‘THE ISLE OF ARRAN KELP AND CORAL GO DIVING SHOW THE DIVING DELIGHTS FOUND | OUREXPERTS GIVE AN INSIGHT |THE GREAT BRITISH DIVE OFF THE WEST COAST INTO THE LIVES OF THESE VITAL | SHOW'IS BACK WITH: OF SCOTLAND (OCEAN INHABITANTS ABANG IN 2024 SCUBA DIVER Né chat totalented artist Olivier Leger about his.incredibly ‘detailed pieces, how he gets fi Tay Ticeldteya eels ‘ MV Ye cane Siocele (- Sav MM eaV igre Co oro |g \V.—.\ ie es TECH: USS ILLINOIS » ROATAN Pemeaetes ome ree DIVERS ALERT NETWORK www scusabiveRas comTECHNIC, EXCELLENCE REVEAL peal FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT. Skirt available in 3 sizes. Quick release interchangeable lenses. COUT TMNTSi = rete 7Me) ac Pea ard od Tel: 0800 0 69 81 40 ext 700 Eee ee Be On Un reer eet Cad Poe eet Pee eee eer nr Ca Cee oy coer) LE eerl) Eee ete eet) Pree Ra Ur eras Ee et eee) Pee aa pea eT) erred frexonrs Eee an fens pret ea eg Poneto ee eae ee eee ety Ere ee prmeniets: irae ec nese) Se Rea ret eu eu toes fer See ee eee ree Nour y ce) Pee oer reset e to) wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOM A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The weekend of 2-3 March saw more than 10, ple de the NAEC at Stoneleigh Park for the annual GO Diving Sho ‘overwhelming consensus from both visitors and exhibitors British Dive Show’ is back - with a vengeance, Many long-established members of the dive industy \gratulate the GODS team and say that the le - for 2024, we expanded into all three halls at the NAEC, sq m of exhibition space - was reminiscent of dive shows from huge queue formed outside on Saturday morning, and the deluge of cited and eager divers didn't stop all day. Even the traditionally quieter ‘Sunday still saw a constant flow of visitors throughout the day. The hustle and bustle was palpable over both days It was heartening to see so many femilies and younger divers wandering the halls. With four stages, a whole raft of interactive elements, including a ‘marine conservation zone, two VR diving the ever-popular a bouldering wall, the giant try lundreds of exhibitors, there was plenty to keep everyone occupied, ive pool, Mermaid Lagoon and much more, a @ full report on the event, and mark the dates for next 4-2 March UK diving Mark Evans, Editorial Director> ADVENTURE Since 1984, Aggressor Adventures® has been on a mission to deliver big animal encounters, big fun and big service from the Cayman Islands to the Nile River to the jungles of Sri Lanka. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime aboard our five-star, worldwide scuba liveaboards, signature lodges, floating resorts and river cruises.a Pafau - Philippines ie. */8 CIEE Lege ta a a ae Be our guest now and get in on the Big Savings! & +1 706-993-2531 - info@aggressor.com - www.aggressor.com ix @News round-up Massive maer! bed found off Cornwall, BSAC launches Underwater Surveyor course, new wreck inthe Red Sea, and Steve Backshall back lve on stage. DAN Europe Medical Q&A The Divers Alert Network team discuss painful sea urchin punctures. Divers Alert Network Tim Blomeke explains the multiple uses of a double-ended bolt snap. Chamber Diaries ‘The Midlands Diving Chamber reflects on a hugely successful appearance at the GO Diving Show UK. Bay Islands of Honduras Marie Davies sets sail on a liveaboard adventure exploring the colourful depths surrounding the island of Roatan in Honduras’ Bay Islands Q&A with Olivier Leger We chat to the incredibly talented marine artist about his Inspiration, the messages contained in his mega-detalled works, and how he manages to include so many elements in each of his pieces. Scotland Ross McLaren shines a spotight on the pioneering work of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), which has set up frst aNo Take Zone, and then a Marine Protected Area, off the west coast of Scotland. Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMMustard’s Masterclass Alex Mustard focuses on that classic - the subjects eye. GO Diving Show UK ‘Steve Weinman has attended more than @ few dive shows: over the years, but with the 2024 instalment of the GO Diving ‘Show, he reckons the "Great British Dive Show is back. Coral Richard Aspinall looks to answer a simple question, and tries to get to grips with the complex biology of reet-bulding. Kelp There are mytiad species of kelp, and here Lawson Wood takes us inside the world ofthis humble, but vay important, seadweller, TECH: England ‘A team of pioneering tech divers head deep into the English Channe''s shipping-lane separation zone to explore ‘a massive unknown wreck; the tanker USS illinois was their discovery, which would become a tech divers’ magnet. What’s New Now products to market, including the women’s version of the Avatar 102 Airon drysuit, a range of apres-dive Avatar clothing, the Seac Screen dive computer, the Goldfinder scooters from Suex, and Oceanarium's novelty reg bags. Test Extra Editorial Director Mark Evans rates and reviews the Oreaorch Mazu TD01 head / hand torch, and the Seac Propulsion § fins wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOMCHANGE THE WAY YOU DIVE FOREVER WITH MERIDIAN ADVENTURE DIVE Access to the most Dive Sites in Raja Ampat, Indonesia Best eco-conscious Dive Boats in the world Top of the range Aqualung Dive Equipment and Gear Fusion restaurant, Honest Food made to order PADI Cleanest Barefoot Luxury hotel in the jungle Adventure Activities for all ages above and below the water ECO On-Site Professional Dive Specialists CENTER ‘Community Driven, eco-conscious, socially responsible hotel and diving facility ‘At Meridian Adventure Dive Resort, the Raja Ampat you've dreamed of is waiti MERIDIAN ADVENTURE &¥ DIVE. éwavus (@) (@) WEB: _rajammerdianadventuredive.com Eee HOOOEINDUSTRY ! Each month, we bring together the latest industry news from right here in the UK, as well as all over our water planet. To find out the most up-to-date news and views, check out the website oF follow us on our various social media “~~ @X0o FOUND IN CORNWALL Researchers in Cornwall have discovered what they say is one of the biggest fields of maer! ever located in UK waters — and that the rare seaweed is proving a heavier hitter in the fight against climate change than was once suspected quivatent in area to nearly 900 rugby pitches, the ancient maer! bed lies within the Fal & Helford Estuary Special Area of Conservation between Falmouth and Penzance, and is thought to date back up to 4,000 years. Cornwall Council had commissioned the University of Exeter and environmental research consultancy Natural Capital Solutions to survey the seabed as part of the Blue "Natural Capital Project to assess the effectiveness of seagrass and seaweed habitats in combating climate change. Maer! is particularly efficient at storing carbon dioxide, say the researchers, doing so at the site at an estimated rate of 841 tonnes a year. This is five times more than is being captured by the combined seagrass, kelp and saltmarsh in, the area ~ making ita key national “blue carbon” location, “Maer! has not been considered as a valuable carbon store to date,” sald University of Exeter senior marine biology lecturer and project leader Or Chris Laing, “but our research demonstrates that as well as being a rare and valuable seabed habitat it should be a key player in coastal blue carbon assessments, which is an extremely important discovery for Cornwall, where the extent of the maer! beds, Is significant” ‘Cornwall Council is now working with the university, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and the Ocean Conservation Trust to protect the ecosystem from threats such as anchor damage from recreational boating, pollution ‘and water-temperature fluctuations. Findings from the central government-funded Blue Natural Capital Project are Intended to help direct the next stages of blue carbon research and develop national policies. “Building on the blue carbon work, research should focus on measuring a range of other benefits provided by maer! ‘and other marine and coastal habitats, for example storm protection, recreation and water purification, sald Natural Capital Solutions founder and director Alison Holt. 10 scvaac Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMBSAC INTRODUCES UNDERWATER SURVEYOR COURSE ‘The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) has partnered with conservation Charity Seawilding to introduce the Underwater Surveyor course, designed to make surveying fun and accessible. Surveying Is great fun, gives participants a new appreciation of the underwater world and is the first vital step in implementing conservation measures. However, as with many citizen science projects, it can be challenging to get started, knowing how and what to survey and in particular, what to do with the data that is collected. The all-new Underwater ‘Surveyor course is the ideal fst step towards getting involved in protecting the ocean and its habitats. It teaches the skills to use a variety of survey techniques while snorkelling or scuba diving, and empowers participants to play a valuable part in ocean science and conservation, FTV 4-3 V4 Underwater Surveyor comprises an eLearning module as wel as practical yey inthe-water training, where students learn how to undertake their own marine : suveys a eLearning is available to everyone through the BSAC website ihe Practical traning is delivered by BSAC clubs, regionally organised even, or F eta cel 12:18 ‘To enrol on the course and complete the practical training, all students must yah hold a minimum of BSAC Ocean Diver or Snorkel Diver qualifications (or equivalent) and be current BSAC members. There are two in-water sessions, with two surveys required. Survey dives will be conducted within the qualification and experience limits ofthe divers or sorkelles (On completion of both the Underwater Surveyor eLearning theory andl practical elements ofthe course, students will gain the BSAC Undervvater Surveyor Skill Development Course (SDC) qualification, and can request a {qualification card (QCard) recognising their achievement The knowledge and skils learned from Underwater Surveyor give everyone, bis young and old alike the ability to contribute to marine science every time they enter the water. Underwater Surveyors can get involved in protecting the ‘ocean and its habitats, using the skills and techniques taught on the course, as well having the confidence and opportunities to make a difference. Whether collected by snorkel or scuba diving, the data collected will help to make decisions that lead to the preservation and possibly restoration of crucially important ocean habitats What Underwater Surveyor teaches: How you wil be helping the oceans How to survey safely and assess risks Survey sills and techniques, ranging from easy to advanced What equipment you'll need ‘What to do with your survey data You'll learn how to collect rigorous data that can actually make a difference and be signposted to national data collection projects where you can put your skill to the test Underwater Surveyor is available to purchase now through the BSAC website, The course costs £45 for members and £55 for non-members. wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOM *INDUSTRY Follow us on our various social media xXxoo ANCIENT RED SEA SHIPWRECK NEAR EL QUSEIR Many wrecks and relics from the ancient world have been found off Egypt's Mediterranean coast, but such discoveries are rare in the Red Sea. Now a Roman shipwreck has been located only &km north of the small diving resort El Quseir, and the researchers from Egypt's National Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries who have been surveying the site describe it as a ‘significant finding’ ‘The NIOF team were looking for the wreck of a ship ‘mentioned in records as heading for India but lost near the ancient port of Myos Hormos at the end of the tst century ‘AD. The port was later known as Quseir al-adim, The vessel was believed to be carrying amphoras Containing olive oll and wine as well as ‘enormous quantities, of coins and precious metals’, according to the team, Previous archaeological work in the ancient harbour area, has traced settlements, jetties and pottery from between the end of the 1st century BC and the early 3rd century AD. The researchers were using an AUV to carry out sidescan: ‘sonar imaging of the seabed in the bay when an oval shape suggesting a wreck was picked up at a depth of around 60m. The wrecksite lies only about 200 metres from the northern border of the ancient port's entrance, say the NIOF team, led by Amr Hamouda. Soka ics dive in at adventures. Bathymetric modelling showed a pile of amphoras lying beside the ship, which measures 32 metres long, The vessel projects about one and a half metres above the sediment, and has yet to be excavated, Seabed imagery was collected Using a ROV video camera, but there is no indication that scuba divers have been involved in surveying the site. ‘The ancient Roman shipwreck is a significant discovery that poses as a major attraction for tourists from around the world,” concluded the NIOF team. Their study has just been published in the Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 2 Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMINDUSTRY AGGRESSOR ADVENTURES AND MARES ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP Aggressor Adventures has announced @ new partnership with Mares for 2024, which will see Mares become the exclusive supplier and brand of ving equipment for Aggressor's executive management team, staff and for guests within the rental equipment complement aboard 21 Aggressor Adventures yachts. ‘We are excited to partner with Mares, who shares our high standards, ‘commitment to customer service and passion for adventure travel” says Aggressor Adventures Chairman and CEO Wayne Brown, "Mares has manufactured exceptional diving gear for over 75 years, and we have been providing adventure travel for over 40 years. We are both ‘committed to the long-term success and growth of scuba diving. We look forward to working together on joint marketing programs and promotions that will benefit dive centres, travel agents and our customers.” Inthe coming months, Aggressor guests may rent Mares regulators, BCDs, and dive computers during their scuba vacations. Ifa passenger's personal dive equipment fails, or their luggage is lost, Aggressor’s onboard staff may provide them ‘free Mares loaner’ gear during their cruise. Mares and Aggressor Adventures will also host joint promotions throughout the year. FIVE GUNS PROVE FLORIDA SHIPWRECK IS HMS TYGER {A shipwreck discovered in the Dry Tortugas National Park west of the Florida Keys had long been suspected to be a 17th-century-built British warship — and ‘now its identity has finally been proven by a team of archaeological divers. ‘The 50-gun ship of the line HMS Tyger was in naval service for almost a century. The 39-metre frigate was built in 1647 but met its end only in 1742, after running aground on the Dry Tortugas reefs during the War of Jenkins Ear between Britain and Spain, The shipwreck was first located back in 1993 but could not be positively identified. Based on leads from historical research, in 2021 archaeological clvers from the National Park Service's submerged resources and south-east archaeological centres carried out a comprehensive survey of the sit. Their discovery of five cannon some 460 metres from the main wreck-site proved pivotal. Buried in the margins of old logbooks was a reference to the crew having ‘lightened her forward! after they had first run aground, and by reducing the weight onboard they had briefly succeeded in efloating the DISCOVER vessel before it sank shallow water Based onthe guns size, features and location they were determined to WORLDWIDE be some ofthe six- and nine-pound canon that would have been etisoned winen HMS Tyger frst ran aground “Tis ciscovey. along with a detaled re-evaluation of the main wreck ste, were items such as cannonball, anchor and an inscribed copper barel band ru were found, concluded the identification, and the team's findings have been aS eet) published in the Intemational Journal of Nautical Archaeology Like other Dry Tortugas Notional Park ites, the wreck s sad to be routinely monitored but the postive ID should bring the atonal protection offered Under the USA's Sunken Miltary Craft Act of 2004, The HMS Tyger wreck and its essocieted artefacts remain Btai's sovereign property. “This ciscoveryhighigts the importance of preservation in place as future generations of archaeologists armed with more advanced technologies and fescarch tools, re able to re-examine sites and make new discoveries’ said ‘Josh Marano, the marime archaeologist who led the team that made the ‘ecovery Pe Reet Pere easy ey Ceo Ww. scUBADIVERMAG.COM 2INDUSTRY NEWS Follow us on our various social media @scubadivermag 6xoa NEW MASTER LIVEABOARDS VESSEL IN INDONESIA Master Liveaboards are excited to announce a new vessel in Indonesia ~ the Indo Master, a traditional phinisi-style liveaboard, built from teak and ironwood. Launched in 2022, she is the very definition of a modern Indonesian phinisi Indo Master offers nine cabins for a maximum of 18 ‘quests. Below decks there are four traditional Classic cabins, with a choice of twin or double layouts. There is also a larger Premium cabin with two double beds for those who preter to spread out on their trips. Moving above, there are two Premium twin cabins with ‘ocean views and Juliette balconies. Finally, there are two glorious Superior double cabins that come complete with their own private exterior balconies. It may go without saying, but it’s worth mentioning that all cabins come with their own individual air conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms. ‘Modern comfort from top to bottom ‘On the main deck there is a spacious bar, restaurant, and lounge area, commanding bright ocean views. And, of course, a dive deck with plenty of space for everyone and, towards the bow, a shaded outdoor lounge area, Finally, up top, there is a huge sun deck, complete with comfortable seating for those between-dive snoozes. Indo Master will offer a series of itineraries from seven to 13 nights in Komodo, Raja Ampat, and almost everything in between, showcasing the best Indonesia has to offer. Master Liveaboards are now taking bookings, and have a series of launch offers that you can see, and ‘book with secure payment options, on their website. www.masterliveaboards.com CATCH STEVE BACKSHALL LIVE ON STAGE Popular TV presenter and wildlife enthusiast Steve Backshall Js breaking out of the telly and will be back on the live speaking circult at the end of 2024, when he returns to the stage with his Ocean show. Following his sell-out tour last year, he is returning to venues across the UK, and invites audiences to join him as he uses stunts, experiments, props, cutting-edge science and big-screen footage to bring the icons of the "big blue’ to life, ‘Steve Backshall Ocean ~ Bringing Marine Dreams to Life kicks off at Perth Concert Hall on 19 Octobe, follwed by gigs, in Inverness, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Croydon, Bournemouth, Stevenage, Eastbourne, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth and Weymouth, rounding out with Torquay and Truro in early November. You can buy tickets to the Ocean events at: www.stevebackshall.com ‘Steve Backshall Live Steve is also very excited to be presenting an all-new live wildlife show at the open-air theatre at Longleat Safari Park. from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June (over the halfterm holidays), During the show, Steve will introduce the audience to some of his favourite animals and birds of prey. He said: “I can't wait to be back at Longleat introducing members and guests to an amazing variety of animals and birds of prey, as well as raising much-needed funds to support the critical conservation work that is being done by Tusk, “My family and I love to visit Longleat — there are more than 100 animal species, a fantastic historic house and plenty of fun for kids in the Adventure Castle playground! It's {an amazing day out with something for everyone! ‘Shows can be booked with your Day Ticket, or Member pre-booking for a £1 booking fee, with the proceeds donated to Tusk, a UK-based charity aiding in the protection of over 40 threatened species across Africa. You can buy tickets for this event at: www.longleat.co.uk/steve-backshall-live ‘Shows are 30 minutes duration. Weekend and Bank Holiday Monday shows at tlam, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and ‘Spm, Weekday shows at tlam, 12.