What is Shark Diving?

What is Shark Diving?
Shark diving, or cage diving, allows divers, researchers and film crews to view the extraordinary world of Great White Sharks in comfort and safety. Specially designed shark viewing cages provide adequate protection for the sharks from sport divers, while allowing divers total freedom of movement and panoramic views. Our shark diving crews are industry professionals who care about your safety and enjoyment. Equally important, they care about making our dives safe for the sharks.

Is Shark Diving Dangerous?
To date, our most serious injury has been a sunburn. White sharks have many myths surrounding them. One is that they are killing machines attacking anything in sight. We have found that even at the height of a feeding event with multiple animals around a carcass, white sharks prove to be shy, slow moving animals. Our divers are amazed to learn first hand that these animals are almost gentle. That said, divers should always maintain a healthy respect for these awesome predators, in and out of the water!

DIVING WITH SHARKS

DIVING WITH SHARKS AND RAYS

Source of post: http://elasmodiver.com/Shark%20diving%20101.htm


First and foremost, I can't stress enough the need to gain as much knowledge as possible about the animals and their environment. To go into the water without at least a basic idea of how the sharks are likely to react is foolhardy to say the least. If you are participating in an organized "shark diving experience" you may feel that the operator's knowledge is sufficient and that you can sit back and watch the show. It's important to remember that every shark interaction is different. Just because countless people have watched the parade of sharks at a particular site passively swim by does not mean that you will have the same experience. Following are some guidelines for minimising the dangers associated with interacting in the wild with sharks and rays. Whilst the advice hopefully is useful it should be regarded as a vague guideline only. Your experiences will differ greatly from mine and the sharks and rays you encounter may react in a completely different way. As such, I take no responsibility for the outcome of any encounters that you may have or for the validity of any information stated below.

1. Get educated!
Ask local divers and fishers what species of sharks you are likely to see. Knowing if an area is frequented by nurse sharks or tigers may make a big difference to how alert you feel you need to be on the dive. Learn the stats on different sharks. The shark attack file is a good place to start to find out which sharks have been responsible for attacks in the past.
Find out how the sharks in the area normally respond to divers. Most free swimming sharks will disappear the minute they see a noisy, bubble blowing diver heading their way but some sharks are more curious. Occasionally sharks like to wander up to divers and give them a closer look. Being buzzed or even brushed by a shark does not necessarily mean that you are about to become lunch.

Are the sharks in the area regularly fed by divers? It can be disconcerting to drop down onto an area of reef where shark feeds normally take place and immediately find yourself surrounded by expectant sharks.
Ask if bait will be used or if any member of the dive group is planning to spear fish. Aggressive behaviour is significantly increased in the presence of struggling fish or when blood and other juices are in the water.
Find out if the sharks in the area are territorial. Sharks may respond to divers as threats to territory and defensively attack.

2. Dress appropriately.
There are differing points of view on the subject of what colors are most likely to attract a shark's attention. Every conceivable color combination has been tried at one time or another in an effort to deter sharks from attacking. Even broad black and white stripes have been tried in an effort to replicate the appearance of a banded sea snake which is an animal avoided by the majority of shark species.

As a rule of thumb, tropical sharks are mainly fish eaters and as such are attracted to bright and shiny objects. Therefore it would seem logical that a neon yellow wetsuit would attract the attention of sharks looking for a meal. In shark diving circles neon yellow has actually been given the nickname of "yum yum yellow". Other bright colours may also have the same effect so if you're planning on regularly putting yourself in the presence of tropical fish eating sharks it may be a good idea to tone down your fashion statement and choose a more muted color or black. Bear in mind that thousands of divers swim with tropical sharks every day wearing all manner of clothing from bikinis to camouflaged full body dive skins and the incidence of attack is extremely low.

If you have bright metal objects such as reels or dive knifes attached to the outside of your BC try to stash them out of sight in a pocket or replace them with darker coloured alternatives. Even a diver's first stage can look good to a hungry reef shark as I found out in the Bahamas.

Wear dark gloves. From a shark's point of view there's nothing more tempting than seeing two small lily white "fish" flapping around in front of them. If you don't have any gloves try to keep your arms folded across your chest. Using your hands to swim with is asking for trouble.
Full suits are better than shorty wetsuits. This is the same principle as exposing your hands. try not to expose distinct areas of skin that a shark can focus on or mistake for a fish. Even if you have dark skin it's a good idea to cover up. A lot of injury can occur from the brush of a shark's sandpaper like skin.

