Thursday 30 April 2009

Diving with Mantas

Thursday 23 April 2009

Shark and Marine Conservation - Bite-Back

The UK's fastest growing shark and marine conservation organisation. Learn about endangered sharks and threatened fish species plus global marine conservation issues. Then do something about it!

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Sharks Rule: Art Contest Engages AWARE Kids Globally

Sharks Rule: Art Contest Engages AWARE Kids Globally

Sharks are sleek, mysterious and cool. Project AWARE Foundation is celebrating these magnificent creatures with a year-long, global art contest for children ages 3 -12.

Sharks have ruled the oceans for about 400 million years – keeping our oceans healthy and in balance. But now, about 100 million sharks are killed each year by humans. And some of our favorites, including the plankton-eating whale shark and great white are threatened with extinction.

How can you become involved? Participate in the AWARE Kids ‘Sharks Rule!’ art contest and share your appreciation of these amazing animals. Which shark is your favorite? The mysterious goblin shark, the powerful great white or the fascinating hammerhead shark? There are more than 400 shark species to choose from.

Three winners will be chosen from each global region and age group – 3 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years. Artwork will be judged by Project AWARE and associates.

Selected winners will receive a special Shark Ambassador Plaque along with a certificate and global recognition on the AWARE Kids site.

All entries must be received by your local Project AWARE office by 6th November 2009.

Lesson plans, games and activities on sharks and their importance to our ecosystem can be found in the AWARE Kids Teachers Guide (available as a free download on the AWARE Kids website www.projectaware.org/kids), DVD and AWARE Kids activity book. Project AWARE encourages teachers to use the AWARE Kids materials and art contest as classroom tools to discuss the critical role of sharks in our ecosystem.

For additional details and contest rules visit www.projectaware.org/kids.


Project AWARE Foundation,
a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org



Project AWARE

Dive For Earth Day

Make a world of difference this Earth Day, 22 April 2009

Earth is a water planet and the planet needs our help. Why? Climate change is a major threat with increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification impacting fragile underwater environments. Dive for Earth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to take action and help address the underwater issues that concern you most.

How can you help?

Individual Divers and Water Enthusiasts:

Volunteer today! Search for Dive for Earth Day events near you and choose from hundreds of conservation activities that put aquatic issues on the Earth Day map.

Dive Professionals and Organisations:
Coordinate an event!
Organise a coral reef monitoring project, underwater cleanup, AWARE Kids event or AWARE Fish ID Specialty Course. Register online to receive free resources to help make your day a success.

About Dive for Earth Day
Earth Day raises environmental awareness on a global scale. Since the 30th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE has helped divers focus attention on aquatic environments for this annual event. Thousands of diver volunteers in more than 115 countries have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities for Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day.
Read more about Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day initiatives around the world and share your news with the Project AWARE community.

Make Every Day Earth Day

There are many simple, low-cost things you can do each day and each time you dive to lower your impact on the environment. Begin by following Project AWARE’s Ten Ways a Diver Can Protect the Underwater Environment or check out our Tips to Keep Waters Debris Free.

Dive For Earth Day

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Underwater Photography web magazine

Underwater Photography Magazine Issue 46 is now available for free download.


The issue contains travel and product news relating to underwater photography as well as feature articles including:

  • FX for Nikonians by Alexander Mustard,
  • Tamron 70-200mm Macro Lens by James Wiseman,
  • The Underwater “Golden Hour” by Don Silcock,
  • Life in the middle of the Atlantic by Andre Seale,
  • Palau by Open Road by Tim Rock,
  • Horseshoes and Dragons by Mark Webster,
  • Kona: The Big Island by Michael Wicks, Doggone Dugong by Mark Webster,
  • Mantas of the Maldives by Julian Cohen.
UWP Magazine is a free PDF magazine, published every two months.

