Subaquática S.A. (AWW). emperor, who ruled from 1572- I previously had an opportunity to work Niki—concluded a career in international time heritage. The Mission 1620 AD. with this outstanding company in my trade in 1995 with the objective of found- AWW’s second in command is Graf In June, in cooperation with the capacity as a Spanish Colonial period ing a marine archaeological company Sandizell’s long time friend and col- Indonesian government and in partner- Chinese porcelain’s have been trea- coin expert on their Mozambique-based that would embrace an amalgamated league, COO/marine archaeologist ship with the company RM Discovery, sured for many hundreds of years. São José shipwreck project. approach: 1) to recover cargos from Alejandro Mirabal. Mirabal is an exten- Inc., Graf Sandizell and Mirabal led a Louise Levathes, author of When China Arqueonautas is led by founder and endangered historical shipwrecks in a sci- sively published scientist with a stagger- team to the site of the “Wanli” shipwreck Ruled the Seas, The Treasure Fleet of the CEO Count Nikolaus Carl Max Emanuel entifically responsible manner, following ingly impressive curriculum vitae, having for a 15-day reconnaissance mission. Their Dragon Throne 1405 – 1433 (Simon & Graf von und zu Sandizell. (Can it pos- established marine archaeological proto- been directly involved in the exploration objectives were: Schuster), wrote that China produced the sibly get any more romantic—an explorer cols and methodologies; 2) in a commer- and/or recovery of more than 61 ship- • To sketch the general area of the world’s first “true” porcelains. She reports who is also a Count? The multilingual cially viable manner; 3) whilst dedicating wrecks throughout the world. sites debris field of cultural material that in the seventh century, Arabs desired Graf Sandizell—whose friends call him activities to the protection of world mari- and its horizontal limits.

13 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED TOP TO BOTTOM: Ming porcelain bowls in situ; Count Nikolaus Graf Sandizell, wreck founder and CEO of Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática rap S.A.; A Chinese language map of the Far East made in the year 1602 by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci

• To understand the extent • To get information on the renowned British and nature of the cargo amount and condition marine archae- within the debris field and of the fragile porcelain ologist Dr Margaret the characteristics of the artefacts presently in-situ (in Rule, of overburden. place). fame, to develop • To find out the possible • To identify whether or not AWW’s working pro- penetration of artefacts into there are still coherent tocol, which encom- the seabed and the depth remains of the ships wood passes the obligatory and thickness of the cultural structure that might allow individual dive-log, layer (vertical limits). for its study. the artefact sheet, Alejandro Raul Mirabal © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. • To identify the density of • To evaluate artefacts in different sectors whether to that effect, The Details of the debris field. the wreck the team I had so many questions about the of four was project that it eventually made divided in two sense to proceed with a Q and A groups mak- format: ing two dives each per day: CT: Did the dive team use com- two dives in the pressed air or mixed gas? morning with a 20 minute bot- AM: We did the recon phase with tom time, and compressed air, no mix. WE WILL BE AT two in the after- noon with a 15 CT: How much time was devoted minute bottom to stops? DEMA time. This dive 2011 plan guaran- AM: In total we did about 80 min- teed a total utes of deco in the morning dives IN dive time of and around 100 or 120 minutes in

Manel Gomes da Costa © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. 9.13 hours per the afternoon dives. day (2.28 hrs/ BOOTH 780 diver/day) with CT: You mentioned working in cur- site is viable daily OPS reports, and a sophisti- an effective net bottom time of rents. Are the currents in this area for subsequent cated data-base correlating all 2.33 hours per day (35 min/diver/ predictable?

archaeological of the collected information as a day) accumulating a CNS O2 excavation base for research and future pub- (Central Nervous System AM: During the duration of the based on lications. toxicity) of 14 percent after the expedition, we experienced cur-

the amount afternoon dive. “A CNS O2 of rents always to the West, stronger of remaining The Dive Plan 14 percent is considered quite at the surface, and almost imper- cultural Mirabal explained that with a dive safe for the divers,” Mirabal said, ceptible at the seabed. material. team totaling four, working at a “and after the 16 hours of interval depth of approximately 54 meters, between the afternoon dive and CT: Can you give us an idea of Incidentally, careful planning was essential to the next morning’s dive it would current strength in terms of knots? PHOTO: DAVID PILOSOF Mirabal worked achieve maximum efficiency and drop to under one percent.”

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS / PUBLIC DOMAIN with the safety with a short bottom time. AM: Normally the current ran at

14 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck rap

Alejandro Raul Mirabal © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A.

about 1 to 2 knots. The strongest we CT: You mentioned that you believe the © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. experienced was about 4 knots. ship is unusually large for this time period. Any idea of the actual dimensions? late Ming dynasty. The period of the Trade ceramics for the Southeast Asian LEFT TO RIGHT: Gentle hand fanning by archae- CT: Did you use a down-line from boat to ceramics has been verified by various markets. ologist/COO Alejandro Mirabal reveals deli- bottom? AM: The amount of porcelain and the ceramics experts and also by my own cate bowls lying in orderly stacks, as they were size of the debris field (little dispersion research. The cargo consists of porce- CT: Do you have an estimate of what stowed more than four centuries ago; A sides- AM: Yes, we had two down-lines from the and very compact) suggest a ship of lain and stoneware objects from kiln the cargo may be worth today? can image of the wreck’s position on the seafloor; Morning dive plan tables (below) boat to the wreck site, one for the divers 40 to 50m long, or bigger. However, sites in the provinces of and one for the crate/. because no structural timbers are Jiangxi, Guangdong exposed we don’t have the actual and Fujian. The major- CT: What was the water temperature in dimensions; that we will only know after ity are blue-and-white June? completing the excavation. porcelain objects from Jingdezhen (Jiangxi)— AM: The temperature is around 28°C to CT: Do you think that any shipwreck primarily bowls but also 31°C during the entire year (incredible!). structure might actually still remain? plates, boxes, jars, ewers and vases. Furthermore, CT: So, your informal description of the AM: It is very possible that an important in smaller numbers there diving conditions as a whole? part of the wood structure of the ship is are blue-and-white buried under meters of sediment and decorated porcelain jars AM: It went very good. Just one after- probably in fair condition. from Guangdong and noon we were surprised by an abso- stoneware storage jars lute zero visibility and the work we had CT: AWW has stated that the wreck (so called ‘Martaban’) planned (measurements and photos) dates to approximately 1590 AD. Is the from Fujian. Some blue- was not possible. Weather was quite circa of the porcelain how you came to and-white plates belong adverse during the second week (, this approximate date? What exactly did to the ‘Swatow type’ strong wind and low vis) but being on a you recover? from Fujian province. In three point mooring on top of the wreck terms of its destination, and diving at 50+m deep, it really didn’t AM: We recovered Chinese ceramic the wares can be gener- affect our work. wares dating to the Wanli period of the ally classified as Chinese © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. 15 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Yuri Romero, Arqueonautas wreck Operations Manager, Indonesia, with a Treasure rap recovered ceramic bowl. Only a thin film of calcareous con- cretion suggests the centuries this Ming Dynasty porcelain artifact spent lost and submerged in the Java Sea

NS: According to experts, the cargo— which numbers roughly 700,00 pieces— Alejandro Raul Mirabal © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. may be worth in the neighborhood of US Archaeologist/COO Alejandro Mirabal passing time on the $70 million. deco line

CT: That is a very valuable cargo! Where Alejandro Raul Mirabal © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. stories about represented in the national museums you dishing of the nations in which territorial waters AM: One of the main up Tofu to divers and jettisoning strange these shipwrecks were rescued.” objectives of this expe- looking culinary experiments overboard dition was to collect when you think no-one is looking. What To stay abreast of Wanli Cargo news, enough data to be able can we say? We’ll be in touch? or to learn how to get involved your- to roughly estimate the self, visit www.wanlicargo.com. For amount of porcelain arte- CT: Word does travel in this industry, more information about Arqueonautas facts, depth of the cul- doesn’t it? Worldwide—Arqueologia Subaquática, tural layer, and typologies S.A., visit www.arq.de or www.arq-publi- and proportion between NS: It certainly does. cations.com ■ broken and intact pieces. This information will allow Sixteen years after founding for better planning of Arqueonautas Worldwide, Graf Sandizell the subsequent excava- is one of the few in the historic shipwreck tion methodology, exploration industry who can say that he to be used, conservation has achieved and exceeded his original facilities needed, size and goals. He credits his company’s success composition of the team to its adherence to sound business prin- and related budget. cipals, its commitment to upholding the highest scientific methodologies, and to CT: What happens next? the excellence of its personnel. As a leading commercially oriented Alejandro Raul Mirabal © Arqueonautas Worldwide – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. NS: Now AWW’s execu- marine-archaeological search and Team members prepare a crate of artefacts to be returned tive board will work with recovery organization specializing in to their original position on the site. interested investors, with shipwrecks in depths to below 60m the intention of being sea level, AWW reports that the com- are the pieces that you recovered fully funded by late summer so full scale pany has to date “located over three now—in a safety deposit box? recovery operations can begin. hundred shipwrecks in Africa, Asia and Simon Lim © Arqueonautas Worldwide South America under government – Arqueologia Subaquática S.A. NS: The artefacts were only temporar- CT: I noticed that there were not any licenses by the Republic of Cabo Verde, ily recovered so that we could collect women on the recon team. What do Mozambique, Indonesia, Vietnam and The expedition vessels and team, left to sampling data. After the data was col- you say? Are you ready to balance out Brazil. Over 100,000 coins and more right: Manny Abalon Dujali, Alexander lected, the artefacts were returned to your team? than 10,000 culturally significant arte- Capote, Nemesio Calunod Magsayo, Amos their original positions on the site. facts have been recovered, recorded Timbunan, Alejandro Raul Mirabal, Alejandro AM: Well Carol, our crew members take and published from a total number of Mirabal, Bobby Effendi, Yuri Romero, Yusuf Luminto, Deni Syaputra, Saripudin, Eduardo CT: Why is that? turns in the , and we’ve heard 15 excavated shipwrecks, most of them de los Reyes

16 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck rap Find of another treasure wreck, SS Mantola, also confirmed

Odyssey Marine Exploration has discovered a shipwreck that was torpedoed during the World War I while carrying a shipment of silver.

Odyssea Marine finds not one, but two treasure ships in the Atlantic Discovery of SS Gairsoppa confirmed Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., announced that they have found the wreck intact. They estimate its cargo at up to 240 tons of silver—a trove worth more than US$200 million. They plan to recover it this spring.

SS Gairsoppa has been located process, the exclusive salvage recovery operations. We were fortunate nearly 4,700 meters below the contract for the cargo of the SS By analyzing the known surface of the North Atlantic, Gairsoppa. Under the salvage configuration and research to find the approximately 300 miles off the agreement Odyssey will retain 80 about the Gairsoppa and her shipwreck sitting coast of Ireland in international percent of the net salved value final voyage and painstak- waters. of the silver bullion recovered ingly exploring the shipwreck upright, with the The SS Gairsoppa was a British under the contract. site to record each element holds open and steam merchant ship that saw the Odyssey team recently and item, the Odyssey team of service during the Second World conducted ROV (Remotely experts was able to positively easily accessible. War. She sailed with several Operated Vehicle) operations identify the site as the Gair- This should enable convoys, before joining Convoy from the RV Odyssey Explorer to soppa. Odyssey’s visual inspections conducted by ROV at a depth of approximately 2,500 meters SL 64. Whilst heading to Galway, inspect the site. The video and the recovery, if successful, us to unload revealed the forecastle deck in the background from the port side of the SS Mantola Ireland, to refuel, she was tor- photographs acquired during would be history’s deepest and cargo through the pedoed and sunk by a German the exploration of the shipwreck largest retrieval of a precious hatches, as would The SS Mantola sank on 9 February 1917, “This find shows the value of our re- u-boat. Contemporary research were reviewed and analyzed at cargo lost at sea. ■ after being torpedoed by German sub- search team and our extensive data- and official documents indi- length to confirm the identity of happen with a ship marine U-81. Odyssey discovered the base of shipwrecks, which allow us to cate that the ship was carrying the shipwreck as that of the SS See video about the alongside a cargo shipwreck approximately 2,500 meters build backup projects that can be add- GB£600,000 (1941 value) or seven Gairsoppa. The expedition SS Gairsoppa here >>> beneath the surface of the North ed to our surveys in the event of a quick million total ounces of silver. and resulting data was also www.xray-mag.com/content/ terminal. Atlantic Ocean, approximately 100 miles find. The discovery and verification of the in 2010, the U.K. Department used to evaluate the condi- ss-gairsoppa-shipwreck from the SS Gairsoppa shipwreck. Mantola marks the second verification of for Transport awarded Odyssey, tion of the shipwreck and to — Greg Stemm, “The Mantola project is located at a a valuable deep-ocean site and con- through a competitive tender begin planning for depth range that we have a lot of ex- tract with the United Kingdom this year.” chief executive of perience in. We have information on the odyssey has begun the process of Odyssey location of the cargo that should make assembling the tools and equipment for this a great target for testing some the salvage expedition for the Gairsoppa new technology that will be useful and Mantola, and anticipates that op- for a number of new deep-ocean erations will begin in spring 2012 as soon projects we have planned. As as the weather window begins to open we push deeper and deeper, up in the North Atlantic. The system being a lot of new and interesting mobilized for modern salvage recov- opportunities are presenting ery can also be used on other projects, themselves,” said Greg Stemm, several of which are in various stages of Odyssey’s CEO. search or confirmation at this time. ■ In 1941, a German u-boat sank the British merchant ship SS Gairsoppa, which was carrying a fortune in silver to England from India.

17 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel news Changes to Egyptian tourism visa regulations suspended

Edited by Scott Bennett

Airlines’ cheap ticket offers to be investigated Airlines, train firms and rail websites criticized for controversial ‘add-on’ charges. Growing concern that airlines exploit passengers by expanding additional charges.

The European commission has ceed with the transaction. On a similar front, airlines Swiss and launched an inquiry into airlines’ con- Lufthansa are to start charging custom- troversial “add-on” charges, allowing According to Monique Goyens, director ers for using debit and credit cards, just them to offer low prices bearing little general of the European Consumers’ weeks after the Office of Fair Trading resemblance to the actual final price. Organisation, “It’s high time the com- (OFT) backed the consumer rights European commission vice-president mission looks into this issue. More and group Which? in calling for an end to Siim Kallas said he was concerned by more airlines charge their clients the fees. As of 2 November 2011, a No travelling in Egypt without passing numerous checkpoint. This one is in Sinai desert along the increasing practice of airlines offer- unnecessary high costs for paying by charge of GB£4.50 will be added on the Red Sea coast ing attractive” headline prices” for credit or debit card, inflating the price all payment card bookings, a little over flights that are then subject to a slew tag of flights advertised as low cost. a month after the OFT responded to of additional costs including baggage Accepting card payments to buy a a complaint from Which?, stating that Mixed messages over Egypt visa requirements charges, credit and debit card fees ticket is not a service delivered by a surcharges were misleading and detri- and airport check-in fees. company. Passengers should not be mental to consumers. The Egyptian government reverses a decision that would have charged for exaggerated and unjustifi- required tourists to get their visas ahead of time instead of buying Roundly criticized by U.K. consumer able card fees.” “It’s unbelievable that two airlines have them upon arrival at the airport, as has been the case for a groups, the practice has been under introduced these card fees just weeks scrutiny for being used by not only Commercial practice has, little by lit- after the OFT agreed with us that they number of years. budget airlines but also scheduled car- tle, segregated specific services that are unfair and misleading,” said Richard riers, train firms and rail websites. Amid may be avoidable (check-in at the Lloyd, executive director of Which?. Red Sea dive operators are undoubtedly tian embassies abroad. Tourism compa- growing concern that airlines exploit counter, excess baggage weight, a sigh of relief. In an abrupt nies and offices were quickly notified of passengers by expanding the list of checked baggage), but which “Just one simple change to the flip-flop from a previously announced the decision’s suspension. Previously, tour- additional charges, Kallas revealed up to now have formed part Payment Services Directive would put move, Egypt will suspend a controversial ists from Europe, the United States and that the commission admitted spiral- of the basic fare. Results of an end to debit card surcharges for decision requiring tourists to get visas in other select countries could simply pur- ling consumer complaints were dif- the report will be released good. The Treasury must act quickly to advance. Assistant Minister of Tourism, chase a one-month visa upon arrival at ficult to address within current laws. in the autumn with leg- do this before other airlines and busi- Hisham Zazou announced that Minister of the airport. The decision was met by pub- The situation has been compounded islative action expect- nesses jump on the bandwagon and Tourism, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, has lic outcry and accusations that it would by the ease of online ticket purchases, ed next year. start charging these excessive fees,” he agreed with the Council of Ministers to deal a major blow to Egypt’s already where people may decline to cancel added. ■ suspend the recent decision that would fragile tourism industry, which has seen a a transaction at a late stage necessitate tourists to obtain a visa in 30 percent decrease in business since the as the extra charges kick in. advance from events that toppled Hosni Mubarak from Consumers must agree with Egyp- power earlier this year. ■ carriers’ terms and conditions to pro- The Economist wrote that Ryanair’s “cavalier treatment of passengers” had given Ryanair “a deserved repu- tation for nastiness” and that the airline“ has become a byword for appalling customer service

18 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel news

Number of visitors to Mabul to be limited

View from one resort to another on Mabul Island The Tourism, Culture and Environmental Ministry of the Malaysian State of Sabah is considering limiting the number of visitors to Mabul Island, a popular diving resort near the famous .

The move was pertinent earlier introduced The number of visitors is to avoid overcrowding guidelines restricted the increasing every year. If the and to preserve the island, number of visitors to Pulau Assistant Minister Datuk Sipadan, which is among situation is not controlled, it could Bolkiah Ismail told reporters the most popular scuba adversely impact marine life as after launching a workshop diving centres in the world. on the management plan on the development of well as the environment at Pulau for Sabah’s islands. The islands as tourism centres Mabul Park and the surrounding government would seek including those owned islands in the long run. the views of stakeholders by individuals, he said the including tourism operators ministry would conduct a —Assistant Minister Datuk before introducing the new study to identify them. ■ Bolkiah Ismail guidelines.

19 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Egypt’s Red Sea

NText and photosuweiba by Charles Stirling

20 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Nuweiba

The Sinkers mooring buoy Nuweiba (left); It can be very relaxing sitting on the beach in Nuweiba (above); Yellowtail tang fish (below) PREVIOUS PAGE: Polyps of soft coral, Dendronephthya sp.

The Red Sea is a fabulous area to Jordan. Much of its coastline has highly. Diving predominantly starts from for diving, so it naturally attracts fringing coral barrier reefs with coral a sandy beach over a gently sloping gardens, reef walls and pinnacles. seabed to the area of interest. One rather a lot of divers, and on my visit, the town had three dive centre, Scuba-College Nuweiba, also under normal circumstances, centres, each having their own distinct runs a to reasonably near let’s say, “It’s busy”. Popular ambiance but all were relaxed, friendly, sites. All offer . locations may have 10, 15, 20 well run, professional and held safety so, what diver would chose this or more dive boats each with 20 or more divers aboard. I’ve dived pinnacles with maybe a hundred others all circling around in a confused layered fashion. More secluded sites with maybe just those from your own boat often means a and lots of cruising. To find seclusion, special locations need to be found. One of these is Nuweiba, up in the Northern Sinai Gulf of Aqaba beyond Sharm el- Sheikh between Dahab and Taba.

Nuweiba is a natural oasis, it spreads over about 40km of gently sloping flood plane surrounded by the majestic Sinai mountains inland and the Gulf. It isn’t primarily a tourist centre but has grown due to its ferry port with connections

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Pipefish, in sea grass (above); Reef, this one at Sha’Ab Elaria, Nuweiba (right)

location over the occupation in the 1970’s many other good both have good marine options in the Red life associated and are well Sea? worth a visit even if they are ● Beginners. With not in the world’s “must do” little or no current list. and easy beach the Sinkers site is a entries, it’s an large, totally submerged excellent training mooring buoy, held down location. The by a pair of big heavy training can start at entry level growth-covered chains right through to technical with populated by hard and soft shallow sites to some at 100- corals, shrimps, sponges, metre depths nearby. anemones and of lots of fish ● Underwater photographers circling. like the wide range of critters the Pipeline site has a and possibility of re-diving sites pair of desalination plant they can get to know well. discharge pipes not used ● Divers with non-diving in over 30 years, so they families like it, as swimming and are covered in soft and snorkelling are excellent with hard corals with numerous good beaches, and it has easy species of fish calling the access to desert attractions. area home. It was a great ● Any diver wanting place to find many tiny independent buddy dives in pipefish and the occasional place of guided groups. torpedo ray on the sand around the pipes with It’s not the location for extensive scorpion fish, antheas, fairy nightclubbing, or heavy duty basslets, batfish up on the shopping trips, nor the wreck pipes. The end areas of the junky. pipes are used as cleaning stations, so large jacks Heavy metal and snappers visit for the man-made artefacts, just off morays under a wheel, hawkfish No ship wrecks here—instead, attention of cleaner shrimp and the Scuba-College beach swimming over, lionfish in front The Sinkers and Pipeline sites wrasse. at 6m, is a jeep. Not thought and numerous other critters. It offer some rusty metal for those of as anything special by makes an especially good night who must have it. These two Light metal anyone there, but really quite dive. The piers at the Hilton and Bluegreen chromis fish, Chromis viridis, on Acropora lamarcki coral (above); structures, left after the Israeli For those metal junkies wanting fun. It has a pair of undulated Nuweiba Town also give good Gray moray eels, Gymnothorax griseus, were reasonably common (top left) 22 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Nuweiba

Broad-banded pipefish on hard encrusting coral; The Jeep (above)

hard and soft corals are in good condition with all the species generally found in the Red Sea. The wide mix of coral gardens, valleys, pinnacles, ergs and tables with areas of sea grass, rocks and sand, probably gives more diversity than nearly any other single location. the Scuba-College southern house reef starting at the waters edge and dropping to 40m or more is an example. Up at the shore in less than a metre just the variety of stonefish is phenomenal, red, green, blue. Down at the deeper end various pinnacles intersperse with walls to give great topography. At the Hilton house reef of Abu Lou Lou the whole reef acts as a series of cleaning stations and attracts underwater photographers for multiple trips a year, year after year as the photos from it win so many contests.

backdrops. The Hilton pier showed off lots Corals sea beds and sand of needlefish hunting in swarms of smaller What attracts the dedicated diver to fish. Nuweiba is, of course, the abundant marine life associated with reefs. The Scalefin anthias (above) on Dendronephthya soft coral; Stargazer fish (left) buried in sand; Stonefish (far left) 23 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel

LEFT TO RIGHT: Long-arm cleaner shrimp on sea anemone. Excellent macro life here; Diver and anthias on coral head; Thorny seahorse

multitude of other fish and to great, and can easily occupy invertebrates. a few weeks. Other sites are a Dives can be very local, few minutes drive, and all three i.e. just a 100-metre walk. dive centres have this as part of House reef diving is good their itinerary along with longer drives down to Ras Mumlah, which is part of the Ras Abu Galum National Protectorate. Ras Mumlah is maybe better known from the long coastal camel trek from Dahab, but it’s on the correct side of the mountains for an easier 4X4 journey from Nuweiba. Sites here offer stunning wall dives, beautiful soft and hard corals and technical diving depths.

