Ocean Arts: Paintings & Sculpture Inspired by the Sea Science: Locomotion Croatia’s Island of Vis Denmark’s

GLOBAL EDITION Bubbling May 2008 Number 23 Corals Profile Pascal Bernabe Cedric Verdier Fitness for Divers Ecology Cool & Colourful Hammerhead Sharks Cornwall1 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 CoVer PHoto by SteVe JoneS silver

www.seacam.com Mark WebSter DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope Media ApS Frederiksberg, Denmark www.xray-mag.com

PUBLISHER SENIOR EDITOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Symes Peter Symes [email protected] [email protected] contents CO-EDITORS PUBLISHER Andrey Bizyukin - Features & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Arnold Weisz - News, Features Gunild Pak Symes Michael Arvedlund - Ecology [email protected] Tony White - Photography Scott Bennett - Travel PUBLISHER Edwin Marcow - Sharks & GENERAL MANAGER HARALD APELT CorreSPondentS [email protected] John Collins - Ireland Enrico Cappeletti - Italy ASSoCiate editorS Gary Myors - Tasmania & rePreSentatiVeS: Marcelo Mammana - Argentina Russia Editor & Rep: Svetlana Murashkina - Russia Andrey Bizyukin, Moscow Barb Roy - WA, USA [email protected] Robert Aston - CA, USA Nonoy Tan - The Philippines South East Asia Editor & Rep: Catherine GS Lim, Singapore ContributorS tHiS iSSue [email protected] Kurt Amsler Harald Apelt Malaysia Editor & Rep: Michael Arvelund, PhD Simon Kong, Kuala Lumpur Scott Bennett [email protected] Pascal Bernabé Not yet subscribed to Andrey Bizyukin, PhD Florida Editor & Rep: CPT Kevin Cowan X-RAY MAG? Sign up now! Jen Hennessey, Miami Steve Jones It’s FREE! QUICK! EASY! [email protected] Simon Kong Catherine GS Lim click here... ADVERTISING Wolfgang Pölzer International sales rep: Cindy Ross Arnold Weisz (Americas & Asia) Gunild Symes [email protected] Michael Symes Peter Symes International sales rep: Cedric Verdier Harvey Page (Europe & Africa) [email protected] Mark Webster Arnold Weisz 31 41 49 67 71 plus... o r n w a l l n g l a n d r o f i l e c o l o g y c i e n c e e a r l s o f t h e e d International sales rep: C , E P : E : S : P M : EDITORIAL 4 Geoff Mellard (Europe) Further information Un i t e d Ki n g d o m Pa s c a l Be r n a b e Ha m m e rh e a d Sh a r k s Lo c o m o t i o n Cr o a t i a NEWS 6 [email protected] see contacts page: b y Ma r k We bs t e r b y Pe t e r Sy m e s b y Pe t e r Sy m e s b y i c h a e l y m e s b y a r a l d p e l t www.x-ray-mag.com M S H A EQUIPMENT 46 International sales rep: WHALE TALES 53 Simon Kong (Malaysia) [email protected] TURTLE TALES 54 JELLY TALES 60 Marketing Manager: BOOKS & MEDIA 81 Yann Saint-Yves BUSINESS DIRECTORY 83 [email protected] columns...

SUBSCRIPTION 55 61 63 78 84 87 X-RAY MAG International Edition in English is FREE UW Ph o t o & Vi d e o : Me r m a i d Ma t t e rs : Sh a r k Ta l e s : Te c h Ta l k : Un i q u e Di v e Si t e : Po r t f o l i o : To subscribe, go to: www.x-ray-mag.com Wo r k Fl o w Su n s c r e e n Fa c t o rs Bi t s & Bi t e s Fi t n e ss f o r Di v e rs Bubb i n g Re e f s Oc e a n Ar t s COVER PHOTO b y Kur t Am s l e r b y Ci n d y Ro ss e d i t e d b y Pe t e r Sy m e s b y Ce dr i c Ve rd i e r b y Pe t e r Sy m e s e d i t e d b y Gu n i l d Sy m e s Buoy, Sinai, Egypt by Steve Jones (Continued on Page 4)

3 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 Amsterdam Barcelona Cape Town Copenhagen Hamburg London Miami Moscow Oslo Paris Ravenna Singapore Sharm El Shiekh Sao Paulo Warsaw Editorial Explorerswe can all be

This past Saturday evening, creatures of sometimes bewil- I can explore worlds that are I made myself very comfort- dering structure and form. more diverse, more surprising able. Since childhood, I have often and more astonishing than daydreamed, or pondered, anything science fiction or vir- Equipped with a remote con- what it would be like to be a tual reality can produce—and trol, an ample supply of snacks future captain of the Starship I can do it in the real world. and soft drinks, and with a soft Enterprise or some explorer couch mounted on my back donning his sophisticated sur- Actaully, it was only last week plate, I was all kitted up for a vival suit enabling him to sur- that I found myself face to marathon viewing of science vive in an otherwise strange face with a multi-legged crea- fiction movies on TV. and hostile environment. ture with lots of antennae, composite eyes and weird In these fictitious universes, we In fiction and our fantasy, we appendages. I also saw crea- can boldly go where no one can travel anywhere at the tures that started their lifecy- has gone before, experience speed of thought, but how cles as stalks with tentacles other worlds of a different about places that lie beyond before morphing into hovering physical nature and appear- our imagination? pulsating discs with intricate ance and encounter alien patterns. And I watched an

mark webSter

Alien from the deep? 4 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Enjoy pure ease

amorphous sausage-shaped body always find something new I haven’t Here, in our own inner space, we with odd filaments and psychedelic seen before—a creature that I had can all be explorers. We need not patterns slide across the substrate in not come across before. belong to an elite few or be exces- front of me. I was in another strange sively fit. Almost anyone who wants world where I needed special I do have a lot of fancy equip- to do so can dive—and regularly, equipment and suits to venture. ment—it comes with the territory in divers find news species. Going over this line of work—and training that past issues of this magazine is a I wasn’t light years away however. I could take me pretty deep, but per- testament to new discoveries con- was just a short drive away, outside haps the thing I fancy most is lying stantly being made and new spe- the city, and the above mentioned very relaxed in a bank of marine cies being found—also by common creatures were crustaceans, jel- grass in the shallows and just spot people like you and me. lyfish and nudibranchs. The nearby the life there. Hidden among stalks, beaches outside Copenhagen a bewildering array of macrolife is Diving is your direct access to the can’t compete with those in the taking refuge, and the top layer of last true frontier. tropics or the great green water sediment is home to weirder crea- sites in Canada or Norway, but I can tures still. — Peter Symes RAPTOR The highest performance Split Fin in its class. Mares technology and design is applied to Raptor in order to deliver the maximum X-RAY MAG is distributed or its affiliates. Unsolicited energy transfer resulting in the best thrust and effi ciency in a Split Fin. X-RAY MAG eight times per year on the manuscripts, photographs is a founding NATURE’S WING Internet. © 2004-2008 and illustrations should be member of the A short kick stroke is all you need to activate the channel effect and move with a reduced effort. Underwater X-RAY MAG. All rights emailed to: reserved. [email protected] Network www. WHALE TAIL POWER theUnderwater- Material in this publica- X-RAY MAG accepts no Seamless transmission of thrust through Network.com tion may not be repro- responsibility for unsolicited Editorial statement regarding the entire kick cycle. Demonstrated by Nature. duced or transferred materials sent to its office, News from NAUI in X-RAY ABS PLUS BUCKLES electronically in any form nor is it liable for loss or MAG: This issue of X-RAY MAG Buckles open and close with ease. without written permission damage to such materials. and others includes news and Unique, patented and user friendly. from the copyright owner. press releases from NAUI in X-RAY MAG is Visit mares.com X-RAY MAG observes a sections designated by the a member of Views and information strict privacy policy. No NAUI logo. While the page Diving Equipment design is done by X-RAY MAG expressed in articles are personal or private infor- & Marketing as an integrated part of the Association: those of the individual mation will be shared with magazine, these news stories www.dema.org author and are not nec- a third party without the are brought to you by NAUI at essarily representative of written permission of the NAUI’s discretion. views held by X-RAY MAG owner.

5 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Explaning the Mystic Metallic Sheen of Fish Ca S tela Z o

T oma S The bright, mirror-like metallic sheen of fish skin is due to a sophisti- News edited NEWS cated system of guanine by Peter Symes crystals in the skin under- & Catherine GS LIm neath the scales of fish.

This silvery reflectance Throw the big acts as a form of cam- ouflage that helps protect fish from preda- ones back tors as fish swim near the water’s surface. Contrary to conventional wisdom, it is not the young fish However, the exact that should be thrown back to sea but the larger older ones. shape of these guanine crystals and how they work remained a mys- “The type of regulation, which we see can’t average out the environmental tery. in many commercial and sport fisheries, fluctuations, and in fact, amplify them is exactly wrong,” George Sugihara of through higher turnover rates that pro- Researchers extracted the Scripps Institution of Oceanography mote boom and bust cycles. guanine crystals from at the University of California San Not only do the older fish provide the skin of the Japanese Diego said in a statement. stability to the population, they provide Koi fish and analyzed Writing in the journal Nature, more and better quality offspring. Nils the crystals using X-ray Sugihara said conventional fishing Stenseth of the University of Oslo said diffraction and an elec- practices that targets the big- fishing practices that stress taking only tron microscope. They gest and oldest fish effectively the oldest and biggest fish can actually compared the results to destabilize fish populations by force quick evolutionary changes in guanine crystals made leaving younger fish to proliferate the fish populations. in the laboratory. The too wildly. A single large fish will Fishing can alter the “age pyramid” researchers found that simply grow a little when it gets more by lopping off the few large, older fish the biogenic crystals food, or lose a little weight when food that make up the top of the pyramid, develop in an unexpect- is scarce. A population of many leaving a broad base of faster-growing ed direction that dif- young, small fish, however, may small younglings. The team found that fers from the lab-made explode in number or collapse this rapidly growing and transitory base crystals, and that their depending on food avail- is dynamically unstable—a finding hav- unique shape improves ability. ing profound implications for the eco- light reflectivity, which Imagine a container of system and the fishing industries built may help fish hide from water with a 500-pound upon it. predators in the wild, fish. With food, it grows a “The data show that fished species scientists in Israel are little bigger. Without food appear to be significantly more nonlin- reporting. ■ it gets a bit smaller. Imagine ear and less stable than unfished spe- the same container with 500 cies,” The US researchers said fisheries The study, Biogenic one-pound fish. They eat, reproduce, should in fact encourage the taking of Guanine Crystals from and the resulting thousands of fish smaller, younger fish instead of requir- the Skin of Fish May Be boom, quickly outstripping the resourc- ing that they be thrown back. This is Designed to Enhance Light es, and the population crashes. These especially important to know when try- Reflectance is scheduled for publication in ACS’ many smaller fish—with the same ing to rebuild fish stocks, Sugihara said. Crystal Growth & Design initial “biomass” as the larger fish— ■

6 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, is a freshwater fish, which reproduces through gynogenesis, where genetic material from the male is not incorpo- Microbes could be the key to rated into the already diploid egg cells that the mother is carrying resulting news in identical clones of the mother being produced en mass. This unusual characteristic has led to the Amazon molly becoming an all female spe- coral death cies. The common name acknowledges this trait as a reference to the Amazon warriors, a female run society in Greek mythology Coral reefs could be dying out lations decline, algae, which is usually not just because of the direct eaten by fish, flourishes and potentially leaches organic matter that feeds the rise in temperature caused excess microbes that kill off coral. by global warming but just as much as from changes to the Ten times as many microbial cells and microbes that live in them. virus-like particles than normal was found in the water surrounding the island of Kiritimati. The Kiritimati microbial commu- “Many of the deaths we see in the nity was dominated by micro-organisms coral reefs, which occur following coral that feed off of organic matter, many of bleaching events, can be put down which were disease-causing organisms. to changes in the microbes which live The fact that Kiritimati also had the high- THomaS, Bonner and WHiteSide in and around the reefs,” says Dr John est prevalence of coral disease and the TexaS State UniVerSity Biology DePartment Bythell, a biologist from Newcastle lowest coral cover led the researchers University. When the water warms up, to believe that the microbes were likely some disease-causing bacteria are more related to declining coral health.” ■ successful and can attack the corals that have reduced defences from suffering from the heat. Also, some of the friendly bacteria that normally live in the corals’ No sex for 70,000 years guts become weakened, allowing other harmful bacteria to multiply and cause A fish species, which is all Typically, when creatures reproduce from the males that trigger reproduc- diseases or other problems. female, has survived for 70,000 asexually, harmful changes creep tion, in order to refresh their gene pool. into their genes over many genera- Dr Laurence Loewe, of the university’s A key factor newly identified by the years without reproducing tions. The species will eventually have School of Biological Sciences, said: Newcastle team is the role of sur- sexually, experts believe. The problems reproducing and can often “Maybe there is still occasional sex with face mucus secreted by corals. species, found in Texas and fall victim to extinction. Scientists from strangers that keeps the species alive. This seems to act as a shield, pre- Mexico, interacts with males the University of Edinburgh think the Future research may give us some venting disease-causing patho- Amazon Molly may be employing spe- answers. I think one of the interesting gens such as bacteria and some of other species to trigger its cial genetic survival “tricks” to avoid things is that we are learning more viruses from penetrating their reproduction process. The becoming extinct. The fish ought to about how other species might use tissues. “The reefs’ defensive offspring are clones of their have become extinct within the past these tricks as well,” he said. “It might mucus or slime is also at risk from mother and do not inherit any 70,000 years, have a more general importance.” ■ stresses brought on by climate One theory is that the fish may occa- SourCe: BMC EVolutionary Biology change. This seems to happen of the male’s DNA. sionally be taking some of the DNA just at a time when some of the key functional microbe groups are changing, reducing the cor- als’ other defences and boost- ing some disease-causing bacte- ria, making them more virulent,” said Dr Bythell.

Another research team led by San Diego State University biology profes- sor Forest Rohwer have recently found how overfishing can also endanger coral reefs at four Pacific islands. As fish popu-

7 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Rabbitfish Comes to the Rescue of Reefs news While rabbits continue to of vegetation. Just like its coun- remain unclear. ravage Australia’s native terpart on land. However, in the Still, these findings have impor- landscapes, their sub- case of the Reef, it is the vegeta- tant ramifications for the rehabili- marine counter- tion that is the problem—and the tation of coral reef habitats. The part, the rabbit rabbit fish, is the answer. main problem is that for a few fish (Siganus The rabbit fish were caught on years now, the fish that used to canalicu- underwater videocams, in schools feed on these weeds have been latus) may of up to 15 fish, grazing the crest, diminished largely due to human help save slopes and outer flats of the reef, having fished them out. With the large areas and chomping away at more result that these weeds have of the Great than ten times the rate of other nothing to keep them in check Barrier Reef from weed-eaters such as parrot and and are thus taking over the cor- If the vegetation destruction. surgeon fish. However, the rabbit als. Thus the chances of surviving on a reef is a prob- In a study to be published in fish appeared to be most effec- and redeveloping again is little lem, the rabbit fish could the journal, Coral Reefs, Rebecca tive on clearing algae from reef next to nothing. be the answer Fox and David Bellwood of James crests, and were significantly less The 28 species of rabbit fishes Cook University, shows that the effective in clearing the reef flats are found in shallow lagoons rabbit fish is an efficient herbiv- and slopes of macro algal growth. in the Indo-Pacific and eastern ore, capable of stripping an area The reasons for this preference Mediterranean. ■ Japan Plants Coral on Disputed Island Japan is mounting a US $7 mil- EU to prioritize fish over fisheries lion coral transplanting opera- tion in the Pacific to bolster its The fishing industry has lost out in Commission official said: “This will They were also concerned claim in a territorial dispute with a Brussels policy battle that now get fisheries out of its ghetto and China and cement Tokyo’s right seems certain to favour inter- make it more sensitive to sustaina- by DG Fish’s defence of the to exploit a wide expanse of ests of the marine environment ble development and ecosystem interests of the fishing indus- ocean. over the interests of fishermen. A management.” Over the next year, scientists major reorganisation of the fisher- The reorganisation is expected try over the interests of other intend to plant more than 50,000 ies directorate has come about to allow greater focus on the EU citizens, for example fast-growing Acropora coral because Commissioners were Mediterranean, where fish- fragments on Okinotorishima, WikiPedia embarrassed by the manage- ing for the bluefin tuna remains divers two uninhabited rocky outcrop- ment of the Common Fisheries out of control, and on control pings about 1,060 miles southwest of Tokyo, project officials say. Policy—which often doles out of illegal fishing by EU vessels in The aim is to protect the islets from further erosion and maintain fish quotas in defiance of scien- international waters. DG Fish’s Japan’s claim that they are bona fide islands and can be used tific advice. They were also con- existing directorates for external to map its exclusive economic zone in the Pacific. “We hope the cerned by DG Fish’s defence of policy and legal affairs will remain corals will grow larger and eventually preserve the islets and their the interests of the fishing industry unchanged. environment,” said Mayumi Tamura, of the Fisheries Agency. “We over the interests of other EU citi- Under the changes, it is intend- see corals as an important marine resource, not as a mere tool of zens, for example divers, anglers ed that fishermen would have to territorial claims.” and the renewable energy indus- be consulted more on the siting of de F ran C e .

In a sometimes heated dispute, China has challenged Japan’s try. wind farms in the North Sea, but ri S e claim, arguing the outcroppings are too small to be defined as José Manuel Barroso, the presi- environmental groups would have islands under international law, meaning the waters around them dent of the EU commission stated: to be consulted more on where are open to use by other nations. Tokyo uses the islet “as the basis “The new set-up highlights the a new network of marine reserves de S E ntre P of their claim for vast ocean areas, and it is not keeping with rec- Commission’s determination to would go. ■ SourCe: TelegraPH ognized international law,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a conduct an integrated and tailor- statement faxed to The Associated Press. ■ made maritime policy.” A senior José Manuel du M ou V ement Barroso, presi- dent of the EU offi C iel commission A lbum 8 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news

Edited by Peter Symes This newly discovered Osedax worm will be named in honor of a supporter of the Scripps Oceanographic Collections

Scripps Oceanography Invites Donors This newly to Name an Ocean Species discovered Several of the most important libraries Every year collections staff and nudibranch, of ocean specimens in the world are researchers discover new spe- housed in the housed at Scripps Institution of Oceanog- cies of marine creatures. Some Scripps Ocea- nographic Collections, is avail- raphy at UC San Diego. Known as the specimens set new records, such able to be named by a donor Scripps Oceanographic Collections, and as the stout infantfish S( chindleria referenced by scientists all over the world, brevipinguis), co-described by Scripps Currently, the Scripps Oceano- these holdings of biological and geologi- as the world’s smallest fish in 2004. graphic Collections hold several new cal marine specimens tell a unique and Traditionally, the person who first de- marine species that are available for evolving story of life on Earth, and pro- scribes a newfound plant or animal is naming. They include a rare hydrother- vide answers to questions about Earth’s entitled to name it, but now, Scripps is mal vent worm ($50,000), two types of future. inviting the public to share in the proc- worms found living on deep-sea whale In response to severe budget cuts to ess by naming select newly discovered bones ($25,000), an orange, speck- the collections over the past several species acquired by the institution. The led nudibranch ($15,000), and a spiny years, Scripps is introducing a novel way names can be selected by a donor for worm found in the kelp forests of La for donors to show their support for these themself or a friend or family member, Jolla cove( $10,000). Several fishes from valuable and irreplaceable science and and are then introduced in scientific pub- the Gulf of California as well as several teaching resources: by naming a newly lications that establishes the new species new species discovered in local La Jolla discovered marine species. name permanently. waters are also available to be named. ■ Sea Urchins help Us Ocean acidification seem to benefit some plankton Understand Diseases Although they are invertebrates, sea And infertility may be another problem Most life in the ocean will suffer as car- has been becoming 40 percent heavier, and urchins share a common ancestor with the sea urchin helps solve. No wonder— bon dioxide levels increase and the water more abundant, in more acidic waters. The humans sharing more genes with us than each urchin can produce 20 million becomes more acidic. Some plankton extra carbon dioxide aids photosynthesis, fruit flies and worms. In fact, we have eggs. This also means they can be repro- will buck the trend, however, thriving and while the more acidic waters increase the more than 7,000 of the same genes. duced for research faster than other ani- putting on weight as carbon dioxide levels concentration of bicarbonate. “Increased Indeed, there are several genes in mals. That means researchers can pro- rise. bicarbonate appears to stimulate an the sea urchin involving Alzheimer’s, duce large amount, practically unlimited Coccolithophores are single-celled increase in mass of calcium carbonate pro- Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy amount of material. ■ algae, phytoplankton, which are found duced by each coccolithophore cell,” says and many other cancer-related genes. in large numbers throughout the sur- Paul Halloran, from the University of Oxford. With a complete map of their urchin’s face euphotic zone of the ocean. The team’s result is not confined to the lab. DNA, scientists can better understand Sea urchins don’t have eyes, Coccolithophores have long been By studying fossil coccolithophores from a how genes work and hopefully unlock thought to respond to increased ocean deep ocean core, they found that there has the mysteries of these human diseases. ears or a nose, but they have

acidity, caused by increasing CO2 levels, been a 40 percent increase in average coc- Maybe someday doctors will know the genes humans have for by becoming less calcified. However, the colith mass over the last 220 years, mirroring exactly how to treat and even prevent vision, hearing and smelling. opposite happens. The species E. huxleyi the rise in carbon dioxide levels. ■ them.

9 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Why don’t we just train fish to catch themselves?

news At least that is what researchers The project began last summer using the specially trained fish could someday be www.underwater.com.au with the Researchers at the Marine 6,500 black sea bass, a stout, bottom- used to bolster the depleted black sea bass Biological Laboratory at Wood’s Hole in dwelling fish found between Florida and stock. Farmed fish might become better Massachusetts hope to Cape Cod that migrates south of New acclimated to the wild if they can be called achieve if fish can be “It sounds Jersey in the winter. The species grows back for food every few days. “Basically the taught to associate cer- up to three pounds and 20 inches long whole concept is: what if you can go out in tain sounds with feeding. crazy, but and has a thick, white flesh that can be the ocean and call only the fish you want They plan to put it’s real” filleted for broiling or cut into nuggets for into the net?” said Simon Miner. thousands of fish in a frying. The bigger goal is to defray the costs of fish dome-shaped structure at the bottom “It sounds crazy, but it’s real,” said farming, an increasingly important source of We could call them of Buzzards Bay and feed them pellets Simon Miner, a research assistant at the the world’s seafood. If fish can be trained to “Pavlov’s fish”. They after playing a tone underwater. After Marine Biological Laboratory at Wood’s return to the farmer after feeding in the open respond to a tone that they are released to supplement their Hole, which received a US $270,000 ocean for several days, farms could save signals feeding time, diet with natural forage, the hope is they grant for the project from money on feed and reduce the amount of will return to the dome for recapture. The the National Oceanic fish waste released in concentrat- not by salivating as process is called “acoustic ranching”. and Atmospheric ed areas. The key ques- the dogs in Pavlov’s If it works, the system could eventually Administration. tion for fish farmers: classical experiment, allow black sea bass to be released into Miner said How many fish will but by swimming the open ocean, where they would actually return, and dive in. grow to market size, then swim into how many will be lost to into a net essentially an underwater cage to be harvested predators or simply swim catching themselves. when they hear the signal. away? ■ explore. discover. Nuked coral reef has recovered well Scientists have found out that coral reefs recover surprisingly well 50 years after being bombed to smithereens with an nuclear weapon Fifty years after being blasted with atom impacts may have mitigated the overall bombs Bikini Atoll boast a diverse coral effect of disturbance at Bikini Atoll, with reef community and presents a convincing some patches surviving after each impact. example of resilience of coral biodiversity Corals living on deep exposed reefs on to “non-chronic disturbance events”, the Bikini Atoll may also have escaped some authors of a study recently published in of the direct impacts, and thus have the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin have played an integral role in mitigating the found. overall effect of the disturbance event. During their survey of Bikini Atoll the It is also likely that the extremely large researchers were able to find no less than and highly diverse neighbouring Rongelap 183 species of hard (scleractinian) corall. Atoll has contributed a significant propor- That compares to an astonishing 70 per- tion of new propagules to enable recovery cent of the coral species that were present of the Bikini coral community, as Bikini Atoll at surveys conducted prior to the nuclear lies downstream of the prevailing surface tests. current from Rongelap. A possible explanation for this remark- The authors conclude that “…in a twist able recovery is that modern Bikini Atoll of fate, the radioactive contamination of community may have been replenished northern Marshall Island Atolls has ena- The nuclear blast at Bikini Atoll in 1954. Between 1946 and 1958, the United States by self-seeding from brooded larvae from bled the recovery of the reefs of Bikini Atoll government detonated 23 nuclear devices (with a total yield of 76.3 megatons) surviving adults and survival of fragments to take place in the absence of further Tailgating the lone dugong, KAT, on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. on the reef, in the sea, in the air and underwater in the vicinity of Bikini Atoll. of branching corals. The patchy nature of anthropogenic pressure.■ Photographed by Karen Willshaw ~ underwater.com.au member

10 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Families of killed North Sea divers sue Norway

Relatives of British deep-sea divers killed in the North Sea during the boom years of oil exploration seek Antoine de compensation from the Norwegian Saint-Exupery as featured on a government, which is expected to French note run to millions of pounds.

In the early 1970’s, the North Sea was a watery Wild West. The North Sea oil rush of the 1970’s offered big rewards for high-risk work and claimed several lives. Now fami- Wartime author mystery solved lies of British workers who died in Norwegian waters want to understand what happened A former Luftwaffe fighter pilot may have ended the 64- to their loved ones. The families also hope to year-old mystery surrounding the death of a French writer join a class action lawsuit against the gov- ernment by 24 former divers who claim that and aviator. The author of The Little Prince disappeared dur- they were treated ing a wartime aerial reconnaissance mission in July 1944. A disproportionate as “human guinea- pigs” and sent to His disappearance became one told the BBC News website that number of British extreme and danger- of the most enduring mysteries he made 1,200 phone calls to divers perished in ous depths. Tempted in post-war France. Eventually, former Luftwaffe pilots and their Norwegian hands by the high rewards a bracelet belonging to him families in search of the man who —some would say washed up in a fishing net off shot down the French writer. because safety greed—hundreds Marseille in 2004, wreckage from Finally, he was told about a was routinely and of British deep-sea his plane was found off the coast man who had a clear memory divers took part in of Marseilles by French diver Luc of the events of 31 July 1944, the knowingly com- the exploration of the Vanrell, but there was no indica- date Antoine de Saint-Exupery promised in the North Sea oil fields in tion of how he died. disappeared. “I presented myself British and Norwegian Now former German pilot as doing research and he said: interests of profits. territorial waters. Horst Rippert says he fears he ‘You can stop researching now According to a may have shot down the author because I shot down Saint- 1975 article in the Times, a North Sea deep- • Meet underwater pioneer Neville Coleman —though he cannot be sure. Exupery’.” Lino von Gartzen said sea diver could earn as much as GB£2,000 • Attend a photo clinic with Matthieu Meur • Underwater photo & video shootout competition The former Messerschmitt pilot it came as a big shock: “I never a month—the equivalent of GB£14,000 (USD with over $20,000 in prizes describes spotting a twin-tailed thought I would find who shot him 28,000) today. But according to retired • Marine Visions art competition & exhibition Lightning P-38 plane flying below down. I was quiet for some min- divers on both sides of the North Sea, a dis- • Olympus underwater camera try-outs him. He went in pursuit and shot utes as this was too much for me”. proportionate number of British divers per- • Introduction to SCUBA - Snorkel tours • Dolphin kayaking - Guided seabird walks him down. “I didn’t see the pilot “He feels guilty and very, very ished in Norwegian hands because safety • Marine wildlife and underwater photography and even so, it would have been sorry about it. He was very scared was routinely and knowingly compromised presentations impossible for me to know that it that the cheap press would mas- in the interests of profits. • Festival Finale featuring the Underwater Village • Kids events including the Byron ArtiFishal Reef Project was Saint-Exupery. I hoped and I sacre him.” Mr. Rippert describes The Norwegian governments response For more info and booking go to still hope it wasn’t him,” he said. being a fan of de Saint-Exupery’s is clear: “The Norwegian government has BYRON BAY, 30 APRIL – 4 MAY 2008 www.underwaterfestival.com.au After his finds Mr. Vanrell set to work. “In our youth, at school, we taken responsibility for the pioneer divers work with Lino von Gartzen of the had all read him. We loved his at a moral and political basis, but has not Bavarian Society for Underwater books,” he said. ■ SourCe: BBC acknowledged any legal responsibilities for Archaeology. Mr. von Gartzen the damage that has been inflicted upon the pioneer divers.” ■

11 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED New Record: World’s Longest Watson DeVore takes helm at SSI Open Salt Water Dive Watson DeVore is the new National Director of news Education at Scuba Schools International (SSI). He brings Will Goodman of Borehamwood, UK, has set a new a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the world record for the longest open salt water scuba dive position. at a location off the coast of Gili Trawangan, Lombok, After a careful review of numerous candidates for the Indonesia. He broke his previous world record of 24 hours job, SSI chose DeVore because his experience in sales and 3 minutes set in 2005. The 31-year-old diver’s goal for and diver education matched the goals the organi- his last attempt was 100 hours, but he reached a respect- zation has set for their Dive Leader Training Program. able 33.5 hours at a depth of 12 meters, which won him a DeVore’s primary goal will be raising the numbers of SSI Wyland coral reef mural place in the Guiness Book of World Records. Challenges Dive Leaders to serve the US and resort markets, which of the dive included loss of oxygen pressure, skin loss and currently have high levels of demand. DeVore said, to decorate hospital cold, the last of which forced him to the surface in the “I am looking forward to the new direction of SSI and end. being able to stream line many of the old processes to This year is the International Year of the With no contact with the surface, the dive was made better serve our dealers and dive leaders.” Reef. In celebration, environmental organi- using a combination of open circuit and rebreather sys- Active in the SSI/NASDS organization for over ten zations have invited environmental artist tems. Support teams for this dive included divers from years, DeVore has been an SSI Business Consultant for Robert Wyland to paint a mural of a coral dive shops on the islands as well as experienced interna- the Midwest region since 2001. Prior to his work with SSI, reef on the exterior wall of a local hospital. tional divers. Equipment and surface logistics were organ- DeVore owned and operated a successful dive store An informational meeting hosted by ized by Blue Marlin and Trawangan Dive supported by and hydrostatic testing facility for 12 years in Oregon, Marianis Dive was held in April to provide members of the Trawangan-based Gili Eco Trust. USA. Fresh out of college, DeVore became an instruc- more information regarding the project. The event was aimed at raising funds and awareness tor in 1990 and later became an Instructor Certifier

