Please sign the Thank You Palau in appriciation for the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary, just click on the LINK below or the image.

THANK YOU from around the World!

Go raibh maith agat - Gracias - 谢谢您 - Bedankt - Salamat - merci - Σε ευχαριστώ - terima kasih - Danke -Cảm ơn bạn - ขอบคุณ - ありがとうございました - 謝謝您 - Dankie - شكرا لك - tänan teid - Благодаря - धन्यवाद - grazie - dziękuję - TACK SJÄLV - благодарю - tänan teid - 감사합니다 - obrigado - تشکر از شم - Teşekkürler - א דאנק - Дзякуй - Kiitos - תוֹדָה - köszönöm!


http://www.sharksavers.org/get-involved/sign-these-petitions/608-thank-you-palau.html

For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

For Immediate Release:
 
KOROR, PALAU, 9/28/2009, 7:45 p.m.
 

A Hero’s Welcome for Palau President Johnson Toribiong who
has just arrived back from the United Nations in New York where
he declared the Worlds fist Shark Sanctuary in Palau.

 
Welcome Home and thank you Mr. President!

Palau President H.E. Johnson Toribiong arrived home moments ago to a hero’s welcome at Koror International Airport, Palau. The founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary, Dermot Keane, Managing Director of Palau dive shop Sam’s Tours, was on hand to greet the President and thanked him for declaring Palau a Shark Sanctuary.
 
The large welcome committee included grateful members of the Palauan community who greeted President Toribiong with flower leis and loud applause upon his arrival. Palauans are understandably proud of their President who declared Palau as a Shark Sanctuary during his recent address to the United Nations, General Assembly, on Friday, September 25, 2009.
 

A warm welcome from Dermot Keane from the Palau Shark Sanctuary to President
Toribiong upon his arrival only a few hours ago at the Palau international Airport.

Despite his long journey from Washington D.C. to Palau, the President was clearly moved by the warm reception and graciously thanked everyone for showing up to welcome him. Palau Shark Sanctuary once again thanks and admires President Toribiong for his landmark declaration of Palau as a Shark Sanctuary.
 
Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 with a goal of securing a declaration by Palau that the waters of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are a Shark Sanctuary.
For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

http://www.sharksanctuary.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2009 
LATE BREAKING NEWS!

PALAU DECLARES EEZ A SHARK SANCTUARY! 

On Friday, September 25, 2009, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, a tiny Pacific Island nation, declared the waters of Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone (230, 000 Sq. Miles / 620,000 Sq. Kms.), as the worlds first officially recognized SHARK SANCTUARY, during a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in New York.
President Toribiong also called for a global ban on shark-finning and for other nations to follow suit. Through his actions, President Toribiong has placed Palau at the very forefront of worldwide efforts to protect sharks.  
This is a tremendous day for Palau and for worldwide efforts to protect sharks from absolute and unsustainable destruction!
 
Palau Shark Sanctuary deeply commends President Toribiong for his international leadership in world efforts to protect sharks.
 
We are very proud of President Toribiong and of Palau on this momentous occasion.
 
Well done Mr. President!
 
Thank You!
 
Dermot Keane
Palau Shark Sanctuary

We have just picked up this fantastic NEWS from http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

Environmental NEWS from Palau, a world first towards the conservation and protection of Sharks. We are proud to be associated with the Shark-sanctuary in Palau.

Breaking News and a breakthrough in Conservation
from Palau Micronesia! Palau Does Care!


© Gunther Deichmann - aerial over the famous 70 islands in Palau.
for more images on Palau please visit the PhotoShelter Gallery at:
Marine Life and other Palau images

Palau President Toribiong has announced only a few hours ago at the UN in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY ! This is a milestone in the conservation and preservation of Sharks in Palau, setting an example for the rest of the World. More information and updates as they become available soon.

The original message:
Just been advised that Palau President Johnson Toribiong will announce in 30 minutes at the UN Conference in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY !!!!!!!!!!! 

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial over the famous 70 islands in Palau, for more
images on Palau please visit the PhotoShelter Gallery at:
Marine Life and other Palau images

Excerpts from the announcement by President Johnson Toribiong;
As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world."These creatures are being slaughtered and are perhaps at the brink of extinction unless we take positive action to protect them," said President Toribiong.
Other related LINKS:

http://www.palautours.com/

http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

http://www.sharksanctuary.com/index.html

http://sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/

http://www.samstours.com/

This article was published recently by the Business Daily see excerpts below...

