Food Poisoning from Marine Toxins
By Vernon E. Ansdell Seafood poisoning from marine toxins is an underrecognized hazard for travelers, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. Furthermore, the risk is increasing because of factors such as climate change, coral reef damage, and spread of toxic algal blooms. CIGUATERA FISH POISONING Ciguatera fish poisoning occurs after eating reef fish contaminated with toxins such as ciguatoxin or maitotoxin. These potent toxins originate from small marine organisms (dinoflagellates) that grow on and around coral reefs. Dinoflagellates are ingested by herbivorous fish. The toxins are then concentrated as they pass up the food chain to large carnivorous fish (usually >6 lb, 2.7 kg) and finally to humans. Toxins are concentrated in fish liver, intestinals, roe, and head. Gambierdiscus toxicus, which produces ciguatoxin, may proliferate on dead coral reefs more quickly than other dinoflagellates. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Emergency/FirstAid, Featured, Fish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
California Lawmaker to Propose Ban on Orcas in Captivity
If passed, the bill would be the most comprehensive protection law for captive orcas in the United States in more than 40 years. By David Kirby David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, ‘Death at Seaworld,’ was published in 2012. full bio follow me In a surprising move that is sure to send shock waves across the entire captive whale and dolphin industry, a California lawmaker will propose legislation to outlaw Shamu shows at SeaWorld San Diego. State Assemblymember Richard Bloom, D–Santa Monica, will introduce Friday the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, which would make it illegal to “hold in captivity, or use, a wild-caught or captive-bred orca for performance or entertainment purposes.” The bill would also ban artificial insemination of captive killer whales in California and block … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Killer Whale, ocean, Orca, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Whales
Remain Updated of New Posts by Registering and/or RSS Feeds
[singlepic id=242 w= h= float=center] One way to remain updated to new articles placed on Divetalking is to register with Divetalking. Registering with Divetalking is FREE and notifications on new posts are sent to the email address you provide during your registration. The email address you provide informs Divetalking where to send your initial password along with any password change requests you may make in the future. Another benefit of subscribing through the Registration process is the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3D, Adv. Open Water, Alert, Artificial Reefs, Auction, Badge, Boats, Candidate, Cave, Cavern, Computers, Conservation, Contest, Convention, Dive Planner, Divemaster, Diver, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Drift, Drysuits, Earth, Education, Emergency/FirstAid, Expo, extinction, Featured, Fish, Games, General Question, Grouper, Indonesia, Instructor, Insurance, Killer Whale, Lionfish, Logo, Manatee, Manta Rays, Master Diver, ocean, Open Water, Photography, Posts By DMs, Preservation, Products, Promotions, Quiz, RDP, Rebreather, Rebreathers, Recall, Recognition, Recreational Dive Planner, Reefs, Reference, Regulators, Report, Rescue, Rescue Diver, Scuba Training and related organizations, SeaLions, Sharks, Shrimp, Specialties, Springs, Summit, Training, Travel, Trip Invitations, Trip Report, Tuna, Turtles, Videography, Volunteer, Whales, Whaleshark, Wrecks
Lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States
Greetings Lionfish Enthusiasts! As part of our efforts to address the lionfish invasion to the western Atlantic, REEF received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Invasive Species Program to organize and lead lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States. Workshop topics include background of the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research findings, market development, and ways to get involved, with an emphasis on safe collecting and handling tools and techniques. We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Expo, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
REEF Webinars / Fishinars
Some call them webinars. We call ’em Fishinars! Fishie fun in the comfort of your own home. Great for first-timers or those wanting a review. These short, free webinars will teach you the finer points of identifying fish and invertebrates underwater. We use common names, not scientific names, and focus on how to ID each critter. Fishinars help divers learn how to become citizen scientists and help monitor marine life on their recreational dives. Data gathered goes into … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Dive Planner, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Grouper, ocean, Preservation, Quiz, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Training, Tuna, Turtles
Lionfish Facts
Pterois volitans Pterois miles The genus name, Pterois, pronounced (tare-oh-eese) is defined as “lionfish.” The word Pterois comes from the Greek word “pteroeis” meaning “feathered” or “winged” The species name, volitans, pronounced (vole-ee-tahnz), is Latin for “flying” or “hovering,” the complement of the Latin word “volitō,” which means “to fly” or “to hover.” The species name, miles, pronounced (mee-layz), is Latin for “soldiering,” the complement of the Latin word “mīlitō,” which means “to soldier.” They are so beautiful. I want … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Report, Training
Free Online DAN Seminars
Are you looking for new educational resources for your divers? DAN has made 20 popular seminars available online as continuing education opportunities. Presented by leading dive safety medical and research experts, these seminars cover important topics including ear injuries, decompression illness, dive accident management, medications and diving, emergency action plans and much more. There are three ways to access these great educational seminars: Watch the online educational presentations by visiting DAN.org/onlineseminars. Request a DVD of select seminars by contacting DAN Industry Partner representatives via email at IndustryPartner@dan.org or calling 877 532 6776. If you want to learn more about a topic not listed, email webinar@dan.org to request a free live webinar with a topic expert. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diver, Divetalking, Education, Promotions, Reference, Training
Shark Weak
Filed under: Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Training