We found this very interesting article at our friends from Dive Photo Guide, amazing how little we know about our precious Oceans and how much is there to be discovered yet.
The Philippine waters still hold a surprise or two, as long we take care of our Marine life...
Read on below and go to Dive Photo Guide for the complete story and Photos.
GD

Rare Megamouth Shark Caught In Philippines

Author: Jason Heller / April 07, 2009 12:00AM CDT Category: Marine Conservation
Megamouth, rare, Shark, Philippines, Donsol
So rare are these sharks that each of them is designated with a number.

Fishermen based in Donsol were trawling for mackerel along the eastern coast of Burias Isle on the morning of 30 March when they caught a strange-looking shark from a depth of approximately 200 meters. WWF’s satellite tagging initiatives have already shown that pelagic filter feeders such as whale sharks and manta rays regularly prowl through the region. It was only a matter of time before something else was discovered.

Megamouth SharkThe shark was brought to Barangay Dancalan in Donsol, Sorsogon for assessment. WWF Donsol Project Manager Elson Aca immediately arrived to assess the haul – and promptly identified it as a megamouth shark... MORE

© Gunther Deichmann - next time you come across an Octopus remember that they have been around for million of years. This image was taken in the Sabang Bay area during a night dive in Puerto Galera Philippines. Check with our Partner Asia Diver to take you out for a night dive, the best time to spot these amazing creatures.

Knowing and understanding Fossils this discovery really amazes me, very rare indeed since Octopuses don’t have any hard shell like Ammonites, Belemnites and other species in the this family group.
Read below excerpts from the science report, for the complete story and Photos go to the LINK below.


Rare Fossil Octopuses Found
By Live Science Staff
posted: 18 March 2009 10:32 am ET

It's hard enough to find fossils of hard things like dinosaur bones. Now scientists have found evidence of 95 million-year-old octopuses, among the rarest and unlikeliest of fossils, complete with ink and suckers.
The body of an octopus is composed almost entirely of muscle and skin. When an octopus dies, it quickly decays and liquefies into a slimy blob. After just a few days there will be nothing left at all. And that assumes that the fresh carcass is not consumed almost immediately by scavengers.
The result is that preservation of an octopus as a fossil is about as unlikely as finding a fossil sneeze, and none of the 200 to 300 species of octopus known today had ever been found in fossilized form, said Dirk Fuchs of the Freie University Berlin, lead author of the report.
Fuchs and his colleagues now have identified three new species of octopuses (Styletoctopus annae, Keuppia hyperbolaris and Keuppia levante) based on five specimens discovered in Cretaceous Period rocks in Lebanon. The specimens, described in the January 2009 issue of the journal Palaeontology, preserve the octopuses' eight arms with traces of muscles and rows of suckers. Even traces of the ink and internal gills are present in some specimens.
"The luck was that the corpse landed untouched on the sea floor," Fuchs told LiveScience. "The sea floor was free of oxygen and therefore free of scavengers. Both the anoxy [absence of oxygen] and a rapid sedimentation rate prevented decay."
Prior to this discovery only a single fossil species was known, and from fewer specimens than octopuses have legs, Fuchs said...
More @ http://www.livescience.com/animals/090318-fossil-octopus.html

I have received this info by our contributor Walter Ty, thanks Walter for pointing this interesting story out to us.

Did You Know?
Fish fossil clue to origin of sex
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News

A fossil fish from Australia was one of the earliest known vertebrates to reproduce sexually, a study suggests. Nature journal says the ancient fish was carrying a 5cm-long embryo.
The fertilisation of eggs by sperm outside the mother's body - external fertilisation - is thought to have evolved before sex.
The fossil suggests sexual reproduction - the fertilisation of eggs inside the female's body - evolved sooner than previously thought.

"These (fish) show some of the earliest evidence for internal reproduction," Zerina Johanson, curator of fossil fish at London's Natural History Museum (NHM), told BBC News.
Evidence of reproductive biology is extremely rare in the fossil record
Zerina Johanson, Natural History Museum

"We expected that these early fishes would show a more primitive type of reproduction, where sperm and eggs combine in the water and embryos develop outside the fish."

According to Dr Johanson, the 365 million-year-old specimen shows that "the type of advanced fertilisation, taking place inside the mother, was more common among early fishes than previously thought.

"This discovery is incredibly important because evidence of reproductive biology is extremely rare in the fossil record," she said…read more, watch the Video and view the images: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7909984.stm

Here is an interesting tip for all our Divers using iPhones or iPod Touch, a cool application for download see below some info from the article...sorry I cant provide you a screenshot due to copyright issues but check out the link below.

Review: Dive Planner for iPhone
Simple tool gives scuba enthusiasts electronic alternative to dive tables
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld.com
Both my wife and I are certified scuba divers... Dive Planner works well, and it’s a heck of lot easier to read and use than any dive table I’ve ever seen.
Sure, dive computers are more powerful, more popular, and used by nearly everyone now. While Dive Planner won’t replace dive computers for complex plans, it works quite well—much better than dive tables—for simple dive calculations, and at $3, it’s quite the bargain.
Dive Planner is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch running the iPhone 2.0 software update and got a Mouse rating of 4.5

Soon Marine Biology with Lee Goldman
from SE Asia Kayak Tours


© Gunther Deichmann

Soon we start a new series with our Marine Biologist Lee Goldman who is also a member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance with his Eco Tours, SE Asia Kayak Tours.
Lee will start the series from a Marine Biologist’s point of View on each and every destination with in the PMA.

© Gunther Deichmann

Conservation, Marine Bio-diversity and Reef Check, Lee is an expert on corals but has a fast knowledge about all these other critters and marine life from the Pacific, Micronesia and the Philippines.
So, please stay tuned for some REAL MARINE LIFE soon...
GD

© Gunther Deichmann

I picked up this article from our good friend Walter Ty again, it made me laugh...GarageBand 400 Million years ago?
Not quiet... but very interesting reading and I thought I share this with you... oh boy, what they all discover these days...
I guess if you at Sam’s Tours in Palau with the fully equipped Digital Photo Center and have a Underwater Housing for your Soundrecorder then there is no problem to up load all of these fishy noises on to your IPod...have fun and thanks again to Walter for pointing out this interesting and amusing story...

Grunting fish have helped scientists to date the origins
of vocal sounds to about 400 million years ago.



Photo: Screenshot Courtesy of the BBC, click on the image
or use the link below for the video and complete article.

Toadfish and midshipman fish use a variety of different sounds to attract mates and scare off rivals. Now US researchers have found that the area of a fish's brain that drives vocalization is extremely primitive. Writing in the journal Science, they say it suggests that the ability to communicate through sound emerged very early in the evolution of vertebrates...read the complete article and watch the Video...
@ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7510443.stm

Tags: IPod, Digital Photo Center, GarageBand, IMac

We been notified today that the fish which has been a little mystery is now Identified by our Marine Biologist Lee Goldman, this and other interesting articles are brought to you by the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice.

The FISH Mystery is solved...


© Photo Lee Goldman - Carpet Eel Blenny Dottyback!

Hi Gunther,
the mystery is solved! I have identified the fish I photographed at Donsol. A very reclusive, cryptic fish that is not seen very often. It looks like an ell, but it's not. It looks like a blenny, but it's not. What is it? Of course, it's the Carpet Eel Blenny Dottyback! Dottyback? Aren't they the small cryptic reef fish that often have amazingly brilliant colors? Yes, that's them and this guy is the 'blacksheep' of the family. Not only is he very cryptic in their morphology, but at up to 45cm long, they are easily the largest. Well, another new one for me and happy to say that after almost 20 years of exploring the world's oceans, I can still be so easily entertained :)! ...and YOU are so right Lee

Tags: Science, Fish species, Discovery, Oceans, Environment, Rare MARINE Life, DIVING, Snorkeling, PHILIPPINES

Hi Gunther,
This is Lee…Lee Goldman that is… I thought you might like this article and read about my recent experience in the Philippines...

Hi Lee, Gunther here…of course you always welcome and we are very happy to publish your real life stories, thanks Lee please keep it up, we appreciate your input very much.
See below the story which I have just received, thanks again to Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist, who always finds the time and supplying us with some interesting articles.

Who can Identify this Fish? Please help...


Photo © Lee Goldman, image taken in the Philippines

Snorkeling the Islands of Palawan. Okay, so the title sounds like we spent the entire time in Palawan, but our first 2 days of the expedition were snorkeling with Whale sharks in Donsol. Come ‘on, how can I invite guests to the Philippines and not expose them to one of the best big animal encounters a snorkeler can have!
This entry will be a quick one because how can I describe the experience? Amazing, exhilarating, sometimes exhausting. Because visibility often does not exceed 12 m, when you see a whale shark, it is an up close and personal encounter! The guides put you right near them and as they swim by, you are sometimes only a few feet from them. My guests all commented on how amazing it was that they actually had to swim away from the sharks rather than having to chase them down. Needless to say, our experience with the whale sharks in Donsol was exactly as it has always been promoted; come and swim with lots of whale sharks. We swam with no less than eight. We also had a chance to snorkel in the area. Due to proximity of the rivers, visibility was not optimal, but we didn’t miss a beat. Many varieties of fish and coral exist there and for most of my guests, new species of fish were checked off in their fish identification books. For one guest, an avid admirer of nudibranchs, a new species of Phyllidia was her treat for the day. As a guide who spent many years in the Philippines and Palau, you may think I had seen it all. No way, that’s what I love about the Philippines; new species of fish I may know but not seen, or in my case in Donsol a new species of fish I had no idea existed.
Even some of the better ichthyologists could not help me with the identification. I intend to pursue this one and will keep everyone updated as I know more. Anyone out there with a suggestion?
Lee Goldman

Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partner in Palawan Philippines is Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center for all your travel arrangements and for Lee Goldman's Wilderness travel contact our partner in Manila Blue Horizons.

Tags: MARINE, Science,, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Whale shark, WILDERNESS, NATURE, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

DUGONGS at THE HOUSE REEF ...

CLUB PARADISE PALAWAN.


© Courtesy of Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines
click the image or the link below to visit the website @
http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/

I have just received this report from Dirk Fahrenbach, yes three (3) DUGONGS right at the House reef at Club Paradise grazing the seaweed bed.
This is the only place in the Philippines where you can observe these amazing and gentle creatures in the wild, the area is well protected by a conservation Park.

Another article but not related to our Dugong sighting is that of a Auction where some fossilized Dinosaurs dung has been sold for some US$ 1000.00 very interesting reading...
GD

Dino dung snapped up at auction

Jurassic-era coprolite, or fossilised dinosaur dung

Two pieces of dinosaur dung have been sold at auction for $960 (£486) at an auction house in New York.
The fossilised dung, which resembles rock on the outside, and a colourful mineral inside, is 130 million years old, from the Jurassic period.
Auctioneers Bonhams of New York said it sold for twice the expected price.

The buyer is reported to be Steve Tsengas, the 71-year-old owner of a company that sells products to treat pet animal waste in Ohio.

Marketing tool... for the full story click the link below...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7377982.stm

Tags: Unerwater, DIVING,SCUBA DIVING, Science,, DUGONGS,, PHILIPPINES,, NATURE,, Island hopping,, Dive Center,, PALAWAN, HOUSE REEF,, Tauchen,, Exploring,, Inselhuepfen,

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



To go to the Center click on the image
The Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art: ACCEA
" NPAK" in Armenian acronymis an alternative center for avant-garde
and modern art in Yerevan, Armenia

We have to take care of our PLANET and the ENVIRONMENT otherwise there be nothing left for our Children…
we all need to contribute & STOP Global Warming.

Some of Gunther Deichmann's images have been recently part of an international Exhibition in Armenia...for more detailed information some links below… many other international Photographers have contributed images for the Exhibition and environmental awareness, for a complete list of all the participants and sponsors including the WWF World Wildlife Fund in Armenia go to the provided links below…
I am happy and proud to have been part of this Exhibition in providing images creating awareness for our fragile environment.

Click on the image above and view the Exhibition
with images and slide shows from all
the international participants.

The image above was taken in Palau Micronesia it was used as the Cover
for the official Exhibition Booklet, for other environmental related images
by Gunther Deichmann click the link below:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/environment.html



WHY BURNING MY HOME...THINK!
Slide show of the images from the Exhibition by Gunther Deichmann
click on the link or image above.
http://www.davosstudio.com/Exhibition/Participants/Gunther%20Deichmann/

Tags: MARINE, WILDERNESS, DIVING

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

Like an ALIEN from a different WORLD...very cool…the image below is nothing in comparison from what this article has in store for you… Thanks to Walter Ty again.

Monster warning to protect oceans... about twice the size of a London Bus...& be careful when diving in NEW ZEALAND...YOU never know.

The landing of a colossal squid by New Zealand fishermen earlier this year offered a rare glimpse into the mysterious world deep beneath the waves. Scientist Mark Norman uses this week's Green Room to argue that it also shows how marine life is being destroyed before it is understood.

You be amazed to see this one…WOW!

© Gunther Deichmann - just like Aliens...
Squid under a Boat in Micronesia,
for more images from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
destinations click on the Image above or this link.
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/page2/page2.html

Colossal squid comes out of ice…
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent
Courtesy of the BBC

Colossal squid. Image: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
( go to the link below and view the image)
Dr Kubodera examines the eye of the smaller, partial colossal squid specimen
Technicians in New Zealand have begun to thaw a rare colossal squid specimen.

The operation to defrost the 10-metre (34 feet) long, half-tonne squid began on Monday afternoon in Wellington following a postponement of 24 hours.
The animal is now sitting in a bath of salt water. Once it is thawed, scientists will begin to dissect it.