MINA sponsored Wyland’s visit to the event. for children’s charities in Indonesia that help parents— and Master Instructor for First Aid/CPR, O2, AED, and earning an average of US$25 per week on the smaller Bloodborne Pathogens. In 2002, DeVore received the islands—who struggle to provide education and clothing Platinum Pro 5000 Diver award. for their children. In the past, DeVore was a field technician with A professional in the technical diving industry, Ingersol-Rand where he serviced compressors. A Goodman is an advanced Trimix Instructor and cur- new father and enthusiastic underwater photog- rently works for Blue Marlin Dive on Gili Trawangan as a rapher and videographer, DeVore has an acute Vatican adds degrading technical instructor. He also manages Trawangan Dive’s understanding of the mechanical aspect of live-aboard charter trip to the Komodo islands and dive business and enjoys the daily hands-on environment to list of sins Balikpapan Wreck Safari. ■ operations of the occupation. ■ SOURCE: SSi This year, there are more sins to worry about including degrading the environ- New Record: ment, according to the Vatican, which upgraded its list of sins with seven new World’s Longest ones. Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary—the body of Underwater the Vatican that oversees confessions and

F oundation plenary indulgences—told the Vatican’s Painting newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano: “You In April, Singapore and Malaysia in the Malaysia offend God not only by stealing, blas- W yland

broke the record for the world’s Book of Records. Lumpur GPS pheming or coveting your neighbour’s Artist Robert Wyland longest underwater painting. On a Malaysian artists who took according wife, but also by ruining the environment, 56.4-meter long canvas, members part included the country’s to Haned Masjak, carrying out morally debatable scientific Wyland is well-known for painting marine of Coral Malaysia, the National Arts first underwater painter, Ajis Director of Exhibition experiments, or allowing genetic manipu- life in life size murals. His murals are dis- Gallery and Pelukis Aneka Daya Mohamad, Fauzan Omar, Young Jefri and Services, who lations which alter DNA or compromise played in 12 countries and viewed by Singapura (APAD) carried out their and Fauziah Latif—the ambassador of told Bernama: “We embryos.” Additional new sins joining old approximately one billion people per year, record-breaking feat, which took 44 Coral Malaysia and one of Malaysia’s look forward to exhibit the painting in sins such as greed, sloth, and envy include writes the artist on his website. Wyland’s artists and divers three dives to com- most popular singers. From Singapore other public places to educate the paedophilia, abortion, taking or dealing work has been recognized by the United plete at a depth of 12 meters off Air were artists Suhaimi Sukiyar, Rosman public on the marine ecosystem. We drugs and excessive accumulation of rich- Nations, the Underwater Academy of the Batang Beach. The event took place Shahid, Victor Goh and Dominique also hope to make this collaboration es by a few. ■ Arts and Sciences and the Sierra Club. ■ to commemorate World Earth Day Chin. The painting will be on display with Coral Malaysia an annual event.” and won the participants a place at the National Arts Gallery in Kuala ■ SOURCE: BERNAMA.COM

12 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Modern meets old, Meet Kevin Europe meets Asia, tall Deacon, meets low—everything Seacam’s blends in Singapore new regional representative

Show review ADEX is back in Singapore Text and photos by Peter Symes

It was not without some trepida- The return to Singapore and a and it is truly the point where Asia from many of the international an admittance fee—attendance tion with which I attended this change of organiser could only and Europe meet and mix, blend- hotels or by a short metro or taxi turned out to be pretty good. year’s ADEX. Last year’s instal- mean a change for the better. ing almost seamlessly. The city is ride. Despite the lack of a high Friday was predictably on the ment held in Bangkok was—let And indeed it was. The city-state always exciting to visit. profile photo competition, com- slow side during usual work- us call a spade a spade—pretty of Singapore is much smaller than pelling presentations or famous ing hours enabling the attend- disasterous. There, the choice Bangkok and its surroundings, ADEX was held once agian at speakers to lure in the crowds— ing businesses to flesh out deals of a new but remotely located but as an international hub and the conveniently located Suntec a point I recommend the new with one another, but Saturday venue was a bad mistake, and gateway it stands far above. It is exposition and business complex, management look into for future and Sunday, the general audi- the attendance was miserable. vibrant, colourful and intense— which can be reached by foot shows, especially as there was ence flooded the floors, and it

Saturday and Sunday were busy in the expo- sition halls of the Suntec complex

13 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Joe Moreira and Michael Wallentin, manager of Kon- Emily Chan from tiki in Thailand, seems happy being Ocean Geographic awarded the Project Aware Marine ADEX Singapore Environmental Award

The future tance have definitively changed new items and products there. Korean After years of alternatng between for the better. While it is certainly S-Sun and Taiwanese Wookang Tech, both Bangkok and Singapore, ADEX a positive development that the lamp manufacturers, were new to me. I will now stay put in Singapore recreational diving industry seems also made my first acquaintance with Red until further notice. A wise choice to be growing in the region, the Army Watches showcasing the Nauticfish in my humble opinion. Asia Dive market for dive expos has cer- line of massive diving time pieces. Expo used to be the Asian dive tainly become far more crowded. Poseidon of Sweden displayed one of the show, an institution that once The audiences are certainly there, first production models of their Discovery pretty much covered the whole but it is clear that the international recreational rebreather, which has under- region. However, as the later exhibitors now have some tough gone further improvements since we pre- years have seen how national choices to make and the show sented the early pre-production models dive shows shoot up and establish organisers have a new challenge last fall. Fellow Swedes from Waterproof, themselves in Thailand, Malaysia, to stay in front of the lot. It will be the suit manufacturer and UK-based Delta Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan interesting to see how it all unfolds P was also there to offer their wares to an and China, the roles and impor- in the upcoming years. ■ inquisitive audience. On the travel side of matters a string of new or upgraded resorts competed to woo the holiday mak- ers. Most notably, it seems that the fabled Sangalaki (off the eastern coast of Borneo) got pretty busy. ADEX is not known as the is back on offer after a prolonged period venue where new equipment is present- of uncertainly or lack of operators. Now ed—that honour mostly falls on DEMA in both Odyssea Divers and Rainbow Divers the USA—but I saw quite a good deal of are putting it back on the map.

LEFT: Joaquin Krass of Minahasa Lagoon ABOVE: “Headlamps“ resort with Cassandra Dragon who is also from Taiwanese S-Sun is a ADEX’s marketing manager good example of prod- ucts or brands not seen on display on European or US dive shows FAR LEFT: DEMA’s president Tom Imgram gave a refreshingly blunt and direct opening talk about ocean awareness, the responsibilities of the diving industry and each one of us

14 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Training US Navy diving manual gets major overhaul IAHD Scandinavia The US Navy has just released sweeping of the Navy’s salvage and diving sector. bulletin revisions to its Dive Manual, a set of pro- “It includes many updates that make cedures, diving equipment and safety things more efficient for the Navy and Pro Training couses Edited by guidelines used widely by military and more efficient to the taxpayer,” Gray 10-11 may 2008 and 04-05 october 2008 Peter Symes commercial divers. The changes, which said. Commercial divers who have long the service said are the most significant used the Navy’s Dive Manual and its dive in 52 years, aim to make diving safer and tables as a base for their own guide- more efficient for those who work under- lines, will take a close look at the new Pro Trainer PADI X water. Driven by decades of research manual to update their own operations. Training manager and advances in technology, the Navy’s “Typically, commercial diving almost This year will see the first new guidelines will allow divers to spend mirrors what the Navy does, so we pay OWD Instructor stage of an exciting new more time underwater and decompress attention any time there’s a change,” program that will eventually more safely and with fewer complica- says a Portsmouth-based commercial spread to many US universi- tions, said Capt. John G. Gray, supervisor diving company. ■ SourCe: dailyPreSS.Com Nitrox 36% Instructor ties. PADI Americas’s new Assistant Instuctor PADI X campaign is aimed at providing scuba diving intern- NAUI offers Divemaster ships to college students New Emergency Oxygen sporty new cards across the United States. The new program allows students Provider Specialty course to complete internships with local dive businesses The Professional Association www.iahd.org learning not only to dive, of Diving Instructors (PADI) is but also the business of launching a new Emergency diving. Oxygen Provider Specialty Students gain valuable course with the goal of real world experience improving diver accident NAUI Worldwide has and become PADI X rep- preparedness by teaching always had the reputa- resentatives, marketing how and when to give tion of offering the most diving to their classmates oxygen to an injured attractive certification as part of their training. diver and the recogni- cards. With the goal to equip stores and instructors with the This means that it’s a real tion of dive illnesses tools and options for success, divers can now choose a card win-win situation for the treatable by emergency that have very stunning certification and recognition card students who can gain oxygen. images. The new Limited Edition Certification Card images credit for something that Drew Richardson, President include: Clownfish, Shark, Nudibranch, Dive Site, and Sunset. feels more like fun than and Chief Operating Officer, These incredible images were submitted by participants of your average course PADI Worldwide says. “Only the 2007 Just Dive Photo Contest. Among the new cards is and for the diving industry 50 percent of all injured divers the much anticipated Team Scuba Card. This card is only who benefit by creating new receive emergency oxygen in available to official NAUI Team Scuba Enrollees. NAUI is also For further info email interest in diving in the key www.lareSCue.Com the field. This new specialty course introducing new First Aid certification card options in two fl[email protected] 18-24 demographic. will improve the percentage of injured categories. The “First Aid” card and the “First Aid for Dive The program will be offered divers receiving appropriate and effective emer- Professionals” card. For divers Phone +45 3880 9290 widely in the future, but will gency oxygen treatment.” Though suited for with an appreciation for his- Cell +45 4050 8585 begin this year at the follow- divers, the new course has no prerequisites and tory, they are now offered ing universities: doesn’t include dives, which means it is equally the Classic Card. which is a applicable to those who are around divers— replica of the first NAUI certi- Indiana University boat crew, non-diving buddies, lifeguards, and fication card. This card is also University of Central Florida shore staff. No previous CPR or first aid training is available as a Limited Edition Arizona State University required to take the course. ■ SourCe: DiVeNewSWire certification card. ■ University of Oregon SourCe: www.nauiww.org University of San Diego ■ WWW.2DIVE.DK

SourCe: About.Com 15 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Want to be better and safer rebreather diver? What does DIR mean anyway?

DIR, “Doing It Right”, is a holistic approach to scuba diving originally developed by mem- bers of the Woodville Karst Plain Project, who also gained fame for their explorations of the extensive underwater cave systems in Florida and elsewhere. One of the tenets of the DIR approach is to improve safety by standardizing equipment configuration and procedures for preventing What is DIRrebreather? The and dealing with emergencies, in particular Since its implementation a few DIRrebreather handling out-of-air scenarios. This is achieved years ago, the Doing It Right (DIR) team is made of by placing emphasis on fundamental skills, philosophy has gained in popu- experienced and teamwork, environmental awareness, and larity not only in the cave diving active rebreather the use of highly optimized and streamlined, community and amongst techni- explorers and yet simple and versatile, equipment configu- cal divers, but it has also spread instructors who ration. DIR is often perceived as being an to the recreational diving com- share the equipment system, but it also encompasses munity across the world. ferent for each diver a general philosophy or attitude of how to Until recently, it was only same even within the same approach scuba diving including aspects of open circuit scuba divers goal: imple- team? diving procedures and techniques as well as and a handful of semi- menting the DIR We strongly believe diver fitness and preparedness. closed circuit rebreather Philosophy into that with proper train- DIR has often been the source of heated divers who could apply rebreather diving. ing, thorough planning, debates in the diving community. Many feel these good principles But why use DIR team procedures, equip- that the name itself “Doing it Right” implies to their equipment with a rebreather? ment selection and adap- standardization. Based on some Standardization that if they are not utilizing DIR, then they configuration and Well, ask yourself tation, the rebreather diver extensive cave and wreck explo- are “doing it wrong”. One of the rules of DIR dive procedures. In this the following: How can also be a DIR diver. rations, and physiological studies, should make for diving is to not dive with anyone with a poor context Closed-Circuit many times Standardization should make we try to adapt the most current simpler and safer or unsafe attitude, sometimes referred to by Rebreather divers have have you seen for simpler and safer dives, thoughts in decompression into dives overly enthusiastic DIR proponents with the been the black sheep of rebreather avoid confusion and improve rebreather diving. derogatory term “strokes”, which has been the family, as their units were divers with team work and communication, We also have the goal to help perceived by others as an antagonizing elitist dangerous and their procedures poor div- especially when problems occur. rebreather divers to improve their attitude. dodgy. ing skills, personal skills and techniques DIRrebreather While many people see the advantages of However, almost clandestinely, bad propul- Why another through articles, DVDs, manuals is not a training the DIR philosophy others have in particular some CCR divers and Instructors sion techniques and inefficient Training Agency? and specific workshops. To that challenged the requirement that divers must decided to found what is now buoyancy control? How many DIRrebreather is not a training end, we have set up a forum agency. go all-DIR and cannot use other equipment. called DIRrebreather and to set times have you seen rebreather agency. We don’t sell certifica- to discuss how to improve the Proponents counter that the whole point of up logical and simple rules, so we divers with gear configurations tion cards. We inform rebreather standards and the equipment. standardisation is to allow DIR divers to very could apply the DIR principles to that could easily be improved? divers about what we do and We also have a newsletter easily dive with alternative buddies, swap CCR diving. We just dreamt about How many times did you observe how we do it. All DIRrebreather to keep our members informed damaged equipment and have less equip- bringing together the best of both rebreather divers following com- members and instructors work about current expeditions and ment stress. Those who disagree argue that worlds! plex procedures that were dif- on CCR gear and procedures how to participate. We set up the lack of choice and customization means being forced to use equipment that might not be optimal for some environments. These days DIR diving is less controversial 10 Q & A’s About and many of the ideas suggested by DIR have become mainstream and adopted by various other training agencies. ■

By Cedric Verdier DIR Rebreather Chairman, DIRrebreather 16 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED “It also makes the transition from open circuit to closed circuit rebreathers, or the integration of CCR divers in a team of OC divers easier.”

gear as well as your own. It also makes the transition from open circuit to closed circuit rebreathers, or the integration of CCR divers in a team of OC divers easier. Are you affiliated with a diving equipment manufacturer? Not at all. We don’t work exclusively with any rebreather manufacturer. As a mat- ter of fact, a lot of the rebreathers on the market can be adapted (more or less easily) to the DIR configuration. Some pieces of equipment are more adapt- able than others, and some others are not adapted at all. The principles apply to any piece of equipment, from the fins to the rebreather. What are the standards regard- ing procedures? Effective dive planning means reducing the variables. The most important part of workshops and seminars to educate from the experience of members of the ferent techniques and procedures, and workshops, buy some goodies and get that is the equipment, mixes and proce- already certified rebreather divers. WKPP or other DIR-related projects in adapting the skills to most of the com- some discount on specific products. dures. When divers use standard equip- Mexico, Europe, etc. mercially available rebreathers. Some of ment and mixes, and follow the same What about the name? Unfortunately, such an opportunity our members are extremely experienced What are the standards regard- procedures (deco tables, emergency DIRrebreather is exactly what it means: has not been possible for CCR divers. instructors who teach rebreathers diving ing the equipment? procedures, etc), they become team DIR diving with a rebreather. Some Consequently, we are not in competition on a daily basis, encountering all kind of Most of the ideas are a direct applica- members who actually add to each people already found the name a bit with GUE. As a matter of fact, some of problems, including stupid procedures tion of the Hogarthian configuration *). other’s safety. Remember that having provocative. It is as some people don’t the DIRrebreather team members have and poor techniques. We just try to They have just been adapted to CCR the right equipment won’t make anyone see the irony if combining of DIR and also done GUE courses for OC or SCR change that, but it’s a big job. diving in a formal way. We expect the a great diver unless they also apply the rebreathers! divers. From our viewpoint, we just adapt So, only people who are really moti- equipment to be safe, simple, logical, right procedures in the right team and We could have chosen to name it the techniques and the concept to CCRs vated to improve the way they dive a robust and streamlined. We also need a have the right skills and experience in the “Association for the Promotion of Safe and develop procedures specifically for rebreather become members. And we rig that is adaptable and modular. But water. Rebreather Practices in the DIR Way”. Closed Circuits. don’t waste time to convince the others. more importantly, we want to use a con- So, we set up standards on normal div- But how clumsy and unsexy does that If I could learn techniques that make sistent system within the team. It gives us ing procedures (separated in three differ- sound? If I could learn techniques that my dives safer and more efficient, I the ability to interchange/swap equip- ent parts depending on when they are make my dives safer and more would not hesitate to spend the equiva- ment. followed: before, during or after the dive) Are DIRrebreather and GUE*) lent of the price of a taxi ride in London For instance, having the same fitting and about Emergency Procedures. All related? efficient, I would not hesitate or a standard hotel room in Manhattan. on all your low pressure hoses allows you these procedures are extensively taught No. DIR is not a trademark or a diving to spend the equivalent of the That’s the price of our membership. For to deal with an empty tank or to help group. It’s a mindset. Many people want the same membership fees, I can also another diver in case of emergency. In KEY: *) The Hogarthian configuration is to dive DIR worldwide. They try to learn price of a taxi ride in London participate in expeditions, seminars and case of emergency, if everyone uses named after Bill ‘Hogarth’ Main where two new techniques and improve their equip- similar equipment, you will know their sets of regulators are connected to both ment through articles, discussions with In case of emergency, if valves of a twin-set’s manifold. It is based friends or on Internet forums. Why become a member? on cutting equipment to a minimum everyone uses similar equip- More important, we streamlined configuration that neverthe- The most efficient way to become a DIRrebreather is a private group. Most ment, you will know their want to use a consistent less includes sufficient redundancy for DIR diver is obviously to participate in of our members have spent a lot of time extended decompression dives a GUE-sanctioned course. They benefit discussing the standards, trying out dif- gear as well as your own system within the team.

17 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ards that can be help any rebreather diver acquire the anywhere else. This workshop usually lasts applied in any kind skills and knowledge required to safely two days. of diving environ- dive according to DIRrebreather diving Check out the ment. Now we procedures and standards. Overhead Environment workshop DIRebreather have members Wrecks and Caves are very specific books by in Asia, Australia, Fundamentals workshop environments. Even if divers have been Cedric Scandinavian All the basics that rebreather courses trained to safely do these types of Verdier countries, Europe don’t teach: how to properly con- dives on Open Circuit, it doesn’t and the US. It will figure a streamlined and easy to use mean they are able to do that help us to fully rebreather, how to work on your trim and on a rebreather. This workshop understand all the buoyancy control, how to improve your is designed to give them all the diving practices environmental and team awareness, specific techniques for safe team and how to adapt etc. This workshop normally lasts at least rebreather diving in wrecks or our procedures. three days and is open to any certified caves. This workshop usually lasts rebreather diver. three and a half days depend- What are the ing on the environment where it’s DIRrebreather Expedition / Mixed-Gas workshop been taught. workshops? Fine-tuning the skills and team/individual To better train the participants, Training is definitely procedures for safe decompression, and all these workshops have a com- one of the most giving the tools to participate in expedi- panion workbook and some slide important aspects tions in remote locations are the goal of presentations. We are also work- of what we do. this workshop. It’s very intensive and only ing on videos and DVDs DIRrebreather is for experienced rebreather divers who here to help all the have already successfully completed the What is a DIRrebreather- in the DIRrebreather Fundamentals work- rebreather divers to improve their skills, DIRrebreather Fundamentals workshop sponsored expedition? shops, discussed in details on our forum techniques, knowledge and equipment. and who have an in-depth knowledge A DIRrebreather-sponsored expe- and applied during expeditions. DIRrebreather Instructors propose highly of their rebreather. This workshop normal- dition is simply a project launched (electronics,

Local groups of rebreather divers specialized workshops to rebreather ly lasts three to four days. by some of our members in which other O2 sensors, (in Australia, in the UK, etc) have also divers around the world. These workshops members can also participate. They etc) was successfully set up some standards for are focused mainly on areas specific to DPV / Scooter workshop know that we will all follow the same pro- simply not their exploration. We try to have stand- rebreather diving, and their goal is to Depending on the participant’s previous cedures to make the exploration, either available. experience and qualifica- in caves or wrecks, as safe as possible. So it is not tions, this very specialized In 2008 for example, we have wreck surprising that workshop teaches all the expeditions in Cyprus, Lebanon, Spain, closed-circuit necessary skills to prop- Malaysia and Norway. We also have rebreathers erly use a Diver Propulsion some deep cave expeditions in Greece might be con- Vehicle (scooter) for Team and Thailand. sidered unsafe cave, wreck or reef div- and unreli- ing with a rebreather. This Does it work? able. However, workshop usually lasts one • How to safely dive with a rebreather? recent diving or two days. • Could we be a DIR diver and a explorations rebreather diver at the same time? have been safe- ly achieved using Rescue worshop • How to improve CCR diving tech- the basic concept designed and tested No one can expect to be niques? by the DIRrebreather Team. Impressive an efficient team mem- • How to effectively mix rebreather shallow and deep cave diving surveys ber without having the divers and open circuit divers in the and deep wreck explorations were proper training in case of same team? based on these guidelines. emergency. This unique workshop is directly aimed Rebreather divers ask these questions So yes, it works! at the rebreather divers every day, all over the world, in virtu- who wish to learn all the ally all kind of environments. Even if the For any in-depth question, don’t advanced techniques for rebreather principle is quite old, proper hesitate to contact DIRrebreather at self-assistance, assistance units were not commercially available [email protected] and visit us at and rescue you can’t find until the last few years. The technology www.DIRrebreather.com ■

18 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED of their certification at Walter fidence building, part adventure news Reed and needed to complete for these wounded warriors.” the required open-water dives That adventure, as far as Cuba before they could be certified. goes, could not have been real- Edited by What better place to do it than in ized without the coordination Peter Symes Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? between all the organizations “It’s been awesome seeing involved. “When the JTF got all of the sea life and beauti- involved, things took off,” said ful beaches,” says Josh Bleill, a Thompson. “They took the bull by double-leg amputee Marine the horns and made it happen.” injured while serving in Fallujah. “I While coordination from the plan on coming back.” While he JTF and other organizations was was here, he said he enjoyed the vital to the trip, it was dona- diving immensely, and it was an tions through Wounded Warriors, incredible experience. Describing Disabled Sports USA and SUDS that first open-water dive, “It hit that helped pay for expenses every nerve in my body when I like airfare and lodging. Thanks Guantanamo Hosts Wounded entered the water. It was a feel- to donations, charitable organi- ing I’ve never had before,” he zations and volunteers, this trip said. And that is what SUDS is try- turned out to be a memorable Warriors for SCUBA Program ing to achieve. experience. Although this was “It’s the most rewarding project only the first group of divers to I have ever been involved in,” travel to get their certification, Thompson said, calling water the everyone hopes this will be con- great equalizer. “Many things are tinued, so we can try to give back just easier to do in the water with to those who have sacrificed so these types of injuries,” he added. much. ■ “It’s part rehabilitation, part con-

SUDSText by CPT Kevin Cowan Medical Center. According to SUDS Photos couresty of SUDS founder John Thompson, “SUDS is designed to help improve the lives of In February, the base injured soldiers. By training the soldiers at Guantanamo Bay, in a challenging and rewarding activ- ity, it can help facilitate the rehabilita- Cuba, hosted six wound- tion process and promote mobility.” ed service members, all Although these divers have some amputees, helping them physical limitations, they had the complete their dive cer- same issues that most beginning divers have. But they all seemed to tification as part of the have that initial interest in diving. Nick Soldiers Undertaking Paupore, a Soldier injured while serv- Disabled Scuba program. ing in Kirkuk, was always interested in diving. Now, because of his injury and SUDS, in coordination with the these programs, he is now able to Wounded Warriors program, enjoy it. Ocean Enterprises, the Reef “I had problems with clearing and Raiders Dive Club and Joint Task removing my mask and clearing my Force Guantanamo, coordinated ears,” said Paupore. “But SUDS under- the efforts to bring the divers to stands disabilities and has patience. Cuba. The divers, two Marines and They work with you until you get it four Soldiers, got involved in the [right].” SUDS program at the Walter Reed The divers completed the first part

19 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news

Edited by Peter Symes

Underwater Habitat Being Constructed In Germany On April 26 an underwater habitat will be placed in the deep old stone quarry at Diving School Buder in Wildschütz, Germany. Sponsored by renowned German suit the utmost precision. there is an old ammunition depot, a manufacturer Aquata, the underwa- The total of three segments will be block house and a telephone switch- ter stations will, first of all, allow com- placed at respectively three, six and board, which was connected to the mercial divers to test their equipment nine meters enabling them to act as old pump house now found at a under realistic scenarious. The new decompression stations for dives up to depth of 74 meters. facility will also be opened to recrea- 74 meters. The underwater station will The project is the brainchild of tional divers, who can rent dry suits on be supplied with fresh air and energy Aquata’s CEO, Dr Wolfgang Dressler location. from a land operated basic station, and Mr Volker Buder who have been The heaviest segment of what is which remains connected to the habi- working on the restoration of the probably going to be the only habitat tat via a permanent video and voice underwater station for over ten years. of its kind in Europe weighs in at five link. It was built by the old East German tonnes. The placements of the the two The quarry at Wildschütz is Regime out of old disused cement first units to go down—the RI and RIII renowned for its good visibility, which tanks and used for 25 years. ■ is a delicate operation which requires can reach 25 meters. On the bottom,

20 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The APS consists of one or more naval vessels providing news a persistent pres- ence in the Gulf of Guinea and Western Edited by Africa, led by a multi-national staff. Peter Symes The current staff is made up of offic- ers from Cameroon, France, Germany, Ghana, Portugal, the UK and the US, embarked on the USS Fort McHenry LSD-43. High Speed Vessel Swift (above) is the other current APS ship

Western Naval Leaders Seeks to Expand African Sea Police Western and African naval leaders have met in Dakar to expand a multi-national programme to protect and APS activities consist of police Africa’s coast and maritime resources. joint exercise, port visits, professional training and The Africa Partnership Station training teams. We want to inter- community outreach with (APS) was set up by the United nationalise this initiative,” said States in November 2007 to bring Admiral Anthony Kurta, head of the nations of West and the latest training and techniques politics, resources and strategy for Central Africa. The focus to maritime professionals in west American naval forces in Europe. and central African countries, to To date, it has brought 13 coun- is on building maritime address common threats of illegal tries into the maritime alliance. capacity of the nations in fishing, smuggling and human traf- Those in Africa are Cameroon, ficking. Topping the list of prob- Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial the region and increasing lems affecting west and central Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal the level of cooperation African countries on the Atlantic and the state of Sao Tome and and Gulf of Guinea coasts is illegal Principe islands, while Germany, between them to improve fishing, which, according to some Denmark, Spain, France and maritime safety and secu- estimates costs the local econo- Portugal are participating from mies over a billion dollars (650 mil- Europe. rity and to address com- lion euros) each year. Kurta also expressed hopes of mon threats such as “We are trying to get more extending the initiative to Africa’s illegal fishing European allies involved in APS, eastern seaboard on the Indian in its staff, by providing ships or Ocean. ■

21 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Bingo. The sonar image that unev- wreck ocably establised the location of rap the HMAS Sydney

The HMAS Sydney trag- In Australia, it has since been a edy was Australia’s largest controversy as to how a con- verted freighter could sink a loss of life in a naval bat- well-armed battle ship in the tle, with all the crew of 645 midst of war. In 1941, HMAS following the ship to the Sydney II was the pride of the By Arnold Weisz bottom of the sea. On 16 Royal Australian Navy fleet. Af- ter engagements in the Medi- March 2008, it was finally terranean during 1940 when confirmed that the wreck she famously sank the Italian of the Sydney was found. battle cruiser Bartolomeo Colle- Many had hoped that this oni, HMAS Sydney returned to Australian waters. In late 1941, would shed some light she was carrying out troop ship on the controversy that escort duties between Australia has surrounded the loss of and south east Asia. On 19 HMAS Sydney since it went November 1941, after handing over escort of the troop ship HMAS Sydney was en route back The battle down in 1941. Zealandia in the Sunda Strait, to port in Fremantle, Western On 19 November 1941, the More than six Australia. The German raider, HSK German auxiliary cruiser HSK decades after Kormoran, which was first located Kormoran was detected by the the war, closure on 12 March 2008 approximately Australian HMAS Sydney. In open was finally found 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, ocean southwest of Carnarvon, Western Australia, lies in 2,560 me- HMAS Sydney spotted an uni- tres of water. Four days later the dentified merchant vessel and HMAS Sydney was found under closed requesting identification. 2,470 metres of water, approxi- Unaware that the HSK Kormoran mately 12 nautical miles from the was armed, the HMAS Sydney Found at Last Kormoran. came close-up to the German Finding the Australian and German WW II wrecks raises old questions ship, which opened fire from very close range, possibly less than 1,000 metres. HSK Kormoran had substantial concealed armament, including six 150 mm (5.9 in) guns and torpedo tubes. According to the crew of HSK Kormoran, the

22 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck rap

Before (above) and after (left)—the forward gun turret

be speculation was that a Japanese submarine was involved. But none of the many theories have been proved. In 1997, a joint standing committee held a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding HMAS Sydney was hit 50 times by Kormoran was so heavily dam- battle, the exact reason why the sinking of Sydney. The enquiry the raider’s 150 mm (5.9 in) heavy aged in this battle that it had to HMAS Sydney sank is unknown. was the largest in Australia’s his- guns in addition to further hits with be abandoned and blown up. The recent finding of the two tory, receiving submissions from smaller guns. Even though the Whilst the HMAS Sydney was lost wrecks is raising hopes of getting hundreds of parties. Australians answered the fire from with all hands (645 young men), some answers. Theodor Detmers, The Australian Government the German ship almost immedi- 317 of the German were rescued. the commanding officer of HSK hopes that the discovery of HMAS atly, their capability was reduced At least 20 of HSK Kormoran’s Kormoran returned to Germany Sydney brings some closure to as the HMAS Sydney’s gunnery crew died onboard, and a fur- in 1947, and was released from the families of the 645 Australian direction tower was one of the ther 40 men lost their lives when British captivity in Munster. He Defence Force personnel who first things the German hit. HSK their lifeboat capsized. The 320 lived the last three decades of his lost their lives bravely in this naval Kormoran, which suffered from Germans were later rescued by life with his nephew in Hamburg- action in World War II, said Kevin engine problems already before merchant ships. Rahlstedt and died there in Rudd Australia’s prime minister. the battle started, took hits in the The fate of the two or three 1976. He wrote a book about his Even with the remains of both engine room and funnel. HMAS Chinese prisoners of war on board Kormoran experiences, which was ships involved in the battle on 19 Sydney received further fire and is uncertain. Different sources published in 1959. November 1941 being found, and left the battle scene. Some time state that they were survivers or the families of the lost receiving later the Germans had to aban- were lost in the battle. Speculations some closure, the debate over done their ship. Explosive charges Nearly all of the Germans spent The speculations into what hap- what happened will continiue. were placed, and the surviving the rest of the war in POW Camps pened to the most famous ship in crew took to the boats. in Victoria, Australia, from which Australian history began almost Australian governments they were not released until immediately after the sinking. The sponsors search All hands lost January 1947. fate of the Sydney has fascinated Searches for the wrecks of the The HMAS Sydney was badly The only eyewitness accounts Australia and has been the sub- two ships have been ongoing damaged and on fire when it of the battle are from the crew ject of a range of television pro- for a long time, both as histori- was last seen by the German ship of HSK Kormoran, and as the two grams, articles and books. cal research projects and, with and sunk after the battle. The HSK ships were separated after the Some of the theories sparked increasing capability to detect

23 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED New Convention on Wrecks

wreck Estonia has become the first Secretary General of the IMO, country to sign, subject to ratifi- Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, wel- rap cation, the Nairobi International comed the signature by Estonia Convention on the Removal and urged other states to follow of Wrecks. The Nairobi Wreck suit, at the earliest opportunity, Removal Convention was adopt- so that, “as intended, the Nairobi ed in May 2007 and will pro- Wreck Removal Convention, vide the legal basis for States to once in force, can fill a gap in remove, or have removed, ship- the existing international legal wrecks that may have the poten- framework by providing the first tial to affect adversely the safety set of uniform international rules of lives, goods and property at aimed at ensuring the prompt sea, as well as the marine envi- and effective removal of wrecks ronment. The Convention is open beyond the territorial sea, there- for signature until 18 November by also contributing to the IMO 2008 and, thereafter, will be goals of safe navigation and open for ratification, accession or marine environmental protec- Gas mask laying in the sediment acceptance. tion.” ■

Handelsstörkreuzer 8 (HSK-8 Kormoran) Kormoran was built by Germaniawerft of Kiel and launched on 15 September 1938 as the merchant ship Steiermark of HAPAG, the Hamburg-America Line. Renamed HSK Kormoran (German for “Cormorant”), she entered service as a Kriegsmarine auxiliary cruiser on 9 October 1940, commanded by Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander) Theodor Detmers. The HSK Kormoran was the biggest auxiliary cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine in World War II. Besides this, it was the only one that was able to sink a major warship in a direct battle. The ship left Germany on 3 December 1940 and entered the North Atlantic through the Denmark Strait. Until April of the follow- ing year, the ship operated in the Atlantic, before it sailed into the Indian Ocean. During submersed wrecks, as actual expeditions into contributed AUS 250,000 for the search. it’s 352 days at sea, the HSK Kormoran sank the supposed sinking area. After the turn of Formed in 2001, the non-profit organisa- ten merchant ships, comprising a total of the millenium, the Australian government also tion HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd planned an 56,965 tons, in addition to one captured and invested substantial funds into the search. attempt to locate the wrecks since receiving sent to France. ■ The Howard Government granted $2.9 mil- a government grant in August 2005. It had lion to assist HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd to a memorandum of understanding with ship- SourCeS: locate missing Royal Australian Navy cruiser wreck hunter David Mearns, who believed findingSydney.Com HMAS Sydney II. This grant is in addition to that he could find the wrecks using the lat- german-naVy.de an initial Commonwealth grant of $1.3 mil- est sonar technology and recently-revealed biSmarCk-ClaSS.dk/HilfSkreuZer/kormoran.Html lion approved in August 2005 to assist the details recorded by the commander of the Western Australian-based nonprofit search Kormoran, Theodor Detmers. group. Also, the state of New South Wales The last watch is finally over 24 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED HMAS Sydney shipwreck hunter MiCHigan SHiPwreCk ReSearCH ASSoCiateS Dive into X-RAY MAG’s offers to find Centaur remains Library of Issues! David Mearns, the world-renowned shipwreck hunter and the Download past issues FREE man responsible for finding HMAS Sydney has offered to help find the lost Australian hospital ship Centaur, saying the vessel would be easier to find than the Sydney and the Kormoran and is feasible so long as there is funding.

