Oonasdivers have just released their latest brochure. Oonasdivers offer both northern and deep southern liveaboards, land based tours at the Oonas Dive Club in Sinai, and for the adventurous, the Dive Villages along the southern coast of the Egyptian mainland. They are pleased once again to include, double location dive packages on the historical islands of Malta & Gozo and the combined experience of South Africa & Mozambique. Tours are still offered in Thailand too. All of the tours featured in the brochure are unique to Oonasdivers.

Oonasdivers are Britain’s longest established holiday dive company and is run by an enthusiastic team with intimate knowledge of all our locations. Over the past 18 years, they have gained a reputation for providing first class diving tours whilst building long term relationships with their clients.

The brochure provides a wealth of information on each region and is well presented with great images throughout. To get your free brochure contact Oonasdivers through their website here.

Award-winning dive specialist Regaldive is joining forces with BSAC Travel Club as a Preferred Travel Partner to offer their members exclusive discounts and special offers on dive holidays around the world.

To celebrate the start of the scheme, an inaugural 10% discount will be given to all BSAC Travel Club members booking Red Sea departures in December 2004 and January 2005. This exclusive special offer is only available to BSAC Travel Club members and on selected dates. *

The 10% special offer can also be used in conjunction with Regaldive’s other offers on dive packs and free places. Regaldive is offering half price diving deals for dive buddies and some great value free place offers for groups on selected dates throughout the season. BSAC Travel Club members can take advantage of these superb savings and also gain an additional 10% off.

For those BSAC Travel Club members wanting to travel further afield or at a different time of year, Regaldive is offering a 5% discount that can be taken on any dive holiday throughout the year. This standard discount covers all destinations, including the latest additions to Regaldive’s exciting 2004-2005 programme, Djibouti, Pemba, and the Galapagos Islands.

The Preferred Travel Partner or PTP scheme starts on 11th October 2004 and discounts and offers will apply to all new bookings taken from that date onwards. The scheme will be officially launched at the Dive Show at the NEC at the end of October. Regaldive is one of six partners taking part in the scheme.

For more information visit Regal's website here.

* Excludes departures on or between 19th-31st December 2004

Award-winning Emperor Divers are offering some great savings on your diving when you book the following dates: 27 Nov - 18 Dec, 2004 and 1 Jan - 12 Feb; 19 - 26 Feb; 4 Jun - 9 Jul, 2005.

Choose from Marsa Alam, the place where Dennis the Dugong makes a regular appearance, Soma Bay, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba, Sudan and the tech divers’ delight, Dahab.

For group bookings, for every nine people who pay, the tenth person goes absolutely free! And that applies for any time of the year and at any location.

Soma Bay now offers an all-inclusive price for diving, which includes dives with guides, tanks, weights, weight belt, lunch (on full dayboat only), drinks on board, towel, Nitrox, marine fees and Deco insurance for special trips to Salem Express and Abu Kafan.

Emperor Divers also has some great savings on liveaboard safaris throughout 2004/2005.

For more details, visit www.emperordivers.com.

Work once again has begun on diving the site of the Tudor warship Mary Rose which was raised from the seabed near Portsmouth back in the eighties. This latest work is due to the possibility of a new channel being dug in this area because of larger warships using the harbour and this means the site needs to be excavated before all the history is lost.

Monday the 16th August saw the conclusion of a three week dive on the wreck site which has revealed a great deal of new information about the hitherto unknown area of her bow. During almost 100 dives, a ten metre curved section of the main bow timber was uncovered giving archaeologists a much clearer idea as to the design of this most famous and unique vessel which sank in The Solent in 1545.

Close by, a large number of other timbers appear to be from the missing port side of the bow structure. Divers have uncovered and recorded frames, ribs, planks, blinds and cabin partitions. All have been carefully measured, photographed and drawn so that, in the coming months, an idea as to what the ship looked liked can be surmised. The position of the timbers also indicates that the bow section of the Mary Rose may have broken away from the rest of the ship either on impact with the seabed or during very early attempts at salvage.

Finds have not been limited just to structural timbers. A five metre long anchor, again possibly from the port side, has been revealed and a swivel gun, several sheaves and blocks from the rigging have been recovered. Most of the timber has however, been left on the seabed where it has been covered in a protective membrane before being reburied under the protective silts of The Solent.

The diving operation, of some 350 hours, was funded by the Ministry of Defence as part of their investigations prior to deciding on the best route for a deep channel into Portsmouth Harbour for the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers, which will be the largest naval warships built for them.

The starboard side of the Mary Rose and thousands of artefacts recovered when the hull was raised in 1982 are on display in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, a major tourist attraction on the South Coast.

The hull is undergoing conservation by spraying a chemical over it. Funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund, there remain five more years ahead before the sprays are finally turned off and the artefacts are then returned to the ship itself.

For further information contact visit the website at www.maryrose.org.

For more information and online bookings goto http://www.deeperblue.net/courses.

SDI joins RSTC

Scuba Diving International (SDI) was approved for RSTC Membership at the August 2004 meeting.

By unanimous vote, the RSTC Board of Directors welcomed its newest member. Scuba Diving International, which came into existence in 1999, will now join IDEA,PADI, PDIC, SSI and the YMCA in establishing minimum training standards at all levels of recreational scuba diving in order to promote public safety. RSTC training requirements are recognized around the world as the global industry standard.

"SDI is very pleased to join with the charter members of RSTC", stated Brian Carney President of SDI. "We look forward to working together in the promotion of consistent and safe diver education for the benefit of future dive enthusiasts."

RSTC consists of International Diving Educators Association (IDEA), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Professional Dive Instructors Corporation (PDIC), Scuba Diving International (SDI) Scuba Schools International (SSI) and Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and meets throughout the year to deal with issues involving training in the scuba industry.

Now we want to let you know that a new show is available, at this very moment, featuring two of Micronesia’s finest dive destinations: Pohnpei and Guam.

If you ever wondered about diving in these beautiful islands, this is your chance to dive into their incredible reefs without leaving your home or office. If you have been there, you are sure to bring good moments back to your mind…

You will always find something new and exciting on our show and we know you will love it!

Enjoy it at www.divingpassport.com

Three whales have beached at different points on the Welsh coast in the past week, one was dead, the other dying but the third was put back out to sea. It is over 100 years since three were washed up in such a short period.

Although experts do not know why, some say it is at best suspicious - and at worst "sinister". The biggest whale to be washed up was a mighty fin whale on mudflats near Newport in south east Wales last Thursday.

The animal, measuring 18.45 metres and weighing 40 tonnes, had died and a huge operation had to be set up to carve the carcass up where it lay and then dispose of it. On Monday, a Sowerby's beaked whale washed up at Llangrannog in Ceredigion on the mid Wales coast. Rescuers managed after several hours to get this one back into the water.

Rescuers managed to get this Sowerby's beaked whale back in the sea. But hours later, another Sowerby's was found a few miles further along the coast at the Parrog in Newport, Pembrokeshire.

Sadly, this one could not be saved and a post-mortem examination has being carried out at London Zoo.

Add to this another Sowerby's found at Rosslare on the other side of the Irish Sea, along with a minke whale at the same location, and wildlife experts say this is no coincidence.

"It's a cause of concern," said a Countryside Council for Wales spokesman. "We think it is suspicious".

Sonar is something the Navy takes responsibly and has spent millions on mitigating its effects

Cliff Benson, chairman of the Sea Trust of south and west Wales said marine wildlife experts were concerned because the Navy had been trying out a new sonar system in the area, and there was good evidence that the sonar could be detrimental to whales and other animals.

He supported the theory that the animals could have been blown off course by the "concentrated, devastating noise of the sonar".

Mr Benson said around 30 whales had washed up off the coast of the Canaries following a Nato exercise involving the use of sonar around three years ago.

However, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said no sonar trials had been carried off the coast of Wales in recent months.

Marine Connection investigate Dolphinella

Dolphinella in El Hadaba, Sharm el Sheikh is just one of the latest facilities to offer the public the opportunity to swim with dolphins.

The Marine Connection decided to carry out further investigations into this facility when they received reports of two beluga whales being held in a small "holding" pool next to the main area, they were totally unprepared for what was discovered. Investigation showed that the water temperature in the pool was approximately 25 degrees, beluga whales (being marine mammals from polar regions) require water temperature of approx 1-2 degrees, therefore these animals are not only suffering in this heat but their survival is in jeopardy.

The Marine Connection are therefore demanding that these animals are immediately removed from this facility as it very clearly is not in keeping with international laws for housing marine mammals. They have also demand that the import permit be questioned as we believe the animals were imported in Egypt from Russia. As Egypt are party to CITES, the law states that import permits will only be granted if the receiving facility/destination can prove they are providing “fit and proper accommodation for the species concerned” which is quite obviously not being adhered to in the case of the water temperature for these beluga whales.

They also have serious concerns with regard to the welfare of the dolphins being used in the swim with dolphins programme, with swimmers entering the water without first being asked to shower and female swimmers have been seen to enter the water and swim with the dolphins wearing full make up and what was described as an "overpowering smell of suntan lotion".

To help these whales cause, visit this site for more information.

CITES conference, Thailand.

A rare reef fish called the humphead wrasse should be guarded from overfishing, experts have claimed. The WWF and the IUCN-World Conservation Union are set to ask an international trade watchdog to include the fish on its list of protected species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) will have its biennial meeting in October to review the vulnerability of several species.

Conservationists hope the humphead wrasse will receive a protected status.

"This giant coral reef fish could soon be eaten out of existence if governments don't manage the way it is currently caught and traded," said Clarus Chu, of WWF-Hong Kong.

The UK government and EU member states are also calling for tighter controls. When they convene for the Cites conference in Bangkok next month they will suggest the humphead wrasse is included in Appendix II, which would allow stricter fishing regulations. This giant coral reef fish could soon be eaten out of existence

The humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus, is a distinctive coral reef fish, which lives in the Indo-Pacific. It can grow to a hefty 2m in length.

The species is naturally uncommon and, because individuals live for up to 30 years, it has a low rate of population growth. Its rarity, and the fact that it is a prized delicacy, means the humphead wrasse can retail at around US$130/kg, making it one of the most valuable fish in the live reef fish trade.

Because the adult fish reaches a size too big for most dinner plates, it is usually captured in a juvenile state. This affects the population's breeding dynamics, making it less able to recover from a dent in numbers.

"Most consumers prefer plate-sized fish, which means the fish in trade are very young," said Clarus Chu. "Not only is the species gravely threatened but cyanide is often used to stun and capture the fish, which destroys the coral reef, too."

Although management measures have been introduced in a number of countries, illegal and unregulated harvesting still occurs, causing the IUCN to promote the species from the status of Vulnerable to Endangered. Cites is traditionally reluctant to include fish species on Appendix II, because of the impact on the fishing industry. But with so many groups fighting the humphead wrasse's corner, there is good chance it will be granted protection.

"Putting fish on Appendix II is controversial with Cites," said Mr Morley. "But we believe that in [the case of the humphead wrasse] the science is overwhelming."

The Napoleon wrasse - a great favourite with reef divers - has joined great white sharks and river dolphins as one of WWF's top ten species most at risk from international trade.

Napolean Wrasse click here to enlarge

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature issued their 'top ten' ahead of next week's meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Many divers are unaware that the large, inquisitive, and often friendly Napoleon or humphead wrasse that are under such threat. Restaurants in the Far East pay £100 per pound for the fish, making it a lucrative target for fishermen.

A proposal to restrict the trade in Napoleon wrasse by listing it in the CITES treaty has been put forward by Fiji, Ireland and the USA. The move is likely to be opposed by the Asian nations which take part in the trade. Britain, Australia and Madagascar are proposing to list the great white shark.

The CITES treaty, in line with public sympathies, has traditionally been dominated by land-based species.

The WWF's Top Ten species most endangered by international trade:

Great white shark
Napoleon wrasse
Irrawaddy dolphin
Asian elephant
Tiger
Leaf-tailed gecko
Pig nosed turtle
Yellow crested cockatoo
Ramin (tropical hardwood)
Asian yew

Marine Connection Celebrity Auction 2004

KYLIE * BECKHAM * PAUL MCCARTNEY * BRYAN ADAMS *ANDY WARHOL * STELLA MCCARTNEY * WAYNE ROONEY * ROBBIE ......

What do they all have in common ? Signed items from all of these celebrities (and many more) are up for grabs to the highest bidder at The Marine Connection annual charity auction, which is being held at the prestigious Chinawhite club in London, on Thursday 7 October 2004 @ 7.30pm.

So, if you fancy getting your hands on Beckhams signed football boot, Kylies limited edition signed picture disc and Love Kylie underwear, Paul McCartney's signed book of paintings or even two tickets and a signed programme from Bryan Adams for his Wembley concert you know what to do.

Other items for auction include;

• Weekend break for two at the fantastic Metropolitan hotel in Mayfair with dinner for two at one of London's hippest celebrity restaurants,Taman Gang
• Private viewing of the fantastic new movie "Shark Tale" from Dreamworks (the makers of Shrek)
• A unique, one off antique diamond and south sea grey pearl pendant.
• Ferrari driving experience

.......and many other great items.

The Marine Connection are hosting this celebrity auction to help raise funding for their vital project work worldwide to help save dolphins, whales and the marine environment. With dangers to the marine environment escalating at an alarming rate, campaigning for the protection and conservation of these beautiful mammals and their natural habitat has never been as crucial as it is now.

If you would like to be one of the special few to bid for these and many more exclusive prizes on offer at this exciting event you will have to be quick to avoid disappointment. We have a few tickets available for sale to the public and our supporters, however they are strictly limited and are available only on a "first come, first served" basis ..

Tickets are £50 per person and includes;

• Entry to the prestigious Chinawhite club
• Complimentary drinks and canapés
• Celebrity auction
• After the auction you can boogie until the early hours
  

Visit the marine connection website for more information here.

8th European Elasmobranch Association Conference
21st – 24th October 2004
Zoological Society of London

The EEA is holding its 8th Annual Conference at the Zoological Society of London in October.

The 2 day symposium will see more than 60 presentations (oral and poster) on elasmobranch issues from a truly international field. A draft programme of talks can be found at www.sharktrust.org. You can also register and pay on-line at this site. Please note that after 4th October a late registration fee applies – a two day delegate fee is currently only £65 or £30 if you are a student.

In addition to the scientific symposium, the EEA are also hosting an evening Public Lecture entitled ‘Sharks are Human Too’ on Thursday, 21st October. The lecture will be presented by the renowned Dr John Morrissey of Hofstra University, New York. Tickets are £15 per person, or £10 if you are attending the EEA conference, and include a wine reception at London Zoo’s BUGS exhibit after the lecture.

The Shark Trust hopes to see many of you in London. For more information visit their website here.

According to SingleDivers.com President Kamala Shadduck, "The SingleDivers.com concept is quickly gaining momentum. We've had hundreds of single divers from coast to coast sign up and more are joining every day. These people are active divers who want to travel and dive.

SingleDivers.com is a service designed to bring single divers together for fun diving adventures in some of the world's best destinations. Trip locations this year have included Cozumel, Bonaire, the Bay Islands, Canadian Wreck Diving, North Carolina and Florida. Specific locations for 2005 are still being finalized. Shadduck said she is looking at many key diving destinations.

For more information about SingleDivers.com visit their website here.

DIVE show 2004 30/31 OCTOBER, NEC, Birmingham

This year’s ‘divefest’ at the NEC will house over 300 suppliers of the very latest diving equipment, dive and leisure wear, training organisations, holiday resorts, destinations plus much more. Packed full of ideas and inspiration, the show will give seasoned and wannabe divers the chance to see what’s hot, what’s on the cards for next year and where to go for the best dive thrills.

The popular Try Dive pool will again provide the opportunity for visitors to get hands-on experience, and for divers who can’t get enough of the underwater world there will be one of the largest, stand-alone aquariums in the UK full of fish and marine life. More intrepid visitors will be able to hear first-hand about diving wrecks such as the Scilla and the Britannic, and for those who want to learn how to bring back images of what they see underwater, there will be photographic and film presentations on the free seminar programme.

Tickets to the show cost £7.00 each if booked in advance (£9.50 on the door) and £2.00 for children under 12. Visit www.diveshows.co.uk to buy tickets online or call the advance booking line 020 8977 9878.

Great prices from the companies present

News archives :

September 27th to October 6th 2004
September 13th to September 26th 2004.
August 28th to September 13th 2004.
August 11th to 27th 2004.
August 6th to 11th 2004.
August 1st to 5th 2004.
July 2004.
June 2004.

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