Very little is known about colossal squid, which appear to live largely in the cold Antarctic waters and can grow up to 15 metres (50 feet) long.
"They're incredibly rare - this is probably one of maybe six specimens ever brought up," said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa centre.

"It's certainly the one that we're being really careful about, completely intact and in really fantastic condition."
The Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni specimen was caught in February 2007 in the Ross Sea.

Big unknown

The colossal squid is remarkable for its size, but also for how rarely it has been sighted.
It was identified first in 1925 from two tentacles found in a sperm whale's stomach…
You have to read on...more images and text @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7367774.stm

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

My very special thanks go to Walter Ty for bringing this to my attention…
Sorry no Photos today but if you go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/
edinburgh_and_east/7360770.stm
There you find a cool Pod cast and a photo of this amazing little fish from the Amazon, discovery been made everyday and we are learning so much about our environment except how to take care of it…lets start now.
GD


No sex for all-girl fish species
Amazon Molly (Credit: Dunja K Lamatsch)
Courtesy of BBC

A fish species, which is all female, has survived for 70,000 years without reproducing sexually, experts believe.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh think the Amazon Molly may be employing special genetic survival "tricks" to avoid becoming extinct.

The species, found in Texas and Mexico, interacts with males of other species to trigger its reproduction process.
The offspring are clones of their mother and do not inherit any of the male's DNA.

Typically, when creatures reproduce asexually, harmful changes creep into their genes over many generations.
The species will eventually have problems reproducing and can often fall victim to extinction.

Scientists at Edinburgh University have been studying complex mathematical models on a highly powerful computing system to look at the case of the Amazon Molly.
Researchers calculated the time to extinction for the fish based on modelling genetic changes over many thousands of generations.

They are now able to say conclusively, for the first time, the fish ought to have become extinct within the past 70,000 years, based on the current simple models.
Scientists believe the fish, which are still thriving in rivers in south-east Texas and north-east Mexico, are using special genetic survival "tricks" to help them stay alive.

One theory is that the fish may occasionally be taking some of the DNA from the males that trigger reproduction, in order to refresh their gene pool.

Species tricks

Dr Laurence Loewe, of the university's School of Biological Sciences, said: "What we have shown now is that this fish really has something special going on and that some special tricks exist to help this fish survive.
"Maybe there is still occasional sex with strangers that keeps the species alive. Future research may give us some answers."
He added that their findings could also help them understand more about how other creatures operate.
"I think one of the interesting things is that we are learning more about how other species might use these tricks as well," he said.

"It might have a more general importance."
The Edinburgh-led study was carried out in collaboration with Dr Dunja Lamatsch at the University of Wuerzburg, now at the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
The research is published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.
More info and Photos @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/
edinburgh_and_east/7360770.stm



Species loss 'bad for our health'
The physiology of bears could lead to a better understanding of some diseases

A new generation of medical treatments could be lost forever unless the current rate of biodiversity loss is reversed, conservationists have warned.
They say species are being lost before researchers have had the chance to examine and understand their potential health benefits.
The findings appear in Sustaining Life, a book involving more than 100 experts.

It is being published ahead of a global summit in May that will look at ways to stem biodiversity loss by 2010.
"While extinction is alarming in its own right, the book demonstrates that many species can help human lives," said co-author Jeffrey McNeely, chief scientist at IUCN (formerly known as the World Conservation Union).


Societies depend on nature for treating diseases
Achim Steiner,
Unep executive director

"If we needed more justification for action to conserve species, it offers dozens of dramatic examples of both why and how citizens can act in ways that will conserve, rather than destroy, the species that enrich our lives."

Killing the cure
One creature whose potential benefits have been lost to science is the southern gastric brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus), say the authors…more info and Photos at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7361539.stm

Again I have received this amazing and very cool information from our silent… well not so silent anymore friend Walter Ty…thanks Walter...read this amazing event just about to happen at one of our partners front door…Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia…catching corals…I wish I could be there…but if you get a chance to witness this amazing spectacle please let me know, tell us about your experience and if you have any photos please send us one or two, of course we give you all the credit for it.
You could do this right from Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center, Wi-Fi connected with all the latest software on their iMacs including Aperture; a medium resolution jpg will do just fine, thanks.

Book your trip with our partner Blue Horizons to witness this spectacular event...but hurry it is very soon, Blue Horizons is a specialist for all your travel in the Philippines and Micronesia.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - a Turtle is cruising over
the reef in Palau Micronesia

Catching corals' spectacular moment
Courtesy of BBC
By Andrew Luck-Baker
BBC Radio 4, Palau

Luke's reef (BBC)
Luke's reef: Reared larvae will come here once they are ready to settle
The coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific are at the brink of one of the most spectacular and significant nights in their annual life cycle.
By the light of April's full moon on Sunday or, quite likely a night or two after, corals will be mating en masse.

Click the image above and go to Sam's Tours in Palau

Along the length of the island archipelago that makes up the Republic of Palau, millions of coral colonies will simultaneously release billion upon billion of eggs and sperm into the dark waters.
An hour or so after sunset, each spawning coral will discharge showers of sex cells, packaged in orange and pink blobs.
They will rise to the surface in such huge numbers that they may form oily slicks metres long.
If the sea conditions are right, spawn slicks can coalesce to be large enough to be visible from space.

Depressing need
Once on the surface, the packages burst open, liberating eggs and sperm for fertilisation.
Countless free-swimming coral larvae then develop and three or four days later, a few will have survived long enough to make it to the sea bed.

There they attach to a suitable hard surface and develop into single baby coral polyps. The next generation of corals on the reefs will be launched.
A team of marine biologists from Australia, Britain and the Philippines has come to Palau to take advantage of this wonder of nature in the cause of coral reef restoration.
The scientists are here to investigate the potential of an experimental technique known as coral seeding - in other words, collecting some of the spawn from mass mating events and using it to promote the growth of new corals on reefs in need of rescue.
The reefs around Palau are in good shape but elsewhere throughout the tropical world, many coral ecosystems are in a parlous state.

Plenty spare
Pollution, over-fishing and coral bleaching events, which are caused by marine heat waves, have reduced the amount of coral to the point where these naturally bio-diverse habitats are at varying degrees of degradation.
Many are nearing ecological collapse - some have gone forever, already.

Collection of Acropora corals (BBC)
Acropora is an important reef-builder and is common here

However, many reefs might be salvageable if they are first protected from pollution and overexploitation, and then are seeded with some surplus spawn from more vibrant reefs.
Most of the eggs and larvae from a mass spawning event are eaten or die before they get an anchor hold on the sea bed, so there is plenty of spawn to share around.
In the coming experiment on Palau, the scientists will not be using coral spawn produced on the open reefs.
Partly for practical reasons, they will harvest their spawn under more controllable conditions at the laboratory of the Palau International Coral Reef Center.

In the lab
On Saturday, I joined them on a trip to collect 10 dinner-plate-sized coral colonies from Luke's reef about 20 minutes speed-boat-ride from the Reef Center.
James Guest, from the University of Newcastle, UK, and Maria Vanessa Baria from the University of the Philippines dived to the sea bed, armed with hammers and chisels.

They were after a particular species of branching coral which forms large tables or shelves as it grows. It is this type which is one of the most abundant and most important reef builders.
It takes a few taps at the stony stalk base of each colony to break them free. Waiting on the boat to receive the corals was Andrew Heyward of the Australian Institute for Marine Science - one of the first biologists to describe the phenomenon of coral mass spawning in the 1980s.
The colonies were put straight into tubs of sea water, and once the tenth was on board, we headed back at a high rate of knots to the Reef Center.
Back at the Center, the coral were transferred with speed to larger tanks, filled with constantly refreshed seawater.

Setting up home
Now there's a lull before the spawn. The main event could happen Sunday or Monday or Tuesday night (Palau time). And some species will synchronously spawn the day after others.
When the captive corals in the lab release their eggs and sperm, the contained spawn will be transferred to children's paddling pools floating in the sea next to the lab.

Putting corals in a lab tank (BBC)
The spawning for these corals will occur in laboratory tanks

Over the following few days, the researchers will check the developing larvae to see how many are mature enough to settle down and become fixed baby coral polyps.
When sufficient numbers are good to go, the team will take the batch of larvae back to the reef and pump them over areas of potential colonisation.
The new homes for the larvae are artificial reef balls placed there specially for the purpose. They are domes of limestone concrete about a one metre wide and high.

Before the larva can be introduced, the reef balls will have to be covered so the larvae don't just float away.

Big question

So the team will dive the five metres to the sea bed and erect two-man camping tents made of fine mesh over each artificial reef structure.
The baby corals will travel from the boat through the zipped door of the tent via a hose pipe. Andrew Heyward says the aim of this experiment is to be "low tech or no tech".

He feels this approach is vital if the technique of coral seeding is ever to be used on any scale in developing countries.

Making up a coral nursery (BBC)
The approach has to be low-tech to succeed, the scientists believe
Twenty-four-hours later, the team will check to see how many of their "seeds" have settled by removing small tiles they've placed on the reef balls. They will do that again in a few months and after a year.

Each time they will compare the number of young corals with those on tiles from control balls which would have been settled by larvae born in the mass spawning on the reef.
Andrew Heyward points out that loading the dice in the larvae's favour before they settle is only part of the issue over whether coral seeding will work to restore reefs.
"If you boost the number of larval corals settling on a coral reef, so what? Does it make any difference to the longer term compared to an area where you did nothing?"
The answer will emerge in the next 12 months following this week's frenzy of mass reproduction on the reefs of Palau.

For the photos and the story go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7357121.stm

Hot of the phone... only minutes ago I talked to Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan who is attending the ADEX show in Singapore other Alliance partners attending the show are Asia Divers from Puerto Galera with Allan Nash, according to Dirk the show is well represented with old friends like Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide and many others...for sure I am getting some images in the next few days with a detailed report. Just stay tuned or subscribe.
GD

See below the latest NEWS from Fins Magazine...
MacDive Matchmaker

This information has been provided by Fins Magazine... click the link above for more information...

Saturday, 19th April 2008, 12:48 pm by FiNS Team

Realising that his beloved Suunto D9 and Mac computer were having communication issues, Singapore-based Kiwi Nick Shore created MacDive, a free application to help the two get along.
Nick says: “There wasn’t an application that had the functionality I wanted or the look and feel of a Mac application, and I thought it would be easiest to just start from scratch and make the exact app I wanted. Plus, this way I could make it free. I worked on MacDive in my spare time after work. It’s been a real labour of love. I know there are many divers who are also Mac users and who, like me, have been frustrated with the lack of options available for Macs. I hope MacDive will help make them happy.”
While developing MacDive, a number of divers in Singapore loaned him their Suuntos for testing. As a result, the application is currently compatible with the D9, D6, D3, Cobra, Cobra 2, Vyper, Vyper 2, Gekko, Vytec and Mosquito.
Nick plans to continue developing MacDive, adding support for more dive computer brands as well as additional functionality, and he’s keen to receive user feedback on where to take the application next.
At the same time, Nick is working on a project with two programmers and divers from Belgium and Canada to make it easier to develop applications for the majority of dive computers on the market.”First things first, though. I’ve got to get in the water and do some testing of my own!”
MacDive is available for free download at: http://thedoorisajar.org/macdive

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

Dont know what I do without Walter Ty sometimes, he keep pointing me in the right direction...a coincident? Related? I guess sort of but then who likes to dive the waters of the Thames? The good news is... there is life even in this part of the world underwater, read this amazing story below.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Spiny sea horse from
Puerto Galera Philippines

You might remember one of my earlier blogs on Sea horses from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera Philippines, see below or read the whole story in our archives under:
Did You Know?

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.

Rare seahorses breeding in Thames
Short-snouted seahorse
Courtesy of the BBC

The short-snouted seahorses have been found at three locations.

Colonies of rare seahorses are living and breeding in the River Thames, conservationists have revealed.
The short-snouted variety are endangered and normally live around the Canary Islands and Italy.
Experts at London Zoo said the species had been found at Dagenham in east London and Tilbury and Southend in Essex, over the last 18 months.

The revelation coincided with new laws which came into force on Sunday to give the creatures protected status. The seahorses, or Hippocampus hippocampus, are now protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

They are usually found in shallow muddy waters, estuaries or seagrass beds and conservationists said their presence in the Thames is another good sign that the water quality of the river was improving.

Monitoring work
Alison Shaw, from London Zoo, said: "These amazing creatures have been found in the Thames on a number of occasions in the last 18 months during our regular wildlife monitoring work. "It demonstrates that the Thames is becoming a sustainable bio-diverse habitat for aquatic life. "It is not clear how endangered short-snouted seahorses are because there is little data known, particularly in the UK, so every scrap of information is valuable.

"Now they are protected conservationists are more relaxed about telling the world they are there." Both the short-snouted and long-snouted sea-horse are kept and bred in the aquarium at London Zoo in Regents Park. Aquarists are studying their life history and behavior so their wild habitats and requirements can be protected.

For more detailed info and photos go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7333980.stm

We dont like to talk always about diving and how great our destinations are ...No... we like you to be informed about our fragile environment and the latest NEWS... as a matter of fact keeping you in touch with the latest science and new discoveries is very important to us. We do care... a lot!
A big thanks' to Walter Ty for bringing this to my attention.


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


To watch this amazing video click the image

About 40 million years ago, when the Earth looked dramatically different to how it does today, a tiny arachnid was crawling around in the Baltic.
But the little bug was soon to meet a sticky demise. As it crept up a tree trunk, it encountered a blob of tree resin and its spindly legs rapidly became stuck-fast in the gluey trap.
Fast-forward a few thousand Millennia and the creature still sits in the same pose, preserved in a small lump of amber.
However, its location is now rather different from the prehistoric forest floor where it once roamed.

Terry Collingwood
I noticed something was in there hiding beneath a layer - it looked like a leg
Terry Collingwood

It can now found within the vaults of London's Natural History Museum - taking pride of place as the latest donation in the museum's palaeontology collection.
"You can just spend hours and hours looking at amber," said Terry Collingwood, who discovered the amber-encased creature.
The Rochester-based fossil collector had bought a batch of amber on an online auction site before noticing, on closer inspection, that one of the pieces looked a little unusual.

"I spent a long time looking at this piece and then I noticed something was in there hiding beneath a layer - it looked like a leg.
"So I started to work on the piece, polishing it and working to get those layers off.
"And then I eventually saw it - I realised straightaway that it was something special."

Stuck fast

He sent the mysterious creature off to the Natural History Museum to be checked out.

"When we looked at the amber under the microscope we could see it was a harvestman," said Dr Andrew Ross, collection manager of fossil invertebrates and plants.

Harvestmen belong to the arachnid class.

At first glance, with their eight legs, they look similar to spiders. But, while spiders' heads and abdomens are segmented, harvestmen's bodies and heads are fused together. They also lack silk glands - making spinning webs impossible.


Amber with arachnid (NHM)
Usually some of the legs will snap off as the insects try to escape the sticky resin, but this one must have got stuck fast
Dr Andrew Ross, Natural History Museum

Closer examination revealed that the specimen was rare, a species called Dicranopalpus ramiger, which is now extinct.

"This one is quite a young spider", explained Dr Ross. "Its body is the size of a pinhead and its legs are about 6mm long.

"But what is really interesting is that all of its legs are still intact - usually some of the legs will snap off as the insects try to escape the sticky resin, but this one must have got stuck fast."

Dr Ross said that fossil finds like this recent donation from Mr Collingwood were extremely important.
He said: "They are a record of something that lived millions and millions of years ago.
"Amber is particularly special. It preserves some of the smaller animals that you don't get preserved in rock.

"It gives us a fantastic insight into lots of prehistoric insects."
Mr Collingwood added: "I just love insects in amber. Knowing something is going to be at the Natural History Museum is just wonderful."

Check out this incredible video & click this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7327038.stm

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

Sharks could protect us from Typhoons and other bad storms…real amazing stuff from a researcher…and thanks again to Walter Ty for bringing this to my attention...
Super interesting article and one more reason why we should take care of our sharks and environment.
GD

STOP the killing of our Sharks,
slurping of this tasteless soup must STOP!

"They could protect us from disaster."

© Gunther Deichmann - a storm over the Pacific...
...can sharks give us some warning signs?

Sharks 'may predict the storms'
Lauren Smith Courtesy of the BBC

Lauren Smith studied dogfish, a type of small shark Sharks could be used to predict storms following research by a marine biology student.

Lauren Smith, 24, is close to completing her PhD studies into the pressure-sensing abilities of sharks.
If her studies prove the theory, scientists in future could monitor the behavior of sharks to anticipate severe weather fronts.
Research was partly carried out in an altitude chamber at the National Hyperbaric Centre in Aberdeen.
Miss Smith, originally from West Bromwich, had previously investigated the behavior of lemon sharks in the Bahamas. She then used their near relations, the lesser spotted dogfish, for further research at Aberdeen University's altitude chamber at the National Hyperbaric Centre.

© Gunther Deichmann, Shark and Photographer,
that is how it should be...

Who can say if this could lead to sharks predicting weather fronts... but it certainly opens the way to more research, Lauren Smith. It is thought her work is the first of its kind to attempt to test the pressure theory.
It was prompted by an earlier shark habitat study in Florida, which coincided with the arrival of Hurricane Gabrielle in 2001, when observations suggested that juvenile blacktop sharks moved into deeper water in association with the approaching storm.

Miss Smith said: "I've always been keen on traveling and diving and this led me to an interest in sharks.
"I was delighted to have been able to explore this area for my PhD, particularly as it's the first time it's really been explored fully.
"How many other students get the chance to put a shark in a chamber to study its behavior?
"Who can say if this could lead to sharks predicting weather fronts, there's so much more we need to understand. But it certainly opens the way to more research."

The chamber's changes in pressure mimic the pressure changes experienced in and around the ocean, caused by weather fronts, and the protocol was approved by the Home Office.

Sharks were found to head for deeper water ahead of bad weather.
Miss Smith, who completed her first degree in marine biology and coastal ecology at Plymouth University, studied shark behavior in the wild at the Bimini Biological Field Station in the Bahamas.
It has been established that a shark senses pressure using hair cells in its balance system.
Work at the Bimini Shark Lab enabled her to observe shark behavior by placing data-logging tags to record pressure and temperature on juvenile lemon sharks, while also tracking them using acoustic tags and GPS technology.
In Aberdeen, she was able to study the effects of tidal and temperature changes on dogfish, none of which were harmed, in the aquarium.

She also tested the pressure theory by recreating weather conditions at the chamber at the National Hyperbaric Centre.
She is due to complete her PhD and prepare papers for publication later this year and will be looking for a job which will give her the chance to expand her experience of shark research.

David Smith, of the National Hyperbaric Centre, described the student's research as "ground-breaking".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/7311847.stm

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)

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

Triple “D”

Triple “D”…Dirk…Dolphins & Dugongs all have something in common…

© Photo courtesy of Dugong Dive Center,
click on the image and visit the website.

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center strolled into the office yesterday telling me about all those Dugongs in the area at this time of the year; I guess the Dugong month has started.

You should have been there the other day, he said… Wow…we where snorkeling with five of them and two days later another two posing for the cameras…now is the time to make a trip to Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. Dirk mention to me that the best month of the year are March, April and May, Dugongs are always around in this part of the Philippines, but during these month’s there are more sightings.

I have also received some info from our supporter Walter Ty about an article on how a Dolphin rescued some stranded/beached Whales in New Zealand, this shows you only to well that we have to take care of our Oceans and Environment.

If a Dolphin can rescue or take care of other species... then that is amazing…what about us?
We need to do a lot more before it is to late! THINK!

© Gunther Deichmann - Monkey Mia Beach, north western Australia
For more images by GD click the image above or go to
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

I have taken this image some 25 years ago in Monkey Mia north western Australia, wild Dolphins come close to shore at this beach…do they still do this today?
Don’t know. I guess one of these days I have to find out and make another trip to this beach again.
GD

Here is the article on the rescue of Whales by a Dolphin…

NZ dolphin rescues beached whales
Courtesy of the BBC

Moko the dolphin
Moko is well known locally for playing with swimmers in the bay
A dolphin has come to the rescue of two whales that had become stranded on a beach in New Zealand.
Conservation officer Malcolm Smith told the BBC that he and a group of other people had tried in vain for an hour and a half to get the whales to sea.

The pygmy sperm whales had repeatedly beached, and both they and the humans were tired and set to give up, he said.
But then the dolphin appeared, communicated with the whales, and led them to safety.

The bottle-nose dolphin, called Moko by local residents, is well known for playing with swimmers off Mahia beach on the east coast of the North Island.

Malcolm Smith
Mr. Smith said he gave the dolphin a pat to say thank you
Mr. Smith said that just when his team was flagging, the dolphin showed up and made straight for them.

"I don't speak whale and I don't speak dolphin," Mr. Smith told the BBC, "but there was obviously something that went on because the two whales changed their attitude from being quite distressed to following the dolphin quite willingly and directly along the beach and straight out to sea."

He added: "The dolphin did what we had failed to do. It was all over in a matter of minutes."
Mr. Smith said he felt fortunate to have witnessed the extraordinary event, and was delighted for the whales, as in the past he has had to put down animals which have become beached.

He said that the whales have not been seen since, but that the dolphin had returned to its usual practice of playing with swimmers in the bay.

"I shouldn't do this I know, we are meant to remain scientific," Mr. Smith said, "but I actually went into the water with the dolphin and gave it a pat afterwards because she really did save the day."

Read more and check out the photos @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7291501.stm

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

Cucumber Salad? No this one is very different... nothing to do with cooking or your favorite chefs Salad...however this could be very important for the future...and again another medical source from our ocean, we have to be so careful, protect and stop polluting our natural resources and Oceans. Read on below...

I also like to announce the Alliance partners who generously contributed to the Layang Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia, we announce the very cool prizes shortly on our Blog.
However the participating partners are in the Philippines: Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera - in Micronesia Sam's Tours Palau and Truk Stop Dive Center and Hotel in Chuuk or better known as Truk Lagoon.
Our Travel agent and partner Blue Horizons in Manila made all the arrangement and chipped in also for the winners, a lot more in details soon on the website of Fins Magazine and more on our Blog...soon, very soon we let you have all the fantastic details.
YOU have to stay tuned or just subscribe, dont miss out on this great event.
GD

"Sea slug' inspires brain implant"
Courtesy of...
By Jonathan Fildes
Science and technology reporter, BBC News

Sea cucumbers inspired the design of stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites with adaptive mechanical properties (Fred Carpenter)
The response of a startled sea cucumber has inspired a new material that could one day be used to build brain implants for patients with Parkinson's disease.
The material can rapidly switch from being rigid to flexible and vice versa.
Writing in the journal Science, US researchers describe how species of the sea creatures "tense" when threatened.

The new material mimics this ability, and could be used to make advanced brain electrodes which are stiff when implanted, yet supple inside the body.
Adding water changes the state of the material.
"The water acts as a chemical switch," Dr Christoph Weder, one of the team who developed the material, told the BBC News website.
This is important as the brain is around 75% water.

Chemical change
The material consists of naturally occurring nanofibres, or "whiskers", carefully embedded in a polymer.

The cellulose fibres, each just 25 nanometres (billionths of a metre) in diameter, are harvested from a different sessile sea creature known as a tunicate or sea squirt.
The nanofibres are taken from filter-feeding tunicates

"There are many sources of nanofibres such as cotton or wood [which could be substituted]," said Dr Weder.
The structure of the as yet un-named material mimics the skin of sea cucumbers which have collagen nanofibres embedded in a soft connective tissue.
"These creatures can reversibly and quickly change the stiffness of their skin," explained Dr Jeffrey Capadona, another member of the team.
"Normally it is very soft; but for example in response to a threat, the animal can activate its 'body armour' by hardening its dermis."

Changes to the stiffness of the sea cucumber's skin are thought to be triggered by chemicals secreted by the animal's nervous system that rearrange the collagen threads.
"Our architecture is the same, but the chemistry is different," explained Dr Weder.
In the absence of water, the nanofibres are held together by chemical links known as hydrogen bonds. This gives the material its rigidity.

There is a mechanical mismatch - the electrode is rigid but the brain is more like jello
Christoph Weder
When exposed to water, the water molecules "competitively bond" with the fibres. "The water also likes to stick to the cellulose," said Dr Weder.
This has an effect of "ungluing" the fibre-to-fibre bonds, and the material becomes about 1,000 times softer, with the consistency of rubber.
When the water evaporates, a network of cross-linked whiskers reforms, stiffening the material.

Brain aid... read the whole article and view the images @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7279088.stm

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

You might remember one of our previous article, the issue on Shark feeding, below is a follow up article from Lee Goldman our consultant for marine environment and conservation.
Lee is also the one who is conducting the Kayak Wilderness Adventure trips in Palawan. (see below)

Best Adventure Trips 2008
A Masked Ball in the Philippines
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/

Thanks' Lee for your very interesting article we appreciate this very much and while I am on the subject Sharks here is a reminder...

Stop finning...Dont slurp this disgusting soup.



© Photo Courtesy of Sam's Tours Palau
Confiscated Shark fins in Palau, Micronesia

Sharks have been around for million of years and have survived... well trying to survive...we are entering their territory, respect and watch them from the distance.

