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Book Review: Small Blue World – Massive Imagination
Having followed Jason Isley’s work on the Small Blue World Facebook site for some time now, this was another eagerly awaited book that we were looking forward to delving into. It is a compact hardback packed with imagination, humour, excellent photography, marine life and conservation messages. So what it is all about?
Set over 200 years in the future, Climate Change has caused devastation to planet earth and mankind has had to take to a life underwater to survive the rising sea levels. At first, the tiny people that inhabit Small Blue World are determined to conquer the initial life that they encounter, fearful of these strange creatures that they encounter for the first time. This first chapter depicts this conflict with images of soldiers battling scary eels, bobbit worms and blue ring octopus. In time, humans learn that they will only survive by “living in Harmony” with the marine life they now share their lives with. This wonderful chapter depicts a more day to day story of home life, holiday adventures and work-day tasks in the new underwater utopia. The final chapter is a masterpiece called “The Future” where Jason depicts humans falling back into their old ways and ruining the environment they live in. From toxic waste being dumped to dynamite fishing, the tiny humans in Small Blue World ruin everything. These are by far the most potent and thought provoking images on current marine issues that I have ever seen and they make up a superb final chapter.
Jason Isley
Each image gives the reader a bit of knowledge about the marine creature depicted with the tiny humans, so as well as telling his apocalyptic story, Jason also hands out snippets of information to enhance the narrative.
The imagination and hard work that have gone into making this book is incredible. Each image must have taken a great deal of time to capture. Finding the models, adapting them not to float away, thinking of the marine life and dive site to get the perfect shot to tell each story, and then actually getting in the water and getting the right conditions to nail the shot – it is hard to comprehend the work involved. Having spent many an hour frustratingly trying to photograph mating mandarin fish, we can only imagine how long getting this one shot took to get. All we can say is that it was worth it.
Peeping Tom
The foreword is written by “Her Deepness” Sylvia Earle and it is hard to beat what she has written:
“In this book, skilled photographer and storyteller Jason Isley artfully combines fact with fantasy, whimsy with reality, and mischievous fun with serious messages, yielding a captivating journey among little-known creatures of the sea where humans are the diminutive visitors.”
If we have one complaint about the book, it is that is left us badly wanting more. We greedily digested the images and text on the pages of Small Blue World, and now wish we had more! Perhaps this is deliberate, and a second volume is already planned?! For now, you will have to make do with this wonderful book that packs a heavy weight punch with its tiny inhabitants. We are already having fun deliberating on which is our favourite image in each chapter. It will make a great present for the diver who has everything. Underwater photographers will love it too. But the best thing is that even for those that have never dived, this is a book that will please any reader, of any age and, we hope, will make them want to get behind the conservation messages at the end of the book.
Small Blue World: Little People. Big Adventures by Jason Islay is published on 28th April, £12.99 (Michael O’Mara, hardback) and is available for pre-order here.
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.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
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.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
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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