SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011): Issue 36

SCUBA News 36

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) Issue 36 - April 2003 http://www.scubatravel.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to SCUBA News. We hope you enjoy it but should you wish to cancel your free subscription please do so at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/news.html Contents: - What's new at SCUBA Travel? - Creature of the Month: Cuttlefish - Your Letters - Bookshelf: Great British Marine Animals - Thailand Diving Experience: Part 2 - Diving News from Around the World If you have any diving news, comments on this newsletter or dive reports we'd love to hear from you. Just fill in our Contact the Editor form. __________________________________________________________ What's New at SCUBA Travel? =========================== Apo Island, The Philippines New article on diving the protected coral reef surrounding the volcanic island of Apo. http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/philippines/apo.html The Umbria, Sudan Brief notes on diving the wreck of the Umbria. http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/africa.html#Sudan SCUBA Best Sellers The Blue Planet DVD remained the best-selling SCUBA item during the first quarter of 2003. See the entire list at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/bestsellers.html Thai Dive Operators and Accommodation Our lists of Thai dive operators, and accommodation options, continue to grow. http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/thailand/thaiop.html http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/thailand/thaiacc.html :ADV_____________________________________________________ Save money on a vast selection of posters and prints: whales, sharks, dolphins, seascapes... Browse the offers at www.allposters.com ______________________________________________________ADV: __________________________________________________________ Creature of the Month: Cuttlefish (Sepia species) ================================================= The cuttlefish is a fascinating creature. This intelligent mollusc has almost incredible powers of mimicry. It can control the colour, pattern and texture of its skin to perfectly match its surroundings. And not just from above; the camouflage works from whatever angle the animal is observed. From birth, cuttlefish can display at least 13 type of body pattern, made up from over 30 different components. In addition to avoiding predators, pattern control is also used in courtship by male cuttlefish. This impresses females and warns off competitors. After mating the male will often defend his mate whilst she lays clumps of eggs. These hatch in two to three months to reveal miniature cuttlefish. Females only breed once and die soon after laying. With its flattened body skirted each side with fins, the cuttlefish moves with a pretty rippling motion. Like the closely related octopus, it can also escape by powerful jet propulsion whilst simultaneously ejecting a cloud of black ink to distract its foe. This ink is called sepia and was once used by artists. The cuttlefish's mouth is surrounded by eight arms. It also has two long, extendible tentacles and is thus classified as a decapod (10 feet). Carnivorous, cuttlefish catch fast- moving prey like crustaceans and fish with their long tentacles. Different species of cuttlefish are found all over the world. The book reviewed below, "Great British Marine Animals", contains some delicious photos of cuttlefish behaviour, and more information about these animals. For photos of cuttlefish in the Red Sea and Australia see http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/cuttlefish.html http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/cuttlefishaus.html http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/cuttlefishaus2.html __________________________________________________________ Your Letters ============ Your newsletters are wonderfully informative. I reside in the USA. Can you give me some information on Global Visions International? They are doing reef conservation trips and I'd like an independent opinion. Thanks Spencer -- Ed: We're not familiar with Global Visions International - are you? If so please contact me at news@scubatravel.co.uk __________________________________________________________ SCUBA News Bookshelf: Great British Marine Animals, by Paul Naylor ============================================ Paul Naylor Great British Marine Animals Deltor, 2003 235pp. £14.00 0 9522831 4 X Organised as an identification guide, what makes this book so special is the commentary on the behaviour of the animals featured. And, of course, the 350 delightful photographs. Unlike some guides, there are no blurred or cloudy images here. Every photo makes it into the book on its own merit. "Great British Marine Animals" devotes a chapter to each phylum: sponges, cnidarians (like corals), crustaceans, fish, and so on. Over 200 species from British seas are included. This is obviously a selection of animals you might see, and the book does not pretend to be the only guide you will ever need. However, it is an excellent