Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Man carrying shark image receives photojournalism award
A picture of a man carrying a dead shark through the devastated and rubble strewn streets of Mogadishu, Somalia has received first place in the Daily Life Single category of the World Press Photo contest. The image was shot by Omar Feisal of Reuters, in September last year.
Although not a traditional image for this forum, it is still a stunning composition on many different levels.
Japanese fleet suspends whale hunt
The BBC has reported that the Japanese whaling fleet has suspended its hunt in the Southern Ocean. Their hunting season usually ends in mid-March, so it seems unlikely that they will resume. The fleet has actually cited the interference being run by Sea Shepherd as the cause of the suspension. The fleet had planned to harvest over 900 whales this season, but it seems that they may have only managed to catch 30. Sea Shepherd picked up the fleet very early, and were able to prevent the factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, from receiving whale carcasses from the harpoon ships, rendering the fleet’s operations ineffective.
It should be stressed at this time though that the hunt is only suspended, in fact the NZ Herald has quoted Sea Shepherd activists as saying that this is a bluff, and Captain Paul Watson has also highlighted this possibility in his blog. The whaling fleet may simply be re-positioning to attempt to carry on its hunt.
UPDATE: Sea Shepherd reports that Japan has officially ended it’s whale hunt for this season. A fantastic result for whales.
Epson Red Sea releases 2010 competition album
An album containing images of all competition nominees and winners from the Epson Red Sea 2010 competition is available for download (this link will download the album as a pdf). The 210 pages, compiled by David Pilosof, contain information about the 2010 competition organizers, pictures of the competitors and behind-the-scenes images as well as a complete anthology of all the entries making for a breathtaking underwater journey.
It is available as a free download (also links to download) in adobe pdf format.
Equinox releases top-mounted monitor
Equinox has released a new external top-mounted monitor suitable for all housings. The 3” hi-res 16 x 9 LCD screen has its own internal power supply and runs on four AA batteries. For ease of viewing in bright conditions, it comes with an attached 1.5” sun shade.
The monitor is available to order now, and costs $1,199.
Turks and Caicos Islands establishes Reef Fund
The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) has been established to help preserve and protect the marine environment of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The new body will raise funds by selling wristbands and dive tags to visiting divers, and individuals, groups and organizations can apply to it for grants for use in projects that will enhance the marine environment.
The initial project selected for assistance is the upgrading and replacement of the snorkel trail markers on the reef in front of the Coral Gardens Resort.
Support the California Assembly Bill 376 to ban shark fin sale in CA
California Assembly Members Paul Fong and Jared Huffman introduce a bill to end sale of shark fin in California. This bill moves to prohibit possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fin in the state of California, which is one of the largest consumers of shark fin outside of Asia. This bill, if passed, would be a significant boost to shark conservation in the US, following Hawaii’s ban last year. Wetpixel asks all Californian members to write to their assembly members, Governor and Senators of California to pass this bill!
Update from Sea Shepherd in the Southern Ocean
Sea Shepherd’s most recent update from Operation No Compromise in the Southern Ocean, seems to show that they have had a great deal of success in preventing the Japanese whaling fleet from hunting over this season. The conservationists are trailing the Japanese factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, and it has now left the area that they have designated as their official whaling grounds. This means that the harpoon ships effectively have nowhere to land their catch, rendering them ineffective.
It would seem that the 2011 whaling season has been disastrous for the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.
Fantasea launches 3D housing and camera package
Fantasea has announced the release of a package containing the Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera and the RecSea WHF-3D W3 polycarbonate housing. The housing was released at DEMA last year, and has a depth rating of 40m, and a fiber optic mounting port. The Fujifilm FinePix W3 features 10 megapixel resolution and is capable of shooting both conventional and 3D stills and video.
The housing and camera package will be available in two to four weeks time at a price of $1099.95.