Oceana – Protecting the World’s Oceans: Shark Report

Oceana – Protecting the World’s Oceans: Shark Report

The End of the Line?, a new report by Oceana and WildAid, provides an overview of the factors affecting the survival of sharks, as well as a call to action to reduce the demand for shark products and implement solutions as part of the global effort. The consumption of sharks and shark products are driving shark populations to extinction, and this new report serves as a wake-up call to act now.

Download full report here.

Underwater Journal 5 Available Now!

Underwater Journal's latest release is available for free download

North American online magazine, the Underwater Journal, once again fulfills its quest to provide fascinating, information-filled articles. The latest 57-page issue (JWJ-issue5.pdf) is jam-packed with a wide range of comprehensive features.

Readers can immerse themselves in photo-rich features such as the centerpiece focusing on the lovely mermaids of historical Weeki Wachee Springs in central Florida. Check out “Freedom Divers” to learn how our distinguished war veterans use the underwater world to cope with their disabilities.

Also in this issue learn about:

-Patent Foramen Ovale - PFO, and its link to Decompression Sickness

-Diving California’s San Clemente Island

-Scuba DoRags’ flamboyuant ScubaTubeSocks

-Shearwater’s New Pursuit multi-gas, PO2 computer for rebreather divers

-Olympus E-410 Digital Camera and PT-E03 housing System

-Advanced Nitrox – three gas computers. Do you really need one?

To subscribe or download the current issue, or archive issues of the Underwater Journal FREE of charge, go to underwaterjournal.com.

For adidtional information, contact:

Walt Stearns

info@uwjournal.com

phone 561-715-3164

www.underwaterjournal.com

Material posted and distributed through DiveNewswire

WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges-30 October, 2007

I wonder if any of our ops are to be nominated this year. SO far the Shark Dive in Beqa is our star.. Wonder who this year...

Stuart

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges

Judges for the 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have been confirmed by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The Awards, which focus on best practices in sustainable tourism, have gained international recognition for their rigorous three-step judging process.

Judges on the finalist selection committee are:

*Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK

*Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia

*Nicky Fitzgerald, Senior Director, CC Africa, South Africa

*Erika Harms, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation, Costa Rica & USA

*Marilu Hernandez, President, Fundacion Hacinedas del Mundo Mayas, Mexico

*Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network

*Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International, USA

*Mahen Sangkhrajka, President, Big Five Tours and Expeditions, Kenya

*Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd

*Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia

*Jessica Hall Upchurch, Director of Sustainability, Virtuoso, USA

*Michelle White, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada & Global

The panel will review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four award categories to move into the second stage, when on-site inspections will take place.

During the third stage of judging, a final judging panel will choose the winner for each category.

Members of the final judging panel include:

*Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, USA

*Maria Isabel Salvador, Minister of Tourism, Ecuador

*Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Media Group, UK

*Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel Market, UK

Chairman of the judges Costas Christ said: "The high calibre of our international judging panel and the rigorous on site inspection process is what distinguishes these prestigious awards, bringing global recognition to the world's best practice examples of sustainable tourism.

"Our goal is to encourage the travel and tourism industry to play a larger role in protecting the cultural and natural heritage of our planet while also delivering tangible local economic benefits."

WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges

HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HARD ROCK CAFE FIJI

Well it had to happen I suppose, even in Paradise. HRC is so bloody expensive in USA and Europe that I don;t even go in in these detsinations... Wonder what the price line will be like at Denarau???

Stuart

Fiji’s First-Ever Hard Rock Location to Open for Business

Orlando, FL, October 25, 2007 – Hard Rock International, one of the world's most recognizable brands, known for dining, music, memorabilia and entertainment, is proud to announce the opening of Hard Rock Cafe Fiji. Fiji’s first-ever Hard Rock location will offer guests great American fare in a rock 'n' roll atmosphere.

Scheduled to open in November 2007, Hard Rock Cafe Fiji, operated by franchisee Jack’s of Fiji, will be located in the Port Denarau Retail and Commercial Complex on Denarau Island in Nadi Fiji. Nestled in Nadi, the “gateway to Fiji,” Hard Rock Cafe Fiji will be ideally situated near luxury hotels and great shopping, and a short distance from the international airport, offering a convenient destination for both local fans and travelers.

“Fiji offers a rich culture, as well as some of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO of Hard Rock International. “The timing for a Hard Rock Cafe in Fiji is perfect, and we are proud to bring our world-famous brand to this gorgeous area.”

Hard Rock Cafe Fiji will be one of the city’s premier dining and entertainment destinations, with two levels, including a 150-seat restaurant, a performance stage and Hard Rock’s Rock Shop. The state-of-the-art facility will be adorned with pieces from Hard Rock’s world-famous memorabilia collection, including items representing contemporary stars, such as Shakira’s black and gold pants and Seal’s acoustic Fender guitar, to rock legends, like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith’s “parrot” costume, The Who’s tan drum set and Cheap Trick’s red Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Other notable items include Bruce Springsteen’s black tour jacket, Jethro Tull’s bass guitar, and the lyrics to Guns N’ Roses “My Michelle.”

About Hard Rock International
With 122 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and eight Hotels/Casinos in 47 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, Pattaya and Bali, with San Diego scheduled to open later in 2007. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau, scheduled to open in 2009, and Palm Springs, scheduled to open in 2010. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.HardRock.com.

See full article here : Hard Rock Cafe

Fiji’s reefs in spectacular condition!

Fiji’s reefs show high coral health after recovering from a coral bleaching event.

Coral reefs have frequently been in the news over the past few years, usually for all the wrong reasons, in articles about dying corals across the globe. However, Fiji has had reason to celebrate, with recent scientific reports suggesting that the reefs here are remarkably resilient, and currently in the best condition recorded. (this millennium!)

Fiji is a large archipelago with a great variety of reef types, spread across the country. While not denying that reefs have their ups and downs, the Fiji branches of the Global Coral Reef Network (GCRMN) and Reef Check have just published the results of eight years of study, where reefs have been seen to recover from events such as Cyclones, Crown of Thorns Starfish and High-temperature Coral Bleaching, within five years.

Dive operators around the Fiji Islands have supported and carried out scientific reef surveys on their dive sites, which have shown reefs affected by coral bleaching in 2000 were back to normal amounts of coral cover by 2005, and even better than normal by 2007.

Many reefs are currently showing a spectacular array of hard corals, with more than 80% coral cover, and 40% Acropora branching and table corals, the most attractive to fish, marine animals, and divers. This suggests that corals in Fiji can survive quite catastrophic events as long as they do not occur too often, a nice cause for optimism for the South Pacific reefs.

Detailed reef health reports can be found at:

• www.reefcheck.org

• www.gcrmn.org

• www.marineecologyfiji.com

By: Helen R Sykes

Director Marine Ecology Fiji

Fiji Co-coordinator Reef Check

Fiji Co-coordinator GCRMN

Hexagon opens flagship

Hexagon opens flagship

Friday, November 09, 2007

THE Hexagon Group of Hotels has re-opened its upgraded West Motor Inn in Nadi as the group's flagship.

The $7million investment is also expected to boost the Hexagon Group of Hotels position within the Fiji tourism market.

The Hexagon International Hotel/Villas and Spa in Nadi consists of newly-built conference facilities, the new Grand Hibiscus Serviced Apartments and the Jasmine Terrace Apartments.

The development has increased what used to be the West Motor Inn's inventory of rooms by more than 30 rooms to a total of 146 rooms.

Hexagon Group managing director, Dixon Seeto said they were very proud to be able to open the new facilities especially during what he said were challenging times for the industry.

"We have certainly come of age with this development and we are now very much a force to be reckoned with now being a major local hotel chain," Mr Seeto said.

"We still envision opening in other urban centres and we have plans for this which has been postponed to the near future," he said.

The Hexagon Group of Hotels celebrated its 25th anniversary last month.

=============================================

Got to admit that this has been our choice of affordable transfer hotel in Nadi for YEARS!

Stuart

Fiji Travel - Why It Is So Popular

Fiji Travel - Why It Is So Popular

"Are you interested in taking a vacation, a romantic getaway, or a honeymoon? If you are, you may have had Fiji travel recommended to you before. Although it is nice to know that Fiji is a great destination for a vacation, romantic getaway, or honeymoon, you may be interested in learning just why that is. If you are, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to determining exactly why Fiji travel is so popular, you will find that Fiji travel is popular for a number of different reasons. This is mostly because tourists are drawn to Fiji for different reasons. A few of the most common reasons why Fiji travel is so popular are outlined below."

Fiji Travel - Why It Is So Popular

Wetpixel launches Wetpixel Quarterly

Magazine focuses on spectacular underwater imagery and the marine environment.

Wetpixel LLC announces the arrival of a new quarterly print magazine devoted to high-quality underwater photography. Wetpixel Quarterly brings fans of the underwater realm spectacular imagery in a landscape-oriented, high-resolution format. As well as celebrating the beauty of the deep, Wetpixel Quarterly provides a forum for a necessary dialog on marine conservation among photographers, researchers, conservationists, and the general public. To help foster this community, the magazine accepts and encourages contributions from professional and amateur photographers alike. Wetpixel.com is the most respected online destination for all things related to underwater imaging; Wetpixel Quarterly presents an exciting new venue for showcasing the work of this community in print.

The magazine's founders, Eric Cheng and Elijah Woolery—both avid divers and underwater photographers—hope to foster environmental stewardship by highlighting conservation concerns in Wetpixel Quarterly's theme-based issues. "By drawing attention to the links between the beauty of the underwater world and the action required to sustain these environments," says Woolery, "we're hoping to increase interest in preserving threatened areas around the globe—and to help protect those areas that are still pristine." Through interviews, articles, open contests, and, most importantly, the lenses of its contributors, Wetpixel Quarterly brings to the page a new sense of the fragility and splendor of underwater life.

About Wetpixel Quarterly:

Wetpixel Quarterly was founded in 2007 by Eric Cheng and Elijah Woolery to create a high-quality quarterly showcase of the best in underwater imagery in conjunction with news and information about marine research and conservation. Wetpixel Quarterly is printed in landscape orientation using 50% recycled materials. For more information, visit http://www.wetpixelquarterly.com

Fiji Scuba Diving - About Scuba Diving in Fiji

Fiji Scuba Diving - About Scuba Diving in Fiji

"Fiji Scuba Diving Information

Fiji is famous for its beautiful terrain, tranquil sunsets, clear waters, and it's rainbow medley of soft coral. This tropical paradise has rightfully earned the nickname: 'Soft Coral Capital of the World'. No wonder snorkeling and scuba diving are popular throughout Fiji.

While diving Fiji, you'll discover over four hundred species of coral. The most famous being Dendronepthya Klunzingeri, which comes in a kaleidoscope of colors. The coral is found on reefs with moderate to strong currents and at deeper depths. With over 330 islands and 76,000 square miles of ocean, there's an abundance of coral environments for your enjoyment. You'll find drop-offs, swim-throughs, fissures, coral gardens, and the spine and groove type reefs. The reefs attract colorful and abundant marine life. See the table below."