Scuba Diving Locations Guide: Scuba Diving Fiji

Scuba Diving Locations Guide: Scuba Diving Fiji:

"Scuba diving in Fiji Islands
The islands Fiji is famous for its spectacular scenery and is a world class attraction for sea sports such as big game fishing and of course, scuba diving. Fiji is a favorite scuba diving destination for scuba divers and highlights include a fantastic variety of colorful soft corals, more than 1200 species of fish, 12 species of whales and dolphins and plenty of scuba diving resorts which cater to all types of budgets. Alternatively divers can choose live aboard dive charters or if a tourist on vacation in Fiji cannot scuba dive, snorkeling off the beach is also a wonderful option.

Scuba diving conditions in Fiji
The Fijian archipelago is encircled by a huge reef. There are many shallow lagoons to swim, snorkel or to play in. There are also thousands of scuba dive sites to choose from. Most areas are easy to get to with plenty of resorts offering scuba diving scattered around the Fijian islands.

The water temperature is just perfect for scuba diving and is at its coldest 25C. On warmer days, it is about 30C. Water visibility in Fiji is excellent and visibility of up to 40m or 120ft is not unheard of although heavy rainfall can reduce the water visibility because of debri from the islands with river run-off."

DAN Announces DES Quest II

DAN Challenges divers to improve their skills to become Diving Emergency Specialists

The DES Quest II has begun, time for divers to challenge themselves to dive deeper into dive education and hands-on experience in rescue. Last year more than 250 divers met the challenge: This year could be yours.

Beginning June 1, DAN is challenging all interested divers to pursue and achieve the level of Diving Emergency Specialist (DES), a training recognition program designed to commend divers who have continued their education and training in obtaining knowledge and becoming both better buddies and better divers.

To achieve the level of Diving Emergency Specialist, a diver must:

1. be a rescue-level (or higher) diver with their training agency

2. hold a current CPR and First Aid certification

3. hold a current certification in Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (or equivalent)

4. complete three of the following:

· Advanced Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (or equiv.)

· First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries (or equiv.)

· AEDs for Scuba Diving (or equiv.)

· On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers (or equiv.)

· Remote Emergency Medical Oxygen (REMO₂™)

The DES Quest II runs from June 1 – Dec. 31, 2007. During the Quest, when DAN is notified of a diver’s achievement of DES, that diver will receive a specially designed T-shirt and ballcap prize package. In addition, the diver will automatically be entered in a drawing for a DAN Gift Certificate worth $250^Ñ.

Plus, you’ll have the added confidence of training. Join the growing ranks of DES providers by completing the DES Quest II.

To find out more and to download an application, go to http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/article.asp?newsid=971

Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II

This is one of those rare books that you know within the first dozen pages it's going to be a great read and you're going to be disappointed when it ends. Robert Kurson's tremendous research combined with a great historical narrative style results in learning not only about the lives of the living players such as Chatterton and Kohler, but the dead sailors on the submarine as well.

While this is Kurson's book, you can see the extensive contribution provided by Chatterton, Kohler and others who shared the experience. This book fits beautifully with "The Last Dive", which I reviewed here a few years ago. I did learn things here, which surprised me relative to "The Last Dive". I thought they had been doing mixed-gas diving much longer on U-869 then just before the Rouse's arrival. Chapter 2 is about the dangers of wreck diving and sets the stage of what to expect throughout the remainder of the book.

Kurson makes sure the reader understands this wasn't just a bunch of treasure hunters looking for some "stuff". These guys respected this dive site as sacred resting place for these German sailors and their actions (including their own research) supported that belief. And in the end, I was right...it was a disappointment to see it end.

eBay Condemned for Allowing Ivory Trade

May 15, 2007 — By Reuters

LONDON -- The elephant, the world's largest land mammal, is being threatened with global extinction by a "rampant trade" in ivory on the eBay online auction site, animal welfare campaigners said on Tuesday.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said it had conducted a survey in Britain, Australia, China, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada and the United States and tracked more than 2,200 elephant ivory items listed on eBay websites.

It found more than 90 percent of the listings breached even eBay's own wildlife policies.

International wildlife trade laws differ from country to country and are often complex, but according to the IFAW in general it is illegal to sell carved or uncarved ivory unless it is antique and accompanied by a proof of age certificate.

The Fund says the only way to protect elephants from poachers is to shut down the markets where illegal ivory can easily be passed off as antique.

"As the world's largest online shop window, eBay has a special responsibility to lead the way by banning ivory from their sites, said Robbie Marsland, IFAW's British director.