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm, Gates will open 20 minutes before each show. 4 SCURADIVER Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMINDUSTRY NEWS ‘| SET FIJI ANCHOR’ REVEALS 91-YEAR-OLD DIVER ‘An elderly diver in South Australia has revealed how an anchor from a famous shipwreck was turned into a well known landmark exactly 60 years ago. ‘The three-masted barque Fijihad sailed from Hamburg in Germany to Melbourne in 1891 and, after 106 days at sea, was only a day away from her destination. She was carrying crates of liquor, planos, dynamite and sewing machines among other cargo. ‘Caught out by poor weather, a navigational error then resulted in the ship breaking up on rocks and sinking near Moonlight Head in south-west Victoria on 6 ‘September. The wreck has just been added to the Victorian Heritage Register and ‘a memorial to the 14 sailors and local rescuer Arthur Wilkinson, who died, was cleaned up. Eleven seamen survived the sinking, That prompted a former abalone diver, Styear-old Andrew Coffey, to reveal how the inverted anchor that has long ‘marked what is now called Wreck Beach had come to be there. He told press that after he and three others had dived the wreck of the Fij in 1964, they had decided to drag the anchor up onto the beach and set it up as ‘a marker. They had used gelignite to blow a hole in the rock, before setting the anchor in place using a full bag of cement. There had been no intention to make the gesture anonymous, because the divers had also carved their names Into the concrete and rack ~ but these had long since eraded away. “rm the only one left that was mixed up with that anchor," Coffey told the Standard, “We did a good job because i's been there a long, long time” Coffey said that he had also found the wreck of a World War Two Avro Anson aircraft while diving off an island called Deen Maar, and had helped to set up a ‘memorial to the four aviators who had died when it crash-landed in the sea. MBA CELEBRATES 140 YEARS OF BIO-BREAKTHROUGHS The Plymouth-based Marine Biological Association (MBA) was established In Victorian times, making it one of the world’s longest-running societies dedicated to promoting the oceans and marine-life research ~ and 2024 is the year it celebrates its 140th anniversary. ‘The MBA says that its team of marine biologists have conducted groundbreaking studies covering everything from micro-organisms to apex ‘marine predators, not only expanding understanding of the marine ecosystem but offering insights into the impacts of human activities on marine life. ‘That team has included some of the brightest minds in the field, it says, 1s evidenced by the fact that seven Nobel Laureates have carried out their research at the MBA. The MBA is also home to the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey, the longest-running and most geographically extensive marine plankton sampling programme in the world. In 2021 the survey celebrated its 90th anniversary, and the association says it has helped shape scientific understanding about the ocean health, and how marine life is changing in response to pressures such as climate change. ‘The CPR had already received 8 Guinness World Record ttle the previous year, for the greatest distance ever sampled by a marine survey ~ more than ‘seven million nautical miles. In 2013, the MBA was granted a Royal Charter in recognition of its long and eminent history and status. %, COMMERCIAL (a)) DIVeR G/ TRAINING LTD Working divers who train divers to work The only assessment organisation approved by the Health and Safety Executive to undertake all ‘commercial air diving qualifications in England and Wales HSE Professional Scuba, HSE Surface Supplied, HSE Offshore Top Up Careers in archaeological, media and scientific diving all start with the HSE Professional SCUBA To find out more, why not visit us for Aptitude Day? Experience a Surface Supplied Dive, view the Facilities and meet the Training Team Please visit the website for more details info@commercialdivertraining.co.uk| 01726 817128 | 07900 844141 wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOMSea urchin puncture @: While on a recent trip to Hawaii, | was swimming off the beach and stepped on sea urchin, Ihad one large puncture in the area between the big toe and the ball of my left foot and a few smaller ones on my right foot. Initially, my left foot was bleeding, and my right foot was alittle painful. As advised by a local lifeguard, | have been soaking my feet in hot water and vinegar. All the black marks are completely gone, but yesterday my left big toe started to become slightly swollen and itchy with no redness or feeling of heat. I can walk but have a noticeable limp, and I have a limited range of motion with my left big toe due to minor swelling. Is this a normal part of the healing process? ‘A: Unfortunately, sea urchin puncture wounds are known for being problematic, particularly when involving toes or small Joints. When a sea urchin spine puncture involves a joint, promptly seek medical attention at the time of injury. Hot- water immersions might help with the pain but will not be a long-term or definitive solution. Vinegar soaks are known to be a good first aid treatment for jellyfish stings and injuries. from other cnidatians but are not useful with sea punetures, which don't involve cnidocytes, The minor swelling and limited range of motion of the big toe indicate inflammation, a retained foreign body or an infection, With time an infection might evolve into a granuloma (a mass of immune cells trying to wall off an infection or a foreign body), which will feel like a putty chin rm, red and painful lump. A granuloma that is restricted to the soft tissues typically responds well to antibiotics and corticosteroids, but surgical drainage of that pus may be needed if the granuloma affects a joint space or tendons, particularly when it contains a foreign body that cannot be dissolved or naturally expelled. These chronic inflammatory processes can lead to fibrosis that can limit range of motion. In those cases, physical therapy can be useful as the treatment itself to ‘minimise fibrosis and restore the range of mation in the affected joint). Unbearable pain while in motion usually suggests that the sea urchin spine has reached a joint. A spine puncture that reaches tendons of the hands and fe tenosynovitis, which is inflammation of the tendons and the fluic-illed sheath that surrounds the tendon. Those Usually require professional surgical intervention, Neglecting this inflammation could result in permanent damage to the affected joint ‘Sea urchin spines are covered by a thin layer of tissues, which appears as a strong pigment in some species. These tissues and pigments are an antigenic mosaic tha a strong immune and inflammatory reaction. This is the reason why many sea urchin puncture wounds can have 2 torpid evolution that perpetuates for months after the puncture. Time, patience, antl-inflammatories and physical therapy are the key elements for long-term success, stimulates 6 Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMTHE MOMENT YOU MET US ATBt eed a a ee ae DO ree ce Re ena end ee Nea eS a eee a ogeewww.wakatobi.com An experience without equal At Wakatobi, you don’t compromise ‘on comfort to get away from it all. A private guest flight brings you directly toa remote island, where all the indulgences of a five-star resort and juxury liveaboard await. The Wal dive team will ensure your in-water experiences are perfectly matched to your abilities and interests so your underwater encounters can create memories that will remain vivid and rewarding long after your visit is concluded. While at the resort, or on board the dive yacht Pelagian, you need only ask and the Wakatobi team will provide any service or facility within its power. This unmatched combination of world-renowned reefs and first-class luxuries put Wakatobi in a category all its own.hoy there, my fellow adventure divers! Allow me buddy and I coast across its summit, eyes peeled for Nee ete et eo ee ee See a eee eo Ce eee en et eae ee eee es eee eee eee en eee ee ae real treasures be not the kind that clink and sparkle. Picture instead crystal blue waters, intricate coral formations, rising Bottom of Form ‘sea mounts, and shipwrecks that would entice Davy Jones The visibility is stunning, easily exceeding 30 metres, Not Cees Se ee ee Enea erent ona clinging to the reef, some towering over three metres high, een eu ue De ee eee a eT Dee ea a ea earn EL ee) eee eee eed Cee ese ee eee Pee ee eee ory poh era eon ee ee Ce eter Cee eta Pe eee een Cee ee ees and cabins are displayed. Then it's time ee ee ees Ee eee ccnee iLe! eae erie a) Pert ae ee ay the Valley of the Kings, and the dramatic underwater CA Rae crn Caribbean's marine life doesn't disappoint. We encounter Renee eee ea cosa ye Hidden in the reef's nooks and crannies, we find banded De eg ee ec eS eee ean eee eee eee a ec) (eee ee meee Sad the week - Coco Grande. ceo ne ry ‘As we plunge into the briny deep, the formidable ieee ee Rene kec Cr Saar ROATASS RIVETING Ped Cec)ourselves amid schools of Creole wrasse and horse-eye ee una ee ee eek) See ee aor ene eae ne Pee ee ee eee Cee tc eee nee ae) See eee cae cca Following a couple of dives in the East End, we venture POT ae Wee ee ad Coos ace eee Sere ue) eee eeu Cee) Pena Toe Bee eas Oe ee ec eee eee Eo ue renee ee ee ecu Doe nt ae ats Cee ey eo ee ee) eee sa UTM PSNR Eee R ele lce) Peete inch uctectath cet surrounding the island of Roatan in Honduras’ Bay Islands read Pee ee ae eed ee een era et ee entry platform, fins poised, masks secured, and regulators in ee en ee ne een ee ee et ee oe eee ec TS eee ee tee Ce ane en een) back to the ladders. Daa Day three promises a fabulous dive—The Pinnacle. As ee ee eee aay Calis (Our descent brings us directly above the reef, littered with pristine feather plumes and pink gorgonian fans. » OA ras The Caribbean reef shark is a viviparous Pee CU ee) Coreen neti hie) placental connection. The ee