With a sandy beach as the sea moth, flounder, stargazer, A difference in ambiance normal entry in Nuweiba, it’s sand dollars, rays, even the mimic Sarah, from African Divers worth looking at that sand while octopus, which isn’t supposed to Nuweiba, with her well-trained swimming out to ‘the site’. It can be in the Red Sea, may be found. eyes, was invaluable in pointing dive master showing what to see. be surprising what might show Often next to the sand will be sea out frog fish, the sea moths and With Emperor Divers, based out of itself. The thornback cowfish grass beds where you might see other unusual critters. This is the the Coral Hilton, guided dives are hunting for morsels, the elusive ghost pipefish, sea horses and a advantage of guided dives with a the norm, but independent buddy Sea moth, or little dragonfish, on sandy seabed 24 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Male “Panther flounder” on sandy seabed travel (left) Nuweiba

which made prepping equipment a pleasure. It also attracts couples with the extra space, along with families, but won’t have the range of facilities of the much larger Hilton. Middle priced. The beach in front gently

dives on the house reef may be permitted for experienced divers. With Scuba-College based out of the Nuweiba Village Resort, the emphasis really is on even from the boat, but guided dives can be arranged. Their popular night dives are also guided. Here, Petra and Mike both emphasize that what they want to see are divers who trained up to be confident and self sufficient. African Divers is located adjacent slopes seaward, and for a long way, The above starts to point out those different to the Swisscare Nuweiba Resort which makes the swimming excellent ambiances offered by dive operators while other Hotel, though it also uses other but pushes divers to use transport aspects come from the associated hotels. accommodations. The Swisscare for the drive to their house reef. This All of the centres will collect divers from any of rooms were all doubles, and for in turn emphasizes group diving, the local hotels, but it’s often easier being at the photographers, the setup was one but they have free unguided house associated hotel. LEFT TO RIGHT: Yellow boxfish; Gray moray eel and undulated moray; Porcupinefish— of the best with desks, lights, chairs reef diving with dive packages. The yellow spotted burrfish; Loading the boat for a dive at Scuba College 25 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE: Shore diving; Wall dive; The Sinkers mooring buoy Nuweiba; Technical diving is possible from Nuweiba, Nuweiba travel this on trip to Ras Abu Gallum

Swisscare hotel is located on a beach side local road with other smaller hotels midway between the port and town centre, so it’s a long walk to either. scuba-College is located on the beach of the Nuweiba Village Resort in amongst their beach huts, billed as Diving Camp. The huts are more primitive than hotel rooms and adequate if you are primarily interested in the diving, but couples often decamped to the hotel proper. Inexpensive. For divers it was a

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CLOCKWISE: Main restaurant food at Coral Hilton ; Bedouin guide at entrance to Abu Hamata Canyon; Very narrow gorge of Abu Hamata Canyon; Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata

supremely easy walk the few facilities than the camp. to the dive centre in yards to the dive centre to pick emperor Divers are probably the main complex, up cylinders, kit up and walk the largest centre here and then a cart to transport the few metres to start a dive do the more usual approach gear to the beach. whenever you chose. The camp of two dives a day organized The hotel can offer an is close to what exists of the town around a drive to a shore entry all inclusive deal with centre allowing a visit with only site. What attracts underwater an excellent range a 10-15 minute walk. The photographers will be the of fabulous food in main hotel has more concession allowing unescorted help yourself fashion, house reef children’s play areas, dives. The pool and particularly Coral Hilton attracts couples and is the families. It’s the most largest expensive. It’s located hotel in close to the port area Nuweiba of Nuweiba and some distance excursions in the Sinai or day trips main roads but soon move onto and from the town centre. to Jordan or Israel. Popular sites unpaved dirt tracks then cross sits in large to visit are Mount Saint Catherine country using dry river valleys, grounds Top side excursions and Mount Moses with Saint flood planes, sand dunes, with dispersed Nuweiba itself doesn’t have a Catherine Monastery a must whatever it takes. For larger accommodation lot of tourist attraction, even to do for many. For me, I liked the groups, it may be a few 4x4’s units, so it’s a few minutes the extent of no taxis, no hustling desert landscape and took off travelling together. For mine, it walk to sell trinkets, and local shops on a 4x4 trip out to more remote was two of us plus the Bedouin are expecting to sell to locals. areas with fabulous canyons and driver and the Bedouin guide It is in a good position relative sleeping on sand dunes under with stops to say ‘hi’ to their to the mountains to offer the stars. families or friends camped out. many Bedouin run desert the desert trips start on paved Then, it was on to Ein Khudra

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Swisscare Nuweiba Resort Hotel (above) with the Sinai mountains as backdrop; Through the desert, Wadi Meghesa (above right)

Oasis, which acts as a hub. This was after walking a bit of the White Canyon. nuweiba is great; it’s just not for organized by Sulman Atwa, a local early next morning, after breakfast everyone. Avoid it, if you are the type Bedouin friend of Sarah and Daniel of and breaking camp, it was off to walk who wants lots of discos, shopping African Divers. Each dive centre and through the little known Abu Hamata and crowds. For any diver interested in hotel has Bedouin friends to organize canyon with its very tight canyon walls marine life, I would put it high on my list. trips. before heading back to Sulman’s camp For others, it can be a good place to from Ein Khudra Oasis, you could in Tarabeen at the northern end of relax and unwind. go off on camel treks or eat, sit, relax Nuweiba. A few cups of tea, a good before going on. I avoided the camel meal and chatting gave a relaxing Charles Stirling is a dive writer and treks—they are hard on the bottom and break in my visit. If you are really underwater photographer based in the I’ve done camels before—so I went on adventurous, the guide teaches camel United Kingdom. ■ to find a secluded valley for the night care and riding for that real trip.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Shops in the centre of town; In Nuweiba, it’s possible just to relax with your feet up; African Divers Nuweiba dive centre on the beach; A few shops cater for tourists, this one sells carpets (above left); Camping out (above right)

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TabaText and photos by Peter Symes

29 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Taba FAR LEFT: Anthias dart in and out of the thriving reef

LEFT: Enjoying snacks in the twilight on the terrace of the Marriott after a good day’s diving

BELOW: ‘Big Brother is watching you’—what is presumably a grouper gives the onlooker and omi- nously stare from behind a geomet- ric moray, Gymnothorax griseus

The northern end of the Gulf It probably dates me a bit, but I remem- once barren, rugged and dramatically of Aqaba in the Red Sea is full ber when Sharm el Sheikh was a small, beautiful coastline has been extensively sleepy village at the tip of the barren developed and clad with resorts, which of new opportunities and fresh Sinai peninsula, which was reached by now extend in an unbroken chain far into dive sites Find something new overnight coach from Cairo. Domestic the mist on the horizon. Granted, a lot of and interesting to report on at flights from Cairo’s international airport, these hotels are very nice, and there are the Red Sea was the assign- which was the common place of entry to few other places on the planet where Sharm’s airstrip, were available but came you get so much standard for your buck. ment I gave myself. Right. Easier at a substantial price. This was about 20 however, I was yearning for the origi- said than done. It is one of the years ago, and I still recall how the sensa- nal Red Sea experience and for at place most popular and visited dive tion of remoteness filled me with joy and where I could go diving off the coast at destinations on the planet and excitement—it was an adventure. The my leisure, without being compelled to waters were amazing, and I think they still get up in the wee morning to catch a countless articles have already are. But they are not quite as accessible bus to a day boat in the next bay. This been written about the under- anymore, and in places, have become is now what you have to do in Sharm. I water wonders of its spectacular somewhat crowded. Sharm has turned don’t want to get up early, and I do not into a bustling resort town with over want commute on a holiday. underwater world. I found myself 150,000 hotel beds, or so I have heard, While the “Deep South” area south of with a challenge on my hand. and a busy international airport, and the Marsa Alam on the western coast of the

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The life inside the reef structures is quite vibrant. TOP RIGHT: A marble snake eel, Callechelys marmorata, pokes its head out of the sand. Approach slowly and you may be able to get up quite close. BOTTOM RIGHT: Huge lionfish are omnipresent

Red Sea possibly could offer all this in Sheikh airport. I was amazed and early August for you. Thank goodness for plenty, my attention was drawn to the impressed how fast I was whisked air conditioning. northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba and through customs and immigration by taba Heights is a small resort town the area of Taba just south of the border the guides from our travel company. It built around a golf course and a cluster with Israel. The macro life was said to be only took a few minutes from the time I of four international hotels which takes really good there with a healthy popula- stepped out of the plane until I sat in the about 2.5 hours to reach from Sharm tion of frogfish. “Is that so?,” I thought. minibus on the outside still gasping and el Sheikh. Whether the drive through A decision was made, and off to Taba I panting from the massive and almost Sinai’s rugged landscape is considered went. burning wall of hot air that greeted me an experience in its own right and part fast forward to arrival in Sharm el upon disembarkation. That is Sinai in of the whole adventure or just a tedious

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Many of the dive sites are very conven- iently located just below the and unwanted stage just to get over with expanses of the desert. ed and dragged along resort; Many of the sooner the better depends, I sup- i could not help studying the land- its masses of tourists with the dive sites pose, on your personal inclinations in that scape that passed pondering on all their cash and credit are at moder- respect. I kind of like it, and it helps reset- the biblical stuff that took place on this cards. ate depth. There ting my frame of reference, as I stare out peninsula. It’s mind-boggling in a way— underwater Sinai is are no dramatic on the vast and all the strife that has taken place in this a completely differ- drop-offs with empty region—and at the same time, I won- ent world, and break- lush gorgonians, dered what all the fuss was really about ing the surface is like but there are lots and why people were here in the first going through a portal of small critters; Blacktip grouper, place. to another universe that Epinephelus fas- there is no water here, no growth, no is colourful, vibrant and ciatus; Sargeant green pastures nor food for that mat- alive. major fish (inset) ter—just dust, sand, gravel, rocks But before one and scorching temperatures. It descends, one can- seems as fertile as Mars. I am not help taking a look passing through in transit to around at the peaks undertake some great diving draped in an amazing on colourful corals and sip spectrum of soft pastel colours ranging changes, and one is greeted with the full Zen moment cocktails or cold beers by the from sandy yellows to dusty pinks, which palette of strong colours coming to life in The tranquillity down below was soothing, pool side in the evenings—that is only get softer, hazier and redder as the the form of orange anthias and damself- and I slowly descended to the bottom my good excuse for being here. But day progresses. ish darting in and out of coral structures, about 15m below me. I was on the house it eludes me as to why anyone would And once one gets water over one’s yellow butterfly fish, blue surgeonfish, and reef just outside the resorts. From the like to hang around in this beautiful but head and immerses oneself in the blue the almost phychedelic juvenile emperor boat deck, I just stepped off, and I could forsaken place before diving was invent- realm, the whole tonal range completely angelfish to name a few. see my hotel room. It was that close and

32 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Stonefish on reef (left); Location of NASA Egypt on global map (right); Loca- tion of Taba and Nuweiba on map of Egypt (below)

swim from A to B and keep up with a group of divers, some of which invariably have questionable skills in control and limited situ- ational awareness, is not very conducive for working properly with a camera. But, much to my relief, that easy to get to. As I gently touched in this case A to B turned out to be a short were down like a humanoid lunar lander on and sedate semi-circular course, so I was indeed a sandy patch and started adjusting my fortunately able to mind my own business no other dive belts and buckles, fidgeting with my cam- while staying within eyesight of the group, boats in sight. era gear—all my everyday worries had or rather the dive guides. I believe I even it was a beautiful day, and the surface already left me. Ah, peace! hummed a few tunes as I went about tak- of the sea was flat and smooth as glass. the diving in these parts was everything ing my pictures. I got out of my gear and headed for a but dramatic. The bottom was a flat sandy i didn’t see any other divers in the strong cup of tea and some fresh baked plateau scattered with lots of coral heads water. I believed we were the only group cake before we went on our next dive a and table corals under which all sorts on this whole stretch of reef, and once out little further down the reef. There was no of critters were playing hide and seek. I of the water almost an hour later, there rush. came to think of a garden with bushes and plantations. There were several big Mediterranean Sea Stellar moments table corals under which groupers, mor- That evening I had my als and lionfish huddled, pushing shoulders Damletta Port first of several good din- Alexandria Said and shoving each other out of the best Marsá ners with a magnificent Suez IS. spot. Matrūh Shubrā Canal view over the opposite

al Khaymah JORDAN i don’t recall ever seeing so many Suez coastline. Jordan is moray eels in one location, both in terms Al Jīzah SINAI on the left, and Saudi CAIRO Taba of specimens and different species. The Arabia is on the right. Sīwah Al Fayyūm Nuweiba maximum depth of 18m also made this Dahab SAUDI As the daylight dive relaxed in terms of ample margin to ARABIA dimmed and turned Al Minyā no-deco limits and remaining airtime. Al into twilight, the moon

LIBYA Ghardaqah Sharm Being a photographer I was, obviously, El Sheikh rose across the gulf, not keen on going with groups. Having to Asyūt Būr reflected by the still Safjah waters that had taken Red on a rosy tone. This was Al Khārijah Sea The moon rises over the gulf of Luxor the Red Sea all right. I Aqaba. On the other side is the understood that it got Jordan and Saudi Arabia. its name from this very Aswān phenomenon where According to Wikipedia the the local circumstances name of the sea may signify Lake Nasser combined in a way that the seasonal blooms of the red- coloured Trichodesmium eryth- made the sea appear raeum near the water’s surface. reddish. While I watch in But what about the special hue silence how the twilight SUDAN the surface takes in the twilight? 33 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A tint bicolor bleny, Ecsenius bicolor, perch- es on a coral head; Nose-spotted, Synodus binotatus; Yellowmouth moray, travel Gymnothorax nudivomer; Spotted wrasse (right) Taba but it is close enough. The Red Sea a 4WD on request. The reef right in Waterworld dive center lies adja- front of the center is not hugely cent to the hotel complex and exciting being mostly sand is reached in only a few minutes with a few corals and some by the complimentary shuttle bus smaller artificial reefs, that stops by the hotel twice every but it has its moments, hour for most of the day. Equally as seahorses and important, if you are an occa- pipe ghostfish can sional lazy bum like yours truly who be spotted here wants to sleep in now and then and, as the and decide to give the morning name implies, dive a pass, you can jump in later. it is an excel- there are three boat dives a lent training day—one in the morning, one at area. Also, 11 and one after noon. In addi- it is good tion, there is unlimited beach div- for getting ing from either the house reef in kit adjusted front of the dive center, aka the and the camera aptly named “Confined Training configured if you have not week, Area”, or in the nearby Marina Bay been in the water for a good while. just because it was so easy to just grab area to which you get driven in i went out several times during the another tank and walk straight out. I never saw any seahorses but, somewhat ironically, lots of other exciting stuff. Fjord No, we have not washed up in Norway. Fjord is the name of a site some 25 min- utes sailing time from the marina where there is a freshwater well on the bottom. The well itself appears to be a cylindrical depression in the reef some 15 meters in diameter. The rim starts around 15 meters, so even OWD divers can come along but cannot go to the bottom of the well, which lies at 27m. Also, because freshwater seeps from the bottom of the

Rounding off a day of diving with a glass slowly transformed itself into a velvety diving than with a cool beer while look- of cold blue night, I enjoyed a cool Stella—an ing out of over the sea. That night I slept Stella— Egyptian beer. It did not quite meet the like a baby. a reason- ably good standard of the Belgian or Czech pilsn- Egyptian ers—but then again, what is—and I found The elusive frogfish beer it actually pretty good. I can’t help think- Ideally, I wanted to stay at a resort with a ing, is there any better way of wrapping house reef I could have direct access to up a very nice but warm day full of great at my leisure. It is not quite possible here,

34 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED On Pharao’s Island near the Israeli border there Taba travel is a ruin of a medi- avval castle built by the knights templar A school of juvenile car- dinate fish shelters in a crevice in the coral

Red Sea racoon but- terflyfish, Chaetodon fasciatus (left)

people around but letting people explore the surroundings in their own time and pace while keeping a watchful eye out for everyone’s safety and minor needs. take form as a drift dive and During many of the briefings, we safety sausages, were told that the ascent would or SMBs, were distributed among buddy pairs or small groups. I well, divers will experience a loss of buoyancy, don’t know which needs to be countered as one descends about the into the well. so-called drift, there seems to be little need, however, to though. Maybe explore the bottom, which appears to largely we were just there consist of coarse gravel and is a waste good during very benign . conditions, or I just it is mostly what lives on the walls that seems have a different frame interesting, including a bright pink anemone of reference on currents, zealously guarded by clownfish. The well is a having learnt to dive in Scandinavian curiosity and a good excuse for an excursion, waters, but I did not feel much of a cur- but once you have seen it, you have seen it, rent. I think it only makes sense to talk and what goes on in the surrounding reef is about drift dives when it is a) impos- more interesting. sible or at least prohibitively strenuous once again, we have the place to ourselves, to swim against the current, or b) when and there is no hurry. In general, I have to give the current is used for sweeping you Day octopus, Octopus cyanea, about to blend in with the reef; the dive guides much credit for not herding effortlessly along on a joy ride along the The shuttle bus is free and runs every 30 minutes (left)

35 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT captions... BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Taba CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Tube worm blenny, Plagiotremus rhi- norhynchos, peeks out of its hole; Steinitz’s shrimp goby, Amblyeleotris steinitzi, usually shares its burrow with a shrimp that keeps the burrow tidy in return for protection and food scraps; Two- banded anemone fish, Amphiprion bicinctus; Pyjamas nudibranch, Chromodoris quad- ricolor; Juvenile emperor angel- fish, Pomacanthus imperator

reef. This dive had neither, marina. Most but we got a good excuse of the sites are for some very good prac- dominated by tise in deploying the buoys, relatively flat or ascending along their lines gently sloping the most prominent landmark is the old and performing a safety areas with a mix fort. stop suspended under these of sandy patches in the 12th century, Crusaders defend- sausages. You never know and coral heads. ing the route between Cairo and when you will really be This physical structure Damascus controlled by the nearby city dependent on such skills. In combined with the of Aqaba, in Jordan, built the first fortifi- any case, it is my firm belief fact that there is plenty tact. cation on the island. In December 1170, that a of macro life makes The Saladin conquered the island and recon- should be part of any div- it a very good area dive structed the citadel. In 2003, the citadel er’s safety kit. for photographers, guides also on Pharaoh’s Island was added to the because there always seem to have a keen eye for spotting UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Other dive sites seems to be ample elusive or camouflaged creatures, which history aside, it is also a popular dive The local dive sites lies pretty room to kneel down on is very helpful for photographers. site, with lush coral reefs making it a pop- much like pearls on a string sand and mess around one dive site, Farun Island (aka ular sightseeing attraction among tourists along side the resort and without damaging the Pharaoh’s Island) lies close to the border based in Taba, Eilat and Aqaba. From a bit to north. And none of sensitive coral by acci- with Israel, around 45 minutes sailing time Taba Heights, this is a full day weekly them are very far from the dental physical con- from Taba Heights marina. On the island, excursion with lunch served on the boat.

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Dense schools of glass fish (above) congregate over the reef structures; A pipefish of indeterminate species (right) hides in the sea grass bed

Sea grass and glass fish The lush meadows of sea grasses constitutes a different habitat than the coral reef. At a glance, there doesn’t seem to be much life there, but look again and look closely, because a lot of the species there are very well camouflaged. Hiding behind the sea grass, you can find seahorses and pipefish, some of which are fiend- ishly well camouflaged. Or you might come across a grazing sea turtle. it was on of one of these shallow nearby sites where I had one of my most enjoyable dives for many years. The name of the site is Muqabila and lies few minutes south of the marina. We started the dive among table corals and pillars on the sandy bottom, and as usual, TOP TO BOTTOM: Wandering feather star traverses the sea grass meadow; the amount of life taking shelter among the corals was Painted cardinalfish, Archamia fucata; Schultz’s pipefish, Corythoichthys schultzi a spectacle one could keep watching forever.