starting point to identify, and discover more about, the creatures you see on the dive, snorkel or rock pool investigation. The commonest sightings are all covered, including some animals that might have escaped your notice had not someone like Paul Naylor pointed them out. The book expands upon the author's previous work, "Marine Animals of the South West". There is unavoidable duplication between the two, although many new photos and species have been added. The latest book retains the structure and high standards of the previous one. Paul Naylor has a doctorate in marine biology and is an associate of the Royal Photographic Society. His clearly written text is ideal for those who have picked up a sealife book for the first time, yet at the same time has plenty of information to interest professional marine biologists. Naylor has once again produced a book that is a pleasure to own. You can buy Great British Marine Animals from amazon.co.uk or direct from the distributors, NHBS. __________________________________________________________ Thailand Diving Experience: The Similans ======================================== by Bill Mashek, USA The Similans, in the Andaman Sea, provide some excellent diving. Bill Mashek shares his experiences of diving there. KHOA LAK The closest place from which to dive the islands is Khoa Lak. We stayed at Poseidon Bungalows, a lodging consisting of 14 small cabins situated along the rocky shores. Prices are $10 to 20 US, depending on size and location. Food price $1.50-3 US per meal. Poseidon also runs the only livaboard dedicated to snorkellers. A 3-day snorkelling trip to the Similan Islands cost approximately $150 US. A trip to the Similans, which includes Richelieu Rock (Surin Islands), and Burma Banks (Myanmar) would take a minimum of 5 days four nights. There are several to choose from. I recommend using a local tour operator such as Siam Dive n Sail, Dive the world Thailand, Kon-Tiki or Sea Dragon. Any of these diveshops can set you up on a liveaboard to meet your needs. Kon-Tiki and Sea Dragon offer one day trips to the Similans and Richelieu Rock. A liveaboard is the best way to experience these world class dive spots. Since I was short on time and money, we did an overnight with Kon-Tiki and slept at the national park campground on the Similan Islands. Our divemaster was a very competent young Swedish woman, Jessie, who not only spoke excellent English; she has over 400 dives at the Similan islands. * SIMILAN ISLANDS My first view of the Similans was similar to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. For lack of a better word: awesome. Tranquil white sand beaches and turquoise water with gin clear visibility, over 200 feet. This is the ultimate diving site in Thailand. Meadows of soft corals and sea fans combined with a prolific fish population are the main reasons this is a world class dive destination. Pelagics in this region are seasonal. Though there have been plenty of sightings of Mantas and whale sharks, they are not common. I actually saw bigger fish farther south at the Phi Phi Island sites. For the non SCUBA Diver, snorkelling the Similans is second to none. In fact, because of the drift currents on many of the islands, you can often see more variety of marine life in the protected shallow areas. SIMILANS: THE DIVES East of Eden Pre-eminent coral formations, which I could only compare to Cozumel. Lots of small fish, rabbitfish, clownfish, one lionfish, garden eels, boxfish and others. Max depth: 62 ft. Visibility 150-200 ft. The Wall I don't know why they call this the wall. The topography is a gradual slope with large granite boulders, sea fans, fire coral, prolific and diverse sea life. Max depth 60 ft. Water temperature about 84 degrees F. Elephant Rock, Donald Duck Cove Huge boulders sea fans and hard corals. Again, many small and colourful reef fish. Visibility here was not as good- approximately 70+ ft. Snorkelling and free diving in Donald Duck Bay (they say the rock at the point looks like Donald Duck??) was superb with depths ranging from 5-20 ft. There is a nice beach here and a relaxing lunch stop. Turtle Rock This was a fast drift dive for a short time until we went around the island. Not as many fish but saw several lobsters and a ribbon eel. This was a fairly deep dive (95 ft) and the visibility was much better than Elephant Rock. Breakfast Bend It was here I had a provocative experience with a banded sea snake (poisonous but not aggressive) that was wrapping himself around my leg and passing through my BC vest. This dive was a Similan classic, turquoise water, 200 ft visibility and copious fish population. The Similan Islands offer an exceptional diving experience for both novice and experienced divers. We played tourist for a couple of days and went to Ko Sac National Park. Interesting limestone formations and another site not to be missed. After a 3-mile hike to a waterfall we stopped outside the park and went on an elephant trek. (I am glad I did this so I don't have to do it again). The next day, we rented kayaks and paddled 10 miles on a class 1-2 river (creek) that followed the highway. Saw a 10-ft. king cobra, gibbon, two wild elephants and a fist size spider, scenery was superb and trip worth repeating. -- For more information on diving in Thailand see the first part of Bill's article, published in last month's SCUBA News http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/scubanews35.html and also our Thai section http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/thailand/ :ADV_____________________________________________________ Drive people to your web site with Overture. Earn a $10 bonus credit when you become a new Overture advertiser with this link http://www.overture.com/d/advertisers/p/bjump/ ______________________________________________________ADV: __________________________________________________________ Diving News From Around the World ================================= SPLIT DECISION ON DIVERS' CANCER LINK An official inquiry found that pollution did not cause cancer in members of an elite Israeli navy unit, forced to make training dives in a river full of toxic chemicals. However, the three-member commission was split. The head of the panel wrote the minority opinion, saying he found a link between river pollution and cancer. http://www.enn.com/news/2003-04-23/s_4006.asp BALANCE AFFECTED DURING DEEPER DIVES Recent research shows divers' balance was affected during dives to 20 m on air, and 100 m on heliox. On 5 m dives, however, no postural difficulties were observed. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ CORONER URGES WEARING OF SHARK-REPELLENT DEVICES An Australian coroner has found that a diver attacked by a white pointer shark was not using his shark-repellent device correctly. He encouraged divers in shark areas to wear the equipment. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/InNews/ ENORMOUS SQUID FOUND AT SURFACE FOR FIRST TIME A colossal squid has been caught in Antarctic waters, the first such example retrieved virtually intact from the surface of the ocean. There have only ever been six specimens of this squid recovered: five have come from the stomachs of sperm whales and the sixth was caught in a trawl net at a depth of over 2000 metres. It's know known to be bigger than the Giant Squid and Sperm Whale, and not exclusively living at depth as previously thought. Armed with hooks and beak, it's not something you'd want to meet during a dive. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2910849.stm SCOTTISH CORAL REEF UNDER THREAT Environmental group WWF has accused the British government of reneging on a promise to protect unique Scottish cold water corals, the Darwin Mounds. Thousands of years old, the corals are being smashed by deep-water fishing nets from fishing trawlers whilst the government delays. http://www.wwf.org.uk/news/scotland/n_0000000871.asp :ADV_____________________________________________________ Log data from GPS, sonar and other instruments to your database or mapping program with the free Windmill software. For diving, marine archaeology, salvage, coral reef monitoring, etc. Download your free copy at http://www.windmill.co.uk/gps.html ____________________________________________________ADV: FRANCE FIGHTS POLLUTION FOR MEDITERANEAN France is moving to protect the Med with stiff new punishments for polluters. The measures will create an environmental protection zone off southern France's Mediterranean coast, http://www.enn.com/news/2003-04-08/s_3737.asp CORAL REEF ALLIANCE CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST Have you some superb photos taken at locations where steps are taken to protect the reefs: be it marine reserves or just coral friendly dive briefings? If so you can enter the Coral Reef Alliance contest. Deadline is 1 May. http://www.coralreefalliance.org/photogallery/ OCEAN FESTIVAL 2003 Ocean Festival Dive and Adventure Sports Expo 2003 takes place in Fort Lauderdale on May 16, 17 and 18. Over 200 dive and adventure sports related exhibits. Technical diving programs include nitrox, trimix and rebreathers, plus equipment repair clinics. http://www.oceanfest.com/ __________________________________________________________ * Copyright SCUBA Travel - http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/ * Reprinting welcomed with this footer included. We are happy for you to copy and distribute this newsletter, and even use parts of it on your own website, providing the above copyright notice is included, and a link back to our website is in place. Previous editions of SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) are archived at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/news.html SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING Visit http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/news.html and add or remove your e-mail address. CONTACTING THE EDITOR Please use the Contact the Editor form to send us letters or press releases or write to: The Editor SCUBA News The Cliff Upper Mayfield DE6 2HR UK ADVERTISING Should you wish to advertise in SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011), please fill in the form at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/newsad.html PUBLISHER SCUBA Travel, The Cliff, Upper Mayfield, DE6 2HR, UK

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