News
A personal tribute to Amr Ali (1971-2016)
This weekend I learnt of the sad passing of my old friend and former colleague Amr Ali.
The conservation and diving community are a poorer place for the tragic loss of Amr but ever richer for his ceaseless endeavours to protect the marine life, environment and people of the Red Sea.
It is difficult to sum up everything that Amr meant in words. It’s a cliché but Amr was a true giant amongst men in terms of personality, reputation and, of course, stature. To spend a few minutes in his company was to become intoxicated by his passion, his ideals and his wicked sense of humour. His bear hugs were legendary and almost made you black out. His caustic wit was well used to render his friends speechless with laughter and his adversaries, simply speechless. Amr was truly charismatic.
In the public world, as the Managing Director of HEPCA – Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association – Amr was a true visionary and environmental warrior. He and his team were responsible for a number of outstanding projects.
Most famous of all is HEPCA’s pioneering mooring operation, which started in 1992 as a community initiative to protect the Red Sea reefs and became the largest mooring system in the world. Amr’s drive was responsible for this project being rolled out not just throughout the Egyptian Red Sea but also Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Under Amr’s leadership, HEPCA also triumphed in the battle to save Giftun Island from development, secured a decree to ban shark fishing, helped create sustainable conservation programs to protect dolphins at Samadai and dugongs and turtles at Abu Dabab, spearheaded a campaign to ban dolphinariums in the Red Sea, introduced and managed a solid waste collection, disposal and recycling strategy for the city of Hurghada and the southern Red Sea, initiated community development projects for the local Bedouin people, led numerous scientific research projects, educated thousands of children, tourists, workers and Red Sea residents and so much more.
It’s fair to say that with Amr at the helm, HEPCA grew from a small-scale organisation to one with an international profile; the leading NGO in marine and environmental conservation in Egypt, and a model and inspiration for similar organisations worldwide.
Amr himself was an inspiration. His passing leaves a huge hole in the Red Sea and wider community but his legacy must be the continuation of his life and work by all those he inspired and mentored. In that way, the absolute greatness of Amr Ali lives on.
“I am a free spirit and I shall not be tamed.” – Amr Ali
To find out more about the work of HEPCA, visit www.hepca.org.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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