Fugazi

Well today was one of the shortest dives ever (apart from Folds Bus). It was lumpy as heel before we got in and things didn't improve when we got under either. The shallows were like being in a washing machine whilst being blindfolded the viz and surge were that bad, and fining out to the main wall normally takes about 6 minutes whereas today it took about 15 due to a really strong Nor' Westerly current. 

Needless to say we only spent about 45 minutes on the dive before calling it. Conditions and lack of marine life were against us today. I only managed to rattle off a couple of shots with the wide angle lens on before knocking it on the head.

If in doubt about the diving conditions, go down the pub instead!

Whale Song

Ok, this is the absolute business if you have several hours to kill at home or in the office. Your very own orca whale in your browser that you can control with your mouse! Awesome!

Link: HERE

I am Legend

As was just pointed out to me by James in the Scuba Diving community forum, Hans Haas passed away on the 13th June 2013, less than two weeks ago. I'm shocked and disappointed in how little press coverage was given to the passing of Hans as he was truly one of the great explorers and pioneers of the underwater world. 

With many credits to his name, not least the co-creation of the Drager Model 138 rebreather, he was always exploring, discovering and expanding our knowledge of life beneath the sea.

To some people he was controversial, to others a man of wisdom, to everyone he was aspirational, someone we all wanted to be when we grew up. He shall be sorely missed.

The classic Hans and Lotte photo that everyone remembers

Hans Hass was a pioneer underwater photographer, filmmaker and scientist, studying for his Doctorate in marine biology at the zoological station in Naples. In 1949 Hans visited Port Sudan, where he dived alone, having been told by all the experts that he would surely be eaten by the famous Red Sea sharks. By 1950 he returned with another team of six, including Lotte. Together they made the film “Adventure in the Red Sea”, or “Under the Red Sea” as it later became known. The film won first prize for major documentaries at the Venice Bienniele film festival in 1951.

Hass has published many books, including “Aus der Pionierzeit des Tauchens’’ (“From The Pioneering Days Of Diving”), and has made more than 100 films about the underwater world. Among many awards they have won, are those from the Historical Diving Society.

Plush

Those crazy Japanese are at it again. I mean, ok, here on the island you can get cuddly toy rays, dolphins, sharks, turltes but this aquarium in Japan has gone one step further. They're selling cuddly toy isopods. What???

Link: HERE & HERE

This is life-sized pillow of a giant isopod. A deep-sea dweller, the insect-looking giant isopod can grow between 7.5 and 14 inches long. One aquarium in Japan decided they'd sell a cool plush toy. Turns out, that was a good idea. 

The Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium in the city of Numazu, Japan, launched a life-sized giant isopod plush toy earlier this month for the 6,090 yen (approximately US$60). Within hours, the entire stock of 140 plush toys was sold out. Not bad for a local aquarium!

One man and his isopod. They should make that into a new show. Not good at herding sheep though.....

Next thing you know they'll be making plush toys in the shape of blobfish!. Hang on, I have an idea, where's my phone?...............

"my isopod and me, as happy as can be, tra-la-la-la-la"

Secret Garden

It's not all doom and gloom. Good things do happen in the aquatic world!

Marine scientists at CCMI's Little Cayman Research Centre say the coral nursery project established in September last year to help replenish local reefs is doing well. As a pilot project, researchers deployed a single structure, multiplying four parent colonies of staghorn coral to 58 new individuals. After 3 months of the trial, all colonies have survived and are growing rapidly.

“The indirect benefits of this conservation project and a healthier reef ecosystem will positively impact local tourism and improve local fish stocks,” noted a report from the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI).

Link: HERE

 

Give a little bit

July's edition of Scuba Diving mag has hit the shelves (US only I'm afraid), and although it's not one of my usual full blown epic articles, I sneaked into someone elses for the feature on "United States of Scuba". 

Go get your physical or digital copy today!

Grand Hotel

Well this looks pretty spectacular but I don't think it necessarily fits in with the look of the Maldives. If they can do it without destroying the reefs and marine life then they may just be on to something.

Link: HERE

The space-age hotel is now set to be built on the remote -- and postcard perfect -- tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldive Islands, with the National Ministry of Tourism giving the go-ahead to the ambitious plan last week.

The United Arab Emirates may soon be the next home of the high-tech hotel, with a Dubai construction company also in negotiations to build the surreal structure.

Described as "Star Trek meets the undersea world of Jacques Cousteau," the remarkable building -- valued at up to $50 million -- is the brainchild of Polish company Deep Ocean Technology, backed by Swiss investors.