Our oceans are more than
fish and ships...

The oceans are suffering.
The main source of food for two billion people, a key element in climate control and a largely untapped reserve of vital resources, they deserve to be managed better.

This is why the United Nations this month celebrated the first ever World Ocean Day, read the complete article @

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion
%20&%20Analysis/-/539548/611562/-/u1r1yyz/-/

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

In support of the Year of the Shark 2009 and the Disturbing NEWS from Palau, see below the latest Blog post by the Palau Shark Sanctuary.
We appeal to everyone... in particular Underwater Photographers to take action, write your comments to the selected parties listed in the Blog excerpts below;

There is this real cool Dive Site called Shark City in Palau, I guess if this Bill gets passed it has to be re-named to:

“No more Shark City - but Ghost City”


© Gunther Deichmann - Underwater Photographer and Shark,
at the Blue Corner in Palau - but for how much longer?

If you CARE... then NOW is the time to voice your opinion,
because if we don’t... images like the one above will be
a thing of the past!

Excerpts from previous Blog post:Tuesday,April, 2, 2009
There are very active negotiations underway between Palau and The Philippines at this very time to enter in to commercial fishing agreements and clearly there are elements of strong political support for the fishing companies as indicated by SB 8-44 and SB 8-50.
The private industry organizations Palau Chamber of Commerce (pcoc@palaunet.com) and Belau Tourism Association (bta@palaunet.com) and the government tourism office Palau Visitors Authority (pva@visit-palau.com) are urging those around the world opposed to shark fishing, shark finning and unsustainable fishing practices to please express their concerns immediately by e-mail to all of the respective organizations.

International Response:Tuesday, April 7, 2009
International Response to Threat to Palau's Sharks!
Just a quick update to thank all of you who have taken the time to submit your comments regarding the proposed legislations to permit commercial shark fishing and promote purse-seining in Palau's EEZ. There is still time to comment, so if you've not already done so, please take the time now and submit your comments. For more information on the issue at hand, please read the post immediately preceding this one.

All messages sent to the Belau Tourism Association bta@palaunet.com and Palau Chamber of Commerce pcoc@palaunet.com have been submitted to the Senate Committee in charge of reviewing these Bills.

By way of clarification, these Bills were submitted by just two of Palau's thirteen Senators and don't necessarily reflect the position of the Administration or other Senators. The Bills will be reviewed in Committee before further action is taken. It is therefore very important that the review committee hears from as many people as possible on the potential damage to Palau's marine environment and tourism industry that passage of these proposed Bills (SB8-44 and SB8-50) may cause.

Another Alien afternoon...

I have picked up this Blog Post from our good friend and top Underwater Photographer Tony Wu, I personally have never seen or encounter this one, if any larger it will send shiver down your spine. Now I know where Hollywood gets all those Alien Movie Ideas from, of course from our so precious and little explored oceans.
You have to check this one out… on purpose I have not included the image, I like to keep you in suspense, he, he. See the LINK below.
GD
Excerpts from Tony Wu’s Blog post:
Incidentally, a few nights ago on another night dive, we found and played with a couple of bobbit worms (Eunice aphroditois)…
a nocturnal, predatory polychaete worm.
I first sought out and photographed these scary animals about a decade ago in Secret Bay, Bali. We stayed up most of the night, diving in dark, cold waters to observe bobbit behaviour…read more and view the Bobbit Worm @

http://www.tonywublog.com/20090319/fright-night.html

Sharks in peril?

NEWS received from Sam’s Tour’s Blog, posted by Dermot Keane today the 18th of March 2009.

Repeal of Palau's Shark Protection Laws Proposed!

A Bill is now before Palau's OEK (Congress) that if passed would eliminate Palau's strong shark protection laws and actively encourage fishing for sharks and the taking of shark fins.

