Important ** Please Read ** The Cove
The Cove Click HERE to watch Sign the Petition. Spread the Word. We are just shy of our petition goal! Once we hit half a million signatures, we will take our petition to President Obama, Vice President Biden, the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., the Prime Minister and Minister of Health in Japan. The more people who sign, the more impact we’ll have. Sign the petition below and encourage your friends to take part. The Cove: Sign the Petition Help Save Japan’s Dolphins … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Preservation, Reference, Report, Rescue
Divers targeting lionfish on Florida reefs
It’s open season on invasive lionfish on the reefs of Florida and the Bahamas. By SUSAN COCKING scocking@miamiherald.com On her first-ever scuba diving adventure on the colorful coral reefs and blue holes south of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, underwater photographer Maggie Martorell of Hollywood immediately noticed something was missing. “Where are all the little tropical fish?” Martorell wanted to know. The reef looked healthy; stands of mountainous star coral jutted up from the ocean floor, interspersed with tangled branches of staghorn. Soft corals, such as sea whips and sea fans, undulated with the gentle current. A few groupers swam around the entrance to a marine cave that descended into darkness in the middle of the reef tract. But Martorell was alarmed by what she didn’t see — convict-striped sergeant majors busily patrolling the reef to protect … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
Lionfish Derby Aug. 18 out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores
Lionfish Derby: A Lionfish Derby is Aug. 18 out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores. Teams of up to four people collect lionfish while scuba diving or free diving. Entry fee is $150 per team and more than $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded for the most, biggest and smallest lionfish. The captains meeting is 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Sailfish Marina. To register, visit REEF.org/lionfish/derbies or call 305-852-0030. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Contest, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Travel
Florida Fish and Wildlife Seeks Public’s Help with Lionfish Invasion
Florida’s lionfish invasion has become so dire that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have changed some fishing rules to allow for more people to start catching the pests in order to save their reefs. Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, are indiscriminate predators, with virtually no natural predators of their own in these foreign waters. They gobble up literally anything and everything, including juvenile species who haven’t yet had a chance to spawn. Reports of reefs devoid of any fish save for lionfish are increasing, which opens up the lionfishing arena to just about anyone who can handle a spear. The changed rules are effective through August 2013, and are as follows: A recreational fishing license is not required when using a Hawaiian sling, pole spear, handheld net, or any … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report
Open Water Fan Sends Photos with Divetalking Logo
Today, Divetalking received the following pictures from an Open Water fan of Divetalking. Here is a picture of our logo pasted on the back window of his truck! Thanks Mac for sending in the pictures… … Read entire article »
Filed under: Badge, Diver, Divetalking, Featured, Logo, Open Water, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reference, Report, Training
Divetalking seeking Editors Worldwide
Have you ever thought about writing and editing? Are you looking for a position that will allow you to control what is posted on a renowned Internet site devoted to marine awareness and all things related to it? Divetalking is looking for talented individuals that can devote a few hours a day to post interesting articles on such subjects as diving, photography, travel, news, events and more. All that is needed are a love for the ocean and all things living in it, our environment, diving, photography, a skill for locating, capturing and editing news and events to post on Divetalking.com If you feel this is something you would be interested in experiencing and can devote a few hours a day to, then this could be the rewarding and educational experience you … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Fish, ocean, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Volunteer
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
With 2 weeks to go, we are two-thirds of the way toward reaching our goal of raising $60,000 in 60 days. Every dollar you donate will be doubled, and every donation makes a difference! Please help by donating through our secure website at www.REEF.org/contribute, mailing your donation to REEF at PO Box 246 – Key Largo, FL 33037, or calling us at 305-852-0030. Double your donation and ensure REEF’s marine conservation programs can continue. Every gift matters, regardless of the size! Thank you to each of you who donated so far to our summer matching campaign, and thanks to the generosity of the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation for matching your contributions! With donations from our members, we can continue to support programs that foundation and government funding no longer cover. Staff salaries and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Education, Events, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Travel, Volunteer
Aqua Lung Recalls Apeks Scuba Diving Regulators Due to Drowning Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Apeks Second Stage Scuba Regulators Units: About 25,000 Distributor: Aqua Lung America of Vista, Calif. Manufacturer: Apeks Marine Equipment Ltd., of Blackburn, England Hazard: These regulators can be missing the diaphragm cover which can cause the diaphragm to become displaced during a dive, allowing water to enter the scuba regulator. This poses a drowning hazard to divers. Incidents/Injuries: None. Description: This recall involves Apeks TX, ATX, and XTX second stage regulators that have never been serviced. Apeks and TX, ATX, or XTX is printed on … Read entire article »
Filed under: Apex, Featured, Products, Recall, Reference, Regulators, Report
ZEAGLE PURCHASED BY HUISH OUTDOORS
ZEAGLE PURCHASED BY HUISH OUTDOORS Dear Zeagle Partners,Since our founding over 30 years ago, our partnership, passion and dedication have resulted in one of the mostrecognized and respected brand names in the scuba diving industry. We started with humble beginnings, focusing ondesigning innovative buoyancy compensators and offering our customers exceptional customer service. Since then,continuous innovation and our successful dealer partnerships, have allowed us to expand into other categoriesincluding regulator design, instruments and accessories.Our past together has been highlighted with much success – including our recent recognition by Scuba Diving magazine receiving “Testers’ Choice” award for the Zeagle Onyx , and the recent introduction of the Wicked Litetravel BCD, and now, our future looks even brighter.It is with much excitement that I announce the purchase of Zeagle by Huish Outdoors! Huish Outdoors will bring … Read entire article »
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles By MARIMER MATOS WEST PALM BEACH (CN) – Well-known National Geographic filmmaker Wesley Skiles drowned while shooting underwater because his Dive Rite scuba gear malfunctioned, his widow claims in Palm Beach County Court. Terri Skiles claims that Dive Rite knew its oxygen monitoring system had a propensity to malfunction because it had been recalled multiple times, but Dive Rite ignored “serious quality control issues” and tampered with the scuba equipment evidence after the fatality. Terri Skiles sued Lamartek Inc. dba Dive Rite; Dive Gear Express LLC fka Dive Rite Express; Fill Express LLC aka Dive Rite Express; Mark E. Derrick; Juergensen Marine Inc. and Analytical Industries Inc. She alleges negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy to spoliate evidence, and civil conspiracy. Terri Skiles … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computers, Diver, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Optima, Rebreather, Rebreathers, Recall, Reference, Report
New Housings from Amphibico for Red Epic and Scarlet X Cameras
Amphibico releases new Rouge housing for RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema cameras Amphibico have announced the release of their new Rouge underwater housing for the RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema cameras. [singlepic id=795 w=320 h=240 float=left] This ground breaking project has been the most ambitious project that Amphibico has undertaken in the past 10 years. We are proud to announce and present the new Rouge underwater housing for the RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema cameras. [singlepic id=796 w=320 h=240 float=right] Amphibico’s development team has excelled to a new level, by using dual electronic Amphibi-grips® and menu control panel. This will allow the user access to all the important key controls of the camera keeping in mind total ergonomics and underwater balance. Most of those who are familiar with Amphibico’s products will know … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3D, Featured, Photography, Products, Reference, Report, Video Equipment, Videography
Top Marine Scientists Warn Reefs in Rapid Decline
By Agence France-Presse 11 July 12 More than 2,600 of the world’s top marine scientists Monday warned coral reefs around the world were in rapid decline and urged immediate global action on climate change to save what remains. The consensus statement at the International Coral Reef Symposium, being held in the northeastern Australian city of Cairns, stressed that the livelihoods of millions of people were at risk. Coral reefs provide food and work for countless coastal inhabitants globally, generate significant revenues through tourism and function as a natural breakwater for waves and storms, they said. The statement, endorsed by the forum attendees and other marine scientists, called for measures to head off escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land. “There is a window of opportunity for the world … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report
LionFish Hunt off Jacksonville Fl. July 29, 2012
Join Offshore Dive Charters on a Lion Fish Hunt @ the Artificial Reef: DryDock [singlepic id=744 w=640 h=480 float=center] Two Dives on the Casablanca, One dive on BR Ferry and One dive on the Huggins, 4 tanks, Deep Dives (approx 110 feet), must be Advanced and will need nitrox. Have your lionfish gear ready because they are there…..Need a puncture resistant gloves, pole spear, EMT shears, and either a bag or tube system that doesn’t allow penetration and a stringer (if you are going to cut off the spines under water – but this does take MORE time) [singlepic id=743 w=320 h=240 float=center] [singlepic id=781 w=320 h=240 float=center] The Casablanca is 327 foot long LST landing craft, hull number CVE 55, was built by Kaiser S.B. Company in Vancouver, Washington. She was originally built as the Alazon Bay, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Divetalking, Events, Lionfish, Master Diver, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Trip Invitations, Wrecks
Up to 20,000 sea turtle eggs crushed by bulldozers on Caribbean island
By Miguel Llanos, msnbc.com Thousands of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings and eggs were crushed over the weekend by bulldozers and excavators used to divert a river on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. “Unfortunately the engineers in charge bulldozed a far greater portion of beach than necessary, and they did destroy many viable nests,” the Papa Bois Conservation group posted on its Facebook page. It wasn’t immediately clear how much of an impact the tragedy would have on the critically endangered species, but the group noted that it happened on “the world’s most densely populated leatherback nesting beach.” Papa Bois said it wasn’t opposed to diverting the river, since it had been eroding not only a local eco-tourist hotel but the nesting area itself. But it noted that the work was done without supervision by “any of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Turtles