Articles
Bahamas shark bite statement from Shark Angels
The Shark Angels, a team of engaging, young conservationists, were recently out on a shark expedition with Jim Abernethy aboard the Shear Water, and have issued a statement about yesterday’s tragic shark bite in the Bahamas.
The Angels include Kim McCoy, Executive Director of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Julie Andersen, Director of Shark Savers, and Alison Kock, Marine Biologist with Save Our Seas Foundation. Also on the Shear Water was Rob Stewart, director of the award-winning documentary, Sharkwater. Continue reading to see their full statement.
Film Review: Island of the Great White Sharks
When it comes to Great White sharks, there are few ambivalent opinions. Whether its the diver next to you or the guy from Oklahoma who has never seen the ocean, we are either repulsed or drawn magnetically towards these enigmatic predators. Since a minor percentage of people, even divers, ever encounter a shark in the wild; the media plays a pivotal role in our perception of the ocean’s apex predators.
As a documentarian who loves to swim with sharks, I have to admit my bias towards Carcharodon carcharias, and after watching the premiere of RTSEA Productions’ film Island of the Great White Sharks at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach CA, I am also guilty of another emotion: absolute envy…
Light & Motion expands Stingray HD and Bluefin HC7 compatibility
Light & Motion has announced two housing options for the new Sony HDR-HC9 HDV camcorder - the Stingray HD and Bluefin HC7. Both feature a 3.5” high-resolution monitor back and electronic controls, and the Stingray HD can adapt to multiple Sony HD video cameras using modular camera trays. Continue reading for the full press release and images of the housings…
Sign petitions to protect reefs in Hawaii, protest slaughter of whales
On Monday, February 25, 2008, the Hawaiian Legislature will hear testimony on Senate Bill 3225 which intends to regulate aquarium trade harvesting in Hawaii for the first time. Previously, the Hawaiian harvesting fisheries have self-reported “$820,000 [in sales] while the trade group Hawai’i Tropical Fish Association publicly estimated it’s total sales at around $4.9 million for the same year”, or nearly six times more than reported harvested.
If you’ve had the experience to snorkel or dive in the Hawaiian Islands (you do not have to be a resident of Hawaii), take a minute to submit your testimony before Monday about the importance of limiting harvesting of reef fish life.
In addition, a new online whaling protest petition intended for the International Whaling Commission has garnered over a million signatures - visit Whales Revenge to add your support.
Fantasea announces Nano “Spotter” LED dive light
Fantasea Line has introduced the Nano “Spotter” LED dive light, featuring five LED bulbs that last up to 60 hours on four AAA batteries. The dive light, depth rated to 100ft, can be fitted with one of five different color disks (white, blue, yellow, green and red) for easy identification during night, wreck, or cave diving (no more colored Cyalume light sticks).
Continue to the Fantasea Line website for the full press release and pricing details…
OWU 2008 photo/video contest winners announced
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s 3rd Annual Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide International Underwater Photography & Video Competition, which is held each year in association with Our-World Underwater! Numerous Wetpixel members grace the esteemed list, which is available at the contest website. Stay tuned—winning images and videos will be posted later on this week.
Steven Lindfield chosen as 2008/2009 Australasian Rolex Scholar
On February 10, 2008, Steven Lindfield was selected as the 2008/2009 Our World Underwater Scholarship Society’s Australasian Rolex Scholar. An Australian citizen, Lindfield graduated with a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and hopes to dedicate his work to the marine environment.
Continue reading for the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society announcement and a full biography of Lindfield, or visit the OWU-SS website for more information about the organization…
Seatool PMW-EX1 underwater housing for Sony PMW-EX1
Reef Photo & Video has announced that Seatool is developing a hybrid housing for the Sony PMW-EX1. The housing will feature electronic controls for Record, Zoom, and Focus, and mechanical controls for other camera functions.
Intended to ship in March, Seatool’s PMW-EX1 housing positions the cameras electronic viewfinder at a 45 degree upward angle and is compatible with accessory lens ports, including a 170mm optically coated glass dome port supporting fisheye and superwide adapters.