Senate Bill No. 8-44 seeks "to amend Title 27 of Palau's National Code to allow for the commercial fishing of sharks within Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone, to impose a tax on the export of sharks and tuna-like species, and for other related purposes."
The proposed law is a potentially severe blow to Palau's tourism industry of which scuba diving is the mainstay. Palau gained international recognition in 2004 for passage of landmark legislation that protected sharks, turtles and rays and outlawed the practice of shark-finning. Under Senate Bill 8-44 it is unclear whether shark fishing and or shark-finning is or is not permitted and the ambiguity will make it virtually impossible for law enforcement to successfully prosecute potential violators. Sections of the bill read as follows:
"It is unlawful for any person: to remove the fins of or otherwise intentionally mutilate or injure any such shark"

"It shall be unlawful for any person to have on board a fishing vessel shark fins that total more than five percent of the weight of sharks on board."
Other provisions of the proposed Act call for:
"An appropriate export tax for shark and fish caught pursuant to this Act."

"A minimum monetary or in-kind fish donation that commercial fishing companies shall make to the Belau National Hospital, the Aging Program within the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, or similar governmental agency or private, non-profit organization. These donations shall come from fish or shark caught pursuant to this Act, or revenues generated from those fish or shark."

Members of the Belau Tourism Association, Palau Chamber of Commerce and the Palau Visitors Authority are strongly opposed to passage of this legislation.
Fishing company consortiums from the city of General Santos, Philippines, are pressing hard for rights to fish in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone and it is widely believed that introduction of this bill is no mere coincidence. Foreign fishing fleets have a well documented track record of violating Palau's environmental laws, poaching Palau's marine resources and violating fishing agreements. This proposed Bill puts the Palau's tourism industry directly at odds with commercial fishing in Palau's waters as the two are simply incompatible.

In 2004 Palau was recognized by shark conservation agency Sharkproject as their Shark Guardian of The Year. Passage of Senate Bill 8-44 will be a sudden and potentially costly about face for Palau that will yield no gain. Palau only stands to lose...lose its fisheries and its dive industry.

I urge you to speak out against this proposed Bill by sending your comments to all of the following organizations who are fighting against Senate Bill 8-44:

Belau Tourism Association: bta@palaunet.com

Palau Chamber of Commerce: pcoc@palaunet.com

Palau Visitors Authority: pva@visit-palau.com

In the past few days we have talked a lot about the killing of Sharks…but remember there are so many other animals out there who need out protection and some of them are even in more need of our help.
It is true sharks getting slaughtered everyday but so do other species swimming in our Oceans or on Land and not to mention the destruction of our Rainforest.
Even myself lost focus for a while, but I have realized that we have to think Global and not only concentrating on just one animal ...only then can we make a change.

Lets change the subject...a wake up call.


© Gunther Deichmann - an everyday view, Poverty and not only in Asia.

Maybe it is this time of the year when Television Channels like Discovery,Trade Shows and others featuring shark related stories but please remember they are not the only ones who need protection.
Tigers, Rhinos, River Dolphins and many others species require our help, an almost impossible task to protect them all. We cant even take care of the events in the Middle East, Africa like Somalia and other places, how can we take care of our wildlife if we have starving children all over the world.
These are the hard facts and realities…we get to see them everyday on our news Channels…lets sit back and THINK for a few moments.
Yes, sharks need our protection but so do many other species, including the starving children on our planet, lets not ignore them.
GD

Finally...

Shark Weeks 2009 is a year long shark education and awareness program offered by Sam's Tours Palau, a PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center and eco-tour operator, in conjunction with Palau Shark Sanctuary a shark conservation organization, in support of the International Year of the Shark 2009.
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is proud to have Sam’s Tours as their partner in Micronesia.

Shark Weeks is a One Year Programme initiated by Sam's Tours – where every week is a shark week.

© Gunther Deichmann - Dive with Sharks... NOT Kill the sharks!

Quote : “In the 21st century, shark-finning* is barbaric”
Dr. Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
Explorer-in-Residence
National Geographic

More on Dr Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer who has just recently visited Sam’s Tours in Palau with Actress Daryl Hannah.

Photo © Dermot Keane - from left: Dr Sylvia Earle, Dermot Keane GM
of Sam’s Tours and Actress Daryl Hannah

Press Release from Palau Micronesia...
Koror, Palau January 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

I'm happy to announce that my new (and first) website for the Palau Shark Sanctuary is finally launched. While there are still some edits and revisions required, the basic site is up and running. The URL is: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/
Additionally, my BLOG located at: http://www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/ will soon be linked to the new site.