Some sharks in temperate seas feed on seals and sea lions. The chances are that you will never see a white shark under water. I have a friend that lives on Catalina Island who has seen a couple but he considers himself very lucky indeed to have done so. Many divers prefer the tough guy black commando look and this is reflected by the choices of suits that manufacturers offer. Personally I think that mimicking a seal doesn't seem like such a good idea. Keep in mind again that there are plenty of fish eaters in temperate seas as well, including smaller white sharks, so flashing bright colours and shiny objects may also be unwise. I own a nice neutral blue dry suit that hopefully differentiates me from both pinnipeds and schools of fish.

Lastly, fins tend to be prime targets for bites. This is more likely to do with their movements and exposed position rather than colour but white, silver, or bright fins should probably be avoided.

3. Avoid erratic movements.
Sharks are able to pick up on disturbances in their environment. They are looking for the tell tale signature of a wounded fish or other animal. Once they find one they carry out their civic duty and remove the wounded creature from the gene pool. Thrashing around in the water may mimic the vibrations sent out by a wounded fish and/or may replicate the movements of a feeding shark. Either way, slow, rhythmic fin strokes are more likely to be ignored. Good buoyancy is also important. crashing into the reef or struggling to stay down could generate interest or may work in reverse and drive away sharks that you were hoping would stay around.

4. Look but don't touch.
The best way to get bitten by a shark is to grab it by the tail or any other part of its anatomy. You wouldn't think this needs putting into print but a surprising amount of shark bites are the direct result of divers trying to man handle otherwise docile creatures. Joe diver sees a nurse shark's tail protruding from under the reef and thinks that if he gives it a little poke or tug the nurse shark will shift into a position where Joe can get a better look at its head. He grabs the shark's tail and before he has time to register exactly what has happened he looks down to find a nurse shark jaw wrapped around his wrist. Contrary to popular belief, nurse sharks do have rows of sharp little teeth and once Joe is finally released (which sometimes doesn't happen until he is literally dragged out of the water) Joe gets to spend the rest of his holiday at the very least with a bandaged arm. Don't be Joe Diver. Sharks are extremely flexible and explosively fast.

Rays usually remain very docile if you approach them slowly until their personal space is encroached upon and then they finally either bolt or slowly lift off the bottom and relocate a few meters away. The best way to get near them is to move in close to the sea bed. Rays feel more threatened when approached from above.

In rays the two defence mechanisms that a diver needs to be aware of are: the stingrays tail barb, and the electric rays ability to shock.

Waders (often fishing) have been wounded and even killed where medical attention was not available as the result of stingray barbs entering the abdomen or other vital organs. The barbs often carry toxins which compound the medical problem and create immense pain. Luckily divers are rarely faced with stingrays using this defence mechanism as it is only employed as a last resort when the animal is pinned down. Stingrays are more than happy to move away if they are too closely approached by a diver. I am not aware of a single diver that has been stabbed whilst on a dive. This is not to say that you won't step on one with painful results whilst attempting a shore entry. If this occurs wash the wound in fresh water and apply as much heat to the area as possible. This will help to break down the toxins and relieve some of the pain. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Stingray barbs often break up upon entry and the wound may need to be cut open and cleaned to avoid infection.
The electric organs of some rays are potentially dangerous but again in the majority of cases the ray is far more likely to move away than shock. However, torpedo rays are known to have a bad temper and there have been a few cases of these animals chasing divers and repeatedly shocking them. Some torpedo rays have been shown to be able to emit in excess of 200 volts! Usually if the animal is not harassed it will leave divers alone.

5. Stay away from the chum.
Sharks that come to a shark feed are not there to socialise. They want food and if you're between them and dinner you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Keep your distance from any hanging bait that has been placed in the water and if the current is moving a chum slick away from the area make sure that you are positioned off to the side or up stream.

Having watched the shark's behaviour for some time you may feel confident about moving in for better pictures or a better look. Remember that if the current is running and you are down stream any sharks that are swimming up to the bait may think that those delicious odours are emanating from you. Now you're stuck in a position where a shark is coming toward you and you are drifting into it. As it's very hard to swim against even a mild current you probably now have to turn around to make headway against it to get back up stream which puts you with your back to the approaching shark. A better course of action is to swim sideways until clear of the chum slick at which point you can kick up current without looking like a fleeing wounded animal.

6. Get underwater.
Floating at the surface in the presence of sharks sends the wrong message. You want to descend as soon as you can for a few reasons:
Firstly, a body floating at the surface is high on the list of desirable objects for a shark to explore. In the ocean dead things float. Oily chum tends to create a slick on the surface that you may be covering yourself in while you remain there.

Secondly, if your head is above water you are effectively blind to the movements of any sharks underwater.

Thirdly, a positively buoyant diver's actions are far more limited. It takes time to become negative and descend out of trouble and swimming at the surface in dive gear looks an awful lot like a thrashing animal.

7. Read the sharks.
It's important to pay attention to the behaviour of the sharks participating in a feed. Although sharks become agitated as soon as they know food is available they will usually continue to cruise around calmly waiting for the opportunity to strike at the bait. In a well organized feed, access to the bait is often restricted to keep the sharks interested but not overexcited.

If too much bait ends up in the water, the sharks may become very aggressive. They may chase each other tearing at the food and in their single-mindedness any divers that get in the way stand a chance of getting hit. To understand the significance of being thumped by a shark underwater it's necessary to look at the medium the sharks are moving through. If an adrenalin filled dog were to hit you at 20 miles an hour it would bowl you down. Now replay this scenario in a medium 800 times denser than air and you don't get bowled over anymore because you're supported by the water. However, the object hitting you is still travelling at the same speed resulting in a tremendous impact. Even a leisurely swimming shark can hurt a diver but sharks rarely collide with anything unless they are panicked. Pay attention to the dynamics of the feed.

Beyond a critical level of excitement sharks may become too aggressive for divers to safely remain in the water, and it is difficult to judge when this point is approaching. If many sharks are in attendance and ploughing into the food, seemingly indifferent to anything else around them they may become excited enough to bite randomly at whatever is close to them. Often the surprising thing is how fast the pace can change.
Some sharks regardless of food stimulus may become aggressive towards divers. Any type of posturing is a bad sign. The threat display of Grey reef sharks has been well documented. This consists of exaggerated swimming motions, back arching, raising of the snout, lowering of the pectoral fins, and head swinging. Not all sharks will give you these visual cues but you may see some small modified behaviour. The message is a clear one: BACK OFF! Hopefully the diver will notice the posturing and move away before the shark takes its next defensive strategy which is often to attack. The most common scenario in which this situation occurs is when a shark is cornered. Try to always give sharks an escape route.
It may be tempting to want to photograph posturing behaviour but this has proven to be the downfall of numerous divers in the past. A camera flash is often the catalyst that brings on the final attack. Even bringing a camera up to eye level may be enough to push a shark over the edge and it's important to remember that no matter how ready you think you are, if a shark attacks at speed you are unlikely to be able to block the attack in time.

8. Be a responsible participant.
We have come a long way since the early days of Jacques Cousteau pitting himself against the monsters of the sea. The survival of the sharks that cruise today's oceans hangs in the balance. There is no excuse for harming any shark or even interrupting important behaviours such as mating or birthing. If you feel that a shark diving situation may require the use of a power head or other weapon for protection then the dive should not take place.

It is also important to protect the fragile environment that sharks and rays inhabit. "Getting the shot" is secondary to protecting the reef regardless of what the subject is. Always practice good buoyancy skills and if the situation calls for you to crouch inconspicuously on the sea floor find a barren spot that will not damage any corals or other marine creatures. That group of orange sponges may make for a better photo location but not at the expense of the surrounding corals.

If baiting sharks in to an area is enough to create a worthwhile experience, then actual feeding is not necessary. The consensus is that it is far more harmful and behaviour changing to actually feed sharks that to just lure them into the area.

Try to avoid creating a repetitive feeding area where resident sharks wait for a handout. Whilst this may be a convenient way to re-attract sharks it provides an easy target for unscrupulous shark fishers.

Diving with sharks can be a fun and highly rewarding activity but this becomes hollow and selfish enjoyment if you in any way harm the animals that you have come to see.

Marine Biology Degree Programs in the U.S.

Marine Biology Degree Programs in the U.S.

The following is our list of all U.S. schools that offer degrees in Marine Biology. All links open in a new window linking directly to each school's marine biology program. To determine which school is right for you, you may want to consult the current rankings, but be forewarned that they are not always the best indicator of the "best" school. It is often better to make your own assessment based on the school's curricula, the experience of its faculty, and good laboratory facilities for hands on experience. To browse through a list of research facilities, click here. » Download the 256 page Admission Guide created by Franziska Elmer from Switzerland (700KB) - contains addresses, contact, student residential and program information as well as admission details for international students interested in Marine Biology degrees in the U.S. Thank you Franziska!

Contact us if you have any comments, changes or additions.

International Marine Biology Degree Programs »

Alabama
Alabama State University BS
Auburn University BS, MS, PhD
Samford University BS
Tuskegee University BS
University of Alabama BS, MS
University of North Alabama BS
University of South Alabama MS, PhD
University of West Alabama BS

Alaska Alaska Pacific University BS
University of Alaska Fairbanks MS, PhD
University of Alaska Southeast BS

California
California Lutheran University BA
California State University, Long Beach BS, MS
California State University (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories) MS
California State University Monterey Bay BS, MS
Humboldt State University BS, MS
San Diego State University BS
San Francisco State University BS, MA
San Jose State University BS
Sonoma State University BS
University of California Berkeley BS, MS, PhD
University of California Los Angeles BS
University of California Santa Barbara BS, MS, PhD
University of California Santa Cruz BS
Univ of California San Diego (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)University of San Diego BA, MS in Marine Science
University of Southern California PhD

Connecticut
University of New Haven BS
University of Connecticut BS, BA

Florida Barry University BS
Eckerd College BS
Florida Atlantic University BS, MS
Florida Institute of Technology BS, MS, PhD
Florida International University BS
Florida Keys Community College AS
Florida State University BS
Jacksonville University BS
Nova Southeastern University BS, MS, PhD
Stetson University BS
University of Florida: Fisheries/Aquatic Sciences (FAS) BS, MS, PhD
University of Miami: Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science BS, MA, MS, PhD
University of South Florida BS, MS, PhD
University of Tampa BS
University of West Florida BS

Georgia
University of Georgia BS, MS, PhD

Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University BS
University of Hawaii Hilo BS
University of Hawaii - Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology BS

Kansas
Southwestern College BS

Louisiana
Nicholls State University BS, MS

Maine
Maine Maritime Academy BS
Unity College BS
University of Maine BS, MS, PhD
University of Maine Machias BS
University of New England BS

Maryland
University of Maryland MS, PhD

Massachusetts
Boston University MA, PhD
Hampshire College BS
Harvard College summer program only
Salem State College BS
Suffolk University BS
University of Massachusetts Darmouth BS

Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi Coastal Science MS, PhD
University of Southern Mississippi Marine Science BS, MS, PhD

New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire - Marine Program BS, MS, PhD

New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University BS
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey BS
Rutgers BS, MS, PhD

New York
Hofstra University BA, MA, MS
Long Island University, Southampton College BS, BA
State University of New York BS
State University of New York - Stony Brook BS, MS, PhD

North Carolina
Duke University BS, MEM (Master of Environmental Management), PhDUniversity of North Carolina Chapel Hill MS, PhD
University of North Carolina Wilmington BS, MS, PhD

Ohio
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Aquatic and Marine Science BS Biology with an emphasis in marine and freshwater science
Ohio University BS

Oregon
University of Oregon BS(eMB), MS, PhD

Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg University BS
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania BS

Puerto Rico University of Puerto Rico Hunacao BS
University of Puerto Rico Myaguez Campus MS, PhD

Rhode Island
Roger Williams University BS, BA
University of Rhode Island BS

South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University BS, MS
College of Charleston BS, MS
Medical University of South Carolina MS
University of South Carolina BS, MS, PhD

Texas
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi BS, MS
Texas A&M University Galveston BS, MS
University of Texas at Austin BS

Virginia
College of William and Mary MS, PhD
Hampton University BS
Old Dominion University BS, MS, PhD

Washington
Seattle Pacific University BA, BS
University of Washington: Marine Biology BS
University of Washington: School of Aquatic and Fishery Science BS, MS, PhD
Western Washington University BS, MS

Wisconsin
Carroll College BS
Lawrence University BS
University of Wisconsin Superior BS

Graduate School Directory for Marine Sciences »

« Back to MarineBio Education & Career Resources

Whale Watching in Peninsula Valdés, Argentina

Whale Watching in Peninsula Valdés, Argentina - A Personal Experience
by Genevieve Johnson

Everybody remembers seeing their first whale, and most people experience their first close encounter on a whale watch trip. For me, it was a magnificent blue whale off Monterey Bay, California. But watching whales in Patagonia is a whale watching experience like no other, watching whales here, is truly a close encounter!.

Southern right whales in Peninsula Valdés are perhaps the best-known wild cetaceans on earth. I made my first acquaintance with these right whales last year, and felt compelled to return to see them again.
The whale watching industry has boomed in the last two decades, and is the best way there is to get people excited about whales, and in turn, excited about the oceans. Getting up close and personal with one of the biggest animals ever to live on the planet is a humbling experience. One is simply not prepared for anything to be that large.

I joined about 60 other whale watchers on a large catamaran. I participate in whale and dolphin watches all over the world, but nothing compares to Patagonia. You really don't even have to go on a boat to whale watch, they really are that close to shore, just look at the photo!
We are on the water for less than two minutes, and less than a kilometer from shore before we are with a mother and calf pair. Four other boats are near by, but there is no need to share our whales, there are plenty to go around. I do a quick blow count and there is at least 8 whales within the immediate vicinity. This is not an exceptional day, this happens everyday between June and December in Gulfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdés.
As I stand mesmerized at the hand rail, its almost unfathomable that these animals come anywhere near us after the near annihilation of their species, by our own. I take a moment, reluctantly turning from the whales, but I am almost equally intrigued by the looks on the faces of the tourists. I sit for a moment, watching people, watching whales. No spectacle on earth that I know of, can cause the same expression on every single face in a crowd, sheer awe!

The potential for power is belied by the ponderous grace of the 50-ton bulk of the right whale, which actually appears to move in slow motion. Suddenly a whale explodes through the surface off our bow, even when breaching these whales give the appearance of moving slower than they ought too. Propelling a 50-foot, 50-ton body is a feat requiring phenomenal amounts of strength and speed.

I befriend a British couple as a right whale mother rests her giant head not less than 2 feet from the starboard beam of the boat. She has maintained this position for fully 10 minutes as her calf swims boisterously around the boat, she appears as content as her baby is playful - the crowd is mesmerized, and so am I. The British couple tell me they have never seen a whale before and know nothing about them. They were traveling through Argentina and a friend told them the whales were a 'must see.' With nothing better to do today, they decided to give it a go. They have filled the two memory cards for digital camera. As I stand beside them, they cannot stop smiling, yet can't quite bring themselves to speak coherently. This is the effect whales have on people, This is the power of whales, and this is the value of whale watching! And with more countries starting whale watching tourism, and more people watching whales, the desire to protect them and their habitat is growing.
There is some criticism of whale watching, but if well regulated, which most are now, there is no problem. Simply do a little research before choosing an operator.

So if you want on help the whales and the oceans, go out on a whale watch, learn more about whales. A percentage of your money goes back into the local community, and often conservation efforts. Seeing a whale will change you forever, ask anyone who has been whale watching, and then try it for yourself. Who said you can't have the time of your life and help the environment at the same time!

Source of articles: http://www.earthocean.tv/series/whale_watching.html
http://www.earthocean.tv/ VISIT THE SPONSERS SITE FOR INFO~

From "The Garden Island" Newspaper 2004

From "The Garden Island" Newspaper 2004.

With over a million people living in Hawaii and hundredsof thousands of tourists visiting yearly; Hawaiian huis, environmental groups, community members, and scientists alike are realizing that our marine resources are in trouble.

We need to know what our reefs look like and how abundant they are in different places around the island. Baseline surveys of our Marine Resources are imperative. What this means is that locals and scientists must examine the near shore marine coral reef as well as measure ocean health in offshore areas around each island. Baseline surveys are important to discover the health and abundance of animals on the reef, noting areas of importance and abundance, like where juvenile fish may shelter, turtle or monk seal areas, heavy coral spawning sites, other notable features as well as shoreline activity. Mapping the near shore with GPS (global positioning system), GIS (geographic information systems), as well as video and digital photo documentation can show the community what the reefs look like, provide an archive of the reef health if something was to harm it, and then let the community decide what is best for our reefs.

The state appointed stewards of Hawaii, the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) and DAR (Division of Aquatic Resources) have a severely limited budget, and their funding is constantly being cut. These men and women, local and introduced, are doing the best they can with what they have, and are working hard tohelp Hawaii protect our ocean and land.

Many local groups here on Kauai like Waipa, Limahuli Valley, Hanalei Watershed Hui, Malama Maha’ulepu, Nawiliwili Watershed Council, Save Our Seas, and Reef Check have seen that their own fish catch sizes decreasing, and less abundance of marine animals. They have already taken action and currently are monitoring and surveying local reefs, while training community members, and high school students in these techniques that support Ahupua’a, MPA (Marine Protected Area) and resource conservation projects. Currently, there are NO Marine Protected Areas on Kauai! All of the other islands have them, but we must ask ourselves why we have none here.

Marine Protected Areas have many different designations, some are Hawaiian Sustenance Fishing grounds where native Hawaiians may fish, some are Fish Replenishment and Management Areas, where fish are left by fisherman and collectors to recover and “seed” other areas as ocean currents take the young of these animals and spread them around the islands. Some MPA’s, like the tourist hot spot Hanauma Bay on Oahu, are Marine Life Conservation Districts and are completely protected areas only open to certain activities and even restrictions about fish feeding, litter, and suntan lotion apply. These areas are created by the community, for the community, and it is up to us to get together and make these Marine Protected Areas places that we all can agree on.

Efforts must be made to further educate fishermen on the successful programs already in place like the Ulua (jack trevally), Oio (bone fish), Opakapaka (pink snapper), and Ahi (yellow fin tuna) tagging programs. These programs show that many fish species move around and leave MPA reserves. Fisherman must also work with the communityto make rules and help enforce rules because our own government can not. Bottom fishing and “gill net task forces” must take action and find ways to create restrictions on themselves so that they may care for fish populations, our resources.

Mike Sakamoto, author and TV personality has proposed “a Fishing Task Force to look into a Marine License, smaller bag limits, slot limits, closed seasons on ulua and other species, an ulua enhancement program (stocking of ulua) and other enhancement programs…” as well as “Spear Fishing Task Forces” so that we the fishermen come up with size and bag limits, tournament restrictions, and night diving regulations. All of these ideas are a great way to increase and monitor populations, and the community certainly will be able to come up with more.

The management of Hawaii’s marine resources must evolve. Hawaii’s marine resources must be protected byus working together, with help from the state and federal agencies, to make sure that areas of high diversity are preserved and that future generations may have plentiful resources, we must create a bounty that will ensure the legacy of those that live on these islands

Save Our Seas

Save Our Seas
How much time do we have left?

Have you read the news? Everyday it's something else pointing to the ignorance of the human race.

Doom and Gloom? Well...Like or or not the planet is ailing and it's the fault of our generation, and our parents, and their parents also...
Our Children will now inherit a wasted planet...Makes ya feel all warm inside eh?

WAKE UP NOW!

Do something....Anything and do it fast.
Tell your neighbors, because time is running out.



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Come on People Get a clue! (PLEASE)

Come on People Get a clue! (PLEASE)

Moves to impose trawling ban stymied
"a stunning example of dysfunctional decision-making and the unwillingness of the world's nations to stand up and just say 'no' to activity that is destroying the global marine environment."

U.N. says 2005 set greenhouse gas record
Report: Seafood faces collapse by 2048


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Clambakes, crabcakes, swordfish steaks and even humble fish sticks could be little more than a fond memory in a few decades.

If current trends of overfishing and pollution continue, the populations of just about all seafood face collapse by 2048, a team of ecologists and economists warns in a report in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging. In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems," said the lead author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
"I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are -- beyond anything we suspected," Worm said.

While the study focused on the oceans, concerns have been expressed by ecologists about threats to fish in the Great Lakes and other lakes, rivers and freshwaters, too.

Worm and an international team spent four years analyzing 32 controlled experiments, other studies from 48 marine protected areas and global catch data from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization's database of all fish and invertebrates worldwide from 1950 to 2003.

The scientists also looked at a 1,000-year time series for 12 coastal regions, drawing on data from archives, fishery records, sediment cores and archaeological data.

"At this point 29 percent of fish and seafood species have collapsed -- that is, their catch has declined by 90 percent. It is a very clear trend, and it is accelerating," Worm said. "If the long-term trend continues, all fish and seafood species are projected to collapse within my lifetime -- by 2048."
"It looks grim and the projection of the trend into the future looks even grimmer," he said. "But it's not too late to turn this around. It can be done, but it must be done soon. We need a shift from single species management to ecosystem management. It just requires a big chunk of political will to do it."

The researchers called for new marine reserves, better management to prevent overfishing and tighter controls on pollution.

In the 48 areas worldwide that have been protected to improve marine biodiversity, they found, "diversity of species recovered dramatically, and with it the ecosystem's productivity and stability."

While seafood forms a crucial concern in their study, the researchers were analyzing overall biodiversity of the oceans. The more species in the oceans, the better each can handle exploitation.

"Even bugs and weeds make clear, measurable contributions to ecosystems," said co-author J. Emmett Duffy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

The National Fisheries Institute, a trade association for the seafood industry, does not share the researchers alarm.

"Fish stocks naturally fluctuate in population," the institute said in a statement. "By developing new technologies that capture target species more efficiently and result in less impact on other species or the environment, we are helping to ensure our industry does not adversely affect surrounding ecosystems or damage native species.

Seafood has become a growing part of Americans' diet in recent years. Consumption totaled 16.6 pounds per person in 2004, the most recent data available, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That compares with 15.2 pounds in 2000.

Joshua Reichert, head of the private Pew Charitable Trusts' environment program, pointed out that worldwide fishing provides $80 billion in revenue and 200 million people depend on it for their livelihoods. For more than 1 billion people, many of whom are poor, fish is their main source of protein, he said.

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's National Center for Ecological Synthesis and Analysis.



Keywords:

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Getting your feet wet- First time scuba

By: Amanda W. (Scuba Junkie)
Life of a beginner scuba queen
2/6/08

Being from Iowa, you may not consider scuba diving an option for me. That is, unless you don't know where Iowa is or that we're the land of corn. Not exactly teeming with fantastic vacation dive spots that are flocked with tourists. I want to share my thoughts and experiences as I go through the process of learning to scuba dive. My hope is that fellow novices can learn from my stories, or maybe more advanced divers to gain an understanding of beginners. No matter the reason for your interest in scuba, it has brought you to this point. Some background on myself is that I do not like being in a bathing suit, am not used to being in water, dislike emerging my face in water, and have a fear of drowning. With that said, through the encouragement and passion of a friend, I am preparing to take my first steps toward becoming an Open Water Diver.

I personally had my first experience with snorkeling in April 2007 in Nassau, Bahamas while on vacation. After the first 15 minutes in the water of thinking I was going to drown, I began to relax and focus more on my desire to see the beauty beneath me. I had to practice at breathing through the snorkel underwater, and let me tell you it is a strange feeling to see below and continue breathing. My friend and I had $10 underwater cameras, but the pictures could not do justice for what we could see with our own eyes. I was a bit disappointed in the coral to be honest, but I really had nothing to compare it to. After all, I went for the experience, and the fish didn't disappoint.With Scuba Jay's prompting I began to consider trying scuba, though after almost hyperventilating with just snorkeling I had my reservations. We began with hearing stories and watching videos on YouTube and learning of different types and purposes of diving- wreck/ excavation diving, underwater archeology, underwater ecology, vacation diving, underwater photography, night diving, cave diving, ice diving, rescue diving, search and recovery diving, and for academic or research purposes. For me, I am interested in a few of the aforementioned so I recommend that if you're nervous, find one you can use as a motivator to get your feet wet. I am assured that once you start, you're hooked.

There is a progression to diving certifications and two primary governing bodies NAUI and PADI, though SDI, TDI, WASI, and NASE are also out there.

NAUI:
1. Skin diver
2. Scuba diver
3. Advanced scuba diver
4. Master scuba diver
5. Leadership certifications
·Divemaster
· Skin diving Instructor
· Assistant Instructor
6. NAUI scuba Instructor


PADI:
1. Open water diver
2. Advanced open water diver
3. Rescue diver
4. Master scuba diver OR Divemaster (lead to Course Director)

There are many special certifications you can receive along the way of both NAUI's and PADI's paths. Each level requires varying numbers of dives you must successfully complete, and some coursework as well.




Keywords:
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Hawaii Snorkeling

Hawaii Snorkeling: No matter which Hawaiian island you visit, enjoy the beautiful views of exquisite coral reefs, colorful aquatic life and so much more just below the surface of the pristine azure waters of the Pacific!

You will be equipped with all of the necessary gear and equipment so whether you decide to join a snorkeling adventure on one of the many available ocean vessels or from the smooth sandy shore, you will be able to experience one of Hawaii's most popular activities!

Hawaii Reef Divers

Hawaii Reef Divers is dedicated to providing the best raft and snorkeling tour available on Kauai. Aboard our custom built Rigid-Hull Toad Leaper Raft, guests are treated to a tour that is personalized, educational, interesting and adventurous. Guests are given marine as well as cultural narration and have the opportunity to snorkel with hundreds of species of tropical fish as well as the Green Sea Turtles. We also offer dolphin-watching year round and whale watching December through May. We are truly a specialized boat tour available on Kauai. We are the only boat tour with the emphasis on snorkeling and marine life watching and interaction. Our personalized attention to guests, guided tour in the water, and commitment to education and protecting the marine environment are components we are very proud to feature.

As examples of this, we DO NOT allow or promote fish feeding on our tours and we DO NOT ? throw anchor? in any of our selected sights, since both cause damage to the reef environment and its inhabitants. As a company we are dedicated to making each tour a custom adventure for the guest and giving them a truly Hawaiian experience using ancient Hawaiian place names and knowledge being passed on from our captain and crew. All of this will be shared with the spirit of Aloha!




Keywords:

Advance Scuba training, Adventure Sports, Basic Open Water, Digital Underwater Photography, Extreme Scuba and Jason Kilgore, family travel, sharks, discount travel, Enriched Air, Hawaii Scuba Diving, Hawaiian Islands sight seeing, ITAN, Kona, NAUI, NOAA, other specialty certifications, sharks, SSI, TDI/SDI, airlines, family travel, family vacations, Hawaii reef divers, Hawaiian Islands, hotels, Jason Kilgore, Maui, scuba certification, scuba diving, scuba rental gear, Scuba Hawaii, Hawaii Travel, Caribbean Scuba, Scuba Certification, Scuba Jay, Costa Maya Scuba Dive, Gear, Cave Diving, TDI, Water Rescue Diving, Water Rescues, PADI Technical Scuba Diving, Dive Rescue, Scuba Dive Answers, Jason Kilgore and Martial Arts, Jason Kilgore and USANA, Jason Kilgore and Karate, Jason Kilgore and Scuba Diving, Sacramento, auburn, California, Hawaii, Jason Kilgore and Sierra Foothills Karate, Sierra Foothills Karate and Scuba Diving, Jason Kilgore and Scuba Diving, snorkel and fins, vacation, Basic Open Water, Extreme Scuba and Jason Kilgore, Hawaiian Islands, PADI Divemaster SCUBA Certification, Snorkel Bob, Snorkeling/Fin, TDI/SDI, Underwater Instructors, airlines, Divemaster scuba, family vacations, Reef Relief, coral reef, reef fish, maui divers, dive shops, scuba dive shops, cave diving, ice diving, wreck diving, Shark Diving, Shark Exploration, Baja, South America, vacation, Scuba and Jason Kilgore, Naui and Jason Kilgore, How to scuba dive?, skin diving, snorkel, mask, fins, sight seeing, hotels, Jason Kilgore and Hawaiian islands, Kona, Maui, other specialty certifications, Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Costa Maya Hotel, Mexico Hotels, Mexico Scuba Diving, Diving in South American Scuba, Crabs, Sea Slugs, Marine Animals, Wildlife, Florida, Southern States, Marine Life, Pacific States, Pacific Northwestern States, California

Pacific Ocean

We've divided the Pacific Ocean into three areas: Cocos and Galapagos Islands, Cook, Fiji and Solomon Islands and the French Polynesia.

Each region has it's jewels to the global diver. For instance, Cocos Island in the East Pacific is the largest uninhabited island in the world, it's remote, wild and excellent for diving. Cocos is located 300+ miles west of Costa Rica, accessible only by boat. Cocos has no hotels and no accommodations and doesn't need them - Cocos Island is only for the determined diver. But with determination comes rewards.

The Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, only has a few small remote dive resorts but the islands of Uepi and Gizo are outstanding with lots of wrecks from WWII, pristine reefs and walls, and of course, plenty of fish....Fiji is considered "The Soft Coral Capitol of the World" - need we say more? Ever heard of Rangiroa? It's in the Western Pacific, part of French Polynesia, and offers a rocket ride in eight knot currents through shark-filled passes... read more...Click here >>

Cocos Island lies in an Intertropical Convergence Zone. This zone is where the weather patterns of the two hemispheres converge near the equator. Here North and Southeast trade winds meet with the north and south equatorial currents.rainy season) and about 66°F the rest of the year. The Cook Islands experience little fluctuation in climate and have moderate temperatures and humidity. It does rain, however, with the rainy season beginning in December and running through March.Water temperature varies from a mean of 81°F in December to 78°F during their winter in August.

Whale season is September - October. Fiji's weather presents a real mixed bag. The choice is often between good visibility and cool water or warm water and calmer seas with less visibility. The Solomons are hot and humid year-round, with the most rain falling between December and March.

Rangiroa is diveable year-round, with water temperatures of 79­83°F.

See each region's sections for more details concerning seasons.

San Jose, Costa Rica Suva (Fiji) Rarotonga (Cook Islands)Honiara (Solomon Islands) TahitiLonely Planet Micronesia :: BuySouth Pacific Tourist OrganizationSouth Pacific Organizer (South Pacific Handbooks)

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