The Scottish-built Australian Hospital Ship of a false identification made in 1995, (AHS) Centaur was launched in 1924 as which stood until 2003, the location of a combination passenger liner/freighter. Centaur is still unknown, as is the rea- In 1943, she was converted to a hos- son for the attack. pital ship, and served with the Second One of the last remaining survi- Australian Imperial Force. vors from the Centaur, Martin Pash, Before dawn on 14 May 1943, while renewed calls for the wreck to be on her second voyage, Centaur was found in the Herald last month, say- torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese ing: “It’s time the arguments over the Two-masted schooner in Lake Michigan submarine off North Stradbroke Island, exact location can be settled and Queensland. Of the 332 medical per- protected.” Mr Mearns said the only identified as the Hamilton sonnel and crew aboard, 268 died. The barriers to finding the Centaur was a attack resulted in public outrage, as lack of money and political will. “On it was considered to be a war crime. the basis of what I’ve seen of her, I Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates said it has locat- The ship displayed the red cross—the believe she’s findable,” he said. “The ed the Hamilton, a two-masted schooner that sank in Lake international symbol for a hospital ship— information, even at this preliminary Michigan in 1873 during a November gale. meaning that under international law, it stage, is better than what I had to should have been immune to attack. deal with in locating Kormoran and Efforts to locate the final resting place Sydney.” ■ The identification of the wreck, had only recently been devastated of the ship have been made but in spite which sits upright in 85m (275 ft) of by the Great Fire of 1871. By noon water off Saugatuck, took over a the southbound vessel encountered year and was facilitated by techni- heavy seas and began to take on cal scuba divers Todd White of Sau- water. One of the gatuck, Bob Underhill of Kalamazoo The crew manned the hand-oper- Centaur’s cel- and Jeff Vos of Holland working in ated pumps for three hours before ebrated feats was conjunction with Michigan Ship- taking to the 17-foot yawl boat. in November 1941, wreck Research Associates (MSRA). They stayed alongside their water- when it picked These three divers comprise the logged vessel until midnight, when up 61 German premiere deep technical dive team she finally sank beneath the waves Kormoran survivors in West Michigan. in 270 feet of water, leaving the after it was sunk by the Sydney The 113-foot long Hamilton was men storm-tossed in an open boat. built in 1847 in Oswego, New York, Prevailing winds pushed the little for the Red Bird Line and plied the boat, now covered with ice, ashore Great Lakes for a quarter century near South Haven the next day. before foundering between the Michigan Shipwreck Research As- lumber port of Muskegon and Chi- sociates is partially funded through cago. Capt. Harvey L. Burch and a grant and private contributions. his six-man crew left Muskegon on Click on the following link if you a cold November morning in 1873 want to become a member and with a cargo of 117,000 board feet support the ongoing work of MSRA of lumber bound for the ongoing www.michiganshipwrecks.org ■ rebuilding effort in Chicago, which www.x-ray-mag.com

25 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Maryland Eyes USS Radford as Artificial Reef

Coral Reef Squadron Phuket will soon boast a new dive site after ten 2008 could turn out to tions.” Chesapeake Bay last year, estimated at $600,000, split decommissioned aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force be a really big year for The Ocean City Reef and two developments are between three states. It is Foundation is also hopeful currently on the horizon for hoped the state will receive were recently towed to Bangtao Bay in Thalang district the Maryland Artificial that funds can be raised in Maryland’s Atlantic coastline. large corporate donations to and allowed to sink to the bottom of the sea to form Reef Initiative time so the state can acquire The project is being billed as fund the project, but even an artificial reef the Radford, a 600-foot Navy a multi-state effort, combin- individual donations can be The Ocean City Reef destroyer, while they are busy ing funding from Maryland, made by visiting www.mary- The new tourism attraction will Sikorsky S-58T is a large helicopter Foundation is currently raising with their subway car endeav- Delaware and New Jersey to landreefs.org. ■ draw at least 3,000 visitors a built for a crew of two and 12 funds to sink New York City or. sink the ship in the Delaware year, according to Phuket depu- passengers. It is more than 14m subway cars off the coast. According to Marty Gary, Bay in an area designated ty governor Vorapot Rathasima. long and 4m tall. All the aircraft “We have got about two a member of the Maryland “Deljerseyland.” The location The artificial reef is a joint effort were thoroughly sanitised, towed barge loads or close to that,” Department of Natural is 30 nautical miles from the of the provincial administra- about a kilometre offshore to said Greg Hall, the founda- Resources Fisheries Service, Ocean City inlet, 28 from the tion, Thailand Diving Association a point where the sea is 15-20 tion’s president. “We’ve raised more than $1 million has Indian River inlet and 32 from (TDA), the Department of Marine metres deep, and allowed to $40,000 and the people have already been invested Cape May, New Jersey. and Costal Resources, For Sea sink to the bottom—their final been wonderful about dona- into artificial reefs in the The total cost has been Foundation, and the Royal Thai resting place. Air Force. For Sea Foundation secretary The air force donated four Vittayen Muttamura said his Douglas C-47s and six helicopters organization was established up has been completed, un- “Right now everyone is trying that saw action during Vietnam by a group of Bangkok-based anticipated cost overruns are to work towards the goal of and Korean wars. The Douglas divers in April 2005 to survey and keeping the ship in a Norfolk, sinking this ship off Key West,” C-47 Skytrains, commonly called restore coral reefs damaged by Virginia, shipyard until the yard said Verge. “No one wants to “Dakotas”, have a wingspan the tsunami. bill can be satisfied. The yard see the ship sent to the scrap of 29m and are more The aircraft will rest about 20 filed a federal maritime lien on yard.” than 19m long and meters deep where a sunken the ship to ensure payment is The cleanup has been inten- more than 5m tall. The tin-mining sledge already lies made on the remaining bal- sive. Begun a year ago, more submerged. ■ ance of $1.6 million. than 50,000 hours of labour Key West City Commissioner have been invested to rid the Sinking of the Vandenberg Postponed Bill Verge said he, the city at- vessel of all environmental torney and city manager have hazards. Artificial reef project organ- Florida, announced a post- actively been engaged in The ship is destined to be izers coordinating the cleanup ponement of the scuttling, discussions with shipyard man- sunk about six miles south of and sinking of the former which was scheduled for agement and local, state and Key West in 140 feet of water United States Air Force mis- May 15. A new date will be federal officials as well as lend- in the Florida Keys National sile tracking ship Hoyt S. announced in the future ing institutions endeavoring to Marine Sanctuary. ■ Vandenberg off Key West, Although most of the clean- arrange a financial solution.

26 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED US court orders federal Ongoing legal spat between jurisdiction over possible Wreckhunters Odyssea and Griffin shipwreck Spain goes into overtime

A federal appeals court says the federal gov- Spain has rejected as “preposterous” recent claims ernment should have authority over a Lake by Florida treasure hunters about the origin of a Michigan shipwreck that could be the Griffin, a US$500 million haul of silver and gold from the dis- 17th century vessel built by the French explorer puted shipwreck code-named Black Swan. La Salle. Spain suspects the 17 metric tons of silver coins The Griffin (also spelled “Griffon”) disappeared and gold recovered by Odyssey came from a on its maiden voyage in 1679 after setting sail sunken colonial-era Spanish galleon and is suing from an island near Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Odyssey on grounds that Madrid is the rightful a crew of six and a cargo of furs and other owner. Odyssey, which has shipped most of the Lalumiere to dive the Shimakaze (at 250m) goods. It’s believed to have sunk in northern treasure recovered to the United States, has coun- Lake Michigan. tered it was found outside any country’s territorial On May 17, Rob Lalumiere will attempt his second world record dive to a sunken The company, which found the wreck six waters. WWII ship by diving to the wreck of the Japanese destroyer Shimakaze, which years ago—the Great Lakes Exploration Group Lawyers for Odyssey Marine Exploration have stat- LLC—has, however refused to tell the state ed the Nuestra Senora rests at a depth of 250 meters in the waters off Ormoc Bay, Philippines. where the wreckage is until it gets assurances de las Mercedes y las “Just because Spain that it’ll have a say over what is done with the Animas, a Spanish vessel files a claim against a The dive will be the deepest Japanese Navy during World War armed with six 127mm dual shipwreck if proves to be the Griffin. It wants that sank in the Atlantic wreck dive conducted by a II, capable of reaching a speed purpose guns, conventional the federal government to have jurisdiction but Ocean in 1804, was pos- particular wreck site scuba diver, and Lalumiere will be of 40 knots. The ship was a test- anti-aircraft and anti-subma- to appoint the company as custodian until the sibly linked to the site does not mean it has breaking his own record of 193m bed for an enormously powerful rine weaponry—and 15 torpe- courts determine who has ownership and sal- where the trove was he made while diving to the USS high-temperature, high-pressure does. She was a formidable vage rights. The company says the French gov- found last year. But in its a valid basis, or as Cooper, also resting in Olmoc steam engine that was able to opponent. ernment may want to submit a claim. court papers, filed under in this case, any evi- Bay, on May 29, 2005. develop nearly 80,000 shaft horse- The Battle of Ormoc Bay The state is seeking title, saying federal law seal on April 14 and later The Shimakase was the fastest power. At 127 meters she was was a series of air-sea bat- gives it ownership of all abandoned vessels made public, Odyssey dence whatsoever to destroyer built for the Imperial almost the size of a cruiser, and tles between Imperial Japan “embedded in the state’s submerged lands.” said it was unable to support that claim” and the United States in the state archaeologist, John Halsey, said he was conclusively identify the Camotes Sea in the Philippines still waiting for evidence that the shipwreck is vessel and was review- OdySSey General CounSel Melinda between 11 November 1944 the Griffin. ■ ing information that MaCConnel and 21 December 1944, part may be inconsistent with of the Battle of Leyte in the the hypothesis that the wreck site, was that of the Pacific campaign of World Mercedes. War II. The battles resulted from Lawyer James Goold, who represents Spain, dis- Japanese operations to rein- paraged Odyssey’s contention that it could only force and resupply their forces offer a working hypothesis as to the identity of the on Leyte and US attempts to shipwreck. “The answer Odyssey provided to the interdict them. While flagship of court included preposterous claims such as that Destroyer Squadron 2, she was 17 metric tons of silver coins and hundreds of sunk by American aircraft on other artifacts may have (been) thrown over- 8 November 1944 during the board from a mystery ship,” Goold said in a Battle of Ormoc Bay with an statement to Reuters. unconfirmed complement of In October a Spanish warship intercepted 267 officers and crew. ■ the company’s treasure-hunting ship, Odyssey Explorer, after it left the British territory of Gibraltar and escorted it to a Spanish port. Police Rob Lalumiere made a arrested the ship’s captain but released him soon world record 633 foot dive after. ■ to the sunken wreck of the USS Cooper (DD-695) on May 29, 2005 www . dd -692.C om 27 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Travel News Peter Hughes Liveaboards Visit Kimbe Bay On a recent visit to Papua class dive destination. In a Reef. It is also featured in New Guinea’s Kimbe mere two days of diving, the Walindi/Rabaul itinerar- Bay, renowned coral reef Professor Vernon recorded ies, which include Fathers Edited by Scott Bennett researcher Professor Charles a total of 410 coral spe- Reef and the historic Rabaul Vernon enthused, “The cies, which is over half of area, where relics from the coral reefs of Kimbe Bay the known world total. For Second World War can Mike Ball Offers Discount Combo Vacation Packages take me back 40 years, to the past 30 years, these be seen both above and a time when corals grew bountiful waters have been below the surface. Get great discounts by combin- for a stay of 7 or more nights. Your in lush profusion, untrou- explored by Max Benjamin Part of the renowned ing one of Mike Ball’s Great Barrier total discount will be between $200 bled by all the problems and Capt. Alan Raabe, the Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet, Reef live-aboard vacations aboard and $400, so the longer you stay that beset them today. A Dancer Fleet’s local part- the M/V Star Dancer offers Spoilsport with one of Tawali the greater the saving. While either short boat ride from Walindi ners. Their extensive explora- a combination of superb Adventures’ PNG holidays at Tawali holiday can be first on your itinerary, Resort, and I am diving on tions have charted a wealth diving coupled with luxuri- Resort and/or aboard MV Chertan or both operators must be combined reefs that have half of the of dive sites throughout the ous accommodation. Other M/Y Spirit of Niugini. in order to receive the discounts. coral species of the world, entire area. The M/V Star Dancer Fleet destinations When you combine these world Cairns, Australia is only a 90-minute all awaiting those rare Dancer, along with her sis- include Tobago, Grenada, class properties on your dive vaca- flight from PNG’s capitol of Port photo opportunities that ter operations the Walindi Belize, the Galapagos, tion, you will receive a $100AU Moresby. With 7 flights weekly, it’s come only with the clearest Plantation Resort and the Komodo, the Alor Islands discount from Mike Ball for a 4-6 the most convenient international water. I am hard pressed to M/V Febrina, allows guests and the Maldives. In 2008, night stay or a $200AU discount for gateway city for most travelers. For think of anywhere on earth to explore the incredible the new Paradise Dancer a stay of 7 or more nights. In addi- more information or reservations, that has this combination of diversity that Kimbe Bay has will feature itineraries to tion, you will receive a $100US dis- contact Tawali Adventures at reser- vibrant health, diversity and to offer. On board the M/V North Sulawesi and Raja count from Tawali Adventures on a [email protected] or Mike Ball Dive beauty.” Star Dancer, Kimbe Bay is Ampat, Indonesia. 3-6 night stay or a $200US discount Expeditions at [email protected] ■ Situated on the island of visited on the North Coast For additional enquires or New Britain in the Bismarck itinerary, which also includes to make a reservation, visit Sea, Kimbe Bay is a world- the Witu Islands and Fathers www.peterhughes.com ■         Rebreather Event: Inner Space Comes to Grand Cayman      Inner Space, the world’s sheer walls plunging to 400 and the new Fusion under- ly, where they can hobnob largest Closed Circuit feet, Rebreather divers of water diver propulsion with industry leaders, pick Rebreather event, is coming all skill levels can join in. vehicle from Silent Diving up a weekly schedule or to Grand Cayman Dive sites are a short hop Systems. Evening presen- even try out a Rebreather in SeaCure™ Custom Mouthpiece From May 17-24th 2008, by boat from the resort and tations will include pool one of the pool demos. Jim is moldable and remoldable. Divetech will be hosting the shore dives are available demos to test out new Kozmik and Ralph Hoskins fifth anniversary of Inner around the clock units, a product trade show from Sport Diver TV will be Space at the Cobalt Coast In addition, Inner Space evening and seminars filming the event for the Created by an orthodontist, Dive Resort. More than 60 attracts many of the on a wide range of National Geographic SeaCure is designed to fit Closed Circuit Rebreather “Who’s Who” in the CCR topics featuring TV series, Ship Sinkers. your mouth, teeth, and divers from around the world. Representatives many repre- To find out gums . . . PERFECTLY. world will attend an action- from around the world will sentatives from more about Inner packed week of diving and be attending to show the the industry. Space, visit: www. Available at your local dive center. events. latest products including Those inter- divetech.com/ Grand Cayman offers Rebreathers, computer ested in learn- Innerspace.htm some of the world’s most software, accessories, elec- ing about or contact Nancy spectacular wall diving, with tronics and more. Two new Rebreather div- Easterbrook, a proliferation of healthy products will be showcased: ing can attend at divetech@ corals and copious marine the new Sentinel CCR from the cocktail candw.ky ■ www.seacure1.com life. From shallow reefs to Closed Circuit Research hour held night- ambient PreSSure diVing 28 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED De-valved Compressed Gas travel Cylinders Permitted on Airplanes According to the United States Edited by Transportation Security Administration, Scott Bennett air travelers are permitted compressed gas cylinders as checked baggage or as carry-ons provided that the regulator valve is completely disconnected from Emirates Launches In-Flight Mobile Phone Service the cylinder. The seal must be removed in order to allow a visual inspection. This In a move that will delight some Company, the aircraft is fit- Prior to utilizing the system, it must be done prior to check-in, as secu- and irritate others, Dubai-based ted with a system that prevents was necessary for the airline to rity officers will not remove the seal or Emirates Airlines has become mobiles from interfering with a attain approval from interna- regulator valve from the cylinder at the the first commercial airline plane’s electronics. The service tional air safety organizations. checkpoint. Sealed cylinders will not be to allow passengers to make will only be activated when the “We have gone to considerable allowed to pass through security regard- mobile phone calls during flights. aircraft attains cruising altitude, lengths to ensure that all safety less of the reading on the pressure gauge The first mobile phone call and the cabin crew will be able and regulatory issues have been indicator. However, once the valve is was made on a recent Airbus to monitor the system. Passengers fully addressed,” said AeroMobile opened, contamination may enter the A340 flight between Dubai and will be able to receive and send Chief Executive Bjorn-Taale tank. Cleaning would be required upon Casablanca. The decision was text messages, but voice mes- Sandberg. Emirates plans to arrival, which may not be possible. To reached after experiencing high sages will be prevented during extend the system to more air- avoid this potential problem, it is rec- demand for the phones previ- night flights. In addition, passen- craft later this year, as well as ommended that passengers ship com- ously installed in aircraft seats. gers will be requested to set their adding BlackBerry and other pressed gas cylinders to their final desti- Designed by the AeroMobile phones on “silent” mode. data services. ■ nation via a parcel service prior to their

luxfer departure. ■ Scuba & Yoga Trip in Dominica

Kimberlee and Todd Stedl, magazine in 2007. Dominica was philosophy and its relevance on authors of Yoga for Scuba Divers, the first country to be Green diver ethics and underwater ecol- are offering a special Scuba Globe benchmarked, and the ogy. Diving & Yoga Adventure from resort’s owners are leaders in eco- A number of options are availa- March 7 - 14, 2009, on the island logically and culturally sustainable ble to divers and non-divers alike. of Dominica in the Caribbean. tourism. A wide selection of hikes is offered Participants will experience the On this unique trip, the Stedls by the resort to experience the pristine reefs and spectacular will offer yoga routines specifi- island’s lush pristine environment DIVE RIGHT IN 1,000-foot walls of the Scotts cally designed to help strengthen or guests can indulge in the WITH OUR FREE Head Marine Reserve. Dives will and restore the body after a day resort’s range of amenities includ- be a combination of wall dives, of diving. Participants will learn ing yoga studio, outdoor pool, MAGAZINE & WEBSITE drift dives, and a night dive. some applied anatomy and and spa treatments. A number of • Shipwrecks • Meet Singles Included in the trip is a body mechanics of diving group activities, including whale Project AWARE ecology along with breathing and watching, are also planned. • Ask An Expert • Monthly Prizes course for all partici- meditation exercises for Spaces are limited, so an early • Dive Medicine • Scuba Forums pants. a more relaxed and sign-up is strongly recommended. Accommodation enjoyable dive experi- For prices, package options, and • Dive Fitness • Weekly Blog will be at Jungle Bay, ence. The Stedls will registration deadlines, please • Reader Photos • Photo Galleries voted one of the also conduct group visit: www.8thElementDiving. world’s top ten luxury discussions com/retreat or contact • Diver Profiles • Local Dive Sites eco resorts by Forbes about yoga [email protected] ■ www.midwestscubadiving.com …and more!

29 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news

Edited by Scott Bennett Tawali Adventures Dubai Diving Sites PAPUA NEW GUINEA PREMIER PROPERTIES Threatened Tawali || Spirit of Niugini MV Chertan According to a local tour opera- tor, Dubai’s ever-burgeoning con- struction boom is threatening the Dogenpalast in Venedig, by Francesco Guardi, painted in the second existence of the Emirate’s dive sites. half of the 18th century Stephanie Davies, owner of Scuba TuckedTucked away in a pristine rain forestforest accessible only by boat, Tawali is Papua Dubai, asserts that few sites remain Diving in Venice? New Guinea’s premier resort. Scuba dive, snorkel, kayak or explore the localocall near Dubai itself, with the majority to culturel on guidedid d bbushh walkslk to remote villages,ill skullk ll caves andd waterfalls.f ll be found far off shore. “Dubai never The mere mention of this his- ters, which have inadvertently had too many natural dive sites, but toric city conjures up images of provided Venice with an instant Located on a volcanic bluff overlooking the clear water and coral reefs of the ongoing construction has meant gondoliers in striped jerseys, the barrier reef. Milne Bay, Tawali offers travelers a unique location to relax and enjoy the that many existing wrecks have also Rialto Bridge, St.Mark’s Square “There are people already unspoiled wonders of this magnifi cent part of the world. been removed,” she said. “While and a captivating pageant of showing up to dive, and I envis- construction is important for the watercraft plying the extensive age tourists coming to Venice future of Dubai, developers should labyrinth of canals. Now, it can to see the canals before indulg- create artificial reefs in surround- add a new attraction to its myr- ing in a spot of scuba diving,” ing areas to recreate a habitat for iad of attractions: diving. said marine biologist Andrea marine life,” Davies Biologists have discovered Rismondo. said. that the new sea barrier being Extending for nearly 2km at Although the creation of artificial erected to protect the city from depths up to 14m deep, the reefs is a viable alternative, John rising waters has attracted a rocky breakwater is home to Burt, a marine biologist and lecturer plethora of marine life. Known numerous sponges and tree-like at Zayed University, said it could as The Moses Project, a series Cystoseira algae, which grow never replicate the same marine of mobile barriers, are cur- up to 1.5m in height. In turn, organisms and fish. Another alterna- rently under construction across these provide homes for cut- tive would be to relocate existing the three channels accessing tlefish, starfish, crabs, jellyfish, reefs away from the construction. Venice Lagoon. Two of the bar- molluscs and up to 50 species However, Burt said, “A coral should riers are protected by breakwa- of fish. be moved “It is mostly sandy around only when the here, so the breakwaters were construction a real chance for sea life to will directly set up, but we were still sur- impact the prised by the numbers,” said dive site, and Rismondo. “One hypothesis is there is no that warmer water here due to other alterna- climate change has helped.” tive.” ■ The project has drawn the ire of environmentalists, concerned that the lagoon’s fragile eco-

gfdl www.tawali.com system could be turned into a marine park. ■ imre S olt The Marina Promenade of Dubai under construction 30 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED St. Michael’s Mount is the most striking land mark of Mount’s Bay with its prominent medieval cas- tle. Only accessible at low water on foot via a cobbled causeway or by boat, it is the home of St. Aubyn family and is now man- Cornish Reefs aged by the National Trust. RIGHT: Detail of Strawberry Global diving travel has become increasingly easy over the anemone (Actina fragacea) last decade or so, providing easy access to a growing number of tropical and exotic destinations. So, for many divers resid- ing in cooler climates or new to the sport, it is tempting to look only towards these warm distant destinations and perhaps ignore the wealth of marine life on their own doorstep. Text and photos by Mark Webster

RIGHT TO LEFT: Limacia clavigera nudibranch feeding on red sea lettuce sea weed; Plumose anemones (Metridium senile) carpet a reef wall near Land’s End; A diver explores a deep gulley decorated with soft corals (Alcyonium digitatum) at Logan’s Rock

31 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel

Although I have the opportunity power of the Atlantic on the north to travel regularly to warmer cli- coast. The rugged topography of mates, this never discourages me the peninsula extends far out to sea, from diving as often as I can in my forming reefs, pinnacles and shoals cooler, but no less spectacular, teaming with life. home waters around the south west You can dive a deep wreck in the peninsula of Cornwall in the United morning, a spectacular sheer drop- Kingdom. The south west peninsula off in the afternoon, and explore and county of Cornwall is physically shoreline gullies and tunnels in the remote from the remainder of the evening, or after dark. All this makes British Isles and also has a rich history the area popular with both diving full of myth, legend, smuggling and and marine life enthusiasts seeking illicit ship wrecking. Industry is sparse the variety this coastline provides. It in this area, which boasts spectacu- is also popular with the family diver lar countryside, and as a conse- who wishes to mix his or her sport quence, it is one of the UK’s most with exploring the attractions on popular tourist destinations offering land, some lazy days on the beach- both a slower pace of life, a mild es, and the occasional foray under climate and miles of unspoiled coast the waves. line and secluded beaches. The rugged granite of the penin- The Gulf Stream sula juts out into the Atlantic and has The Gulf Stream divides round the a striking contrast between its two coasts. There are calm sleepy inlets, coves and fish- ing villages on the south coast, while there are dra- matic towering cliffs and the

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: There is excellent snorkeling all around the coast – here a snorkeller explores the reef at Pendennis Point, Falmouth Bay; Yachts at anchor in the harbour at Penzance; Juvenile cuttle fish (Sepia officinalis) are com- monly found in late summer in the shallow water eel grass beds; cies of nudibranchs (this Polycera quad- The plankton blooms of late spring bring rilineata) that congregate to breed; Kelp the basking sharks (Cetorhinus max- (Laminaria sp) covers the tops of many imus) which can reach 8-10m in length; of the shallow water reefs and provides Springtime sees the arrival of many spe- a habitat for numerous marine species 32 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED SW_postR8Aug17_50% 8/21/07 12:04 PM Page 1

in length and weigh up to seven tonnes. They remain THE TRUTH WILL SURFACE rare in UK waters and despite being a protected species are consistently under threat from human activities in the marine environment.

Lauren Davis, Seaquest Basking Shark Project volun- teer says: “Our seas are so poorly protected compared to the land; hopefully these You'll never look at sharks surveys will provide decision the same way again. makers with the data neces- sary to give basking sharks and other marine wildlife the protection that is urgently needed.”