I'm deeply indebted to my good friend, fellow environmentalist and amazing photographer Gunther Deichmann who sponsored and created the site in support of the International Year of the Shark 2009. Gunther was instrumental in helping me get the Shark Sanctuary off the ground back in 2001 and has been and ardent supporter ever since. Many thanks Gunther and Webmaster Arnold Munoz. I sincerely appreciate your support.
Check out Gunther's Blog at: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

I also owe considerable thanks to Mr. Dennis Camblin of Logo Pacific, Hawaii who has supported me from day one and launched the Palau Shark Sanctuary line of logo clothing which has helped fund my efforts since 2001. Thanks Dennis!
Thanks also to Sam's Tours and Ben Franklin Department Store who are corporate sponsors of Palau Shark Sanctuary and sell Shark Sanctuary logo clothing in support of the efforts to end shark-finning in Palau and elsewhere.
Sam's Tours: http://www.samstours.com
Please pay a visit to http://www.sharksanctuary.com/ and link to: http://www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/ for the latest news on sharks and shark conservation efforts in Palau.

SAVE OUR SHARKS!
http://www.sharksanctuary.com/

Late Breaking NEWS: The Palau Shark Sanctuary is proud to announce their official website.

Protect Palau 's sharks and other marine creatures.

The Palau Shark Sanctuary, Palau 's first shark conservation organization, was founded in November 2001, in response to the reckless slaughter of Palau 's sharks for shark fins, by foreign vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters.
For more information please go to: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/mission.html
Some minor work is still been carried out on this newly launched site, more updates of images, text and a Blog will follow shortly so please stay tuned.

Great NEWS for 2009...I have just picked up this article
from our friends at “The Year of the Shark 2009”

Dr. Susan Lark's Squalane Now Made From Olives, Not Sharks
Dr. Susan Lark is proud to announce that she is reformulating her squalane skin care line. The new line will contain squalane sourced from olives rather than sharks.

Potomac, MD (PRWEB) January 5, 2009 -- Dr. Susan Lark is proud to announce that she is reformulating her squalane skin care line. The new line will contain squalane sourced from olives rather than sharks.

The first new product, called Trilane Anti-Aging Moisturizer with Squalane, is currently in development. It will contain 100 percent natural, eco-friendly squalane sourced from olives, which has the same hydrating properties as shark-derived squalane, but without the worry of the overfishing associated with shark squalane. In addition, the new formula will contain natural jojoba esters, a botanically-derived emollient that helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin firmness.

http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/
SAVE SHARKS FROM
E XTINCTION

In support of the Sharks, please take a few moments and THINK! I have been in touch with “The Sharkman” and like to introduce you today to The Year Of The Shark - 2009 which need help and all our support for 2009.
“Let Sharks Live”
The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice...because we care!
GD

THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK in 2009

… was inspired by the finding that at the current rate, common shark species will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers. Studies of open ocean sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals, also called the “Wolves of the Sea” are still fished intensively, and finned for “shark fin soup.” The oceans have evolved over hundreds of millions of years with sharks as apex predators, so their loss will destroy oceanic health.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD:
SAVE SHARKS FROM EXTINCTION
The LET SHARKS LIVE shark protection network & think tank:
http://groups.google.com.mt/group/let-sharks-live?hl=en

Sharkman's World Organization
(to save & protect sharks)
www.sharkmans-world.org
------------------------------------------
Sharkman's Blog
http://sharkmans-world.blogspot.com/
------------------------------------------
The Shark Group On line List Forum
http://groups.google.com/group/The_Shark_Group?hl=en
------------------------------------------
Let Sharks Live Network
http://groups.google.com.mt/group/let-sharks-live?hl=en
------------------------------------------
Year Of The Shark - 2009
http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org

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 have just returned from Bali Indonesia and one morning took a stroll at the Harbor area in Bali.
Fish like Tuna been unloaded for commercial consumption but when I came across this Boat (see image below) my hair stood up.
Thousands of Shark fins been unloaded from this large vessel onto smaller Trucks at the Warf…this was just one Boat and I only watched for about half an hour before leaving with disgust.
How many more mornings, how many more boats, how many more Trucks… HOW MANY ARE LEFT?

© Gunther Deichmann - Why is he hidding his face?
Unloading massive amounts of Shark Fins in the
Harbor of Bali, Indonesia

If this happen in just a small Port of the world and I only watched for half an hour one Boat being unloaded then I don’t like to see the statistics for the rest of the world! Now more words needed, action is required.
GD

Breaking NEWS... not so nice for a change...WHY? WHY? This article has just been brought to my attention by Lee Goldman from the S.E. Asia Kayak Tours and a member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice.

We CARE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT.

GD

....although I spend time discussing issues revolving around the tourism in El Nido, the following issue takes supreme precedence as it directly affects concerns both personally, professionally, and globally. This email was forwarded to me by a friend who works in the tourism industry in Donsol.
Lee

Hey Guys
Sorry to depress you with these photos... They were taken in Donsol, Sorsogon (whale shark habitat), just two weeks ago by my friend Omar. The finned sharks are thresher, hunted by the hundreds...
The pink stuff in the bucket are little pieces of shark liver (from dog sharks) for squalene. Pictured here are of the liver from some 1,000 + dogsharks that were caught. They live at least 2 fathoms deep...
Please forward this article if you wish...thank you.

This is the way the fishermen earn in the off season. They sell it to middle men who bring it to Taiwan and Hong Kong. I’ve seen firsthand the hunting of dog shark and finning in Sorsogon and even Siargao but I am certain in happens everywhere.
What we can DO is raise awareness.
Please forward if you wish
Thanks,
Denise
www.ecorescue.org

Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines is known internationally as being an area that attracts some of the largest congregations of whale sharks in the world. Originally hunted for their commercial value, the sharks have recently gained full protection status throughout the Philippines. This was largely due to the world-wide recognition they received from WWF and the incredibly positive response from the tourism industry (both locally and internationally).
Obviously the local fisherman, whom are harshly punished if they pursue Whale sharks, have found another animal to exploit, Thresher sharks. Unfortunately, this species has the same ‘vulnerable to extinction’ status as their cousins, the Whale shark. Just as unfortunate, they do not have the same protection in Philippine waters. That can change…

Local and international awareness campaigns proved their effectiveness in protecting the whale shark. It can be done with the Thresher sharks as well. Just a bit of education and an economic value larger than what can be provided by fishing them must be provided (the notion that protecting an animal for the sake of protecting biodiversity, especially in third world countries, is not a reality…misguided but true). Fortunately, there is both education and a real economic value already being recognized in other places within the Philippines. On the small island of Malapascua, Threshers sharks have gained protection due primarily to the recognition that they 'bring-in' more money as a live attraction for SCUBA divers than as a dead animal sold as parts to the neighboring Asian countries. Taking a page from Donsol, local operators developed community based awareness programs and contribute to the community by providing jobs and much needed infrastructure. The results have been positive for both sharks and people. In Donsol, the attention has been on the Whale shark, now help is needed to expand the attitude of protection to other species as well…

Lee Goldman

Lee Goldman, MSc
Marine Biologist
SE Asia Kayak Tours
www.asiakayaktours.com

Tags: Dogshark killing, Squalene, Thresher Sharks, Taiwan, Malapascua, Donsol Whalesharks, WWF

In the wake of our coverage of the various shark tournaments and the damage they are creating, both physically to local shark populations as well as perceptually by glorifying the killing of sharks, we identified that Disney has violated their own code of ethics by continuing their involvement in the broadcast of the Quiznos Madfin Shark Tournament on ESPN2… more @
http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/disney_
responds_regarding_shark_tournament_involvement

This is my response to all the fuzz re. Shark Tournament in Dive PhotoGuide.
We are in full support of DivePhotoGuide; yes it is a big fuzz... but a downright disgusting one.

Unborn Shark, it's Mother and the Baby got
Murdered!

Photo: © Gunther Deichmann - shark embryo after Mother got killed.
Stop the killing it is Disgusting!

I have read the letter from the Walt Disney Guys…it says nothing!
As mention in my earlier blog this is not the way to educate our children about our environment.
Every living thing has a right to be on this planet, we humans are only infants in geological times, because we are more intelligent (are we?) doesn’t give us the right to wipe out everything…and don’t tell me this is sport…that is… make up the rest of the words.

The big white Hunter…with a trophy on the wall…yes soon there is nothing left out there except on these walls of a very few.