Underwater Photography web magazine

Feeding Manta in Fiji - June 2008

Sunday 19 April 2009

WWF: Blood | Ads of the World: Creative Advertising Archive & Community

http://adsoftheworld.com/files/images/wwfblood.jpg

WWF: Blood


WWF: Blood | Ads of the World: Creative Advertising Archive & Community

Premier PADI Retail and Resort Members Address Future of Diving

Major International Retailer and Resort Conference held to Address Economic Challenges

Kurumba Island, Maldives – 13 January 2009 – Dive retailers and resort operators are facing unprecedented challenges. Recognizing that, PADI Worldwide and PADI Europe called leading retail and resort dive operators in the European, Maldivian and Egyptian regions together to address the future development of the regional market and survival in tough economic times. PADI’s Future Development of Diving Symposium, hosted in November 2008 at the Kurumba Maldives resort, joined together 10 countries and 24 premier PADI Dive Center and Resort members to discuss key aspects of business conduct and the strategic direction necessary to ensure a healthy future.

Dr. Drew Richardson, PADI Worldwide President and Chief Operating Officer, joined members of PADI Europe’s executive management to conduct the Future Development of Diving Symposium. The presentations explored diver acquisition and retention tactics, and other areas critical to business success. The group discussed international generational trends and targeted marketing tactics, advanced customer relationship management systems and techniques, and the need and demand for responsible, sustainable tourism. To set the tone for the days ahead, keynote speaker and renowned trendspotter Magnus Lindkvist kicked off the symposium with dynamic workshop and problem solving exercises, along with a highly entertaining and educated look into the future of business and how to capitalize on trends in consumer demands in an uncertain market. 

PADI eLearning® was also a topic of discussion, as PADI Retail and Resort members discussed the benefits and flexibility of the program. Participants shared eLearning success stories, with some claiming a 35 percent increase in new customers since the launch of the program.


To ensure high energy and strengthen the common bond that unites all PADI Members throughout the symposium, attendees enjoyed daily diving lead by the professional team at Euro-Divers Kurumba. Fueling the attendees’ passion for the sport, each dive provided a renewable well of inspiration for the day’s discussion.

“This symposium was testimony to the fact that we all have the power to improve our 2009 results if we choose a positive attitude and perspective about the future, even in uncertain economic times,” says Richardson. “We can’t change the circumstances of the world, but we can change our attitude and response to it.” 

As the industry leader in diver education and dive business, PADI continues to deliver information, customer support, consulting solutions, and results to PADI Members. Through PADI’s Future Development of Diving Symposium, PADI effectively mapped out a strategic plan identifying key actions necessary for delivering premier programs and unsurpassable service to divers, PADI Professionals and PADI Retail and Resort members worldwide. 

Others promise … PADI delivers.


Divenewswire

Thursday 16 April 2009

Underwater and Beach Cleanups

Take Action and Clean Up Local Dive Sites

At least 6 million tonnes of debris enters the world’s oceans each year, causing harm to underwater environments and wildlife. With unique access to the underwater world, scuba divers can help remove debris underwater, raise awareness and drive positive change.

Project AWARE Foundation is dedicated to addressing the devastating impacts of marine debris and coordinates global beach and underwater cleanups year round.

How can you help make clean waters a reality?

Scuba Divers and Water Enthusiasts

Volunteer today.
Search the online list of cleanup locations to find an event near you.

Please check back regularly for new event postings in your area and in the meantime learn about the ten things you can do to help keep waters debris free.

Dive Professionals and Organizers

Register your cleanup event.
Organize a local cleanup project with Project AWARE.

Receive the tools you need to get started and contribute data for long-term change. Read the
global cleanup stories and get inspiration for your event.

About International Cleanup Day 19th September 2009

Project AWARE’s longstanding International Cleanup Day event is the biggest underwater cleanup of its kind. Held annually on the 3rd Saturday in September each year, more than 370,000 volunteers clean over 33,000 miles of shoreline to remove seven million pounds of rubbish.

Project AWARE partners with dedicated scuba divers to clean the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and shorelines. These volunteers take part in practical cleanup solutions and collect data which is vital to addressing global debris issues. Cleanup and data collection activities are supported by Project AWARE Foundation, partners and volunteers on an ongoing basis to reform, inform, educate and legislate.

Volunteer
Coordinate
Report data
Marine debris facts

Play International Cleanup Day Video
International Cleanup Day PSAs
Michael Newman -
Low (1.20 MB), High (2.35 MB),
QuickTime version

Sharon Lawrence -
Low (1.20 MB), High (2.35 MB).
QuickTime version

Underwater and Beach Cleanups

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Matava wins Major Environmental Award at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009

Matava has won the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the category Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 15th April 2009 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is the official 2009 winner of PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.PADI

The PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards were developed to better recognise the achievements of those PADI Dive Centres and Resorts who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of diving.

