WWF discovery of new coral reef includes rare fish. March 3, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , 1 comment so farWWF Thailand have issued this press release regarding the discovery of the new reefs found in Phang-nga. On the one hand this will be great for the economy but on the other, I wonder just how long those rare fish will survive after it becomes a popular diving location.
Anyway, here is the press release;
Experts from around the world are meeting in Thailand ’s premiere coastal resort to discuss coral reef restoration and management one year after the Asian Tsunami, just as WWF Thailand announces the discovery of a previously unknown coral reef in neighbouring Phang-nga Province.
Initial rapid surveys have identified over 270 hectares of previously unknown, relatively healthy reefs with over 30 genera of hard corals, and at least 112 species of fish from 56 families, including a new record – the parrot fish Chlorurus rakaura first discovered in Sri Lanka and never seen in Thailand until now, as well as a rare species of sweet lips Plectorhincus macrospilus previously only known from the Similan Islands. There may still be more surprises to come…
“I believe discussions with fishermen over a wider area will lead us to discover even more important reefs, not yet mapped or protected by the authorities” said Songpol Tippayawong, Head of the WWF Thailand Marine and Coastal Conservation Unit, adding “This reef is easily accessible to dive operators from nearby Khao Lak, and if managed properly can become a prominent local dive site while also contributing an important source of income to the local community”.
WWF is working closely with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Department of National Parks, local communities and dive operators to initiate effective management of the reef, which may ultimately be included in a marine national park. Planned work includes more extensive surveys and research, restoration of degraded areas, the placing of mooring bouys for dive boats, assessment of carrying capacity and establishinga system for collection of dive fees and their use to support community-based conservation activities.
On 19th February, with additional support from the Royal Thai Navy, around 20 divers assisted in removal of marine debris from the reef, and the release of 100 giant clams. “This is a spectacular reef and its exciting to think that there may be even more areas like this still awaiting our discovery” said Dr Robert Mather, WWF Senior Programme Manager.
WWF Thailand thanks UNEP (aspartof the UN Flash Appeal), and the Dutch public-funded “Green Coast” project for financial support for the work that enabled this discovery.
Search fails to find diver missing off Sydney coast February 28, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , add a commentNot much details at the moment about a diving fatality in Australia. The scuba diver is still missing after a dive about four nautical miles off Bondi Beach at a depth of 71 meters (233 feet).
A massive air and sea search is underway to find the missing diver who disappeared at about 9:30am.
Officials told CDNN the search by Water Police and Surf Rescue has been hampered by poor visibility in the water.
Coral reef discovered by WWF Scuba Divers near Thailand February 22, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , add a commentIt is hard to believe that there are many places left in the world where we haven’t already been, particularly with regard to shallow reefs in Thailand, but apparently there is a new undiscovered reef. In an article by Sydney Morning Herald, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said a team of its divers using information from local fishermen made the discovery in January off Thailand’s Phang-nga Province.
The announcement comes as experts from around the world meet in Thailand to discuss coral reef restoration and management.
“Initial rapid surveys have identified over 270 hectares of previously unknown, relatively healthy reefs,” WWF said in a statement. “I believe discussions with fishermen over a wider area will lead us to discover even more important reefs, not yet mapped or protected by the authorities,” said Songpol Tippayawong, Head of the WWF Thailand Marine and Coastal Conservation Unit. “This reef is easily accessible to dive operators from nearby Khao Lak, and if managed properly can become a prominent local dive site while also contributing an important source of income to the local community,” Tippayawong said.
Pollution, global warming and expanding human settlements along coasts are among mounting threats to reefs and mangroves, while Khao Lak itself was badly hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Scuba Diver swimming with Killer Whales in Argentina February 10, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , add a commentWhen I fist started scuba diving I viewed my instructor as something like a dive god. Able to do things I couldn’t, and telling stories about dives which I thought were amazing. Well, it looks like Gabriel Hermida, an Argentinian dive instructor, will have impressed his students, as on their way to their first ever scuba dive, their instructor jumped in the water and swam with Killer Whales!
Carrying a camera Gabriel threw caution to the wind and dived right into the water swimming alongside the sea creatures.
He said afterwards that he was amazed how relaxed the animals were being so close to humans.
“They approached, they were very receptive because normally it’s not a receptive animal that comes and approaches people,” he said. “So when they approached, I couldn’t resist the temptation and I threw myself into the water. “I didn’t even think about it. I think that if I had thought about it, I wouldn’t have thrown myself into the water
“But the adrenaline and how beautiful it was - words can’t describe it.”
via Underwater Times
New Zealand diver, Roger Hewitt, found after 3 days drifting at sea February 9, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , add a commentA couple of days ago I reported the case of a missing diver from New Zealand. Well, the amazing news is that he has been found alive after 3 days adrift at sea.
Whilst diving he had caught some crayfish and sea eggs, and he ate them to stay alive during the long ordeal, although he had no fresh water with him to drink. He was very dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia. It was also important for him to be kept horizontal during the rescue due to poor blood circulation which resulted from all that time floating at sea.
Police Search and Rescue Senior Sergeant Bruce Johnson said Mr Hewitt was found wearing only the bottom of his navy issue dive suit and he was very cold. He had no other dive equipment on him.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was “blown away with relief for the family” at the news Mr Hewitt was alive.
“People had thought it was a very, very different fate. He’s probably had the scare of a lifetime but he’s well apparently, so that’s got to be good news,” said Miss Clark from Canberra, where she was holding talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Via Divester
Florida Scuba divers survive scare, adrift for hours February 3, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : OceanDiving , 1 comment so farTwo divers who are counting their lucky stars at the moment are Mark E. Hines, 18, and Michael B. Kittle, 31, who were scuba diving in the Florida Keys this past weekend when the anchor line of the boat they rented broke and drifted away. The two spent the next nine hours adrift and trying to swim to shore before running into Gardeners Cove, a mangrove covered sand flat island, reports news-press.com
After initially trying to chase the boat without success, the two scuba divers decided to turn and head for shore, linking arms and swimming on their backs. During the eight hour swim they talked to keep awake and focussed, although twice they got a nasty jolt when they saw a dark grey shark fin.
“I thought, ‘God, you’ve got to be kidding me,” said Kittle, 31, of Fort Myers. “Sharks mainly feed at dusk.
“So you better believe that was going through my mind.”
They even saw what was perhaps one of the rescue boats out searching for them, but the boat went the other way, and the ycarried on kicking.
Eventually, the friends reached the uninhabited island and soon saw a nearby Coast Guard boat. They started yelling, blowing their emergency whistle and flashing S-O-S on their flashlight. They still had to wait for nearly an hour as the fire department boat made its way through the mangroves and get them.
Apeaking a couple of days after the event,
“I definitely didn’t think I was going to make it,” Hines said. “But I knew that if I was going to die, I was going to die swimming.”
A gutsy tale.