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A school of juvenile The pickhandle barracuda Sphyraena jello

Seaside view of Taba Heights (right)

Typical reefscape below the resorts (bottom right)

Two-banded anemonefish in pink bubble coral, Physogyra sp. (below)

coral, we then went over the bed of sea grass. First, I came across a wan- All kinds dering brittlestar, then a bright red of damselfish, more species than pipefish—of a species I have not I could recognise, were darting in yet been able to establish with and out. Moray eels were tucked any degree of convincing certain- away in crevices at the bottom, ty—some small wrasses, and then, and huge lionfish gave me the a majestic sea turtle calmly graz- grumpy look. ing. on top of one the coral heads, the guide spotted and pointed Security out a stone fish, which I would Due to the proximity to the bor- never have seen on my own. ders with Israel, Jordan and Saudi What an ugly fellah. But some 45 Arabia guests are required to minutes into this already pleas- bring their passports on all boat ant dive, we came to a big coral dives, but this is not a major hassle. head that sat just where the beds Every morning, when divers got of sea grasses started. picked up outside the hotel by the the sun was coming from dive center shuttle, the dive guide behind the underwater scenery, collected the passports for safe- as I watched a school of large keeping. Security is in place eve- glassfish moving and swaying in rywhere. During the transfer from and out of the reef. Suddenly, the airport in Sharm, we passed they passed over the reef and through a number of checkpoints came in between me and the where we were waved straight sun, which backlit the whole lot through by soldiers who looked like a glass mosaic in a cathedral, utterly bored out of their skulls, as and every little fibre in their trans- they cooked in the heat and fly- lucent bodies stood out. infested manholes for I don’t know slowly moving away from the how long. Around the perim-

38 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Taba

On the road from Sharm el Sheihk to Taba, you never know what you are going to meet

eter of the their pockets to enter the hotel Accommodation Taba Height through the lobby, while noth- The standard is good, as is often urbanisation ing prevented guests from going the case in Egypt, and relatively was another straight to their rooms via the upscale with attention to detail set of check- sidewalk or by entering the hotel without being uncomfortably points, so if from the beach. posh for divers in t-shirts and flip- one had no flops. I stayed at the Marriott legitimate The dive center but poked into the other nearby business here, Red Sea Waterworld gave me hotels, which seemed to be of one was the impression of being organ- an equally good four star stand- not able to ised and efficient in the way ard. That aside, I cannot pass get very far. they dealt with the many groups any judgement on these hotels Nonetheless, of divers, snorkellers and other as I did not stay there. busses and watersport guests. Operations At Marriott, I enjoyed having transfer vehi- were timely but never rushed or the all-inclusive board, which cles were not able to pull up chaotic. The place appeared meant that all meals were all the way to any of the hotels neat and orderly, and the rental included as long as I dined in being prevented to do so by equipment looked fairly new the main restaurant. There were barriers, which are probably and in good shape. But per- a number of other tempting there to stop car bombers from haps most importantly, I noticed restaurants in the hotel which I, entering the premises. how the staff interacted among however, did not get to try. it is probably all just healthy themselves, and the mood Amazingly, all-inclusive also paranoia stemming from Egypt’s seemed relaxed and light heart- meant alcoholic beverages—of critical dependency on the ed. If things are in a mess back which something was supposed revenue from tourism, as it’s stage, it will show. to be excluded, but I never better to be safe than sorry. But the center has a café where found out what it was. I pre- sometimes, it just got a bit silly one can have a light lunch or sumed that it must have been and inconsequential. Everyday snack between dives or just the expensive liquors. guests had to pass through enjoy a coffee, juice or smooth- the hotel had some excellent a metal detector and empty ie. big pools, a good fitness center Marriott in Taba Heights (above) 39 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Taba

with a spa and a tennis court, which I heart of Sinai and is a full day trip, so tographers and holiday makers who cannot believe a person could actually are most of the other excursions on are looking for a more tranquil location use in that searing heat without suffer- offer such as the Colored Canyon, than what big resort towns elsewhere ing a heat stroke within minutes. My Aqaba, Eilat, Jerusalem and, my per- can offer. Of course, the trade-off is main gripe was that Internet connec- sonal favourite, the magnificent Petra. less shopping options and less night- tion was shockingly pricey at €15 per Boats leave from the Taba Heights life though there are bars enough in hour, which deterred me from getting marina to Jordan, but during my visit, the hotels or the little ‘uptown area’ much work done while on location—a operations were put on pending on the other side of the central golf feature that might well assist guests in some bureaucratic issues with permis- course. You will not find the wild and avoiding the temptation to work, or get sions. Until this gets sorted out, trips to dramatic diving here—go to Brothers bogged down checking emails, while Jordan take place by going by coach or Elphinstone for that—nor did I spot on vacation. to the Israeli border, which is crossed on many of the lush soft corals I have seen foot. Then, another vehicle takes guests further south, but this area’s got so Sights the short distance to the Jordanian bor- many other things to offer. It is a good Castle Zaman is a restaurant in a castle der, which is then crossed on foot. And place to relax and seems like a good with a spectacular view about 15km finally, some van or minibus takes guests place for a family holiday unless one down the coast. It specialises in slowly to the sights they want to see. Petra is craves a lot of excursions and sights of stewed dishes served still sizzling in huge worth it, though. which there are not so many. ceramic pots. It is not cheap but well worth the visit if you fancy a change Recommendations Oh… and I never got to see my frogfish. from the hotel’s restaurant. As it has probably already been made I guess, I’ll just have go again. ■ st. Catherine Monastery lies in the clear, this is a place for macro pho- Dinner restaurant at Marriott (above); View of Taba Heights (top left) 40 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The FActs and viewpoints in this section ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF x-ray mag. EQUIPMENT PRESENTED IN THIS SECTION HAs NOT BEEN tested BY x-ray MAG STAFF, NOR ARE THE ITEMS 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

point & click on bold links totally cool Edited by Rosemary ‘Roz’ Lunn & Arnold Weisz Equipment Xeo The Liquivision Xeo is Smartfind beacon a wrist-mounted air, The Smartfind S10 AIS Beacon is a nitrox, and OC/CCR manually activated personal safety computer that device that incorporates both AIS can serve divers of all (Automatic Identification System) levels. The Xeo is compact and light and GPS technology. When acti- weight, and its bright full-colour LED display is easy to read. It is operated with vated the Smartfind S10 transmits a tap-interface and is designed for ease of use with both bare hands and a unique alert signal to the ves- thick gloves. The computer is shaped to fit the wrist and the screen is angled to sel the individual has come optimized readability. The battery is user-replaceable. Liquivision.com from and to all AIS enabled equipment within a typical four- mile range, signalling that help is required in a man overboard or lost diver situation. Smartfind Tusa Voyager S10 is fully submersible to 60 The BCJ-1800 Voyager is TUSA’s bid meters, buoyant and com- for a lightweight and compact pact, intended for carriage BC for warm water divers or the by divers, crew and anyone constant traveller, weighing who works on or carries out only 4.4lbs/2kg. The Voyager leisure activities on the can be rolled for travel and water. mcmurdo.co.uk features a unique console sleeve, on the left side, for streamlined rout- ing of your gauge or computer console. It features the integrated Hollis Ride iQ weight load- Ride is a technical BC that This sturdy iQ jacket with adjust- ing system has been made specifically able hood is water repellent (W.L.S.), which with travel in mind weighing in and wind resistant, yet breath- permits easy at just 5lbs but packed with technical features. It includes a simple yet able. Other features include weight loading strong nylon one size harness, that fits most and is easily adjustable. The zippered arm pocket, zip- and release and the wing is a rugged one-piece 1000 denier cordura and with stainless steel pered side pockets, water Independent Harness two-inch D-rings on the shoulders and hips, padded crotch strap, back repellent hood, fleecy System that was devel- pad and lower storage pouch. The wing comes in two sizes with 23 and lining and embroidery on oped to significantly reduce 37lbs of lift respectively and, depending on the size, can be used with the shoulders and chest. weight and structure. single or twin tanks. hollisgear.com iq-company.com tusa.com

41 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Aqualung Axiom This high-end, jacket-style BC incorporates Aqua Lung’s i3 technology, a streamlined integrated infla- tion and deflation system that makes buoyancy control easier. The new patent-pending Wrapture™ Harness System completely supports the weight of the tank with an innovative wrap-around back- pack, Aqua Lung writes. This keeps the cylinder closely secured to a diver’s center of gravity—the back—and efficiently distributes its weight to provide superior stability. The Wrapture system works in conjunction with Aqua Lung’s patented shoulder swivel buckles to prevent the BC from rid- ing up while making the tank feel Aeris light lighter. aqualung.com The AT600 ION LT over-balanced diaphragm first stage is brand new and weighs less than a pound. The AT600 ION ION LT is non-environmental but comes with the option to add an environmen- tal conversion kit. diveaeris.com

Green HID50 LED Should you be so unfortunate as to drop and damage your precious Green HDS Pro-elite Force lamp, despair not. With this new HIF 50 LED upgrade, the user can now The HDS Pro-elite is a easily replace the lamp, as all the connections of the battery packs and the new lightweight and light heads are identical (Green Force TOS connection*), all the components flexible, yet very dura- are interchangeable and one has the choice between eight battery ble trilaminate from the packs and 20 light heads, which vary from halogen over LED English drysuit specialist, to HID and are all compatible and modular. Hammond. Produced from green-force.com rEvo CO2 monitor a special fabric called We were recently shown Rhombus Weave Terrazza rEvo’s carbon dioxide monitor with single-stiched and that works in conjunction with Shearwater’s Predator dive double-taped seams, this suit computer. The sensor itself doesn’t look like much—a bit like is built to last. It comes with a stick of metal, or an antennae, in the center of the radial valves from Apex, latex wrist scrubber canister where it measures the warmth given off seals, neoprene neck seal and by the active zone on the scrubber. Keep an eye out for zips with protective flaps. the specs once it gets posted online. revo-rebreathers.com hammond-drysuits.co.uk and shearwaterresearch.com

42 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Text by Bonnie Harris McKenna Photos courtesy of Jill Heinerth Jill Heinerth, whose first job was a newspaper route in her home town of Toronto, Canada, is today a pioneer techni- cal diver and instructor, a renowned explorer of underwater caves who owns a record for the deepest and longest cave dive, and a record for the longest dive into an Antarctic iceberg. She is also a respected film- maker, author and pho- tographer. She has been honored by the diving community by being an inaugural inductee into the Women Divers Hall of Fame, and this year, she will receive the Nogi award in recognition of her continued work in the Jill dive industry. Heinerth

Heinerth currently resides in High Springs, bat photojournalist—all critical tools at that puts out creative professionals. My JH: I was a volunteer swim instructor and Florida, with her husband, Robert Heinerth Productions. advanced education is in curiosity,” she lifeguard at a local swimming pool when, McCellan, who is not only her life partner heinerth earned a Bachelor of Fine commented. at age 16, I got a chance to try scuba. I but her business partner, too. He has a Arts in Visual Communications Design was hooked. I finally got certified in uni- background in concert promotion, as a from York University. “It is a highly special- BHM: When and where did you become versity. I had been wanting to do it all my studio engineer and a Navy SeaBee com- ized and competitive four-year degree interested in ? life, but I had to earn the cash to take the

43 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Heinerth we can get with our antenna.

BHM: What are the greatest challenges you have faced in your career?

JH: I’ve faced numer- ous challenges being a woman in a man’s world. Whether it is in the field of technical diving or filmmaking, that said, the older I get, the more our world seems to embrace tal- ent in either gender.

BHM: What are the most important BHM: If you could switch attributes of a person who wants to get professions, what would it involved in the work you do? be? JH: That’s tough, because I JH: I think humility is the key… perhaps in am living my dream. all aspects of life. Tenacity is critical, too. If you have a dream, you can accom- BHM: What do you do plish anything you set your sights on, but when you are not working? it will take tenacity and really hard work to succeed. JH: My husband and I have a really weird . BHM: How do you prepare for the We grow as much of our demands of tech-diving? food as possible and built an outdoor shower, a yurt JH: In diving, fitness is ideally important and a geodesic green- and that includes physical and men- house. We love working on tal fitness. I manage to put in hundreds classes. My early years in diving were in astronauts were pretty cool. our mini-farm and yard art. of dives every year, but I still focus on Tobermory, Canada, in the wreck capital We are also avid cyclists rehearsal and currency. I have a lot of of the Great Lakes. BHM: Diving, writing, filmmaking, photo- and paddlers. diving toys and have to remain fresh and journalism – which came first, how did current before taking those toys out on BHM: Did you have a hero when you you connect them and why? BHM: What is the one thing a job. Then, Practice, Practice, Practice were growing up that influenced your about you that your col- and always accept new learning oppor- desire to dive and explore? JH: I had a small advertising and graph- leagues may not know? tunities. ics company in Toronto and taught div- JH: This may sound obvious, but I ing at night. The ad agency was the JH: That one thing is actu- BHM: What kind of person do you want loved ’s Undersea money. The diving was the relaxing bit. I a dive instructor, guide and managing ally two. I am a painter and love to diving on the same team as you? Adventures. It was on on Sunday night, knew I needed to find a way to bridge the marketing for the resort. In terms of watch “Dancing with the Stars”. My hus- and we were permitted to have our din- my two loves, so I sold the business, photography, I think I have always been band loves watching, too. We watch JH: Open minded. Comfortable in their ner in the living room to watch the show. packed up and moved to the Cayman the person to document life and share it. very little TV; we don’t even have cable own skin. Versatile, creative thinkers and That was a real treat. I also thought the Islands for almost three years working as or satellite; we have to rely on what hard workers.

44 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Heinerth BHM: I believe you own a record for your cave diving expertise.

JH: Yes, it was at for five hours at 300 feet.

BHM: What drives you to push the envelope?

JH: Life is a puz- zle, and I believe that almost anything can be solved with the right tools, JH: I was patience and imagination. Exploration exposed to often leads me to push the limits of dry caves human endeavor, but it is always sec- first. I always ondary to finding the answers for ques- loved small tions that drew me in the first place. spaces, but they feel BHM: How do you see the future? even more comfortable JH: It is an interesting time of change in to me when our world. There is a great shaking up of I am under- old ways and old institutions that don’t water. serve the population. Everything about BHM: When preparing for an expedition scheduled for announcement in the but that is because I how I work has changed. I have to work what are you looking for in team mem- third quarter of this year. What are your am always willing to BHM: What leaner, broader and smarter in every bers? thoughts and do you think it might be the look for the next great- is your fasci- aspect of my business. I embrace that wave of the future in diving? est innovation. It is nation with change as exciting, and I feel very posi- JH: On expeditions, I might be looking for life support, and you caves/over- tive about the world that will arise from a particular talent beyond diving, such JH: The industry is simplifying the Type R should own the best head envi- the change we are experiencing today. as an audio recordist or mechanic. I can- rebreathers so that they are automated thing you can afford. ronments? not afford a huge crew, so I need fewer and easier to use. I do not know if they I have to be able to BHM: Are there any caves you will not people to cover more bases. are the wave of the future, but if the look my husband in JH: Cave dive? marketplace is up to it and willing to the eye (he barely dives) and tell him diving is like swimming in the veins of BHM: You are known as an expert in grow with it, it might be. There is nothing that I am using the safest thing available Mother Earth. It feels primordial. When I JH: Definitely not!!! the use of closed circuit rebreathers. like diving with no bubbles, you can get to me. cave dive and follow the flow of water, Recently, PADI’s magazine, Undersea really close to observe the animals. I feel like I am seeing things that nobody BHM: What are your best and worst expe- Journal, had an article discussing the BHM: Much of the work you are known has witnessed before…and many times, riences? launch of their Rebreather Diver and BHM: What influences your selection of for involves cave diving. Were you I am. I love the allure of exploration, and Advanced Rebreather Diver courses rebreathers? exposed to exploring dry caves before caves are perhaps the greatest source of JH: Antarctica and Antarctica. It was like that address recreational divers diving you started cave diving? the unknown. going to another planet, but there were with Type R rebreathers. The courses are JH: I have owned a lot of rebreathers, many physical and mental challenges.

45 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Heinerth Records: ing water Earth. Women Divers Hall of Fame resources i think Florida is a microcosm of what is ● Longest dive into an iceberg—2001: and how they happening elsewhere. We are pumping Three hours using Cis Lunar MK-5P can be good more water out of the ground everyday rebreather. Water temperature -1.9°C stewards and than is replenished by rain. We are the (28.6°F). protect those largest water hogs east of the Mississippi ● Longest deep cave penetration— precious using a gluttonous amount [of water] to 1999 (Women): 3,050 meters (10,000 resources for create ridiculous golf course lawns that feet) cave penetration at a depth of the future. we cover with pesticides, herbicides 91 meters (300 feet) for five hours dur- That means and fertilizers that soak into the ground, ing a science and mapping dive at I talk to a lot flow through the landscape and pollute Wakulla Springs. of students, springs, rivers and lakes. All that eventu- Rotary Clubs, ally pours out in the nurseries we find in Books: organizations, estuaries, and it causes horrible filamen- Essentials of cave diving (2010) etc. People tous algae to explode on our coral reefs. Cave diving: Articles and opinions must know Don’t get me wrong, it is not just lawns; (2008) where their there are many other sources of nitrate Digital (2010) drinking water pollution, but it serves as a good exam- Side mount profile (2010) comes from ple of how we, perhaps unknowingly, and under- cause catastrophic events downstream Published in: stand that from normal everyday actions in our National Geographic their actions homes. Smithsonian on the surface i don’t [think] anyone really wants to Deep (China) of the Earth pollute or [they] would connect their Diver (China) affect the lawns with our oceans, but I think my Wired quality of the biggest and most important job in life is All recognized dive publications and I was also one of the closest calls I ever current kept sucking us back into the water beneath their feet. We will be to help people make these connections countless newspapers and Web sites had. iceberg. Later, in the evening, while fighting wars over water… not oil. and make better choices in their lives back on board the ship, we heard a When I swim in underwater caves, I am whether at work or at home. With edu- Featured in: BHM: Can you tell me about it? loud explosion; the iceberg exploded acutely aware that I am cation and a lot of small Sports Illustrated for Women into a square mile of ice cubes. It also swimming through the life changes, we can make a National Geographic JH: First, let me clarify. My worst experi- spawned an enormous wave. Diving the blood of our planet. I get “When you do push difference. National Geographic Adventure ence was getting bent. Antarctica was iceberg was an incredible and unique to swim through the very if we can increase water Undersea Journal another experience altogether. It was experience. veins of Mother Earth. As I the envelope and your literacy and recognize Sport Diver my first ever cave dive in an iceberg, chase freshwater beneath experience fear, it clean water as a basic and my two partners did not have expe- BHM: How did you get started in filmmak- the surface of the earth, is like there’s a new human right, the world will Contributor to numerous Tech Diving rience with icebergs either. We were ing? I realize everything that be a more peaceful place. publications on a National Geographic assignment we do on the surface of boundary for what is in 2001 to intercept and dive B-15, the JH: I did some TV work before I started our porous planet will be possible.” BHM: Are you currently Film and Television: world’s largest recorded iceberg. [B-15 filmmaking. In fact, the first story I wrote returned to us to drink. working on any new films? Credits for more than 30 various pro- calved from the Ross Ice Shelf in March for film was the Antarctic film in 2001, I’ve seen the changes in —Jill Heinerth. ductions including the PBS production 2000 was larger, in area, than the island and I have done a number of indepen- the quality of water. I’ve JH: Yes, two works are in of Water’s Journey a documentary of Jamaica and estimated to weigh dent films since that time. noted the diminished flow progress: Ben’s Vortex, series that takes viewers on a journey around three billion tonnes. Despite that sometimes allows a cave system to which is about a diver who disap- through the world’s greatest water sys- breaking up several times, after a dec- BHM: If the whole world were listening, choke and stop like a clogged artery in peared in vortex Springs and has never tems. ade parts of B-15 still have not melted.] what would you tell them? a heart attack. been found. The other production is We on , we were pinned there is a small infinite amount of Are Water, which is about fresh water For more information on Jill Heinerth, inside the iceberg cave by the current. JH: My biggest passion is working toward clean fresh water on our planet, and I resources on our planet—our most pre- visit her web sites: We were at 130 feet racking up deco, water literacy, teaching people gently get to explore the limits of one of the cious resource. ■ www.IntoThePlanet.com literally crawling on the bottom as the how they are intertwined with their drink- largest windows on the underground on www.RebreatherPro.com

46 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Have Rebreather, Will Travel ‘Building a strong pillar to support the new rebreather revolution? Text by and photos courtesy As the word, rebreather, of Jorge Antonio Mahauad gains readership in div- ing magazines, brings novelty to shows and fills the mouths of renowned instructors many industry professionals are thinking of “rebreatherizing” them- selves. This is predictable, as the rebreather has been hailed as the “great- est diving innovation since the regulator”.

The fact is that in the advent of a new wave of recreational rebreather divers and the industry trend of making rebreath- er div- ing more available, many manufacturers are envisioning their own con- sumer rebreathers in the short and mid-term. At the same time, sev- eral instructors wait for the “approved” units to come out while others are “tak- ing the plunge” on units like the Poseidon MKIV. It is reasonable to think that a greater number

47 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature Some changes from Rebreather manufacturers and years. It is fore- current rebreather travel lators, and a stock of soft and seeable that this training agencies model and work it from trim in small increments. increased expense are still needed in there. In order to comply with what the will create a A place where community now calls “basic sup- greater number of order to effectively rebreather divers are port”, the rebreather facility will opportunities and develop the recre- welcome is often called also have to provide a range of that diving instruc- a “rebreather-friendly” CO2 absorbent mechanisms such tors will provide ational rebreather facility. So far, these as grain or cartridges. training for many travel sector. facilities have served in addition to these basic fea- new entry level the needs of technical tures, a rebreather minded opera- or “recreational” divers in general, and tion needs to provide certain rebreather divers. If the equip- some sort of community standard infrastructure that includes a safe, ment sales model is maintained, has emerged from the needs and somewhat private, well ventilat- many of the new divers will even- expectations of this niche market. ed, cool, clean and grease free tually buy a rebreather. in order to facilitate the modern area for assembling and storing As the recreational rebreath- closed circuit rebreather diver to rebreathers. In addition, a dedi- er diver spends money on a a level, a “rebreather cated space and water hose for rebreather and develops skill, a friendly” facility has to provide at rebreather rinsing is important; this new market for the rebreather least high pressure (200 bar) fills area does not need to be exclu- traveler will develop. This new of medical grade oxygen and a sive, but it cannot be the same market will probably combine the reliable supply of oil free (tested), well publicized destinations for high pressure air. In order to make recreational diving and the more use of the gases provided, the A “rebreather friendly” facility has specialized attention required to dive operator will have to stock to provide at least high pressure support a number of traveling a range of rebreather tanks and (200 bar) fills of medical grade oxy- of dive centers will be willing to the application of multi-level sen- from manufacturers and training rebreather divers. valves, along with a choice of gen and a reliable supply of oil free (tested), high pressure air analyze the option of providing sory learning systems of proven agencies are still needed in order eventually, as recreational rigged bailout cylinders and regu- support services to rebreather educational value will help devel- to effectively develop the recre- becomes an divers in the op simple response ational rebreather travel sector. interesting product line for dive near future. In It is reasonable to think mechanisms for in this article, I will try to list, operators, a considerable amount this regard, it quick bailout pro- expose and explain the compo- of extra expense will be needed is highly likely that a greater number of cedures to virtually nents of rebreather travel and for diving service providers in the that offering dive centers will be willing eliminate fatalities. the general challenges the dive sector in order to cope with the a wider range Nonetheless, many travel and leisure model faces. base line for rebreather support of services to analyze the option of challenges lay Hopefully, this will be of interest and increased volumes of divers. will become providing support services ahead as the travel to manufacturers and training As a , additional investment a source of to rebreather divers in the and leisure compo- agencies that are willing to listen in infrastructure, equipment and competi- nent is still undevel- to others as part of their product education will be required from tive advan- near future. oped and underes- development process. I think that the service provider intending to tage as the timated as one of this article can also be of value provide high standard facilities for recreational rebreather market the pillars of this so called “new for the travel professionals thinking rebreather divers. expands. revolution”. about getting into the rebreather in the last decade, technologi- so far, the additional business market and to the people mak- Rebreather-friendly cal advancements have allowed or the competitive advantage ing decisions that will make such Obviously, this investment will this futuristic technology to created by having a recreational “evolution” happen. have to be offset by the benefits include automated mechanisms (meaning no decompression, that serving rebreather divers will that will override and prevent maximum 30 meters diving) Investment bring to the dive operator. But reasonable user error. In addi- rebreather operation have not Let’s start from the beginning. what are those benefits? What tion, training to reduce the so overcome the extra work, expens- Investment in developing, mar- is worth the hassle and extra called “human factors” is being es and potential liability that keting and distributing rebreath- workload that rebreather divers designed, and it is expected that come with it, and some changes ers has increased in the last few create? Let’s take a look at the

48 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Supervision is not easy Procedures for entering with a group of bub- the water will often ble-less divers who are require flexibility able to stay down for feature a long time

mate with reason- fully understand the principles of able accuracy the rebreather divers, be knowledge- position of rebreath- able about a variety of units and er divers underwater be able to fulfill the customer’s depending on the unique needs. This is easier said currents, runtime and than done, and many so-called bottom topography travel specialists often do not for a standardized understand that rebreather divers dive plan at any do most things differently. given time. On the other hand, a high Consistency tech solution to per- Dive operations offering guided form this task would dives will need to ensure that their be ideal and have guides are diving rebreathers great sales potential. consistently, that they are appro- require flexibility. Locations where out or stage tanks to and a long, the challenges of priately trained to assist on a the practice is for “everyone to strong and comfortable ladder providing rebreather emergency, and that back-roll into the water at with good hand- with underwater they have top of the line under- the same time” will have Many holds and safe steps GPS, EPIRB and sur- standing of physiology, equip- to implement a different for exiting the water used for rinsing , BCD’s, be considered potentially (and face communications are well ment, underwater techniques, approach. Supervision is so-called travel while still wearing the etc. There is nothing such as a reasonably) dangerous will have known and technology will even- , etc. Guides will not easy with a group of specialists unit. rebreather “rinse tank”. to provide special care if the tually develop and provide this also need to understand that indi- bubble-less divers who the rebreather rebreather-friendly operation in a single, pocket sized, stand- vidual attention is essential; CCR are able to stay down for often do not facility also needs to Special care offers boat (or supervised) dives. alone and affordable device that divers cannot be rushed to get in a long time; therefore, understand offer a basic toolkit to Areas with changing currents, is user-friendly and available on the water, cut short on runtimes pre-dive briefings, dive allow servicing and a big waves, strong winds, open Positioning the consumer market. With time, or be casually mixed with open plans and surface support that rebreather dedicated retail area ocean locations, bad visibility or In my opinion, the rebreather such a device will become stan- circuit divers. coordination will prove divers do offering a range of any other conditions that could operation should be able to esti- dard “support technol- their often forgotten impor- most things consumables avail- ogy” for There is nothing Procedures tance in the recreational able for sale that rebreather such as a The dive center open circuit div- differently. would include as a diving and that aspires to be a ing field. Upon minimum, disinfec-

traditional rebreather “rinse rebreather friendly surfacing, tant, fresh cells, O2 devices tank”. operation also needs tenders lube, bat- (DSMB’s, to revise monitoring should ter- audible and in-water proce- provide ies surface aids, etc) will dures. For example, procedures a line to be carried as manual for entering the water will often clip bail- backup mechanisms. Special needs Aside from the “non- rebreather” techno- logical needs of the travel professionals to serve rebreather divers, the staff of a The rebreather facility also needs to offer a basic tool- CCR-friendly opera- kit to allow servicing and a dedicated retail area offering a range of con- tion also needs to sumables available for sale that would include as a minimum, disinfectant,

fresh cells, O2 lube, batteries and reasonable support with some spare parts for the major rebreather models

49 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED go quietly, amid the noise and haste... feature Rebreather [ 3 hours @ 20m - no deco ]

the rebreathers of choice from 6m to 160m

and reasonable support with some are more of a potpourri of knowl- area with something worth diving spare parts for the major rebreath- edge gathered from reading on for, they will slowly start to show er models. line, meeting other divers and sup- up. porting some rebreather people. Travelling It is my experience that, although Getting there At this point I think it is important to the process is often painful and But for the traveling rebreather make one clarification. The “req- full of uncertainty, if rebreather diver, the hassle is not over by uisites” above are not something divers find some of those optimal locating a “rebreather-friendly” I have personally authored. They features in a dive operation at an dive provider in a nice destina- tion abroad. First, they have to get there, and for such purpose pack- ing, flying and entering a new country is often a tricky first step. for some time rebreather manu- Image by Ray van Eeden of Prodivers, Kuredu, Maldives facturers have been doing their best to develop a unit whose third party test-house approved patented dual oxygen controllers with independent displays and power sources weight is approximately the same optional open circuit bailout mouthpiece high performance scrubber proven to 160m trimix or nitrox decompression with as a standard single cylinder user variable gradient factors and multiple gasses polyethylene fibre-optic dual head up displays future proofed software scuba rig. Unfortunately, that is upgradeable by user uploads & hardware upgradeable with plug and play versatility pc log download 9 language options not enough anymore as weight crystal clear primary display hard memory storage - gas, options and history retained even when the batteries are removed restrictions have become tighter patented scrubber monitor with effective warnings full customer support and aftersales - spares & service the equipment of with more additional luggage fees choice for underwater photographers, film-makers, marine biologists, cavers, under-ice explorers, deep dive specialists, deep support being charged. teams, expedition divers and sport & technical diving enthusiasts worldwide - all achieving time and depth profiles previously unthinkable As a result, the rebreather trav- eler often has to resign him or her- self to the use of hard boxes and DIVING other protective measures recom- tel: 0044 1326 563834 email: [email protected] web: www.apdiving.com

spares & accessories online at www.apdivingdirect.com see apdiving.com for your nearest instructor

50 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature Rebreather

The expensive and heavy camera equipment that makes owning a rebreather worthwhile will also have to be added to the mix and the average 23 kilo baggage allowance will be quickly doubled or worse.

mended by the manufacturers. This prac- a rebreather are not meant to be disas- the gear is worth or fessionals in the rebreather diving market, tice reduces the overall extra expense in sembled manually or require special tools what you will do with need to provide for our custom- overweighed luggage but can also jeop- and procedures for such purpose. all this is something ers. ardize the integrity of a very sensitive life even though short warning labels that often support device. In any case, the expen- should be enough to keep the hands compli- Tips sive and heavy camera equipment that of the curious recreational rebreather cates Many conventional If we benchmark the regu- makes owning a rebreather worthwhile owner away from something potentially things a bit scuba equipment lar scuba travel business a will also have to be added dangerous, the special tool- further. few tips are available. First, to the mix and the average ing or signs will not prevent the All the manufacturers have the traveler usually has real 23 kilo baggage allowance Weight restric- security screeners from using challenges developed travel time access to information will be quickly doubled or tions have become whatever is at hand to pull listed oriented gear that allows “smarter pack- worse. apart and examine a unit. Just above ing”; in addition, many con- tighter with more Google “rebreather tsa”, and are com- ventional scuba equipment Security additional luggage you will find the most amazing mon to the individual manufacturers have developed travel A second factor that com- stories of wings being punc- that travels with scuba oriented gear that is extremely light and plicates rebreather travel fees being charged. tured or sliced, items being equipment but are compact. In the travel sector, some dive is airport security. As the removed from checked lug- often more complicat- operators have created rental programs world’s flights become “safer” every day, gage and even whole pieces of luggage ed with a rebreather. that provide to the experienced diver the list of restricted and suspicious items being confiscated for further investiga- dled. Overweight luggage that has an The reason is simple; a rebreather is a traveling light and to the entry level stu- grows longer. Depending on where you tion. “inspected” tag on it and that will look more complex mechanism. In any case, dent different equipment lines. With this travel from or to the terms rebreather, specialized and expensive in an X-ray this article is not about the downsides of reasoning, maybe the best direction for oxygen, , cell or solenoid Try to explain... scan will draw attention from the aver- rebreather travel but about the real chal- the rebreather travel market would be can be very attractive to security offi- When talking about traveling abroad age customs officer. Trying to explain lenges that the traveling rebreather diver to develop and offer lighter rebreathers cers. In addition, many components of one last challenge is still to be han- what this machine does, how much all has to face and how we, as travel pro- and to standardize rebreather rental pro-

51 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Many rebreathers require a specific size of cylinder and type feature of valve to fit properly. Rebreather

pillar in place somehow resem- insert will be everything a diver will bles what happened back in the need to fit a regulator in a cylin- mid 1990’s with a “first wave” of der. Rebreathers don’t work that semi-closed rebreathers that did way. Many rebreathers require a not succeed completely in the specific size of cylinder and type market. I think that the rebreather of valve to fit properly. Modifying travel market strongly developed such configuration will usually back then and that the industry alter the learned response to professionals making the “new” potential problems, invalidate revolution happen need to take certifications or simply make this into account now. diving impossible. Even small consumables such as batter- Program ies, oxygen cells, tools, “o” rings, development mushroom valves and fittings will In my opinion, if the rebreather not work from one unit to another revolution is to be successful this proving the task of providing “rea- time, rebreather manufacturers sonable support with some extra need to approach travel special- spare parts for major rebreathers” ists all over the world in order to more complicated than initially develop a rebreather rental pro- thought. gram very quickly. This program will have to provide options and Benefits support to the dive operators who Aside from the techni- want to include their units as part calities of rebreather travel of the “menu” on offer. I know of one last aspect remains. at least one company grams that could be provided by the potential combinations of ferent destination. If the customer that has something the so called rebreather friendly rebreather models, the investment still wants to dive that destination in this fashion but facilities. Again, this is easier said needed is very and the required a common effort is than done. high. On the other Maybe the best direc- rental units are needed to make it a A rental scuba regulator will hand, if a particular definitely not avail- trade standard in the always work in the same way rental rebreather tion for the rebreather able, then we are rebreather market. and there is no special train- is not available, travel market would back to the original Another step towards ing required to use a particular or if the unit is not travel, safety and the development of model; moreover, if the diver’s supported at a be to develop and weight issues. this third pillar of the brand of choice is not available destination, this will offer lighter rebreath- Despite the recreational rebreath- for any reason, there is always the personally affect increased expense er model is standard- option to grab anything working a diver who com- ers and to standard- in product devel- ization. “fairly okay” and still make a cou- mitted a consider- ize rebreather rental opment and mar- simple things like the ple of dives. On the other hand, able amount of programs that could keting of rebreath- scrubber mechanisms rebreathers require unit specific money in a brand er related subjects have variations in size, training and dedicated top of the of choice. This situ- be provided by the in the last few duration, specification, range servicing in order to be in a ation is never good so called rebreather years, this impor- and packing from one condition to conduct safe dives for the brand and tant issue remains rebreather to the next. consistently. will hurt the rela- friendly facilities mainly unad- Cylinders and valves tionship with the dressed. The “bub- are other examples. High investment costumer in the long run because ble-less dream” of a manufactur- Usually when diving If a rebreather facility wants to the customer will have to either ing industry providing technology open circuit, a DIN to provide rental units and serve all change brands or choose a dif- and training without the travel Yoke adapter or valve

52 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature

How much more revenue can a fees and “specialized” equipment will be obsolete or inaccurate. On rebreather diver create (over the sales that the use of Nitrox pro- the other hand, as the rebreather more conventional open circuit duced back in the late 1990’s and travel market expands, the chal- diver) in order to make this profit- early 2000’s. lenges and complications will able to the dive operator at a But as the market matures increase and an unhappy scenar- travel destination? Is the invest- these extra margins will eventually io for manufacturers and training ment in training, infrastructure, decrease and being rebreather- agencies could result if the travel consumables, rental rebreathers, friendly will probably become component is not there to provide gasses and logistics worth the mainstream product component, what they promise. rewards? just like what made nitrox a “free i think that if we are going to can the manufacturing and gas” in many dive operations make this rebreather revolution training sectors of the industry sup- today. happen, more cooperation and port travel professionals to make At this stage, questions about communication with the travel it worthwhile? I know profitability economical sustainability of this destinations as a sector will be depends on the particularities of could come to mind. Aren’t we needed. Maybe the upcoming every region and business model, deliberately reducing the price rebreather forum 3.0, RESA, and but I think we can talk about competitiveness of the “scuba div- other industry initiatives will address potential trends. ing industry” by making “diving” and proactively advance this initially, the benefits of support- more complex and by including exciting new frontier in diving. ■ ing rebreather divers will probably extras to a sector with already low be collected by charging a “pre- average profitability? Jorge Antonio Mahauad is a mium fee” and by gaining reputa- things are changing very quickly PADI/DSAT Master Instructor, Trimix tion and competitive advantage in the rebreather world these days. Instructor and Evolution rebreather over the other dive shops, just like Maybe by the time this text is pub- diver based in the Galapagos what happened with the premium lished, half of the information here Islands.

53 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED marine mammals Scientists concerned over inbreeding among orca pods New data published in the Journal members of their own pod but nity and male reproductive suc- Residents mate outside their popu- of Heredity, National Oceanic instead only mated with whales cess in a killer whale (Orcinus orca) lation, but clear evidence that and Atmospheric Administration from the other two pods in the population, involved researchers they do sometimes mate with (NOAA) researchers and others, population, but new DNA research from NOAA’s Fisheries Service, the members of their own pod. using DNA testing of killer whales is now bringing to light occasional University of Washington, Cascadia “Even though some of the have discovered that some of the inbreeding practices among inter- Research Collective and the fathers were in the same pod as Edited by juveniles they studied were the pod males and females. Center for Whale Research. the mothers, none of them were Kelly LaClaire result of mating within the same one concern and possible impli- “We were surprised that, in many really closely related to each pods that are part of the overall cation of this breeding behavior cases, the father was from the other. Our results suggest that population. is a significant reduction in the same pod as the mother,” said Dr Southern Residents avoid mating Increased fin whale sightings the study focused on an endan- genetic diversity of what is already Michael Ford, lead author of the with their siblings or parents, but gered population of orcas known a perilously small population of study and a scientist with NOAA’s we aren’t really sure of the social encourage scientists in England as the Southern Resident killer animals. Northwest Fisheries Science Center process that results in this avoid- The massive yet illusive fin whale mission and captured footage whales whose range includes inter-pod mating has never in Seattle. “Based on earlier stud- ance,” Ford said. is classified as an endangered of a school of at least 12 whales British Colombia, the Puget Sound been detected in previous stud- ies, we didn’t think killer whales Another surprising finding was species, but marine research feeding on massive shoals of and parts of the Oregon and ies of Northern Resident killer mated within their own pod. This that a multitude of males within by the Sea Trust showed they fish about 30 miles off shore California coasts. They number whales, a separate population behavior may be unique to the the Southern Resident community be making a slight comeback near the Pembrokeshire islands. only about 85 individuals and live of killer whales which range Southern Resident population, per- are responsible for offspring pro- as pods of the gentle giants “We had at least 12 feeding in three distinct groups called J, K from Washington to southern haps related to the population’s duction in the population rather are swimming into waters off all around us, and one passed and L pods. (It helps to think of an Alaska, and until now researchers small size.” than just one or two. This contrasts Pembrokeshire (southwest so close in front of us [we] had orca population as a very small assumed that Southern Residents the researchers analyzed 78 with some other marine mammals Wales) each year in larger num- to slam the engines into reverse town and a specific pod as a exhibited similar mating patterns. individuals for 26 different genetic like elephant seals, where very bers than ever before. to avoid collision,” said Benson. large extended family within that The two populations are distinct markers, or DNA fingerprints, and few males completely dominate scientists are very excited Records of the sightings will town). and do not socialize or mate with determined the paternity for the breeding in a large group. as sighting such as these, be passed to the European it was long thought by scientists each other. 15 mother-calf pairs. The study Researchers think this may reflect while obviously important for Defense Agency as part of a that these orcas did not mate with the study entitled, Inferred pater- found no evidence that Southern the difficulty male killer whales research, are a truly unique protection of marine mammals have in controlling other males’ experience. Adult fin whales project. access to females during mating can weigh anywhere between Benson added, “The project season. 30 and 80 tons, grow to more aims to protect marine mam- however, the study also showed than 90ft (27m) and are the mals against the impact of that the older and larger males second largest animal on the active sonar deployed by appeared to be responsible planet. Their tongues alone can European navies. This could for most of the successful mat- weigh more than an African save the lives of many of the ing indicating that females may elephant. whales and dolphins that inhab- choose to mate only with older “It’s one of the planet’s most it our waters. males, or possibly that older males spectacular wildlife events,” “We are keen to work closely may somehow be preventing the said Sea Trust coordinator, Cliff with the military to prevent younger males from breeding. Benson. “In the past, we had incidents such as the one off ford said he and his colleagues seen one or two, and back in Cornwall which killed more than are particularly worried about the 2005, a group of four, but they 20 common dolphins which Southern Resident group’s lack of now seem to be arriving in stranded on the coast after genetic diversity, which he char- much greater numbers. In 2009, a naval exercise a couple of acterized as a kind of bottleneck. we came across at least 20 years ago.” “Since this population remains iso- with massive blows appearing Man-made ocean noise, from lated from other killer whale popu- all around us as far as the eye shipping, oil and gas excava- lations, mating within pods puts could see, along with animals tion and naval sonar, is thought Southern Residents at risk of genet- feeding around the boat.” to make it ever harder for ically deteriorating further from a Despite heavy seas, volun- whales to navigate, communi- potential increase in inbreeding teers from the trust were recent- cate, find food or mates and or harmful mutations,” he said. ■ Source: BBC News Source: NOAA ly sent out on a fact-finding avoid prey. ■ Wikimedia Commons

54 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED marine mammals

Edited by Kelly LaClaire Whale washes ashore: Necropsy reveals gunshot

On September 24, a ten-foot- Stranding Center who origi- shot in his 25 years on the job. long, short-finned pilot whale nally found the animal. “It prob- Whales and other marine mam- was found washed ashore and ably traveled quite a distance mals such as seals and dolphins stranded on a community beach before it became so weak that are protected under the 1972 in Allenhurst, New Jersey, USA. it washed ashore.” Schoelkopf Marine Mammal Protection Act, According to officials at the added that the whale was which prohibits them from being National Oceanic Atmospheric still alive when it washed up in “harassed, hunted, captured, Administration the necropsy, Allenhurst, but died a short time killed or collected”. Violations performed at the University of later. can result in penalties of up to Pennsylvania, revealed a bul- Officials at the Office of Law US$100,000 and imprisonment for let from a high-powered rifle or Enforcement for the National up to a year. handgun lodged in the whale’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- noAA is hoping that “someone Wikimedia Commons jaw. Examiners say the slug shat- ministration (NOAA), who are now with a conscience” who wit- tered the 700-pound whale’s investigating the matter, say it’s nessed the shooting from a boat jaw and fractured several more still not clear when, where or why will come forward with informa- bones in its skull. the shooting occurred but did say tion about the incident, Doyle U.S. Navy halts underwater explosives training after dolphin deaths the necropsy also determined the was sent for ballistics said. Officials also have no idea if the whale—believed to be a testing at a federal lab in Seattle. the shooter was on a commercial The United States Navy said it area and the dolphins in attempt The existing application, how- juvenile—died a lingering death Scott Doyle, an assistant special vessel or a recreational boat, but has temporarily halted use of to chase them away. ever, doesn’t anticipate dolphin brought on by a massive infection agent for NOAA, said they gener- they said there is likely a witness time-delay underwater bombs unfortunately, their efforts were deaths related to training how- that made it impossible to eat. ally investigates “two or three” because there is usually more for training in the waters off unsuccessful. Three common dol- ever. “The whale literally died of star- shootings of dolphins and seals than one person on these vessels. San Diego, California, after an phins were killed by the blast. the fisheries service also raised vation,” said Bob Schoelkopf, each year, but this is the first time ■ Source: Asbury Park Press, Times incident that killed three long- According to Cmdr. Greg the question whether the Navy director of the Marine Mammal he can remember a whale being Union beaked dolphins. Hicks, a spokesman for the Navy, violated the Marine Mammal According to official Navy underwater explosives are impor- Protection Act of 1972, designed reports, an explosive disposal tant for clearing obstacles out of by Congress to protect dolphins, Whale sighting a first in the United Kingdom unit arrived at a training location harbors so ships can enter. When whales and other marine life. known as the Silver Strand off the the Navy practices with them “We have an excellent track A marine research charity has Wildlife Trust. any new findings are exciting. Southern California coast and set offshore, Hicks said observers look record in our training and have confirmed a small whale found A very brave and heroic “Pictures of the Penzance whale a charge with a 15-minute time for dolphins, seals, whales and exacting standards that we apply beached near Penzance (a townsperson managed to get show it to be a dwarf sperm delay on the ocean floor. After similar creatures that might swim to try to prevent these types of small port town in the county of the small whale back into the whale, its fin being large and ten minutes, safety observers from into the danger zone. incidents,” Hicks said. “We do our Cornwall in Southwest England) sea before it died and residents almost triangular,” said Evans. the training vessel spotted a pod the National Marine Fisheries best to protect marine life while was in fact a dwarf sperm whale. watched it swim away. “This species has been record- of dolphins entering the blast Agency, who is conducting an conducting essential training.” The small whale, barely larger Dr Peter Evans, Director of Sea ed on only a handful of occa- area. official investigation alongside environmentalists and fisheries than a common , Watch, said the species had sions in Europe, including Spain With only five minutes remain- the U.S. Navy, said they will take experts could not recall a similar recently swam into Mounts never previously been recorded and France, and never in Britain ing before the explosives deto- another look at the United States’ incident in Southern California but Bay and somehow became off the U.K. coast. This confir- or Ireland. nated, the disposal unit felt pending request to disturb marine are calling for the Navy to take beached. mation means that 29 species “It is just one of the increasing they did not have enough time mammals off San Diego, in what more protective measures during luckily, the tiny whale was of cetaceans have now been number of records of warm water to safely enter the water and the Navy calls “a realistic venue training. ■ Source: San Diego Union soon sighted by residents on the recorded in U.K. and Irish waters. species to be turning up around retrieve the bomb and as a last for amphibious training and Tribune sand and quickly reported to the extremely rare, almost nothing the British Isles in recent years.” ■ resort tried to maneuver a dive special warfare tactical train- coastguard and the Cornwall is known about these animals, so SOURCE: BBC NATURE boat between the detonation ing in the coastal environment”.

55 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED silver

Edited by Scott Bennett

“This is an incredibly fascinating discovery as there have only been three new dolphin spe- cies formally described and recognized since the late 1800s.”

