The first annual Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) was hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) from September 20-22nd at the Hilton Conrad hotel and conference center in Manila. The dive expo brought together public and trade visitors as well as manufacturers, underwater photographers, and tourism organizations. There was an expo hall that also included a main stage where several panel discussions and talks took place.
The Coral Triangle reports that the Philippines has declared a million hectare marine protected area (MPA) covering both the coastal and offshore waters of Cagayancillo and another area off Aborlan in the Philippine province of Palawan. Image from Shutterstock.
Some 90 scientists and their assistants from the California Academy of Sciences just returned from an expedition to the Philippines where they collected animals for exhibits and discovered potentially 100 new species. The seven-week expedition was to the Verde Island Passage that lies between the islands of Luzon and Mindoro in the Philippines.
An interesting new underwater video is making the rounds on social media. The video shows divers off Ticao Island in the Philippines encountering one of the ocean’s most unusual looking creatures - or group of creatures - a pyrosome.
A rare megamouth shark was discovered in a fisherman’s net this week in the Philippines. The megamouth shark is so rare in fact, that less than 70 specimens have ever been recorded, the first being in 1976.
As I write, super Typhoon Hagupit is finding landfall on the eastern coast of the Philippines. It is expected that the accompanying 120mph winds and storm surge are likely to wreak destruction to areas that are still recovering from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan a year ago. The authorities seem much better prepared this time, and it is hoped that the terrible loss of life that occurred last year will be avoided. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that there will be significant disruption and damage to properties. The Wetpixel community fervently hopes that if you are in the path of the storm, you and your loved ones are in a place of safety and that the the damage to your property and businesses is as limited as possible. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Typhoon Haiyan wreaked havoc in many parts of the Philippines, leaving thousands homeless and without food or electricity. The death toll is in the thousands. As underwater photographers, the Philippines is a popular destination and we’ve benefitted from the beauty and hospitality of the Filipinos. Right now, the Filipinos need our help to survive and rebuild. Please donate what you can to help those affected. The list of donor agencies are listed in the forum thread.