Lauren continues: “Seeing a basking shark moving majes- tically through the calm water is truly a wonderful New Cornish basking shark surveys sight, and one which you will never forget. If you are over 16 and interested in spend- Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) is call- During the Seawatch SW survey last ing some time sitting on the ing for volunteers to help them survey year, six species of cetacean (whale, cliffs recording basking sharks basking sharks off Cornwall this sum- dolphin and porpoise) were seen, and other marine life, join mer as part of their new BBC Wildlife including a fin whale, the second big- Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Fund-supported Seaquest Basking gest whale next to the blue whale. Seawatch SW this summer.” Shark Project. CWT is joining forces Huge pods of up to 400 common dol- Previous experience is useful with SeaWatch SW to carry out sur- phins were encountered and a mas- but not essential as training veys from the coast in order to collect sive 460 basking sharks were recorded can be provided. For more vital data on basking sharks and other during one day alone! This survey information on how to get marine wildlife. highlights the importance of Cornish involved, contact Lauren waters for supporting an abundance Davis on 07979736661. During 2007, SeaWatch SW surveys of marine wildlife. recorded an astonishing 656 basking Go to www.seawatch-sw.org sharks from mid-July to the begin- Basking sharks were recorded almost and 2007 annual report for ning of October from Gwennap daily off Gwennap Head during last more information. ■ Head, West Cornwall. Russell Wynn, year’s survey. SeaWatch SW co-ordinator says: “The results of this survey are starting to help These gentle giants are regular visitors us understand a lot more about bask- to the Cornish coast, but very little is ing sharks off Cornwall and identify the understood about the status of their areas that are important for them. This population or about their behaviour. COMING SOON data will be useful in influencing the The basking shark is the UK’s biggest SHARKWATER PRODUCTIONS AND DIATRIBE PICTURES PRESENT A FILM BY ROB STEWART MUSIC BY JEFF RONA DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ROB STEWART UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY ROB STEWART AND DAVID HANNAN development of a network of Marine wild visitor and the second largest EDITING MICHAEL CLARK RIK MORDEN JEREMY STUART EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS SANDRA CAMPBELL ALEXANDRA STEWART BRIAN STEWART WRITTEN DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY ROB STEWART Protected Areas around Cornwall, fish in the world. Harmless to humans, FEATURING MUSIC FROM MOBY NINA SIMONE ALI FARKA TOURE THE RIDERLESS GEOFFREY ORYEMA APHEX TWIN AND PORTISHEAD which the Finding Sanctuary project is eating only plankton sifted from the WWW.SHARKWATER.COM TM & © 2006 SHARKWATER PRODUCTIONS INC. currently working towards.” ocean, they can grow up to 12 metres PRINTED IN CANADA

33 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cornwall

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: There are numerous species of colourful sponges like this breadcrumb sponge (Halichondria panacea) that give the reefs a tropical feel; Local fishermen are great characters - there are many small coves and harbours around the coast that support traditional fishing methods from tiny cove boats; One of the most colourful reef fish to be seen in the inquisitive male Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus bimicula- tus); Colourful sea urchins (Echinus esculentus) make great abstract macro subjects

peninsula on its path north. The warm- life enthusiast busy for months! er, clearer waters it carries propa- The South Western Approaches gates a diversity of indigenous and have been one of the visiting marine life not generally found world’s busiest shipping elsewhere around the UK’s coastline. lanes for hundreds of John Dory (Zeus faber) The headlands and offshore reefs years, and Cornwall Zues faber are bombarded by nutrients born has been the first land- John Dory (Zues faber) is also or 4 years old by releasing sperm by the strong tides on both coasts fall and the site of trag- known as St Pierre. Easily identified and eggs into the water usually feeding a multitude of species of edy for many mariners. by its large dark spot on its flank during the winter months. anemones, soft and stony corals and Armada ships, East used to warn off predators, the The top predator in its habitat, invertebrate life. These organisms are Indiamen, liners, mer- John Dory is an edible deep-sea the John Dory usually stalks its prey, surprisingly colourful and can give an chant convoy shipping fish with a laterally compressed then shoots out a tube in its mouth almost tropical feel to many dives as from both World Wars olive-yellow body -- which makes it to capture food such as sardines, one swims among gorgonian fan cor- have all met their fate a poor swimmer -- with microscop- squid and cuttlefish. They are als, Ross coral, cup corals and walls along this coastline. ic, sharp scales and long spines on preyed upon by sharks such as the of brilliantly hued plumose and jewel The two most the dorsal fin. The fish can grow up dusky shark. anemones. infamous reefs, the to a maximum size of 65cm and It is thought that the name John Fish life is profuse with shoals of bass Manacles and the Runnel Stone, 3kg in weight. Dory stems from the French dorée and mackerel, reef dwelling wrasse, located on the south coast are John Dory live in the for gilded, or the French jaune for flatfish, blennies, scorpion fish, tope, responsible for more than 200 record- Mediterranean Sea, the Indian yellow, or is associated with the sharks and occasional foreign visitors ed losses between them. There are Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. hero of an old ballad of the same from warmer southern waters. Spring literally hundreds of documented They can be found on the coast name. Jules Verne said that the and early summer brings the basking losses, with many still awaiting dis- of Australia, South East Asia, the name came from an allusion to St. sharks, which have been increasing covery either by chance or through coasts of Japan, South West Africa, Peter, Janitore, the door-keeper number year by year, and in late sum- dedicated research. Recent years and off the coasts of Europe. or gate-keeper of Heaven, who mer groups of grey Atlantic trigger fish have seen no less than three expedi- Normally solitary creatures, they brought the fish at God’s com- are common. If one is lucky, sun fish tions seeking the infamous Merchant live near the seabed, in depths of mand and that the dark spot on and even leather back turtles can be Royal, the richest wreck in UK waters, 5 to 360 meters. They live about 12 the back of the fish is St. Peter’s seen. The variety is almost endless and lost in the deep somewhere between years and reproduce at around 3 thumbprint. ■ SourCe: wikiPedia.org will keep a photographer or marine Lands End and the Scilly Isles.

34 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cornwall These river systems were ‘drowned’ at the end of the last ice age by a com- bination of sinking land and rising sea levels. The Fal in particular offers quite dramatic profiles underwater from the shal- low drowned flood plains to the remnants of the original river valley, which penetrates far inland and The area is a wreck retains depths of up to 35m diver’s paradise. There are (110ft). many classic dives, which The industrial revolution can be easily located with and expansion early this the help of many publica- century once threatened tions, or guidance from the these habitats with care- local diving centres and less waste disposal from clubs. copper and tin mining and china clay extraction. Habitat variety Fortunately, recent dec- There are a variety of ades have propagated marine habitats to explore a more educated and around this coastline, each enlightened appreciation waters, there are sweeping of which has unique fea- of the damage caused by beds of maerl, a form of tures to offer. On the south pollution. Now, strict con- encrusting algae that forms coast of the peninsula are trols and marine reserves little coral-like clusters. the three lush river valleys have returned many areas The fauna of these maerl of the Helford, Fowey and to their former glory. beds is very rich with many the Fal, which form the In the shallow waters of species of fish, crusta- third largest natural deep the Fal, Helford and Mounts ceans, worms and mol- water anchorage in the Bay are the most northern luscs hiding amongst the concentrations delicate branches. In the of eel grass that upper reaches of the Fal is so common in estuary are thriving beds Mediterranean. of wild oysters, which now CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: This habitat can only be fished com- A diver jumps from a local dive boat; is an attrac- mercially by hand from Traditional gaff rigged sailing boats tive breeding licensed punts. are regularly seen around the coast; ground for A topknot flat fish(Zeugopterus punc- all manner of Inshore reefs tatus) is one of the stranger looking marine life. The coastal topography reef residents; The largest jellyfish found in Cornish waters is the Rhizostoma During the varies dramatically from jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus) which spring months, sheltered bays and coves can appear in large numbers during clusters of eggs to sheer cliffs that plunge the summer months; A diver gazes will often be straight into the sea. They at a dense bed of jewels anemones world. The tidal estuaries found at the base of the have in common the same (Corynactis viridis) on the Raglan’s pin- of these rivers are rich in eel grass leaves left by fish, rich marine life, which nacle in the Manacles Reef; A thorn- marine life and are often nudibranchs, squid and inhabits both the littoral back ray (Raja clavata) rests teeming with juvenile fish. cuttlefish. In slightly deeper zone and the shallow reefs, on a gravel seabed

35 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cornwall dwells are many coves where in deep squadrons of juvenile and water. adult cuttlefish can be The sur- found shoaling together rounding ranging in size from 5cm shallow to 30cm all displaying their seabed is amazing camouflage skills. home to all sorts of Offshore reefs bottom The geology of this area dwelling has produced many spec- fish, crus- tacular offshore reefs that and gullies to a depth of taceans, tube worms and rise steeply from the sea- 10m. Whereas, on deeper anemones. In the spring bed, each one slightly dif- reefs further offshore and summer months, there ferent and offering often where waters are clearer, kelp can be found grow- ing as deep as 18m (60ft). The reefs are often dis- sected by deep cuts and gullies and steps and ledges, which are excit- ing to explore. Even in the shallows, where many rock faces are exposed to tidal current, filter feeding gullies and caves. and lettuce sea weeds, soft coral Alcyonium digi- During the winter which offer protection to tatum (locally known as months, these inshore juveniles, and so are a Dead Men’s Fingers), jewel areas are often lashed favourite hunting ground anemones and sponges by severe storms swept in for small shoals of Pollack, will all thrive. from the Atlantic. But as grey mullet, and lone John These areas are home spring arrives, the waters Dory that prey on the to many varieties of fish become calmer, and the newly hatched fish and including Pollack, bass, annual cycle of life com- plankton. ballan and corkwing mences once more. As with many other wrasse, cheeky cuckoo During the summer, the temperate sea areas, wrasse, who peer right into shallows are full of beds there are kelp forests to your mask or camera port, of boot lace, Jap weed explore inshore. The kelp and more unusual species here does not reach the such as red gurnard and proportions of the giant red mullet. In late spring species of the Californian and early summer, you will CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The largest anemone is the Plumose coast, but it is equally pro- find many species of fish (Metridium senile) which is found on exposed reefs where they feed lific and provides a wide tending their egg clusters. in the strong currents; There are two species of soft coral in Cornish range of habitats amongst These are normally the waters – these are ‘Red Fingers’ (Alcyoninium glomeratum) that grow its fronds, stypes and hold- males guarding the nurs- in large colonies wherever there is a tidal flow; The male cuckoo wrasse fasts. ery for perhaps 3-4 weeks is perhaps the boldest on the reef. He will often approach within a few The depth to which the and include butter fish, centimetres to challenge his reflection in your mask or camera port; The striking looking male Lumsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) appears from kelp extends will vary with shannies, tom pot blen- deep water in early spring for a short time to tend his mate’s eggs until topography and water nies, corkwing wrasse and they hatch; There are numerous quaint seaside cottages with equally clarity. Generally, it clings the weird looking lump- quaint names to be found in the coastal villages to the top of the rocks sucker, which normally

36 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: The Tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) has to be the cutest looking reef resident found on almost every shallow coastal reef; INSET CENTER: There are several species of plume and fan worms to be found on the reef. The detail Cornwall travel of Bispira volutacornis makes an interesting macro shot south, in an area that is open conditions. These ingredients to Atlantic oceanic conditions, and the swift currents are per- and so, there is often a deep fect for a dense proliferation of and powerful swell running here invertebrate marine life, which (locally known as ground sea). in turn attracts fish who enjoy Planning to dive here means the shelter the reef provides, waiting for the best tides and whilst others are tidal feeders, weather conditions as even in or perhaps dwell in the sand. good weather there can be a Kelp sea weed is able to swell of 1-2m withstand to contend the strong with, which currents can be felt with their as deep as sturdy hold- 20m. Local fast roots knowledge is and growth essential as can extend the tides are down to vicious and between sometimes 15 and 18 unpredicta- metres in ble, and the places, due weather can to the water change very quickly. But under clarity, and in turn provides the right conditions, the Stone shelter and habitat for more is one of the most spectacular sedentary marine life. Cowries, dives in the area. topshells, and clingfish are In this area close to Land’s common on the kelp holdfasts, End, there are no river out-falls and there is normally an abun- to upset the visibility, and the dance of spider crabs and pipe bright yellow heavy granite fish picking their way amongst sand settles quickly after stormy the kelp stypes. Several varie-

challenging diving. used to break the surface until Close to the end of the the last vessel to be wrecked peninsula, where Lands End here, the City of Westminster in TOP RIGHT: Snakelock anemones (Anemonia viridis) will set- reaches out into the often wild 1923, struck and broke it away. tle almost anywhere – here this juvenile clings to the blades waters of the Atlantic, is the The edge of the reef area is of eel grass. ABOVE INSET: The tiny Leach’s spider crab lives in infamous Runnel Stone, which is now marked by a buoy, within symbiosis with the Snakelock anemone (Anemonia viridis) just reputed to have wrecked more sight of Lands End and the like many tropical species. LEFT: The Cornish coastline is distin- guished by the numerous deserted bays and coves with clear than 27 ships. The Runnel Stone Longships reef lighthouse to the water – a great temptation to explore with a snorkel or SCUBA

37 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT TO RIGHT: The com- mon lobster (Homarus gammarus) is unmistaka- Cornwall ble with its bright blue liv- travel ery; The tiny squat lobster (Galathea strigosa) has a dazzling blue and orange colour pattern; The com- mon prawn (Palaemon serratus) is almost com- pletely transparent and is often found in large groups in cracks and crevices on the reef; The spider crab (Maja squina- do) is found in a number of different habitats and will often climb the reef in search of food

on them, shoals of mack- particularly erel, bass and in late spring, pollock, which when they are show little fear reproducing. of divers. Remaining In amongst space on the rocks of the the rock sur- Runnel Stone face is mostly are the remains occupied by of the numer- soft corals ous wrecks, (Alcyonium which, in some digitatum or cases, are so Dead Men’s close or over- Fingers), tuni- lapping, that cates and it is difficult to masses of tell when one is feather stars swimming from ties of sponge are common, and and brittle one wreck to the first signs of jewel and daisy stars. another. anemones can be found in as lit- Exploring the shallow walls at Finds include tle as three metres of depth. the reef top reveals numerous ship’s fittings, Below the kelp line, there are nooks, crannies and ledges that cargo items swathes of pastel-hued plumose are home to crabs, squat lobsters, and muni- anemones extended to sift nutri- prawns blennies and shannies, tions—although ents from the current. In amongst most of which are both inquisi- these should be them are daisy and dahlia anem- tive and co-operative for the left well alone. ones and fields of jewel anemo- camera. It is sometimes difficult British law dic- nes in almost every colour one to pick the best photographic tates that any can imagine—from vivid yellows tool, as there are so many macro recovered items the possibility of an encounter can be very hard work! produce some amazing visibility to deep purples, reds and orang- and wide angle subjects—the must be declared to the Receiver with a massive basking shark or Diving is possible all year round, and balmy conditions between es. These are interspersed with image opportunities are endless. of Wrecks. squadrons of huge Rhysostoma but naturally, winter diving can the storms. The season also has an clusters of delicate pink oaten Inshore reef species are also seen The visibility here is generally jelly fish. be more of a lottery due to the effect on the water temperature, pipe hydroids reaching out to in the shallows—scorpion fish and very good, with 20m not uncom- Snorkelling with a huge basking frequently stormy conditions. with the coldest months being grasp nutrients from the current. the Corkwing wrasse, which can mon, and up to 30m on calm shark is an awesome experience Summertime is therefore the best February and March after the sea Inspecting these hydroids be found busy building its nest cold winter days. The plankton not to be missed, but divers need time to plan a diving expedition has cooled during the autumn closely often reveals two or three in the kelp early in the summer. bloom in late spring/early summer to get into training, as keeping when the weather is more pre- and winter. Underwater tem- species of nudibranch feeding It is common to encounter large will reduce this but will also bring up, particularly with a camera, dictable, but winter diving can peratures can range from 14-16°C

38 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cornwall

ABOVE: When you are not div- ing make sure to take some time to explore the attrac- tive coastal vil- Almost every beach has a fringing reef which is easily explored with basic lages and hamlets. snorkeling equipment. LEFT: The tiny jewel anemone (Corynactis viridis) is BELOW: There are one of the most colourful species on the reef and a great macro subject. several species of RIGHT INSET: The spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) has an intricate pat- scorpion fish to be tern and texture when viewed in close up found on the reefs. This one is the long during the summer, although sur- can change quickly, especially spined sea scorpion face temperatures often reach on the north coast and towards (Taurulus bubalis) 20-22ºC, to a chillier 8-10ºC dur- Land’s End. Dives should not ing the coldest winter months. be planned without complete details of tides and weather Be safe, get local advice forecasts and the benefit of Cornwall’s waters offer so much local advice, which is freely to the visiting diver but should available from the Coast Guard around 1000 BC, and its use be treated with respect even and the diving centres, in order gradually declined until the late on high summer days when the to keep one’s visit memorable for 1890s, when English became water may resemble a sheet of the right reasons. Alternatively, the dominant language. There you can choose to dive with one are various groups who strive to of the many day boats, or live preserve the language for future aboard boats, which operate generations. within this area, and leave the Although referred to as a planning to a skipper who deals county in England, Cornwall is in with these waters on a daily fact a Duchy, which is a territory basis. ruled by a Duke. The first Duke of Diving in temperate waters can Cornwall was Edward, the Black be challenging, but in the right Prince, son of Edward III. The cur- LEFT: This species of conditions, can be the equal of rent Duke of Cornwall is Prince cowrie (Simnia patula) some tropical locations. It is very Charles. During the Middle Ages is only found on the much worth the effort. there was a succession of rebel- gorgonian Enicella lions and even an invasion by verrucosa on deep water glass. Sadly, there have been a History the Spanish at Mounts Bay in reefs and is very difficult number of diver fatalities here, The name “Cornwall” originates 1595. During the Civil War of to find due to its camou- flage; RIGHT INSET: This and many could have been from two words in the Cornish the 1600s, there were several tiny juvenile hermit crab avoided with a little forward language: Cornovii, meaning hill major battles fought in Cornwall. (Pagurus bernahadus) is planning and local knowledge. dwellers, and Waelas, meaning Thereafter, life became relative- walking the tightrope of The tides can be very strong strangers. This language arrived ly peaceful. a single blade of eel grass in many areas, and the weather with the Celts from Europe The area was largely agricul-

39 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel Cornwall tural, with some mining for copper and tin dating back to ancient Roman times. Cornwall played a big part in the industrial revolu- tion in the 1700s and1800s. Several revolutionary steam engines were developed for the mining indus- try by Cornishmen. This led to Cornwall being one of the world’s largest suppliers of tin world wide for more than 100 years. Mining began a decline by the middle of the 20th century and virtually stopped in the 1980s, although there are still attempts to revive some mines as the price of tin and copper increase on world markets.

Myth & legend There are many myths and leg- ends interwoven into the history of the area. Certainly, the Cornish believe that King Arthur and his knights of the round table were Cornishmen. This story is centred on the remains of the castle at Tintagel, and all the places in the legend of King Arthur are to be found here, from where he was

Boscastle

Tintagel Launceston Port Isaac

Padstow ABOVE: A diver photo- graphs a group of snakelock Bedruthan Steps Liskeard anemones (Anemonia viridis) Bodwin Newquay on a reef in Falmouth Bay. Saltash Looe RIGHT: Map of the county of Torpoint Cornwal, United Kingdom. Fowey TOP RIGHT: Some villages Polperro Some parts of the rugged coastline are only accessible by boat for diving but make spectacular views on coastal walks. The and hamlets are right on the Mevagissey Portreath Cornish coastline is littered with numerous shipwrecks driven ashore during winter gales. The Tater Du light house warns ship- water’s edge and still sup- Godrevy Truro St. Ives Redruth ping of the treacherous Bucks Reef close to Lamorna Cove port communities of fisher- Carn Brea Zennor Camborne Veryan men, although tourism is now Rottalack Falmouth the mainstay of the Cornish Marazion Flushing born to where he had his last battle, of Cornwall has been commercial but it has its spectacular scenery Penzance Rinsey economy Helston and even where he obtained the fishing, but this is now also in decline and the best climate in the UK. Newlyn Prussia Cove Porthleven sword, Excalibur, from the anvil to due to over fishing throughout Eu- Therefore, tourism is now the main- Lands Mousehole End Mullion Coverack the lake where it was returned. rope and the strict EU catch quotas. stay of the Cornish economy. ■ Cove Kynance Cadgwith One of the remaining industries So now Cornwall has little industry, Cove The Lizard 40 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Pascal Bernabé A conversation with diver for the free dive even before that event, technical diver and champions, Pipin Ferraras we were working together and Audrey Mestre, so while they trained for depth record break- there are several fac- the record attempt. For er, Pascal Bernabé. tors behind it. It was also a cave diver like me, it a matter of pushing the was something very new Pascal Bernabé has just frontiers. It was exciting to and different and also held a press conference go places where nobody kind of a dream coming at the Moscow dive show had ever been before. It true because of the cult answering questions from wasn’t out of competitive movie, The Big Blue. Before an enthusiastic audience reasons, in order to be the I went to see that movie, I about his 330 meter record best, go the deepest, or had never dived. But after dive. The soft spoken anything like that. I did it I watched it, I wanted to Frenchman seems relieved just for my own sake. experience the same sen- to slip out of the uncom- sations and kinds of chal- fortable limelight on the For the exploration? lenges. I then got to meet stage. Having escaped Yes, and for fun—although Pipin, and we developed the massive attention for that record dive did not a very good relationship a while, he grabs a chair leave all that much room that has lasted to this day. beside me, and we begin for having fun—and to to converse about the be the only one, besides So, it was a mix of sport meaning of it all. commercial or military and challenge? divers, that has ventured Why do you dive so deep? that deep on scuba. You can say that, and it Is it for seeking adventure, was very different from exploration, or developing But working as a safety cave diving. Once, I was equipment? diver for Pipin Ferraras and also a coal diver in Tunisia. Andrey Mestre is some- So, I have had a lot of dif- Actually, it is about all thing completely different. ferent experiences. But of those good reasons. a core issue has always Above all, I am a cave This goes back a while. been that I never wanted and wreck explorer, and it The deepest free dives at to be a Kamikaze diver was because of the caves that time were Pipin’s and either. I tried to make the that I started diving deep- Mestre’s dives to 170m. deepest parts, where the er and deeper. I also hap- It took place off Cabo diver is subjected to HPNS pened to work as a safety san Lucas in Mexico. But and everything, the safest

A talk with

Text edited by Peter Symes Photos courtesy of Pascal Bernabé A Cool Teacher Peter Symes and Andrey Bizyukin 41 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Bernabé Who are Franscisco profile “Pipin” Ferreras & there is like a third of a kilometre equipment and plenty Andrey Mestre? back to the surface”? of tanks. It should also be mentioned that I Ferreras was born on the My first sensation was fear. This is keep fit through a lot northern coast of Cuba, and normal experience also on cave of physical exercis- began to practice free-diving dives. I naturally also had some ing like running, biking at the age of five. “Pipin” was stress before the dive, but soon all and swimming. I also use his nickname from childhood. these emotions get replaced by relaxation techniques and Little is known about Ferreras’ concentration. However, when, on visualisations. life in Cuba before his freediv- the bottom, one of my instruments, ing career. From the late 1980s imploded, the fear came rushing It depends Can ‘normal’ recreational and onward, he made a name back, because I became afraid on the type scuba divers and holiday makers for himself in the so-called that I was about to suffer an acci- of dive and learn anything from your insights “no-limits” discipline of freediv- dent. Aside from that, you become what kind of challenges and experiences. Would being ing where he established his very focused on what is at stake. I lie ahead. The year before more fit and eating right give the first known world record of did have a few tremors during the the 330 meter dive was one long average diver a much better div- 112 meters (367 feet) depth in dive, but it wasn’t preparation. One month prior, I ing experience do you think? November 1989. Shortly here- much. went to 150 meters inside a cave, after, he defected to Italy and possible. I brought lots of gas, What do you perceive when which was very challenging, and The idea should always later migrated to Florida, United much more than was really you are down there? Do you How do you while it was a completely different be to make every dive, States. Through the 1990s, he es- necessary. I did rapid descents, feel clear in your head? Do mentally pre- type of dive, it helped in the overall regardless of depth, the tablished a long series of world but very slow ascents. For my you perceive that you are pare to go so mental training. safest and best possible experi- records, often in close rivalry first deep dives, I brought an 330 meters deep? ence by all possible means. Every with Italian Umberto Pelizzari. incredible amount of tanks. down and So, it is essentially all your training dive comes with some level of risk. go, “Oh, and getting acquainted with your So, be fit and use the best pos- In 1996, he met French-born equipment that instills confidence sible equipment you can afford. Mexican-national Audrey before a deep dive? In my case, I applied these prin- Mestre who turned out to be a ciples to move my limits. But, in natural freediver herself. In 1999, I also try to get the best possible essence, there is no difference. they married, and quickly the two became a regular record- breaking couple in the sport of freediving, dividing men and women’s records between them.

On 12 October 2002, Mestre died in an attempt to break the no-limits world record (this attempt was a bid to break both the men’s and women’s record) in a setup that was widely criticized within freediv- ing circles. Much of the criti- cism went to Ferreras who had X-RAY MAG’s organized all of his and Mestre’s Russian editor, record attempts for years. ■ Andrey Byzuikin, SourCe: WikiPedia assists Pascal Bernabe with translations during X-RAY MAG’s publisher the Russian dive Peter Symes with expo Pascal Bernabe 42 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Bernabé

All dives should be made as safe as but we really don’t have so many occurrences of prob- possible. options to choose from. At a cer- lems and cases of tain depth, you just need so many DCI seemed to spike. What other knowledge do we gain tanks. Also HPNS starts to become from deep dives? Do we learn an issue, which you will then have So, pretty much all the something new about physiology or to find ways to manage. I have also factors, from equip- technology. taken a closer look into dive pro- ment, physiology, men- files and experiences of other deep tal aspects, seem to The circumstances of a dive seem divers such as the late John Bennett, change at that same to change significantly around the Jim Bowden, etc., and from the point? 250 meter mark. Down to this, every- logged stats. It seemed to me, once thing usually feels okay to me. dives went past the 250m mark, the Yes. It does not feel extreme Is there something until like a barrier at that 220-230 particular depth? meters. But And why 250m? after that, you have the At this point, there sensation of is a huge increase pushing limits in in the amount of every aspect and equipment needed. being in a game of What’s HPNS? Even if you dive Russian Roulette. rebreathers, also if High pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) is you have a double How do you feel after a neurological disturbance that may rebreather, it is my such an experience? ally result fom breathing a high-pressure opinion that you also Do you get the sense not quite mixture of helium and oxygen—such need open circuit. of having achieved or sure myself as as trimix or heliox—under high pressure At these extreme conquered something? to why I wanted to for an extended amount of time, putting depths, the breath- It is funny, because make that dive. It was only much a physiological limit on deep technical dives. ing performance of after all my biggest later that I started appreciating rebreathers can be cave dives, I just felt the dive more, and that was for “Helium tremors” were first described in the early 1960’s by quite poor. happy. During the a number of other reasons, too. It among others, Royal Navy physiologist, Peter B. Bennett, decompression stages, I opened doors for me. It helped in who later founded the Divers Alert Network. The term They get hard to felt elated and relieved getting sponsors, which is not very high pressure nervous syndrome was first used by Brauer breathe? of stress. However, easy to get when you are a cave to describe the combined symptoms of tremors, electro- You might recall after the getting out of diver, as many sponsors do not encephalography (EEG) changes, and somnolence that the sad accident the water, I would also want to get into that area. Having appeared during a 1,189 foot chamber dive in Marseilles. that happened to feel exhausted, have set that record has given me new David Shaw in the headaches and feel a opportunities, for example, to do Symptoms of HPNS include tremors, visual disturbances, cave of Boesmangat bit empty. As a cave master classes and get equipment nausea and dizziness, and decreased mental perform- in South Africa a explorer, your purpose for my next projects. ance. It is not likely that HPNS can be prevented entirely, couple of years is not to break records, but there are effective methods to delay or change the ago (see X-RAY so when someone tells What would you want to do with development of the symptoms. Slow rates of compression, MAG issue and the me that the record fame, now that you got the recog- or adding stops on the ascent, have been found to prevent YouTube video on dive was sort of a stu- nition? large initial decrements in performance. Also, the levels of our X-RAY MAG pid thing to do, I can nitrogen or hydrogen in the gas mix seem to play a role in website). This was understand where that Pretty much the same. Explore preventing the onset of HPNS. The susceptibility of divers to a tragic example, comes from. I am actu- caves and wrecks. There are some HPNS depends on the individual. ■

43 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Bernabé

good wrecks in the Mediterranean that I can now explore, since I have now found a sponsor for a rebreather and other equipment. I like caves the most, but I would also like to explore the wreck of Kirk Pride that rests at a depth 238 meters off Grand Cayman. It is deep, but the conditions there a good. It will, however, require a lot of equip- ment. I also want to do a number of projects with Jim Bowden, the deepest cave diver and dive legend.

How do you define which risk levels are acceptable, and how do you The movie, Big Blue (1988) by French manage risks? director Luc Besson, has inspired a lot of divers. While it became a cult I am not sure, movie Europe, the film was a com- that just because mercial failure in North America you dive deeper or penetrate fur- bringing backups. Experience, ther into a cave, good planning, and organisation that your risks are are also essential contributions necessarily great- towards reducing risk. er, or you are Make sure that you exercise forced to accept enough. That does not necessar- higher risks. I ily mean twice a day, but at least have had friends make sure you have the sufficient that died unnec- fitness for the dives you plan to essarily, because do. they did quite stupid dives. They What are the best experiences didn’t have to diving has given you? die. If you take a closer look at some of the decom- into it and make some choices. I have many good ones, in many pression software that is around, You can go on an extreme dive different areas—especially with you will see that you can choose and experience no problems, cave diving. It is not the biggest conservatism and risk levels for and then have an accident on dive projects, but the ones where i.e DCI. You can’t completely a shallow dive just because you everything just works perfectly. remove all risk, but you can mini- didn’t think. Discovering a 50 or 100 meter mize it to an acceptably low level. As regards to equipment, it gallery in a virgin cave ranks up So, you have to put some thought can fail, but you reduce risk by there. After such an experience, I

44 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED profile Bernabé can walk on clouds for a couple is not a sport where one should mal recreational dives not going of months. I also appreciate all push at all. It is about enjoyment under 40m. We had a marvellous the great people that I have met and having a good time. time, where we relaxed and were through diving, and the friend- able to enjoy a couple of beers ships I have made. I value the My general advice to all divers is in the company of good friends conversations we have had and to enjoy the experiences that div- after the dives. the opinions I have heard. The ing can give you and don’t make coral diving I did in Tunisia was matters too complicated or seri- Enjoy it! ■ in a place where there waas ous. Last year, I spent time with nobody else around, and the my team doing a series of nor- Pascal Bernabés latest underwater mountains there title—so far, just in French were of magnificent beauty. Diving with Pipin and Audrey was also special. I like people.

So, you like teaching, too?

My main profession is actually being a primary school teacher. So, yes, I like it. I like teaching cave diving, too. There is nothing like seeing the happy expressions on the faces of your students after they have completed a cave dive.

What do you tell your pupils in the school where you teach? Do you tell them about all your exploits and adventures?

They know already. They bring me magazine articles about it. But they are very natural about it. I can sense a little admiration, but they also make jokes about it.

It must be a cool thing to have a teacher who is a famous diver and record breaker. Do you encourage the kids to take up diving?

Not at all. They are too young and will have to arrive at mak- ing their own decision and only much later. I have an 11-year-old daughter myself. She has tried diving a couple of times, and if she wants to pursue it, it’s up to her. I don’t want to push her. It

45 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THe FACtS and ViewPointS in tHiS SeCtion ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF x-ray mag. EQUIPMENT PRESENTED IN THIS SECTION HAVe NOT BEEN teSted BY x-ray MAG STAFF, NOR ARE THE ITEMS warranteEd. information PROVIDED IS CONDENSED from manufaCturerS’ DESCRIPTIONS. TextS are uSually edited for lengtH, Clarity and Style. LinkS are aCtiVe at tHe time of PubliCation

point & click on bold links Technisub Marina Fresheezze Edited by mask Arnold Weisz The Marina is characterised by a structure that makes it possible to insert the mask lens- Equipment es into the ocular orbit thereby obtaining a compact internal volume. The “double joint” buck- les (cardan joint buckles) rotate up Pinnacle Aquatics and down, inwards and outwards. A quick counterposed push button acti- Evolution 2 vation allows for simple and easy use even when wearing gloves. www.technisub.com drysuit Pinnacle Aquatics front-entry Evolution 2 drysuit is now available Dive Containers in both male and female sizes. The Kiwi product, the Dive Container, Previously only available in unisex has been designed to enable divers sizes, the “Evo 2” now comes in to carry communications equip- stock sizes. Pinnacle also continues to build ment with them on the dive, so if all of its drysuits in custom sizes for those they drift away from the boat, or who do not fit into one of the 29 stand- there is some other emergency, ard sizes. Standard features are 220-gram they can contact help. German Cordura, heavy-duty latex wrist www.divecontainers.com and neck seals, a neoprene beck warmer, protective zipper flap, two thigh pockets with elastic lanyards, a drysuit bag, a 7 mm drysuit hood, suspenders, an inflator hose, and the diver’s choice of neoprene socks or vulcanized rubber boots. Additional Frog Colbalt BCD options are also available. This South African manufacturer has www.pinnacleaquatics.com a variety of diving equipment. Their Colbalt BCD as made of heavy duty 1000 denier bladder material and 1680 denier nylon non-fade outer. The BCD also features; two 2.3 kg / 5 lbs rear pockets, two integrated IST ProEar Mask dumpable weight pockets holding Difficulty in equalizing and ear infec- up to 4.5 kg / 11 lbs each, two large, tion are problems that can happen to self-draining expandable side pock- anyone regardless of their diving experi- ets, fully adjustable cummerbund , ence and may potentially stop one from reinforced integral backplate with diving. IST ProEar Mask has designed a comfort padding on the inside and mask to counter the terrible effects pressure three dump valves. To see more and water have on your ears and bring you details, visit: www.frog.fm more enjoyment underwater. www.istsports.com

46 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED equipment Mares Pegasus The new Mares Pegasus is a light- Dive Rite weight, (7lbs, 7oz) durable, full feature BCD. The Pegasus back Thigh Pocket mounted bladder offers a lift capacity of (45 lbs). Additional These pockets include daisy chain webbing on features include Mares MRS the external pocket for clipping Z-knives, trauma Plus weight release system, shears or any tool that you need in easy reach. pre-shaped shoulder straps The Thigh Pocket includes a leg and dual position adjustable band made of a proprietary chest straps, removable dou- material used in bandages. The ble crotch strap for added material holds up to salt water stability, knife attachment and dries quickly, plus silicone grommets, roll-up zippered strips placed on the inside of the pocket, two heavy duty techno band grip your exposure suit and polymer D-rings, and a dual keep the leg band in place. At position hose clip, to secure 4-inches in width (10 equipment and accessories. cm), the new leg band www.mares.com will be comfortable and secure. The pocket is attached via a buckle on the waist belt, allow- ing a diver to don or doff the thigh pocket without having to unbuckle the waist belt and slide the pocket H2Odyssey off. www.diverite.com Pulsar The Pulsar is an environmentally sealed, balanced diaphragm first stage that is made to thread into any standard tank, from 4 cu ft to 120 cu ft. This design eliminates the need for a tank valve, thus reducing the bulk, weight, and one possible 31 Fathoms point of failure for your redundant air system. The Pulsar features 2 HP ports Dive Tools and 4LP ports and an easy grip on/off valve. It is used in their Dive Tools is a utility software pro- EAS3 hand off system with gram for new and experienced a 6 cu ft bottle, or mounted divers. It provides a basic set of RAS 3 system that utilizes any mathematical dive tools. Planning size tank you desire. Options a dive will be easier with tools for include an easily seen mini pres- Unit Conversions, Volume/Buoyancy sure gauge, with or w/out mini calculations, GAS/RMV Calculations SPG hose; quick disconnect and a binary/trimix GAS Blender. 31 hoses for LP and HP, and it Fathoms will not be selling or distribut- can be filled via YOKE, DIN, or ing Dive Tools directly to the consumer. STATION fillers. Instead, 31 Fathoms will private label www.h2odyssey.com the product to qualified individual dive shops for free distribution to the consumer. www.31fathoms.com

47 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED 48 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology

Why is the head shaped like that? Text by Peter Symes Photos by Wolfgang Leander

49 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology Hammerheads

Why the peculiar head evidence supports some pearance over the past 20-25 shape of the hammer- ideas and refutes others, million years and its presence while pointing to a previ- in several hammerhead shark head shark developed species of diverse head mor- as it did has been the ously unsuspected role phologies, tell of its evolutionary subject of much specu- for this peculiar feature. success. Several hypotheses are lation. Few other mor- proposed to explain the evolu- All nine known species of ham- tion of the cephalofoil, but few phological oddities have merhead sharks have a projec- have been empirically tested. inspired so many fanci- tion on each side of the head There are two main lines of ful and sensible theories that gives it a resemblance to a thought about the function of about its function as the flattened hammer with the eyes this peculiar feature. One ad- and nostrils of the shark being vocates that it improves sensory weirdly shaped head positioned at the tips of the ex- perception, the other that is that characterises the tensions. The persistence of this provides the shark with hydro- hammerhead shark. unique head shape, which has dynamic advantages such as been termed the cephalofoil in extra lift or maneuverability. Recent experimental recognition of its wing-like ap-

Supersenses nostrils for better tracking of Hammerheads can hear Hammerheads are aggres- odours and more precise sive predators but have detection of the electric sounds in the entire range disproportionately small currents generated by we can. But their specialty mouths and seem to do a potential prey. Sharks are is low frequency vibra- lot of bottom-hunting for equipped electrically sensi- fish, rays, cephalopods, tive organs on their heads tions like those made by and crustaceans. A favorite known as ampullae of a wounded fish. A ham- meal of the hammerheads Lorenzine. These ampullae, is the stingray. which appear as hundreds merhead’s ear also contains The sensory hypotheses of minute dark pores in the canals used for balance focus on the advantages skin, enable the animal to of widely spaced eyes for detect the minute electri- and motion detection. enhanced binocular vision, cal fields produced by

Hammerhead sharks are found in warmer waters the western Pacific and Indian oceans, looks like the along coastlines and continental shelves. They can letter T when viewed from above, its head nearly half also be spotted in the Gulf of Mexico along the as wide as the body is long. The bonnethead shark Western coast of Florida. They are often caught by (Sphyrna tiburo), common throughout the Western fisherman. However, they are released back into the Hemisphere’s warm waters, has a relatively modest wild, as they are protected species. They are also foil, less than five inches across. A phylogenetic tree known to form schools during the day, sometimes in based on comparisons of DNA from different species groups of over 100. In the evening, like other sharks, indicates that the cephalofoil is shrinking (evolutionar- they become solitary hunters. ily speaking); the wingspans of more ancient ham- Hammerheads come in many widths and shapes. merhead species are much larger than those of more The winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii), which lives in recent additions to the family. ■

50 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Schools ecology Unlike any other sharks, hammerheads form schools. These schools can contain hundreds of individuals, with the largest known schools con- taining as many as 500. The reason why hammer- heads school and other sharks do not is unknown. Hammerheads only school during the day. They break up at night to do their feeding. Because neko the schools contain mainly small to medium sized S u hammerheads, it is believed that they school to reduce the risk of predation from larger sharks. It is also believed that an order of dominance exists in the schools based on age, size and sex.

Communication Scientists know of nine different communications in hammerhead sharks. One such communica- tion is when a large female hammerhead in the center of a school shakes her head violently back and forth. This motion sends out pulses in the water that smaller females respond to by swimming to the outside of the school. Scientists believe large females do this for mating. When the smaller females are forced to the outer edges of the school, the large female becomes the center of attention for males.

muscles in prey that have perhaps periments to simultaneously test turn more quickly and make burrowed under the sand of the de- the sensory and hydrodynamic sharp turns more often than reef seabed. tect an where significance of the cephalofoil. In sharks do. The hammerheads Hammerheads can sweep for electrical sig- the lat- large, screened-in pens, Kajiura also sensed the electric field 50 prey more effectively. By distrib- nal of half a billionth est generation of compared the ability of scalloped percent farther away than could uting the receptors over a wider of a volt. The sharks can even hyper manoeuvrable fighter hammerhead to sandbar sharks sandbar sharks of the same size. area—across the flat and broad discern between the two kinds of Hydrodynamics jets are equipped with small (which have blunt noses) to per- Kajiura’s experiments also docu- heads—the search area for this electric fields: the DC field that The hydrodynamic hypotheses wings, canards, at the front. ceive an electric field and vide- mented that the hammerheads electrosensory capability is maxi- results from the osmotic potential about the cephalofoil (‘head- However, it was found that it otaped them as they interacted do not roll their heads to turn, mized thereby increasing the op- between the prey’s body tissue wing’) is based on the observa- was the special design of its verte- with simulated prey made up of negating the possibility that the portunity to detect food sources. and seawater, and the AC fields tion that hammerheads are able brae that enabled it to make the pairs of electrodes set in a large, cephalofoil acts as a steering The resemblance of the cepha- generated by the contraction of to make exceptionally fast turns sharp turns rather than its head. clear acrylic sheet. wing and ruling out essential parts lofoil to a metal detector springs the prey’s muscles. when pursuing prey or fleeing from But as a wing, the hammer could When Kajiura activated one of of the hydrodynamic hypothesis. to mind. To maintain a compa- The hammer-shaped head also danger. The idea is that when a also provide lift, and hammer- the electrode pairs, the hungry Through analysis of video foot- rable spatial resolution of small, gives these sharks larger nasal hammerhead changes direction, heads are one of the most nega- young sharks immediately turned age of the sharks swimming prey-generated electric fields tracts, increasing the chance of it can tilts its big winglike head, tively buoyant of sharks. toward it, swam rapidly around straight and turning, it was appar- there is a corresponding increase finding a particle in the water by which is far forward of its center of it, and bit the acrylic surface. His ent that the sharks stayed per- in the number of electrosensory at least ten times the ability of gravity, and so exert a huge turn- Experiments observations confirmed the con- fectly level, as if they were turning pores over the wider head area. other ‘classical’ sharks. ing force on the body. The same Stephen M. Kajiura from UCLA ventional wisdom among shark on rails. In retrospect, that finding These sharks have been able to concept is know from aeronautics designed an elegant set of ex- watchers: that hammerheads is not surprising.

51 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The European Typhoon fighter is equipped with canard wings in ecology the front to improve maneuverability

Area of head + area of pectoral fins = constant?

It has been noted that the spe- cies with larger heads have smaller pectoral fins, while those with small heads in rela- tion to body size have bigger pectoral fins.

Hammerheads are During a turn, a shark tries to in hydrodynamics. The maintain an electrical picture width and winglike shape notably one of the only of the prey. If the shark tilted its of the cephalofoil help creatures in the animal head, its reception of the electric stabilize the body as the shark kingdom to acquire signal on one side would sharply turns, twisting the head in the op- decline. By holding its head posite direction from the torque a tan from prolonged steady, the shark can more effec- generated by shark’s beating tail. exposure to sunlight, a tively keep its senses focused on As the shark turns, the outside the object of its desires—whether wing of its head travels faster than feature shared by pigs that’s a nutritious fish buried in the the inside wing. Because the lift of and humans. Tanning sand or an inedible electrode. a wing is proportional to its speed, The findings demonstrate that the outside wing also develops occurs when a ham- while hammerhead sharks are more lift than the inside wing. That merhead is in shallow more flexible than carcharhinids— lift tends to roll the shark, so that its posite effects could cancel each hammerheads use their greater though they obviously have show a greater propensity for belly is oriented toward the out- other out, leading to increased flexibility to power through the biological relevance too. waters or close to the executing sharp turns, and main- side of the turn. stability in the turn. The net result is turn. A finer scale study of the flow surface for long periods. tain a higher speed through the The upper lobe of the shark’s that even though hammerheads However, the results do not regimes around the shark’s plan- turn—this flexibility seems due to tail, however, is larger than the do turn heads, they do not turn present a complete picture of bio- ning surfaces has the potential to the cross sectional shape of their lower lobe. Thus, as the tail beats with their heads. logically relevant maneuverability. unravel the specific morphologi- vertebrae. harder to one side (to effect the The two hammerhead species For example, stopping ability, and cal features that are vital for agile turn), the first dorsal fin feels the examined exhibited different strat- carrying velocity through a turn swimming. ■ Another explanation more powerful push of the upper egies for high-speed turns: bon- are also mobility related param- But perhaps the head still has a lobe and so tends to roll towards nethead sharks use their pectoral eters that were not assessed in role, although a different one, the outside as well. The two op- fins to steer, whereas scalloped Stephen M. Kajiura examinations,

52 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED whale tales Look who’s talking now: For oil and gas, Britain flouts own humpback calves? advisors’ warnings on whale extinction New research has shown that the calves of humpback whales make sounds. In a study A three-year cover-up by British gov- has already been done as the drill- marine mammals with only 120 individ- conducted by the nonprofit group, Cetos ernment involving oil and gas drilling ing project to exploit “world-class oil uals estimated to exist. The only known Research Organization, in waters off Hawaii, and the risk of grey whale extinc- and gas province” off the island is feeding ground for western grey scientists have for the first time identified tion has been revealed. The gov- nearing completion. Sakhalin Energy whales is located in the waters off Edited by the source of the grunts and squeals emit- ernment fought to suppress Sakhalin Island. Researchers Peter & Gunild Symes ted from pods, which has eluded research- deeply embarrassing docu- say the death of only one ers prior to this investigation. According to ments, which show that the of the breeding females per Beaked Whales Listen the study, the sounds come from the young British government’s powerful year for the next three years With Their Throats humpbacks-- both male and female-- calling export credits and guarantees would be enough to lead to to their mothers. The sounds may be expres- department (ECGD)agreed the species’ extinction. A new pathway for sound entering the sions of curiosity or warnings of potential dan- to bankroll controversial drill- WWF and The Corner head and ears in beaked whales has ger. ■ SourCe: ASSoCiated PreSS ing for oil and gas off Sakhalin House environmental organi- been found by researchers from San Island in the far east of zation took the ECGD’s deci- Diego State University and the University Russia, disregarding warnings sion to judicial review which of California. It was previously thought Whale Deaths May Be Linked to from its own advisors under led to the withdrawal of the that noise vibrations travelled up the thin Exposure to Intense Underwater Sound the Foreign Office and the Sakhalin Energy Investment bony walls of the lower jaws of toothed Department for Environment, Company request for back- whales and onto a body of fat near the More and more evidence collected by the Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ing. ear complex. But this research shows NOAA Fisheries Service suggests that stranding of the “potentially devastating USFG Phil Michaels, legal direc- that this is not the case, that the noise and death of certain marine mammals may be effects” on the few remaining tor for Friends of the Earth, vibrations actually enter through the linked to exposure to intense underwater sound in western grey whales left in the world. Investment Company, in which Shell told the Independent, “It is shameful throat and travel along a fatty channel particular settings. Two types of beaked whales, Thanks to the Freedom of has a major share, benefited from the ECGD should even consider support- to reach the bony ear complex. Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and Information Act and an inquiry led by government’s backing of the $20bn ing such a project and even more so Researchers used computer mod- the genus Mesoplodon have shown to be affect- Friends of the Earth, the documents (£10bn) project. that it should keep official warnings of els to copy the effects of underwa- ed by mid-frequency active military sonar, which were finally released after a High The grey whales are one of the the consequences secret for so long.” ter noise on this unusual whale spe- may be leading to the strandings of individuals Court ruling. However, the damage most critically endangered species of ■ SourCe: IndePendent.Co.uk cies. Improvements in Finite Element from these groups. However, there is insufficient Modelling (FEM), Computed tomog- information available to pin-point whether other raphy (CT) scan- species are at risk and wheth- the meat. Some believed the state- Commission (IWC). Icelandic scientists ning, and computer er other signals pose similar Icelandic Whale Hunt ment meant an end to the Icelandic say a quota of 100 is a “sustainable” processing have risks as those emitted during hunt, but those in minke whaling number to catch. However, the fin made the simula- active sonar exercises. Imminent industry said that there is a demand whales are listed as Endangered. tion of environment, A current multi-phase field This summer, Iceland is likely to for the meat citing the fact that they Despite this fact, an Icelandic sonar and its effects research project is conducting approve the commercial hunting of sold all their meat from the last two fin whaling company, Hvalur hf, is on Cuvier’s beaked Behavioral Response Studies whales. A quota of about 100 minke years’ catch. requesting a quota of up to 150 whale anatomy pos- to assess the connection whales and a number of fin whales is There are about 175,000 minke whales, citing the fact that there sible. It is hoped that between various underwater being requested by Iceland’s whaling whales in the North are 25,000 fin whales in their hunting

the study, which of L a L aguna sounds and the strandings of industry. Officials say that this year’s Atlantic, according area. However, demand for fin whale was published in marine mammals, including hunt, which starts in May, is likely to to estimates by meat is not great domestically, so Bioinspiration and beaked whales and odon- go ahead. the International most of the 2006 catch is still sitting on Biomimetics 3, 1 in tocetes. The goal of the study Commercial whaling in Iceland Whaling ice. The company is hoping to set up March, 2008, will be is to find out what the start was resumed in 2006, but last year, an export trade to Japan. a catalyst for future of the chain of events is that authorities said that quotas ■ SourCe: BBC research that could leads to atypical mass strand- would only be issued NewS shed some light and ings of whales in order to fig- if there was a possibly end specula- of N ata CH a A guilar , U ni V er S ity ure out a safe response, which market for tion on the effects of can be used to indicate risk. ■ underwater sound on SourCe: SCienCeDaily/NOAA marine mammals. ■ CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: wiki P edia GFDL SourCe: SCienCeDaily P H oto C ourte S y Beaked, Grey and Minke whales 53 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED turtle tales Hi S tory Costa Rica Gives Rare Leatherback Turtles Protection After several years of being day and night by a group of other sea vertebrate, these turtles bogged down in the process, biologists and volunteers from the have been recorded to migrate R oyal atural N a new law has been passed by Leatherback Trust, a non-profit as far as 12,774 miles (20,558 kilom- Costa Rica’s government that organization working to save the eters) across the Pacific Ocean. mandates the confisca- planet’s largest sea turtles from Due to human threats such as tion of several proper- extinction. Gabriela Blanco, harmful fishing practices, beach ties, which are located head of the Leatherback Trust’s development and poaching, the Edited by inside the no-building monitoring station, told National sea creatures are highly endan- Peter & Gunild Symes zone on a total of 113 Geographic News: “This is the most gered. There has been a 95 per- acres (46 hectares) of land, important nesting beach for leath- cent drop in nesting leatherbacks Profauna investigates in order to increase protection of erbacks in the eastern Pacific… If since 1980, according to research- sea turtle traffiking in Sulawesi the endangered Leatherback sea we don’t protect the beach, this ers who estimate that there are less turtles that nest there. In a move population is going to disappear.” than 5,000 remaining in the Pacific An investigation by ProFauna Indonesia and 2007 from a trader in environmentalists see as a victory, Leatherback turtles can grow up Ocean today. Experts say that the WSPA (the World Society for the Protection of Bali. It was suspected the government plans to pay com- to 6.5 feet (two meters) in length overall number of turtles nesting at Animals) showed that around 1,115 green turtles that they had been smuggled pensation of about US$ 500 million and weigh up to 2,000 pounds Playa Grande is also down dramat- (Chelonia mydas) are poached each year in from South East Sulawesi. to landowners, most of whom are (900 kilograms). With the most wide ically from the 1980s. “There used South East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Most of them are Six out of seven sea turtle species in the world Europeans and U.S. citizens, includ- ranging area of habitation of all to be more than a thousand turtles caught in the Wakatobi National Park areas and are indigenous to Indonesian waters and have ing some who resisted the decision. sea turtles, Leatherbacks are found on the beach every night, but now smuggled to Bali where there is a high demand been protected by Indonesian wildlife law since The Costa Rican beach in ques- in the Mediterranean Sea and we see at most four to five turtles for turtle meat. Other poaching areas include 1990. These turtles include the green sea turtle tion is a 2-mile stretch (3.2km) of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian [a] night,” Blanco said. ■ the Moramo, Ereke, and Tikep regions. (Chelonia mydas), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmo- sand at Playa Grande, guarded Oceans. Travelling farther than any SOURCE: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS ProFauna’s Sea Turtle Campaign Coordinator, chelys imbricata), the olive ridley (Lepidochelys I Wayan Wiradnyana, stated in a press release olivacea), the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta that despite a drastic reduction in the sea turtle caretta), the leatherback turtle (Dermoche- trade in South East Sulawesi since 2006, park lys coriacea), and the flatback turtle Natator( Fiji satellite tags its first sea turtle rangers and police must maintain vigilance as depressus). Offenders are sentenced to a maxi- the smuggling still continues enroute to Bali. mum five-year prison term and a maximum fine For more than two years, Fiji have fallen—21 Twelve green sea turtles were seized by police in of 100 million Rupiah. ■ SourCe: Profauna.org researchers have been attempting nests were to satellite tag a sea turtle. Why? recorded on It is the primary method of finding Makagai island SOS Seaturtles to focus out migration patterns of sea turtles in 1987 and only 5 on Wakatobi around the vast open waters and recorded in 2007. multiple island groups of the Pacific. But in January, the This year, the conservation activist During a final attempt to tag a turtle National Trust and WWF organization, SOS Seaturtles, will during the past nesting season, a research team got lucky. Jone focus on the illegal hunting of sea sea turtle was finally tagged. It was The scientists spotted a Niukula, a member of the turtles in Wakatobi National Park a first for Fiji. nesting hawksbill turtle research team. “Reasons for this and Marine Reserve on Sulawesi, Several road blocks faced (Eretmochelys imbricata) difficulty include low numbers of tur- Indonesia. According to SOS researchers in their quest to tag a on a barren beach known tles returning to nest perhaps due to Seaturtles’ founder, Kurt Amsler, turtle including lack of funding to locally as Talice, northeast of the low numbers of hatchlings that the marine park is considered a reach isolated islands thought to Yadua Taba Island. The commu- mature to an age where they’re “diving paradise” by many divers support the remaining individuals of nity of Yadua has collaborated with capable of reproducing. This could around the world. It has been the once numerous Fiji turtle popu- The National Trust of Fiji (NTF), The be due to many reasons including reported that more than 600 tur- lation. In Fiji, there is no one large Secretariat of the Pacific Regional domestic consumption of turtles tles have been poached there known nesting beach, unlike that Environment Programme (SPREP), and eggs, loss of feeding and nest- last year and shipped to Bali. SOS of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea the National Ocean & Atmospheric ing grounds or being accidentally na S a Seaturtles’ actions will concern and the Solomon Islands. Nesting Administration (NOAA) and WWF caught in fisheries gear. So when the the tour operators. Letters of pro- Location of Sulawesi on map of Indonesia and southeast Asia incidences have been minimal over the past years to protect team saw Marama ni Yadua (the test will be collected and sent to in recent years on various islands endangered sea turtles. sea turtle’s name), we quickly react- Indonesian officials, and a boycott of the des- force the existing laws in this region. For more through the Fijian Archipelago. In “It has become increasingly diffi- ed to ensure that we could satellite tination will be promoted until the police rein- information, see: www.sos-seaturtles.ch ■ the past 20 years, nesting tallies cult to find nesting turtles in Fiji”, said tag a turtle out of Fiji.” ■ SourCe: wwf

54 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & videography

Edited by Kurt Amsler & Peter Symes

Text and photos by Kurt Amsler Translation by Arnold Weisz WorkflWorkflowThe perfect Without a proper workflow when do- For those who think that the term, ”work- correctly, can you bring out the best from boats and tent camps. Therefore, it is of ing digital photographing, the quality flow”, just arrived with digital photogra- your images. outmost importance that a proper work- of your images won’t improve. When phy, I have to say you’re wrong. Workflow After you have captured the pictures, flow already kicks in here, even without a was just as important before digital imag- you need to store them securely—the reliable energy source available—starting all the elements of your photography ing caught on—when film and develop- sooner, the better. The underwater pho- with your choice of memory card. come together, then you can get the ing photographs on paper were the in tographer seldom works in a practical stu- It doesn’t matter what format you are best out of your work. I’ll explain how! thing. Only when all the different proc- dio environment, but usually under much working in (JPEG, Tiff or RAW), or which esses of photography come together more extreme conditions, such as dive resolution you are using. The storage de-

55 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED TIPS:

Workflow Always get a memory card with plenty of storage space. Just remember that not all cameras can use memory vice or memory card should be able to hold at cards which are larger than 1 GB. Read the camera silver least 200 images. This is sufficient for up to three manual before you purchase cards. dives per day. Thus, you can avoid opening your camera housing to change the memory Using a large card not only allow card on a sandy beach or on a rolling boat you to store a large quantity of deck. At the end of the day, you have ample images, but also make multiple time to transfer your images from the camera dives without having to open the memory card over to your computer or other housing. Where ever you are, on storage devices. a boat or on a beach, opening the camera housing is always Data storage connected to some risk. The next stage in the workflow is the storage of data. We have many options to store our imag- The short shutter lag your camera utilizes is of no use if es. Laptops, CD burners or portable harddrives, your memory card isn’t fast enough. Hence, look for high or so-called portable storage devices. The best speed cards. But these kind of pricey cards only make choice would be a portable storage device, sense if you have a high quality camera. either powered by a charger or by bat- Always keep a back-up of your teries. If you have images, either on a memory a portable storage card or on a harddrive. device that can hold 80 Gigabytes, you can Make sure that all data from the store images from one cards are stored elsewhere be- week of diving without fore you format the card. any problem. Some portable storage de- Always carry at least one of your vice models, like the storage devices in your hand Coolwalker MSV-01 luggage. X-Ray machines at from Nikon (about 360 airports, however old they are, Euro for 30 GB) or the don’t affect digital images. Epson P 2000 (about cinema of dreams 430 Euro for 40 GB) Always keep your computer also have displays, which allow you to see the monitors calibrated, as they change over time. The older images and to process them. your screen, the more often you need to calibrate. Additionally, you should carry back-up mem- ory cards. You can keep all the originals and Calibrate your screen in a room with dimmed lights, so change to fresh cards whenever one is full, or that other light sources don’t cause false optical interfer- you could go for the more expensive option, a ence. laptop. With a computer you can also view your images and start editing them. With a CD burner All image processing with a computer except the RAW- at hand, you can also give away some nice format, makes you loose quality. It is always better to get memories to your diving buddies. the right light and colours when you take the shot, in- stead of stressing the image by computer processing. Digital workflow The digital workflow is actually nothing else than Every time you save a jpeg image, the image deterio- keeping your images safe and to retain the rates. Always save the original image as a TIFF, and you colour fidelity—even if you have to transfer the can save as many copies asyou want without diminishing www.seacam.com images from one device to another, or from one the image. kind of software to another. Only when the col- orspace corresponds, will your images appear in As the camera, all your other hardware (computer and with the natural colours. monitor) should be of equal quality. ■

56 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & video

Calibration unit. There are now some quite afforda- ble models around

It shouldn’t matter if your image Calibration is published as a photoprint or on a An another important part of your magazine spread. On simpler com- workflow is the screen, where you pact digital cameras, colorspace view your images. Most screens are is already pre-adjusted. On high- well calibrated and show the real quality cameras, you can adjust the colours. But if you want to process colorspace manually. images you need to calibrate your The RGB colorspace is a limited screen. colour matrix and ideal for web im- Software like Photoshop and Pho- ages and for the html standard. For toshop Elements from Adobe con- anything else, you need a complete tains a “Gamma” program that let’s colour matrix, because you always you calibrate your screen. Even bet- have to process the images in a ter and more accurate is a colour RGB/Adobe colour profile, which is management device like Eye One optimized for printing. from Gretag Mcbeth. You need to be careful when As the colour profile on com- working in picture editing systems puter screens regularely change, as some systems just add a preset you should calibrate your screen colour profile to your images, if you monthly. The expense for a good don’t manually choose the correct functional, secure and colour proof one. To avoid this, have a look at workflow, can seem a bit lavish. On the preset profiles, and if possible, the other hand, getting the best out choose the same profile which is in- of your images always pays off. tegrated into the camera. The same For more information, please visit: goes for printing. www.photosub.com ■

57 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Universal housing Sealux’ universal lightweight photo & housing with a large (3.6”) inte- grated high-resolution 16:9 col- video our monitor is depth rated to 90 m. The overall dimensions have been minimized but will fit all Canon camcord- ers equipped with a LANC- socket or IR for remote control. Camera dimen- sions must not exceed 190 x 132 x 116mm. (l x w x h). Up to ten func- tions can be oper- ated via the handle. www.sealux.de

Aquatica proudly presents… Aquatica latest addition is the housing for the 21.1 megapixel Canon 1DS mark III. Machined from solid aluminum, treated and anodized to military specification, then painted with a robust weather and wear resistant finish, this housing is depth rated at 90m (300 ft). The Aquatica 1DS Mk III uses a viewfinder that derives the biggest and the brightest image possible in full frame viewing to your eye. An accessory Aqua View Finder is also available giving the user unparallel viewing of the camera’s viewfinder for sharp focusing and exact composition. Positive bayonet mount- ing and locking leaves no doubt that your ports are secure in place and water tight. The bayonet system dome, macro ports and extension rings, offers the fastest access to lenses for rapid changing without having to remove the SLR from the hous- ing. Allows use of lenses from a 15mm fisheye lens to a 180mm macro lens. Tele-converter port extensions are also available. More on www.,aquastica.ca Adobe has released Camera Ikelite housing for Sony Raw 4.4.1 and Lightroom 1.4.1, Video Cameras having corrected the faults with the previously withdrawn Molded of clear polycarbonate to provide updates. The revised updates, seamless construction and corrosion proof as well as fixing a selection of performance. This “Clearly Superior” design bugs, bring support for the lat- provides full view of the camcorder, control est DSLRs from Canon, Sony, functions, and back “O” ring seal for assur- Pentax and Nikon, along ance the system is safe. Maximum operat- with the FujiFilm S100fs and ing depth is 200 feet (60 m). The camera’s Olympus SP-570 UZ. LCD monitor can be viewed from the rear of the housing using the External Mirror featured on the side of the housing. The Aquatica has announced that housing includes Image Reversing Circuitry. the Nikon D60 camera also fits The circuitry “flips” the image in the cam- perfectly into the Aquatica era’s LCD so that its reflection in the mirror D40x housing. Aquatica is not appears correct left-to-right.* The External sure at this time if the hous- Mirror is hinged to fold against the housing ing will retain its original name side for travel. www.ikelite.com or be renamed to reflect this new compatibility.

58 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Apple Releases Aperture 2.1 with photo & Powerful Image Editing Plug-In video Architecture United Kingdom Available as a free software update, Aperture 2.1, Ocean Optics and introduces an open plug-in architecture allowing photographers to use specialized third party imag- Mavericks Diving Move to ing software right from within Aperture. Over the Action Underwater Studios in Essex coming months, third party software developers will deliver image editing plug-ins for localized edit- The move will provide the underwater photogra- ing, filters and effects, noise analysis and reduction, fisheye lens cor- BS Kinetics rection and more. By clicking on one or more images within Aper- Releases New phy and diving specialists with access to Action ture, users can choose from a menu of installed plug-ins and apply Underwater Studios unique filming tank. The 10 x specialized imaging operations to either TIFF or RAW images. Apple Universal Housing 12 metre tank is six metres deep. is working closely with key developers to bring the most requested BS Kinetics has released their new plug-ins to Aperture such as Nik Software’s Viveza, PictureCode’s Negev universal housing, which is com- According to Steve Noise Ninja, Digital Film Tools’ Power Stroke and The Tiffen Compa- patible with a variety of different camcorders including the Sony TRV Warren, owner of ny’s Dfx. www.apple.com/aperture 890, 900, 950 and PD 100. The lightweight carbon fibre construction Ocean Optics and can withstand depths up to 80m, while a large 3.5” LCD monitor pro- Mavericks Diving: vides optimal viewing on the display. All primary camera functions “Sharing Action can be accessed and additional ones can be custom installed. Underwater Studios The housing is available immediately with standard or changeport facilities means that we options. Prices start at 1.760,00 €. www.bskinetics.com can provide our underwater photography equipment clients with a basic in-water camera familiarisation session at the time of purchase. We’re also consulting with underwater photogra- phy guru, Martin Edge, on constructing a dedicated underwa- ter set to meet the needs of wide angle and other specialised Subals 45º viewfinder underwater photography courses. Ocean Visions has already The new WS45 Finder affords a comfortable signed up to run underwater photography courses at the view of the camera viewfinder tank.” at 45 viewing angle. As Ocean Optics - Mavericks Diving also teaches NAUI scuba the GS180 viewfinder courses and BTSI (Buoyancy System Training Inc) precision the WS45 features buoyancy clinics. “Our NAUI instructors use radiophones that Kodak Professional an enlargement allow them to coach students by voice under the water. For Image Enhancement Sanyo Cab factor of 150%, teaching complex skills, like underwater photography or buoy- Sanyo has unveiled the with the visible finder ancy control, being able to talk to the student is highly effec- Plug-Ins newest addition to its Xacti area enlarged to tive and makes time in the tank far more productive. We think Kodak has launched new ver- underwater digital camera 2 ½ times of we may be the only UK dive school that offers this service,” sions of its professional image line with the CA8. The cam- the origi- explains Steve. retouching plug-ins range era is rated for underwater nal. WS45 Steve and Mark will also be hosting regular tank sessions for compatible with the lat- use at a maximum depth pivots qualified divers to jump in and keep their skills up to date. A est software. V2.1 of the of nearly five feet and one through two-hour session including air, tank and weights is GB£35.00. ROC Pro, SHO Pro, GEM hour safely and will shoot 360°, with A Simulaid mannequin is available for practicing rescue skills Pro and GEM Airbrush Pro 60fps MPEG-4 video at stops every including lifts and in-water resuscitation. Other equipment div- plug-ins are compatible 640x480-pixel resolution or 90°. The 45° er’s can try include commercial band masks and, of course, a with Windows Vista, Intel- 3264x2448-pixel photos viewing angle selection of Inon lenses and strobes for compact underwater based Macs and Adobe via its 8-megapixel CMOS offers distinct cameras. Photoshop CS3. Trial ver- sensor. Sanyo’s pixel- advantages when tak- Action Underwater Studios, located at Archers Fields, sions are available from interpolation technology ing close-up pictures close to the Basildon, is equipped with classrooms, individual changing the company’s website, allows bumping up the sea floor or when shooting above/below type rooms with showers, and free car parking. The studio is associ- with discounts available photos to an equivalent situations with semi immersed camera housing. ated with the filming of the “Star Wars”, “Bourne”, “Bond” and to customers buying 12 megapixel. Top quality optical elements assure a bright and “Harry Potter” blockbusters. ■ more than one plug-in. www.sanyo.com brilliant finder image. www.subal.com

59 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Re-engineered jellyfish gene aids jelly nnews screening for HIV drugs Drug screening technology, which utilizes a re-engineered jel- lyfish gene, has been patented. edited by Peter & Gunild Symes The technology developed by Geneart—a company that pro- vides solutions for DNA engineer- ing and processing in the field of First Animal on Earth improved medicine and biotech- nology—could help in discovering new types of antiviral drugs for Was a Jellyfish HIV and other viruses. Similar to the fluorescent prop- A new find shows that Earth’s first Dunn of Brown University in Rhode erties of jellyfish, the cell-based animal was the ocean-drifting Island told LiveScience: “This was assay produces a fluorescent comb jelly, not the simple sponge, a complete shocker… so shock- product when it copies the HIV according to a new study that ing that we initially thought some- virus’s behaviour successfully. has rocked the scientific commu- thing had gone very wrong.” It means that researchers can nity that had not suspected that However, rechecking several now identify new antiviral drugs, the earliest creature could be so times brought the same results— which, for the first time, would tar- complex. the comb jelly. Results of the study get pathways transferring genetic Through the study of fossils and were published in the April 10 material, a key process of the related animals today, data on issue of the journal Nature. virus’ infection of a human white the planet’s first animal can only Comb jellies have a nervous Inspired by nature—the bionic Jellyfish is here blood cell. be inferred. How the discovery system and connective tissues, Re-engineered was made involved the analysis and so are more complex than Welcome the AquaJelly and the with air. environments is controlled. a gene from of huge volumes of genetic data sponges, which do not. However Air Jelly with their structure and Consisting of a translucent In contrast to AquaJelly, which the jellyfish in order to identify the earliest they are not true jellyfish even kinematics based on their bio- hemisphere and eight tentacles swims through water, AirJelly normally splits at the bottom of the ani- though they are squishy and logical model, the unassuming used for propulsion, AquaJelly glides through the air. Kept in the responsi- mal tree of life, a hierarchy of have tentacles. True jellyfish have jellyfish. Taking inspiration from has a watertight center that is air by its helium-filled ballonet, ble for a evolutionary relationships among a classic bell-shaped body and nature and its inherent aesthetic a laser-sintered pressure vessel the remote-controlled AquaJelly fluorescent species. The comb jelly was the characteristic stinging cells, which beauty, these new projects from comprised of a central, electric transports itself with the aid of green protein, first animal to split off on their the comb jelly does not. the Bionic Learning Network of drive, two lithium-ion-polymer its central electric drive and an caused it to transfer own evolutionary path from the According to researchers, there Festo—a leading global manu- batteries, a charge control intelligent, adaptive mechani- its information through base of this hierarchy. are two evolutionary scenarios facturer of pneumatic and elec- device and swashplate of servo cal system driven by AirJelly’s pathways similar to those Contrary to previous that can explain why the comb tromechanical systems, compo- motors. only energy source—two lithium- used by the HIV virus. The cell thought, it was not jellies would be first among nents and controls for industrial A construction design derived ion-polymer batteries—to which lights up once the information the less complex animals. Firstly, after branch- automation—utilize cutting-edge from the functional anatomy of the central electric drive is encoded in the gene’s mRNA is sponge. ing off, the comb jelly evolved technologies. a fish fin called Fin Ray Effect® attached. transferred to the cytoplasm and Study team its complexity independent of A man-made autonomous jelly makes up the structure of each The AirJelly is the first indoor triggers the production of the fluo- member Casey other creatures, and secondly, fish, AquaJelly has an electric tentacle. Just like real jellyfish, flying object that utilizes a peri- rescent green protein. the sponge developed its sim- drive and an intelligent, adap- the AquaJelly moves with the staltic propulsion system and the It is hoped that drugs that pler form from the more complex tive mechanical system. Fully aid of wave-like contractions reaction thrust principle, which target this export mechanism form. This latter scenario under- automatic control is possible created by a peristaltic propul- has never before been used may prevent the HIV virus from Detail of scores the fact that “evolution with the aid of mechatronics, sion system based on the reac- in aviation history to drive an copying itself within the body comb jelly is not necessarily just a march Festo’s YoYo product, which also tion thrust principle. By shifting object like a balloon. ■ and leave untouched the human from the 27th plate in Ernst towards increased complex- demonstrates the company’s its weight, the motion of the SourCe: FESTO.Com pathways in healthy cells. ■ Haeckel’s Kunstformen der ity,” said Dunn. ■ SourCe: liVeS- core competency—automation AquaJelly in three-dimensional SourCe: labteCHnologiSt.Com Natur (1904), depicting organ- CienCe isms classified as Ctenophorae

60 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED mermaid matters Dive Diva Skin Care Edited by Gunild Symes Debugging the Sunscreen Factor Text by Cindy Ross ALL ProduCt PHotoS CourteSy GirlDiver.com of tHe manufaCturerS

skin peeling, blistered and sore. I learned, Cool facts about sun rays: SPF (Sunscreen Protection Factor) is sup- So, if you don’t burn easily, can you go Diving into Skin… early on, that sunscreen would stop They are there…even when the sun isn’t. posed to tell you how long you can stay with a lower SPF? the burning, but how I longed for the On cloudy or hazy days, the rays are still in the sun before getting burned. If you Sun Protection healthy, tanned skin of my peers. As I’ve present and damaging. can normally stay in the sun for 15 min- Not necessarily. The effectiveness of SPF gotten older, the tanned skin of my peers They can bounce. Surfaces like water, utes before turning pink, an SPF 15 will goes up relatively. An SPF 2 blocks about Revisited is beginning to look leathery, and I have allow you to stay in the sun for 3 ½ hours 50 percent of the UVB rays, an SPF15 cement and grass reflect the rays from learned that the tanned look is not really the ground, so you can get a double without burning. The formula is 15 (min- blocks 95 percent and an SPF 30 blocks Just like GirlDivers don’t go a “healthy” look. whammy of sun exposure. A layer of utes) x 15 (SPF). about 97 percent, An SPF higher than under the waves without our “life There is NO SUCH THING as a safe tan, water on a diver’s face will magnify the 30 only gives you more time in the sun support system”, we shouldn’t whether from the sun or the latest tech- exposure. Unfortunately, the SPF only applies to UVB without burning, but does not effectively nological breakthrough in “safe” tanning rays. Not UVA. Some sunscreens don’t block any additional UVB rays. So, at go under the rays without a “life booths. UVA and UVB rays both have Enter the sunscreens. even offer UVA protection. And, remem- best, you’re going to let approximately 3 support system”. Yes, ladies harmful effects on your skin. So, what’s SPF? UVA/UVB coverage? Waterproof ber, UVA is the skin cancer ray. percent of the radiation penetrate your (and gentlemen), we’re talking the difference between the two? sunscreen? Let’s debug some of these about sun protection. And while mysteries. UVA: These are the silent killers. You can’t for 79 percent of skin cancer deaths. sometimes this topic seems over feel them, but they can penetrate clear Skin Cancer Facts: played, hopefully this article glass that doesn’t have a UV block. UVA Wow #5: While men are twice as likely will share new information and rays cause 80 percent of the damage The WOW’S of Skin Cancer to develop skin cancer, women are from the sun. Even low exposure to UVA remind you of the need for ade- more likely than men to develop malig- destroys your skin’s support structure Wow #1: Skin cancer: the most com- nant melanoma. The most common quate skin care under causing sagging, wrinkling, DNA damage monly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. place for women to get melanoma is the sun. and ultimately skin cancer. and Australia, and second in the U.K. on the legs. If detected early, skin cancer has a 90 Growing up as a fair skinned UVB: These are the burning rays. Within percent cure rate. Wow #6: Early detection works. In Stage red head with a passion the first 60 seconds of walking outside, 1 Melanoma, there is a 99 percent five for the water, I was damage from UVB rays begins. The Wow #2: More than 90 percent of skin year survival rate, whereas Stage 3 exposed to many a impact is immediate and harmful. These cancer is caused by sun exposure. Melanoma has only a 15 percent five nasty burn, leaving my also attribute to skin cancers. year survival rate. Wow #3: The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 65,161 peo- THE ABCD’s for early detection ple per year worldwide die from too of Melanoma. Be on alert for: much sun, mostly from malignant skin A – Asymmetry: one half of a mole or Caribbean Solutions formulator cancer. birthmark does not match the other. and Florida biochemist, Celia B – Border: the edges of area are irreg- Ferreira, PhD., says, “We don’t Wow #4: There are two types of skin ular, notched or blurred. need to choose between pro- Dr Lani Simpson of Berkeley, California, has cancer: Malignant melanoma and C– Color: the area Is not even in color tecting our skin and protect- developed a coral reef safe line of skin and non-melanoma (usually basal cell or but has differing patches of brown and ing coral reefs... In my experi- suncare products called, ECOLANI, which is squamous cell cancers). Melanoma is black, sometime white, blue or red. ence, sun products without chemical free, hypo-allergenic, non-come- petroleum derivatives actually less common (accounting for 4 percent D – Diameter: the diameter is larger dogenic and ecologically friendly. ECOLANI’s of all skin cancer cases) but accounts than 6 mm or growing larger. ■ protect the skin better.” ingredients are 100 percent natural and plant based

61 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED mermaid matters

skin, which explains why you still Since there is no such thing as a Editor’s note: some sunscreens might get some color despite lath- truly “waterproof” sunscreen, most have been found to be damaging ering sunscreen profusely on your brands are now using “water resis- to coral reefs. Please check the skin. tant” on their packaging, which label and choose with discretion. Touted as the best sunscreen means they need to be reapplied Seek biodegradable, organic, oil available, La Roche-Posay if you’ve been swimming, sweating free, petroleum derivative free and Anthelios XL Lait SPF 60, made by or diving for more than 40 minutes. PABA free products where avail- L’Oreal, adds a compound known No matter what the bottle claims, able. Or wear 50+ SPF (UVF) sun- as encamsule, or Mexoryl, to their to avoid a burn on holiday, reap- screen clothing, or rash gards, to screen. This blocks both long and ply after departing the water every minimize use of sunscreen lotions. short UVA rays for the most effec- time. Protect yourself and protect the tive coverage available. If this And for our fair skinned mer- environment. product isn’t available, look for maids, it’s smart to pack an aloe According to Environmental avobenzone, titanium oxide or zinc gel in your bags, just in case. Don’t Health Perspectives, four common oxide on the active ingredient list assume the resort you’re visiting will sunscreen ingredients—octinoxate, for UVA protection. have sunburn remedies. To ease oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene To get the best sunscreen pro- the pain of a nasty burn, keep camphor and the preservative tection, apply the lotion 30 minutes aloe refrigerated and reapply fre- butylparaben—activate viruses prior to exposure to allow active quently. that destroy an important symbi- ingredients to bond to your skin. A Choose your protection care- otic algae that provide nutrients second coat, applied 20 minutes fully, and for that bronzed skin look to coral through photosynthesis. later, gives maximum filtration of that swimsuit models everywhere Without this algae, corals bleach the suns rays. Sunscreen doesn’t have, you may want to look at self and die. SourCe: enVironmental work- block the rays, rather it acts as a tanners. After all, being taken out ing grouP (ewg) ■ filter, diffusing and scattering the of the underwater world to soothe light rays to reduce exposure and a serious burn on your dive holi- damage. day…well, it just isn’t worth it. ■

An alternative to sunscreen lotions, is sunscreen clothing, or UV protective swimwear. Check out these cool duds from Coolibar.com. Swim shirt, swim tights and swim skirt block 98% UV (UPF 50+)

Beach Buff’s website says its prod- ucts truly are reef-safe in a state- ment written by an official who is a diver. They use Titanium Dioxide, a category one sunscreen, to help block out UV rays in their high SPF product (with no whitening), Octyl Salicylate to help protect against UVB rays, Benzophenone-3 and Octyl Methoxycinnamate to help protect against UVA and UVB rays

62 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED shark tales EU has plan to save sharks A senior marine scientist has wel- the year, is designed to reverse declines in other fish stocks have comed European Commission the decline of sharks in European made sharks a more valuable proposals for a shark conservation waters. fisheries resource. Thus, shark fish- action plan. Sarah Fowler, co- “The European Union, the sec- eries have experienced rapid chairwoman of the IUCN shark spe- ond largest shark catching com- growth since the mid-1980s due cialist group, described the plan munity in the world and the largest to an increased demand for shark Edited by as great news for the creatures. exporter of frozen shark fins, should products. Between 1984 and 2004, Peter & Gunild Symes About 32 percent of shark species lead shark conservation by exam- world catches of sharks grew from that are found in the northeastern ple instead of undermining shark 600,000 to more than 810,000 Atlantic are said to be threatened protection laws in countries with tonnes. with extinction. The main threats to vulnerable ecosystems like French The UN Food and Agriculture US to end shark finning the slow-growing creatures were Polynesia. The EU should act at Organization brought forward an overfishing and being caught in inter- national plan of US fishermen now must bring their shark catches to shore with fins nets as bycatch. The EU, pri- action for the still attached. The new rule, put forward last week by the US fisheries marily Spain, is a major conservation service aims to prevent fishermen from slicing fins off vulnerable spe- exporter of shark fins and manage- cies and discarding the rest at sea. Shark finning is already illegal in to China and Hong ment of sharks, the US and elsewhere, but the ban is difficult to enforce. Right now, Kong. but the EU did not fishermen may land piles of fins separate from shark bodies, so long Species such as adopt all of the voluntary as the fins weigh less than 5 percent of the total catch. The new the angel shark and measures. The European rule, which will come into effect in time for the shark-fishing season in common skate were Commission said that it did June, is part of a plan to help badly overfished populations of sharks among the species not feel the measures adopt- recover. It will only protect sharks until 2012, when fisheries managers to be assessed as “criti- ed by member states were will re-evaluate the stocks. ■ SourCe: NewSCientiSt.Com cally endangered” by the sufficient to rebuild the deplet- IUCN Red List, which was last ed populations of sharks. Now it updated in 2007. The structure seems that the EU has changed its of the Commission’s proposal is postion on the matter. In US court battle, shark fins win great; it makes me very optimistic,” The key to the success of the EU Ms Fowler said to BCC News. action plan would be the effec- The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has decided that the seizure of It is long overdue that the EU looks once tive management of the waters, the 29,407 kg of shark fins was not legitimate because the ship was at itself when it comes to catching to stop which would be underpinned by not actually a fishing vessel. The US seizure of $618,956 worth of the sharks. the IUU fishing by the Spanish improved data. This would include fins—used in Asian soups—from the King Diamond II, an American vessels in the Pacific,” comment- improved investment in catch, bio- vessel stopped about 250 miles off the coast of Guatemala in 2002, EU is the worst offender ed Ricardo Aguilar, Director of logical and trade data. It would was deemed unlawful. According to a 2000 US law, it is illegal for a The Community Action Plan for Investigations for Oceana Europe also be necessary to be able to “fishing vessel” to possess shark fins without the Sharks, which will be presented in their press release December 5, assess threats to populations, and rest of the carcass. The Hong Kong firm, Tai Loong to the European Parliament and 2007. identify and protect critical habi- Hong, argued the boat was not a member nations at the end of The EU has recognized that tats, said Ms Fowler. ■ fishing vessel and was engaged Fishing only in trading. The Hong Kong firm had bought the shark fins vessel – from other boats at sea. or not? “A real live shark By adopting a shark you will be measures for sharks. For adopting “In the absence of any other contributing to shark research a shark, you will receive a member- indication in the statutes or the for just $ 49.99” and conservation. Information on ship package that includes your regulations, a vessel engaged the location and movements of Certificate of Shark Adoption, an in such trade has reason Fancy your own shark? tagged sharks will provide impor- Adopt-a-Shark T-shirt, post-cards, to believe that it is not tant knowledge that will assist us stickers and bumper sticker, and a subject to the possession Now you can adopt one at make recommendations for the subscription to the electronic news- prohibition as a fishing Iemanya Oceanica, a non-profit design of more effective con- letter. ■ vessel,” the court said. ■ shark conservation organization. servation efforts and protective www.adoptashark.com

63 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED CS IRO

Scientists are track- shark tales ing sharks off the Australian coast with acoustic devices.

Marine Research Vessel Ngerin, with fishing assist- Edited by ance provided by scientists Peter & Gunild Symes from the Australian Maritime College National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability. Some sharks were released at the surface while others were lowered to the seabed in large cages fitted with Shark Recaptured 11 Years After video surveillance systems to monitor their recovery. Being Tagged by Mote Marine The sharks will be tracked for the next three years by Laboratory a network of 24 acoustic lis- tening stations moored 100 A shark tagged by Mote Mississippi, about 103 nautical metres off the complex and Marine Laboratory scientists miles from the area where steep seabed. These listen- off Pensacola, Florida, spent it was originally tagged. This ing stations were deployed nearly 11 years at liberty tag return—and others like with pinpoint accuracy using before being caught last it—help scientists in Mote’s the precise positioning capa- May by a fisherman who Congressionally designated Deep-sea Sharks Get Wired bilities of the Marine National returned the tag to Mote. The Center for Shark Facility. Four listening sta- tag return marks the longest Research track tions raised for an early preview period of time between tag- the growth, Deep-sea sharks have Scientists from the CSIRO Wealth under the Environment Protection have detected a flurry of activity, ging and recapture seasonal- been tagged and tracked from Oceans National Research and Biodiversity Conservation Act receiving 5700 acoustic ‘pings’ Flagship recently fitted acous- 1999. The research applied tag- in five days from 42 of the sharks and their habitats precise- tic tags to 50 gulper sharks, ging techniques never before moving in all directions. ly mapped in world-first swellsharks and green eye dogfish tested at such depths and devel- This large scale experiment, the research to test the con- near Port Lincoln, South Australia. oped new handling practices to deepest of its kind in the world, in the servation value of areas They will track the sharks move- minimise stress caused by the tag will be important to understand 17-year Atlantic sharpnose shark ity and ments in a closed area designed and release process. The sharks the balance between main- history of migra- closed to commercial fish- to protect the gulper shark—a were caught and tagged from taining fisheries, and protecting Mote’s shark-tagging pro- tion of sharks along the ing. species which is severely deplet- the South Australian Research the marine ecosystem, says Dr gram. The male Atlantic Gulf Coast and the Florida ed over much of its range and and Development Williams, a CSIRO Wealth from sharpnose shark was tagged Keys to better understand is nominated for protection Institute (SARDI) Oceans Flagship scientist. ■ by Mote scientists while the status of wild shark popu- aboard a National Marine lations and how they Fisheries Service research might be affected cruise in the northern Gulf by human influences. of Mexico in 1996. The shark Mote has tagged more was caught again 11 years than16,000 sharks of 16 spe- later by charter boat Capt. cies in U.S. waters since 1991. Gulper shark, Kenny Bellais off Ship Island ■ Centrophorus granu- losus. From plate 3 of Oceanic Ichthyology by G. Brown Goode and Tarleton H. Bean, published 1896

64 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED What we would like to avoid. Bull shark caught in net where it drowns shark tales ingots closer than about 24 inch- es, nor attack pieces of cut bait suspended within approximately 12 inches. This study clearly shows the alloy has the poten- tial to repel sharks from pelagic longline fishing gear so they are not caught as bycatch, but the Edited by optimal size and shape of the Arnold Weisz alloy and other factors needs to Wobbegong be determined, says Richard Brill, a research scientist at NOAA’s Leaping stingray collides with Northeast Fisheries Science Center and head of the Cooperative woman—both died F iona A yer S t Marine Education and Research A US woman on a boat off the Florida (CMER) Program at the Virginia Keys has died after a 75lb (34kg) spotted Can Certain Metals Repel Sharks Institute of Marine Science. eagle ray leapt up and struck her. The This study by Brill and colleagues force of the blow knocked the woman in From Fishing Gear? is among the first to rigorously The two newly discovered species of her mid fifties over, and her head struck test the use of rare earth materi- wobbegong sharks have made their the deck of the vessel in what officials Sharks in captivity avoid metals in this case palladium neodymium, als on repelling elasmobranchs, public debut in the scientific journal, called a “bizarre incident”. that react with seawater to pro- clearly altered the swimming pat- and supports a recent study using Zootaxa. The wobbegong sharks were “It is the most freakish accident I have duce an electric field, a behavior terns of individual animals and metal alloys to repel spiny dogfish found off the south west coast of Western heard. The chances of this occurring that may help fishery biologists temporarily deterred feeding in conducted by NOAA researchers Australia. are so remote that most of us are com- develop a strategy to reduce the groups of sharks. Electric fields gen- in Oregon. pletely astonished that this happened” bycatch of sharks in longline gear. erated by electropositive alloys are Results of the sandbar shark “When I first saw the floral banded wob- said Jorge Pino of Florida Fish and Wildlife A recent study by NOAA scientists believed to deter or repel sharks by study were presented at a NOAA- begong, it looked similar to the species Conservation Commission. and colleagues on captive juvenile overloading their sensory systems. sponsored shark deterrent work- many fishers know as the cobbler wob- The ray died in the impact. Mrs Judy sandbar sharks showed the pres- Individual sandbar sharks would shop in Boston in April 2008. ■ begong (Sutorectus tentaculatus), but Kay Zagorski, from Michigan, was ence of an electropositive alloy, generally not approach the metal SourCe: NOAA National Marine FiSHerieS SerViCe on closer inspection there were some pronounced dead in hospital. The very obvious differences that help define incident occurred near the town of it as a separate species,” writes WA Marathon in southern Florida. The Department of Fisheries shark researcher spotted eagle ray resembles a Justin Chidlow in a press release. stingray and has a stinging Are sharks getting smarter? barb at the base of its The colour of the floral banded species tail. They are common Are sharks catching on to human techniques for tagging them was mainly dark brown with yellowish in warm or tropical and learning how to avoid them? That’s the theory of Steve blotches on the upper surface and white waters. ■ Kessel, an Earth and Ocean Sciences PhD student who on the underbelly, whereas the adult of . has spent the past three years working at the world- the dwarf spotted was a lighter yellowish renowned Bimini Biological Field Station, also known as brown with large white blotches on top Shark Lab, in the Bahamas. Steve is studying population and creamy coloured underneath. trends among lemon sharks and believes current research tech- Wobbegongs, which are often sold in niques may underestimate num- fish shops under the name of carpet bers, because sharks are getting wise once it bites. shark, are probably the most common to human methods of counting. Steve is using other shark species seen by divers. It’s amazing The sharks do seem to be getting smarter and techniques to tag sharks, to think that the new species has been learning our techniques. They’ve realised it’s not a including using skiffs to cor- present off that coast, but that it’s only good thing to be eating this free food anymore, says Steve ral them into shallow water now that they have been formally identi- Kessel. where they can be netted, fied as separate and been added to the Traditional methods of tagging sharks have involved and aerial surveys for abun- list of known wobbegong species. ■ putting bait on a long line, then implanting a transmitter dance counts. ■

65 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Philippines Raises Alarm Over Sea Shepherd Supports Slaughter of Thresher Sharks

Responsible Shark Diving The Philippines expressed alarm over the commercial hunting of the thresh- er shark, considered a vulnerable species worldwide. They said there had The recent death of a scuba diver who was bitten by a shark been a wholesale slaughter of the shark with the spectacular tail, consid- during an organized shark dive has sparked an intense pub- ered a delicacy in Chinese restaurants here. lic debate about the safety and ethics of diving with sharks. “We should stop this slaughter to preserve the ecological balance of Irresponsible media have falsely vilified both sharks and reputa- our priceless natural heritage,” said Environment and Natural Resources ble shark diving operations, causing irrational reactions in many. Secretary Joselito Atienza. Local marine conservationist Gerry Reyes said In response, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has joined many of the sharks were caught in the Verde Passage off the south coast Syme S forces with Shark Savers and Blue Sphere Media to deliver a of the main Philippine island of Luzon, which the government has designat-

Peter petition to the Bahamas Diving Association and the Bahamas ed a protected area. Patrols have recently seized thresher sharks caught The beach at L’Estartit, Cataluña, North Eastern Spain. The bathers Ministry of Tourism in support of diving with sharks. by local fishermen living on the northern edge of the Verde Passage. The probably being blissfully unawares that the shark population has International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which put the increased vastly Captain Paul Watson, Founder and President thresher shark on its “vulnerable” list last year, says the Verde Passage has of Sea Shepherd, has issued the following statement the highest concentration of marine life Huge increase in number on the safety of diving with sharks: in the world. ■ Thresher shark of sharks off Spanish coasts “Less than five people a year die from shark bites, yet every time a human dies because of a shark bite, the media goes Spanish scientists have reported a ten-fold increase in the on a hysterical binge of shark hatred. It’s completely irrational. number of sharks spotted off popular tourist beaches in north Approximately 100 people a year die from ostrich attacks. Dogs eastern Spain. The CRAM Foundation in Cataluña, for the bite over 50,000 people a year and kill over 100. This makes Conservation and Recovery of Marine Animals, has noted dogs and ostriches 20 times more dangerous than sharks, yet in a recent report that shark numbers are on the increase we don’t call for the eradication of big birds and puppies. On off the coast of north eastern Spain. Up to 20 sharks and ray the other hand, humans slaughter tens of millions of sharks a were recorded last year, a marked increase on previous fig- year for soup. Which species is the monster? ures, which showed only two in both 2006 and 2005, and five in 2004. It’s an unexplained phenomenon that has received “Shark Savers, a New York-based NOAA Outlines Shark attention not only in the press in Cataluña, but CRAM says grassroots conservation group, surface water temperatures have remained more or less has partnered with Sea Shepherd Conservation Measures unchanged in the past five years, and add that there is Conservation Society and Blue Sphere NOAA’s Fisheries Service has outlined new measures to prevent overfish- insufficient data to establish any relationship between these Media to rally the support of the div- ing and rebuild the number of sandbar and other shark species. The public events and certain changes in weather patterns. ■ ing community by releasing a peti- may comment on the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) until tion in favor of the right to dive with May 19. The measures in the FEIS include revised quotas and a ban on cut- More hammerheads are now sharks without cages. The coalition ting fins off before landing a shark. A final rule is expected to be published patrolling the Spanish coast developed the petition in response in June and implemented 30 days later. The number of sandbar sharks was to the media’s reaction to the recent between 20 and 38 percent of the population fatal, tragic accident in which a diver in the early 20th century before fishing began died in the Bahamas after being bit- on sharks. Recent stock assessments ten by a shark. The dive community S ea SH e P erd . org indicate that sandbar, por- was deeply saddened by the news. In Capt. Paul Watson addition, many were taken aback at bea- the news because, contrary to popular misconceptions, human gle, and

NOAA Approximately 100 people a year die from ostrich accidents involving sharks are extremely rare, especially when dusky sharks diving with them. Before the accident, no known fatalities had are severely attacks. Dogs bite over 50,000 people a year and kill occurred in the decades of commercial shark diving expedi- overfished over 100. This makes dogs and ostriches 20 times tions. The petition, housed at www.sharksavers.org provides and therefore more dangerous than sharks, yet we don’t call for conservationists, divers, photographers, filmmakers, and others drastic measures need to be taken to begin rebuild- throughout the world an opportunity to express their continued ing. It has been illegal to catch dusky sharks since the eradication of big birds and puppies. support for shark diving, responsible shark diving operations, 2000, but these sharks are taken incidentally when Sandbar shark —Capt. Paul Watson, SeaSheperd.org and the sharks themselves.” www.seasheperd.org ■ fishermen seek other species. ■

66 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED science Size and movement style comparison of an average diver and a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Edited by Michael Symes CHriS HuH

The way an animal gets around sional surface of the earth. The If we exclude relatively rare locomotive context, between terrestrial animals and in the sea and or in the air latter have evolved locomotive actions such as swinging through the those that live in water is that the density mechanisms which are suited branches of trees or jumping, terrestrial of marine creatures, about 1050 kg m-3, depends, fundamentally, on creatures basically have only one form is close to the density of their environ- the density and viscosity of its to movement dominated by of getting around, walking/running. ment i.e. sea water, which has a density milieu. Birds use the low density gravity. In the case of humans, Marine creatures, however, have sev- ranging from about 1020 to 1029 kg m-3 and viscosity of the atmosphere for example, a two-legged eral for they live in a three-dimensional (although deep in the oceans, under mode of locomotion suited to world in which they can move more high pressure, it can be 1050 kg m-3, or to fly or glide, with the range of or less at will, with their range of action more). This is definitely not the case for their movement being limited this situation has evolved. To a in this aqueous world constrained only terrestrial animals whose milieu is the air only by their endurance and certain extent, birds may seem by the upper surface of the oceans with a density of only about 1.2 kg m-3 the height to which they can to be independent of gravity and the sea bed. There may be some at ordinary temperatures and pressures. constraint imposed by pressure differ- This means that, unlike the land-based fly. This is similar to the fishes as they fly around in the air. ences between the upper water and creatures, the marine creatures can and similar marine creatures However, unlike marine crea- the depths, but within quite large limits, utilise their milieu in their different forms who can also move three- tures in their aqueous milieu, marine creatures can move around of locomotion whereas, with the excep- if they stop flying they imme- just where they like. Humans have had tion of birds and some insects, terrestrial dimensionally within their aque- to invent machines, for example aero- creatures do not utilise the atmosphere ous milieu though unlike the diately crash to the ground planes and submarines, to overcome at all to move around. terrestrial creatures which live – unless, of course, they can similar restraints imposed by their milieu. A second important difference is the on the, essentially, two dimen- glide for a little while. One of the primary differences, in this fact that, compared to air with a vis-

How marine animals get around

67 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED noaa

A Yellow-fin tuna. The tuna family Locomotion science of fish are some of the fastest crea- tures in the sea with some species clocking in at 100km per hour

cosity of about 0.02x10-3 cels out over one complete stroke of the Although little can be done to reduce Nsm-2 at 20ºC, water tail. The fish therefore moves forward by the turbulent vortex drag to zero it has the much higher viscos- a certain amount for each completed can be minimised by having a stream- ity of 1x10-3 Nsm-2, i.e. about oscillation. The distance travelled in one lined shape like that of the Tuna fish. 50 times greater. And this has cycle of undulation is called the stride Furthermore, a streamlined shape will affected the evo- lution of the length. This is a unit of motion analogous lead to a reduction in the pressure drag different modes of locomotion that to that used to characterise the motion at the nose of the fish. The friction drag are to be found among marine crea- swimming through treacle. Undulation of the legged terrestrial animals. is reduced in many fishes by means of a tures. Unlike for the terrestrial creatures, Thus, we see that the two In undulation, a contraction of the mus- The resulting forward thrust force is, slime, excreted through the skin, which size plays a great part in what mode of most important factors for the develop- cles down each side of the body in turn however, not completely available for also helps to maintain the lamina flow of locomotion has been evolved by marine ment of types of locomotion of marine causes a sinusoidal wave to pass from moving the fish forward because there water past the skin i.e. avoiding the drag creatures. For even quite small terrestrial creatures are that sea water, relative to the head to the tail. The amplitude of this are also retarding forces known as the which occurs when turbulence occurs. creatures, even those down to almost air, has both a high density and a high wave increases as it passes down along drag forces. There are (i) the pressure microbial size the viscosity of air places viscosity. the body of the fish. This provides thrust drag at the front of the fish as it swims Control no significant limitation on how theses Depending on their size and body con- forces, arising from the reaction of the through the dense water (ii) the frictional It is one thing to create movement but organisms get around. Even the tiniest struction different strategies have been push of the fish against the dense and forces at the skin in contact with the quite another to control it and make it ant or aphid, for example, does not find evolved by the different marine spe- viscous water, forcing the fish forwards. moving water (iii) the vortices formed directed and thereby useful. For a fish, the viscosity of air much impedance to cies for getting around in their aquatic behind the moving fish. control can be described in terms of the reaCtiVe their movement. This is in sharp contrast environment. Evolution has, as always, Diagram 1 forCe movement of an aeroplane. to small organisms in water whose move- ensured that these strategies are the Diagram 3 ment is greatly affected by the water vis- most effective, be it in terms of energy Vortex cosity which for humans would seem like used, manoeuvrability or speed. These drag strategies are the result of millions of PreSSure friCtion years of evolutionary selection during tHruSt by drag ViSCoSity which the more efficient swimmers will be fiSH tail This is the property of a liquid where- better at surviving. So, what has evolution by it tends to resist relative motion produced? within itself. If different layers of fluid The reactive force can be resolved into move with different velocities, viscous How fish swim (i) a forward thrust in the direction of forces arise. In SI units, it is measured As any swimmer knows, water restrains motion and (ii) a lateral force generally in Newton seconds per square meter, movement, especially if one tries to called the lift, although it actually is in the friCtion Nsm-2 or Pascal seconds, Pas. move quickly or suddenly. This is due to horizontal plane, at right-angles to the Some people still prefer to use the the viscosity of the water. Divers, espe- direction of motion. old nomenclature of poise and centi- cially, will also know that fishes can Diagram 4 poise, where one poise is equal to certainly move rapidly and abruptly in Diagram 2 lift dorSal finS 10-1 Nsm-2 spite of this; and furthermore, unlike the Some examples given in centi-poise human swimmer, they can move very at 20ºC. smoothly. Marine creatures can move around in Air 0.02 a number of ways of which swimming by lateral line Water 1.0 fishes is by far the most important. Fish forward forCe Ethanol 1.2 swim in basically two sorts of way, either PeCtoral fin Olive oil 84 by undulation of their bodies or by using gil 75% sucrose solution 2328 their fins as oars i.e. rowing. The lift force, which actually causes a CoVer slight transient lateral movement, can- Caudal anal finS PelViC fin

68 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED tom murPHy

The sailfish is consid- Jellyfish move Mother’s Day Gifts for ered the fastest fish by using jet in the sea at over propulsion science 110km per hour moms who love the Sea Roll: Give her a gift from The control of roll is carried out movement The X-RAY MAG by the dorsal and anal fins. for propulsion it is only the tail that Store, where a Direction: is involved and not percent of all sales As a boat requires some sort of a the main body, which Jet goes to ocean rudder to control the direction of motion, takes little part in the propulsion conservation. fish, too, can control their direction with locomotion. Another often the help of the caudal fin and the pec- The largest of the ceta- used form of Fabulous torals. ceans are the whales; the locomotion is the underwater blue whale, for example, can jet propulsion used photography ‘Rowing’ with fins be up to 30m long and can by the jelly fish by world-class Although the fins are used primarily for weigh up to 150 tons. Their buoy- and squid. Special underwater control purposes they can also be used ancy, however, is such that they are muscles, coronal photographers for propulsion. Some fish use their pec- nearly weightless in their milieu, but they muscles, on the under- toral fins as hydrofoils, and others use still have a large inertial mass, which side of the bell contract and push Hilarious dive Pitch: them to row with. Marine turtles beat requires a lot of energy to move around. water out of the bell. In compliance with cartoons from Pitch is controlled by the pelvic fins their fore flippers to attain speeds of up For this, it needs both strong muscles the conservation of momentum, the jel- Canadian (mostly) and the pectoral fins. to 5km per hour. In a similar way whales and a correspondingly strong skeleton to lyfish move in the opposite direction to cartoonist, swim by beating a hydrofoil, in this case, attach them to. Not only that, it needs the thrust of the water jet. This jet is not Ralph Hagen it is the single fin of the tail that beats up an efficient method of propulsion. This very powerful, though, as the expelled and down. This is unlike the vertical tails means that like all other creatures, be water jet has only a low speed; they are of tunas that beat from side to side. This they marine or terrestrial, it has to be par- therefore not capable of countering the Ocean Art by is apparently a very effective means of simonious in its use of energy. power of oceanic currents and waves. wonderful artists propulsion, for whales can attain speeds That whales have adapted to live from around the of up to 45km per hour and more in a weight-free existence can be seen Non-muscular T-Shirts world! sprints while the Black Tuna can attain from the fact that when they become forms of locomotion Sweatshirts speeds of more than 100km per hour. beached their bodies tend to collapse The different forms of motion that we Hoodies (The sailfish is considered the fastest fish under the, for them, unaccustomed have considered above have all been Apparel Yaw: in the sea at over 110km per hour.) force of gravity. based on muscle power acting on a Yaw is controlled by the pectoral fins. A fish thus needs skeleton. However, invertebrate plank- Prints & Posters specialised and strong tonic larvae such as echinoderms, anne- Greeting Cards muscles to move it lids, and molluscs depend not on mus- Note Cards through the viscous cle power for locomotion but on cilia; Post Cards water: it also needs and spermatozoa swim using flagella Calendars a strong skeleton to that form their tails. Protozoa move by support these muscles means of cilia, flagella or pseudopodia. Caps which can make up to As a curiosity some of the most primitive Mugs 80 percent and more forms of life, the amoebae, can move Bags of the body mass of at speeds that, relative to their absolute Tiles the fish. And of all the size, are quite impressive. Of course, Stickers Great Gifts vertebrates the skele- unlike for other much larger aquatic Ornaments ton of a fish is the most creatures, the viscosity of water plays a for Mother’s complex. significant role for their locomotion. Throw Pillows Day In fish, the body and Keepsake Boxes tail act as a single unit. Non-swimmers Teddy Bears However, although Although we have discussed the loco- the cetaceans use motive behaviour of aquatic creatures, the same undulation Mak THorPe which generally live completely within The X-RAY MAG Store Sea turtles use “rowing” to get around naSa www.cafepress.com/xraymag

69 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED science Locomotion

attain speeds of up to their about 8.5km per hour, which is mer is mov- aque- not much greater than walk- ing through the ous milieu, some ing speed—we humans are water. Although creatures do exist at the limits of really not very good at getting the improvement this milieu. The water skaters, for around in water without the use is only slight, it does Vxd example, live at the interface of of prosthetic devices such as flip- ensure that the shark the water and the atmosphere pers on our feet. On land, how- has a significant advan- (See X-RAY MAG, no.6, 2005). ever, sprinters over 100 meters tage over most of its prey. However, these can be consid- can attain speeds of up to 37km And so it is with competition ered as walkers on dry land. On per hour. swimmers, for it is estimated that the other hand, there are other Can divers these new creatures such as the crustacea learn anything suits can which, although they do live com- from the different reduce pletely immersed in the aquatic forms of locomo- record milieu, move about on the sea tion of aquatic times by bed. In fact, they too, like terres- creatures? Of up to two trial animals live in a 2D world. course, they percent, have copied the which Divers flippers or fins of certainly In the context of this article, we sea lions and fish gives the can consider divers as aquatic to improve their wearers of

creatures. So how do they com- speeds through Clyde muirSHell such suits pare with the fishes, say? Are the water. an advan- there lessons to be learned from But swim- Waterskater tage. the aquatic animals? Divers mers have Perhaps are certainly not very stream- also copied the rough skins divers could obtain an advan- lined, although much can be of sharks, which are cov- tage if wetsuits were designed done to improve this. ered with thousands with such surfaces, for it is clear (See Cedric Verdier’s of small teeth, to that energy could be saved. article about efficiency make low-friction in rebreather kits in swimsuits, for exam- Reference X-RAY MAG no. 16, 2007). ple the new Speedo© For anyone interested in animal Compared with a tuna swimsuits. These have locomotion in general, I can fish which, as we have the function of main- recommend Principles of Animal seen, can swim at taining a stable thin Locomotion, R. McNeill Alexander, speeds of over layer of water close 2003, Princeton University Press. It 100km per hour, to the body thereby is somewhat mathematical but olympic swim- reducing the resist- looks at all forms of locomotion on mers can only ance when the swim- the land and in the sea and air. ■

Scaly wetsuits for divers? How about this model from a 1696 illustration by Johann Zahn, Germany, of a merman com-

noaa plete with scales said to be caught in the Baltic Sea in 1531 70 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The picturesque little port town pearls of the of Komiza is the home of the mediterranean Manta Diving Centre

Tito’s bastion

Text by Harald Apelt and Wolfgang Pölzer Photos by Wolfgang Pölzer

If there is any hidden secret in the From a distance, they just looked like a yellow Mediterranean, it is the island of Vis. variety of a gorgonian, but as I got closer, the real secret of this drop-off revealed itself in the For many years, it was a forbidden beam of my lamp. The remarkable growths in and restricted military area. It was front of me were black corals, a very rare spe- not until 1991, when the iron cur- cies of cnidarian in the Mediterranean. tain finally came down, that it was Scientists assume that these beautifully col- oured polyp colonies can reach the age of opened up for tourism and diving. 1,800 years, and as such, are one of the long- On Vis, small picturesque port towns est living sea creatures in the world. Inspired, I and spectacular wrecks, drop-offs began to position my lights. These corals were and caverns are waiting to be dis- not only scientifically interesting, but also a beautiful photo subject. covered by divers. Some minutes later, our dive guide Lorenz signalled us onwards. He wanted to show us The drop-off a grotto full of red corals. And indeed, not far Although I have had several hundreds of dives from the yellow corals, a cavern entrance big in Croatia, I have never seen a drop-off like enough to contain three divers, opened up this before. It is not just the vertical fall into a few meters into the rock. Unbelievable, but the deep blue, but the unbelievable natu- true, the ceiling of the cavern was completely ral growth that impressed me. Between the covered with precious red corals. As the bub- numerous red fan corals, I spotted what I first bles from our exhalations rose to the ceiling thought were other bright corals and bushes. and brushed against the furry white polyps, they retracted, leaving their fire red skeletons The precious red coral can be discovered even naked and exposed. For thousands of years, in depths that can be reached by scuba divers 71 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Josip Broz Tito pearls of the Croatia Josip Broz Tito was the they have served as raw materials go to twice the leader of the Socialist mediterranean for making jewellery. These growths depth to find Federal Republic of remind me of gnarly fingers, as them. Yugoslavia from 1945 they stick 10 cms out of the ceiling. But we do until his death in 1980. After a couple of quick shots, not have much During World War II, it was time to start our ascent. time to listen to Tito organized the anti- In shallow water, we had a final Marovic’s tales fascist resistance move- glide through the spacious tunnel of his work as ment known as the before being picked up by Lorenz a commercial Yugoslav Partisans. Tito Marovic’s dive boat. diver. Aniska, his was the most prominent wife and able leader of the Anti-Fascist Coral diver helmsman, has Council of National This Croatian, who is also fluent in swiftly brought Liberation of Yugoslavia English, has constructed his ves- the speedy dive (AVNOJ), which in 1943 sel from the bottom up. Marovic’s boat back to established the basis for boat design includes a large dive their dive centre, Josip Broz Tito post-war organisation deck and a decompression cham- which they run of the country, making ber, which is included not only as together. it a federation. In Jajce, Tito was named a matter of safety, but also to sup- President of the National Committee of port Marovic’s professional as a Island history Liberation. On December 4, 1943, while commercial coral diver. In Croatia, We are on the small Croatian most of the country was still occupied Marovic is one of just a dozen who island of Vis, which is located on by the Axis, Tito proclaimed a provisional are licensed to harvest and sell the Dalmatian coast not far from democratic Yugoslav government. genuine red coral. the Italian border and about 45 km After Tito’s communist partisans stood The biggest specimens that we off the main coast. This strategically up to intense Axis attacks between saw on our last dive could possibly important position has secured Vis January and June 1943, Allied leaders bring in 200 Euros, which is, howev- a place in history books, not always switched their support to the partisans. er, hardly worth considering. “Real” for the better. King Peter II of Yugoslavia, American red corals would bring in ten times In the 4th century B.C., Vis President Franklin Roosevelt and British as much, but you would have to became the first Greek colony in Prime Minister Winston Churchill joined the Eastern Adriatic. In Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in officially a short time span, the recognizing Tito and his partisans at the island developed into Tehran Conference. This resulted in Allied a prosperous demo- aid being parachuted behind Axis lines cratic city-state and to assist the partisans. The Balkan Air an important centre Force was formed in June 1944 to control of commerce, which operations that were mainly aimed at soon founded its own helping his forces. colonies. It wasn’t until On 5 April 1945, Tito signed an agree- several centuries later, ment with the USSR allowing “temporary during the 7th and 8th entry of Soviet troops into Yugoslav ter- centuries AD, that the ritory”. Aided by the Red Army, the par- Croatians arrived on tisans won the war for liberation in 1945. the island, where they At the end of the war, all external forces mixed with the existing were ordered off Yugoslav soil after the population of Greek end of hostilities in Europe. Later, he was and Roman origin. The a founding member of Cominform, but original name of the resisted Soviet influence, and became island, Issa, was soon one of the founders and promoters of the ABOVE: One of the colourful drop-offs covered with col- “Croatiafied” to Vis. Non-Aligned Movement. He died on May our changing gorgones and the rare black corals. INSET 4, 1980, in Ljubljana. SourCe: wikiPedia ■ RIGHT: “Iaaaahhhh”: Stubborn mule, but historically, the most reliable transportation mode in the pathless hills

72 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Harvest: A Vis farmer Red Coral Jewelry pearls of the brings in heavy grapes for the tasteful Vis In jewellery, it is corals such as Corallium involves divers going down and harvest- wine “Plavac Mali” rubrum and Corallium japonicum that ing the sensitive coral branches. After mediterranean are used. The unprocessed hard skeleton that, the branches are cleaned, sorted of red coral branches is naturally matte, and processed by means of saws, knives, but can be polished to a glassy beautiful files or drills. Coral is not usually ground or Tito’s shine. cut on a wheel. Bastion Red corals resemble small leafless It is often porous, full of holes or cracked, It was not bushes up to a meter tall. Their valuable and in these cases it is of lesser quality. until the skeletons are composed of intermeshed Coral of that kind is sometimes filled with Croatians spicules of hard calcium carbonate, col- coloured wax to improve its appear- arrived on oured in shades of red by carotenoid ance. High-quality coral is of an even the island pigment. colour and free of cracks, blotches, stria- that it Even if red is thought of as their typical tions and holes. Since genuine untreated became an colour, corals come in a wide range of coral is rare, it does fetch good prices. important colours from red to white and from blue For that reason, anyone being offered navy base in and brown to black. The most popular what appears to be high-quality coral the Eastern are the red hues from pale pink, or salm- cheaply should be sceptical. The best Adriatic. on, to a deep dark red. Black corals and thing to do is to purchase one’s high- Countless gold corals are very much in fashion, quality coral jewellery from a reputable bloody bat- whilst the blue ones are extremely rare. merchant. tles and changes of power took place The white of the angel skin coral, suffused Like the pearls, these are also organic here, and later, during World War II, it with pink, is regarded as particularly pre- jewellery materials. It certainly is an inter- regained its strategic importance. Vis cious. Other well known colours are the esting fact that both of these are prod- became a base for Allied Air Forces and rich red Japanese Moro coral, the pale ucts of the water, chemically closely Navies, and was, at one time, also the pink “Boke” and the red “Sardegna”. related with each other. Both consist of headquarters for the staff of commander Red corals grow on rocky sea bottom more than 90 percent calcium carbon- Josip Broz, more famously known as Tito, with low sedimentation, typically in dark ate. And it really is a miraculous thing and later, as president of Yugoslavia. environments, either in the depths or in that nature has created both the scar- Its unique location as a strategic strong- dark caverns or crevices and have tradi- let coral and the pearl from the same, hold and outpost in the Adriatic unavoid- tionally been brought up from the depths unprepossessing raw material. ably made Vis part of the war. Even 45 with trawl nets. However, since first-class On the one hand, corals are not par- years after the war, most corals have now ticularly sensitive, but with a hardness of of the inhabitants were become rather only 3.5, they are much softer than any military personnel. For rare as the shal- other gemstone material. Their beauty this reason, the island lower of these can easily be impaired by the wrong has been completely habitats have treatment with, for example, cosmetics, off-limits for foreign tour- been largely hot water or bright light. Coral jewellery ists. No investments in depleted by har- should be kept in a safe place, and from infrastructure or tourism vesting, divers are time to time, cleaned with a soft, damp were made on the island, now deployed, in towel. If the surface of the coral does since only the needs of a less destructive get scratched, the jeweller can have it the Army and the few process, which repolished. ■ inhabitants of the island were accommodated. Endangered or not The only factory on the Red coral has been widely sought after since ancient times island was a small textile to supply a prosperous jewel industry, but over-harvesting manufacturer, which sup- of the deep-dwelling, commercial populations of this slow- plied the military. growing, long-lived species has led to drastic reductions in It was not until the the size of harvested colonies and has depressed the regen- 1970’s when two hotels, eration of the commercial banks. Red coral, however, is not an endangered species as such, due to the wide distribution Lorenz Marovic inspects the of small, non-commercial colonies spread out over numer- results of an extended dive ous predominantly coastal reproductive populations. ■ for red corals 73 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A really lovely Mediterranean port town: Vis is the capital pearls of the of the island of Vis Croatia mediterranean What you see topside on Vis is also quite attractive, thanks in large part to the artesian wells under the island, which provide a plentiful supply of freshwater that makes the island one of greenest in the entire Adriatic. Apart from the typical Mediter- ranean vegetation, wine also seems to favour the sandy soils of the island. From their grapes, a full-bodied red- wine, the “Plavac mali“ is produced. This wine will please the palate of any discerning visitor with an interest in wine. Add some grilled fish, fresh out the ocean, or a lamb chop with some potatoes and rosemary, and what more can you ask for? The five best dive spots Blue Grotto. A very impressive cave, which is not to be confused with its more famous name sake on the island of Capri. From the little island of Bisevo in front of Vis, you either swim or dive through a narrow tunnel in shallow water. After a few meters, you will arrive in an expansive hall,

one in Vis and one in Komiza, were breakfasts. So, even in the high the more famous dive sites in the built to stimulate a bit of tourism season, Vis hasn’t got more than Northern Adriatic to shame. on the island. But because only 4000 inhabitants and will not turn Under the huge gorgonians, you domestic Yugoslavian tourists were into a tourist hell like so many other can find red corals of considerable permitted to go, it was all just an places in the region. size, even at air diving depths. exercise in futility. The only enter- A majority of the few guests It appears that the years during prises that really functioned were that visit the island are Italians, which the island was off-limits have the ancient wine growing and fish- who arrive by ferry from the ports protected and preserved Vis in a ing industries. of Ancona and Pescara on the historic time capsule. Independent opposite coast of the Adriatic. of Croatian dive regulations that A virgin island were enforced in more recent When the military finally evacu- Divers’ paradise years, Vis has already been using ated island in 1991 and the long- From a diver’s point of view, we licensed dive guides for six years. standing travel restrictions were can thank the military for hiding Thanks to this diligence, underwa- lifted, Vis was a virgin destination. these little secrets for so many ter archeological artefacts, which Even to this day, more than 17 years. Long stretches of coastline date all the way back to ancient years later, the island retains its and the surrounding archipelago Greek and Roman eras, have original charm. have hardly been dived at all. The remained largely intact. There are only a limited number impressive cover of marine life, of hotel beds on the island, of as well as the many wrecks and Professional diving in extended ranges: which most are private bed and caves that lie further north, put Lorenz Marovic harvesting red corals at 70 meters of depth 74 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: The wreck of the Greek freight ship Vassilios T can be dis- covered in a depth between 20 pearls of the meters and 55 meters. The ship was transporting coal when on mediterranean the night of March 19th, 1939, it hit the rocks of “Cape Stupisce” outside of Komiza. RIGHT: A diver investigates some black coral

rywhere. In shallow water, there is another cave to tempt divers.

Seal’s Cave. An extensive, yet uncomplicated, cave to dive on the island of Bisevo. It is named after the colony of monk seals that, until a few years ago, took up residence in the rear of the cave. Here, it is pos- sible to exit onto the beach, which was once the peaceful refuge of the seals. Aside from incredible vis- ibility, it is also possible to locate rare creatures such as orange cleaner shrimps and porcelain snails. This trip was supported by Manta Diving Centre. ■

which stretches out before the visitor. It in an excellent state of preservation. seems possible to enter only through this Laden with coal, it ran aground under entirely submerged, but huge entrance, mysterious circumstances on the night which is illuminated by reflected sunlight of March 18th, 1939. Since no one was from above, which paints the ceiling injured, it was suspected that it was of the huge vault blue. Past a ridge of intentional, and probably a case of rocks and some other weird formations, insurance fraud. it is possible to reach the bottom of the The bow and gigantic anchor are the cave at a depth of 20 meters. Right shallowest and easiest part to dive. The after that, a drop-off follows. stern, with the richly encrusted propellor and rudder, should only be visited by Teti Wreck. A partially well-preserved experienced and appropriately trained shipwreck in 7 to 35 meters depth that divers, since it is located at a depth of is easy to dive. The 70-meter long Italian 55 meters. freighter wrecked on the northern coast in 1930 after running aground due to Totac. A fantastic and richly overgrown a navigational error. The bow is com- drop-off that extends down to great pletely destroyed. The wreck is erect, depths. It measures up to anything that resting at an angled slope, with the you could see in the tropics. A rocky stern covered by beautiful coral growth. ridge runs from the island and seems The steering wheel is an excellent photo to disappear in the bottomless clear subject. Quite often, you will see conger blue abyss. The region of about 30 to eels on the wreck. 40 meters of depth seems to be cov- ered with red and yellow gorgonians Vassilios Wreck. Resting on its port and countless cup corals. There are side off the northern coast of Vis, this small caves in which it is possible to see 104-meter long Greek freighter remains red corals. Stately langusters are eve-

75 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The cowrie shell looks beautiful but is—besides human beings—the most dangerous enemy of the red corals. pearls of the BELOW: Drop-off walls are brightly covered with red gorgones Croatia mediterranean pation of Yugoslavia (repre- Winston Churchill had in polls, Šubašić and other Republic of Yugoslavia was sented by Josip Broz Tito) The mind when he supported the officials stepped down in established as a socialist state treaty became known as the Agreement. October. during the first meeting of the Tito-Šubašić Agreement. In reality, although Tito On 29 November 1945, Communist-led Parliament in Despite the signing, the led a coalition government while he was still in exile and Belgrade. Josip Broz Tito was new government that would and Šubašić became its for- after a questionable referen- named Prime Minister. have resulted was not eign minister, the real power dum, Peter II was deposed The official Yugoslav post- formed until more than four was in the hands of the by Yugoslavia’s Communist war estimate of victims in months later, on November Communist-led Anti-Fascist Constituent Assembly of Yugoslavia during World War 2nd, with the signing of the Council of Yugoslavia. the “Anti-Fascist Council II is 1,704,000. Subsequent Belgrade Agreement. This It was only in the follow- of National Liberation of data gathering in the 1980s brought an interim govern- ing year, in the autumn that Yugoslavia” (Antifašističko by historians Vladimir Žerjavić ment into the picture, effec- the Treaty became void, V(ij)eće Narodnog (Croatian) and Bogoljub tive until post-war demo- following elections held by Oslobođenja Jugoslavije, Kočović (Serb) showed that cratic elections could take the Communists. Following or AVNOJ). On the same the actual number of dead place. At least, this was what a communist victory at the day, the Federal People’s was about one million. ■

The Treaty of Vis Edited by Catherine GS Lim creatures just waiting to pop up in your viewfinder. Vis is a small Croatian island One wonders what the in the Adriatic Sea, measuring scene was like on 16 June roughly 90.3 square kilome- 1944, during the second world tres. Its highest peak stands war, when this isle became at 587 metres high, and over- the venue of the signing of sees about 5,000 citizens liv- the Treaty of Vis. This historic ing in two towns and several agreement was an attempt at smaller settlements. a merger between the exiled It is your typical idyllic Yugoslav government (repre- Mediterranean isle, complete sented by Ivan Šubašić) and with clear blue seas, sunken the Communist-led partisans wrecks and unique marine who fought against the occu-

76 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED fact file Croatia

SourCe: Harald aPelt, Cia world faCt book Croatia’s coat-of-arms

ABOVE: The island of Vis. RIGHT: Regional map with location of Vis

History Up to the close of Sea islands, which are made up Endangered Species, Hazardous good ferry connections World War I, the lands that com- of 1,200 islands, islets, rocks and Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine from Split via Hvar to Vis. prise Croatia today were part of ridges. Coastline: 5,835 km com- Dumping, Ozone Layer Protec- The transfer takes about the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In bines 1,777 km of the mainland tion, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, two hours. Price (car + 2 1918, a kingdom was formed by and 4,058 km of the islands. The Whaling. Agreements signed, persons): € 35. Time tables Diving The underwater scen- the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes, terrain of Croatia is geographi- but not ratified: Air Pollution- are available at ery around Vis is diversified and which became known as cally diverse. Along the Hungar- Persistent Organic Pollutants, www.jadrolinija.hr offers all that scuba divers and Yugoslavia after 1929. The coun- ian border are flat plains; near Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Entry to Croatia with passport experienced tech divers are try became a federal independ- the Adriatic coastline and islands (valid for six months) or identity looking for: colourful drop-off’s, ent Communist state after WWII, are low mountains and high- Population 4,493,312 (July card for EG-members. caverns, grottos and wrecks. under the strong leadership of lands. Lowest point: Adriatic Sea 2007 estimate). Ethnic groups: Good visibility is one of the big Marshal Tito. In 1991, Croatia 0 m. Highest point: Dinara 1,830 Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other Best time to visit The cli- advantages of this Mediterra- declared its independence from m. Natural hazards: destructive groups 5.9%—including Bosniak, mate on the island of Vis is milder nean region. Most of the year, a Yugoslavia, but it took four more earthquakes. Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and than at the coastline. In summer- 5-7 mm wetsuit is suitable; only in years to be realized. These years Roma (2001 census). Religions: time, temperatures are about the beginning of the dive season were marked by sporadic and Climate Croatia has both Roman Catholic 87.8%, Ortho- two degrees lower, and in win- is a drysuit more comfortable. bitter fighting between Croats Mediterranean and continental dox 4.4%, other Christian religions ter, two degrees higher than at There are four dive centres on and the occupying Serb armies. climate with predominately hot 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other religions the Croatian coast. Season starts Vis: In 1998, the UN supervised the summers and cold winters inland 0.9%, those with no religion 5.2% in beginning of May and runs return of the last Serb-held and dry summers and mild win- (2001 census). Internet users: until the end of September. Manta Diving, Komiza enclave in eastern Slovenia to ters along the coast. 1.576 million (2006) www.manta-diving.com Croatia. Government: presiden- Accommodation During Issa Diving Centre, Komiza tial/parliamentary democracy. Environmental issues for- Languages Croatian 96.1%, the high season, it is difficult to www.diving.hr/idc Capital: Zagreb ests are being damaged by Serbian 1%, other and undesig- get transfer tickets and accom- Diving Centre ANMA, Vis air pollution from metallurgical nated languages 2.9%—include modations. There are only a few www.anma.hr Geography Croatia is lo- plants and its resulting acid rain; Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slo- small hotels on the island (three Dodoro Diving, Vis cated in southeastern Europe. It industrial and domestic waste is vak, and German (2001 census) in Vis, one in Komiza). But there www.dodoro-diving.com borders the Adriatic Sea, be- causing coastal pollution; civil are some more private rooms tween Bosnia and Herzegovina strife between 1992-95 led to Currency kuna (HRK). and apartments available, Deco Chamber and Slovenia. Strategic loca- the need for land mine removal Exchange rates: 1EUR=7.2HRK, which can be booked through The Manta Diving Centre has its tion: Croatia controls most land and reconstruction of infrastruc- 1USD=4.6HRK, 1GBP=9HRK, the diving centres or at the tour- own decompression chamber routes from Western Europe to ture. Croatia is party to these 1AUD=4.26HRK, 1SGD=3.38HRK ist agency, Darlic & Darlic: on board the dive boat. The the Aegean Sea and Turkish agreements: Air Pollution, Air tel. 00385-21-717 205 next big decompression cham- Straits; Off the coast of Croatia Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Travel by car or plane to Split: www.darlic-travel.hr ber is at Split. Transportation via lie a vast majority of the Adriatic Climate Change, Desertification, During summertime there are speedboat or helicopter. ■

Boats in the harbour at Komiza 77 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED technical matters

Dealing with Column by Cedric Verdier Fitness Training rent and drag off your deco tanks, your i.e. the ability of your body to efficiently a way to determine the ratio between fat lower BMI means a less buoyant body,

bailout tank(s), your huge twinset (the transport and use the O2 in your lungs) tissues and muscles in your body, based which in turn means a lesser need for one you nicknamed Potemkin!) or your and risks of Decompression Sickness. And on your age. A lower BMI has the follow- weights, something that all divers should By Cedric Verdier, favourite rebreather, swim at the surface, a better use of the oxygen means a bet- ing significance for a rebreather diver: appreciate. And with less weight, re- climb the ladder or the shore and carry ter/slower ventilation. You are less exert- breather divers have usually a better trim. BAFA, International Fitness Association everything again! And some people think ed if you have to swim for a long time, or • Less fat and more muscles is a good • More muscles also mean more strength, Instructor, IFA Sport Nutritionist we do that just for fun! Needless to say, harder than usual, and it becomes easier way to decrease your susceptibility to something that can prove to be useful in

preparing for these kinds of dives goes for your body to get rid of the CO2 you DCS. Because of a higher vascularisation, case of an unexpected situation (fight- beyond just resting the evening before produce. muscles tend to be less prone to DCS ing against a strong current, holding on a the dive and drinking a The Body Mass Index than poorly perfused fat tissues. shotline, etc.) or an emergency (helping There is no such thing as safe so-called energy drink a (BMI) is • Muscles are heavier and less another diver to surface, rescuing a diver technical rebreather diving few minutes before buoyant than fat tissues and removing him/her from the water, kitting up. It takes (1.10gr/cm3 for muscles etc). without proper preparation. But year-round prepara- and only 0.90 gr/cm3 preparation means much more tion. Moreover, it’s a for fat tis- The Body Mass In- than just checking equipment, lifestyle! sues). dex can be calcu- going through dive planning and So, a lated by different The benefits complex equa- “What-ifs”. It is also a matter of of fitness tions based on long-term preparation. training the skin thickness, A better car- or more simply, Just think about how strenuous a techni- diovascular with modern cal dive could be and how it impacts system means digital scales. your body. You carry tons of tanks, cases, a lot for your Obesity is bags and equipment, travel for hours in body. It doesn’t when your an uncomfortable position, gear up with only improve your BMI is a dry suit under a tropical sun, and wait dives but also your long minutes before being able to jump general health. in the water. And this is just the beginning Some studies show that of the stress you are going to put your there is a relationship body through. You still have to swim to go between VO2max down, swim on the bottom, swim to go (your maximal up, on-gas, off-gas, fight against the cur- O2 consumption, for Technical Divers

78 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED education Fitness Training over 20 percent, if you are under the water with all the gear on. after surfacing. Your heart has to 35 years of age (31 percent for During the dive, swimming be- pump faster and harder to supply women). But if you are older than comes less tiring and less stressful, blood to your muscles when 35, then obesity only appears if allowing your muscles to better you already have a your BMI is over 25 percent (37 avoid cramps. You swim more peak in percent for women). So, check it efficiently and more relaxed, and out on a regular basis! your gas consumption (or your oxygen consumption, if you More comfort dive with a rebreather) Fitness is of paramount impor- doesn’t go through tance for your comfort the roof every bub- ble never forget to spend level at the surface time formation in your blood- five minutes every time and underwater. Be- stream. to exercise your abs. They help fore the dive it gives you to keep a good posture at you more strength you A good program the surface and to stay horizontal to carry the tanks have to Fitness training is like so much else underwater, hence avoiding back

and all your kit, no- swim slightly in life. You have to find the right problems when you carry heavy Viatour

ticeably reducing the harder. After balance between too much and stuff. L u C pre-dive stress. the dive, your not enough. Too much and your heartbeat) and Car- dons, liga- It also helps body will be body becomes tired, reducing Improving your diac output, and im- ments and you subjected to a your motivation. Not enough and cardiovascular system proving any of these comes joints. It also helps you to certain level of the results are difficult to perceive. Aerobic exercise refers to exercise with some clear benefits to a reach all your equipment (sling post-dive decom- So, no need to hurt yourself, if that involves or improves oxygen rebreather diver. The best way to tank clips and D-rings, isolation pression stress. But the only kind of physical activ- consumption by the body. Aero- train your aerobic energy produc- valve on your twinset, etc) more to one of the most ity you’ve done in the last few bic means “with oxygen”, and tion system is to use the muscular easily. Always do a short—about stand up, stressful events is years was to move your giant flat refers to the use of oxygen in the group you’re supposed to use in five minutes—but careful and slow walk and to climb a ladder screen TV from your living room body’s metabolic[2] or energy- diving. Swimming, but also running stretching session at the end of jump in (or anything else), minutes to your bedroom. Better to start generating process. Many types or bicycling are some of the best each aerobic training session. Go slowly and gradually, rather than of exercise are aerobic, and by training methods. Practice two or through all the main muscles and giving up after a week. definition are performed at mod- three times a week, at moderate joints and gently stretch them one 1. Get more muscles. Which erate levels of intensity for ex- intensity but for at least 30 to 60 by one for at least 20 seconds. ones? The ones you use the tended periods of time—about 85 minutes. A heartbeat monitor can most in diving. You don’t need percent of your maximum output, help you to adjust your intensity, Don’t forget to become the future governor depending on your age—but is following these recommenda- hydration and diet of California for that. Just slowly more or less stable for a long pe- tions: A proper hydration program increase the mass of your legs, riod of time. Anaerobic exercise doesn’t start a few minutes before chest and back and their abil- is what happens when you need Maximum heart rate = 220 – age a “big” decompression dive. You ity to transform into energy the your muscles for a very short and should at least increase your fluid nutriments they store. Between intense period of time. Of the two If you haven’t done any exercise intake 24 to 48 hours before the one and three times a week, go forms of metabolism, aerobic is for a couple of years, keep your dive. Food is also a very important to a gym club and work out for the one you use the most in div- heart rate between 60 and 70 issue, as most of the people have 20 to 40 minutes. Focus on some ing, while you swim at the surface percent of maximum heart rate. an improper balance between critical muscular groups like quad- or underwater. With more training, you can slowly the different types of nutrients: riceps (the thighs), back, deltoids Aerobic activity has a benefi- increase your target heart rate. carbohydrates (glucose, or glyco- (shoulders) and arms. If you have cial effect on your Vital Capac- gen stored in the cells), lipids (fat) enough free time to go working ity (the maximum amount of Become more flexible. and proteins. out several times a week, a com- gas you can exhale from your Proper stretching is an important A good starting point for your plete circuit (all body muscles) lungs), Stroke Volume (the blood part of any fitness program. It daily intake is 60 percent of sugar once a week is a good idea. And pumped by your heart at each helps to protect your muscles, ten- (“slow sugars” like bread, pasta

79 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED education Fitness Even if you feel A healthy lifestyle after a while decreasing) over-weight, don’t If you committed to a fitness blood pressure and heart try to reduce training program, it might rate, something you don’t your food in- be the right time to also really need during a tech- take. Just select improve your lifestyle. nical dive. And caffeine carefully what Quit smoking. Nicotine and is a diuretic that increases you eat. A techni- 32 other components de- dehydration and definitely cal diver with a light/ crease your ability to prop- requires a P-valve on your medium level of erly use your alveoli for ef- dry suit. exercise should have ficient gas exchange. Slow Most technical divers a daily intake around down your alcohol intake. spend a lot of time prepar- or rice (40 x weight) calories. For Alcohol is as high as fat in ing their equipment and are more instance, if you weight 80kg, caloric content. No chance fine-tuning their dive plan useful than “fast sugars” you should eat 3200 calories to loose your love handles and decompression. like candies), 30 percent of per day, and that’s quite a if you don’t give up the 20 Just don’t forget that proteins (meat, fish, cheese, lot of food. Have a look at beers you usually drink to your most important tool is milk, eggs) and 10 percent a nutrient table to have an celebrate a good and safe not your dive gear but your of lipids (unsaturated oils). idea of what it is. Spread deep dive. Slow down your body! ■ Don’t forget a large portion this food over three meals, caffeine intake. Caffeine of fibres (salads, fruits) to according to the above (in tea, coffee, soda) is a Aboard the NOAA help your digestion and get 60-30-10 ratio. stimulant of the basal meta- research vessel, Ron Brown, the necessary vitamins and bolic rate, increasing (and Operations Officer LT Mike minerals your body Hoshlyk’s duties include act- needs. ing as the liaison between the scientists and the ship’s Some proteins crew, serving as dive mas- (amino-acids) are ter for the ship, standing good anti-oxydants, in as the ship’s medical but physiologists are officer, conducting dam- still puzzled with their age control drills, and safety ability to decrease and lifesaving equipment one’s susceptibil- maintainance. He endures ity to oxygen toxic- long periods at sea by keep- ity. More proteins ing to a daily routine. From also actually helps 12-4am, Mike is on navi- gational bridge watch; he to decrease your catches a bit of shut eye Respiratory Quotient, before he is on watch again the ratio between from 12-4pm; he exercises a oxygen metabolized bit and then gets to do it all (used by your body) again the next day, seven

and the CO2 pro- days per week. Mike’s daily duced. A good way fitness regime, proper hydra- to decrease your tion and diet, rest and relax- ation helps him maintain a CO2 production and to save your scrub- healthy outlook, focus and noaa concentration on the job. ber!

80 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED media Scuba Diving the Wrecks Books Film DVDs CDs and Shores of Long Island, NY Edited by by David Rosenthal Catherine GS Lim 372 pages A Shark Documentary point & click We admit that the waters will be cold. The Made With on bold links currents will be strong, and alas, the visibility Heart usually isn’t much to brag about. So why dive Sharkwater in the waters of New York? Well, the more- Directed by than-70 stories in this book tell you precisely Rod Stewart that. Written for the diver and non-diver, this 89 minutes book allows you to savour the excitement of Northeast Technical scuba diving. Indeed, “I wanted to the very difficulties of diving off Long Island – make a film that the variable visibility, cold temperatures and shows sharks the strong currents must be some of the reasons way they really that divers continue to make the location their are, as beautiful The Certified Diver’s underwater playground. That, and the countless shipwrecks in the and magnificent Handbook: The vicinity (some more than 500 feet long)… Writer David Rosenthal creatures that Complete Guide to is a native New Yorker with more than 500 local dives to his name. don’t want to hurt Your Own Underwater While the stories provide sufficient adventure for the reader, there humans, and to Adventures are also site maps and photos to enhance the story-telling. For the show how our fear has blinded us to the fact by Clay Coleman convenience of readers who want to read about specific wrecks that their populations have been reduced by 90 or sites, he has added a site/equipment index in the book. ■ percent over the last 50 years.” —Rod Stewart, Yes, we know that this book Director first appeared on the book- To say that the filming of the documentary, stores way back in 1994. Sharkwater, was a challenge must be the However, it still warrants Hyperbaric Medicine for Health understatement of the year. Despite having a read from new as well Care and Diving Professionals never shot a video camera before, Director as seasoned divers. The Softback: 186 pages, Rod Stewart wanted to produce a beautiful reason is simple. This book Aqua Press, April 2008 film about sharks. This promising premise turned must be the ultimate how-to guide to how potentially deadly as Stewart, in teaming up with life should be like after receiving your C-Card. Call it a If your interest veers towards the medical conservationist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd 384-page passport to your new life as a diver. This book cov- side of diving, particularly in the area Conservation Society, gets on the trail of the ers the many many aspects of diving, from renting/buying of hyperbaric medicine, then this book international sharksfin trade. equipment at the right prices, planning dives, executing dive should somehow find its way onto your During the production, they had to contend expeditions, safety, rescue procedures, etc. Different types of bookshelf soon. This 186-page book is with a pirate fishing boat in Guatemala, a dives are covered, including wreck diving, reef diving, diving a comprehensive manual covering the gunboat chase, espionage, gangsters, corrupt at night and underwater photography. One thing that we can many aspects of hyperbaric medicine. legal systems and attempted murder charges, identify with is the fact that this book shows how one can get Targeted at those who see themselves as putting their lives at risk countless times. on a dive trip regardless of the location, budget, time of the a future Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Filming took place in 15 countries, with the year, and availability of your regular dive buddy. No need to or Certified Registered Nurse, the majesty of the world’s sharks taking centerstage. confine this wonderful sport to sporadic weekend trips (too topics covered run the gauntlet of Amid the exploitation and corruption surround- short!) and Christmas vacations (too crowded!). Author Clay the regulations, chamber design and ing these creatures, viewers get to revel at these Coleman shows how divers can make diving an integral part operation, environmental health, diving fascinating creatures. Watch this documentary of their lives (the way it should be). As it says on the cover: and hyperbaric physics, various roles of and you’ll come away in awe of the beauty of “You’ve earned your C-Card, now use it!” Yes, we know how team members, fire suppression systems, life and how our actions affect (and threaten) that feels like… ■ patient care and management, etc. its tenacious balance. It’s no wonder the film Edited by Steve McKenna, this manual enjoyed a record-breaking box-office opening incorporates the British Hyperbaric Association Core Curriculum weekend, as well as receiving 21 international and serves as an approved course for health care and diving awards at film festivals worldwide. ■ professionals. ■

81 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Review Diver media by Tony Groom Show me your fish identification, please! Seafarer Books 216 x 135mm, 336 pages 20 bw / 12 colour illustrations By Arnold Weisz you can’t go back ISBN: 978 1906 266 066 into the ocean to The interactive reef fish round up all the This book reads like an adven- idenfication DVD for suspects, use your Practical Handbook ture novel, complete with Florida, Caribbean and computer. For any of Marine Science, Third Edition wartime action and intrigue. It the Bhamas by Canadian Underwater CSI, the edited by Michael J Kennish tells about the life and times of Reefnet is out in its fourth search panel makes 896 pages one Tony Groom, who has been edition. They have put the job of looking ISBN: 0849323916 diving since the age of 17 in the together a rather impres- for the “most want- Royal Navy, and continued his sive package containing ed” easy. There The oceans cover 71 percent of the earth’s underwater adventures as a satu- more than 4500 images, are a wide range surface. The mean volume of the oceans is ration diver in civilian life. 1800 videoclips describ- of search criteria, 9 ~1.35 x 10 kilometres. The mean depth of the While in the navy, Tony special- ing over 840 species from so you can narrow oceans is ~3,700 metres. The Pacific Ocean is ised in diving and bond disposal in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. down the final line-up to a few choices. the deepest at 4,188 metres, followed by the Indian the Falklands War. It was not a job I have used a bunch of such books and There are far more features in this program Ocean at 3,872 metres and the Atlantic Ocean at for the ordinary soldier, as it required CD’s over the years, as “knowing your fish” than I can manage to fit into this article, 3,844 metres. a lot of courage and steel-mindedness. The spe- is an important part of the job-description. but I would also like to mention the articles You can find this information within the first four cial breed of men who took upon themselves the Without hesitation, this is one of the bet- and also the identification charts. They are lines of the first page of this book’s first chapter. incredible task of ensuring the safety of their com- ter products. After having flipped through all in the very handy PDF format, which The rest of the page practically overflows with rades and civilians shared a bond that those out- images, videoclips from awesome hammer- means you can get nice prints. If you can’t information, and the same can be said for the side their circle would never understand. head sharks to tiny dwarf seahorses, I don’t bring the laptop on your dive trip, at least remainder of this impressive volume. Despite this, Tony chronicles his wartime experi- really miss the books with colour drawings you can make some prints with some of the Weighing in at an impressive 896 pages, this third ences in a down-to-earth, matter-of-factly sort of that do not really match the real thing information you would like to use. And to edition is not to be taken lightly. Covering ocean manner. There is no arrogance in the prose, no out there in the blue. Having the fish swim help you register your sightings, there is a physiography, marine chemistry, physical oceanog- excessive patriotism. In other words, he tells it as it around in their little virtual Sighting Log. raphy, marine geology, marine biology, and marine is. reality ocean on your Having heavily pollution and other anthropogenic impacts, this And the same goes for his life after the military, computer screen is a far endorsed this prod- book offers an extensive cover- as a commercial saturation diver. Spending as better option. uct, I can’t leave it age of practically all many as 28 days in a diving bell isn’t for everyone. With a few clicks you without mentioning aspects of the marine Sometimes, you’re on your own, sometimes you’re can have a unicorn file- some points where environment. there with five other guys living in that compact fish swimming around improvements could With such a wide scope, space. Yet, in the oil fields of the North Sea, the on the top right of your be made. More this third edition takes care dangers that abound are no less harrowing than screen, while you take a images! Yes, I know of the multi-disciplinary those found in the battlefield. closer look at a sketch to not all the fantas- needs of anyone working As one flips one page after another, one gains get to know the fellow tic creatures of our in the realm of marine sci- a strong respect for Tony, as well as the men who intimitely. You can also oceans are readily ence and geology. With served and worked alongside him. This book is truly get a lot of information available as mod- more than 800 tables and a page-turner, giving readers a rare (and long about his nearest family els, but... Maybe I’m figures, this single reference overdue) insight into the lives and experiences members, where to find getting a bit slow does away with the hassle of wartime mine disposal and saturation diving, him and what his favourite dinner is. The sighted, but I would love another font used of heading to the library or made all the more exciting and mind-boggling by small windows that pop up on your screen for the text—maybe one size larger as well. scouring online databases the fact that the incidents in the book are true. ■ don’t have as fancy a design as the CODIS Or... I could get some spectacles! ■ every time you need to look program frequently used in CSI Miami, but up some obscure informa- they work well and fast. What they have in For more information: www.reefnet.ca tion. This handy guide is sure common is a lot of information. Product: Reef Fish Identification (Florida – to have the info somewhere, Eyewitness accounts from divers are as Caribbean – Bahamas), 4th edition and lets you log in some arm- unaccurate as from fishermen. And picking Publisher: Reefnet Inc. strengthening exercises at the a fish out of an “mugshot” catalog, hours or ISBN: 978-0-9685300-7-8 same time. ■ days after a dive, has never been easy. If

82 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ED_X-ray_61x110 09.11.2007 22:16 Uhr Se

For special offers and 10% discount on pre-bookings please visit: www.euro-divers.com DIVING WITH FRIENDS

Business Directory

SPAIN MALDIVES EGYPT INDONESIA THAILAND OMAN To order a directory listing: NEW: MAURITIUS

Call or email to reserve space 40 days before publication. Text due 21 days before publication s ra-boxe date. Send link and text info to: me Ca BS-K [email protected] from inetics ng e dli BS Kinetics GmbH rg an on sy h Großweierer Straße 70 New format: 61 x 110 mm omic and ea 77855 Achern Germany Fon: +49 7841 668437 less an Must be prepaid and text tain d UV Stollis s -re XXX s received no later than 15 days istant Stunning footage small before publication. ht, , s to 8 ig tr d up 0 m l o ize of Cozumel, ng & ssur pre a for n amer XXX Bonaire, – ea c rly e e of ach typ Australia, Belize, ter photog Eight insertions: wa rap er hy Cocos, Turks €672 (1 year) nd u & Caicos, Fiji & e r and more!

Four insertions: b i f Makes a

€384 (½ year) n

o

b

r great gift!

a c

INFORMATION: m Order online at .co www.x-ray-mag.com www.bskinetics www.divetraveldvds.com [email protected]

83 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Unique Dive Site

Imagine a beautiful shallow green water reef with kelp, anemones and sponges among which lots of colourful fauna darting in and out and. Now imagine that the reef is growing on some weird sandstone arches and that the water is fizzy like sparkly mineral water, with bubbles coming out of the reef structure.

Text by Peter Symes Photos and illustrations courtesy of Hans Christian Andersen, BubblingReefs.com The Bubbling Reefs At first glance, from a distance, anything but ordinary. The thriving The gas is methane, and what lies in the upper layers oxidise the These structures can be up to the shallow stone reefs in the reef is not only full of interesting beneath the seabed is what you methane, they turn the loose 500 m2 and consist of columns shallow water off the northern macro life—in large part thanks to could call an oil field still in the sand into solid carbonate up to four meters high, arches, peninsula of Jutland, Denmark, the marine reserve status the area process of forming. cemented sandstone structures. It complex formations of overlying does not seem to be much out of enjoys—but delicate arches and The methane most likely stems is believed that the cementation slab-type layers, and pillars up the ordinary. Diving in Denmark pole-like structures poke out of from microbial decomposition occurred in the subsurface, and to 4m high. The rocks support a is all right—it has it moments and the sand. The overgrowth of kelp of plant material deposited that the rocks were exposed in diverse ecosystem ranging from decent locations, but cannot and sponges gives them a furry during the Eemian and early the open by subsequent erosion bacteria to macroalgae and compare to the often exceptional appearance. But it is the slow Weichselian periods, i.e. 100,000 of the surrounding unconsolidated anthozoans. diving that the other brethren fizz of bubbles coming out from to 125,000 years B.P. The gas sediment. In other words, the Many animals live within the Scandinavian countries can the inside of these structures that then seeps up through the sandy surrounding sand was later rocks in holes bored by sponges, offer—with a few exceptions, and gives the dive experience here a seabed forming channels, or washed away by changing polychaetes and bivalves. Within this is one of them. definitely surreal tint. funnels, along the paths of least currents, leaving the solidified the sediments surrounding the As you get closer, you will resistance. parts standing free as a sculpture seeps, the abundance and soon realise that this location is So, what’s going on here? As other aerobic microbes garden. diversity of metazoan fauna

84 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature Denmark

ABOVE & RIGHT: Views of the columns that rise up from the sea floor at the bubbling reefs. Images captured and compiled from the DiveFilm Podcast Video by Hans Christian Andersen, which can be viewed at: www.mefeedia.com

Distribution of ‘bubbling reefs’ is poor—probably due to Tyvholm, Kølpen and Deget, due to the vast number of birds in the northern part of the the toxicity of the hydrogen making up about 45 hectares all nesting on the islets, including a Kattegat and in the Skagerrak sulphide contents in the gas. together. number of rare and protected off Hirtshals, and gas wells in Only the biggest islet is species. Vendsyssel and on Læsø (light The Hirsholm islets inhabited, most of the time by In 1981, the reserve was area). The seeps and gas Hirsholmene (the Hirsholm islets) no more than 8-10 residents expanded to include the wells follow a NW-SE direction parallel to faults along the are located approximately five though through the summer surrounding sea area consisting Fennoscandian border kilometers north-east of the port season. Yachters will visit or of about 2,400 hectares. The of Frederikshavn, at the tip of come over by a small ferry. landscape is dominated by the Jutland pensinsula. Beside The islets are state-owned and rocky embankments and the main islet, Hirshold, there is surrounded by territorial waters. banks of deposited sand and one larger islet, Græsholm, and In 1929, the site was declared sediments along the beaches. a group of smaller islets called, a Scientific Sanctuary, mainly On some of the islets, the rocks

Proposed formation of a 4 m high pillar at 10 m water depth in the Kattegat: (A) Methane-oxidation induces precipitation of carbonate, which lithifies the sediment along gas channel. (B) Cementation of sediment fills channel and the pillar structure grows from outside. (C) Exposure of the carbonate- cemented sandstone pillar on sea floor as a result of erosion of unconsolidated sediment; meth- ane seepage visible in the vicinity. Erosion may have been triggered by post-glacial isostatic uplift in the Kattegat

85 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Bubbling Reefs

THIS PAGE: Some of the marine life found at the bubbling reefs ABOVE: Detail view of the spines on a starfish

have been covered by a thin Diving there layer of top soil formed by There are no regular dive trips decomposed seaweed. going out there, although The small islets, Tyvholm and some of the local dive shops Kølpen, are almost completely in Northern Denmark will barren and consist only of rocks, occasionally put excursions giving an impression of how the to the islets on their tour whole area looked in times past. programmes. Sediment carried by currents The islets are only 20-30 around the islets have been minutes sailing with a RIB from deposited in some locations the main coastline, so dive clubs, creating small sandy beaches, or dive centres, will often launch especially on the north side of their boats from a jetty in one of Græsholm and the main Islet, the local marinas. Diving is easy Hirsholm. The site is important for with depths ranging from only marine biology research. There is 9-12 meters, although visibility a visitor centre at the site. can vary from the extraordinary to pea soup. ■

ABOVE: Instead of scales, Agonus cataphractus is totally cov- LEFT: Alcyonium digitatum, attaches CENTER INSET: One of the largest ered with hard bony plates aligned in lateral rows of sharp itself to rocks, shells and stones in species of jellyfish, Cyanea capillata spines. It has a wide, flattened, triangular head that is over three locations with storng currents and- is commonly called the Lion’s mane times its body length, which is elongated and tapered. This fish where the normally predominent jellyfish because of its highly distin- can grow up to a length of 21cm algae do not grow to abundance guishable mass of thin, long, hair-like due to lack of light or the presence tentacles. Growing up to 30-50cm in TOP LEFT: Metridium senile is an anemone, which varies a lot in of preying crabs and gastropods. diameter, it is usually yellowish brown its form and can grow up to 30cm. Its irregular base is wider than Found on the lower shore but more or reddish in colour the column. Its many tentacles make a ‘plume’ over a parapet often sublittorally at depths of at the top of a smooth column when the anemone is expanded approximately 50m Illustration of the underwater landscape at the bubbling reefs 86 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED point & click on bold links

Edited by Gunild Symes

All PHotoS are CourteSy of tHe indiVidual artiStS and gallerieS Ocean Arts Paintings & Sculptures inspired by the sea...

Gini Holmes BP, 2005, Printmaking Giclée, Open Edition, 16 x 13 inches Original Price: US$ 150, € 95, UK £ 74. www.mesart.com A traditionally trained print maker, Gini Holmes focused on more experimental methods after she received her BFA from Stanford University in lithography and painting. She com- pleted a Masters of Science in Visual Studies specializing in experimental graphics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she worked with Electrographic Printing using a variety of copiers and handmade papers. She is now working with dye-sublimation transfers onto fabric and tile surfaces.

Donna Schaffer Rainbow Starfish in Monterey Bay, Oil on Canvas, 20 x 20 inches. RIGHT: Reflection of a Humpback Pectoral Fin, Limited- Edition Museum-Quality Giclée on Somerset Watercolor Paper, 16 x 24 inches. www.underwaterpaintings.com Donna Schaffer has been a scuba diver since 1976 and an underwater photographer since 1983. Since 1998, she has Jens Poulsen Jens Poulsen says, “I’m attempting been a full-time fine arts oil painter. She travels to dive loca- Fisk, Oil on Canvas, 160 x 160 cm to catch a coherence with my sur- tions in many parts of the world where she photographs the www.Poulsen-Arts.dk roundings, a gathering of informa- underwater marine life and scenes, and makes reference An autodidactic Danish artist who tion/situations—simplified in composi- sketches for her paintings. primarily works with oil on canvas, tion.”

87 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Sandra & Carl Bryant ocean arts Tradewinds, 2007, Mosaic, 30 x 28 x 1 Art of the Sea inches. Original Price: US$ 1,890, € 1,207, UK£ 935. An abstract swirl of waterlife in blues, greens and warm hues. BELOW: Beautiful Dreamer, 2007, Mosaic, 24 x 24 x 1 inches, origi- Steven Forrai nal sold. Abstract mosa- Untitled, 1999, Steel Sculpture, 75 x 17 x 31 inches ic of the sand clouds Price: US$ 17,000, € 10,858, UK£ 8,416. Absolutearts.com sky and sea. The work of self-taught artist, Steven Forrai, evolved from the Artistic husband and bending, shaping and fusing of scrap electrical metallic tub- wife team, Carl and ing. Later, he focused his energies on fine art and replaced Sandra Bryant, special- his stock with refined materials including steel and alumi- ize in handmade glass num, brushed then sealed with an epoxy base coat and and ceramic fine art an aliphatic urethane at the end. He says, “My creations mosaics. Their studio is are never completely planned, but started with a size and located in the Pacific object in mind. From there my mood, sounds and atmos- Northwest where they phere finishes off the piece for me.” first started painting and making handmade

Jangling Jack Octopus made from two recycled silver forks features two crystal eyes. Height: 10cm. Price: AUD $35 + delivery www.janglingjack.com.au Jangling Jack is the creation of Chris Hartshorn and Steve Dessaix who have been working together since 1989 in a joint effort to “recycle the past to cre- ate the present”. On 25 acres of virgin Australian bushland, their work- shop is located on the Hawkesbury River William Nutt in New South Wales. Octopus, 2003, Champlain Black (Marble/Limestone) Their work is inspired Sculpture, 29 x 34 x 22 inches by the natural beau- www.wnuttsculptor.com Joe Pogan ty of their surround- tile. In 2001, they discovered their pas- William Nutt was an engineer before turning to fine art. Fish, 2006, Found Metal Sculpture, 23 x 19 x 11 inches ings as well as sion for mosaics, which combined the He says that many have asked him, “How does one go Native Oregonian, Joe Pogan, received college education “the histori- two. Each piece is made by hand from engineering to an artist sculpting stone?” To that he in art and welding after serving four years in the US Navy. cal past and blending high quality glass, ceramics has two answers: “One, how could I not; and two, I don’t He worked for more than 20 years as a professional welder. industrial begin- and other fine materials into a piece find there to be much difference between art, science, Combining his welding expertise and artistic talent, he has nings”. of art that is unique and lasting. Most and engineering.” He believes that great works of art created a variety of animal sculptures using “found metal” of their fine art works have an aver- and theory and results of engineering and scientific dis- objects such as old watches, sprockets, nuts and bolts. He age of 1,600 individually shaped piec- covery are similar in that they both can contain incred- says, “...the end goal is an eye-catching, fascinating amalga- es of glass per square foot. ible beauty, artistry, elegance and meaning. mation of metal with odd nooks and crannies you can explore www.showcasemosaics.com for hours.” www.joepogan.com

88 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED John Brooke Pacific Warrior, 2007 IN OUR NEXT ISSUE ocean arts Wood Sculpture, 23 cm x 67 cm x 18 cm Original Price: US$ 2000, € 1277, UK£ 990 Art of the Sea www.absolutearts.com Sulawesi John Brooke’s home overlooks a beach, and so, he has Hans Hass ample opportunities to swim on most days. This sculpture is all about the amazing underwater creatures he meets. Palau Weh, Sumatra He says that more often than not, “Contemporary Art talks only to the cognoscenti” and feels that this defeats its original purpose, which is to speak to anyone who wants to use his or her visual imagina- tion. As an artist, this is what he tries try to do with his work.

Dan Townsend Alice the Angler fish, 2007, Mixed Media wolfgang PÖlZer Sculpture, 22 x 11 inches x 4 inches. Original Price: US$ 100, € 63. UK£ 49. www.absolutearts.com A fun whimsical fish, Alice the Angler is made from palm fronds and papier maché. She is then air brushed and hand painted. Dan Townsend says she is the only true palmfish in the world, just Google “Palmfish” and find out. A true inven- tion of a creative mind, the artist discovered this fresh new idea 14 years ago and is still having fun with it.

wolfgang PÖlZer Fatmir Gjevukaj Underwater, Painting 36 x 48 inches. Original Price: US$ 3,200, € 2,044, UK£ 1,584. www.fatmiri.com

Bernadette Badali says, “I have learned that Travel Lines - Water, 2006, tactile surfaces in nature are Mixed Meda on Canvas formed through a process of 36 x 60 inches. growth and layering. I bor- www.badalibeal.ca row this method to build the Toronto artist, Bernadette organic forms in the compo- wolfgang PÖlZer Badali, graduated from the sition using fabrics and pa- Ontario College of Art and pers with different qualities. the University of Guelph, I structure the forms within COMING IN JUNE where she studied painting the painting, but the surface and photography. Working area, such as folds and rip- Subscribe now FREE! in these two mediums, she ples, are created randomly www.x-ray-mag.com continues to explore textures through the flexibility of the in nature and architecture materials, further imitating as her subject matter. She nature’s process.”

89 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED