Late News! I have picked this up from our Alliance Partner in Puerto Galera, Philippines, no other than Asia Divers with El Galleon, well done Guys.

© Gunther Deichmann - composite image
Global Warming & Save Our Planet.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Earth Day 2008 at Asia Divers! check this link http://asiadivers.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much to those who jumped in to “splash for trash” this past weekend. There was good and bad news for this year’s event. The bad was that the trash bags came back a wee bit empty; the good news was the trash bags came back a wee bit empty!! We hope this means that people are considering the environment more and throwing less into the water.
You can make a difference throughout the year by doing 2 simple things:

1) Consider your actions every day to minimize your eco footprint on our ocean planet.

2) Always inspire other divers to be responsible eco tourists.

It is our world, our water, our choice – thanks for getting involved.

Tags: Environment, Dive Center, The DIVERS CHOICE, Puerto Galera, PHILIPPINES, Earth Day

Welcome back Dirk Fahrenbach… the lad just strolled into the office 5 minutes ago with some photos and information from the ADEX Dive Show in Singapore.
Great to see Dirk again even I am fighting a hangover from my Birthday Party at the German Club last night. Some of Dirk’s photos below…Oh boy… Dirk, you missed a great evening…
with the great and ever so cool Jazz Band "Johnny Alegre - AFFINITY"

Photo: © Hermes Singson - Juergen Warnke
from Club Paradise and the President of the German Club
introduces Johnny Alegre and band.

Now back to ADEX and Dirk; Allan Nash and Tommy from Asia Divers with El Galleon attended the show at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth…Wow Philippines. According to Dirk the ADEX show was the very best he had attended compared to previous years, getting many requests for diving with Dugongs and on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide strolled around and Michael AW made his presents felt with a presentation for the up coming Celebrate the Sea Festival.

Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center
in Palawan with Allan Nash from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera Philippines...
posing with the Alliance brochure at the WOW Philippines Booth in Singapore 2008.



The WOW Philippine Booth at
ADEX DIVE SHOW Singapore 2008




Presentation on the Celebrate the Seas Festival
soon to be held in Manila at ADEX Singapore 2008

You have to forgive me today for not writing to much, I am still suffering a bit, but don’t worry more to come in the next few days including an article of some exciting new developments in Palawan…I guess you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.
GD

The weird and wonderful… amazing things happen on our planet… courtships and rock an’ roll…

The courtship of the sea horses and now the Dolphins continuous…

I thought Valentines day was over…I guess not, here I am getting articles from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera and now a very interesting story from our silent supporter Walter Ty, thanks Walter we all appreciate your input.

The last blog has been on the mating and courtship of the sea horses…now we have some real weird ones from the Amazon river dolphin's courtship, some how all during the month of March… enjoy this cool story. Wave some branches at your girlfriend, and you be alright… maybe.

My blog is going to be a bit thin in the next two weeks, I am off to India for Apple, it is the World Tour of Aperture 2, my part is the intro into this sure amazing software in Mumbai.

Now enjoy the story…courtship about Dolphins…this is really wired stuff…
Amazing how much we learn everyday about our precious environment…lets keep our planet in one piece and green!!!
I have to sign off now, I am listening to Wishbone Ash…not Nash… sorry folks…to cool to miss… right Allan…who is Allan… you better check out the Point Bar in Puerto Galera you might run into him…they play the coolest music on the beach. The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance The Divers Choice.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial over the Puerto Galera area
with the Point Bar, Asia Diver & El Galleon, red circle.

Now to our main story...Dolphin woos with wood and grass
Courtesy by Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website
The Amazon river dolphin's unique courtship...

A South American river dolphin uses branches, weeds and lumps of clay to woo the opposite sex and frighten off rivals, scientists have discovered.
Researchers observed adult male botos carrying these objects while surrounded by females, and thrashing them on the water surface aggressively.
Writing in the journal Biology Letters, they say such behaviour has never before been seen in any marine mammal.
The boto lives in only two rivers, and numbers are thought to be declining.
A group of British and Brazilian researchers studied the dolphin's unique courtship behaviour over three years in the Mamiraua Reserve, a flooded rainforest area on the Amazon.
"You see them coming up with bits of wood or lumps of rock in a very ritualised manner," recalled Tony Martin from the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews University.
They may be fairly numerous now, but they're going downhill fast and we can't see any end to it,Tony Martin.
"Quite often they'd slowly come up above the surface in a vertical posture holding this stuff in their mouths, then sink down rotating on their own axis.

"They would also throw it or smash it against the surface, and it does appear that the waving around and bashing is to impress the ladies; but at the same time there's a lot of aggression between adult males, and we have to infer that's part of it."
Professor Martin's group established that rock carrying and branch thrashing were almost exclusively the preserve of adult males, and that they did it more when lots of adult females were present.
Although the males were more aggressive towards each other at these times, they were never seen to hit each other with the rocks or plants.

Sound theory

Three years ago, scientists found bottlenose dolphins in Australian waters carrying pieces of sponge, either to help with foraging or to defend against predators.
But using objects for socio-sexual display is a novel finding.
"I naively imagined this kind of thing was seen in other mammal species," said Professor Martin.

"But I was quite surprised when I consulted friends and colleagues, and it turns out that only chimps do anything similar - and that's much less sophisticated."

How and why the boto evolved the behaviour is unclear; although as cetaceans communicate largely with sound, it appears likely that the displays also create an impressive auditory impact on females, rival males, or both.

Hooked on boto

This research stemmed from a larger project, Projeto Boto, aimed at conserving the Amazon dolphin and its habitat.

River dolphins are among the most threatened of all cetaceans; the baiji, a native of the Yangtze in China, may already have gone extinct in the last two years, while numbers of the Indus or blind river dolphin of South Asia are believed to be down to around the 3,000 mark.
Botos are increasingly turning up harpooned, their flesh used for bait
Compared to these species, the South American dolphin is in good health in its traditional haunts along the Amazon and Orinico rivers. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species suggests "there are probably tens of thousands of botos in total".

But the future does not appear secure. The Red List concludes that the boto is threatened by dams (causing fragmentation of their habitat) and pollution, such as from mercury used in gold mining.
"With growing human populations in Amazonia and Orinoquia, the conflicts between fisheries and dolphins are certain to intensify", it notes.
Projeto Boto has found that fishermen are increasingly catching the dolphins for use as bait to catch a fish, the piracatinga, which usually feeds on dead flesh.
Meat from the caiman, a close relative of the alligator, is also used for this purpose.
Projeto Boto scientists are regularly finding dead dolphins, either harpooned or entangled in ropes.
"We lost half of the animals from our study area in just five years," said Tony Martin.
"They may be fairly numerous now, but they're going downhill fast and we can't see any end to it."

For more on this story and some photos go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7313385.stm

I have received this interesting article from Anthony May via Allan Nash at
Asia Divers & El Galleon in Puerto Galera Philippines, you might not witness the courtship behavior of the Sea Horse during your dive...but mark my words...
if you like these little critters then Asia Divers in Puerto Galera is the place.
I have been diving for many years there and you have to be "blind" not to came across them in the Sebang area, do yourself a favor, next time you dive with Asia Divers ask your dive guide to bring you up close with these amazing sea creatures in Sebang Bay...you want be disappointed. Hey, dont forget your underwater camera...you never know you might get lucky and see the courtship of this amazing critter.
Asia Divers is a member of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance...
The Divers Choice.

GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Spiny sea horse from the Sabang area,
Puerto Galera, Philippines

Sea Horse Courtship
by Anthony May

The Sea-horse is unique due to the fact that it is the male that gives birth to the young.

Male sea-horses impress females with a courtship dance. This dance involves young males pumping their specialized brooding pouches with water. It is usually the male with the biggest pouch that wins the girl.
Once a mate has been found the pair will meet at the same spot at dusk and dawn every day. This allows the male to prepare his pouch for the arrival of the female’s eggs.

When the egg is ready the pair will align themselves opposite each other and entwine their tails. Nose to nose they gently spiral up in to the water column and the egg is exchanged from the female to the males pouch. This has to occur at a depth at least six times their body length or the egg transfer will fail.

© Gunther Deichmann - Spiny sea horse from the Sabang area,
Puerto Galera, Philippines

The male then fertilizes the egg internally and around four weeks later the fry are ready to be born.

The male then pumps his pouch and hundreds of tiny sea-horses are forced out. A healthy pair will be able to repeat the process all over again in a couple of days.
Special thanks to Anthony May (The Sea horse Expert)

Just received this letter (see below) from Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist who leading a Wilderness Travel Expedition to the Philippine Islands, find out more about his Wilderness Travel Expedition, go to our previous Blog and click the link below.
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/jan-2008.html

In his letter Lee expressed his sincere thanks to Jem from Blue Horizons Travel I like also to take this opportunity and thank Jem personally for his hard work and effort in helping to put together the super package and Prize for the Layang Layang Photo Contest a lot more details on this later, thanks Jem.

© Gunther Deichmann

Soon a new member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, Lee will be joining us with his extraordinary and very exiting Kayak tours in Palawan and beyond, subscribe and stay tuned for the official announcement.
GD

His tour has just been in the top listing of the Concierge,
Best Adventure Trips 2008!
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/skiadventure/tour/detail?id=1729&page=11


Hi Gunther,

A while back you blogged about my excitement and appreciation for the significant inclusion of Club Paradise onto our new Wilderness Travel Expedition to the Philippine Islands.

I should also mention that another one of your Micronesian-Philippine Alliance partners has made important contributions as well. Jem Kemp from Blue Horizon Travel has been extremely helpful in arranging our flights to and from Legaspi, where we will continue on to Donsol for a couple of days snorkeling with Whale Sharks, and for all of the transfers for our guests when they arrive in Manila.

While it may sound easy, from my point of view, it helped to keep me from pulling even more of my hair out of my head while trying to coordinate all of the other activities for our 12 day tour. So, when coordinating 5 days of luxury kayak camping (that’s tents, supplies, equipment, personnel and their travel arrangement, the outfitting of our new boat, coordination of the daily excursions, food procurement, and contingency plans) became almost as much as I can handle, Jem came through by taking care of the guests in Manila, thus alleviating some of the weight from my shoulders.
Thanks Jem!
Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist and Tour leader

Photos: © Gunther Deichmann – Images from Palawan…the last frontier in the Philippines and a heaven for nature lovers, pristine beaches, crystal clear water surrounded by majestic limestone cliffs and spectacular diving… explore and discover this incredible part of the Philippines with Lee Goldman and our other Alliance partners. A pure natures paradise.

Click on the images above and see more photos from all our partner destinations.

Asia Divers our partner in Puerto Galera visits Palawan frequently for the wrecks in Coron Bay, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort is also a major sponsor of the Layang Layang Photo Contest,
for more info on Wreck diving with Asia Divers check out our previous blog from David Ross at:
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/category-asia-divers-articles.html

Correction and up date from the previous Blog regarding the
Maldives with Asia Divers.

I have just received this information from Asia Divers, please refer to my previous Blog, there is a change of Boats... it is now on the M/V Manthiri not the Aggressor, for more info please contact Allan Nash from Asia Divers @ mailto: allan@asiadivers.com or visit Asia Divers Website @ http://www.asiadivers.com/

This information is brought to you by the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance...The Divers Choice.

GD

__________________________________

Asia Divers and the Maldives...? Yes... check out the info below...plus "Did You Know"?

© Gunther Deichmann - Aerial, no this is not the Maldives...
but the location of Asia Divers with El Galleon in Puerto Galera Philippines.

This information just came in from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort, thanks Allan for sharing this with us. Please read on below the info on Asia Divers travel to the Maldives, yes Asia Diver does go beyond Puerto Galera, travel and dive with one of the leading experts in Puerto Galera or choose some of their other exotic dive destinations like...Sardine Run, South. Africa...Maldives Aggressor...Galapagos Aggressor...Palau and many others, see the dates below.
Asia Divers is a member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
The Divers Choice.
GD

Asia Divers Dive travel...we go beyond your normal diving adventure.
Maldives – March 30 – April 5th, Spaces still available

Maldives is a garland- shaped chain of 26 atolls stretching 750 kilometers across the equator, in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India. The atolls girdle over 1190 emerald islands, most of them uninhabited, and countless reefs and shallows to form a complete echo system that acts as a magnet for a cornucopia of colorful marine life ranging from blooming corals to big pelagic…. you could be a part of this!

UP COMING DIVE TRIPS
Sardine Run, South. Africa June 21-30 2008
Maldives Aggressor, March 30 to April 5, 2008
Galapagos Aggressor, Oct. 2-9, 2008

Contact: allan@asiadivers.com  for more information

DID YOU KNOW?

Skip the Sunscreen While Diving
It can damage and even kill coral reefs, says a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Italian marine biologists have linked four UV-blocking chemicals in sunscreens to coral bleaching because they cause viral infections in the symbiotic algae that live inside reef-building coral. The viruses replicate until their algae hosts explode, infecting neighboring coral. The researchers estimate that 5,000 tons of sunscreen wash off people in oceans annually, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.

(The full article is available here: http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/10966/abstract.html

______________________________

We have received this interesting article on Wreck and tech diving from Dave Ross, Dave is from Tech Asia/Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort located in Puerto Galera, Philippines and members of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.

Coron with Tech Asia…. by Dave Ross Tech Asia

The year 2007 saw the closure of the last of the Coron Bay shipwreck identity mysteries. Tech Asia and its divers are happy to have played a small part in this final chapter.

Coron bay, in the western Philippines, has been a known diving locale since the 1980’s. Having been the scene of a September 1944 air strike by the USS Lexington lead Task Force 38, at the time, the longest range carrier based air strike in history. As diving opened up in the Philippines, the area necessarily attracted those with a nose for history and wreck diving. Of the principal wrecks, some were identified accurately and immediately. The IJN seaplane tender Akitsushima for example, reported sunk in the US After Action reports, is an unmistakable vessel. For the oilers and merchant ships present at the time of the raid, identifications were shakier. Partly this is the product of researchers trusting in the reporting of the post war authorities, charged with putting a positive ID on such a vast number of maritime casualties. Often the ship that best fit the action reports went down in the annals as the victim, and nobody involved at the time had any real reason to question any grey areas or anomalies. Reports from bodies such as JANAC were often taken as unquestionably accurate.

One of the men who took the keenest interest in the Coron story and her losses was Capt. Peter Heimstaedt, who in the early 90’s, dived, and exhaustively documented what he saw. He became a friend of ours through communications on other ships sunk in the Philippines, and kindly came to Puerto Galera in his free time to give a presentation on Coron in July of 2007. During the evening he showed us clear photographic evidence that the oiler thought to be Taiei Maru, was in fact the Okikawa Maru, and the ship once known as “Hector”, or the Tangat Wreck is the Olympia Maru.

The last vessel to have bred confusion, having been thought to be another of the many Taiei Maru’s, or another Olympia, was confirmed by Capt Heimstaedt in 2006 to be a vessel whose original name was Morazan, turned Ekkai Maru when she fell into Japanese hands in 1941. A source which convinced him of this was the excellent reference N582 Japanese Merchant Ship Recognition Manual of 1944, issued by the US Navy Dept – Division of Intelligence. He was sure his identification was solid, and passed this on to us, though had not yet returned to Coron to verify this with a dive.

How Tech Asia came to be involved in this story was through slightly unforeseen circumstances. Following Capt Peter’s talk we had two week of liveaboards on the M/B Rags II. The first week, in October 2007 had perfect weather, and the divers and the divers spent a lot of their time on the deeper and more exposed wrecks such as Irako and Akitsushima. However the November week was more influenced by the bizarre behaviour of Tropical Storm Lando, which crossed Mindoro, went all the way to Vietnam, then turned around and came straight back. The couple of days of unsettled seas it created caused the divers to divert away from Irako to more sheltered sites, the Morazan amongst them.

Always a man to seize an opportunity to bring a dive to life, our guide, Technical Wreck Instructor Sam Collett, seized the Peter Heimstaedt information and ran with it. Armed with all the commonly found Coron literature, plus` some 30’s photos of Morazan, he tasked the eight divers in his care with examining ten photographically observable features and comparing them to the ship itself. These ranged from the numbers, position, and spacing of portholes, to positions and style of air vents, railings, doorways and davits. Also some distinctive fittings on both masts, and bolt holes on the funnel where a letter “V” had existed. Morazan had operated under Vaccaro Brothers in the Honduras, and their logo appears in old photos. Everything observed by Sam and his divers matched Morazan to the last detail. Though merely confirming another mans research, the clear verification brought tremendous satisfaction to the day for the divers.

Following the trip, some internet browsing threw up an interesting history, starting life as the S.S. Manco, sold and renamed Morazan and working the Amazon for years before moving to Hong Kong, eventual capture by the Japanese in Shanghai, and a watery grave in the Philippines in 1944. From this history arose one more interesting observation. The hull of the ship still bears the letters “CEI……SH” , which for years has puzzled everyone. Whilst serving in Honduras and the Amazon, the ships home port was La Ceiba – just maybe these letters reflect the name of her former home port?

The Morazan/Ekkai Maru story is just a single chapter in two weeks of excellent, shallow ( it doesn’t always have to be deep and helium) technical diving that we managed to run. Great fun – I guess that means we’ll have to go back!
Dave Ross - Tech Asia

DID YOU KNOW?

Introducing our partners in their different languages, the first in our new series is
Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines.

FILIPPINE-MICRONESIA ALLEANZA

Benvenuti nell’Alleanza Filippine – Micronesia, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!

La vasta e remota regione delle Filippine e della Micronesia include le acque piu’ abbondanti e tropicali del Pacifico rinomate per i sommozzatori per le ricche bio diversita’ marine che includono pellicani, infinite varietà di soggetti per macro fotografia, più di 700 specie di coralli, più di 1300 specie di pesci ed una massiccia collezione di naufragi ancora intatti.