I write in one of my next blogs an article on the Saltwater Crocodiles...captured...released...by some photographers who are seeking the "great shot." Easy done... they even tied them down with a string and retouch the rope or string in the computer...a practice in Palau and other places by some operators...totally unacceptable by myself. You dont nail your kids on to the floor either to get this great shot...or do YOU?
Let's leave our wildlife alone and develop the skill/technique to do this from a distance with out stepping into their territory.
The same applies for some underwater photographers who walk all over the reef, instead of swimming.
GD

See below the very interesting letter from Lee Goldman

Hi Gunther,
Several weeks ago I wrote a blog about shark feeding. I didn’t take sides. I presented the current arguments from supporters for and against it. I thought it was important to show that very few published studies exist that maintain any solid conclusions about shark feeding. In my blog, my only personal view concerned the ‘idea’ of shark feeding and, although seemingly popular in its appeal, how I believe it could detract from the overall diving experience at particular destinations around the world.
Out of respect, I waited a bit before I submitted this follow up in the wake of the tragedy that happened in the Bahamas. But I did want to respond, because clearly this situation was a direct result of the shark feeding activity. To those in opposition against shark feeding, this was a situation that solidified their platform and, in all truthfulness, gives them the good evidence they need to put a stop to this practice. To those who favor shark feeding, this is a tragic event, but isolated. Compared against the number of people who participate in shark feeding on an annual basis, this incredibly misfortune event represents a fraction of a percent.
Once again, I will not take sides. But, I do want to point out something that seems horribly wrong to me. Something that as a SCUBA Instructor, expedition leader, and tour coordinator is paramount to producing successful tours. Safety.
Before I get deeper into what I mean by Safety, I want to set it up a bit more. I received an article from Gunther about the accident in the Bahamas. In the article it mentions that although there seems to be more shark attacks (which the author claims is the result of an increasing exposure or encroachment of people into the sharks territory), there are comparatively fewer deaths than several decades ago. I will not debate the higher numbers of swimmers, but I do have another point of view against the reasons for lower deaths. The author asserted that our knowledge of trauma treatment has gotten so advanced, that the attention to highly traumatic wounds, such as shark bites, can be treated with a high level of success. Okay, fair enough. I believe that is an accurate statement. But I have something else to add, which, in all of my responder and wilderness first aid courses taught me as equally important: timing. Timing in the form of how fast can the victim get proper medical treatment.
Florida banned shark feeding from their waters. Whatever their reason is, right or wrong, agree or don’t agree, it is illegal. The response from the operators who provide this type of activity was to go farther offshore, to international (or Bahamian) waters where the activity is legal. See where I am heading? Going farther offshore to circumvent the law reduces the margin of safety. The margin of safety in this situation is clearly the ability to quickly evacuate the victim to a trauma center where their chances of surviving the attack are exponentially higher. The operator could have 50 years of experience with no customer having ever been attacked before, with a great first aid kit on board. The bottom line is that safety was compromised by making the hospital farther away, making the time for properly trained EMT’s to arrive longer, making the time for the victim to reach proper medical facilities longer…and making the conscious decision to do this so as to provide a service, but also to earn a living.
Again, being in the dive industry I know all about liability. I know the assumption of risk must be acknowledged by the participant. But there must also be a reasonable amount of safety built into the program. Traveling so far offshore and engaging in this type of activity is not reasonable to me. And remember, were talking about divers that are 100% exposed to the sharks. If this were a cage diving experience and something tragically went wrong, I would not be as concerned, because the cage is itself above and beyond reasonable safety. Accidents do happen. But what exactly was their safety plan. It sounds like they did all of the necessary things correctly, but were themselves a victim of their own decision to go farther offshore. Perhaps, there should have been a compromise for their activity? Perhaps there should have been a discussion like “okay, we have to go farther offshore, so we need to make it safer because we don’t have as direct access to evacuation and EMT care. Let’s put people in cages or…”. I don’t know the “or…”. If I was an operator, you bet I would.
I said I wasn’t taking sides and it may appear that I am. I assure you, I am not. I am merely pointing out a situation that must be addressed in order for this type of activity to continue. Similar to my approach to any high risk adventure that is made available to the public (usually a less-informed public) for a price, I am not in opposition, just asking for a higher margin of safety.
Please, my approach here could be dead wrong. I encourage anyone who disagrees with me to say something. Maybe the boat had a full service trauma room on board. Maybe an EMT was there. I don’t know. All I know is what was presented in articles and news reports. Thus, this is probably what the general public knows. And the general public doesn’t need anymore stories about sharks harming people; it needs more stories about people harming sharks.

Lee Goldmann - Marine Biologist

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

More late breaking NEWS from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance…election time above and below the waves…

I guess it is election time all over the world, Hillary-Obama-plus all the others in the US, Aperture software vs. Lightroom some voting going on in the Photography world and in Russia we have the Putin era at the poll. "Polling stations are open at Blue corner, just check with Sam's Tours in Palau."
…from politics to photograpy and now to marine life…such a democratic world these days...
Check out the link below…no it is not Hillary vs Obama it is a polling station for our declining shark population.
Come on and cast your Vote at:
http://www.livescience.com/bestimg/?cat=sharkweek
Vote for your favorite Shark
Rate them: Cast your vote here
Share this story

GD

____________________________________

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

Lucky or unlucky for us divers and underwater photographers...can you imagine this Monster been around today...you been diving at 30 meters and all of sudden out of the blue you had to face this "Guy"...wow. Real wet-wet-suits and finning like a duck been chased by a crocodile...but what a photo opportunity, but only if you had a super wide angle lens on your camera...but then I am not sure on that either...read about this amazing find, close your eyes and start dreaming.
GD

Sea reptile is biggest on record
Courtesy BBC

A fossilized "sea monster" unearthed on an Arctic island is the largest marine reptile known to science, Norwegian scientists have announced.
The 150 million-year-old specimen was found on Spitsbergen, in the Arctic island chain of Svalbard, in 2006.
The Jurassic-era leviathan is one of 40 sea reptiles from a fossil "treasure trove" uncovered on the island.

Nicknamed "The Monster", the immense creature would have measured 15m (50ft) from nose to tail.

A large pliosaur was big enough to pick up a small car in its jaws and bite it in half
Richard Forrest, plesiosaur palaeontologist
And during the last field expedition, scientists discovered the remains of another pliosaur which is thought to belong to the same species as The Monster - and may have been just as colossal...
Read the complete story here…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7264856.stm

This one is so very cool and interesting, you have to check it out.
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

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Just saw this on Fins Blog... absolutely fantastic...no more words needed...you have to check this out.
Check out this video of a very large, rare, six-gill shark (most sharks have five gills) taken by researchers in a submarine 1000 meters down in Hawaiian waters.
Almost as interesting as the shark is the excited chatter of the researchers.

Click the link below:

http://www.finsonline.com/blog/fins/20080217/rare-large-6-gill-shark.html

You bet this is very cool I just watched it...
GD

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

'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

A 70-million-year-old fossil of a giant frog has been unearthed in Madagascar by a team of UK and US scientists.
The creature would have been the size of a "squashed beach ball" and weighed about 4kg (9lb), the researchers said.

They added that the fossil, nicknamed Beelzebufo or "frog from hell", was "strikingly different" from present-day frogs found on the island nation.
Details of the discovery are reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)....
for more on this story and artist impression please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7251666.stm

Hammerhead in need of protection
Courtesy by Helen Briggs
Science reporter, BBC News, Boston

Hammerheads are among the most commonly caught sharks for finning
Over-fishing and demand for shark fins, an expensive delicacy, have pushed one of the world's iconic animals towards the brink of extinction, say experts.
The scalloped hammerhead shark is to be added to the official endangered species list this year, under the heading "globally endangered". Their plight has been discussed at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting. It was told that enforcement of marine reserves would aid shark protection.

The observation takes account of new research that shows hammerhead and great white sharks patrol fixed routes in the ocean, gathering at hotspots to mate or feed. Dr Julia Baum, a marine ecologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US, and a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), said excessive fishing was putting many of the ocean's "most majestic predators" at risk of extinction.

Speaking at the Boston meeting, she said: "Sharks evolved 400 million years ago, and we could now lose some species in the next few decades - so that would be just a blink of an eye in evolutionary time." She said conservation concern for sharks had been mounting for several years, and it was now critical that there was effective management action in order to restore and conserve their numbers.

Fishing for sharks in international waters is unrestricted, but conservation groups are calling for urgent measures to set limits on shark catch and fishing quotas. They say demand for shark fins as an expensive delicacy is greatly increasing the pressure on shark populations.
They want a meaningful ban on the practice of shark finning, which involves a shark's fins being removed before the rest of the animal is thrown back into the ocean to die.
Hammerheads are among the most commonly caught sharks for finning. A large shark fin can fetch over £50 a kilo.
Research presented at the AAAS in Boston is starting to unravel the mysteries of shark behaviour, and how they might best be protected......
for more info and Photos please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7251651.stm

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DID YOU KNOW?

Late breaking News!
NZ fishermen land colossal squid

New Zealand fishermen have caught what is expected to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid.
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 450kg (990lb),took two hours to land in Antarctic waters.
Local news said the Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was about 10m (33ft) long, and was the first adult colossal squid landed intact.
One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres.
"I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing," Steve O'Shea from Auckland's University of Technology told local media.

Colossal squid, which are found deep in Antarctic waters, are thought to be about the same length as giant squid (Architeutis dux) but are much heavier.
The species was first identified in 1925, but very few specimens have been found.
The first specimen recovered intact, a 150kg (330lb) immature female, was caught on the surface in the Ross Sea near the Antarctic coast in April 2003.
For more on this truly amazing story and the images go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6385071.stm

The article on the shark feeding was written by Marine Biologist Lee Goldman a good friend an expert on Micronesia and the Philippines.
I have received already a response to this article from Steve White the editor of Action Asia magazine, thanks Steve for your input.
GD

An interesting post Gunther. I like the guy's approach in not outright saying 'yay' or 'nay' to feeding. It's a true dilemma, with good points on both sides.

Steve W

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Shark feeding... is it right or wrong...
do we have to interfere with our marine life for thrills?


© Gunther Deichmann - You can see action like this without the need for feeding...
Blue Corner, Palau Micronesia, shark dives with Sam's Tours are carried out the natural way.

I have received this article from a good friend and marine biologist, very interesting. I just returned from Chuuk Micronesia and during my stay found out that a dive guide had been bitten by a shark, yes he is is ok., but with scars to prove the story.
No, this is not fiction, this one is real, our dive guide (very experienced) went to a dive site where shark feeding had been carried out by some dive operator in the past (not Truk Stop Dive Center), he had not been in this area for a while and to his knowledge the feeding was not done for sometime, No he did not feed the sharks on this dive but somehow noticed the more aggressive behaviors of this normally docile animal, OK that is all I can say for now, read the story and opinion from a marine biologist view and YOU decide for your self what is right or wrong.
The Philippine -Micronesia Alliance does not support any shark-feeding or intervening in the natural Marine life. We do care about our environment!
GD

Just before I left Guam for my permanent move to the Philippines, I read an email sent out by a local dive shop advertising ‘Big animal encounters’ in Yap. Having been there a few times, I immediately conjured up images of mantas gliding by in channels leading from the outer reefs into the inner lagoons and a variety of reef sharks patrolling the reefs around the island. I clicked on the link to see what it was all about and was surprised to see that it involved shark-feeding. My immediate thought was ‘why they decided to start this practice’? I went to the website of the operator and found that they have been doing it for many years. My thoughts changed immediately to ‘why didn’t I know about this earlier’? I have been in the diving industry for many years in Micronesia, beginning my career as a guide in Palau. Again, why didn’t I hear about this? Certainly during my visits to Yap, and diving with the operator, I would have heard of this. But, no, I really didn’t up until two weeks ago when I read the email.
Dismissing the thought of not knowing about the attraction was much easier than why were they doing this in the first place. What about it was bothering me? As a Marine Biologist, and a dive Instructor still with important ties to the industry, I knew there was a fierce conflict between those that subscribe to the practice versus those that don’t.
Those that feel shark feeding is good cite the thousands of encounters with sharks (and these come from operators from South Africa to Australia to California to the Caribbean, to tropical Pacific) without incident. Further, they expound on the important considerations these encounters provide people, namely that the intimate experience which brings a greater appreciation for sharks, thus, ultimately, this is a way to increase conservation efforts. I kinda agree with this, especially in situations where unless there is a bit of shark feeding / baiting, most people would not have the chance to ever see these magnificent creatures (example: Great Whites in SA and AU, and pelagics of the California coast).
Those that don’t agree with shark feeding feel that it promotes an activity that could potentially cause harm to humans (whether it is those participating in the shark feeding program or nearby swimmers). Further, they argue that the feeding causes unnatural aggregations of sharks to the areas on the reef where the feeding takes place. Also, it may make the sharks ‘dependent’ on these feeding rituals and it could potentially upset their natural feeding patterns – which leads back to the potential attacks due to the association of food with humans.
Well, both sides have a point except that both sides are basing their information on un-proven points. When Gunther asked me to write something up, my first task was to do a literature search to see what the science has to say about this subject. There currently (to my knowledge) is nothing out there (yet) about this. Florida has banned the practice mostly due to ease fears from potential tourists (and rightly so, with my full understanding for their actions in tact) and in response to all of the media attention in 2001 about the now misrepresented ‘summer of the shark’. A number of fatal shark attacks were taking place off of the Florida coast. It got media attention due to the number of attacks that happened within a relatively short period of time. Yet, the total number of attacks never exceeded previous year numbers, thus, contrary to what the media was reporting, there was no exponential increase in shark attacks – and no reason to lay blame for the cause on any good suggestion to fall their way. Most importantly there was no scientific basis for Florida to come to their decision. Hawaii is putting legislation through the system to ban it but it has not been made into law. They are also working off of fears.
So, okay, now we have Yap. What make Yap unique among the other operators doing tropical reef shark feeding is that they are not bringing in unnatural aggregations of sharks…they’re already there. They are also not endangering local and visiting swimmers since the area where they are feeding is not a public or even visited swimming hole. So with the information, it really leaves the anti-shark feeding advocates with little left to argue with Yap about.
So why am I bothered by this?
It took a few more days of thought until it finally hit me. What’s bothering me is that by conducting shark feeding it loses the charm of being Yap. When we think of many areas in the world that have reefs, we rarely associate sharks with them (or rarely see them while we are diving may be a better way to put it), mostly because they are either fished out, not really prevalent in the first place, or wary of humans. Remember, shark feeding is a way to DRAW IN sharks so that customers, who would not normally see them, get a chance to see them. When I think about Micronesia, my mind drifts off to a place that is still raw with marine-life, including sharks. One does not have to bait them in for close encounters. Shark encounters are already going to happen. As divers, we know that nature is unpredictable and it is the chance to see the animals that gives us a thrill and an even bigger thrill when we get to see them. We hedge our bets on getting these encounters by visiting magical places like Micronesia and leave being overwhelmed by the entire experience. To me, shark feeding in Micronesia is, well, cheating the experience. It’s like having a full house in poker and cheating for four-of-a-kind…when you know that the full house is top hand. To me, Yap may gain some of the ‘benefits’ of shark feeding (mostly the ‘commercialization’ of shark encounters), but it loses some of its natural appeal. Now Yap can be lumped in with other countries promoting this experience, and for those who have been diving for many years, you know that most of these destinations may summon up ‘cattle-boat’ diving mentality as well as clearly being right ‘ON the beaten track’. Yap was not destined for this. Go there, it is absolutely worthy of being the far-flung, exotic, beautiful, customs-oriented island that you think of as Yap. Commercialization is the last thing you’ll think of when your there…but maybe not anymore.
Ahh, I could as easily be wrong or misguided as I could be right or spot-on when it comes to my thoughts about this subject and the island of Yap. This is just my opinion as someone who fell in love with this area after spending many years traveling and diving in other exotic locals. It was the raw natural beauty and the thrill of encounters with incredible marine life that kept me and continues to keep me entranced to this day.
From a Marine Biologist

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Did You Know?
It is 2008 and our very first Blog for the New Year, it is now 3:32 Am Manila time. Do I ever sleep? Well sometimes.
A very Happy New Year to all! Cheers...

Diving with Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in 2008!

Our good old friend behind the scene Walter Ty pointed this out to me a few days ago, thanks Walter. Surviving Malaria…well soon… hopefully. If you read this article then you might understand why we DO have to take care of our ocean and environment, which we know so little about it.
OK now read on…real cool.
GD

Sea cucumber 'new malaria weapon'

Sea cucumbers live on the ocean floor, Sea cucumbers could provide a potential new weapon to block transmission of the malaria parasite, a study suggests.

The slug-like creature produces a protein, lectin, which impairs development of the parasites. An international team genetically engineered mosquitoes - which carry the malaria parasite - to produce the same protein in their gut when feeding.

The PLoS Pathogens study found the protein disrupted development of the parasites inside the insects' stomach.
Ultimately, one aim of our field is to find a way of genetically engineering mosquitoes so that the malaria parasite cannot develop inside them Professor Bob Sinden Imperial College London
Malaria causes severe illness in 500 million people worldwide each year, and kills more than one million. It is estimated that 40% of the world's population are at risk of the disease.
To stimulate the mosquitoes to produce lectin, the researchers fused part of the gene from the sea cucumber which produces the protein with a gene from the insect.

The results showed that the technique was effective against several of the parasites which cause malaria. Lectin is poisonous to the parasites when they are still in an early stage of development called an ookinete.
Usually, the ookinetes migrate through the mosquito's stomach wall, and produce thousands of daughter cells which invade the salivary glands, and infect a human when the mosquito takes a blood meal.

But when exposed to lectin the ookinetes are killed before they can start their deadly journey. Researcher Professor Bob Sinden, from Imperial College London, said: "These results are very promising and show that genetically engineering mosquitoes in this way has a clear impact on the parasites' ability to multiply inside the mosquito host."
You would have to get the modified version to become the predominant species, and that has never been done in any setting before
Dr Ron Behren London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
However, he said much more work still had to be done before the technique could be used to curb the spread of malaria. "Although the sea cucumber protein significantly reduced the number of parasites in mosquitoes, it did not totally remove them from all insects.
"At the current stage of development, the genetically modified mosquitoes would remain dangerous to humans. "Ultimately, one aim of our field is to find a way of genetically engineering mosquitoes so that the malaria parasite cannot develop inside them."

Professor Sanjeev Krishna, an expert in malaria at St George's Hospital Medical School, London, said new treatments for malaria were vital, as there was some sign that the parasites which cause the disease were developing resistance to the current artemisinin drugs.

He said: "This is a very important first step in developing a potential new way to control this infection." Dr Ron Behrens, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the technique showed promise in theory - but he warned that introducing genetically modified mosquitoes could be fraught with practical difficulties.

"You would have to get the modified version to become the predominant species, and that has never been done in any setting before," he said.
Images and more info at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7155398.stm

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DID YOU KNOW?

Introducing our partners in their different languages, today we introduce
our partner in Palau Micronesia, Sam's Tours in Spanish.
Our previous Blogs featured Asia Divers with El Galleon in Italian
and Calypso/Pinjalo in German.

Philippine-Micronesia Alliance ® 2008

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - Spectacular Nautilus dives at
Sam's Tours Palau.
Click on the images for more photos from
all the Alliance destinations.

Il Sam’s tour, e’ il primario centro di addestramento e sviluppo subacqueo PADI a cinque stelle di Palau. Eccellenti servizi per gli utenti, attenzioni personalizzate e servizio professionale ha fatto si che il Sam’s Tours sia stato premiato dalla scelta dei lettori dello Scuba Diving Magazine, dal 1997 in poi come “Migliore centro di immersioni”, “Migliore personale di addestramento” e “Migliori costi”.

Il nostro centro per immersioni include un servizio fotografico subacqueo professionale e un negozio videofotografico, tecniche di immersione e trimix, autorizzate dal settore vendite e servizi di Scubapro e Aqualung, una lunga serie di esperienze subacquee, programmi preliminari attraverso certificazioni di istruttori, e un caffe' sul lungomare che guarda la bella isola andare verso la fine della giornata.


Situato a Koror, il Sam's Tours e' a meno di 40 minuti di battello dalle meravigliose scogliere esterne di Palau ed e' a 10 minuti da molte navi naufragate ed aerei affondati durante la Seconda guerra Mondiale (WWII). I nostri battelli forniscono viaggi veloci, sicuri e comodi ed includono una visita complimentare allo sbalorditivo Jellyfish Lake (Lago delle meduse) di Palau. Per maggiore sicurezza e comodita' offriamo Nitrox complimentari (con certificazione) e nel rispetto della sicurezza, permettiamo immersioni con un massimo di otto persone per ogni istruttore.

Sam’s Tours e’ un centro di immersioni indipendente che opera in combinazione con i migliori Hotels di Palau ed offre viaggi di andata e ritorno giornalieri, pacchetti che includono Hotel ed immersioni, e charter personalizzati per singole persone o gruppi. Un servizio shuttle complimentare garantisce viaggi di andata e ritorno da e per tutti gli Hotel di Koror.

In aggiunta alle immersioni, Sam’s Tours offre gite per lo snorkel, giri dell’isola, noleggi marittimi ed il piu’ quotato Planet Blue Kayak Tours. Sam’s Tours, e’ l’unico centro di immersioni di Palau che riceve il premio Palau Conservation Society (Societa’ di tutela di Palau) “Partner in Conservazion” (Partner in tutela) ed e’ lo sponsor sociale del Palau Shark Sanctuary Fund (Fondo del Palau Shark Sanctuary).

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DID YOU KNOW?

Introducing our partners in their different languages, today we introduce
our partner in Boracay Calaypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort,
Boracay, Philippines in German.
Our previous Blog featured Asia Divers with El Galleon in Italian.


© Gunther Deichmann - click on the image for more photos
from our destinations.

Willkommen bei der Fillippinen-Mikronesien Allianz, ihr Partner für erstklassigen Tauchurlaub!

Das riesige Gebiet des Pazifiks zwischen den Philippinen und Mikronesien mit seinem warmen tropischen Wasser ist unter Tauchern weltberühmt für die enorme maritime Vielfalt an z.B. großen pelagischen Tieren, über 700 Arten von Korallen, mehr als 1.300 Fischarten. Sie finden hier aber auch endlose Themen für die Makrophotographie und eine imposante Sammlung von intakten WWII Schiffwracks.

Unser exklusives Netzwerk von erstklassigen Tauchressorts auf den Philippinen, in Palau und Truk Lagoon in Mikronesien sowie ausgewählten Reiseveranstaltern macht Reisen und Tauchen in diesem fantastischen Gebiet des Pazifiks bequemer und komfortabler als je zuvor. Und das Taucherlebnis wird unvergesslich sein!

Die Philippinen - Mikronesien Allianz besteht aus den besten Tauchressorts, die die Region zu bieten hat. Unsere Partner werden sorgfältig ausgesucht damit Sie einen erstklassigen Tauchurlaub genießen können, und wir Ihnen Sicherheit, Service und Professionalität auf höchstem Niveau bieten können.

Überlassen Sie Ihre Reiseplanung einfach unseren Zielgebietsexperten. Wir sorgen dafür, dass Ihr Pazifikabenteuer ein einmaliges Erlebnis wird. Lehnen Sie sich zurück, entspannen Sie sich und überlassen Sie uns die Planung Ihres Traumtauchurlaubes.

Ihr Partner für ein hochwertigen Tauchurlaubt sind: Auf den Philippinen: Asia Divers with El Galleon Resort, Puerto Galera - Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, Palawan – Pinjalo Diver Resort, Boracay
Auf Palau, Mikronesien: Sam´s Tours und auf Truk in den Föderierten Staaten von Mikronesien: Truk Lagoon Dive Center

Schriftsteller, und Touristen haben Schwierigkeiten Wörter in der Superlative zu finden, wenn sie diesen, wohl “schönsten Strand der Welt” beschreiben. Smaragd-grüne Vegetation, kobald-blaues Wasser und weißer, puderfeiner Sand sind ein Traum, der wahr wird. Boracay bietet für jeden etwas, von Abenteuerlustig bis hin zu Anspruchvoll.

Das Pinjalo Resort begrüßt seine Gäste mit philippinischer Gastfreundlichkeit und bietet Ihnen einen entspannenden und erholsamen Urlaub in anspruchsvoller und komfortablen Umgebung.


Wünschen Sie sich die Unterwasserwelt von Boracay zu erkunden, in der Sonne zu relaxen oder vielleicht ein paar Löcher auf dem nahe gelegenen Golfplatz zu spielen? Oder wollen Sie vielleicht den Tag mit einer luxeriösen Spa Behandlung beenden?

Für diejenigen welche nicht nur ein kurzes Eintauchen in das kobald-blaue Wasser machen wollen, ist das Calypso Tauchcenter die Antwort.

Calypso Diving ist ein 5 Star Padi Tauchcenter der extra klasse, welche Ihnen Tauchen auf höchsten Sicherheitsstandards mit modernem Equipment ermöglicht. Unser Team von freundlichen und zertifi zierten Padi Ausbildern,
bietet Ihnen egal ob sie Anfänger sind, oder als Fortgeschrittener weiterführende Kurse machen wollen, Ausbildungen für jede Art von Bedürfnisse an.

Auch für unsere erfahrenen Taucher gibst es unzählige Möglichkeiten beispielsweise bei Tieftauchen oder diverse Tauchsafaris die fantastische Unterwasserwelt mit den vielfältigen Korallenwände in Bildern festzuhalten.

Ob Sie nur einen Cocktail bei Sonnenuntergang oder die vorzügliche Küche genießen, Pinjalo Dive Resort bietet alles was Ihren Urlaub unvergesslich macht! Wer uns erst einmal besucht hat, wird gewiss wieder an diesen Platz zurückkehren!

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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

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I just picked this up from our friends at Fins magazine, the most recent Blog post, now that is something you should have a good look at, real cool.
A personal small submarine or U-Boat. I wonder which Dive Center or Resort is first in the Philippines or Micronesia to offer this unique U-Boat for their non diving guest.
This could be real cool in Palau to explore the great walls or check out the Canyons in Puerto Galera, creeping up on Dugongs in Palawan or take it for a spin in Boracay and check out the Yapak dive site, but what about Truk Lagoon now that could be something else.Stay tuned or subscribe to "Our Blog" and I let you know when and where at the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance.
GD

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & TAKE CARE ON ALL YOUR DIVES,
YOUR SAFTEY COMES FIRST .

U-Boat 4U?
Tuesday, 18th December 2007, 1:21 am by FiNS Team

U-Boat If you’re one of those people who has every gadget known to modern diving, or if you’re looking for a really special present for someone who’s got everything, how about a personal UBoat?Say what?
U-Boat Worx, a company based in The Netherlands, has developed personal U-Boats (basically very comfortable submarines) that come in one- and two-seater models. Called C-Questers, these oh-so-cool looking submersibles can dive to 50 metres, hold a steady 1-atmosphere of pressure (meaning no decompression issues)
If you’re one of those people who has every gadget known to modern diving, or if you’re looking for a really special present for someone who’s got everything, how about a personal UBoat?Say what?
U-Boat Worx, a company based in The Netherlands, has developed personal U-Boats (basically very comfortable submarines) that come in one- and two-seater models. Called C-Questers, these oh-so-cool looking submersibles can dive to 50 metres, hold a steady 1-atmosphere of pressure (meaning no decompression issues) and come packed with safety features like redundant depth control (meaning you can’t sink past 50 metres) and advanced life-support systems (four redundant O2 sensors, redundant fans and CO2 scrubber to keep the air clean). .....see the photos and read more at fins blog....

Happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru
godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år - manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï
kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos
felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân - yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

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

A reminder for all of those who dont know we can communicate in many different languages, all of our partner resorts and dive centers have qualified multilingual speaking instructors and staff. OK., not all the languages listed below, but this is our way of saying Happy Holidays we are looking forward to see you in 2008 for some great diving in the Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific. In the Philippines: Asia Divers with El Galleon, Puerto Galera, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay,
Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan. In Micronesia: Sam's Tours Palau, Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center in Chuuk, (Truk Lagoon) Travel Agent: Blue Horizons, Manila and Asian Spirit Airlines.

All our dive centers and resorts care about the environment and if you speak Italian, French, German, Russian, Korea, Japanese or Chinese, the Philippine -Micronesia Website is in these languages, all our partners have two pages in these languages, giving you at least some idea why you should dive, explore and discover paradise with us.

Plongée avec nous dans le Pacifique et la Micronésie en 2008

Tauchen mit uns im Pazifik und Mikronesien in 2008

Tuffandosi con noi nel Pacifico e la Micronesia in 2008

Mergulhar com nós no Pacífico e o Micronesia em 2008

El zambullirse con nosotros en el Pacífico y Micronesia en 2008

Dive with us the Pacific and Micronesia in 2008

Mag dive kasama namin sa Pacipiko at Micronesia sa 2008

Нырните с нами в pacific, philippines и Мичронезии, водолазах отборных в 2008

潜水与我们在太平洋、菲律宾和密克罗西亚岛, 2008 年潜水者挑选

Βουτήξτε με μας στον ειρηνικό, τις Φιλιππίνες και τη Μικρονησία, η διαφορετική επιλογή το 2008

太平洋、フィリピンおよびミクロネシアの2008 年に上等ダイバーの私達との飛び込み

태평양, 필리핀 및 미크로네시아 의2008년에 선택하는 잠수부안에 우리들과 급강하

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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

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



The Christmas season is approaching, going out and buying gifts, well some of us.
Please don’t buy these, STOP – X raping our oceans!
If the buying stops, the killing will too.

Learn how to dive, snorkel and appreciate our underwater world, let’s leave the Shells where they came from, so our future generations can enjoy them in their natural environment.
If you see them washed a shore on the beach, yes, you can take them home, however check with the various countries first, some have very strict rules on the exportation of different items including artifacts. (Don’t remove artifact from wrecks)

An endangered animal or plant is a species that is considered in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its population is very small and it needs active protection to survive. In many Countries, hunting of endangered animals is not allowed. Neither is importation of their meat, fur, tusks, blubber, or other products
Extinction has happened throughout history, but in modern times the rate has increased dramatically. There is a link between the increase in the extinction rate and the growth in human population. The worldwide human population was 1 billion in 1600, 1.5 billion 100 years ago, and is over 6 billion today. At the same time, the species extinction rate has increased to one species a day. If this continues, it will cause a dramatic drop in the diversity of life on our planet, which will most certainly have serious effects.

Now you can join us for a little Trivia! Send us an email (gunther@gdeichmann.com) or go to the feedback button on this Blog, upper right hand side, with what you think are the most endangered marine animals in the world today, the right answers will receive (we guarantee this) a Book on the Dive Sites and environs of Puerto Galera and Palau Micronesia (only 5 copies in total can be won) we also have 5 sets of Postcards to give away, they come in a sets of eight. Just name 5 of the most endangered marine animals.

This our way of saying Merry Christmas.

All partners, family members and staff of the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance are are not allowed to participate.
GD

“ PUERTO GALERA & VERDE ISLAND ”
Dive Sites of the Philippines (Revised 3rd Edition)

Photography by Gunther Deichmann
and Text by Frank Doyle

• 136 pages including cover
• Full colour throughout
• Laminated Soft cover for Durability
• Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)

“ PALAU ” Dive Sites, History & Culture
(Revised 2nd Edition)

By Photographer Gunther Deichmann, Kevin Davidson
& Ethan Daniels (Marine Biologist)

• Available in English
• 160 pages including cover
• Full colour throughout
• Laminated Soft cover for Durability
• Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)

Win these 2 great Guide books, and the cool looking postcards below,
just name the most endangered marine species in the world today.

A Christmas message from the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.
WE Do CARE!

See below some more interesting reading about our environment and Ocean:

History of the Ocean
Starting when the Earth formed about 4.5 billion years ago....

Solar System Simulator by NASA/JPL/Caltech.The ocean is not just where the land happens to be covered by water. The sea floor is geologically distinct from the continents. It is locked in a perpetual cycle of birth and destruction that shapes the ocean and controls much of the geology and geological history of the continents. Geological processes that occur beneath the waters of the sea affect not only marine life, but dry land as well. The processes that mold ocean basins occur slowly, over tens and hundreds of millions of years. On this time-scale, where a human lifetime is but the blink of an eye, solid rocks flow like liquid, entire continents move across the face of the earth and mountains grow from flat plains. To understand the sea floor, we must learn to adopt the unfamiliar point of view of geological time. Geology is very important to marine biology. Habitats, or the places where organisms live, are directly shaped by geological processes. The form of coastlines; the depth of the water; whether the bottom is muddy, sandy, or rocky; and many other features of a marine habitat are determined by this geology. The geologic history of marine life is also called Paleontology.

The presence of large amounts of liquid water makes our planet unique. Most other planets have very little water, and on those that do the water exists only as perpetually frozen ice or as vapor in the atmosphere. The earth, on the other hand, is very much a water planet. The ocean covers most of the globe and plays a crucial role in regulating our climate and atmosphere. Without water, life itself would be impossible… read more at: http://marinebio.org/Oceans/History/

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

Amazing what you find on the Net these days...
Millions of articles on the best beaches in the world... but some how and rightly so, Boracay is always on the first page, read just some of the things I have picked up recently. Why not choose Boracay's Pinjalo/Calypso Dive Resort as your next stop for your hard earned vacation, a member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance located on one of the best beaches in the world. read on below articles from an Individual and the Citibank World Privileges/Travellers Guide.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - the famous White Beach

© Gunther Deichmann - Pinjalo Resort, dont you wish you where here...

And back we went...
By A Yahoo! Contributor from Norway
02/14/05
Overall:
Atmosphere
Convenience
Safety
Value

I fell in love at the first time!!! Boracay is the best place me and my husband have ever been to!!! We have travelled a lot, but nothing can match this! We are coming back with some of our friends for two weeks in april 2005, so I see you there!!! ;O)

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Citibank World Privileges/Travellers Guide
White Beach on Boracay Island, off Panay, has been....

The best beaches in the world
With 7,107 islands strung like pearls across 1,840 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, and a coastline longer than the USA, the Philippines is home to literally thousands of palm fringed beaches, with warm waters, thriving coral reefs and hundreds of idyllic resorts. In fact, the Philippines probably has more world-class beaches than any other country. Here we comb the coastline to pick out some of the best.

All Photos © Gunther Deichmann

White Beach, Boracay Island, Philippines
White Beach on Boracay Island, off Panay, has been called the best beach in the world. It has four kilometers of fine, bright, coral sand, which is always cool underfoot, shallow azure waters, and a beachfront boasting a huge variety of restaurants and bars offering cosmopolitan cuisine and good entertainment. There’s no coral along the beach, but several boat operators take snorkelers and divers to good spots nearby.
http://worldprivileges.citibank.com/worldprivileges/
travellerguide/en_tg_ph_content.html

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

Sci/Tech

Fast train to Polynesia...
A little lizard may have revealed one of the mysteries of how humans spread around the world. After studying its genetics, a scientist in Australia thinks he can now explain how people colonised the islands of the Pacific.
This has long been a hot subject for debate among researchers. Some have always thought that humans moved out rapidly from South East Asia, through Melanesia, with very little mixing between the different colonist groups. Others argue the movement was much more disjointed, occurring over an extended period from different Melanesian populations.

However fast they moved, it is likely they carried animals on board their canoes - either intentionally or as stowaways. To try to settle the argument, Christopher Austin, an evolutionary biologist, has studied the mitochondrial DNA of the Lipinia noctua lizard, which lives alongside humans on Pacific islands ranging from Hawaii in the northeast to Easter and Pitcairn island in the southeast.
Mitochondrial DNA is passed down virtually unchanged from mother to child. It mutates at a steady rate and therefore provides a useful evolutionary clock that allows scientists to track genetic lineage.

Genetic similarity
Austin, from the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, says his analysis supports the fast hypothesis - humans and lizards caught the "Polynesian express train".
"The extreme genetic similarity between the different colonies indicates rapid colonisation from a single source, which I take as support of the express-train hypothesis," Austin says in the science journal Nature. "Although they are geographically part of Micronesia, the people of Kapingamarangi Atoll are Polynesian in origin.
"The L. noctua from there are also of the central/eastern clade, which strengthens the association between L. noctua and human colonisation," he adds.
Archaelogical, linguistic and genetic data show humans migrated east from Taiwan between 3500 BC and 1600 BC.

In a separate study, Dr Lisa Matisoo-Smith, at the University of Auckland, used the mitochondrial-DNA technique on rats to show that the Southern Cook and Society Islands formed the focus from which migration to other islands began.
Courtesy of the BBC

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

Hot News! This just came in from Palau... please read on below.

LIVE REEF FISHERIES: Who Will Outwit, Outplay, Outlast Whom?

AMAZING AND FRIGHTENING all at the same time! As you may know, Palau has been waging an ongoing war against illegal shark fishing and shark finning in its’ waters by foreign fishing fleets. And now I am just recently informed of yet another equally devastating threat to our marine environment, this time in the island atoll of Kayangel, Palau's most northerly island.Apparently, Kayangel State is engaged in a LIVE REEF FISH agreement with an offshore fishing company based in Hong Kong or Taiwan to supply fresh grouper for export. While it all sounds very innocent the highly destructive practice can wipe out targeted species in a matter of months. Nearby Indonesia is already suffering the devastating effects of this absolutely unsustainable practice which has apparently destroyed formerly healthy fish populations that for generations have sustained local populations.Amazingly, although this practice has reportedly been going on for approximately a year or so, I only found out most recently. I guess out of sight is out of mind, and the remote and sparsely populated atoll of Kayangel is a perfect place to engage in this type of behavior.read the whole story @
http://www.samstours.com/blog/

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

If you Irish, well you better watch out when you choose your next dive destination, this very interesting article was brought again to my attention by no other than Walter Ty, thanks for keeping us in the loop. Anyway it is not so bad, you can always choose one of the Alliance destination for your next dive. As a matter of fact you can swim (snorkeling only) with our more friendly Jellyfish in Palau, yes they are non stinging and a real experience cruising amongst these amazing creatures.

Plus another story about millions of sea creatures
wash up... another indication of Global warming?

Jellyfish attack destroys salmon

A jellyfish invasion has wiped out Northern Ireland's only salmon farm, killing more than 100,000 fish. A Northern Salmon spokesman said last week's attack could cost more than £1m. Billions of small jellyfish, known as Mauve Stingers, flooded into the cages about a mile into the Irish Sea, off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun.
The jellyfish covered an area of up to 10 square miles and a depth of 35 feet. Rescuers tried to reach the cages but the density of fish made it impossible.
Managing director John Russell said he had never seen anything like this in 30 years in the business.
It could take at least two years for the firm to recover "The sea was red with these jellyfish and there was nothing we could do about, it, absolutely nothing," he said. "It's a disaster for this company - you cannot legislate for something like this."
He says the firm could take at least two years to recover. The company has some high-profile clients, with Irish chef Richard Corrigan serving Glenarm salmon to the Queen on her 80th birthday last year as part of the BBC's Great British Menu programme.
The Department of Agriculture's fisheries division has carried out a full investigation, and talks with NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew have taken place to try to rescue the farm and save the jobs of 12 staff.
Read more and view the photos @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7106631.stm


Millions of sea creatures wash up... another indication of Global warming?
By-the-Wind Sailors on a beach in Wales
The creatures are normally found in the Azores
Millions of small dead jellyfish-like creatures have been washed ashore on South West beaches.

The velella velella, commonly known as By-the-wind Sailors, have been spotted this month on Devon beaches from Bantham to Exmouth and in Bournemouth.
Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium said billions of the blue creatures may have been washed up this year. The creatures are native to the Azores and experts have asked if climate change is sending them further north.
The harmless 4in (10cm) creatures are also found in the western Atlantic and are relatives of the Portuguese Man-of-War.
Major invasion
They are washed ashore in groups most years particularly along the north Cornish coast. The large finds were first reported from St Martins in the Scilly Islands in October, followed by Guernsey, the Welsh coast and north Devon.
At the end of November millions were found at Portwrinkle beach in south east Cornwall and north Wales.
There was a major invasion in 1981 and in 2004 they turned up in Dorset, south Devon, and the south coast of Cornwall and right up to Islay in the west of Scotland. Their short tentacles catch very small fish and large plankton and they themselves are eaten by the Violet Sea Snails, which are seldom seen in Britain... read more and view the photos @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6164389.stm

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

Can you imagine to scuba dive with some of these sea monsters, wow that be a real thrill or a real scare! You can relax, they not around anymore but they used to be, read this very interesting article which was brought to my attention by no other then our good old Walter Ty, thanks Walter.
Apologies from The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance for not been able to show you these guys, but we can show you just about everything else in the Pacific and Micronesia, try one of our specialties and come along for some great island hopping or as they say in German Inselhuepfen, remember our site is in nine languages, see you soon with your mask, fins and snorkel.

Man-sized sea scorpion claw found


Scale model of the scorpion with a human (Simon Powell)
How the creature compares for size with a human
Courtesy of the BBC

The immense fossilized claw of a 2.5m-long (8ft) sea scorpion has been described by European researchers. The 390-million-year-old specimen was found in a Germany quarry, the journal Biology Letters reports. The creature, which has been named Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, would have paddled in a river or swamp.
The size of the beast suggests that spiders, insects, crabs and similar creatures were much larger in the past than previously thought, the team says.
The claw itself measures 46cm - indicating its owner would have been longer even than the average-sized human. Overall, it exceeds the record for any other sea scorpion (eurypterid) find by nearly 50cm. The eurypterids are believed to be the extinct aquatic ancestors of modern land scorpions and possibly all arachnids (the class of animals that also includes spiders).
"The biggest scorpion today is nearly 30cm so that shows you how big this creature was," said Dr Simon Braddy from the University of Bristol, UK.
It was one of Dr Braddy's co-authors, Markus Poschmann, who made the discovery in the quarry near Prum in south-west Germany. "I was loosening pieces of rock with a hammer and chisel when I suddenly realised there was a dark patch of organic matter on a freshly removed slab," he recalled.

"After some cleaning I could identify this as a small part of a large claw. Although I did not know if it was more complete or not, I decided to try and get it out.
"The pieces had to be cleaned separately, dried, and then glued back together. It was then put into a white plaster jacket to stabilise it."
Super-sized meals. The species existed during a period in Earth history when oxygen levels in the atmosphere were much higher than today.
Claw fossil (Markus Poschmann)

The fossil was locked in a siltstone from the Carboniferous Period
And it was those elevated levels, some palaeo-scientists believe, that may have helped drive the super-sized bodies of many of the invertebrates that existed at that time - monster millipedes, huge cockroaches, and jumbo dragonflies. But Dr Braddy thinks the large scales may have had a lot to do with the absence early on of vertebrate predators. As they came on the scene, these animals would have eaten all the biggest prey specimens.

"The fact that you are big means you are more likely to be seen and to be taken for a tastier morsel," he told BBC News. "Evolution will not select for large size; you want to be small so you can hide away." The scorpions are thought to have made their first scuttles on to land about 450 million years ago. While some would have taken up a fully terrestrial existence, others like Jaekelopterus rhenaniae would have maintained an aquatic or semi-aquatic lifestyle.

For more information and photos, please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/7104421.stm

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World Travel market is still on going with Jeremy and Alex from Blue Horizons Travel, poor guys freezing most likely in London, we have introduced some of our Partners the other day and bring you now some more Alliance partners from the Philippines and Micronesia, check with the boys at the WTM in London for all our packages and make sure you part of their Raffle, for more info check the previous blog.

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in London
at the World Travel Market Show.

Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines

Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia

Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia

We have also made some more improvement to our web site, you find it easy now to go direct to certain articles and read all about Did You Know? (see the image on this blog)
If you have never tried or checked it before click on our build in Photo Gallery in our Blogs, marked with a red circle, once you click here you see the amazing Photos from all our partner destinations, images from above and below, Island hopping, Palau Micronesia, Marine Bio-diversity, the amazing wrecks from Truk Lagoon, or check the location of our beaches.
GD



left Image; find articles easy now. - right : check out our Photo Gallery
You find all of this on the right hand side of our blog!

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

Thanks again to Walter Ty for bringing this story about the Parrotfish to my attention, within the next day or so we have a major announcement coming your way, real cool news, so please stay tuned or subscribe to our Alliance Blog.
A reminder for those folks who read our Blogs in Europe, if you travel to the World Travel Market Show in London, check out our Alliance Team from Blue Horizons, Jeremy and Alex will be around, real cool Guys who can answer all your questions regarding diving in the tropics in the Philippines and Micronesia, they understand island hopping and can help you to choose your ultimate dive vacation.

Parrotfish to aid reef repair
By Rebecca Morelle
Courtesy of BBC News

A vividly coloured fish could be the key to saving the Caribbean's coral reefs from plummeting into terminal decline, scientists claim.
Their research forecasts that reefs risk being damaged beyond repair by the influx of seaweed.
But urgent action such as protecting parrotfish, which graze upon the floral invaders, may prevent the ecosystems from reaching this tipping point.
The research is published in the journal Nature.
You can push a reef so far and then it becomes extremely difficult for a reef to recover Professor Peter Mumby, a marine ecologist from Exeter University
and lead author of the paper, said: "We are seeing more and more coral reefs becoming just overgrown with seaweed."
Reefs in the Caribbean are among some of the most heavily affected. They are rapidly transforming from coral-dominated domains into algal-flooded havens.
The seaweed growth is boosted by human activity, such as fertilizers washing off from agricultural land into the coastal waters, and over-fishing, Professor Mumby explained.
"Then to compound these problems you have the climate stresses that are more and more inevitable now, which cause major problems with warming waters and hurricanes," he added......
.....read the whole story with photos at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7069933.stm

__________________________________

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



Your passion is diving... ours is service.

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Welcome to World Travel Market 2007
Register Now
World Travel Market (WTM) 2007

Staged annually in London under one roof, World Travel Market is a must attend, business to business exhibition. WTM provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry. Read more about WTM...

http://www.wtmlondon.com
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The Philippine -Micronesia Alliance is represented by:
Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.

Delegates: Alex Stutely and Jeremy Kemp
representing Blue Horizons and the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
your experts in island hopping and dive travel. The Divers Choice.
Check with Jeremy and Alex about our special dive packages, our exotic destinations, island hopping, your next dive vacation in the Philippines, the Pacific, China Sea and Micronesia,
and remember the Alliance website is in 9 languages, English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
You can find Jeremy and Alex at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth (DOT), just ask for the Guys from Blue Horizons.
The Philippines will again be putting its best foot forward during this year’s World Travel Market, to be held at London’s ExCel exhibition center at the Docklands,
from 12 to 15 November.The WTM, staged yearly in London, is one of the world’s biggest and most important business events. It provides a unique opportunity for people and companies in the travel trade and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in this global business.

Welcome to the The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, your partners in quality diving holidays!,
Willkommen bei der Fillippinen-Mikronesien Allianz, ihr Partner für erstklassigen Tauchurlaub!
ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ К НАШЕМУ ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ЭТО ТВОЙ ЛУЧШИЙ ПАРТНЕР ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКЛАССНОГО ПОДВОДНОГО ОТПУСКА
Bienvenue à l'Alliance Philippine-Micronesia, vos partenaires pour des séjours plongée de choix.
Benvenuti nell’Alleanza Filippine – Micronesia, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!
Bienvenidos a la Alianza Filipinas-Micronesia , sus compañeros para esas vacaciones de buceo de calidad!
and of course Japanese, Korean, Chinese and very soon Polish.

See you there!

______________________________

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

© Gunther Deichmann, Location of
Sam's Tours Palau, (red circle)

© Gunther Deichmann, Sam's Tours Palau

I just arrived back from Palau Micronesia, and so many things happen during my visit, Sam's Tours Grand Opening and 17th Anniversary, all new facilities are fully operational now, read the blog post from Dermot Keane the General Manager below for all the details.
The Survivor TV show shooting their latest episode as we speak, of course they are very secret about everything, then the Discovery Channel shooting at the same time a new story on the Bone Detectives and to top it all an international Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup" was held at the same time, participants from Guam, Singapore, Palau, Australia, Patagonia and many others competing in this race, talking about a buzzing Palau.
Our Alliance partner Blue Horizons Travel and Tours is leaving soon for the World Travel Market Show held in London, England, I am sure I get the full report upon their return so please stay tuned.
Check out some of the images below from some of these events, thanks.
GD

Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.
Delegates: Alex Stutely and Jeremy Kemp
representing Blue Horizons and the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
your experts in island hopping and dive travel. The Divers Choice.

The Philippines will again be putting its best foot forward during this year’s World Travel Market, to be held at London’s ExCel exhibition center at the Docklands,
from 12 to 15 November.The WTM, staged yearly in London, is one of the world’s biggest and most important business events. It provides a unique opportunity for people and companies in the travel trade and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in this global business.

© Gunther Deichmann, New facilities at Sam's Tours
and new paved carpark

Sam Scott opening speech on the 26th of October

It's Done! The New Sam's Tours is officially launched!
(below the blog post from Dermot)

Well, it's been a long time in the making, but it's finally done! Sam's Tours remodel project has come to a close and the new "improved" Sam's Tours PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center has been officially launched! As promised and previously posted, we've got complete new Guest Lockers, Rental Center and Compressor Room facilities, we've expanded our Guest Area, paved the parking lot, extended the roof, expanded and tidied up the bar, removed all the old shipping containers and given the whole place an overall facelift. We've already received very positive comments from the many repeat guests with us this week including Matt Zimmerman of ISLAND DIVERS in Honolulu who leads several trips a year to Palau and Wayne Daniels of Kauai, who extended his stay to join the party! Thanks Guys!

On Friday Night, October 26, on the Full Moon, we hosted a VIP Reception for staff, friends, family and business partners followed by an open house party with Live Music, snacks and lots of free Red Rooster Beer (the great local microbrewed beer). Over 400 people joined the party that went from 9pm to well after 3am, with music by the "no name band" made up of mostly non-resident workers from the Philippines. They did a fantastic job given that they were just a pick up band pulled together with little time to practice. They got the house rocking early on and kept the dance floor packed til the wee hours. Sam's wife Martul who manages Bottom Time Bar and Grill at Sam's and her great staff handled all the food and beverage service and kept the party "well lubricated".

In addition to celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Sam's Tours, we also celebrated Sam's daughter Cyndis' 17th Birthday, Sam's Tours 17th Anniversary and the mid-season success of "Sam's Sharks" our staff basketball team who are now 7 and 1 and 3rd place in the league. Last night the Sharks crushed the team from Palasia Hotel in a 102 to 63 victory. GO SHARKS!

We had many great friends and business partners join us for the party including our very good friend and marketing partner Mr. Gunther Deichmann who traveled from Manila on Continental Airlines to join the party. Gunther produces all of Sam's Tours marketing materials, print ads, and built our new website. Gunther is a professional photographer with many books to his credit including the Palau Dives Sites book and his most recent work Journey Through Color and Time. Check out his website at www.deichmann-photo.com
Gunther will join us again in April when he'll run a Photo Workshop here at Sam's Tours featuring training on Apples image management software APERTURE! Stay tuned for more details.

While he was here in Palau, Gunther took the time to do a complete new photo shoot of our new facilities and even managed to jump in a helicopter with Matt from Palau Helicopters and shot the dive center every which way from the air. Palau Helicopters runs everyday (when they're not tied up with SURVIVOR Palau, who are here for the second time) and offers fantastic aerial tours of the Rock Islands. It's a must! Many thanks to Matt, the expert pilot from Palau Helicopters for some great flying!
Gunther is back in Manila tonight and very shortly I'll be posting his new images right here on our blog and on our website.
Sam is in Florida at the moment at the DEMA Trade Show, having left the next day after the big party. Ouch! Hope he's getting some sleep now because he was a man on a mission in the weeks leading up to the Launch Party keeping everyone on schedule and making sure we made our 10/26 deadline.
From all the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners, congrats Sam and well done!

"The Sharks" Sam's Tours Basketball Team

Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup"

The team from Guam, "team spirit" red color hair

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

I am leaving this evening for Palau to be part of the big celebration at Sam's Tours New Grand Opening, please see my previous Blog "Congratulations to Sam's Tours" I give you a full report upon my return next week, hopefully with some fun images from the event, so just stay tuned, please read on below our latest story on Did You know... about Galleons, shipwrecks....
GD

Big business of deep-sea treasure hunters
By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News

The interception of the treasure-hunt ship off the coast of Gibraltar is the latest broadside in a tense battle between a US-based salvage company and the Kingdom of Spain over an unidentified shipwreck and the ownership of its rich haul of gold and silver coins.

Odyssey Explorer. Copyright Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
Odyssey says Spain had blockaded its Explorer salvage vessel
On Tuesday, patrol boats from Spain's maritime police intercepted the 76m Odyssey Explorer, owned by underwater salvage firm Odyssey Marine International, three miles off the coast of Gibraltar. It was escorted to the Spanish port of Algeciras.

Spain's Civil Guard has been keeping a close eye on the company's vessel since a Spanish judge ordered that it be detained and searched if it left port in Gibraltar.
The company says its recovery vessel has been effectively blockaded since the ruling in June. Spain believes it could provide clues to the identity and location of the wreck that yielded half-a-million colonial era silver and gold coins.
It suspects that a Spanish galleon is being secretly plundered - or that the wreck lies in Spanish waters.
Odyssey Marine Explorations - which became the most famous deep water treasure hunting company when it announced the discovery last May - says it is keeping the location of the wreck secret, to protect the site from looters.
All it is saying is that the wreck - codenamed Black Swan - is somewhere in the Atlantic.

Photo: © Gunther Deichmann, not a Galleon, but a divers dream to discover and
explore the ships from our past, this image was taken deep inside a wreck in
Truk Lagoon, note the skull, dive with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and you
might discover your Galleon or just explore the past.
A reminder, please do not remove any parts or artifacts from any
wrecks in Truk or Palau, there are heavy fines for removing anything for
souvenirs, lets keep it there for other to enjoy too.
GD

Galleon graveyard

The haul, which has an estimated value of $500m, is now at a secret location in Florida, where Odyssey is based.

The 'Black Swan' haul: Copyright Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc
Greg Stemm with the Black Swan haul at a secret location in the US
A court in the state is currently considering motions filed by the company and by Spain concerning the ownership of the booty.
Treasure hunters have long dreamed of discovering hauls of gold and silver in the western Mediterranean. The area, is a graveyard of French, Spanish and British galleons and warships sunk by storms and pirates during Spain's long dominance of the sea.
Once the domain of schoolboy fantasies, the hunt for treasure on the deep ocean floor has become big business for companies like Odyssey. And the company's recent listing on the Nasdaq indicates that it is a business that investors are prepared to take seriously.
Odyssey has several shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world, but its involvement with the Spanish goes back almost a decade.

RULES OF THE WAVES
Seas and oceans governed by UN Laws of the Sea
Ownership of sunken property in international waters governed by the law of salvage and the law of finds
Law of salvage: If property is owned, those finding it are entitled to compensation for their salvage efforts
Law of finds: Salvor is entitled to all reclaimed property if it is proved to be abandoned
Spain insists it retains rights to all its sunken treasure
Odyssey intends its haul to be dealt with under US federal law, where previous judgements have sometimes granted exclusive rights to salvors
"Odyssey has had an excellent working relationship with the Spanish Government for many years," Greg Stemm, co-founder of Odyssey Marine Exploration told the BBC News website.

"We have always respected Spain's interest in its maritime heritage and have therefore consistently communicated our activities to Spain."
The relationship has soured over the past few months. In July, another of Odyssey's vessels was stopped and forcibly boarded as it tried to leave Gibraltar. A computer was confiscated.
The company told the BBC News website that it intends to seek compensation from Spain for revenues lost because of the kingdom's intervention in its activities.

British warship

The battle over the Black Swan treasure is now jeopardising another more lucrative project: the salvage of a British warship that Odyssey believes it has discovered in the western Mediterranean.
The British Government is collaborating with Odyssey to recover the warship, thought to be the HMS Sussex, which went down in a storm off Gibraltar in the Mediterranean Sea in 1694.

According to the Council for British Archaeology, it was on its way to provide British financial support to the Duke of Savoy during the war against Louis XIV. The council says she was believed to have been carrying bullion, which is estimated by some experts to be worth some £2.5bn today.
The warship apparently lies in waters that Britain and Gibraltar claim are international but that Spain claims as its own.
Diplomatic talks resulted in an agreement being reached with Spain earlier this year but the project appears is on hold.
A spokeswoman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the BBC News website that the "on-going court case between Spain and Odyssey should be resolved first."
It is anyone's guess how long this will take.
This will no doubt please archaeologists - including the Council for British Archaeology - who were enraged by the deal.
Experts describe such activities as commercial treasure hunting under the guise of archaeology, arguing that a dangerous precedent would be set allowing private firms to profit from historic wrecks.

Technology

And in Spain, Odyssey's activities have been painted as modern-day piracy.
The company acknowledges that its primary concerns are commercial but it also has a mission statement that sets out how it also wants to do good archaeology.
It maintains that it works to the highest of standards, employing experts and archaeologists.
Zeus Neil Dobson/Odyssey Marine Exploration
The eight-tonne robot Zeus can reach depths of up to 2,500 metres
"Our contract with the United Kingdom sets an excellent example of how such a collaboration between the public and private sector can produce excellent archaeological work," says Mr Stemm.
And he says that the model - the first of its kind with a government - could be extended to other countries, including Spain.
Odyssey undertakes multi-million-dollar operations, deploying sophisticated deep-sea technology and robotics to scour the ocean beds.
On board the Marine Explorer, for example, is a $4m underwater robot Zeus, which deploys an array of brilliant strobe lights and cameras as it carefully picks through debris at depths of up to 2,500m.
The company's first major salvage venture was in 2003 when it discovered the SS Republic, a Civil War side-wheel steamer that sank off the Florida coast in 1865 and some $75m (£37m) worth of coins.

Odyssey has now filed finders-keepers' claims with a court in Tampa, Florida US on the Black Swan and two other shipwrecks.
But Spain is challenging these arguing that the company is withholding crucial information. It is also claiming a right to share the treasure.

Jim Goold, a maritime lawyer in Washington representing the Spanish government, told the BBC News website that the implications of the case are huge in a era when cutting -edge technology is bringing new gravesites to light.
"Here you have a situation in which a US company is apparently systematically working in the Mediterranean, the English Channel and off the coast of Spain, taking cultural heritage without authorisation and then whisking it to the US and steadfastly refusing to reveal to the concerned governments what it has been doing," he said.

Odyssey says the Black Swan recovery was conducted in conformity with Salvage Law and the Law of the Sea Convention, beyond the territorial waters of legal jurisdiction of any country.
It expects to reap a substantial salvage award regardless of who claims the treasure.

RULES OF THE WAVES
Seas and oceans governed by UN Laws of the Sea
Ownership of sunken property in international waters governed by the law of salvage and the law of finds
Law of salvage: If property is owned, those finding it are entitled to compensation for their salvage efforts
Law of finds: Salvor is entitled to all reclaimed property if it is proved to be abandoned
Spain insists it retains rights to all its sunken treasure
Odyssey intends its haul to be dealt with under US federal law, where previous judgements have sometimes granted exclusive rights to salvors

Courtesy of the BBC for more information and images please go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7037192.stm

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

Some real facts about Sharks. Do they have a chance at all? Maybe if we start doing something NOW and not tomorrow.
They have been around for million of years, but for how much longer, please read below some interesting facts about these amazing animals,
yet again another "Living fossil". Why are they on the extinction list? Please read on...You be really surprised to know...

© Gunther Deichmann, www.deichmann-photo.com
A fossilized shark tooth, from my old collection

Animals on the Edge - Sharks - Survivors of our Oceans?

By catch
Sharks are frequently caught in trawler nets or on longline hooks that are set for tuna or swordfish. Sharks are highly migratory and they often swim in groups that are the same size and age. This can mean that a key part of the population (mature females for example) can be wiped out in one fell swoop. Estimates vary, but bycatch (unwanted catch) accounts for a significant proportion of shark fatalities.
Shark fin soup
Around 100 shark species are deliberately targeted by the fishing industry. Shark fins are highly prized for use in shark fin soup, a high status dish that can sell for £65 a bowl, especially in Asian countries where growing wealth has increased demand. As demand is met, sharks become overfished, fins are harder to come by and the soup is therefore even more of a status symbol.

Conservationists estimate that about 100 million sharks are caught each year, many of them purely for use in shark fin soup. Hong Kong alone imported the fins of more than 28 million sharks in 1999. The sharks are caught, their fins are cut off and they are then thrown back into the sea where they either bleed to death or drown. Using DNA, it is now possible to identify shark species from their fins, a development which may be significant in monitoring the impact of this trade.
Shark meat
Demand for shark meat is booming. It is now possible to buy it in supermarkets in Europe, South America and the USA. The shortfin mako which is said to provide the best shark meat is classified as lower risk, but vulnerable species such as the porbeagle shark, are also taken. This trend may be indicative of the fact that so many other fish species are declining and that people have been encouraged to eat fish as a healthy alternative to meat. The Food Standards Agency, however, has advised against giving children shark meat to eat because of high levels of methylmercury that can damage the nervous system.
Shark skin and oil
Shark skins can be tanned and used as an alternative to leather (for belts, boots, bags, etc). In theory and on a small scale, this could be a useful by-product of a sustainable and managed fishery. In practice, the impact on shark populations has yet to be assessed or monitored.
Sharks have traditionally been fished for oil. Squalene is extracted from shark livers and used as a lubricant and in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. It can take up to 3,000 shark livers to produce one tonne of squalene.
Shark cartilage
Sharks are cartilaginous - they have cartilage instead of bone. The cartilage is used in traditional medicines and is sold in powder or capsule form as a cancer treatment. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that it is in any way effective against the disease and the 'medicine' can be very expensive. There may, however, be other benefits in maintaining shark bio-diversity, for example, shark cartilage has also been used in the development of a synthetic skin for burn victims.
Breeding age
Sharks have evolved over 450 million years to be among the ocean's top predators. They can take many years to reach sexual maturity, almost 30 years in the case of the sand bank shark. Larger sharks may only produce two young in a breeding cycle and only one of those is likely to survive. Shark species often only breed every other year and some have a long gestation period (up to two years). This low reproductive rate means that depleted shark populations can take a very long time to recover, if they recover at all.
Pollution
The health of the ocean environment is important for all marine species (see Eco Top Ten - Marine). Pollution from human activity often ends up in the sea. Sharks are at the top of the food chain so they are likely to have a higher concentration of the toxins that build up in the body fat of their prey. Because human development and subsequent pollution often occurs in coastal areas, important shark nursery areas are also at risk.
Hunting
Although most sharks are indifferent to humans and pose no threat, shark hunting is still a widespread trophy sport.

Courtesy of the BBC, for more information please go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/conservation/sharks/

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


© Concept and Photo Gunther Deichmann

Ice melt raises passage tension
By David Shukman
BBC science and environment correspondent, Canadian Arctic

Less ice makes it easier to get at the Arctic's resources
In another sign of potential friction in the warming Arctic, Canada has warned that it will step up patrols of the Northwest Passage.
Record summer melting of sea-ice has made the passage fully navigable; and immediately escalated a dispute over who controls the route.
Canada maintains the waterway that connects the Atlantic with the Pacific lies within its territorial waters.
It has backed that up with plans for a new military base in the Arctic.
However, the United States, and other countries claim international rights to use the route for shipping.
Big melt
In an interview with BBC News, the head of the Canadian Coast Guard, George Da Pont, said: "Our view is that it's our territorial waters and that we govern it accordingly. Obviously the Americans and some European countries have different views.
"I assume at some point in time they'll get settled but we're pretty confident that they're Canadian territorial waters and that we should be regulating and asserting our control over them as we would over any other part of our territorial water.
"It's critical, it's part of our history; like any country it's important to assert your control over your country and your territorial waters."
His statement comes as polar experts are still reeling from the dramatic loss of Arctic ice this summer.
The Canadian Ice Service was among the organisations monitoring the retreat and its director, Doug Bancroft, told the BBC that he was "stunned" that this extent of melting had not been expected for decades.
"It just seemed as if it wasn't going to stop. Normally, towards the end of August, the beginning of September, the melting slows down and stops and we get ready for the coming fall and the refreezing during the winter. But it just kept on going and the concern was, 'Well when is it going to stop this year?' - and ultimately when it did stop, it shattered all previous records."
Research cruise
On Monday, the Canadian Coast Guard is preparing to send one its research vessels, the Amundsen, through the Northwest Passage with about 40 scientists on board.
Equipped with a remotely operated robot submarine and a sonar system, the ship will undertake a detailed survey of the sea-bed - essential if the waterway is to become more open to commercial shipping.

'Northwest Passage opens'
Sailing the passage
Researchers on board also hope to study the changing patterns of the ice - not only the ice that grows and retreats with the seasons but also the far thicker multi-year ice which drifts with the Arctic currents and poses the most serious threat to any vessels.

A British team on board will study the sediment on the sea-bed to hunt for a chemical record of changes in the ice stretching back for the past thousand years - a vital task to help understand the likely rate of change in the future.
BBC News will join the ship for its journey through the Northwest Passage. The route is at - or beyond - the limits of satellite coverage but the plan is to provide regular updates wherever possible. For more information please check out the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7033498.stm
Courtesy BBC

My final note, congratulations to Al Gore for receiving the
Nobel Peace Prize, at least there is someone out there with
influence who cares and can make the difference.

GD

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

Million of years later... 

Here is a very interesting article from our good friend and supporter Tony Wu (Fins Magazine), I guess you going to wonder what these fossils have to do with the digital age, actually NOTHING but this is the general idea, we like to bring you all sorts of different information now and then, of course some how marine related.
Today for our underwater photographers cool info from Tony, please read on below and check out the link for the whole story, for information on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance please click here: http://www.alliancediving.com The Divers Choice


© Tony Wu

Going digital definitely has a lot of merits. Immediate feedback, being able to shoot more than 36 frames at a time, being able to make duplicate/ back-up copies immediately, and having the ability to edit work on-the-spot rank at the top of my list.
Nothing in life, however, comes for free.
If there’s been one major drawback of going digital for me, it has to be the fact that in addition to being a good photographer, you’ve got to become a software and image-processing expert too. Back in the film days, basically a slide was either good or bad. I kept the good ones, threw away the bad ones. End of story.
Over the past few years, with the switch to digital format, I’ve had to experiment with all sorts of software…some good, some bad…and I think I’ve finally begun to reach the point where I have a workflow that I’m comfortable with. Before I spell out the software I use, please read on at: http://www.tonywublog.com/20071009/digital-workflow.html

A Green Turtle resting on a beach in the Philippines,
Photo © Gunther Deichmann, for the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance

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

We dont like to talk always how good our dive operation and resorts are, we try to keep you also up to date with some interesting stories and the latest news. Things which happen million of years ago and still effect us today, environment and conservation issues not only from our partner destinations but from around the world. Local and special events from the Pacific and Philippine region including the latest from Micronesia. We have started recently with stories about fossils - "living fossils" and we will continue with the sea's past, millions of years ago, please read on below and check out the links about this huge Turtle from our past.


Archelon

This giant turtle could live to 100 years old, possibly thanks to taking long sleeps on the seabed
For more on sea monsters and our living past please check out the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/dinosaurs/seamonsters/

Type: Reptile
Size: 4.6m
Diet: Omnivorous
Predators: Mosasaurs and sharks
Lived: Late Cretaceous, 75-65 million years ago

Archelon was a slow mover and found most of its food drifting near the sea surface. It had little need to dive deep except when hibernating on the seabed. It was an omnivorous grazer, sweeping up drifting fish, jellyfish and dead carrion as well as plants. Its sharp, powerful beak could break open shelled animals such as ammonites.

Archelon's huge flippers suggest it was a long distance swimmer happiest in the open ocean. It would never be alone, as its huge size attracted a squadron of hangers-on such as juvenile fish as well as barnacles and parasites. Archelon couldn't withdraw its head or flippers inside its bony shell for protection so, despite its size, it was an easy target for large predators.

Like modern turtles, it laid eggs by burying them in sandy beaches under cover of darkness. Its nearest living relative is the world's largest turtle, the leatherback.

Courtesy of the BBC

I have just came across this incredible article from Wetpixels, you need to see the images to believe it, very cool, here is the direct link:
http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/albino-whale-shark-photographed-in-ecuador/

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

Island hopping at it's best.
Now in 9 languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, French , Spanish and soon in Polish.
Covering the Pacific, China Sea, Philippine Sea and Micronesia.

Your passion is diving, ours is service.