Wishing all our members (but perhaps especially those in the US) a very happy fourth of July celebration. If you are at home, we hope that you will have a great day and festive celebrations, and if you are diving during the holiday, may your dives be safe, memorable and your images spectacular!

Please spare a thought for Wetpixel Publisher Eric Cheng who will be spending the day unravelling the chaos caused the hacker’s attack on Wetpixel late last week. Thank you Eric, and we hope that you will get some time to relax too.

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The New York Times has reported that the Chinese government has announced that it plans to ban shark fin soup from its official functions. Somewhat unknown, for two years in a row, members of China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese National Political Consultative Conference have urged the government to reduce shark fin consumption. China’s State Council has now declared that within one to three years it will draft and issue guidelines instructing all levels of government agencies to stop serving shark fins as part of meals at all government functions. It is, as yet, unclear as to how this will be implemented through the myriad of local government agencies. Nevertheless, this represents public acknowledgement by government of the world’s largest consumer of shark fin, that the trade needs to be controlled. It is a very positive step for sharks!

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Underwater photographer and author, Steve Fish has released two new technique manuals on iTunes. They are “Using your DSLR Underwater” and “Point and Shoot Underwater Photography”. Both are updated versions of two of his previous print titles and they now have rich media embedded, including image galleries and video tutorials.

Both iBooks are available now as cross-platform downloads and are priced at $19.99.

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The July edition of DIVE magazine has now been published for viewing online. This issue focuses on diving in the Maldives, with an article by Douglas Seifert about the manta aggregation at Hanifaru, Baa Attoll. Other articles in this issue includes reviews of the diving at Filitheyo, the Carpe Diem liveaboard and how to get the best from a trip to the Maldives. Also featured is diving in Musandam, Oman, and Mauritius.

DIVE magazine is available to view online for free after a simple registration.

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Nauticam has announced the release of the NA-EM5 housing for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 EVIL camera. This camera was reviewed by Wetpixel Associate Editor Alex Mustard on Wetpixel earlier this month. The housing features a new rear mounted O ring seal and a threaded bulkhead port allows for an HDMI or electrical strobe synch bulkhead installation. All camera controls are available including a special control to access the camera’s “super control panel.”

Port availability includes existing ports for the Panasonic 8mm fisheye, Panasonic 7-14mm, Olympus 9-18mm, Panasonic 14mm, Olympus 14-42, Panasonic 14-42mm, Panasonic 45mm macro with a port coming up for the 60mm macro and a special new port incorporating the power zoom and macro switch for the Olympus 12-50 w/ macro. The NA-EM5 will be available from 11 July at a retail price of $1350.

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