La nostra rete esclusiva di resorts di prima classe per subacquei in tutte le Filippine, la Repubblica di Palau e la Laguna di Truk negli stati Federati della Micronesia, in associazione con i nostri selezionati e professionali agenti di viaggio, trasforma i viaggi e le immersioni in questa regione sbalorditiva del Pacifico, più convenienti, più comodi e più divertenti che mai per i subacquei!

L'alleanza Filippine-Micronesia e’ formata dai piu’ importanti operatori per le immersioni subacquee, direttamente selezionati dall’Alleanza per garantire ai subacquei il meglio per vacanze di qualita’, il più alto livello di sicurezza, eccellenti servizi agli utenti e professionalita’ del settore industriale.

Per la convenienza del suo progetto di viaggio, i nostri esperti e selezionati agenti regionali pianificheranno le Vostre esplorazioni nel Pacifico, per una tranquillita’ garantita nell’appoggio dei livelli di servizio della nostra Alleanza, nel conforto e nella totale soddisfazione. Per cortesia, rilassatevi, divertitevi e lasciate il piano delle immersioni a noi!
I Vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni, includono resorts Filippini e centri Asiatici per subacquei come il “Resort Galleon, a Puerto Galera; il “Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, a Palawan; il “Pinjalo Diver Resort”, a Borocay; il “Sam’s Tours” a Palau, in Micronesia e il “Truk Lagoon Dive Center, negli Stati federati della Micronesia.

Nous pouvons vous cherchez avec notre propre véhicule où vous voulez dans Manille. Après un court trajet de deux heures, vos vacances commencent vraiment lors de la très jolie traversée qui vous emmène à la plage très typique de Small Lalaguna, de Puerto Galera.

L'hôtel El Galleon vous propose 30 chambres modernes et confortables, toutes avec salle de bains et vue sur la piscine ou sur la mer. Vous vous sentirez comme chez vous dans nos chambres.

Situé dans une des plus belles baies du monde, Puerto Galera , qui veut dire en espagnol, le port des galions, se compose de nombreuses plages et criques tranquilles, qui vous permettent soit de vous évader soit de vous rendre sur d'autres plages plus fréquentées pour plus de plaisir au soleil. Si vous aimez la randonnée, le canoë, ou le golf nous pouvons facilement vous arranger ça. Mais vous pouvez aussi paresser sur le bord de notre piscine.

N'oubliez pas de vous rendre au bar the Point, un endroit remarquable pour boire un verre au soleil couchant, cocktail, bière bien fraîche pour parler de vos activités et plongées de la journée en vous laissant glisser doucement au son de la meilleure musique de Puerto Galera, tout en rencontrant de nouveaux amis.

Nos propres experts de Asia Divers vous proposent ce qu'il y a de mieux en matière de plongée et d'apprentissage. Le centre de certification PADI vous propose toutes les formations depuis les plus petits, (pour faire des bulles), jusqu'à la formation de moniteurs de plongée, pour ceux qui veulent faire de la plongée leur carrière. Avec une trentaine de sites de plongée dans un rayon de 15 minutes en bateau depuis l'hôtel, vous avez le choix de faire soit une ou toutes les cinq plongées prévues quotidiennement. Vous lisez bien, oui, jusqu'à 5 plongées par jour. Chaque plongée est accompagnée par l'un de nos moniteurs expérimentés et revient à notre base toutes les heures et demie.

Vous pouvez choisir entre de nombreux types de plongées, depuis la découverte jusqu'aux plongées techniques, et nos experts de Asia Divers vous montreront comment faire, au cours de plongées parmi les plus belles au monde. Dans notre Centre Technique, le personnel de Tech Asia dans des installations de premier ordre forme les plongeurs à l'utilisation des respirateurs et des mélanges Nitrox et Trimix. Les eaux de Puerto Galera vous offre des occasions parmi les meilleures au monde pour faire de la macro, et sur notre site de plongée des Canyons, des bancs de carangues, empereurs, barracudas et autres bars très sympa sont là pour vous accueillir. Ce sont des vacances très complètes où vous êtes sûr de faire des plongées merveilleuses et de vous faire de nouveaux amis, et vous pouvez plonger toute l'année.

Plonger avec Asia Divers n'est jamais décevant, alors on vous attend

___________________________________________

I have just received from our partner Allan Nash, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines this disturbing info/news see below the link, it is really worthwhile reading.
All our partners from the Philippine –Micronesia Alliance care about these issues and our environment.
Thanks a million Allan for letting everybody know!

------ Forwarded Message
From: Michelle Masters
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:01:47 +1100
To:
Subject: Please take the time

Dear All,

I am sending you this link because the cause is very important and the man behind it just happens to be my step-father.  The information is real which makes it sickening.  If you feel strongly about animal rights and preventing such despicable cruelty to animals, then let others know. Please sign the petition.
The website is brand new http://animalsaviors.org/

Michelle

________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

Oh boy, more monsters from the past... but I have to admit this is very interesting stuff and I hope we are not boring you with all these amazing stories, it is nice to go back in time and besides, it shows us how our ocean have been occupied in the past. So when you go for your next dive and you spot a weird looking creature dont stop breathing... it is likely a relative from some of the bigger ones but I am sure they wont swallow you.
If you ever get the chance and dive ( actually it is a must) with our partner Asia Divers in Puerto Galera, Philippines, the chances are you see more unusual critters than anywhere else. International marine biologists have named Puerto Galera as one the top marine bio-diversities in the world.
Even more reasons to join Asia Divers, it is believed there are over 3,000 species of fish and marine animals - that's about 50% more than the Red Sea.
GD

Rock marks record water scorpion

Geological movement has lifted the rock up on to its side

More details
The tracks left by a giant water scorpion as it dragged its great bulk across a beach 330 million years ago have been discovered in Scottish rock. The six-legged beast, known as Hibbertopterus, would have been about 1.6m (5.2ft) long and 1m wide.
The markings, which have a central line made by a heavy, plated tail, represent one of the largest invertebrate trackways found in the fossil record. Dr Martin Whyte reports his discovery in central Scotland in Nature magazine. "I knew it was a trackway as soon as I saw it - my main work is on dinosaur footprints - but it wasn't immediately obvious to me what sort of trackway it was," the Sheffield University researcher said. "I could rule out reptiles and amphibians because I could see whatever it was, it had six legs," he told the BBC News Website.
"I've worked through the possibilities and I think it can only be Hibbertopterus."

Hibbertopterus may have been big but it was not a ferocious predator. The trackway is preserved in sandstone. What would once have been a beach surface has been tilted to about 45 degrees by geological movement.
The length of track preserved, 6m (20ft), is remarkable. The stride pattern, too, is huge - 27cm (11in).
Fragmentary fossils of Hibbertopterus are well known from Scottish Lower Carboniferous rocks and were first described from West Lothian in 1831.
The creature did not have the big pincers or carry its tail in the air like the land scorpions we know today, and it did not have a sting, either; but these animal groups are nonetheless distantly related, scientists believe.

What is interesting about this trackway is that is shows Hibbertopterus could move out of its usual water habitat. "There has been debate about whether it was restricted to water or could come out on land. I believe this trackway shows it could come out for short periods," explained Dr Whyte.

"It may have been taking a shortcut - from one body of water to another. People have asked about spawning but there's just no evidence to back that up."
Although the prospect of a man-sized scorpion might be scary to modern eyes, this particular beast was hardly a ferocious predator.

"It wouldn't have been chasing after an amphibian or reptile for a meal. It had comb structures on some of the anterior appendages, and it swept these through the water and caught small organisms, such as small worms and water bugs," Dr Whyte explained.
Article courtesy of the BBC

This just came in from Tommy at Asia Divers and El Galleon, Puerto Galera, Philippines, please read on below:

Asia Divers, one of the partnes in Philippine / Micronesia Alliance just brought a group to the famous dive destination of Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Cocos Island is famous for its schooling Hammerheads sharks and pelagic marine life and is located 360 miles from Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean. It is not just the Hammerheads that swim in schools, even the Whitetip Reef sharks and Marble Rays appears in big groups. Highlights for the group was a huge Whaleshark at the dive site Dirty Rock that was swimming amongst the Hammerheads. That we saw Hammerheads on all dive but the night dives where the Whitetip Reef sharks were hunting in hundreds might be worth mention. The big Manta Ray that swam around our mooring every day and the Silky shark that hang out in the light from the boat every night be another memeories to remember.
This was the 3rd trip Asia Divers has organised over the last past year and all have gave us some fantastic dives. Cocos Island is probably one of the best sites for large animals.
 
ALL THE BEST from Asia Divers and
Tommy Soderstrom Director Sales & Travel
PADI Master Instructor & Ice Diver

I have just received from our Alliance partner Asia Divers with El Galleon in Puerto Galera the story below,
please read on.
 
    Simon Buxton and Mike Veitch were back at it again for the first annual Asia Divers/Dive Photo Fest week. It was a great success! The weather could not have been better with flat calm waters throughout the week which allowed us to dive all of the top dives in and around PG as well as a flat calm trip to Verde Island. Our schedule throughout the week consisted of two dives in the morning with lunch, a lecture, and an afternoon dive followed by a critiquing session in the evening. This format worked well as it allowed for maximum diving and class work and gave everyone the evening off to enjoy a nice dinner. Topics of the course included image workflow and Photoshop, the basics of lighting, composition, manual white balance, as well as multi-media presentations. At the end of each presentation a goal was given out for everyone to try and present their results the following day.    Happy Shutterbugs, Simon, Melika, Mike, Kim, Sean, Alli and Sue  The rich reefs in and around Puerto Galera were the perfect arena for everyone to try out filter photography provided by Magic Filters and everyone was impressed with the colourful results. There was a definite improvement throughout the week with the images shown at the end of the day getting better and better. With photography as the focus, we were able to pick and choose the best sites with the best conditions for both wide angle and macro photography. Many thanks to Alli for finding loads of different Nudibranches for our slug hunting photographers. Other highlights of the week included pygmy sea horses, ornate ghost pipefish, lionfish, frogfish, as well as all the regulars found in the waters around Puerto Galera. At the end of the week we hosted a slideshow finale with everyone showcasing their best images of the week. Needless to say it was a great show with fantastic images from everyone and a great way to end the week. We would like to thank our sponsors Aquatica, PADI, Magic Filters, Cressi Sub, Photoshop, and Think Tank Photo for providing great gifts and prizes for all of our participants. Below are a couple shots taken by the students. Sea fan splendor by  Susan Kearney. Now, that's a moray by  Kim Ames.         

 
Photo by © Kim Ames

Photo by © Sue Kearney

© Photo: Gunther Deichmann

Dont ever miss the Canyons in Puerto Galera, if you do, you missed one of the best dive sites in the Philippines.
Please read what Tommy thinks about it........... our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partner in Puerto Galera is Asia Divers with El Galleon Dive Resort

This morning we left before 8 am to make sure we had a good flood current for my favourite divespot in the Philippines, the famous Canyon's in Puerto Galera. Descent to the ridge that goes from Escarcio Point down to the Canyon's passing the Hole in the Wall and slowly swept with the current down deeper until we reached the hill just before the first canyon. Looked up to see the big Kingfish that hangs out between the surface and the bottom. Swam through the little cave with two entrance to find a big Oriental Sweetlip hiding in the cave. Over the ridge into the first canyon that was covered with soft coral out feeding in the current and with a big school of Rabbitfish sitting head into the current.
Second canyon where the resident Harlequin Sweetlips was joined by Oriental Sweetlips, Snapper and ....... so much more marine life.
The third canyon was full of Humpback Snappers among a One Spot Snapper as we drifted towards the old anchor to prepare for our ascent to the safety stop. Just another lovely dive in the Canyon's, a dive I could do every day if I had the time.
Tommy

 


Images by © Gunther Deichmann

Puerto Galera — Treasures Above and Below

Photos and story by Gunther Deichmann

Diving the shallows of Sabang Bay early in the morning may sound like a chilly proposition, but for underwater photographers, it’s a dream come true— especially when everyone else is a sleep, perhaps recovering from the previous night’s merrymaking. With the entire bay to yourself, you’ll discover an amazing collection of life, from microscopic critters to the odd turtle swimming in the sea grass, all at a depth of three to four meters. For example, one morning before coffee and breakfast, I spotted a miniature-red - and- black frogfish, tiny dragonets,
juvenile leaf fish, a white V octopus, and just before I ran out of air, a huge green
turtle. Wow!
You can also do the same dive in the late afternoon by starting at 20 meters from the Sabang wreck area and then drift with the current, finishing back at the shallows, only five minutes from Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort.
To top it off, you’ll be back for that cool sunset beer at the resort’s Point Bar.


Photos and text © Gunther Deichmann G.D. Website: Click here

Read the whole story on Puerto Galera in the current issue of Fins Magazine, or better come and visit Puerto Galera and have expirience the ultimate in diving, a sheer paradise for underwater Photographers, contact our Philippine - Micronesia Alliance partner Asia Divers with El Galleon.
our see the whole story under The Alliance and the media.
The Divers Choice, for Island hopping, Inselhuepfen, recreation dives, tech dives, Re-breather, tech dive centers, or for a pure nature at its best dive vacation in the Philippines and Micronesia. Your passion is diving.... ours is service.

Dear Divers,
just received this cool information from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera.

This year Asia Divers and Cressi-sub celebrate its 10th year anniversary as business friends and partner in the Philippines. During the past 10 years Asia Divers as exclusive distributor for Cressi-sub have brought the brand to be one of the major brand in the Philippines in the same way as it is in Europe and USA. Asia Divers a Philippine/Micronesia Alliance member, celebrate this by offering a 100 US$ retail discount on both Archimede and Edy computers.
You will also find this computers at another Philippine/Micronesia Alliance memeber, Calypso Dive Center on Boracay island.
The Divers Choice. Your Specialist for Island hopping, tech- diving, Re-breathers and inselhuepfen in the Philippines and Micronesia.

For technical details please check out:

http://cressi.it/intro.php?lang=uk&id_catalogo=2&id_categoria=3&id_prodotto=45&m=scheda# 

http://cressi.it/intro.php?lang=uk&id_catalogo=2&id_categoria=3&id_prodotto=325&m=scheda#

Juvenile Leaf fish, Photo by Gunther Deichmann

One of the destination from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
is Puerto Galera, on the charming Island of Mindoro, Philippines.
Only two hours from Manila and a short boat ride to Asia Divers
and El Galleon Beach Resort.
For all your Travel arrangements and Island hopping contact
BLUE HORIZONS our partner for all your travel needs.

www.bluehorizons.com.ph

Find out a lot more about this great diving destination, download the
16 page special article in Fins Magazine as a pdf file below.
Another Partner is also represented with an article in the same issue,
Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, the place for
Dugongs and nature lovers, read more about it in the download
pdf file below.
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance has so much to offer for all your
dive vacations, for more details and info contact us at the link below.

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
The Divers Choice.

Download the complete articles from Fins Magazine
as pdf file below:

Dugong Dive Center
Puerto Galera story

Working together we will simplify dive travel in this world-class diving region,
providing divers with consistent, professional and safety minded service."

Bookmark our link for the latest dive/holiday packages and information.
www.alliancediving.com

Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Dezember/Januar 2007. El Galleon Resort with 
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera, Philippines, a partner of 
the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...



Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Februar/Maerz 2007. Club Paradise and Dugong 
Dive Center Palawan, Philippines apartner of the 
Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...

We are at the Duesseldorf Boot Show, Germany 2007
A variety of Dive packages will be on our web site very soon!

Ask for Tommy, René and Dirk at the Philippines Booth,
have a chat with Dermot at the Palau and
Schoener Tauchen Booth, your hosts for the
ultimate in dive vacation.
Tauchen, diving, inselhuepfen, island hopping, dive education, tech diving
and re-breather, dive site maps, environmental, shark and wreck dives,
wrex expedition, scuba diving, the top dive resorts and dive hotels,
the best wrecks in the pacific,tropical beaches and dive travel,
all of this from Palau Micronesia and the Philippines brought to you by
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance

Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort
is The Divers Choice in Puerto Galera Philippines.
Partner of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
and your expert on Island hopping - Inselhuepfen.
Rated as one of the Top Dive Resorts and Dive
education facilities in the Philippines.
Direct link to: Asia Divers and El Galleon

As seen in Fins Magazine November/December 2006

Location of Asia Divers and El Galleon, in Puerto Galera, Philippines
Photos: Copyright 2006 Gunther Deichmann

Welcome to our newest Member:

ASIA DIVERS AND EL GALLEON BEACH RESORT, Puerto Galera
Philippines.Dive and relax at one of the best known Dive Operators
in the Philippines,
Asia Divers personal touch in all aspects will guarantee you an
unforgettable Dive Vacation.

Their own Resort, El Galleon is surrounded by tropical vegetation
and offer you some of the very best accommodation and food in
this area.

Of- course once you there you cant miss out at the famous Point Bar,
meet new friends and talk about your diving experience.

Puerto Galera is world re-know for it's outstanding Marine Bio-diversity,
a Divers heaven. Quotes from Marine Biologists and Underwater
Photographers could fill Books and Magazines.

Asia Divers are happy to make all your arrangements for the ultimate
in Island hopping, domestic and international.

The Virtual office of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance welcomes
Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort.

Please have a little patience, we have their pages on our web site
up and running soonest, including all other languages.

For the moment just click this direct link: http://www.asiadivers.com
and check out what our newest member has to offer.

Below are some of our other links:
http://www.asiadiveresorts.com
http://www.divingresorts.net
http://www.island-hopping.net