“Dad…what is that…? Son that is a shark…oh, I like to see that one…sorry son you can only see that on MY Wall…Why? Because there are non-left.
Dad why is that…?
OK son, lets change the topic... go out and play with your friends.”
Do I have to say anything else?
Editor PMA
GD

Tags: Sharks, Killing of Sharks

BREAKING NEWS...

I am very proud to announce that the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance is NOW affiliated and in support of the Reef Check-Philippines the local chapter of Reef Check International, a non-profit organization. please read below our very first article from Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist and a member of the Alliance with S.E. Asia Kayak Tours. Very soon we fire up our complete and restructured Alliancediving.com website...amazing what is in store...you just have to stay tuned with The Divers Choice or subscribe to our Blog.
See below the screenshots of the Reef Check brochure soon available as a download on our updated site.
GD

Hi Gunther,
A while back I wrote about an upcoming project concerning the Philippines, the Philippine chapter of an international conservation NGO (Non-Government Organization), and two members of the Alliance.
Well, we’ve finished the details and are ready to announce our project. Reef Check-Philippines is the local chapter of Reef Check International, a non-profit organization that designs coral reef monitoring protocols and conservation action plans. Monitoring our reefs is essential to caring for them, and helps to make assessments on reef health and diversity. Ideally, the best people to monitor the reefs are the people in the community and active divers who not only have a vested interest in the health of world-wide reefs, but interact with them on a regular basis. Reef Check developed their monitoring protocols based on accepted scientific methods, yet made it easily understood by and effective for non-scientific based participants.
Our 10-day expedition will survey the reefs around Puerto Galera and the Verde Islands group. Puerto Galera is known the world over for its amazing diversity and the nearby Verde Islands group continually makes the biodiversity spotlight for its potential to be the center of the center of fish biodiversity within the famed ‘Coral Triangle’. For our base of operations, we chose Alliance partner, Asia Divers and El Galleon Resort in Puerto Galera. Of course, Asia Divers and El Galleon Resort are world class operations themselves offering top quality service, expertise, and professionalism as a PADI 5-star Resort. Pairing the location with an exceptional resort and diving service made for the perfect place to conduct our surveys to gather baseline data for continual monitoring.
This won’t be the first time I thank Allan Nash, Asia Divers, and El Galleon Resort for their interest and help in bringing this expedition together. We hope it is a huge success, as not only will the participants gain valuable skills, have fun, and dive in world-class sites, but the people of Puerto Galera and the Philippines will benefit from this on an exponential level.
The other member of the Alliance? Me, S.E.Asia Kayak Tours. My experience as a marine biologist and expedition leader was the perfect skill-set for the development of this expedition and I will continue to work with Reef Check Philippines on future expeditions around the islands of the Philippines.
For more information, please contact Lee Goldman at lee@asiakayaktours.com
Reef Check Philippines: http://www.reefcheckphilippines.org/

Tags: REEF CHECK INTERNATIONAL, MARINE RESEARCH, CORAL REEFS, Puerto Galera, REEF CHECK PHILIPPINES, WORLD WIDE REEFS

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

Picked up this interesting post from Gunther Deichmann’s Blog...
click here.

Last night I became part of an interesting 3-hour conversation with Marc Ambat and S M Jayabalan, both are scuba divers and take underwater photos. Marc is a Chief Technical Officer working at a Top Digital production House specializing in Video FX and Jaya is the GM of Sensing Technology Corporation. So there you have it, two very intelligent and super nice people, our conversation started like this…
I mention a recent article in DivePhotoGuide.com… National Geographic has put up an online gallery of amazing nudibranch photography from our good friend David Doubilet, from the June issue. The imagery is classicly Doubilet, putting a different perspective on these amazingly diverse and colorful subjects...read more @ http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/david_doubilet

Click on the Image and go direct to more of Omar’s Photos
Above Photo: © Omar D. Linsangan from
Dugong Dive Center, Palawan Philippines

This published article showcased the latest work of David Doubilet…amazing images of cool looking Nudibranchs (click the link for the images) http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/nudibranchs/
How did he achieve this? That is a very good question…you might say Photoshop…but I have heard another story…read the complete story at: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/files/category-underwater-photography.html

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Tags: NATURE, PHotoshop, Openwater Course, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, Nudibranchs, PADI, Environment Education