In competition with more than a thousand dive centres throughout the region, Matava was awarded the great honor of this award as a token of appreciation for all the efforts and initiatives put forward by the company in the last few years.

"At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding similar efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji's leading role and efforts in this regard especially." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar.

Mr Ian Cumming, PADI Regional Director for the Fiji Islands, said "I'd just like to send my congratulations to the Team at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort who have taken out the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award for 2009."

"Having visited the resort I know firsthand the mighty efforts everyone there have gone to to ensure the resort is very much the 'Eco Adventure' resort that has guests coming back time and again. Given the location of the resort, which adds greatly to its charm, it is a wonderful achievement that everyone involved in the resort should be very proud of!" Mr Cumming continued.
Main bure at Matava, Kadavu, Fiji
Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "This Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our Marine Environmental awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

Joanne Marston, Manager of Project AWARE, said "Project AWARE Foundation is delighted that Matava's positive environmental actions have been recognized by PADI Asia Pacific. As a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator Matava show a dedication and commitment to conservation that goes above and beyond. Congratulations Matava."

Adopting a fresh new format that provides a system in which all PADI Members can participate, the PADI Member Awards programme was based on a system that ensured PADI Members compete with other PADI Members within their own geographical region for one of the five Awards. All PADI Dive Centres and Resorts were considered for nomination by a specially convened selection panel, who selected up to three finalists for each of the Awards.

A panel of PADI judges then considered all of the finalists and Matava is very pleased to be announced as the winner of the PADI Member Award 2009 in the category: Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "This PADI Member Award gives us special recognition within the entire tourism industry and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business. After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognised again and this time by the world's largest international scuba certification agency, PADI.

"Our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."


Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."



PADI is the world's largest recreational dive training, certification and membership organization. PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) issue more than 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, making underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Mad Fish Dive Centre is our on-site PADI Dive Centre offering the best of diving in the South Pacific.


# # #


Diving in Fiji: Matava wins Major Environmental Award at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009

Saturday 11 April 2009

DigitalDiver.net DDNet Trip Report Nai'a

DDNet Trip Report
Where: Bligh Water Fiji
When: 05/27/2006 - 06/03/2006
By: johnu
Type: Live-aboard
Accomodations: Nai'a
Dive operator: Nai'a
Overall photography friendliness: Excellent
Camera tables/prep area: Not applicable
Camera rinse tanks: Good
Charging facilities: Excellent
Voltage: 110-120 AC
Let me begin by saying that the Fijian people are some of the nicest people you will EVER encounter!
Travel into Fiji was extremely easy with direct flights to/From LA.

Upon arrival we spent a couple days at the Beachside Resort, close to Nadi (take note: Very nice place, not beachside).

On boarding day we were picked up and transported to the ship in a full size motor coach. This was nice as it was very comfortable and we only made a few pick up stops on the way.

Upon arrival at the ship we were greeted by the crew and welcomed aboard. We NEVER touched a bag, everything was loaded by the crew. During a short briefing we were given cabin assignments and our bags were delivered to our rooms.

Our dive bags were set out in the dive ready area for us to begin to prepare for the afternoon "check out" dive. This is a very efficiant crew/boat! The dive prep area is actually mid ship and allows foe PLENTY of room to suit up. You then just walk to the back of thip to board skiffs for the short ride to all dive sites. This works very well as such a large vessel cannot anchor close to dive sites. It also allows divers to return to the ship when done with their dive rather than wait for everyone to surface. This allowed us to maximize bottom time and get a few more macro shots in on each dive.

The Diving:

What can I say? The diving was GREAT!
Fiji really deserves her title as the soft coral capital of the world.
Unbelieveable colors, killer macro & countless fish (at least 90+ species on every bommie). Current was managable and kept the soft corals happy and this years bleaching was minimal in most areas. I was bit surprised at the small number of large fish and turtles. I supose this is a byproduct of local fishing although there where no outward signs of it.Most of the dives are on Bommies, tall pinacles that rise from deep water. This makes profiles easy as you will always end up at about 15-20ft with plenty of air/nitrox remaining. This allows for plenty of time for a safety stop and for chasing clownfish around and trying to get then to hold still ;o)
On your first couple dives, stick with a divemaster! These guys are really good at critter finding! A beautiful hairy ghost pipefish is a good example! It could have been swimming around inside my mask and I don't think I would have seen it without help.

Overall, the diving was top notch and I would recomend it to anyone. If you have never been diving in the South Pacific, this would be a great place to start and the best liveaboard I have ever been on! Period!

I will be returning to Fiji very soon! Not just for the diving, but also for the people. It truly is a wonderful place.


Best Fishes,

John



Welcome to DigitalDiver.net!

Friday 10 April 2009

DIVE ZERO :: Scuba Diving's Life+Style and Entertainment

Dive Zero is portal focusing on the culture and lifestyle of scuba diving. To bring the underwater world to you, we have produced a growing list of products, such
as Dive Zero Virtual "page-flip" magazine, Dive Zero high definition video magazine, Dive Zero Images, Dive Zero Internet TV and an online scuba diving community at the
Dive Village. With all 5 sources of scuba media, Dive Zero is the one stop to fill all of your scuba diving needs, so no matter what kind of diver you are, we have it all here.


DIVE ZERO :: Scuba Diving's Life+Style and Entertainment

Thursday 9 April 2009

SCUBA Show 2009 Announces Seminar & Film Festival Schedule.

The SCUBA Show, the largest dive expo in the U.S. will take place May 30-31 (the weekend after Memorial Day) at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. This is the 22nd year of this popular event. The show will consist of 76,000 square feet of diving related exhibits including new and revolutionary dive gear, travel pros and diving experts. The exhibit hall is 90% sold out.

Highlighting the exhibit hall will be a personal appearance by world famous artist Wyland. He will be doing a live painting during the show and exhibiting some of his finest artwork.

A continuous underwater film festival will be running in the exhibit hall on a three-story high screen and will feature films from around the world by over a dozen underwater imaging experts.

A full schedule of 33 seminars will garnish the weekend given by top diving experts Marty Snyderman, Dr. Milton Love, Bruce Watkins, Dale Sheckler, Tabby Stone MD, Ken Knezick, Ken Kurtis, Bonnie Cardone, and many more. Subjects covered include underwater photography and video, marine life, dive travel, and more.

Saturday night will feature a Casino party benefiting California Ships to Reefs, a non-profit organization sinking ships along the California coastline as artificial reefs. Highlight of the party will be the awarding of the California Scuba Service Award. Honoree for this year is Sal Zammitti, a fixture in California diving for over 40 years with his Central and Northern California Bamboo Reef dive stores.

Exhibit hall hours are Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Advanced attendee registration, seminar & film festival schedule and general information can be found at www.scubashow.com

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Face of Australia

Vote now to help Josh Jensen to become the Face of Australia and light up diving in Australia for the viewers of The Underwater Channel!

We invited ace Aussie divers to submit video showreels pitching for the role and six semi-finalists have now been selected from the candidates.

Josh Jensen

Qualifications: Marine Biologist; PADI Dive Instructor

Base: Tewantin, 150 kms north of Brisbane

Occupation: 10 years fulltime work in the dive industry travelling the world. Underwater cameraman owning his own underwater imaging business with his dive partner wife.

Pitch: I’m passionate about the underwater world and have brilliant contacts, in-depth knowledge and experience of the area. I have more than a year’s worth of story ideas for UWC and enjoy talking about anything relating to the underwater world.

Vote for Josh!

Beyond Blue - Marine research, conservation and expeditions

Beyond Blue issue 3 is now available to download in PDF. With an indepth article covering Whale Sonar, extensive information on some of the effects of climate change, an exclusive photo contest and lots more, Beyond Blue 3 offers readers our most accomplished issue to date. For those of you who are newcomers, Beyond Blue is a unique fusion between marine scientists and environmental journalists in which daily discoveries being made about our marine world are brought to life in an exciting and dynamic format. Download Beyond Blue magazine issue 3 via our Issues page.

Below you will find a few pages from the latest issue of Beyond Blue, but don't forget that you can download the full magazine, and other issues by visiting our Issues page.

Beyond Blue - Marine research, conservation and expeditions