"Only a global ban on all ivory sales will remove the cover under which this criminal activity currently operates and as a result, seriously help to decrease illegal trade and the cruel and unnecessary slaughter of elephants."

Gareth Streeter, a spokesman for eBay in London, said in a statement the Web site operated policies to "restrict the sale of ivory in accordance with existing UK and international law.

"We have had a number of positive and fruitful discussions with the IFAW about how we can work together to ensure that our policies are effectively enforced, and we are committed to working with them to tackle the problem of illegal ivory sales," he said.

Marsland urged eBay to ban all trade in ivory.

"Elephants are facing extinction, in part because of Internet ivory trade. It is time for action," he said.

Source: Reuters

Monica's Rants: Travel: South Pacific

Monica's Rants: Travel: South Pacific:

"BFTE Carnival"

The trade show came to a close with a huge carnival set up on the Denarau Golf Course. Alcohol was flowing freely with the Fiji Malt House Brewery playing a starring role in my evening. The amount of food on the buffets was staggering, but the lighting was odd, so it was a little hard to tell exactly what I was eating.

Pretty much all the delegates asked the same question of the carnival rides. “Do you think the safety certificates are up to date?” We didn’t care though and even though my foot broke a hole through the bottom of the “spinny” ride upon boarding, I still wasn't to be deterred. Maybe I was feeling extra daring, or maybe the Fiji beer gave me an extra shot of courage, but I was totally up for “spew fest” as my new pals called it.

Speaking of new pals, here’s a photo of Allan and Terri of the Paradise Taveuni. Allan got his hands on a blinky ice cube and had great fun smiling a neon grin at unsuspecting passers by.

By the way, If you get a chance, check out the Paradise Taveuni website, which was a runner up in the Air Pacific Tourism Awards program.

Blatant Plug

Okay, I know this is supposed to be a blog of MY travels, but I just was over at the Paradise in Fiji blog and saw this fabulous photo of the whales near the Paradise resort. I know I'm blatantly ripping this image off, but how cool is it. Wish I could have been there....

PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge Issues $100,000 US in Cash Rewards

PADI Members reap the benefits as the popular program grows.

12 June 2007 – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – The PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge continues to lead the way in continuing education and diver retention programs, with PADI Americas rewarding instructors with more than $100,000 US for supporting this popular campaign. This translates to more than 4000 new PADI Master Scuba Diver certifications and 20,000 specialty certifications since the program's inception in June 2005. These numbers nearly triple when certifications from all PADI global offices worldwide are included.

“PADI Members worldwide are clearly integrating the Master Scuba Diver Challenge into their local marketing tactics,” noted Kristin Valette, Director of Marketing and Communications, PADI Americas. “By doing so, they’re reaping the rewards in more ways than one. Continuing education sales positively impact all dive business profit centers - from equipment sales to dive travel to education. The Master Scuba Diver Challenge rewards are simply an added bonus to a winning strategy.”

PADI’s Master Scuba Diver Challenge will roll throughout 2007 and beyond, with new and exciting support materials coming in 2008. PADI Instructors continue to reap rewards with a $25 US incentive for every PADI Master Scuba Diver they certify in 2007 and new PADI Master Scuba Divers receive a branded backpack and personalized certificate of recognition.

As the world’s largest diver training, certification and membership organization, PADI continues to focus major resources on effective diver acquisition and retention programs such as the unprecedented GO Dive campaign, the innovative PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge and motivational Go PRO Challenge.

For more information about these exciting campaigns and to learn how you can leverage PADI Membership to your advantage, contact the PADI International Resort and Retailer Associations at 800 729 7234 (US and Canada) or +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2260.

Others promise … PADI delivers.

Scuba Diving In Fiji

Scuba Diving In Fiji: "Scuba Diving In Fiji
By: Chris Chew

The islands of Fiji are famous for its spectacular scenery and a world class attraction for sea sports such as big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving. Fiji is a favorite scuba diving location for scuba divers from all over the world and its highlights include a fantastic variety of colorful soft corals, more than 1200 species of fish, 12 species of whales and dolphins.

There are also many scuba diving resorts in Fiji which cater to all kinds of budgets and divers. Alternatively divers can choose live aboard dive boats or if you are a tourist on vacation in Fiji do not know how to scuba dive, you can take up lessons there or simply go snorkeling off the pristine beaches.

The Fijian archipelago is encircled by a huge reef and therefore there are many shallow lagoons to swim, snorkel or frolick in. There are also thousands of scuba dive sites to choose from. Most dive locations are easy to get to with plenty of resorts offering scuba diving scattered around the Fijian islands.

The water temperature is just perfect for scuba diving with at its coldest at only 25C. On warmer days, it is about 30C. Water visibility in Fiji is excellent with superb visibility of up to 40m or 120ft is a norm rather than exception.

Mamanuca dive sites in Fiji is easily be accessible "

padi.com Traffic Soars

A 41 percent spike in padi.com traffic is attributed to the recent eLearning launch

Traffic at padi.com – one of the dive industry's most visited websites - skyrocketed the week of 20 May 2007 largely due to the launch of the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online. The volume of traffic marks the highest number of page views in padi.com history, which holds promise of an increase in new divers for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts.

With eLearning’s launch on 21 May 2007, padi.com saw an immediate increase in traffic. By Friday 25 May, padi.com traffic increased more than 41 percent, equating to an additional 5,538 unique visitors on that day alone as compared to last year. 4,926 visitors on that day were new to the site. Padi.com page views increased by more than 76,600 as compared to the same time last year, surging padi.com traffic to a record breaking week!

PADI eLearning is already leading to a surge in business for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. Phil Ellis, owner and operator of Dive Sports in Decatur, Alabama, USA already has seven eLearning students. “All seven of my customers who signed up for PADI eLearning did so through our company website,” boasted Ellis. “One of our customers told me that she wouldn't have been able to learn to dive if it wasn’t for eLearning. She’s from a city about 50 miles away and could never make arrangements to get into our store for regularly scheduled classes because of her busy schedule. She happened to visit our website after we put up the eLearning link and saw how convenient it was for her.”

Mass Diving, in Natick, Massachusetts, USA had two eLearners the same day the site launched. “We had two people sign up right away for PADI eLearning from padi.com,” shared Mark Potter, owner and operator of Mass Diving. “They’re twins, they’re both already done with the program and they’ve already come into the store to purchase their mask, fins and snorkels. We’re starting their pool and open water training tomorrow.”

“I asked them, now that they're done with the course, if they would do it again via eLearning or if they would have preferred to take the course via the DVD version,” continued Potter. “They told me, hands down, that they would do eLearning again. There were a few little glitches, but nothing they couldn’t work out. They’ve asked for some more help on dive tables, so I’m having an instructor email them to give them more direction. And, if they need to, they can always sit in on a regular class when we cover that portion. But, overall, I feel warm and fuzzy over eLearning. It’s going to be a big hit.” It’s important to note that Mass Diving students pay $55 US more for the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online than their standard PADI Open Water Diver course.

Surge in padi.com traffic, new students at PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, increased course profits and honest feedback from dive center owners and operators. It all adds up to a single, clear message – the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online is helping PADI Members make more money.

“We have two people who were planning on going to the Bahamas for either a resort course or certification. But they found our website, saw eLearning and called us. Now, they’ve finished the knowledge development portion of the class with us and we’ve helped arrange their in-water training with a PADI Resort in the Bahamas. They’ll be by to purchase their personal equipment prior to their trip,” said Dive Sports' Ellis. “I think eLearning is the most significant technological advance PADI has ever made. It’s a great tool. I feel very sorry for the stores who don’t embrace it, because I think they’ll be left behind.”

Bush Sets Record for Denying Protection to Endangered Species

There are currently 279 highly imperiled US species that are designated as candidates for listing as threatened or endangered and that face potential extinction. But the Bush administration has failed to protect any one of them in the last year.

The last species protected by the administration were 12 Hawaiian picture-wing flies listed in a single rule on May 9, 2006. Overall, according to a report released by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Bush administration has listed fewer species under the Endangered Species Act than any other administration since the law was enacted in 1973, to date only listing 57 species compared to 512 under the Clinton administration and 234 under the first Bush administration.

“The Bush administration has killed the program for protecting new species as endangered,” says Noah Greenwald, conservation biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity. “and in the process has contributed to the extinction of at least two species. This government’s war on science is also a war against wildlife.”

In October of last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the Hawaiian plant Haha (Cyanea eleeleensis) is likely extinct and thus is being considered for removal from the candidate list. The summer run of Lake Sammamish Kokonee salmon in Washington state are also believed extinct.

A copy of the Center’s report can be found at:
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

Further reading: Center for Biological Diversity

Sharks at Risk as Traditions Decline

Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

May 25, 2007 — Weather disasters, economic pressures and other problems have disrupted the lives of Pacific Islanders near Australia to the point that they too are now mismanaging their natural resources. This shift has led to dangerous declines, and even collapses, of shark, other fish and marine stocks, according to a new study

The conclusion comes in the wake of new detailed analysis of coral reef fisheries in the Solomon Islands, which have a population of around 500,000 people mostly from the Nggela culture. The Nggela traditionally believe in ancestor and nature spirits that can "curse" anyone who breaks fishing prohibitions.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/05/25/fisheriesculture_ani.html?category=animals&guid=20070525110000

Thirty-Two Mile Cable Installed for First Deep-Sea Observatory

Oceanographers have completed an important step in constructing the first deep-sea observatory off the continental United States. Workers in the multi-institution effort laid 32 miles (52 kilometers) of cable along the Monterey Bay sea floor that will provide electrical power to scientific instruments, video cameras, and robots 3,000 feet (900 meters) below the ocean surface. The link will also carry data from the instruments back to shore, for use by scientists and engineers from around the world.

The Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) observatory, due to be completed later this year, will provide ocean scientists with 24-hour-a-day access to instruments and experiments in the deep sea. The project is managed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Currently, almost all oceanographic instruments in the deep sea rely on batteries for power and store their data on hard disks or memory chips until they are brought back to the surface. With a continuous and uninterrupted power supply, instruments attached to the MARS observatory could remain on the sea floor for months or years.

"MARS represents the first step in a long-planned process to transform the way the oceans are studied," said Julie Morris, director of NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences. "Marine scientists will no longer be required to go out to the ocean for their studies. The ocean is about to come into their offices."

If something goes wrong with the instruments, scientists will know immediately, and will be able to recover or reprogram them as necessary.

Slightly thicker than a garden hose, the MARS cable is buried about 3 feet below the sea floor along most of its route, so it will not be disturbed by boat anchors or fishing gear.

The cable itself contains a copper electrical conductor and strands of optical fiber. The copper conductor will transmit up to 10 kilowatts of power from a shore station at Moss Landing, Calif., to instruments on the sea floor. The optical fiber will carry up to 2 gigabits per second of data from these instruments back to researchers on shore, allowing scientists to monitor and control instruments 24 hours a day, and to have an unprecedented view of how environmental conditions in the deep sea change over time.

"After 5 years of hard work, we are thrilled to bring the age of the Internet to the deep ocean, so we can understand, appreciate and protect the two-thirds of our planet that lies under the sea," said MBARI director Marcia McNutt. "We are grateful for the help of our talented partners and visionary sponsors. MARS has truly been a team effort."

At the seaward end of the MARS cable is a large steel frame about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and 15 feet (4.6 meters) on each side. This "trawl-resistant frame" will protect the electronic "guts" of the MARS observatory, which will serve as a computer network hub and electrical substation in the deep sea. The researchers hope to install these electronic components into the trawl-resistant frame in the fall of 2007.

After the electronics package is installed and tested, scientists from around the world will be able to attach their instruments to the observatory using underwater extension cords. These instruments will be carried down from the surface and plugged into the science node using MBARI's remotely operated vehicles.

MARS also will serve as a testing ground for technology that will be used on more ambitious deep-sea observatories. As planned, such observatories will use thousands of kilometers of undersea cables to hook up dozens of seismographs and oceanographic monitoring stations. They will provide scientists with new views of sea floor life, and a new understanding of the global tectonic processes that spawn earthquakes and tsunamis.

"MARS is the harbinger of an international ocean observatory network that will enable scientists to study ocean features and changing conditions," said Morris. "New ocean observing capabilities will provide knowledge about the ocean, and information to better manage and preserve ocean resources."

The MARS project was initiated in 2002 with $8 million in grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and $1.75 million from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. NSF also contributed an additional $2 million to meet permitting and homeland security requirements. Components for the observatory are being designed and built by MBARI, the University of Washington, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Nautronics Maripro, and Alcatel.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Cheryl Dybas, NSF (703) 292-7734 cdybas@nsf.gov
Kim Fulton-Bennett, MBARI (831) 775-1835 kfb@mbari.org

Related Websites
MARS Observatory: http://www.mbari.org/mars/

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $5.91 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes nearly 10,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Receive official NSF news electronically through the e-mail delivery and notification system, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service). To subscribe, visit www.nsf.gov/mynsf/ and fill in the information under "new users".

Useful NSF Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
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For the News Media: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp
Science and Engineering Statistics: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards Searches: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Dive Like a Pro: 101 Ways to Improve Your Scuba Skills and Safety

Dive Like a Pro was a great addition to my diving library. The book is a fantastic resource to have at hand. It's a concise manual with tips on everything from saving your breath to maintaining your gear.

Rossier's writing is clear, and his instructions are easy to follow. I bring my copy with me every time I go diving. It's small enough to fit easily in my dive bag. If there is a diver in your family he or she needs this book.