News
Barbados Dive Operators Find More Sea Turtles In Urgent Need of Rescue
This past week has been full of turtle rescues in Barbados, some with less fortunate endings than others. The responses from locals and tourists have been truly remarkable but the divers in Barbados believe these sweet endangered animals need more than just a video to be shared, they need voices to be heard as well. They have started a petition to expand their Marine Protected Areas and ban fishing in the zones frequented most often by turtles.
PADI AmbassaDiver, Andre Miller and his team at Barbados Blue filmed one of their turtle rescues yesterday. “We’ve been fighting to expand MPAs for years without success. We’re hoping the images and footage of our turtle rescues will help motivate the general public to get involved and have their voices heard. Our government should step up if they see we have enough passionate people out there looking to make a difference,” says Andre Miller, Marine Biologist & PADI AmbassaDiver.
“It’s shameful to see so many fishermen blindly dropping hooks where we bring tourists to swim with the sea turtles. Putting fishing lines in front of hungry turtles [in an area they have become accustomed to human interaction and feedings] is not only harmful to an already endangered species but to our tourism industry as well,” adds Kiera Bloom, PADI DiveMaster with Barbados Blue.
The videos and images gathered from this week’s turtle rescues have been shared throughout Barbados and in many other countries around the world. The Barbados Blue team is hoping to use the attention gained from these stories to keep their message alive and motivate their Coastal Zone Management Unit to expand the Marine Protected Areas to include the zones where the turtles visit most often, and where fish nurseries will be most beneficial to the island.
Barbados Blue is a dive shop located at Needham’s point, Carlisle Bay, in Barbados. Their Manager and Director, Andre Miller is an established Marine Biologist and PADI AmbassaDiver. The team at Barbados Blue offers more than scuba certifications and snorkel tours. They lead numerous Dive Against Debris clean-ups, lionfish hunts and are often the first to respond when a marine creature is in need of saving. They work closely with organizations like The Barbados Sea Turtle Project, Coral Reef Restoration Alliance – Barbados, Bellairs Research Institute and the University of West Indies to survey coral transplanting sites, establish coral nurseries and help protect the sea turtles. Find out more at www.divebarbadosblue.com.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
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Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
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Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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