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Lionfish and Tiger sharks and Box Jellies oh my!

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Lionfish are from the Indio-pacific, but they are now found in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic and are considered an invasive species.

Scientists think some home hobbyists bought these beautiful unsuspecting fish for their tanks and then the Lionfish either outgrew their tanks, (this fish grows super fast!) or ate the other specimens so the owners decided to release them into the ocean. The second theory is some of these fish found their way to the ocean during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 because it destroyed an Aquarium in southern Florida releasing 6 fish into Biscayne Bay.  Scientists found most of the Lionfish tested have come from this same genetic pool.

The lionfish is a venomous fish. The difference between venom and poison is this, venom has to be injected into your bloodstream to be harmful, like through a Lionfish’s spines, a Banded Sea Krait’s fangs or a scorpion’s sting. Poison on the other hand has to be eaten or drunk, or touched, in some cases absorbed through the skin, like if you ate a puffer fish, touched a poison arrow frog or ate a poisonous plant.

Lionfish are considered ambush predators. This fish literally floats around the coral reefs waving its fins among the schools of larval fish and attacks so fast that the other fish don’t even realize what happened. A lionfish will eat anything that it can fit into its wide gaping mouth – it is able to eat things the size of itself. These Lionfish are munching their way through the coral reefs eating every larval fish in sight! Except for the occasional curious shark predator, Lionfish are free to flourish.

Organizations have started having Lionfish Derbies.  Divers are challenged to catch as many Lionfish as they can. YES, there is even a Lionfish Cookbook!

Lions are one of the top terrestrial ambush predators on our planet. It’s ironic that a fish with the same name is an oceanic ambush predator as well. (I ain’t Lion to you!) I mean who thought a fish could cause so much trouble?

Find out more about marine life with Pamela at www.gotoceans.com.

Photo: Malcolm Nobbs

Learning about marine animals has been Pamela's lifelong passion. As a young child she won a goldfish at a state fair. Her parents taught her how to care for "Goldie". Pamela fed and cleaned Goldie's bowl, watched her swim around, and even took her fish to school! Pamela moved to California to pursue her passion for the ocean. She graduated with honors and a degree from the Aquarium & Aquaculture Science Program - the only accredited program of its kind. A Professional Aquarist and children's picture book author, Pamela contributes her expertise to the popular global 'Got Oceans?®' education campaign that can be found at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Got Oceans?® websites. A national featured speaker at venues such as ExplorOcean in Newport Beach, CA and the 2013 Presidents' Round Table at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, Pamela loves to work and volunteer at public and private aquariums to help teach people about the ocean and its inhabitants. Passionate, committed, and connected with a large and growing audience, Pamela is a voice for the ocean's inhabitants sharing her knowledge with the world... because the ocean matters!

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Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition

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Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.

Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities

With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.

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Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators

This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.

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Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure

Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.

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Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages

This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.

It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!

Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.

For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

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Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

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Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

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