ores ets i134 RS Cee)4G There’s a buzz in the air as we arrive at one of Roatan’s most-famous dive sites, Mary’s Place, characterised by its dramatic topography of crevices, canyons, and swim-throughs 99 Allively display of Creole wrasse dances before us as, we follow the Divemaster to a crack in the reef, Here we discover the largest scaly tall mantis shrimp I've ever seen, tucked into a sandy crevice. After being mesmerized by its hunting prowess, we swim to the reef's edge and along the sloping wall. Amid the humongous barrel sponges, the fish- life is plentiful, including spotight parrottish, schoolmaster snapper and the elusive spotted drum. Of course, the real ‘marvel ofthis dive is the pinnacle itself -a grand structure reaching toward the surface, an intimidating guardian of its underwater treasures. Navigating around its narrow expanse, we stumble upon a friendly porcupinefish and rock lobster along the way. Day four arrives and we're spoilt once again with two more top favourite dives - Cara a Cara and Mary's Place. Cara a Cara Cara a Cara, meaning ‘Face to Face’ in Spanish, guarantees {an encounter with Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi), and not just one... but gazillions of them! Well perhaps not gazillions, but it certainly felt that way. ‘As we descend, a grand coral head emerges from the sea floor. But today, corals aren't the main act, nor are the Impressive grouper. Our Divemaster entices the sharks in with a tasty snack. And as he trails the bucket of fish about, we gather in a semi-circle on the seabed, some 20m below the surface to await the spectacle. We are not disappointed. elther. Regardless of the number of shark dives I've done, the sight of these majestic creatures gliding above my head, and snooping close to my mask, gives me a thrill like no other. Cara a Cara easily finds a spot among my highlights of the trip. Mary's Place There's a buzz in the air as we arrive at one of Roatan’s most- famous dive sites, Mary’s Place, characterised by its dramatic, Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMtopography of crevices, canyons, and swim-throughs. Descending along the mooring line to 18m, we cruise ‘over feather corals swaying gently in the mild current, The Visibility exceeds 30 metres, exciting my inner photographer We head straight to the star attraction of Mary's Place a deep crevice running through the site. At its entrance, perched in a rocky overhang, stands a vigilant crab on sentinel duty. It eyes me cautiously, before shimmying back, but not before | snap a photo. ‘We venture in, the rocky walls wide enough for us to navigate without disturbing the delicate whip corals and {gorgonian fans lining them. The fish life is minimal, but it's The island ‘After venturing far and wide to reach this Caribbean gem, spending a few days exploring Roatan is a must. There's ‘something for everyone - from zip lining through the jungle canopy and horseback riding, to beer tasting and wildlife encounters with monkeys, iguanas, and exotic birds. | even ticked off a ‘bucket list’ item by snuggling 9 sloth. Cute-factor a zillion, Alternatively, you can unwind by the poo! with a cocktail at the Roatan Yacht Club, or cone of the many pristine white sandy beaches. Wwu.sCUBADIVERMAG.COM stilla thrill to navigate the rocky edges, one eye on the wall and the other on the sparkling blue crack beckoning ahead, Emerging from the crevice, a school of French grunts welcome us. We pursue them before diving into another crack. For the next half an hour, we continue exploring the hidden clefts and crevices this enchanted site has to offer, Despite heavy boat traffic, the reef remains pristine, especially in the shallows. Yellow tube sponges, sea plumes and branching corals decorate the landscape, along with neon-blue vase sponges adorning the reef like giant vertical pipes of an underwater organ. Fish life abounds, from fairy basslets to darting yellow-lined snapper. As we make our way back, my buddy spots a spotted moray eel wedged Inside a hole, Sweet, Even sweeter is the small school of redband parrottish that swim by, before spotting another moray playing hide and seek, this time of the green variety Mary's Place is great for wide-angle, but macro enthusiasts will be smiling too, Gracing the sand beneath the boat we find squat anemone shrimp, neck crabs, and short fin pipefish. In the final minutes of our dive, a vibrant school of pink Creole wrasse envelope us, accompanied by a dozen silver-bodied fish, which I later discover - after a toasty dip in the hot tub - are called southern sennets, kin to the barracuda family SCUBADIVER 23‘The wrecks of Roatan ‘Two prominent wrecks are on offer during the seven-day trip. The first-the Halliburton - lies upright in the sand at a depth of 30m, just outside Utila harbour's entrance. Despite the passage of time, the cargo ship remains in similar Condition to when it was sunk. Today's visibility is modest at best, but the algae, tube sponges and branching corals adorning the wreck frame stil Create an alluring sight. Once descended, we head for the bridge, a central feature at 18m, where we squeeze inside to check out the steering wheel. Next, we penetrated the wreck’s expansive openings and exploring the heart of the cargo ship. (Once we've got our fil of the structure itself, our attention shifts to its lively inhabitants -a large green moray eel decorator crabs and the resplendent cryptic teardrop crab. The second wreck on offer is the El Aguila, ‘The Eagle’ in Spanish. Stretching 70 metres in length, this artificial reef is. the remnants of a Honduran naval patrol vessel, ost to the depths in 1997, The wreck is one of the more-challenging ives of the trip, not only because its in 33m of water, but because of the potential for strong currents. ‘As we drop into the cobalt blue, the current is mild, and the grand wreckage emerges almost immediately. The EI Aguila stands tall on the sandy bottom, despite being broken into three parts thanks to Hurricane Mitch in 1998, We circle around the bow for a short while before the square ‘openings entice us inside. Within its belly, we discover the ship's hidden stash - debris and machinery blending with delicate soft corals and a solitary crab. Finally, we make our way to the bow, encrusted with a tapestry of fans and algae. Finning backwards, to gather the entire ship in our view, the imposing mast creates a striking tableau, The remarkable scale of the El Aguila, coupled with the awe-inspiring visibility, puts this dive in my Top Faves of the trip. The boat The Roatan Aggressor IV, a 36-5-metre power yacht ‘accommodating up to 18 guests, offers an intimate experience compared to larger vessels I've travelled on While cabins maybe snug, and the dining area doubles as the lounge, the dive deck is spacious and soaking in the hot, tub on the moon deck after every dive were trip highlights I'm not going to lie, getting to Roatan from Sydney, Australia, was no easy feat. The journey took almost two days, including a layover in Miami, but was it worth its weight In gold? Aye, without a doubt. Roatan is one of the most- diverse dive destinations I've ever dived - in its topography, coral reefs, wrecks, underwater flora, and marine life. leven. enjoyed a few night dives, enthralled by the iridescent Caribbean reef octopus, and one of the divers found a dwarf frogfish at a site called Jack Neal’. This dive trip Is sultable for all levels of divers, with mostly mild currents and visibility typically around 30 metres. ‘Although calm seas mean fewer pelagic fish schools, the richness in dive topography and marine diversity more than make up for the lack of big fish. Especially ifyou like towering pinnacles...and macro... and wrecks... and octopus... and sharks.... Moreover, the dive crew aboard would make any pirate captain swell with pride. While it’s often said that good diving makes a trip grand, "tis the crew and fellow passengers that make it awesome. And this, me hearties, was undeniably an awesome trip. Arr.ML = The World's Favourite Liveaboard Fleet BT rat eReader dens 12 spectacular worldwide destinations ASCUBA DIVER Q&A OLIVIER LEGER Pee Sn tee eae eee nest Ca SE ee ree where he gets his inspiration, and what messages he is trying to convey through his artworks. Ret tear A: Itwas actually my art that led me to diving. The things that ‘are on my mind find thelr way into my artwork, and in my early 20s I was becoming aware of my relationship with our natural world, Exploring that interconnectedness of all life on Earth led me to learn more about the ocean. Afterall, we live ‘on a blue planet! The weird and wonderful mysteries hidden under the waves spark our imagination, And the more we lear about the oceans, the more we fallin love. Eventually all my artwork came to focus on marine life, and | wanted to experience it all firsthand, so I started diving in 2014, and I'm fortunate to have dived around the world since A: You don't find inspiration - inspiration finds you! Every dive inspires my artwork, without a doubt, butit translates in ways | could never imagine or anticipate, Experiencing the world by diving has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of the wonders of our ‘oceans and their importance. Ithas also helped keep me grounded in reality, Keeping my eyes open to the developing problems our oceans face, such coral bleaching, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution. | also take the opportunity while diving to capture my own ‘eference images to use nen I'm back in the studio, A: Lots of detail takes lots of time! My largest drawings can take six months or more to complete. For my drawings | use fine liner pens (0.03mm<) and for my paintings | work in ink with very fine-tipped paintbrushes, and sometimes Ill even use a jew My favourite part of a painting is towards the end when 1'm getting into the tiniest details, | get absorbed for hours painting a tiny whale shark only about one inch long! llers’ eye loupe. A:I've been an artist for ten years now ‘eight years | worked almost exclusive! Going back to your question abou There have been intimate moments on dives too, like meeting an octopus. | was curious about him and he was curious about me 26 SCUBADIVER \www-xuaistoRe.comPACES eid PT A Mele EL le Met] beautiful vib into painting inc fed to do it for years in fact, but working in black king in colour are very different processes cd | didn't kno.SPoOL PROPULSIONS sea is calling ®O@G®@ seacsub.com Buddy. Dive wlKUBI Dry Gloves are our first choice for the most-reliable cuff system on th Dee ee RS ee een ea es RC Dk sake Pie ne eee aCe) Ped && Going back to your question about how my underwater experiences influence my artwork - it was experiencing the beautiful vibrancy of coral reefs that made me want to make the move into painting in colour 9¥ @: Some of your pieces are gigantic, while others are ‘more compact in nature. How do you even start going about tackling the creation of one of your monster-sized artworks? ‘A: A good example of my process is the painting | am currently working on, Atlas. It's the largest, most-ambitious atwork I've tackled to date, at two square metres. It has taken me six months so far and | anticipate it will take me another two years to complete. Alas is a world turtle, she carries a coral reef on her back, providing a sanctuary for the marine life of our world. With this painting | hope to create a symbol of our oceans, that celebrates the wonders of life in our oceans and explores the challenges and opportunities they face. So in the details, il be drawing attention to issues like coral bleaching, plastic pollution and overfishing. And I'l be highlighting the vital conservation work being done around the world and our hopes for the future. Bringing a painting of this scale and intricacy to life requires a lot of planning, I started with sketches and smaller study paintings. Italso requires a lot of research in order to be able to understand the many different aspects and systems of our seas, and communicate that through symbolism. Inevitably Atlas will evolve over the coming years in response to my experiences and our rapidly changing world, : What is your most-memorable diving experience? A Diving off Sipadan Island in Borneo for its boundless biodiversity and magnificence - until that dive | simply didn’t know the ocean was like that. The dive started off, with groups of one-metre-long humphead parrotfish over a healthy coral reef, and turtles literally everywhere. You swam away from the reef off a shelf, wards this great shoal of barracuda, and that first look down into that black void below taught me to respect the ocean, Then huge schools, of jacifish enveloped you as you swam towards them. » \WWuLKuBIsTORE.cOM 29(8 ed eae rd It ended in a drift dive where | saw sharks, turtles and colourful fish galore. There have been intimate moments on dives too, like meeting an octopus. | was curious about him and he was curious about me, he reached out and explored my hand with one of his arms for a few minutes and it fet ike a communication between species. A: My first time snorkelling sticks out, but not because anything bad happened. It was my first time seeing a coral reef and it was all new to me. And then a litle while later | went diving for the first time, over a different reef, and I realised how colourful and abundant this healthy reef around me was, It was only then that I realised that the reef | had frst seen was dead, and | had't recognised that. I lustrated for me how damaging shifting baselines can be. Also called “generational amnesia, it describes how your expectations cof what a healthy environment looks like changes from «generation to generation, depending on what you've experienced in your lifetime. And because I'd never experienced a coral reef up until that point, I didn’t know anything was wrong with what I saw. The realisation shocked me and it’s one of the reasons | want to celebrate the wondrous biodiversity that we are still so fortunate t our planet with today, and also capture that issue of shiting Rada baselines in my artwork, Ld trips and connecting with organisations and projects to A: So as | mentioned earlier, my current painting Atlas is learn more about our oceans, and the opportunities and probably going to take another two years to complete, challenges facing them, so that I can tell that story through Part of the process of painting It will involve field research my artwork. So, if you've got project that | could get involved in, I'd love to hear from you! Vlbe sharing updates and photos of my progress on my social media, so please follow me to see Atlas'come to life over the coming months. I believe art can be a powerful tool for consen hope to use my artwork to create a dialogue about our relationship with our blue planet. I'm bringing all my artworks together for a touring exhibition, to share the oceans with people in a way that’s new, accessible and fun! I've got solo shows in Leicester and Loughborough this year, so come take a closer look, And I'm planning on being at the GO Diving Show 2025, so see you there! ‘esearch or conservation jon and Discover more about Olivier and his works on his website and on his Instagram @olivier_leger or Facebook dolivierlegerart pages. \www-xuaistoRe.comROBIN HOOD Pe) eS TO BELIEVE IN DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE UK SINCE 1981 em CeCe een et PSI ae erect Rose Set oes ie) as suit truly original and unique. AFTER ALL THERE ARE NO TWO DIVERS THE SAME, SO WHY NOT HAVE A DRY EU ROAR Col snows aaae8 ROHO dive@roho.co.uk — WRCee ee eer) eye to stuff that doesn't affect us. We can be bad for pe eee gD Cee ag Lay Pence et ee tenner cad is one of those things | think we, here in Scotland and the UK, sometimes don’t appreciate enough. We've all seen the videos on social media of people Se ees eee in eet pee eee eee eee en ecg eae nn eee eee ED eetcm Nu Cree eee Oy eee Mae es een rece) eee eum Ed Dee rea ae eter excited... It looked like a massive jellyfish and | readied my Co eee ee ee eer eee ee ee ars Pere eee eee PO erg ua ey ee eo es didn't stop there - printed right across the side were the Pere abc gent ae a eeu) Pee eta cue Ce MU gee ue Perera eae aaa ee) See eee keane ech ires (oe Meee ee eet en ee em Ce aed a ta Mend For hundreds of years, the waters off the west coast of ‘Scotland, lke those all over the UK, has been used by ea ee oe ere eet tee ened Poe een ee ee ecosystems are balanced precariously on a cliff edge. Seemann ka nee es Braet Cee Set Res eet CMe Reena a ores Cee ee Leet cee stocks in the Ciyde, Decades of unsustainable fishing, due to the industralisation of the industry, devastated Pe geen eects nna ea Decent) onc kay ee eae See a ee Crees came estes Peers Deena Coens ca geet) asAST Ross McLaren shines a spotlight on Sua yentante hea eek uk eens of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), which has set up first a No Take Zone, and REM i ecole eo TRU =i aocel fo) Rol eto) Cole Creed ceo Doe Ce ee old Rea ker Ce ea Cues ee) eee . rs Sa . “se ee rn — —o—ECO-FRIENDLY CENTRE THAT LIKES TO GIVE BACK TO THE ae Sn S TR eco Meee LTR cy Our Islands: Famous 4 Hota LNRM tl Taal Our Islands: GET IN TOUCH TODAY +356 2184 05II « ndsmalta@gmail.com www.nds-malta.com Pe eeeIthas an absolutely devastating effect on all the ecosystem, the indiscriminate nature of it ean wipe out whole areas in cone fail swoop. The guys at COAST and the community on Arran @ fighting back though, and after 13 years of ticle: campaigning and raising awareness, the Lamas TTake Zone, of NTZ, was established in This was @ massive victory forall involved and the sees le. This special by the fact that thi Zone in Scotland! * ov a But their determination didn't stop there! Ir South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) was legally ‘and, although it ror ertain typ 2 of it and trawling except for in the outermos All these achievements had to have a an effect though done in the No Take Zone and MPA to sho. forts in the fight scallops and lobster have ince the introduction of the 0 too has these mai atures and apparently, n it comes to lobs' lops... size does matter! In ter, and the same for scallops too, the b the more eggs they can carry; the NTZ as many scallop eggs as a fishing ground nine time: The more eggs produ: potential for more young animals to populate the NTZ, MPA and other areas. It all makes sense, | guess! Inthe Marine Protected Area alone there increase of 80% in overall density of marine number, especially wi the fact that the MPA isnt a full No Take in these areas are indicating a ‘spillover’ of scallops from the NTZ to the MPA and, as numbers increase in the MPA, ther is potential for thi ofthese eer rns eaeSree co acc eke eek SE ecco island, at 432 square Pere && In 2016, the South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) was legally designated and, although it doesn’t stop fishing completely, it does prohibit certain types, such as dredging 99 charters, educational groups, ch) and dive cha Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMCoral Eye © Mu eet es aed a Join us in the heart of Indonesia to experience unrivaled diving, snorkeling & relaxation at either our award winning Siladen Resort & Spa or (eer ma ome em eam er LT on siladen.com | coral-eye.comMustard 5 MASTERCLASS Alex focuses his attention on a type of photograph which always garners much attention — the eye shot Photographs courtesy of Alex Mustard ‘m just home from the UK's GO Diving 2024 ‘and what a buzz it was! The show is growing so fast that despite being there both days, I didn’t manage to see it all. It's really bloomed in the last few years since pandemic times, and the comment | heard time and again from exhibitors was that the ‘British Dive Show is back’ as one of the world's mustdo events. And | know that there is some serious FOMO going around from both dive businesses and friends who missed it this year. So I can only see it being even bigger again next year, and the inaugural GO Diving Show Australia ‘and New Zealand is taking place this September, promising more of the same great content! ‘The GO Diving Shows are also a great day out for alll ages, | took my seven-year-old daughter on the Saturday this year and spent our time at the climbing wall, meeting mermaids and choosing which cuddly toy to take home. We ended up with an orca, now called Nora! | was up on the Main Stage too, on Saturday presenting the UPY winning pictures, and on Sunday showing my own photos. The huge digital screen is an incredible way to show off underwater, imagery. Itis hard not to bowled over by everything from dazzling reef scenes to a glowing nudibranch when they are five metres across. Sadly though, our photos are not often displayed with such grandeur. Most of the underwater pictures | see each year are just 7cm across when they come up Con the Instagram feed on my phone! And at this size not all shots work, but ifyou are after a classic subject that will always grab attention, then the eyes stil have it. Eyes are just impossible to ignore. They are the first ‘things we're drawn to when we look at a portrait and they dominate compositions. So this month, | want to discuss a type of picture that concentrates eye- catching down to its essence: the eye-shot, And the ‘g00d news is that fish eyes can be snapped with even ‘the most basic underwater camera. The biggest challenge in getting these shots is getting close enough. Your diving skils need to be spot on and you need to be sensitive to the subject = you are net going to get these types of shots Unless the fish is relaxed with your presence. Close encounters come with slow movements and smooth steady breathing, and the opposites will always spook fish. Once you have successfully stalked your quarry, dor't rush in, wait just a few more moment to be fully accepted. When you're welcomed within the circle of ‘rust you can make the most out of the photographic opportunity. Itis also important to be mindful about the use of flash when close to subjects, and ifthe fish reacts in any way to the flash, just stop, That said, these shots should not disturb any more than a normal shot of the ‘whole fish or even a wide angle containing the fish ~ because they all require the same amount of flash for the correct exposure. You will not always be able to get as close as you want with every subject and some shots will require some cropping. However, when shooting to crop, visualise the composition you want and rotate the camera accordingly at the time. This is because having to rotate the frame when cropping in Lightroom quickly limits your options. ‘Choosing the right fish is also critical. Non-moving ambush predators are an ideal place to start, such as species lke scorpiontfish, crocodilefish, moray eels and lizarfish (although | recommend avoiding frogfish and stonefish for eye shots which have small, unattractive eyes). Once we've practiced the technique on these fellows, you are ready to graduate to slow-moving species, ike ionfish and trumpetfsh. Then as your collection of grows, you can add more challenging species, like regular free-swimming fish With these the right dive sites make a big difference. love diving sites clase to resorts that are used for training. The fish here are totally habituated and itis the perfect spot to impress other photographers with close-up portraits of species that are usually hard to approach. The other chance for close-up shots are on night dives, although this is a time to strictly limit how ‘much you shoot. Fish’s eyes are different to ours. They see a lot ‘wider than we do, and this super-wide view is. >&& Itis also important to be mindful about the use of flash when close to subjects, and if the fish reacts in any way to the flash, just stop 99 possible because the lens in their eye bulges out through the pupil. Many fish are near sighted when looking ahead and far sighted when looking to the sides. These adaptations don’t make much difference to our photos, although having protruding eyes does add to the character of our portraits, and the large pupil makes them more visually appealing, Photographically, what is around the eye usually ‘matters more. Look for fish that are strongly coloured or interestingly patterned, such as the deep red of a bigeye or the blues, greens and yellows of a parrotfish. The best background is usually the creature itself, so frame the eye so the whole picture is filed with the subject. Fish eyes are usually near their forehead, so you will need to place the eye off centre In the composition. Many fish eyes have interesting features that enhance our shots. Stingrays, for example, have a flap across their eye that they can expand and contract. The blue-spotted stingray is a common Red Sea subject and its eyes will have this interesting U-shape during the day, This feature is also seen in some flatfish and stargazers. This is typically expanded during the day, leaving a U-shaped eye, and retracted at night to aid their vision in dark conditions. | think my favourite type of eye-bling are the expandable ‘eyelashes’ of the crocodiefish, which it uses for camouflage Other species have a reflective cornea, which lights up spectacularly when we take a photo. The ‘most commonly photographed example is the dart lionfish, which are co-operative posers and whose eyes show a lightning bolt pattern when illuminated with flash, Two of the most beautiful are the long: spined porcupinefish and the red Irish lord, The porcupinefish is found on reefs worldwide and its eyes glow with an abstract pattern that reminds me of the Northern Lights. The eye of the red Irish lord, from the Pacific North West, iluminates with colourful speckles when photographed, There are plenty of fish in the sea, and twice as many eyes. So these eye-catching images, that work large or small, should be a go to photographic option whenever we're using our macro lens.ages ale ith te Sr NSsportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing 0 Compatible with iPhone® & Android” Dual Leak Alarms >® Color Correction Filter Included 2B Bluetooth® Wireless Technology © Depth Rated to 130ft / 40m Available with or without Sea Dragon lighting SportDiver Smartphone Housing Sealife-Cameras.com (Ej (©) EQ seatifecamerasSteve Weinman has attended more than a few dive shows over the years, but with the 2024 instalment of the GO Diving - 5 ne ‘Show, he reckons the ‘Great British ——~ Pelee slo ABs Lal) on e Oo easel ae Ped Ce)Cee) EOSf you love scuba diving, chances are you'll enjoy a dive show. The same must be true for people keen ‘on cycling, interior decoration, tractors or embroidery, but do you ever wonder what it's like for the family- ‘members or friends of the enthusiasts who get dragged along to these events? (On the basis of the diversions on offer at this year's GO Diving Show at the NAEC, Stoneleigh, | wouldn't worry to much about them feeling bored or resentful, I've been attending UK dive shows for more than 30 years and, when it comes to engaging a range of people each with their own, diverse priorities, this one felt to be doing a pretty good job. ‘The venue helps. Fears of local flooding in this part of Warwickshire had thankfully receded as the first weekend in March approached, The sun even shone a bit. With the free ccar-parking and short walk to the halls, the experience feels that much more relaxed than the old Dive Show days at the monolithic NEC and ExCeL, The GO Diving Show started life at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, but outgrew that venue after two years — and lust before the pandemic. Post-COVID, it annexed the Birmingham Dive Show, and returned with a single hall at the NAEC. In 2023 it expanded into two halls, and this year burst ‘out fully formed with three, packed with stands, stages and most importantly visitors. » ing 44 scuBADIVERWwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coM™ ero] Se ee ee een it et ae Cee ee aa nay Ce bese eee ne ny Cee ean eee ee ee De Cee ee Se cy with the potential to capture thelr imagination. eee ee ee ee es Cee eee ee ree standard of presentations should have been so high, both Oreo e ge eae eed Sree Ree eee ee ee re Ee eae aera eens ee eae ree teal) Ce ee ere a inthe task. There were just too many talks going on at the far ee eee eet noe aay found it genuinely difficult at times to tear myself away. What neue nt cy had gone into engaging non-divers as well as the converted, eee nee Se ee Rt a etd Seem ue cea ae aT daughter Amelie and son Olle, They passed the baton See ne acne es Pee eae reer Pee Ue eee eu Te Pee eee nee eng CeO nen ae eae Pee noc BTR em KRM eK Call) 150 often-impressive stands, in areas maintaining a distinct moodGuaranteed attractions are those high-energy perennials of, the dive-show scene, Monty Halls and Andy Torbet, whose professionalism as presenters shines through - reinforced by the Main Stage’s massive screen and excellent sound system. Monty, as enthused and self-deprecating as ever, had news of bluefin tuna, baitballs and possible great white sharks in West Country waters that was bound to stir a coldwater diver’ blood. Andy stood before gobsmacking clips of his polar glacier diving, implicitly challenging everyone present to consider whether they would have the nerve. The tireless extreme explorer also MCs the Main Stage for the entire weekend, took it on the chin to discover that this included the Ocean Film Festival on Saturday night, and. ‘complained only mildly that he had barely had the chance to sample the rest of the show for himself. ‘Another Main Stage hit was powerboat champion Sarah Donohoe, and hers was a slow-burn presentation, The audience might have wondered at first what all this dynamic surface activity had to do with the underwater world - until it all became clear, wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOM After suffering a traumatic crash, Sarah and her team had become the first people ever to play themselves when reconstructing an incident for a BBC documentary, and her encounters with rescue and safety diving had led to her own career as diver and marine conservationist. Her powerful delivery brought those experiences vividly to life. With so many engaging live performances, here are just a few others that lingered in the mind, Pascal van Erp, originator of the ghost-diving movement that has become an integral part of the scuba scene, was inspirational but at the same time worked hard to disabuse ‘any diver who might consider dabbling in wreck netremoval good idea. His teams are doing incredible work, notably around Lampedusa at the moment, but what it isn't is fun ‘and games. Because of the risks involved, Ghost Diving requires its volunteers to be fully tech-trained and stringent ‘about protocols designed to avoid any incident that might lead to official interference, {Also on the Tech Stage the indefatigable Leigh Bishop, still regularly exploring wrecks down to 100m, was >‘quaranteed to dra y 9 on relatively accessible deeper wrecks along the South Coast that have tinued to yield treasur \uld fee! the aualier tal not Then there w $k, on his irresistible subject of human factors — psychology, blame, learning from mistake: who gave the strong impression of sharing the sort of ights people would pay a lot to hear about in seminars, Probably because he was. | was drawn to the technical talks, none of which would /e excluded a casual listener, whether that was of diving’ presentation all the more impressive as he had been ees parachuted in late on to replace a no-show, eyed what I caught on the UK Stage of Jason alk on the , is the d photography here. ‘And Il afew of the under ed Rashid, a fount of knowledge who over the years has developed the deliver fan through the mi photogenic critters, while Anne and Phil Medcalf brought pinpointing those practical photography drawbacks with which ne could identity ans Oa ec eee Ure eR Re Ree ie ere se ee ceca eee Cee ee ante co ah See ee ees Sree ee eee On each of the two days Alex concluded his ee cans es Dat a an eg eT’ See oe) eer eee ees eee ec a eT ‘reat, and I'm sure | wasn't the only person to find it an Cee ae Ray of the underwater world brought to vivid life far from the Po Mee ee eee Ce ee needed al Ped Cec)TECHWISE’S NEW DEPARTMENT... re A Le a eT TO CAVE DIVE WITH CAVEWISE! We are partnering with MJ Cave, offering you the chance to join us Oren Team eects +356 2138 4453 - INFO@TECHWISE.COM.MT WWW-TECHWISE.COM.MT a Sia Pea VB YN be 28.8.8 eee cae ae Nese diving Divemaster internships! Pee ee Semen erected Node ee cen rd CNet ne angen aed Deedee eae cad Tae cet ca] Coat aera’ ‘Advanced instructor Preece Pee al Cay UU 4 Sy Abas WITHUS! ey +356 21356441 » info@divewise.com.mt DeedAUT SUR eg renee ir ee UN Ecc RUMI] aed a Ne Manuals ee ells eters m et Tia) See ea eee Loa Coen Ded a Ec ae Oras) ioe ery fought. Neighbours fight with Peete eat ec) Re eed us mammals with aesthetic sensibilities), coral reefs are places of competition, with victors and losers in constant dee eee ees) ce Reese ee eee eee a Cee ae eee) Ce eae eee eta appreciate, but it doesn't mean that they are not vicious. eee eae Sc building structures with new life clambering over old - a reef Pe ee ee ead rd forms those intricate stoney skeletons, that over the aeons eee cues ees How does this apparently miraculous process occur, and Sees cect Renee ne me cs ever-smaller categories based on their biological and Pee eae raed Vertebrata, along with fish, birds, and the rest of our back: een ee ete cae PU eae ee Ce Ete] selves, the supposedly wise species of H. sapiens. Cee) Cece a Rene UR ee Ed Cee eee oe Met ad organisation down for them is the Anthozoa, which is further subdivided into Octocoralia and Hexacorallia. At each stage Ree eet eet een eg eee ns Renae eae aerate een Fee ee tea ae Dee ee ne mL eae corals, gorgonians, and sea whips. Ifit has eight tentacles, i Pee ee a es Hexacorallians (over 4,300 species) have polyps with Oe ee en ae eee ay Pee ce Ley Cree ore Re cee ese me enough and maybe not possible in the wild to ID things Deen eee meee Seer eee ae ce cen Pee ee eee ace Pn in a ey Den aE cre) GO eed healthy reefs so astonishingly rich in life and an indicator of Seon piece en an etme Ce eae oc one, but needs must), but itis a useful working term for See ee ee Regd Set en a Ce a) ees aaa ce a ees PoCMIKE BALL DIVE ARE PSS! gaaraReefs are bull, not solely from corals. Many organisms Contribute their skeletons, shells and other remains to reef formation. Any fossil reef will reveal a wealth of shells of animals we would recognise today. Even the silica skeletons Cf sponges and the delicate stoney structures laid down by some marine algae help to create reefs. Many divers wil be familiar with reefs and habitats around UK shores rich in, calcareous algae forming the biologically fascinating Maer habitat. Tube-dwelling worms also contribute, with their stony homes contributing to and often growing within, ving reefs or individual corals Many divers will be familiar with fre coral - which if it were needed ~ reminds us not to touch anything. This animal, while resembling corals in growth and form, is a hydrozoan more closely related to jellyfish. I's not a ‘proper’ coral but still contributes to the formation of the reef. There are always exceptions. Most people know that corals often contain symbiotic algae (technically dinoflagellates) known as zooxanthellae. Corals provide a home for the single-celled creatures as well as, some waste products. As the algae grows and replicates, they provide sugars that feed and powers the corals’ ‘growth. It's the same photosynthetic process seen in plants and other algae. As you'd expect the algae require light, meaning the host corals do best in welllit regions and wil wage war on each other, as they aggressively ‘shoulder each other out of the way. I's a lite Ike a forest, each coral is growing towards the light, but if @ storm clears space, the surrounding colonies (and perhaps new settlers) will race to occupy the spot This mutualism requires stable water chemistry and temperatures. When heat bullds, the zooxanthellae are expelled by the host coral to prevent damage to its tissues. This is the infamous ‘bleaching’ of which we are all too familiar - when corals expel the often-colourful algae, we see their skeletal colours. Bleaching is a normal process, but when higher than normal temperatures continue for too long, the coral weakens and can die or succumb to disease, Coral ID is hard and always changing based on new analyses. We like to place types of animals into distinct ‘groups: Classes, Orders and Families and the like, but with some species hard definitions are tricky. Increasingly, genetic analysis is providing insights into ‘species’ relationships and the older taxonomies based ‘on appearances (morphology) are proving to be wrong, Reet eed es The water chemistry around the body of each coral polyp is complicated, but suffice it to say, corals change the water's composition sufficiently that small crystals of a limestone-like substance called aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) begin to form. These bond together and the coral slowly builds its skeleton. Each species does it slightly differently forming unique structures, from the robust dome. like brain corals to the delicate birds-nest and staghorn varieties. As you'll no doubt guess | am making many, many simplifications here. Researchers are still learning more ‘about the processes involved. Aragonite crystal formation requires the polyps to use energy (derived from their symbiotic algae) to adjust the water chemistry around them, However, the more that chemistry requires alteration, the more energy is needed, {and this is where ocean acidification causes real issues. (Ocean water is alkaline, made so due to dissolved chemicals ‘and minerals. Simply put: the less alkaline the water and the more acidified it becomes (from the carbon dioxide dissolved in it, the more energy is needed for those skeletons to form. Over time, damage from storms, predators ‘and humans will mean the reefs are less robust, diverse, and increasingly unable to tolerate changes in temperature and water quality SCUBADIVER 55‘Some corals don't contain any or very litle symbiotic algae within their cells, they are Azooxanthellate, These are typically deep-water species - though shallow, but shaded caves and overhangs can provide homes for them — they rely on their polyps’ tentacles to catch planktonic prey to fuel their growth, Coral polyps are simple in structure. They are akin to mini anemones. They have just the one opening to their gut which is surrounded by tentacles containing stinging calls, called nematocysts. Each polyp is a single organism, yet they combine and often create shared structures of tissue between them (known as the Coenosarc). This allows chemical signals to warn of danger: ''m being nibbled, pull in your tentacles’ {and the like, It also has a role in laying down the corals’ skeleton, Some corals, like cup corals, for example, exist as, single, solitary polyps and are often larger than their social Polyps are tasty, with plenty of fish and crustaceans ‘elying on them. Parrotfish will bite away at a coral skeleton and grind it up to extract the nutrition from the polyps — expelling the remaining waste as sand, while others like butterfyfish will nip away, taking individual polyps. Grazing on corals may benefit the reef. Many grazers will ‘eat seaweeds and algae which can overgrow especially when the water has a higher degree of dissolved nutrients. Sea urchins play a vital role in keeping algae in ccheck and providing open reef for new corals to establish ‘even thelr spines and shells contribute to the reet You'd imagine that corals would rather not have critters iving within the branches, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Many creatures live their lives within branching and staghorn type corals and may provide a useful service as well as finding shelter. ‘Small gobies, crabs, worms, and crustaceans regularly set up home amid coral branches. Their waste helps “ertlise the symbiotic algae. In some cases, they will defend their homes against predators such as hungry starfish, as well as providing housekeeping services by removing bits of debris. W's a sad fact that coral reefs face an uncertain future. The Coral Reef Alliance estimates 90 per cent of reefs will be threatened by 2030. What this means varies of course, uP pan ite bir some reefs may disappear altogether, while others will see a decrease in species diversity ~ asin all things, itis complicated. Given time, new reefs may form in areas which were once t00 cold, but this is perhaps naive optimism and I'd argue is unlikely to happen in our lifetimes, There is of course hope, only a little perhaps, but not all is lost. While bleaching events are increasing in frequency, corals can and do recover. Recovery is made harder given the multiple threats facing reefs, but if they are given chance to adapt to rising temperatures and increased acidity, then reefs as we know them may have a future. (One of the ways divers can help coral reefs to recover is to support and perhaps even volunteer with projects helping to recreate and re-grow coral reefs I've been lucky to see several projects in action. Some are simple projects where steel frames support coral fragments that are grown to provide source material for later transplantation onto the reef ‘One ambitious project that has gained international attention is the Grenada Artifical Reef Project (GARP) Initiated over ten years ago by Phil Saye, former owner of, Dive Grenada on that lovely island's Grand Anse beach, The project creates and positions structures made out of concrete blocks which provide space for colonisation by marine organisms. Ivisited in 2014, a few years after the scheme began, and even then stoney corals were beginning to grow, There will come a time perhaps when no one knows the history behind an isolated reef just off the beach, The project continues apace, with 80 pyramids by winter 2023. New sites for pyramids are being considered. If you're over that way, this is a ‘must do' yet easy dive, close to Dive Grenada's base, Itis definitely heartening to see coral conservation, projects working at a local level, but without change at the. governmental level, these schemes may only remain as examples of what we could do - or more, sadly, what we might have done. Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coMAN Peon ae aa Tener PUL eo DIVERS ALERT NETWORK: EUROPE Saeed eae: SE ee HOW TO USE A Tim Blémeke explains the multiple uses of a double-ended bolt snap he double-ended bolt-snap carabiner (or double-ender, in ‘the lingo) is one of the tools in diving that you never knew you needed, until you actually needed one. Ithas this characteristic in common with your DAN Europe insurance, which is why we thought might make a great gift for our valued members. Like most things, double- enders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the mostimportant feature is the material - 316 marine grade stainless steel. Some cheap versions (often sold packaged with spools) are made of brass. While seemingly fine at first, they usually corrode over time to the point of becoming stuck and unusable. Stainless steel is what you want. Tech divers typically keep one double-ender attached to every reel or spoo! they carry, and one extra that has its permanent place of residence on the right shoulder D-ring of the harness, Some sidemount divers carry even more (close to their own body weight, it seems, in some cases) and use them to attach a multitude of equipment parts to their gear — the butt pouch, drained cylinders, pretty much anything you might come up with, Recreational divers usually want at least ‘one, as part of their delayed surface marker buoy (0SMB) and spool assembiy. Before the DSMB is deployed, one end of the carabiner keeps the spool and buoy together (preventing the spool from unravelling and saving you from the mockery of your buddies), while the other end attaches the spool and DSMB to whatever you keep your spool and DSMB attached to ~ a D-ring on the harness, or a bungee loop inside your drysuit pouch, for example. When the DSMB is deployed, the double-ender has the important task of locking the spool and keeping the line at a fixed length, so that the spool hangs at a fixed distance (your current stop depth) from the surface. This way you won't hhave to look at your computer all the time to make sure you maintain the proper depth — you get tactile feedback about your depth from the spool that is bouncing just undermeath your hand. Double-enders are also an essential tool for any line work that you might do as a wreck or cave diver, and the extra double-ender (besides acting as a spare for any of the above tasks) comes in handy for clipping off your GoPro or Tim Blémeke teaches technical and recreational diving in Taiwan and the Philippines. He is also a freelance writer ‘and transiator, as well as a member of the editorial team of Alert Diver. 58 SCURADIVER Wwu.scuBADIVERMAG.coM64 When the DSMB is deployed, the double-ender has the important task of locking the spool and keeping the line at a fixed length, so that the spool hangs ata fixed distance 99 ESSENTIALS ‘other small camera that you might be carrying. ‘As with all tools, there is a skill to using them. In case of the bolt snap, you will want to learn how to clip them off one-handed - the thumb operates the gate lever, your three outside fingers hold the double ender by the shaft and the index finger Is extended to locate the D-ring by touch, This leaves your other hand free to keep your light steady, and your eyes free to pay attention to your buddy or teammates, There are more tricks — how to clip them to a spool from the outside so they don't open by themselves, and a whole list of techniques for line work in overhead (Le. wreck and cave) diving, We hope that you enjoy our litte git* and feel inspired to become proficient in its use. Safe diving, always. The new DAN Europe double-ended bolt snaps are quality products made in taly and available in four versions stainless steel and ceramic-coated stainless steel (red, blue). A DAN-branded double-ender will be handed out as a sift to all new and renewing members signing up with DAN Europe at selected dive shows and dive events throughout 2024. These double-enders are also available for purchase In the new DAN Europe online Store. www.daneurope.orgien/danstore Dy Cea) eee See ee ane Cac} en eee ue) ‘Your DAN membership ensures the services of the biggest international network for assisting divers cone tara wu scuBADIVERMAG.cOM 0y mo Mee erg Pe a, [esas ot ba | eee peer | ager opeeariberig inert ota icles Sap t PR cr eee on nea “S pees STS ar A eS eS ABOUT... BM eRe eked cl Bot Rita RMAC Cua uta Ete M EER ello R CLC Mae Rua ele Ree Seema ain encieecm tee Groom econ CCS Cer)own worldwide as the ‘Underwater Forest, there are around 30 different species of kelp to be found in every area of temperate water around the world from northern Japan, the west and east coasts of North and South America; Canada; Scandinavia; the Baltic ‘Sea, the North Sea and English Channel; northern and western Europe; South Africa; South Australia; Tasmania ‘and New Zealand, Most of the kelp species are fairly slow growing, but there are always exceptions to every rule and the giant or bladder kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the coast of California can grow up to a staggering one metre per day (making it perfect for harvesting). Requiring a water temperature lower than 200C, the kelp forests form an important canopy for iterally thousands of species of marine life. Kelp harvesting is stil found in Brittany and other seaweeds are collected for processing around the UK for culinary use. Storm-tossed kelp onto the seashore is, collected and used as fertiliser, particularly in northern France, the Channel Islands, Ireland, northern Scotland ‘and Scandinavia. Kelp Is known as ‘Vraic’ in the Channel Islands and ‘Kombu' in Japan and the country has at least ‘12 different species, all of which are harvested and used in food preparation ‘You can apply to the Crown Estate to obtain a commercial licence to harvest seaweeds in our waters, as long as the area is notin any type of conservation zone. Storm-stranded kelp can be collected for personal use, however you should always take into account any environmental considerations. 6 sensitivities in collecting anything from the wild, even if it Is storm-damaged flotsam or jetsam. The land-owner’s permission should also be granted, The main by-product of the processing of the kelp plants is Alginate. Algin s a bonding agent and is mainly extracted from the 150,000 wet tons of kelp harvested in California each year. Algin is used primarily in the manufacture of toothpaste; shampoos; salad dressings; puddings; cakes; airy products; frozen foods and even pharmaceuticals. ‘Laminaria sticks’ are thin rods of the dried algae which are used in obstetrics to ad in the slow dliation of the cervix, Kelp is also used as a food source in mollusc aquaculture farms. Most kelps are collected from the shore, but in the Far east, kelps are harvested from the wild particularly in Korea, Japan and China, where itis eaten with meat and fish and particularly in soups, TV chefs have played a crucial role in the resurgence of interest in harvesting kelps and other seaweeds due to their high nutritional value and ~ dare | say ree rc et \e os It eco-credentials for foraging, which seems to be ‘such a thing’ nowadays, when it has actually been providing food and sustenance for millennia The benefits that the kelp forests bring is the ability to providing a sustainable ecosystem with the provision of a ‘major marine habitat to sustain literally many hundreds of species of fish, vertebrates and invertebrates, Their complex holdfasts are home to a large number of different species, including sea squirts, bryozoans, starfish, sponges, isopods, shrimps, blennies, gobies, small crabs, and hydroids. Marine scientists have listed over 300 different species of marine life found in association with kelp and each holdfast will house approximately 30-70 different species of marine life, but in their many hundreds of representatives. During the winter months and assuming that the storms have not come early, the kelps tends to shed their fronds in preparation for new spring growth, Depending on the predation, will also depend on how much has to be replaced, as the sea urchins have an appatite all year round, The kelp forest is vital in its uptake of carbon and nutrients and of course is pivotal in coastal protection as it Is able to diffuse the energy created by storms, With over 600 different species of seaweeds to be found around the shores of the UK and Ireland, the brown algas and kelps are the most prolific. Its known that these underwater forests capture more carbon than all ofthe planet’ tropical rainforests with 20 times more carbon being sequestered SCUBADIVER 61