Miscellaneous Blogs
Blue Planet Aquarium during the lockdown
Hello everyone, I’m guessing by now we’re all aware of the situation that’s going on out there and I hope that everyone is doing okay during these troubled times. However, I would like everyone to know that although Blue Planet is closed and all on lockdown, our animals are not, and Blue Planet is still running as normal in terms of our animal care and well-being. In this blog I’ll be talking about how you look after an aquarium during a lockdown such as this one.
With the building being currently closed this means there are of course no shows or presentations but we do still have a full team on both Zoological & Dive Team, who are in everyday to look after and maintain all of our exhibits, everything from cleaning our Pelicans to feeding our Sharks and Caimans, they’re there on hand to do it. Even though we have a team working with our animals we are taking relevant steps to ensure the safety and health of our team also, this means that we wash our hands frequently throughout the work day as well when we enter and exit the building. We are also being sure to not have physical contact with each other.
Due to the fact that people aren’t able to see what we do during these times we’re currently doing Live sessions on social media to allow people to see what it is that we get on with behind the scenes and during our daily routine, we also use these sessions to educate the public on issues regarding conservation and we also open up the floor to allow viewers to ask questions as well. People usually ask what it is that we get up to day by day and there really is no way to sum it up in one statement.
I’m going to start with of course the main tank as it is our largest exhibit here. Blue Planet’s Main Tank is massive, at 3.8 million litres it’s a sizeable tank that has a variety of animals, from large Sharks to small fish and Stingrays, and with this variety comes a variety of ways that we need to maintain them. For example, our stingrays have to be target fed by hand and this is the same with our Zebra Sharks, whereas our Sand Tigers are fed from the surface via large pole. The dive team is in water every day and will start by doing our daily feeds which can include feeding our Nurse Sharks, Zebra Sharks and Morays and once we have done all our feed’s we then go onto doing general maintenance.
Cleaning our tank is done in a few different ways, the main one is using our vaccing system which is used to first clean all of our rocks which is a never-ending task due to the sheer size of the tank, once the rocks are clean we then clean our sand. Doing all of this can take us several weeks to get the tank fully clean and by the time we get the tank clean, its then time to start all over again.
In terms of care of the rest of the aquarium, it is split amongst the members of the zoological team which is composed of different team members who are specialists in their areas. For example, we have an onsite herpetologist who specialises in Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects and Arachnids as well as an onsite Coral specialist and Freshwater Aquarist. Each one is proficient in what they are caring for and by splitting the team members in this way we ensure that there’s enough members of the team to care for all the animals in the aquarium as well as having enough expertise on site to help with all situations.
The building is also under constant supervision and we have someone on site 24 hours a day, with our Zoo & Dive team during the day and a watchman at night. So there you have it, a quick blog to explain how we look after the Aquarium during a lockdown. If you’re looking for any further information or have any questions please be sure to keep an eye on our social media platforms for our live sessions.
Finally, thank you for reading and I wish you and everyone else best wishes during this period.
For more information please visit the Blue Planet Aquarium website by clicking here.
Follow Donovan on Instagram at www.instagram.com/donovans_reefs
If you ever wondered what’s the exciting buzz around the RAID Diver Agency, we can tell you right here!
The prestigious Royal Thai Marine Police have chosen RAID as their trusted agency for their Underwater Operations Course.
This intense and rigorous course is designed to equip the force with the specialized skills and expertise needed for all underwater operations, ensuring they are totally prepared for the challenges of their critical missions.
With RAID‘s comprehensive training, the Royal Thai Marine Police will be well-prepared to handle the demands of their underwater tasks.
Why RAID? Truly Different?
The RAID philosophy is we are divers, not Recreational or Technical, just divers.
We all start with our first breath underwater with limited knowledge and experience. How much theoretical knowledge individuals may want is a personal choice.
However, when it comes to practical experience, there should be no difference to the required skill foundation and learning the fundamentals of diving is crucial.
With the roots of RAID International being founded in a technical background, the ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy, hover & trim which provide a robust platform for any future training in whatever direction they decides interests them.
How do RAID do that?
RAID conduct all dive skill training how you would use it practically. Perfect buoyancy with good hover and trim position.
Other agencies teach you to sit on the bottom and do skills! Do you go to the bottom every time you want to clear your mask?
Dive training in a class of its own.
RAID FREe-Learning.
No smoke and mirrors with RAID, there is nothing to hide.
Everyone can access any and all of RAID course theory and skills manuals online and downloadable without any charge or commitment.
Truly FREe-Learning
You bet that wasn’t popular with the book selling agencies!
If that wasn’t enough, additionally, all the skills videos, are available on YouTube with FREE access.
The core of RAID‘s ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy with perfect hover & trim providing a robust platform for any future training.
To enable that, RAID Professionals must have skills honed to the highest level, always performed with consummate ease and completely naturally.
To access the whole FREe-Learning library completely without any commitment or cost, simply register with RAID by scanning the QR code.
No one will contact you, you are free to download and peruse whatever you want to.
Should you decide you would like to know more or would like to take a course contact James at RAID UK and he will direct you to your local RAID centre.
RAID UK
James Rogers
www.diveraiduk.com
info@diveraiduk.com
+44 191 4324644
RAID – A Global Agency
RAID has Regional Offices around the world all fully embedded in the governing bodies of diver training.
WRSTC Member USA, ERSTC Member EU, Worldwide ISO Certified, RTC founding member.
RAID Dive Centres are in all corners of the UK!
All ready to offer divers and beginners a friendly welcoming new standard of service. Whether you are ready to take your first breath or an experienced exploration diver, make visiting a RAID Dive Centre your next step.
Here are just a few suggestions.
Bay Divers
Swansea
www.baydivers.co.uk
+44-7859-018970
West Coast Diving
Kilmarnock
www.westcoastdiving.co.uk
+44-7904-539512
SevernTec Diving
Dive South
RAID – Holiday Destinations
Looking to take a dive trip with your club or personally, here are just a few popular RAID dive holiday destination ideas for the UK based diver.
Egypt
Maldives
Bali
Thailand
South Africa
Click to contact the Regional Office for a full list of dive destinations in that region.
EGYPT
Pharaoh Dive Club
Roots Red Sea, El Quseir, Egypt
info@pharaohdiveclub.com
www.pharaohdiveclub.com
+20 10068 22000
Multi award winning centre offering special ‘Dive & Stay’ packages
Scuba Dreamer Diving College
Park Regency, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
www.scubadreamer.it
info@scubadreamer.it
+20 122 7150550
Based at Park Regency & Beach Promenade providing a full 5* package
MALDIVES
Fehivina Dhangethi &
Dhodhi – Dhiffushi – North Male’ Atoll
www.scubadivinemaldives.com
scubadivinedhangethi@gmail.com
scubadivinedhiffushi@gmail.com
+96 07913075
Range of accommodation options available
Jerrys Dive Club
Rasdhoo, Maldives
www.jerrysdiveclub.com
hello@jerrysdiveclub.com
+960 772 7876
Stay at Jerry’s Guest House
BALI
Prana Dive
Kabupaten Karaangasem, Bali, Indonesia
www.pranadive.com
info@pranadive.com
+62 813 3877 5345
Why not stay with us at Teratai Boutique Resort
THAILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
Adventure Mania
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
www.adventuremania.co.za
info@adventuremania.co.za
+27 82 653 7824
Adventure Mania takes pride in providing personalised, eco-conscious dives that highlight the beauty of protected coral reefs and marine life. This family diving business, nestled within a Marine Protected Area, offers a diving experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating.
Adventure Mania’s expert instructors and staff have a deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation. They not only guide divers through breathtaking underwater landscapes but emphasise the importance of marine preservation. Teaching diving with Adventure Mania goes beyond imparting technical skills; it embraces fostering a respect for the ocean.
ScubaCo
Durban, South Africa
www.scubaco.co.za
info@scubaco.co.za
+27 79 779 4242
ScubaCo is a boutique RAID Dive Centre operating on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline of South Africa. ScubaCo are specialists in both shark and reef diving as well as featuring the annual Sardine Run migration as they are so well positioned to offer the best of the best.
Many clients enjoy our wonderful packages with ScubaCo Guest House accommodation coupled to amazing dive options – Shark Diving, Big 5 Safari & Diving the Sardine Run.
This destination is a must for every Diver and should be on your bucket list for dive travel.
Make sure to add Aliwal Shoal to your next Diving holiday and let Tamara and her team take fantastic care of you while in South Africa.
Dive & Travel the RAID way
When you see the RAID emblem at a dive centre around the world you can be assured that the highest standards of diver training are being provided, knowing all RAID professionals have met the testing criteria to achieve their professional rank.
Gemma and Ian chat to Dawn Kernagis. Dawn joined DEEP in 2023 as the Director of Scientific Research. DEEP is an ocean technology and exploration company with a mission to ‘Make Humans Aquatic.’ DEEP’s undersea habitat and submersible systems, combined with multi-phased diver and human performance training, will create the next evolution of subsea science, research, and exploration capabilities. Dawn is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, Explorer’s Club Fellow and Women Divers Hall of Fame Inductee and who is also tasked to establish DEEP’s first US presence in North Carolina. Dawn has also been a diver with numerous underwater exploration, research, and conservation projects since 1993, including the mapping and record-setting exploration of some of the deepest underwater caves in the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kernagis-995383152/
The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90. “Beyond Technical” Narked at 90 If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements https://www.narkedat90.com/. There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is BIGSCUBA2024.
If you are interested in the INSTA360 action camera we discussed then please click this link: https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRAI8S
We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast. Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends. Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone +44 7810 005924 or use our social media platforms. To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:
We are on Instagram @thebigscuba
We are on Facebook @thebigscuba
We are in LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/
The BiG Scuba Website www.thebigscuba.com
Amazon Store : https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba
Visit https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe – Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀. ISSN Number 2752-6127
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News3 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News1 month agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest