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10,000 Free Round-Trip Tickets to Japan
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Japan, this may be your chance. video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player In a desperate attempt to lure tourists back to a country plagued by radiation fears and constant earthquakes, the Japan Tourism Agency‘s proposed an unprecedented campaign – 10,000 free roundtrip tickets. The catch is, you need to publicize your trip on blogs and social media sites. The number of foreign visitors to Japan has dropped drastically, since a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power plant in March. Nearly 20,000 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 80,000 remain displaced because of radiation concerns. In the first three months following the triple disasters, the number of foreign visitors to Japan was cut in half, compared with the same time in 2010. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Featured, Promotions, Reference, Report
$18 Million Of Silver Found On SS Mantola Shipwreck In North Atlantic, Off Coast Of Ireland
Sunken treasure doesn’t only surface in movies. Explorers recently found about $18 million worth of silver onboard a shipwreck in the North Atlantic, and on Monday they announced their plans to retrieve the booty sometime this spring, The New York Times reports. The SS Mantola was found about 8,000 feet underwater near the coast of Ireland, where it sank in 1917 after an attack by Germany on its way from London to Calcutta, NPR details. The ship was carrying about 19 tons of silver bars. Odyssey Marine Exploration made the discovery last month, according to FOX News. And it’s not the Florida treasure hunting company’s first time striking gold on the ocean floor. In September, the hunters discovered the SS Gairsoppa, a cargo ship carrying more than $200 million worth of silver. Both ships … Read entire article »
Japan confirms whaling fleet to sail
Japan has confirmed it will go ahead with its annual whale hunt and will increase security to protect its fleet. Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said extra ships would escort the fleet to the Antarctic to guard against harassment from anti-whaling activists. Last year Japan cut short its whaling season because of the harassment. Australia – which is challenging Japan’s whaling in the international court – has condemned the announcement. “There is widespread concern in the international community at Japan’s whaling programme and widespread calls for it to cease,” Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said. Australia remained “”resolute in its opposition to all commercial whaling, including Japan’s so-called scientific whaling”. ‘Strengthening measures’ There has been a ban on commercial whaling for 25 years, but Japan catches about 1,000 whales each year in what it says is a scientific research … Read entire article »
Filed under: Report
My missing cat is returned
When I posted my cat was missing, I never would have imagined her return turning out like this! [singlepic id=348 w=540 h=280 float=center] … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Divers on underwater scooters duke it out this weekend in Weeki Wachee
WEEKI WACHEE — As a sport, underwater scooter racing could hardly be compared to NASCAR. In fact, competitors only reach top speeds of about 5 mph. But if you love scuba diving as much as Joe Weatherby does, it’s the ultimate thrill. Two years ago, Weatherby formed the Wreck Racing League, the first sanctioning body devoted to organized competition for diver propulsion vehicles, also known as DPVs. This weekend, the league will play host to the Weeki Wachee Warrior Challenge at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. About 50 divers are expected to compete in the three-day event, which begins today. According to Weatherby, the races will be run on an oval course in the spring and will include four different classes of DPVs. “We’re very excited because this is our first-ever freshwater event,” Weatherby … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Open Water
Steve Jobs 1955 – 2011
Divetalking would to recognize a legend who has passed away October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs. [singlepic id=347 w=320 h=240 mode=web20 float=center] … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured
Best Dive Job in the World 2012 – It’s here again!
Back by popular demand – The Best Dive Job in the World is here once again giving you the opportunity to change your life forever. WIN seven months training in Bali to become a SCUBA Instructor worth over USD25,000. If you are in any doubt as to how cool this prize is : Checkout the 2011 winner’s blog here: Kenzo Kiren! How can you enter? In order to win the “Best Dive Job in The World 2012” you need to answer the following question – “Why I want to change my life and become a PADI Instructor?” We want you to send us a one minute video or 500 word written entry answering that question. We are not looking to judge your technical ability in making videos; we are looking for character, style, charisma and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Featured, Promotions, Training, Travel
Up to 3,000 sharks illegally netted on Texas coast
Game wardens have discovered as many as 3,000 dead adult and juvenile sharks tangled in a long stretch of illegal fishing netting off the Texas coast, the state’s Parks and Wildlife Department said. Department spokesman Steve Lightfoot said the wardens found the net off Texas’ southern South Padre Island near the border with Mexico. “About 3 miles of gill net was removed just past the third sandbar near the mouth of the Rio Grande,” the department said in a statement. “The nets were running north to south, catching anything that attempted to get into shallow water.” No arrests have been made, Lightfoot said, according to The Associated Press. “This is by far the most sharks I have ever gotten in one load,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Sgt. James Dunks told local KGBT-TV after making … Read entire article »
Cozumel Sept 3-10, 2011
Small clip of various pictures taken during our Cozumel Sept 3-10, 2011 trip. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Photography, Trip Report, Video
New species of dolphin discovered
Researchers have determined that dolphins found in southeastern Australia represent a previously unknown species. Around 150 of the dolphins live around the Melbourne area and had until now been assumed to be one of the known bottlenose dolphins. But detailed DNA studies and analysis of skulls in museums showed the two populations are in fact a new species. The new classification as Tursiops australis is described in PLoS One. The common name of Burrunan dolphins derives from the Aboriginal Australian for “large sea fish of the porpoise kind”. Previous research had shown that the DNA found in the dolphins differed from that of the known bottlenose species Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus. But in order to define a new species, more evidence is needed. Kate Charlton-Robb of Monash University in Melbourne and her colleagues studied dolphin … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dolphin
Making Headway in the Movement to Protect the World’s Sharks
By Elizabeth Rosenthaw For sharks, life at the top of the ocean food chain is becoming safer — at least from human predators. The last 12 months have seen a flurry of laws, regulations and industry actions to end the international trade in the age-old delicacy, including bans on shark fin sales in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and parts of Canada. Last week, the California Senate also voted to ban the sale or possession of shark fins — a billion-dollar global trade that has led to the brutal deaths of tens of millions of sharks a year and resulted in many open-ocean shark species being threatened with extinction. The Bahamas and Honduras have prohibited shark fishing in the last two years. “We’re really enthusiastic to see good things finally starting to happen for sharks,” said … Read entire article »
Filed under: Sharks
Study finds artificial reefs are economic boon, enjoy widespread public support
by Mickie Anderson, UF/IFAS News (Aug. 4, 2011) — A new Florida Sea Grant study of artificial reef use in six Southwest Florida counties shows the structures lure a lot more than fish. The reefs, which provide habitat for popular sport fish and other marine life, pulled more than $253 million into the region during one year, the study found. Though it costs nothing more than a saltwater fishing license to use the submerged structures as a fishing spot, anglers spend money on food, lodging, fuel, tackle and other necessities. The UF and Florida Sea Grant study, TP-178 Economic Impacts of Artificial Reefs for Six Southwest Florida Counties, looked at money generated by artificial reefs in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties in 2009. Researchers found that $136 million came from residents, while $117 million was spent by visitors. Bob Swett, the UF … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs
Pacific Paradise – Palau – November 20-28
Palau live aboard opportunity. Please join me on a pacific adventure. One of the best regions in the world to dive. Book before Sept 3, 2011 and you may save $700 off the charter rate. Contact me here ~ Rates are based on double occupancy. ~ All prices quoted USD. ~ Rates are subject to change without notice. ~ Single Supplement rate is 1½ times the charter rate if an individual traveler prefers a private room “Master” staterooms are larger and can have different configurations depending on the yacht. They can have a double bed, a queen or 2 singles that make into a queen (couples preferred). “Deluxe” staterooms have a double bed and one single bunk. “Twin” staterooms have two single bunks (singles preferred) and share a bathroom with one other stateroom. “Quad” staterooms have four single bunks … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Boats, Diver, Events, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Wrecks