Peter Mayoh, Monash University

Tursiops australis, commonly known as the Burrunan dolphin New dolphin species discovered in Australia Researchers determine that dolphins found in southeastern Australia represent a previously unknown species. Newly described species differs Australian meaning “large sea fish only two known resident popula- greatly from other dolphins world- of the porpoise kind”. The recogni- tions living in Port Phillip Bay and the wide. tion of T. australis is significant, as Gippsland Lakes in Victoria state. In the new species is confined to a fact, now that it is recognized as a Researchers at Melbourne’s Monash small geographic region of southern separate species it may immediately cinema of dreams University have determined that and southeastern Australia where qualify under Australia’s criteria for dolphins residing along the South only two small resident populations endangered animals,” she added. Australian coast are in fact a reside. charlton-Robb said it is impor- new species. The discovery was this research relied heavily on the tant this study continues in order to made by Kate Charlton-Robb, a analysis of dolphin skulls collected conserve and protect the Burrunan PhD researcher at the School of and maintained by museums over dolphin for future generations. More Biological Sciences at the university. the last century, including Museum research is required to determine if The remarkable discovery, pub- Victoria in Melbourne. Detailed DNA there are other resident populations lished in the latest PLoS ONE Journal, analysis revealed that the dolphins of this species in Australia. “The for- reveals that coastal dolphins in differed from that of known bot- mal recognition of this new species southern Australia differed greatly tlenose species Tursiops truncatus is of great importance to correctly from other dolphin species world- and Tursiops aduncus. manage and protect this species, wide. Until now, approximately 150 “This is an incredibly fascinating and has significant bearing on the of the dolphins living around the discovery as there have only been prioritization of conservation efforts,” Melbourne area had been assumed three new dolphin species formally the authors wrote. “This is especially to be bottlenose dolphins. described and recognized since the crucial given its endemism to a small the new species has been, for- late 1800s,” Charlton-Robb stated. region of the world, with only two mally named Tursiops australis, with “What makes this even more excit- small known resident populations.” ■ www.seacam.com the common name of Burrunan ing is this dolphin species has been dolphin, derived from the Aboriginal living right under our noses, with

56 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LanzaroteCanary Island’s

Text and photos by Charles Stirling It is the most easterly, most northerly and a million visitors a year with its good to the very experienced. Many divers, weather—it’s dependable. fourth largest island of the volcanic chain weather, low rainfall, clean streets, having found Lanzarote, treat it as an the island is volcanic in origin, as A small, warm, sub-tropical of the seven main Canary Islands, which towns and beaches, lack of hassle, low alternative to the more heavily promoted evidenced by underwater escarpments Atlantic Ocean island with are part of Spain but located just off the crime and generally informal, friendly locations and return time after time. of lava walls, tunnels, caverns and sink African coast. Lazarote is only 37 miles atmosphere. About 15,000 of those visitors in some respects, the island offers “a holes along with the sandy areas. Marine enough tourist visitors to make (60km) long and 12 miles (20km) wide, go diving. In the past, it had a reputation holiday with diving” while some of the life is a mixture of tropical and temperate, access easy and facilities with 130 miles (213km) of shoreline. The as a ‘get-drunk-and-party’ destination, many repeat dive visitors seem to think with reefs volcanic not coral. It’s said plentiful, diving not mainstream whole island has Unesco World Biosphere particularly for British youth, but that of it as a diving destination first with a there are about 500 species of fish but both good and also Reserve status and an ecological reputation has long ago faded with a smidgen of holiday thrown in. The good and 1,200 of invertebrates here. Water style of tourism without mass high rise much more diverse range of visitors now. mild weather is attractive not just for temperatures run from 19ºC in winter to dependable—this is Lanzarote. developments. the divers range in experience from holidays, which means diving is year 23ºC in late summer. With little rainfall, lanzarote attracts something around those doing their first ever dives through round with few days lost due to inclement no rivers and unpolluted waters, visibility

57 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Lanzarote

varies from 15m to 30m. lanzarote is one of the seven main islands in the Canaries archipelago, which forms a chain about 500km long off the African coast. All of the volcanic islands started to form some 20 million years ago, with the movement of the African tectonic plate and the submergence of the Atlantic plate. Lanzarote itself started forming about 11 million years ago in three phases with the oldest regions in the north and south of the island followed by later infill between these regions in the second phase four to seven million years ago. these eruptions are well preserved, with CLOCKWISE FROM the third phase and latest volcanic little erosion due to the limited rainfall. TOP LEFT: Cuttlefish activity was in the 17th and 18th The exact geological mechanisms are (Sepia officinalis) centuries and can now by seen in not fully understood. The common theory swimming; Playa the Timanfaya region. These near- of a mantle plume, or hot spot, in the del Reducto Beach and skyline; continuous volcanic eruptions mantle giving rise to the volcanoes is Tube-dwelling in 1730-1736 were devastating, contested by some. anemone on destroying the best farmland along the shelf around the island drops sandy seabed with some 26 villages and hamlets away to very deep water a mile or more covering a quarter of the island in offshore, which may have limited the PREVIOUS PAGE: lava. Smaller eruptions lasting for numbers of naturally occurring wrecks Town of El Golfo three months in 1824 produced three (they end up too deep) and means more volcanic cones. The results of most diving is near shore. There are a few

58 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Lanzarote

Sea hare, Aplisia dactylomela, grazing on marine algae (above); Divers with school of grunts at Playa Chica (left)

moved on to look at its exterior. I would happily have spent all my time on the wreck, but my buddy wanted to check out the adjacent volcanic landscape, so we continued on a slow swim examining nooks and crannies, fish and invertebrates before surfacing after an hour’s dive for the boat pick-up. It was a very enjoyable dive. Several divers back on the boat gushed with excitement and considering it one of their best dives. Our boatload of

“natural” wrecks and more wrecks that have been purposely sunk, but it is as After the briefing, a short boat ride of much for the landscape and marine life about five minutes on calm seas, a that divers keep returning to the island. quick final and a giant For the technical diver, deeper valleys stride into blue waters, a few moments and lava tubes and channels with faster passed on the surface before a gentle drifts exist. free descent commenced. Within a few the islands highest point, 670m, isn’t metres of depth, the outlines of a wreck enough to induce rain producing cloud started to appear. formations from sea winds, just clouds. the wreck was listing on its side but This has limited the vegetation with more looked like a ship. Its bow, stern, decking species diversity on the older, more and holds were intact with enough weathered regions. Relatively few native ravages from the sea to feel real. land animals are found, predominately We were diving one of the “Harbour birds (40 nesting species); six mammal Wrecks” of the Los Erizos Wreck Park. It species are known and only three was an easy dive. I swam inside its open species of reptiles. The underwater world structure, exploring it without sediment is much richer. exploding up to visibility, and

Cuttlefish Divers and angelshark buried in sand 59 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Lanzarote

nine divers included a few with dive penetration was safe and easy. The shaped cove with stone outcrops numbers approaching or well over exteriors were interesting with lots of extending on both sides providing the 1,000 figure in number, and these fish. None of these wrecks pretend to shelter to the gently sloping sandy divers rated it as a great dive. be world class; they are simple good beach—ideal for divers, snorkelling or Another wreck park and a marine holiday dives. swimming with the family. The local conservation zone is just west of dive centres from around the island . Off Punta Tinosa Dive centres visit this site. are the “New Wrecks”. Three fishing There are many dive centres the reefs formed by these outcrops boats were prepared and sunk in scattered mainly along the east cost and the area just beyond offer most 2004 in shallow water, but with more of Lanzarote mostly located in resort of the marine life that can also be currents here and the ravages of an areas—Playa Blanca, Arrieta, Mala, seen in other parts of the island. occasional winter storm, they have etc—but with the overwhelming Depending on the season, angel moved from their initial resting places majority in Puerto del Carmen. The sharks, octopus, cuttlefish, sea horses, to slightly deeper water, nothing Atlantic-facing west coast has diving, yellow striped nudibranchs, arrow above 17m. One is only part of a shell although limited, due to prevailing crabs, scorpionfish, wrasse, flatfish, now; the other two are more intact. winds and is more the preserve of the bream and more can be seen. It is still possible to dive all three in a surfer or kitesurfer. the underwater volcanic arch single dive, but doing two or just one in Puerto del Carmen most diving of the , The Cathedral, is probably a more interesting option. starts at the small protected beach Red Coral site, volcanic walls, small Going slow, you see more. of Playa Chica. A perfect location caverns are all right here at Playa i dived two of these, and again, inside a natural protected horseshoe- Chica. Its protected beach entry THIS PAGE: Scuba divers on and inside one of the “New Wrecks” off Puerto del Carmen 60 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT TO RIGHT: Diver on one of the “New Wrecks”; Easy entry on one of the “New Wrecks”; Bow of one travel of the “New Wrecks” Lanzarote more, so with the right choice, thing to watch for is that the you can add qualifications that operator you dive with is legally suit. They all offer holiday style registered as a dive operator. dives with a single tank and air; Not all are, as it’s expensive, many have nitrox; and a few and operators did not need to offer technical diving, mix gas, register in the past. It could void rebreather dives and training. your insurance coverage if you Reviews and comments do not use a registered centre. suggest that most operators are All the registered operations are appreciated for what they offer, listed at: www.turismolanzarote. have rental equipment in good com/en/buceo.jsp. condition and are well run. So, Do bring both your medical pick your operator with your certificate and dive insurance intentions in mind. card with you, as it’s required spanish diving law is different by law in Spain. However, from many destinations and insurance can be arranged changed substantially a locally, if needed. few years ago. Now, one i dived with Safari Diving,

Depths of up Garden eels seemed to be at the to 10m are right of the cove or around its outer found inside the corner, and schools of jacks were cove, which found near shore. The site is the is protected ideal place to just go exploring. by walls, lava Most of the dive centres in Puerto boulders and del Carmen, and those outside overhangs in town, seem to offer both shore and steps to 30 or boat dives with boats varying from more meters. fast RIBs (Rigid-hulled Inflatable It was the Boats, or Zodiacs) to small hard shallower rocky boats. Some have only guided outcrops and group dives while others have both sand right at buddy and guided trips. Some the bottom of have fixed times for dives, others makes it ideal for training, and the when kicked up by someone else’s these steps that seemed to hold are more flexible and, at least for marine life makes it interesting for fins—never your own, of course— the greatest number of creatures. shore dives, you can chose your underwater photographers. with many flounder, lizardfish and some of the divers reported own times. Within the cove, the bottom garden eels present, and at night, seeing the rather shy angel Many training agencies are is coarse salt and pepper sand, tube anemones, which hide by sharks on nearly every dive and represented including PADI, BSAC, which settles relatively quickly day buried below the surface. sea horses at specific locations. CMAS, IANTD, BARAKUDA and

61 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Lanzarote

which is owned and operated centre with many visitors, so hired by the British couple, Steve and kit is not kept just for you but Wendy Hicks, who offer both turned in and taken out for each guided shore and boat dives and day/dive. They do not bus you the possibility for simple unguided around to other locations, as there buddy diving—if you are a solo is no need since it is already at the diver, they find you a buddy—as prime location, so you save time well as training. Using them as but don’t see other locations. Their an example, one can note the hard boat is comfortable but goes questions to ask of any potential to relatively local sites only. They centre one might chose. can offer nitrox, but it’s not routine, safari Diving is exceptionally and they don’t do technical dives. well placed right on Playa Chica they use a nearby hotel with a beach where all their shore diving pool when needed for teaching, is conducted, with the boat diving but also go though some teaching jetty almost adjacent. Due to the more informally over coffee in a location, the centre is relatively café. small, without the dry changing the guides know the area well areas, locker rooms, hot showers, and point out the unusual, so they dry camera set-up areas, etc., are worth using. I totally missed the which larger centres can offer, but small wreck just beyond the bay it has wet storage for your kit, hire entrance by not using a guide. kits in good condition, rinse tanks Instead, I joined a buddy group, and hose to wash down, and the and we turned to the right instead water’s edge is right there. of the left at the wrong point. On safari Diving is a very popular another occasion, I missed sea CLOCKWISE: Arrow crab; Bastard grunt fish in shallows at Playa Chica; Yellow striped nudibranch, Hypselodoris picta, also known as H. edenticulata 62 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Lanzarote

horses for a similar reason. or the jetty. Other beach entry points night dives are a regular item in the along the Puerto del Carmen seafront, Playa Chica cove, staying relatively or around the island, also have good shallow at eight to 12 metres around diving—so, just take your pick. the stone outcrops and off the boat jetty, which seems to offer the best Holiday destination observations. Again, I went with a buddy Year round sun, minimal rainfall and pair who went deeper than needed, so many good “blue flag” beaches are I missed some of what could have been enough to attract many holiday makers. seen. If you want a bit more than lying on a Most dive centres anywhere on beach, the natural environment plus the island offer Playa Chica with the adjacent attractions, or just the cove itself, and use the jetty for the popular wreck dives. They drive to the parking lot near CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Golden barrel cactus at Cactus Garden (Jardín de Cactus); the beach where Viewing cliffs, sea and black volcanic beach of El Golfo; Playa Chica; Camel ride at Parque divers change National de Timanfaya; Tourists watching volcanic heat set fire to dry lichen in Timanfaya park in the vans and carry their kits the a few of man’s interventions are well towns, so driving is the most productive short distance to worth a visit. Car rental and fuel are way to tour, but lots of coach tours exist the entry point at reasonably priced. The roads are good as well. either the beach and not crowded outside of major During the volcanic eruptions of 1730

63 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Red comb starfish, travel Astropecten aranciacus Lanzarote

cultivating crops using the ash as mulch and building rock to windbreaks to protect 1736, the plants. It’s worth more than 30 seeing if one ever volcanoes let loose thinks home has a burying entire villages and drought problem. covering a quarter of the island in This area is just lava and coarse ash. Part of this is now north of Yaiza in protected in the Timanfaya National Park the south of the (The Parque Nacional de Timanfaya), island, and one could which is one of the visitor must-see include El Golfo with its volcanic locations. Parts of it, the badlands, really lake and the flats producing sea are still barren of nearly any plant or salt in one slightly hurried outing. animal life. Outside the park, farmers are to the north of the island,

cafes plentiful and nearly any nationality of cuisine on offer. For really local food, try a dining spot outside the main tourist areas. Shopping in both the small independent shops or larger malls plus various markets should be able to fill most desires, but avoid the majority of independent camera and electrical stores, as they have a reputation of carrying too many fraudulent deals. The streets are not full of hucksters, so you miss the fun of constantly saying you’re not interested. Accommodation is plentiful and varied—maybe it’s best to let entertainment venue with a lake that is the chosen dive centre organize César Manrique’s home to blind albino crabs. The Green’s it, but deals can be found Cactus Garden (Jardin Cave (Cueva de los Verdes) is also part independently. There are good de Cactus) built in a of the lava tube. On the very northern museums, gallerias, festivals and volcano crater is much most point of the garden, are views over things to do with the family. more interesting for its to Isla Graciosa and Chinijo Archipelago the diving was good, relaxed design than might be with a park at Mirador del Río, which I holiday fare with lots of marine imagined and worth missed, as it closes at 6:00pm—the all too life to see. It would suit families, a visit. Surrounding this often normal closing time for attractions. anyone wanting to learn to garden are plantations Six o’clock is too early if one is trying to dive, anyone just wanting easy of prickly pear, host to fit in a lot of siteseeing after a morning diving on a holiday as well as the cochineal beetle. dive. The island simply has too much to the underwater photographer Not far away are the see and do on a short visit—yet, another interested in sub-tropical marine Los Jameos del Agua, reason to revisit. life. The possibility of deeper the lava tube made Being a holiday destination has its or technical diving including into an underground advantages with bars, restaurants and rebreathers is a possibility. ■ Biosfera shopping mall at night in “Old Town” Puerto del Carmen Bow of one the “New Wrecks” (above); Seaside board Bleak landscape of Parque National de Timanfaya (center) walk in “Old Town” Puerto del Carmen (top right) 64 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED nasa

physical remains of former economic activities. Salt travel production by evaporating sea water in large holding ponds used to be a major export industry, fact file which has since collapsed. The Canary Islands, Spain salt was particularly used in preserving fish on the fishing boats around the world just after catch before refrigeration/freezing became common. All around the island are now deserted salt source: cia.gov world factbook pans. These pans once employed hundreds of workers. Now, the History The earliest settlers Spain and governed by nobility limits on what can be brought and houses salt pan at Janubio has become were African about 1000 to under a feudal system. back into EU countries applies, must be a tourist attraction and produces 500BC probably from central to repopulate the island as they are outside the European painted white more than 15,000 tons per year Algeria. Some of the place under Spanish feudalism, slaves Union Value Added Tax Area. with woodwork The but this is less than half of its names such as Yaiza, , were brought in from Africa, but principally due to the growth either of two shades production 40 years ago. Tinajo, and Timanfaya Moorish and other pirate slavers in tourism and EU membership, of green. Generally, island from those early settlers. Those also continued to raid the island. but also the high birth rate, the the community is has Currency Euro settlers found the island with more It was these slaves brought in who islands population has grown environmentally aware (hence become substantial vegetation, and it dug the hillside terraces with the dramatically in recent times, ten little litter—it’s clean). There very dependent on tourism, Time zone GMT, the same as is thought that the introduction help of camels introduced at the times the growth in Spain. With is limited rainfall, so water is predominantly from Britain with London of pastoral animals and cereal same time. This was a dangerous 65,503 in 1988 to 139,506 or more desalinated. It doesn’t taste great, Germany next in numbers. farming by early settlers destroyed and difficult place to live in those in 2008. It’s a young population and drinking water is bottled. Most Scandinavia and the Benelux Electrical 220 volt, uses much of this. These early settlers times, and many fled to other with over half between the ages energy production does come countries and even the USA add standard European round pin knew nothing of metal, of sea islands or to South America. of 25 and 39. Over a quarter are from oil, but wind farms have to this. The current recession saw sockets navigation, lived in caves or Feudalism and numerous conflicts non-Spanish in origin. been developed. Commercial visitor numbers fall in 2008-9 with semi-buried huts when Europeans continued until 1812 when the fishing was a major industry, but some shifts in demographics but Language Spanish (similar to first arrived in 1312. By the Canaries became a province of Climate Warm and dry, is now much reduced probably greatly recovering by 2011. South American dialect). Many latter half of the 14th century, Spain. pleasant year round with average helping the marine life. Agriculture seems an other languages, particularly in marauding pirates had reduced it is now a Spanish autonomous temperature of 24°C and improbable activity in this dry tourist areas with English common. the original population down community as Spain has 3,000 hours of annual sunshine. Economy Up to the 1980’s, environment, but onions and ,to to near 300 individuals. Norman decentralized after Franco’s and Lanzarote agriculture and fishing were the a lesser extent, potatoes and a Hyperbaric Chambers privateers conquered the island dictatorship ended, and it is have the sunniest weather of the major economic activities. With range of green vegetables are Arrecife Recompression Chamber protecting it from the pirates and an “outermost region of the Canaries, rainfall 5.9 inches (150 its good climate, tourism was exported. Ploughing used to with five spaces. Hospital Insular slavers in 1402. Over the next European Union”. In 1852, the law mm) annually. Moderate north- inevitable, and large amounts be done with camels. Now, it’s Arrecife; Tel.: 0034 928 810 000; 928 70 years, various battles, power of free ports granted the islands easterly trade winds come April of European investment money cheaper to buy a tractor even 810 500 struggles and issue of sovereignty immunity from customs and excise through to October; at other poured in during the 1970’s and though this degrades the volcanic finally ended with the treaty of duties—which sort of still applies as times, winds can come from any 1980’s buying up prime coastal chippings called picon or lapilli, Websites Alcacovas granting the islands to duty is low so prices are low—but direction. For diving, by moving land to eventually develop into which helps to hold moisture in Tourist board around the island, a lee side the resort centres of Puerto del the soil. The onions, which have a www.canarias.es can always be found. Water Carmen, and delicious sweet flavour, mainly go Tourist board temperatures can go down to Playa Blanca. Infrastructure to Spain but also do reach much www.turismolanzarote.com/en 18°C in winter, up to 23°C late was greatly improved, various of the rest of Europe. Another summer, cooler at depth. natural attractions were opened product is the cochineal beetle, to visitors. The first desalination used to make a dye extracted Environmental Issues plant was inaugurated, and the from the crushed beetles raised A UNESCO World Biosphere airport was expanded with the on cactus leaves. The cochineal Reserve, the island endeavours first international flights in 1970. In dye gives the red to the drink to have environmental friendly 1974, the Island had 2,000 tourist Campari and is also used in development such as no tall beds on offer. By 2001, it was lipstick, sweets and toothpaste. buildings, no billboard advertising, 50,000 rooms and 72,000 by 2006. it’s interesting to see the

Sea salt concentrating pans, Salinas de Janabio 65 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED cephalopods Sym es Think fast - like a squid! P ete r Text by Naiha Balal Khiljee DNA, and several cell organelles Such neurons Squids, octopus and cut- in the cytoplasma surrounding are obviously tlefish (who all belong to the nucleus (see Figure 1). The much easier somatic part has many dendritic to see in micro- the phylum of molluscs) ends who receive signals from scopes than are among the most intel- many other neurons. A long axon the typical smaller ligent animals in the sea, runs from the somatic part of the neurons. This helps researchers to system When looking closely and definitely the most neuron, where the electric nerve comprehend how the mind func- controls involun- at these neurons, it is inev- signal travels with an astonish- tions. tary muscles (smooth and cardiac itable that the most essential part intelligent marine inverte- ing speed of about 360km per muscles), which explains why our of a neuron is the axons, because brates. We should in fact hour. This electrical signal final- The mind heart beats even though we are the axons carry the electrical ask ourselves if the human izes its axonal journey into many The mind is an intriguing part of not conscious about it. The auto- impulses, which allow one part of mind is capable of think- synaptic ends, where it manages the body. It is like an abstract nomic nervous system can be the nervous system to communi- to trigger synaptic secretions of work of art, which we have not divided into two additional nerv- cate with another. ing as fast as these crea- chemicals (neurotransmitters: e.g. come to fully comprehend yet. ous systems, which illustrates the tures do. certain hormones like oxytonin) The nervous system is complex complexity of the nervous system. We have doctors and special- which travel into the intercellu- and consists of two departments: ists examining these axons, and We applaud our nervous system, lar space and reaches specific The CNS—which is the central The somatic nervous system con- we are all very fascinated by our but interestingly, squids have unu- receptors attached to the surface nervous system—and the PNS, trols skeletal muscles as well as nervous system, but rarely is it sually large neurons, which makes of adjacent neurons. which is the peripheral nervous external sensory organs such as acknowledged that squids actu- them a lot faster than us. These system. The CNS consists of the the skin—this nervous system is ally have much bigger axons, gigantic neurons are much easier In squids, axons carry information brain and spinal cord, while the unlike the autonomic nervous which means that information to study than the normal minute to the muscles of a squid’s mantle PNS consists of two kinds of nerv- system “conscious” while we con- runs far more rapidly through neurons found in animals and when it is startled, causing them ous cells: sensory nervous cells trol it consciously (with the small their nervous system, making their humans. This has assisted scientists to contract and jet to safety. It and motor nervous cells. The exception of reflex reactions). reactions much faster than those in gaining further basic knowl- is the axonal part of the neuron motor nervous cells carry electri- of human beings. So, the next edge and understanding about in squids which is rather large cal impulses sent from the CNS to Cells of the sensory nervous sys- time you are diving in the won- the functioning of the rather com- (considering that typical axons in organs, muscles and glands. tem send information to the CNS drous ocean—know that you will plex nervous systems in animals as humans are only a few microm- from internal organs or from exter- not be able to reach a squid! ■ well as humans. eters in diameter)—up to 1mm in The motor nervous system is divid- nal stimuli. So basically, the CNS, diameter. The squid giant axon ed into the autonomic nervous which consists of loads of neurons, Neurons consist of a somatic cell is several hundred times larger system and the somatic nervous is the “masterkey” of the entire body containing the nucleus with than the typical human axon. system. The autonomic nervous Figure 1 nervous system.

66 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED cephalopods d o ma in w i k ipe d a pu b lic

Squid Behaving C eph a lopo d en, 1910 / Badly Va l d ivi a , Die C hun & Text by Catherine GS Lim

When it comes to mating, it seems that the deep-sea squid isn’t too picky. New research has shown that the 12-centime- tre cephalopod would mate with any deep-sea squid it came into contact with, be it female—or male. dark depths of However, despite the 400 to 800 metres, potentially sensational the solitary deep-sea nature of this observation, squid often find it hard to this behaviour may just be a bump into one of its own case of mistaken identity in species. the blinding depths of the Californian deep ocean. coast, USA, And even when it does bump into sperm sacs someone, determining its gender Prior to this discovery, it was were found on may prove difficult in the dark. believed that male deep- both female sea squid mated by depos- and male squid. So, instead of letting an oppor- iting their spermatophores tunity slip away, it would simply (packages containing millions of Writing about it in initiate the mating process, and sperm) onto the female’s body. the Royal Society journal, Biology hope that its partner was indeed The sperm are then absorbed into Letters, lead author Henk-Jan a prospective female. her tissues. Evidence of the inter- Hoving, from the Monterey Bay action would be in the form of Aquarium Research Institute, Explaining this behaviour as a Three dive computers - Unlimited possibilities the sperm sac left on the female’s explained that as “the locations reproductive strategy, Hoving body. of sperm packages were simi- said, “Squid, including deep-sea lar in both sexes, we concluded species, only reproduce once A straightforward concept, that males mate with males and and they have to find mates in except that when researchers females”. time in an environment where reviewed video footage taken encounters between individuals www.OceanicWorldwide.com over 20 years in the Monterey It seems that this behaviour is of the same species are few and Submarine Canyon, off the rooted in practicality. Living at far between.” ■

67 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED shark tales

Tiger shark going after chum

Text and photos by Andy Murch Maybe the concept of ‘respon- sible shark diving’ sounds a little oxymoronic, but there are many things that you can do to pro- tect yourself and the sharks dur- ing your interaction.

First and foremost, I can’t stress enough the need to gain as much knowledge as possible about the animals and their environment. To go into the water with- out at least a basic idea of how the sharks are likely to react is foolhardy to say the least. If you are participating in an organized “shark diving experience”, you may feel that the operator’s knowl- edge is sufficient and that you can sit back and watch the show. it’s important to remember that every Do’s & Don’t’s shark interaction is different. Just because countless people have watched the parade of sharks at a particular site pas- sively swim by does not mean that you will have the same experience. Responsible Shark Diving following are some guidelines for mini- mising the dangers associated with inter- acting in the wild with sharks and rays. Get educated! mally respond to divers. Most free swim- fed by divers? It can be disconcerting to find out if the sharks in the area are Whilst the advice hopefully is useful, it Ask local divers and fishers what species ming sharks will disappear the minute drop down onto an area of reef where territorial. Sharks may respond to divers should be regarded as a vague guide- of sharks you are likely to see. Knowing they see a noisy, bubble blowing diver shark feeding normally take place and as threats to territory and defensively line only. if an area is frequented by nurse sharks heading their way, but some sharks are immediately find yourself surrounded by attack. Your experiences will differ greatly or tigers may make a big difference to more curious. Occasionally sharks like expectant sharks. from mine, and the sharks and rays you how alert you feel you need to be on the to wander up to divers and give them Ask if bait will be used or if any mem- Dress appropriately encounter may react in a completely dive. Learn the stats on different sharks. a closer look. Being buzzed or even ber of the dive group is planning to spear There are differing points of view on the different way. As such, I take no responsi- The shark attack file is a good place to brushed by a shark does not necessar- fish. Aggressive behaviour is significantly subject of what colors are most likely to bility for the outcome of any encounters start to find out which sharks have been ily mean that you are about to become increased in the presence of struggling attract a shark’s attention. Every con- that you may have or for the validity of responsible for attacks in the past. lunch. fish or when blood and other juices are in ceivable color combination has been any information stated below. find out how the sharks in the area nor- Are the sharks in the area regularly the water. tried at one time or another in an effort

68 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THIS PAGE: Lemon sharks and divers interact

color or black. Bear in mind that thou- shark tales sands of divers swim with tropical sharks every day wearing all manner of cloth- ing from bikinis to camouflaged full body dive skins, and the incidence of attack is extremely low. if you have bright metal objects such as reels or dive knifes attached to the outside of your BC, try to stash them out to deter sharks from attacking. Even of sight in a pocket or replace them with broad black and white stripes have been darker coloured alternatives. Even a tried in an effort to replicate the appear- shark diver’s first stage can look good to ance of a banded sea snake, which is an a hungry reef shark, as I found out in the animal avoided by the majority of shark Bahamas. species. Wear dark gloves. From a shark’s point As a rule of thumb, tropical sharks are of view, there’s nothing more tempt- mainly fish eaters and as such are attract- ing than seeing two small lily white “fish” ed to bright and shiny objects. Therefore, flapping around in front of them. If you it would seem logical that a neon yellow don’t have any gloves, try to keep your would attract the attention of arms folded across your chest. Using your sharks looking for a meal. In shark diving hands to swim with is asking for trouble. circles, neon yellow has actually been Full suits are better than shorty wetsuits. given the nickname of “yum yum yel- This is the same principle as exposing your low”. Other bright colours may also have hands. Try not to expose distinct areas of the same effect, so if you’re planning on skin that a shark can focus on or mistake regularly putting yourself in the presence for a fish. Even if you have dark skin, it’s a of tropical fish eating sharks, it may be good idea to cover up. A lot of injury can a good idea to tone down your fashion occur from the brush of a shark’s sandpa- statement and choose a more muted per-like skin.

some sharks in temperate seas feed lastly, fins tend to be prime targets for also important. Crashing into the reef or on seals and sea lions. The chances are bites. This is more likely to do with their struggling to stay down could generate that you will never see a white shark movements and exposed position rather interest or may work in reverse and drive underwater. I have a friend that lives than colour but white, silver, or bright fins away sharks, which you were hoping on Catalina Island who has seen a should probably be avoided. would stay around. couple, but he considers himself very lucky indeed to have done so. Many Avoid erratic movements Look but don’t touch divers prefer the tough guy black com- Sharks are able to pick up on disturbanc- The best way to get bitten by a shark is mando look, and this is reflected by the es in their environment. They are looking to grab it by the tail or any other part choices of suits that manufacturers offer. for the tell-tale signature of a wounded of its anatomy. You wouldn’t think this Personally, I think that mimicking a seal fish or other animal. Once they find needs putting into print, but a surpris- doesn’t seem like such a good idea. one, they carry out their civic duty and ing amount of shark bites are the direct Keep in mind again that there are remove the wounded creature from the result of divers trying to manhandle oth- plenty of fish eaters in temperate seas gene pool. erwise docile creatures. as well, including smaller white sharks, so thrashing around in the water may joe shark diver sees a nurse shark’s tail flashing bright colours and shiny objects mimic the vibrations sent out by a protruding from under the reef and thinks may also be unwise. I own a nice neutral wounded fish and/or may replicate the that if he gives it a little poke or tug, the blue that hopefully differentiates movements of a feeding shark. Either nurse shark will shift into a position where me from both pinnipeds and schools of way, slow, rhythmic fin strokes are more Joe can get a better look at its head. He fish. likely to be ignored. Good buoyancy is grabs the shark’s tail, and before he has

69 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Lemon shark

to break down the toxins shark tales and relieve some of the pain. Seek medical atten- tion as soon as possible. Stingray barbs often break up upon entry, and the wound may need to be cut open and cleaned to avoid infection. time to register exactly what has hap- the electric organs of pened, he looks down to find a nurse some rays are potentially shark jaw wrapped around his wrist. dangerous, but again, in contrary to popular belief, nurse sharks the majority of cases, the do have rows of sharp little teeth, and ray is far more likely to once Joe is finally released (which some- move away than to shock. times doesn’t happen until he is literally However, torpedo rays dragged out of the water) Joe gets to are known to have a bad spend the rest of his holiday, at the very temper, and there have least, with a bandaged arm. been a few cases of these Don’t be Joe Shark Diver. Sharks are animals chasing divers and extremely flexible and explosively fast. repeatedly shocking them. Rays usually remain very docile if you Some torpedo rays have approach them slowly until their personal been shown to be able to space is encroached upon, and then emit in excess of 200 volts! they finally either bolt or slowly lift off Usually, if the animal is not the bottom and relocate a few meters harassed, it will leave divers away. The best way to get near them is alone. to move in close to the sea bed. Rays feel more threatened when approached Stay away from above. from the chum in rays, the two defence mechanisms Sharks that come to a that a diver needs to be aware of are: shark feed are not there to the stingray’s tail barb and the electric socialise. They want food, ray’s ability to shock. and if you’re between Waders (often fishing) have been them and dinner, you’re wounded and even killed where medical in the wrong place at the attention was not available, as the result wrong time. Keep your dis- of stingray barbs entering the abdomen tance from any hanging or other vital organs. The barbs often bait that has been placed carry toxins, which compound the medi- in the water, and if the cur- cal problem and create immense pain. rent is moving a chum slick away from mild current, you probably now have to a few reasons: dive gear looks an awful lot like a thrash- Luckily divers are rarely faced with sting- the area, make sure that you are posi- turn around to make headway against firstly, a body floating at the surface ing animal. rays using this defence mechanism, as tioned off to the side or up stream. it to get back up stream, which puts is high on the list of desirable objects for it is only employed as a last resort when having watched the shark’s behaviour you with your back to the approaching a shark to explore. In the ocean, dead Read the sharks the animal is pinned down. Stingrays are for some time, you may feel confident shark. A better course of action is to swim things float. Oily chum tends to create a It’s important to pay attention to the more than happy to move away if they about moving in for better pictures or a sideways until clear of the chum slick, slick on the surface that you may be cov- behaviour of the sharks participating in a are too closely approached by a diver. better look. Remember that if the current at which point, you can kick up current ering yourself in while you remain there. shark feed. Although sharks become agi- i am not aware of a single diver that is running and you are down stream, any without looking like a fleeing wounded secondly, if your head is above water, tated as soon as they know food is avail- has been stabbed whilst on a dive. This sharks that are swimming up to the bait animal. you are effectively blind to the move- able, they will usually continue to cruise is not to say that you won’t step on one may think that those delicious odours are ments of any sharks underwater. around calmly waiting for the opportunity with painful results whilst attempting emanating from you. Now you’re stuck Get underwater thirdly, a positively buoyant diver’s to strike at the bait. In a well-organized a shore entry. If this occurs, wash the in a position where a shark is coming Floating at the surface in the presence actions are far more limited. It takes time feed, access to the bait is often restricted wound in fresh water and apply as much toward you, and you are drifting into it. of sharks sends the wrong message. You to become negative and descend out of to keep the sharks interested but not heat to the area as possible. This will help As it’s very hard to swim against even a want to descend as soon as you can for trouble, and swimming at the surface in overexcited.

70 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THIS PAGE: Photographer encounters oceanic whitetip shark tales shark (right) and silky sharks (left) leisurely swimming shark can hurt a diver, but sharks rarely collide with anything unless they are panicked. Pay atten- tion to the dynamics of the feed. Beyond a critical level of excitement, sharks may become too aggressive for divers to safely remain in the water, and it is difficult to judge when this point is approaching. If many sharks are in attendance and ploughing into the food, seemingly indifferent to any- thing else around them, they may become excited enough to bite randomly at whatever is close to them. Often the surprising thing is how fast the pace can change. some sharks regardless of food stimulus may become aggressive towards divers. Any type of posturing is a bad sign. The threat display of grey reef sharks has been well documented. This consists of exaggerated swimming motions, back arching, raising of the snout, lowering of the pec- attack. Even bringing a camera that a shark diving situation may if baiting sharks into an area is toral fins and head swinging. Not up to eye level may be enough require the use of a power head enough to create a worthwhile all sharks will give you these visual to push a shark over the edge, or other weapon for protection, experience, then actual feeding cues, but you may see some small and it’s important to remember then the dive should not take is not necessary. The consensus modified behaviour. The message that no matter how ready you place. is that it is far more harmful and is a clear one: BACK OFF! think you are, if a shark attacks at it is also important to protect behaviour changing to actually hopefully the diver will notice speed, you are unlikely to be able the fragile environment that feed sharks than to just lure them the posturing and move away to block the attack in time. sharks and rays inhabit. “Getting into the area. before the shark takes its next the shot” is secondary to protect- try to avoid creating a repeti- defensive strategy, which is often Be a responsible ing the reef regardless of what tive feeding area where resident if too much bait ends up in the moving through. If an adrenalin- to attack. The most common sce- participant the subject is. Always practice sharks wait for a handout. Whilst water, the sharks may become filled dog were to hit you at 20 nario in which this situation occurs We have come a long way good buoyancy skills, and if the this may be a convenient way to very aggressive. They may chase miles an hour, it would bowl you is when a shark is cornered. Try since the early days of Jacques situation calls for you to crouch re-attract sharks, it provides an each other tearing at the food, down. Now replay this scenario in to always give sharks an escape Cousteau pitting himself against inconspicuously on the sea floor, easy target for unscrupulous shark and in their single-mindedness, a medium 800 times denser than route. the monsters of the sea. The find a barren spot that will not fishers. any divers that get in the way air, and you don’t get bowled it may be tempting to want to survival of the sharks that cruise damage any corals or other Diving with sharks can be a fun stand a chance of getting hit. over anymore because you’re photograph posturing behaviour, today’s oceans hangs in the marine creatures. That group of and highly rewarding activity, but To understand the significance supported by the water. However, but this has proven to be the balance. There is no excuse for orange sponges may make for a this becomes hollow and selfish of being thumped by a shark the object hitting you is still travel- downfall of numerous divers in the harming any shark or even inter- better photo location but not at enjoyment if you in any way harm underwater, it’s necessary to look ling at the same speed resulting past. A camera flash is often the rupting important behaviours such the expense of the surrounding the animals that you have come at the medium the sharks are in a tremendous impact. Even a catalyst that brings on the final as mating or birthing. If you feel corals. to see. ■

71 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Dogfish shark chemical Lush Shark Fin Soap This is perhaps the one time that shark-phobics won’t when they see a shark fin popping out of the water. Lush’s shark fin soap gets stops human viruses you squeaky clean with its blend of softening seaweed, fine sea salt and lime oil, while letting you do your part to save the sharks. You see, all proceeds from the sale of this limited edition soap goes to Shark Savers, the organisation dedicated to the protec- tion and conversation of sharks. Now that’s the perfect combi- nation to make you feel good both on the inside and out! ■ www .lushus a .co m

Spiny dogfish makes history as world’s first ‘sustainable’ shark fishery

British Columbia’s spiny dogfish has MSC certification will become the world’s first shark fishery result in new interest for Researchers to be deemed sustainable, offer- dogfish products. It’s fisheries report that squalamine—an ing a glimmer of hope for globally a small nugget of hope analyst Scott Wallace overfished shark populations. The that environmental groups said the fishery was worth support- antibiotic isolated from dogfish London, England-based Marine will open their eyes to this first initia- ing as all vessels utilise electronic sharks—is also active against a broad Stewardship Council (MSC) has tive to ensure sustainability by a very monitoring, there is limited bycatch spectrum of human viral pathogens concluded that B.C.’s commercial rigorous process.” of dogfish in other fisheries and the hook-and-line dogfish fishery is sus- in an opinion letter in the journal total allowable catch is conserva- The spiny dogfish shark (Squalus equine encephalitis virus, and tem to turn all of these antiviral tainable, following an independent Nature in 2010, scientists such as tively set. “This is an exception in the acanthias) is the most common murine cytomegalovirus. In compounds into agents that scientific assessment by accredited Jennifer Jacquet and Daniel Pauly world of shark fisheries,” he said. shark and travels in schools. some cases, the animals were protect humans against a wide certification body Moody Marine of the University of B.C. Fisheries the dogfish is the most common They are called dogfish cured. variety of viruses. That would be Ltd. Centre said the MSC’s credibility of B.C.’s 15 shark species and its because they travel and hunt squalamine appears to pro- revolutionary, lead researcher the council concluded that the was at risk unless it “creates more most widely utilised fish. Its meat is in packs. They are found in the tect against viruses that attack Prof Michael Zasloff said: dogfish met the “global standard for stringent standards, cracks down on sold as ‘rock salmon’ for fish and Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian the liver and blood tissues, and Because squalamine can be sustainable fisheries, which includes arguably loose interpretation of its chips in England, the belly flaps oceans, from tropical equato- other similar compounds that readily synthesized and has a healthy fish stocks, minimal eco- rules, and alters its process to avoid smoked and sold in Germany, the rial climates to the Arctic and we know exist in the shark likely known safety profile in man, the system impacts, an effective fish- a potential financial incentive to fins for Asian shark-fin soup, cartilage Antarctic protect against respiratory viral researchers believe its potential eries-management system,” and is certify large fisheries.” for health pills (of dubious value), Animal studies showed that infections, and so on. as a broad-spectrum human “managed within the precautionary however, the MSC’s dogfish cer- and the reminder for organic ferti- squalamine controlled infec- We may be able to harness antiviral agent should be ex- framework” of the federal fisheries tification is supported by the David liser. Among the other B.C. fisheries tions of yellow fever, Eastern the shark’s novel immune sys- plored. ■ department. Suzuki Foundation (DSF) and World already MSC-certified as sustain- “We’re really excited,” stated Wildlife Fund, which co-founded the able are hake, halibut and Fraser Michael Renwick, executive director MSC but is no longer involved in its sockeye (the latter species being Marshall Islands now a safe haven for sharks of the B.C. Dogfish Hook and Line operation. Despite ongoing ques- particularly disputed by some envi- Industry Association. “We’re hoping tions about stock assessments, DSF ronmental groups). ■ If you’re a shark, head for in addition, trade in shark “In passing this [shark protec- the Marshall Islands. That’s and shark products is prohib- tion] bill, there is no greater because in early October, ited. There would also be a statement we can make about places where the shark finning is sters and politicians eager to fuel its government declared the ban on wire leaders, a longline the importance of sharks to The Fin Trail legal, and where it is not. They will the demand, to the conservation- world’s largest shark sanctuary fishing gear that has proved our culture, environment and reveal how the harvested fins make ists and activists fighting to stop the within their home waters. deadly for sharks. economy,” said Senator Tony The Fin Trail is a film about shark it to the consumer and how the slaughter. comprising an area eight in the run-up to the bill, the deBrum, who co-sponsored the fin. From breath-taking images of dollars and cents of the trade add in conjunction with the filming, times larger than the United Marshall Islands government bill through the parliament. sharks swimming free in the ocean, up for the suppliers of the business an online petition (http://www. Kingdom, sharks within the had collaborated with the “Ours may be a small island to graphic sequences of how the - and what it means for the rest of thepetitionsite.com/1/the-fin-trail/) 1,990,530 sq km area are now US-based Pew Environment nation, but our waters are now ingredients of the shark fin soup are the world. is underway, urging governments to safe from being fished. Anyone Group, which has been instru- the biggest place where sharks harvested. Director Steve Bowles in short, The Fin Trail is the inside ban shark finning and to outlaw the who accidentally catches a mental in establishing shark are protected,” he added. ■ and his team intends to take the story told from both sides of the trade in shark fins except for those shark has to release them alive. sanctuaries worldwide. viewers on a worldwide journey to trade: from the businessmen, gang- sourced from sustainable fisheries. ■

72 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED turtle tales ‘Heat-proof’ eggs help marine turtles Turtles and unexploded bombs d o ma in cope with hot beaches Flatback turtles that nest on resulted in a very high suc- Bare Island, a deserted patch cessful number of hatchlings

of sand dunes off the coast making it to the sea. Despite w i k ipe d a pu b lic of Darwin, Australia, have the nesting successes, threats continued their normal cycle to the turtles lie offshore of life. because the area will The females that nest on the not be protect- Edited by beach at ed by a net- Bonnie McKenna night are work of oblivi- marine ous reserves to the pro- daytime efforts posed by Accidental sea turtle deaths drop by to search for the govern- Al a n Rive r stone Mc C ulloch (1885-1925) / unexploded ment for 90 percent in U.S. fisheries bombs. From the north- noaa 1945 to 1979, west and According to a new study Reducing bycatch Research led by the University of Exeter shows that some the island was north of by Duke University Project Bycatch is an acute threat to turtles are naturally heat-tolerant. a practice tar- the conti- marine turtle populations world- get range used nent. GloBAL and Conservation wide. High bycatch rates can The study focused on green turtles the progress. They found the eggs by the air force. only three International, the number indicate unsustainable fishing on Ascension Island. They found that from the warmer beach were better The three-year percent of of sea turtles acciden- practices that negatively impact eggs laid by turtles on a naturally able to survive in the hot incubator project, which the northern tally caught and killed in the health of the marine ecosys- hot beach withstand temperatures than those from the cooler beach. began in May, has waters would tem. Mitigation strategies that better than eggs found on cooler Researchers believe that this is the already unearthed be protected by fishing gear in the United have helped reduce bycatch beaches just a few kilometers away. first time that adaptation to local a number of large bombs the plan. Sea turtles in States has declined by an are: the use of circle hooks and the warmer beach had dark sand environmental conditions has been as well as an abundance of that nest on Bare Island will estimated 90 percent. The dehooking equipment, the use of and the cooler beach had white demonstrated in marine turtles. empty cartridges and projec- be left vulnerable to oil spills, report credits the drop to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in sand. Since most female turtles nest Dr Sam Weber, who lead the tiles. seabed mining and com- shrimp trawl nets, and the imple- on the beaches where they were study said, “Such adaptations prob- mercial and recreational measures that have been mentation of time-area closures hatched, it was concluded that the ably evolve over many generations, Resting in peace fishing. The Australian Marine put in place to reduce to restrict fishing when turtles are turtles became adapted to specific so whether turtle evolution can keep While the island’s violent Conservation Society is disap- bycatch. most likely to be present. nesting locations. pace with the rapid climate change past would seem an unlikely pointed that this important that scientists have predicted place for the nesting turtles; breeding ground for the Before measures were put in Fragmented approach Adaptaition to heat remains to be seen. However, occa- the opposite is true due to flatback would not be pro- place to reduce bycatch, it is Piecemeal regulation remains The researchers placed some eggs sional movements of heat-adapted the lack of predators on tected by the network of pro- estimated that sea turtle takes a problem. The fragmented from each beach into incubators at turtles to other nesting sites could the barren island, which has posed marine preserves. ■ surpassed 300,000 annually. Of approach of allowing a fishery- either 32.5°C or 29°C and monitored help to spread favorable genes.” ■ those, 70,000 turtles were killed. by-fishery to set bycatch limits the study collected data from does not account for the overall 1990 to 2007 to determine the impact of all takes and leads to Ingestion of plastic and latex by sea turtles is studied bycatch rates from more than total allowed takes to exceed 20 fisheries operating in Atlantic what the sea turtle populations Small pieces of latex and plastic actively seeking the offered indicating a possible interfer- in the intestines, and those pieces waters from the Gulf of Mexico to can sustain. were fed to sea turtles on differ- material; some color preference ence with energy that had been held in the gut the Canadian border and in the the researchers note that the ent occasions. The turtles feed- was noted. The amount con- to gut function. Passing of the the longest showed evidence of Pacific Ocean along the west actual bycatch rates are likely ing behavior, as well as the time sumed depended on appetite. ingested material ranged from a deterioration. coast and around Hawaii. Shrimp higher than reported because taken for the turtles to pass the The studies noted no effects of few days to four months. Some to read the full report, go to trawls in the Gulf of Mexico in many fisheries, particularly the ingested material were noted. plastic ingestion on gut function, turtles passed multiple pieces http://swfsc.noaa.gov/publica- and southwestern United States shrimp trawl fishery, the number The physiological and clinical metabolic rate, blood chemis- bound together although they tions/TM/SWFSC/NOAA-TM-NMFS- accounted for up to 98 percent of on-board observers is low rela- status of the turtles was moni- try, liver function or salt balance. had eaten the latex pieces at dif- SWFSC-154_P719.PDF ■ of all bycatch takes and deaths tive to the amount of fishing that tored constantly. Green and log- However, blood glucose declined ferent times. It appears that some during the study period. occurs. ■ gerhead turtles were observed for nine days following ingestion, of the latex pieces are being held

73 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Almost half of the world’s threatened turtles are found in the northern Indian Ocean

Top experts recently dis- blueprint for conserva- covered that 45 percent tion and research. The Indian of the world’s threatened assessment system will provide a baseline status Ocean turtles are found in the for all marine turtles from northern Indian Ocean. which conservationists The study also determined can gauge their progress on recovering these threat- that the most sig- ened popula- nificant threats Sea turtles every- tions. across all threat- where are conserva- five of the 11 d o ma in ened marine sea most threatened tion-dependent, but species of marine French turtles are fish- this framework will turtles are found in Polynesia. eries bycatch, help us effectively the northern Indian Dr Bryan Wallace, director of accidental Ocean. Other areas science for the Marine Flagship catches and the target our conserva- that proved to be Species Program at CI said, w o r l d f a ct b oo k / pu b lic most dangerous to “Before we conducted this study, ci a direct harvest of tions efforts around marine turtles were the best we could say about sea turtles, their eggs the world. the East Pacific turtles was that six of the seven or their shells for Ocean (from the USA sea turtle species are threatened to South America) and the East with extinction globally, but this commercial use. Atlantic Ocean (off the coast of wasn’t very helpful for conserva- Western Africa). tion because it didn’t help us set The report, produced by the IUCN, the study also highlighted the priorities for different populations in Marine Turtle Specialist Group and 12 healthiest marine turtle popula- different regions. Sea turtles every- supported by CI and the National tions in the world. The thriving habi- where are conservation-depend- Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is the tats which include nesting sites ent, but this framework will help us first comprehensive status report and feeding areas are Australia, effectively target our conserva- of all marine turtles globally. The Mexico, Brazil, the Southwest tions efforts around the world.” ■ study is designed to provide a Indian Ocean, Micronesia, and

U.S. adds loggerhead sea turtles to the endangered list

After four years of lobbying, the under the Endangered Species swordfish boats from Hawaii U.S. National Marine Fisheries Act. often hook and drown loggerhead Service moved the loggerhead the loggerhead populations turtles on their longline hooks, but population in the North Pacific have declined by at least 80 the real threats come from the from threatened to endangered percent over the past decade, Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese according to marine biolo- longline fleets that are not subject gists. to U.S. fishing regulations. According to the Sea it is hoped that by adding the Turtle Restoration Project, loggerhead to the endangered list deadly high-seas longline it will allow pressure to be brought fisheries, illegal poaching on the United Nations and other and radioactive debris off- foreign nations to subject their fish- shore of loggerhead nest- ing fleets to more stringent regula- ing areas in Japan jeopard- tions regarding their longline fish- ize these sea turtles. ing practices. ■ noaa 74 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED technical matters Managing Narcosis

Under the influence: A per- loss of self control, which is of these procedures. For more detail on which suggests formance guide to manag- exemplified by the urge a the experiments mentioned in this paper, that, prior to ing narcosis diver might have to give his the reader is referred to a recent review unconscious- ­—from aquaCORPS # 3, mouthpiece to a passing covering the last 15 years of behavioral ness, the primary DEEP, JAN91 fish. research on narcosis (Fowler, et al., 1985). effect of narcosis Given the assumption of on performance Text by Barry Fowler, Ph.D. helplessness, it is not surpris- Narcosis as a slowing arises from a Illustrations by Andrew Bell ing that the usual advice of responding single funda- Creaturesinmyhead.com to divers is to avoid narco- Recently, a theory called, the slowed mental deficit sis by not descending too processing model, has been proposed, in the central Breathing hyperbaric deep, or to ascend air causes a syndrome immediately when nervous system. This deficit is thought symptoms are TABLE 1: A summary of the to be a decrease in arousal which slows of behavioral and sub- encountered. This classic view of the progressive responding but does not cause percep- jective effects called is excellent advice: effects of . tual distortions of either vision or audi- nitrogen narcosis, narcosis should be tion. which limits the work avoided if possi- 4ATA (98 fsw) the claim that narcosis does not ble. On the other Mild euphoria, delayed cause perceptual distortions is counter- efficiency of divers and hand, this advice responses intuitive, because narcosis typically is ultimately life-threat- is not helpful to decreases the accuracy of responding ening. those divers who 6ATA (164 fsw) as well as increasing response time on a must work while Sleepiness, hallucinations, variety of cognitive, perceptual-motor narcotic. impaired judgement; laughter and manual dexterity tasks. Table 1(right) presents the the purpose and loquacity may be over- to explain how the slowed process- classic view of the progres- of this paper is come by self control. ing model accounts for these decreases sive effects of nitrogen nar- twofold. First, to in accuracy, it is useful to consider an cosis based on descriptions squishy... highlight recent 8ATA (230 fsw) example of the research that is being in a number of current text- i feel squishy advances in Convivial group atmosphere, conducted on narcosis with the hyper- books (Bennett, 1981; Miller, behavioral severe impairment of intellec- baric facilities at the Defense and Civil 1979; Edmonds et al., 1983). research on narco- tual performance, uncontrolled Institute of Environmental Medicine in This view emphasizes the growing help- sis, which suggest that it might laughter or terror reaction in Toronto, Canada. One of the tasks used lessness of the diver to combat narcosis be possible to develop train- some. to study narcosis is called the Serial until eventually stupification sets in at 295 ing procedures to improve the Choice Reaction Timer. It consists of a fsw. work effectiveness and safety of 10ATA (299 fsw) set of push buttons arranged so that a the image of helplessness is reinforced divers exposed to narcosis. The Stupifecation, mental abnor- finger can rest comfortably on each by Cousteau’s well-known description of second purpose is to propose malities, euphoria, almost total one. narcosis as “raptures of the deep” and some principles that could serve loss of intellectual faculties. Adjacent to each button is a light- his accompanying warnings about a as a guide for he development emitting diode. The task is to extinguish Adaptation to narcosis: Number of Exposures to Narcosis, Figure 1. True adaptation to narcosis is illustrated in the top figure and non-specific learning in the bottom one. It is assumed that learning is occurring on the task but adaptation could occur without learning 75 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED tech talk

Rebreather Forum 3 a lighted diode as quickly as other words, the loss in accuracy possible by pressing the appro- can be controlled at the expense Powered by: priate button. This lights another of speed. AAUS, DAN and PADI diode randomly which must then Generally speaking, it appears be extinguished and so on for a that this is true for many tasks Are you a rebreather specified period of time—usually where a loss of accuracy is not 90 seconds. A computer controls necessarily part of the perform- diver, instructor or this sequence of events and also ance breakdown due to narcosis. dive centre ? records reaction time and the To summarize, the slowed process- number of times an unlit button is ing model holds that decreased It’s time for a Peer Review; pressed—this is defined as an error accuracy on many tasks is due to and reflects the level of accuracy. untrained individuals working too - Rebreather Incidents subjects performing this task quickly and being willing to take in a hyperbaric chamber at the more risks than usual. - physiology and equivalent of 295 fsw show an two training principles are sug- increase in reaction time and gested by this research. First, dis- …i thought i could handle it. Rebreathers in the number of errors commit- organized behavior is not neces- - Rebreather Design, ted, but they are not stupefied as sarily part of narcosis and can be processing model is unsuccessful amnesic effects. First, the diver Construction and Testing the classic view would suggest. overcome by training. Second, in explaining decreases in accu- should rely on memory as little as Moreover, it turns out that these errors can be avoided by slowing racy by a failure to slow down. possible. Second, when memory - training and Operations errors can be eliminated by train- down. Conversely, when time is at Narcosis causes forgetting, which must be relied on, the material ing the subjects to slow down. In a premium and the diver is hurry- can be so severe that it was evi- should be highly overlearned and - Rebreathers in ing, an increase in errors dent to early observers. memory cues used to minimize Expeditionary Diving

Fowler On Narcosis will be unavoidable. The even before World War II, it forgetting. • Disorganized behavior is not a neces- potential costs of these was noticed that, after surfac- examples of procedures relat- Come and be part of a sary part of narcosis and can be over- errors in terms of work ing, divers were unable to recall ing to the first principle include major event in Rebreather come by training. Errors can be avoided efficiency and safety all the events that had taken preparing and using a check-off thinking – Rebreather Forum by slowing down. must be weighed against place under water. More recent- list, which details every stage of 3 - the biggest international • Divers should rely on memory as little as the possible gains. ly, research has demonstrated the dive and recording all interest- “Rich has a relaxed, Rebreather Conference possible. When memory must be relied for example, it might another effect. During a dive, ing observations during the dive. progressive, effective on, the material should be highly over- be acceptable to hurry Material learned beforehand may With respect to the second prin- teaching style which learned and memory cues used to mini- and make an assembling not be recalled. ciple, divers must overlearn any enables him to thoroughly Supported by a piece of apparatus. It Quite clearly, these forms of , which is to mize forgetting. prepare divers for the Fourth Element would not be accept- amnesia raise a number of poten- be executed quickly in a precise • Divers must become familiar and com- rigours of ‘real life’ diving” IANTD Some advert fortable with the sensations of narcosis, able to hurry and make tial problems. During the dive, sequence. In addition, an obtru- an incorrect decision there is the possibility of forgetting sive alarm system should serve as and learn to allocate attention between rEvo the task and the symptoms in a man- resulting in loss of orienta- previously learned instructions and a cue for critical items, such as tion with respect to an the learning of new material will bottom departure time. ner appropriate to the situation. Divers can learn to use the intensity and type or guideline. be impaired. This latter effect will contribute to difficulty in solving Subjective symptoms Rich Walker Friday 18th - of symptoms to estimate performance High quality training new problems. After surfacing, capability. Effects of narcosis of narcosis using the best Sunday 20th May • Divers should practice as much as pos- on memory events during the dive may not —and their relationship to per- curriculum 2012 sible prior to the dive on the tasks to be Tasks involving long-term be recalled. formance available performed underwater. ■ memory and learning are two training principles could The term “raptures of the deep” Orlando, Florida, USA one area where slowed be employed to counter these was coined to highlight a striking www.wreckandcave.co.uk

76 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED tech talk Narcosis

characteristic of narcosis—the been documented by asking for training purposes, it is impor- subjective sensations of euphoria experienced divers to identify tant to note that, apart from which may induce rash behavior. adjectives describing their feel- inducing rash behavior, subjec- However, the point was made ings. In all, four clusters of adjec- tive symptoms have the potential earlier that divers can be trained tives have been identified. These to influence performance in two to act rationally under narcosis. relate to euphoria (e.g. more ways. First, performance may be One may feel euphoric without carefree and cheerful), con- disrupted because the diver pays necessarily acting these feelings. sciousness (e.g. more fuzzy and attention to the internal sensa- the emphasis on euphoria has hazy), work capability (e.g. less tions of narcosis at the expense obscured the fact that there effective and efficient) and inhibi- of maintaining on are other subjective sensations tory state (e.g. less cautious and the environment and the task. induced by narcosis. These have self-controlled). this is because a fairly strong relationship has been demonstrat- ed between subjective ratings of the severity of narcosis and the degree of performance impair- ment. It should be noted that this study was performed under intensity and type of symptoms to is identical for narcosis and the it is clear that a good deal ideal conditions in a dry hyper- estimate performance capability. surface control. Thiswww.deadzebra.com is a case of more research is required before baric chamber and possibly these For example, in the event of inad- non-specific learning, but it is the issues raised here about results could not be replicated vertently exceeding the depth important to note that there is still adaptation are resolved. In the under water. This is because a limit during an excursion dive, sub- an improvement in performance absence of clear-cut research variety of other factors, e.g. cold, jective symptoms could be the under narcosis. Figure 1 illustrates results, it is difficult to offer spe- anxiety and fatigue, could all first warning if the development of these two cases. cific training principles which take produce sensations which might a life-threatening situation. three conclusions are sug- advantage of adaptation or non- mask narcosis. gested by these results. First, true specific learning. the potential influence of the Adaptation to narcosis adaptation to narcosis may occur until these results become avail- subjective symptoms of narco- It is generally agreed by divers but only under certain circum- able, a generally useful training sis on performance suggests that frequent exposure to nar- stances which are not presently principle is to provide the diver three training principles. First, the cosis leads to adaptation. The understood. Second, it is pos- with as much practice as pos- diver must become familiar and problem is that research on this sible that divers may sometimes sible prior to the dive on the tasks comfortable with the sensations question has not clarified what mistake non-specific learning to be performed under water. of narcosis. Second, the diver kind of adaptation is taking place for true adaptation. Third, it is If these tasks can be practiced must learn to allocate attention (Fowler, et al., 1985). not clear what the relationship under narcosis prior to the dive, so between the task and the symp- there is some evidence of is between the adaptation of much the better. There are some toms of a manner appropriate to adaptation that is specific to subjective symptoms and the techniques that might be useful the situation. narcosis. This means that, over adaptation of objective perform- for this purpose, but it is beyond the object here is to prevent a successive exposures, perform- ance. It is possible that divers may the scope of this paper to discuss performance deficit due to inat- ance under narcosis improves be basing their opinions about them. tention, but at the same time, not at a greater rate than a surface adaptation largely on subjective to ignore the symptoms entirely. control—this is true adaptation. symptoms. To date, researchers Some final caveats The reason for not ignoring symp- on the other hand, this kind of have ignored this possibility and The eight training principles that toms becomes apparent in the adaptation has not been found focused on measuring the adap- have been proposed are aimed third principle. This states that a in some experiments where the tation of objective performance. at controlling and possibly amel- this is the last time I do this for you… diver should be taught to use the improvement in performance iorating the effects of narcosis

77 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED tech talk

when it cannot be avoided. Underlying these principles is a view of narcosis, expressed in terms of the slowed processing model, which differs from that present- ed in current textbooks. However, it must be emphasized that these principles are only tenta- tive and must be tested by controlled research. There is definitely no suggestion that current maximum depth guide- lines for sports divers should be violated. finally, for the pur- poses of this paper, the whole question of pre- dicting performance in the underwater environ- ment has been over-sim- plified. There are a variety of other Barry Fowler, Ph.D., is one of the second edition). Chap. 9. Diving stressors, which coexist with narcosis leading researchers in the field Medical Centre, Mosman, NSW. and which, in combination with it, of inert gas narcosis. He can be Fowler, B., Ackles, K.N. and Porlier, have the potential to place severe reached at York University, 4700 G. (1985). Effects of inert gas nar- limits on performance. Keele Street, New York, Ontario, M3J cosis on behavior: A critical review. these include , cold, 1P3, Canada. ■ Undersea Biomed. Res. 12, 369-402 anxiety, perceptual disorders and Godden, D. and Baddeley, A. weightlessness (Fowler, et al. 1983; References (1979). The commercial diver. In: Godden and Baddeley, 1979). This Baddeley, A.D. and Flemming, Compliance and excellence: The has been demonstrated clearly N.C. (1967). The efficiency of divers study of real skills. Volume 2. (W.T. in the case of anxiety (Baddeley breathing oxy-helium. Ergonomics Singleton, ed.). MTP Press, Lancaster. and Fleming, 1967), but information 10, 311-319. Miller, J.W., ed. (1979). NOAA about other combinations is virtually Bennett, P.B. (1982). Inert gas diving manual: Diving for science non-existant. If on air is narcosis and the highpressure syn- and technology. (Second edition). to be carried out with a maximum drome. In: Hybaric and Undersea Sections 2-20-2-23. U.S. Government of safety and efficiency, training Medicine. Vol 1. (J.C. Davis, ed.). Printing Office, Washington, D.C. procedures must not only be guided Lesson No. 16. Medical Seminars, Pilmanis, A.A., Given, R.R. and by the effects of narcosis on per- Inc. San Antonio, Texas Borgh, B.C. (1984). Unique design formance, but also by the effects of Edmonds, C., Lowry, C. and of the new NOAA/USC saturation any additional stressor that may be Pennefeather, J. (1983). Diving and diving system. Proc of Oceans. present in combination with narcosis. Scubaquatic Medicine. (Revised September 10-12.

78 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The Insidious Threat of Hypoxic Blackout in Rebreather Diving Why rebreather divers, even more so than open circuit divers, need to be in control and focused when they ascend.

Text by Simon Pridmore

Rebreathers allow divers and convert it into carbon dioxide most electronic CCRs, the oxygen tions, we all begin our diving lives to enter a realm of and the longer they are down the level in the diver’s breathing sup- on open circuit scuba and acquire more oxygen is metabolized. ply is maintained at a preset level. open circuit habits. It is common undreamed-of opportu- As the diver ascends, the ambient in standard no decompression nity. However, while they Maintaining conciousness pressure drops as does the partial sport diving for divers to relax their provide a solution to many Human beings can function nor- pressure of oxygen in the diver’s vigilance once they begin their of the drawbacks of open mally at oxygen partial breathing loop. ascent. The dive is over and their of between 0.16 and 0.5. At par- attention starts to wander. It is also circuit scuba diving, such tial pressures greater than 0.5 we Lag effect natural for a diver who encounters as limited gas supply, noise are at risk from : at When the rebreather’s electronics a problem or feels uncomfortable and short no–decompres- partial pressures below 0.16 the detect that this is happening they to quickly seek sanctuary in the sion limits, rebreathers also oxygen level is insufficient for us to direct a solenoid to shallows. After all, this maintain consciousness. allow a fresh injec- One of these makes good sense expose divers to a number At the surface, the oxygen par- tion of oxygen into in open circuit terms of new concerns, which is tial pressure in the air the free diver the loop to maintain concerns is a widely because the shallower why proper training and breathes is 0.21. When he arrives at the misunderstood you are, the less air you 10m (33ft), generally speaking, the at the desired level. use and the more time lots of practice in emergen- percentage of oxygen in the air in If the diver’s ascent phenomenon most you have to solve any cy procedures are essen- his lungs is still 21 percent, but as he is too rapid, how- frequently referred problem. tial. is now at an ambient pressure of ever, the electron- two atmospheres and as the pres- ics may not have to as shallow water Resist the sure of the air in his lungs has now time to pick up and or hypoxic blackout, tendency Not only free divers doubled, the partial pressure of the compensate for the Due to the dangers One of these concerns is a widely oxygen in his lungs is 0.42. oxygen shortfall. something that of hypoxic blackout misunderstood phenomenon most Furthermore, if the hitherto has typically rebreather divers have frequently referred to as shallow Dropping pO2 oxygen cylinder is to be trained to resist water or hypoxic blackout, some- This partial pressure then starts to empty or if corro- been a problem such tendencies, and thing that hitherto drop and continues to fall sion or other debris encountered mainly it can require intensive has typically been It may well be as the oxygen is metabo- is blocking the injec- by free divers. practice for them to a problem encoun- this phenomenon lized. If the diver stays at tor then no oxygen achieve the instinctive tered mainly by free depth until the partial pres- can be added, no level of divers. lies behind sure drops to 0.28, he is matter how controlled the ascent. and discipline required. The ability A technique many a number of fine, but this equates to a If the diver does not monitor his to conduct a controlled and con- free divers prac- partial pressure of only 0.14 oxygen partial pressure and act to sidered ascent is a widely under- tice to extend their unexplained at the surface. So, as he manually sustain a breathable oxy- estimated tool in any diver’s skill time underwater is rebreather ascends and his oxygen gen level by, for instance manually set. For a rebreather diver, it is an hyperventilation. partial pressure drops with injecting fresh diluent gas into his essential survival technique. ■ They breathe in and fatalities in the reduction in ambient breathing loop, he will black out out aggressively to recent years. pressure, somewhere at a before he reaches the surface. Simon Pridmore is the author of reduce their carbon point close to the surface Scuba Confidential: An Insider’s dioxide levels as much as pos- it will fall below 0.16, the diver will There are no warning signs Guide to Becoming a Better Diver, sible. This causes the breathing black out abruptly and, if he is not or symptoms which will be available from Best reflex and onset of anxiety to be positively buoyant, will sink back It may well be that this phenom- Publishing Company in late 2011. delayed while they are underwa- down to the depths. enon lies behind a number of See www.scubaconfidential.com ter. Then they dive. As they swim Rebreather divers can encounter unexplained rebreather fatalities in for an advance preview. their bodies metabolize the oxygen similar issues as they ascend. On recent years. With very few excep-

79 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellatus), Lembeh , Indonesia. 105mm lens, ISO 200, Sea & Sea YS110 flash, photo & 1/125th second at F22 video Flash Photography

Text and photos by Lawson Wood pact camera owners are recommended to purchase an additional external flash We already know that as you unit that actually fires as a ‘slave’ to the go underwater light refracts and camera’s own internal flash by the use of a fibre optic cable, allowing for a greater changes colour with the density spread of light to illuminate a larger sub- of the water. You lose the colour ject area. White balance settings ulti- red in less than two metres mately always help, but the addition of (6.5ft) and that colour gradually external flash is better still. loses intensity the deeper we go Light underwater—The way light is underwater. To compensate for affected once we go underwater this loss of light and colour, we As you can see, light and its absorption either add a flash to illuminate causes all sorts of problems once it starts to penetrate the underwater realm. the subject, a filter to alter the the principal problem which underwa- colour spectrum being ‘seen’ ter photographers face is the fact that by the camera, change the we are underwater, and it is the water that gets in the way of the picture, or white balance accordingly at more accurately, it the beginning of the dive or by is the particles in sus- when the burst of light produced by your the rougher the water, the more a a quick fix on Photoshop. This pension in the water, electronic flash bounces off and reflects higher percentage of the sun’s rays are loss of colour is the underwater (which reduces the vis- back to the camera’s lens before it has deflected back up into the atmosphere. ibility) which get in the reached the subject to be illuminated. Light does filter down from above to the photographer’s ultimate chal- way of a clearly lit pho- When using flash to take a photograph subject, but due to the refractive index lenge; our goal is to bring back tograph. In low visibility, of the subject, not only do we have to of light absorption, you lose the colour as much of the real and natural these particulate—be cope with the attenuation of light reach- red in approximately 2m (6.5ft) of water. colour as possible, allowing the they planktonic debris, ing the subject, we also have to deal There is of course a scattering of light in bits of rusty particles with various sea conditions: sunny or the water column as well as the subject viewer to truly appreciate the knocked off an old cloudy overcast days, highly reflective matter actually absorbing and reflect- splendour of our underwater wreck, small marine subjects such as silverside minnows or ing light particles as you take the pho- world. critters dislodged by even a diver’s bald head! tograph. A white sandy seabed will help a diver’s exhaust air (Assuming that the water is crystal the overall illumination, but black sand By far, the simplest (yet costly) way for- bubbles, the bubbles clear) the calmer the water the more will absorb the light. ward is to use flash. Most compact cam- themselves or sedimen- light is able to penetrate into the depths Reflective surfaces such as the sides eras have fairly adequate internal flash tation—any and all of and allow for natural light illumination of these silverside minnows have to be to illuminate close-up subjects, but this the above can and of your subject. This obviously does not treated with caution, as too much flash small flash is not strong enough to illumi- normally will produce happen in poor visibility areas, and these will produce flare that will bounce back nate larger subjects or subjects at a dis- an effect called ‘back- dives should almost be treated as poten- and overexpose the photograph. tance of over 1metre (3.25ft). Those com- scatter’. This occurs tial night dives. By concentrating the flash directly

80 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Kelly Subject: and school Stareye of Silverside Hermit Minnows, Little Crab photo & Cayman Island. (Dardanus 15mm lens, venosus), video Fuji Velvia Dominica. (scanned), ISO Canon 50, Sea & Sea Powershot YS200 flash, S95, Auto 1/125th second settings at F16

The way to get around this anomaly is to keep the cam- era setting on macro, with the flash on, move further back and away from the subject (this also eases the stress on you and the critter) and use the camera’s inter- nal zoom lens to get closer once more and allow you to compose the subject with full illumination, no stress and no shadows. As you can see, clearly illustrated in the images (top right) is the problem with the Canon compact camera’s housing creating a shadow when working in close to the subject, yet it is cured by staying further back and using the zoom instead. the use of ‘fill-in’ flash is perhaps the most rewarding as our camera’s automatic settings do like to give their sensor’s rendition of the colour of the background water, whether it be the into the centre of the subject area, I was able green of Scottish waters or the brilliant cobalt to illuminate all of the fish, and the extreme blue of the Red Sea, Pacific or Caribbean wide angle of the lens gave the impression of waters. By using just enough flash to ‘fill in’ the vignetting with the outside of the frame fading colours of the subject in the foreground, yet still to dark. Undoubtedly, flash always enhances a take the photograph at the same aperture (of highly colourful subject, but it is also extremely the natural light available), we are able to give effective in illuminating fairly monochrome sub- colour and depth to the subject and the scene jects such as the silvery fish. overall. on a compact camera, the use of the cam- era’s internal flash (whilst it is powerful enough Challenges to illuminate the subject) it is incorrectly posi- The use of flash underwater in inevitably chal- tioned due to the housing’s manufacture, and lenging. Take for instance the two wreck pho- this will always create a shadow in the lower tographs (next page) taken recently at Scapa right hand side of the photograph, particularly Flow in the Orkney Islands off the northern when using the macro setting on the camera. shores of Scotland. Both are in very similar con- Subject: Tarpon and school of Silverside Minnows, East End, Grand Cayman Island 10.5mm lens, ISO 100, Twin Sea & Sea YS100 flash, 1.80th second at F8 81 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Technical Diver Subject: Stern gun Nat from Divetech on on the German Grand Cayman Island. Batlecruiser 10.5mm lens, ISO 100, Twin Kronprinz Wilhelm, photo & Sea & Sea YS110 flash, , 1/80h second at F:11 Scotland. video 10.5mm lens, ISO silver 400, Twin Sea & Sea YS110 flash, 1/80h second at F:5.6

Subject: Stern gun on the German Light Cruiser Karlsruhe, Scapa Flow, Scotland. 10.5mm lens, ISO 200, Twin Sea & Sea YS110 flash, 1/80h second at F:5.6

deep shadow Problems to avoid shutter control. Try not to be in a rush as created by the By not taking care in the use of the cam- obvious mistakes like this one should be looming ship- era’s command dial (image next page), easily avoided and photographers of my wreck overhead, I reversed the settings that I was aim- experience should no better! and I have to ing for and subsequently lowered the A similar problem, but at the oppo- completely illu- aperture and increased the speed of site end of the spectrum happens when minate all of the the shutter. Sadly, my flash did not syn- the camera is set on automatic and subject area. chronize to the 1000th of a second shut- trusting that the flash will recharge in The second pho- ter speed and failed to fully illuminate time to be able to synchronize with the tograph on the the subject. Care must always be taken shutter speed. Sadly, the flash has not Karlsruhe is taken when adjusting the camera speed and recharged in time to be able to fire, in 26m (90ft). The underwater cinema of dreams visibility is the same, but there is now enough ambient light to illuminate the subject area, but I still need ‘fill-in’ flash to highlight the divers and the wreckage of the gun in the foreground. The divers/models are using their dive lights and ditions, but the first photograph on the these also give the impression that it is www.seacam.com Kronprinz Wilhelm is taken in 46m (150ft), the divers who are illuminating the gun, and we are actually underneath the and not my camera’s flash—pretty near ship. The muddy seabed is getting stirred perfect, as far as I am concerned! up; there is no natural light due to the

82 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Banded Shrimpgoby (Neoturris pileata), Red Sea. 60mm lens, ISO 100, Sea & Sea YS180 photo & flash, 1/1000th second at F3.4 Flash video Subject: Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Sipadan Island, Malaysia. 20mm lens, A Compact ISO 100, Sea & Sea Camera with (misfired) YS180 flash, attached 1/8th second at F3.4 external flash

and the automatic setting on the era lens rarely see in all camera has reduced the shutter of their glory, except speed so low that the subject is not in extremely shallow only moving, it is out of focus too. water. Only with flash, (Nevertheless, it is still a pleasing set to the correct photograph!) colour temperature the sequence of two photo- as that of daylight graphs (bottom right) that I am (approximately 6,500K) using to illustrate this example were that you are able to obtain truly actually taken with the flash (full stunning colour renditions of a rather colour) photograph on the right drab and usually colourless under- first, followed instantaneously by the water world. second photograph before the flash flash photography, of course, is had time to recycle and fire again. always used on night dives, as rarely The subjects are virtually identical, do divers carry sufficient continuous excepting that one can clearly see and powerful lights to completely the effects of using or not using flash illuminate the seabed to allow your underwater to illuminate a subject camera to use a natural light set- area. The flash has clearly illumi- ting, even at night. Sorry, but I have nated the brilliant colours of the soft actually witnessed this! For the rest corals, yet have failed in power to of us, the use of a camera and flash reach my dive partner, Reeta, in the either internal or external on a com- background, exactly the effect that pact camera and externally on a I was wanting to achieve. By revers- housed Dslr are dérigueur for all of ing these images in a dissolve style us underwater photographers. audio-visual presentation, you have the use of a spotting light (often the effect of a rather drab colour- located inside the flash) such as less photograph virtually coming to some of the Sea & Sea flash, Ikelite light before your eyes. undoubtedly, the use of flash Subject: Reeta Tunney underwater is absolutely essential along a wall of soft corals to bring to light (please excuse the in the northern Red Sea. pun) the actual true and brilliant 10.5mm lens, ISO 100, Twin colours which the eye and the cam- Sea & Sea YS110 flash, 1/125th second at 8. 83 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Golden Cup Coral (Tubastrea aurea) northern Red Sea. 105mm lens with +2 dioptre, photo & ISO 100, Twin Sea & Sea YS110 video flash, 1/80h second at F:8 Subject: Snowy, Jackson Reef, northern Red Sea, 10.5mm lens, ISO 100, twin Sea & Sea YS110 flash, 1/125th second at F8

Subject: Salmon (Salmo salar), and Inon models is an absolute Deep Sea World Aquarium, North must not only to aid composi- Queensferry, Scotland,15mm tion, but for also finding imme- lens, Fuji Velvia (scanned), diately which brilliant colours ISO 50, Sea & Sea YS120 flash, are on display by many of the 1/125th second at F:11 marine critters that are often only seen out at night. no matter what type of cam- eyebrow as it passes through era you are carrying underwa- X-ray machines. For those of ter, buoyancy control has to be us lumbered with large Dslr’s, second nature in approaching plus housing; plus perhaps your subject matter. two external flash; extendable no matter what type of arms; batteries; recharging units; numerous lenses; numer- With this in mind, many divers opt for ous ports for the housing to the simpler (yet still very versatile) com- suit the lenses and inevita- pact camera, or ICL, as it can be carried bly we will also be trying to in hand luggage and rarely raises an smuggle on board a laptop

computer; external hard drives; memory cards and even DVD’s. Can you imagine the apoplexy that the security guards have at airports when they see all that hardware in one case that can hardly be called hand baggage, as it weighs more than your hold luggage with all of your diving gear; torch lights; diving comput- er; clothes and wee home from home snacks to make your over- seas dive trip more bearable, just in case you do not like the food! Who on Earth said that this was fun! But, when those little critters start to perform for you, or when that whaleshark just arrives at the same time as you, or when you find your first hairy squat lobster underwater camera system you opt for, levied on international airline travelers, without the use of a dive guide, immediately you will note the distinct the underwater photographer undoubt- and you correctly illuminate a difference in size. They say size doesn’t edly feels the brunt of these rules as golden cup coral on a night matter—well apparently it does! With invariably there will be additional costs dive, then all the effort is worth it. more and more weight restrictions being levied onto your holiday travel cost. As we have discussed,

84 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Subject: Dahlia Anemone (Urticina eques) St.Abbs, Scotland.15mm lens, Fuji Velvia (scanned), ISO 50, Sea & photo & Sea YS200 flash, 1/60th second at F16 Subject: Ornate Ghost Pipefish video (Solenostomus paradoxus) Gangga sland, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. 60mm lens, ISO 100, Sea & Sea YS120 flash, 1/125th second at F:11

Subject: Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) Gangga sland, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. 60mm lens, ISO 100, Sea & Sea YS120 flash, 1/125th second at F:11

the main problem that underwater combination of steps that you can take: Sometimes backscatter can be used to simply taken in extremely bad visibility it right (above) with the same subject, photographers have is the fact that the your advantage. Undoubtedly, some where backscatter is expected—it is same time, just differing compensation water gets in the way of the picture, 1. Get as close to your subject as of these photographs illustrated work accepted, and it is then used to create for the flash and ambient light and its or more accurately, it is the particles in possible; in effect, remove the water because of the backscatter. It gives the photograph required. effect on backscatter. suspension in the water, which get in the element by using a wide angle lens. a very real sense of being underwater sometimes however, no matter how Buying a flash is easy. Choosing the way of a clearly lit photograph. In low 2. Hand hold or repostion the flash to cut and highlights the fact that not all of our skillful you are in underwater photogra- correct flash for your photography is visibility, these particles in suspension, be across the sedimentation and so limit the diving is in crystal clear water in exotic phy and Photoshop techniques, some more difficult, and I suggest that you they planktonic debris or sedimentation, backscatter. locations. Most of us dive much closer to photographs are just not worth rescuing. consult any of the larger retailers such as will produce an effect called ‘back- 3. Only use a flash to subject distance of home, and invariably, our home waters In this instance (top image), not only am Ocean Optics, Cameras Underwater or scatter’. This occurs when the burst of one fifth of the underwater visibility. (ie. if are generally not as clear as we would I too close to the subjects, the visibility Ocean Leisure Underwater Cameras who light produced by your electronic flash the viz’ is only 5m, the maximum distance like them to be. With the Salmon (previ- is just too poor; I have got my lighting will give you independent and informed bounces off and reflects back to the your flash to subject distance should be ous page), we are faced with lots of wrong, and generally, this should be con- advice on a large number of flash from camera’s lens, before it has reached the only 1m) highly reflective air bubbles from the signed to the digital bin. Such a shame different manufacturers. ■ subject to be illuminated. 4. Better still, only take photographs in underside of a waterfall plunging into a because I just love Ornate Ghost Pipefish. to counteract this effect, there is a clear, clean warm water. fresh water pool, and the other is quite this is what happens when you get

85 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & Canon EOS 1D X Canon has announced the release of the new EOS video 1D X professional camera body. The new camera will replace the EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS-1D Mark IV in the Canon range and features a new 18 News edited megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, dual LOGIK 5+ by Don Silcock image processors, 14 bit data conversion and a frame rate of 12 fps continuous shooting. The new sensor gives an ISO range up to 51,200, with up to 204,800 available in H2 mode, a new 61 point AF Nikon mirrorless “1 System” within six AF point selection modes, together with a new “intelligent tracking and recognition” option Nikon has announced the release of the 1 system EVIL and an exclusive DIGIC 4 processor for metering. camera range. Two new cameras, the J1 and V1, four The camera features two new HD video formats new lenses and a speedlight make a new range within and 1080 video at 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97). the Nikon family. Specifications on the new camera usa.canon.com include a CX-format, 10.1 megapixel High-Speed AF CMOS, ISO range from 100-3200, a new EXPEED 3 image processing engine and HD movies at 1080p with frame rate control (30, 60, 400 and 1200fps). The new Watershot video lights autofocus system in the cameras has 73 focus points and is claimed to be the world’s fastest. The J1 is Subal housings for Watershot has announced new and upgraded STRYKR LED light- being aimed at a more general consumer who “who ing products. The new models feature dive and video lights use a camera as part of their connected lifestyle”. Panasonic GF2 and GF2 heads that range from 900 to 3000 Lumens. The STRYKR video The V1 has a magnesium alloy body, mechani- light heads now come in three varieties: 900, 1800 and 3000 cal shutter and an enhanced EVF screen. The new EVIL cameras Lumen. They use a separate battery pack, and Watershot offers lenses announced today include a 10-30mm f3.5- a variety of these packs allowing the option of one or two light 5.6 zoom, a 10mm f2.8 pancake, a 20-110mm f3.8 Subal has announced the release of two new housings for heads to be powered per battery pack. www.watershot.com zoom and a power zoom; the 10-100mm f4.5. The the Panasonic GF2 and GF2 EVIL cameras. Both housings new products will be available from 20 October. feature the standard Subal manufacture techniques and The J1 will retail at US$649.95 with the 10-30mm, surface coatings, as well as the QuickLock closure system. the V1 at $899.95 with the same lens. The SGF2 and SGF3 also feature access to all camera con- Amphibico new Genesis video housing www.nikonusa.com trols (including flash raise/lower), are backwards compatible with all bayonet fitting Subal ports and have a fiber optic Canadian compa- port for strobe triggering. Subal.com ny Amphibico have announced the release of their Genesis line of compact Prosumer HD housings. The initial release is for the Sony FS100U HXCAM HD cam- corder. The new housing is machined from aluminum, and features full access to camcorder controls, a top mounted 3.5” window to view the camera’s LCD, a bayonet lens port mount- ing system that accepts existing Aquatica ports and an option to mount an Atomos Ninja HD recorder using an optional accessory. www.amphibico.com

86 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Black Jack’s tail-plane and Archie the from Tufi Dive

Text and photos by Don Silcock www.indopacificimages.com Lying undisturbed in the deep water just off the fringing reef from the remote village of Boga Boga on the tip of Cape Vogel, is what many consider to be the best aircraft wreck in Papua New Guinea and possibly the world. The wreck is the B-17F “Black Jack”, serial number 41-24521, and one of the first Flying Fortress bombers built at the Boeing factory in Seattle during WWII. History The completed plane was delivered to the U.S. Army in July 1942 at a cost of US$314,109 and subsequently flown to Australia, from where it joined the war in the Pacific in early September with the 43rd Bombardment Group, 63rd Bombardment Squadron in Port Moresby. the plane was assigned to Captain Kenneth McCullar and his crew of nine, and served with distinction over the next few months. It was McCullar, an avid gambler, who gave Black Jack its moniker from the last two digits of its serial number—a jack and an ace is a “blackjack hand” of 21 in the card game of Pontoon. captain McCullar was quite a pilot and one who was highly regarded and decorated B17 Black Jack Wreck for his bravery, but who was unfortunately killed in April leadership skills and said “he was bombing” that is credited in his of action for two months and Black Jack performed equally The Final Flight 1943 when another B17 he was a master at the art of sinking sinking of the Japanese Kagero when it returned to service it was well under Staley until he Black Jack’s final flight was on commanding crashed during Japanese ships”. Class destroyer Hayashio on the under the control of McCullar’s completed his tour of duty and 10 July 1943 when it left 7-Mile take-off from Port Moresby. In it was McCullar at the controls night of the 24th November 1942, co-pilot, Lt. Harry Staley who had handed the plane over to it’s Airdrome in Port Moresby just his obituary, the commander of of Black Jack that developed in the Huon Gulf. took over from McCullar when next, and final, pilot—Lt. Ralph De before midnight on a mission the 5th U.S. Air Force commented the potentially dangerous, but that attack left Black Jack so he was promoted to Squadron Loach. to bomb the heavily fortified on McCullar’s bravery and devastating technique of “skip badly damaged that it was out Commander in January 1943. Japanese airfields at Rabaul in

87 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Black Jack sits proudly on the sandy bottom at 50m feature Black Jack

Black Jack in flight

subsequently awarded Silver Star medals, with some other Discovery members of the crew The discovery of Black Jack strong interest in receiving the Bronze Star or reads like something out of WWII wrecks, had visited the Leaf Cluster for their an adventure novel, with Cape Vogel area earlier in parts in the overall mission three Australians—Rod Pierce, 1986 where he heard from and getting the plane down. Bruce Johnson and David the villagers of Bogo Boga Black Jack on the other Pennefather—stumbling on that a plane had crashed hand lay largely forgotten on the wreck almost by accident near their reef in WWII. He the sea floor and remained in late December 1986. subsequently organized a undisturbed there for another pennefather, an ex-Kiap Christmas dive trip with Rod 43 years. who spent most of his adult Pierce and Bruce Johnson life in PNG and developed a to try and find what they

New Britain. black nights…the worst flying there was just enough time the plane’s course took it weather I’d ever seen in my for the ten man crew, three southeast down the coast life”. of whom had been injured in before it turned northeast With two engines badly the landing, to get out before over the Owen Stanley Range malfunctioning, it was Black Jack sank, and they and Dyke Ackland Bay to the impossible to hold the plane managed to get to shore Solomon Sea and on to New on course for Port Moresby with the aid of local villagers Britain. On reaching Kimbe and cross the Owen Stanley’s, who had seen the plane Bay on the north coast, it and so Black Jack was turned come down. changed course again and southeast down the coast An Australian Coastwatcher headed east to Rabaul. towards Milne Bay. They named Eric Foster also the flight was a troubled made it as far as Cape Vogel saw the crash landing and one, with both right wing where, with virtually no fuel informed air-sea rescue to engines developing problems left, the decision was taken dispatch an RAAF seaplane during the flight to New to ditch the plane on the to evacuate the wounded. Britain. However, De Loach, shallow reef that runs parallel The rest of the crew were together with his crew of nine, to the white sand beach at rescued two days later when managed to reach Rabaul Boga Boga. a PT boat arrived to take and successfully deliver their never having ditched a them to Goodenough Island, bombs on target. bomber before, De Loach where they were flown back De Loach turned the handed the controls over to to Port Moresby, and then plane round to return to Port his co-pilot, Joseph Moore, given two weeks leave in Moresby, but on the way who managed to put the Sydney before returning to full back ran into a violent storm plane down but over-shot combat duty. on approach to the coast of the reef flat. It ended up over the pilot De Loach, New Guinea to the northwest the deep water, where the and co-pilot Moore were of Cape Nelson, a situation plane floated briefly before he later described the sinking down to the sandy The nose and front of Black situation as “the blackest of sea bed some 50m below. Jack shows the full force of the plane’s ditching in the sea 88 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature Black Jack

believed to be was an CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Black Jack is remarkably intact sitting in 50m off Boga Australian Beaufort A9. Boga village on Cap Vogel; View of fuselage and tail plane; Cockpit and rear gun Rod Pierce is the owner of the MV Barbarian, a small Bruce Johnson also managed eight days to get the footage. liveaboard dive boat that to satisfy his intense desire to Australian aviation writer, Steve Birdsall, is synonymous with wreck reach the cockpit, which meant provided a very interesting aspect to the diving in Papua New Guinea, finding his way through the dark film, when he managed to locate Ralph and Bruce Johnson was a bomb bay and many dangling De Loach in Marina del Rey, California, commercial pilot. control cables, to become the USA. De Loach had completed his the villagers of Boga Boga first person in over 40 years to sit service at the end of WWII and returned guided the three divers to the in the pilot’s chair. to civilian life where he went on to general location where the become one of the famous Marlboro plane had gone down, and Black Jack documentary Men—the advertising icons created by when they entered the water, So unique was the discovery the tobacco company Phillip Morris to the game plan was to spread of Black Jack that it led to a sell their Marlboro cigarettes. out and cover as much area documentary being made the Birdsall arranged for the 69-year-old De as possible to try and find it. following year by a team of nine Loach to return to Cape Vogel where he it was Rod Pearce who Australian divers and underwater was reunited with some of the villagers found the wreck first, spotting cameramen together with Rod who had helped get him and his crew the large tail-plane as he Pierce, Bruce Johnson and David safely to shore when Black Jack was conducted his search. One Pennefather. ditched in 1943. can only imagine the sheer Making a documentary about the completed film, Black Jack’s Last exhilaration he must have a plane wreck in a remote Mission, was very successful and was felt when he first saw the B17 location in 50m of water is a shown on television around the world Flying Fortress sitting there on the sand in like finding the Holy Grail. plane and finding the Radio Call Plate significant undertaking and required and is still available on DVD. almost perfect condition! over the next few days, they dived the with the 24521 serial number on it, which eight months of detailed planning, major for someone who has dedicated his wreck as much as its depth of nearly 50m later allowed them to positively identify it logistic support from Rod Pearce on MV Diving the Black Jack life to wreck diving, it must have been would allow, entering the inside of the as the famous Black Jack. Barbarian and two teams of divers for The really special thing about the Black

89 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature Black Jack

CLOCWISE FROM LEFT: Boga Boga villagers selling wares; Fisherman from Boga Boga village; Boga Boga village and its fringing reef; Tufi Dive’s dive boat on the beach at Boga Boga village

with the three wounded lost their lives diving Black Jack since it will increase one’s members. This meant it was discovered in 1986, so it has to air consumption even that, apart from two be said that this is a dive only for the more, so take great waist guns and the experienced and competent. caution with air supply radio transmitters which there is a permanent guideline from and retain half a tank were jettisoned prior to the shallow reef, which leads divers down for the ascent and ditching, Black Jack took the slope, and at around 15m, divers will inevitable deco stop on all its contents with it to be able to see the wreck below. There is the . the sea floor. usually a fairly strong current that sweeps pierce, Johnson and along the slope, so the line is good for Operators Pennefather found guiding divers and providing a reference ● Tufi Dive Resort (www. Jack is the fact that the plane is so intact machine guns still in their turrets with point—particularly so on the way back. tufidive.com): It is a about a two-hour ● Craig de Wit on Golden Dawn (www. and sitting as she is, on a sandy seabed hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the line goes all the way down quite trip across Collingwood Bay from Cape mvgoldendawn.com) includes Black in clear blue waters with visibility that can the tracks to the guns and the twin tail close to the huge tail of the wreck, and Nelson to Boga Boga, and one will need Jack as part of the Milne Bay itinerary, easily reach 40+, it’s almost like diving a guns could still be moved freely in their from there, one should head to the good weather to do it, but Tufi Dive which the boat does at certain times set from a Hollywood movie. mounts. front of the plane to take in its full size. does the Black Jack regularly on special of the year. I first dove Black Jack from the nose is badly crumpled from the other very significant thing Entry into the plane is possible, but given request. I dived Black Jack with Tufi Dive, Golden Dawn back in about 2001, and the impact of the crash landing and about the Black Jack is that at nearly the depth of the wreck, the extreme and both Glenn and Archie, the dive de Wit also knows the wreck well and the propellers on the four engines are 50m depth, she is at the very limits of likelihood of nitrogen narcosis and all the leaders at the resort, know the wreck well how to dive it safely. ■ somewhat twisted, but the rest of the recreational diving, and although it’s a potential inside, only the most and how to dive it safely. plane is basically all there, which is straightforward dive in as much as the foolish would even consider doing that— ● Rod Pearce (www.niuginidiving.com) Don Silcock is a dive writer and quite remarkable after over 66 years water is clear and there are no major just don’t go there. includes Black Jack on his wreck diving underwater photographer from north underwater. hazards or obstructions outside of the A much safer option is to look inside specials on his boat MV Barbarian, so west England now based in Sydney, Apparently the plane sank within 45 plane, decompression and bottom time the cockpit, as the windows are open. divers can combine diving the wreck Australia. For more information and seconds of coming to a halt, and the are critical to a safe overall experience. the current is usually strongest out in with meeting one of the men who images, visit: indopacificimages.com crew only just had time to scramble out two divers are reported to have front of the plane and swimming against discovered it!

90 X-RAY MAG : 45 : 2011 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED