SCUBA News 116

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SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011)
Issue 116 - December 2009
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk
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Welcome to December's SCUBA News: if you celebrate Christmas, may you have a good one.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter, but should you wish to remove yourself from our mailing list you can do so at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/news.html

SCUBA News is published by SCUBA Travel Ltd, the independent guide to diving around the world.

Contents:
- What's new at SCUBA Travel?
- Letters
- Creature of the Month: Burrowing Anemone
- Diving News from Around the World

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What's New at SCUBA Travel?
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Diving Brazil

Read about some great dive sites in Brazil and find a dive operator.
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/americas/brazil.html

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Scuba Dive Sipadan - Mabul - Kapalai, From Budget to Luxury, our aim is to prepare and deliver you the very best diving holidays. Experience tornado-like formation of Barracudas, big-eye trevallies, thousands of silver jack fishes, bumphead parrot fishes, napoleon fish, reef sharks, numerous turtles and the occasional mantas, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, etc. http://www.sipadan.com/

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Diving Norway

We've a new section on diving in Norway - somewhere to consider for a different diving experience to the usual holiday destinations.
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/europe/norway.html

Diving Spain and the Canary Islands

Another new page on the site, with information on diving Tenerife and elsewhere in Spain and the Canary Islands.
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/europe/spain.html

More...

For regular announcements of what's new at the SCUBA Travel site see the Diving Board at
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=2

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Letters
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Cuba

My son and I are planning to visit Holguin, Cuba, between Dec 27th and Jan 3rd. We have no diving experience other than having done a bit of snorkelling. We are hoping that while we are down there, we could obtain basic diving certification, and maybe even a few dives if possible. We are staying at the PLAYA PESQUERO, in Holguin. Do you know if this is possible, and if so, do you have any suggestions as to who I should be contacting to arrange things. Thanks for your help.
Mike
My wife and i are both very new to diving and are looking for a shore-based Red Sea trip. Want warm water and good conditions i.e. not windy and choppy. Anyone any suggestions, please?
Greydiver
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1682

Post your answer on the Diving Board or e-mail news@scubatravel.co.uk.

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Dive Tenerife with Aqua-Marina Oxygene - PADI 5* and BSAC Dive Training resort offering guided dives to the best dive spots in Tenerife. Crystal clear Atlantic waters with plenty of exciting life including Angel sharks, Rays, Turtles. Accommodation available too. http://www.aquamarinadivingtenerife.com

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Creature of the Month: Burrowing Anemone, Cerianthus lloydii
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This common European species is not a true anemone. Instead of attaching itself to a rock it lives in a soft tube protruding above sand or mud.

The animals's tentacles are usually all that is visible. The inner set circle the mouth and are short and stiff. The long, flexible, attractive outer ones, over 100 of them, sweep prey inwards. When disturbed the whole anemone shoots back into its tube, like a tubeworm. The tentacle crown measures up to 10 cm across.

The burrowing anemone lives from the shallows down to 100 m. The tentacles may be white, brown, green or banded.

You find Cerianthus lloydii from Norway down to the Bay of Biscay.

Further Reading:
Great British Marine Animals, by Paul Naylor, Deltor (2003)

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Diving News From Around the World
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If you would like display this news on your web site then go to http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/newsfeed.html. It's free and automatically updates your web page with the latest diving news.

Shark fin traders admit selling endangered species

Hong Kong shark fin merchants have reacted angrily to a US study that said meat from endangered species was being sold in the city's markets. US scientists found 21 per cent of the fins came from endangered scalloped hammerhead shark stocks in the western Atlantic. But the Hong Kong Shark Fin Trade Merchant's Association said its members had not done anything illegal. A spokesman said "We are not doing anything against the law. The sale of endangered scalloped hammerhead shark fins has not been made illegal here."

IUCN warns of acid oceans and mass extinctions

Increased release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is making sea water more acidic and is threatening ecosystems and species. It is also reducing the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide and regulate climate. According to IUCN), deep and immediate cuts in emissions are needed to stall the acidification of oceans and prevent mass extinction of marine species.

'Shocking' 95% Decline of Fish Populations

Populations of numerous migratory fish species - those that move between freshwater and saltwater during the course of their lives - have declined by a shocking 95 percent.

NOOA remove restrictions on swordfish fishing

Environmentalists believe the new regulations will harm turtles, sharks, albatross, dolphins and other species accidentally caught in the fishery.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes: Less Storms This Year

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended 30 November marking the close of a season with the fewest named storms and hurricanes since 1997 thanks, in part, to El Nino.

Ancient Mediterranean flood mystery solved

Research has revealed details of the catastrophic Zanclean flood that refilled the Mediterranean Sea more than five million years ago. The flood occurred when Atlantic waters found their way into the cut-off and desiccated Mediterranean basin. The researchers say that a 200km channel across the Gibraltar strait was carved out by the floodwaters. Their findings, published in Nature, show that the resulting flood could have filled the basin within two years.

Melting sea ice dilutes water, endangers sea life

Melting of the Arctic sea ice due to global warming is diluting surface waters and this is endangering some species of shellfish which need minerals in the water to form their shells and skeletons, scientists have found.

Oceans Absorb Less Carbon Dioxide as Marine Systems Change

The oceans are by far the largest carbon sink in the world. Some 93 percent of carbon dioxide is stored in algae, vegetation, and coral under the sea. But oceans are not able to absorb all of the carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, a recent study suggests that the oceans have absorbed nearly 10 percent less fossil-fuel emissions since 2000. The study, published in the current issue of Nature, is the first to quantify the perceived trend that oceans are becoming less efficient carbon sinks.

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The Editor
SCUBA News
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EDITOR: Jill Studholme

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