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Diving with…Jamie Gladwin, Magic Island Dive Resort, Moalboal, Philippines

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In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…


What is your name?

Jamie

What is the name of your business?

Magic Island Dive Resort

What is your role within the business?

Dive center manager

How long has the business operated for?

Magic Island opened its doors in January 2005.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

I started diving in 2002 and I am a PADI Course Director.

What is your favorite type of diving?

Drift diving along beautiful coral walls.

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?

The staff are the best thing about Magic Island, always ready to take care of you with a big smile on their faces. Of course, we happen to be very well located next to some of the best diving in the world, especially if you like critters, turtles and coral walls.

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

I have two favourite dives; Pescador Island and the Sardine bait ball. Pescador is an islet just a 10-minute boat ride, straight out from the resort. It’s surrounded with coral walls reaching down to 200ft/60m, which in turn are surrounded by all kinds of reef fish. On its west side it has a huge cavern making for some awesome wide-angle shots with great lighting in the afternoon dives.

The Sardine ball is just memorizing and unique. Unlike the famous sardine runs off the coast of the Africa, the Sardines of Moalboal are here year-round and always in the same spot. You don’t get all the big action stuff but, to watch them make their swirls of different patterns as Jacks and Tunas dart in for a tasty mouthful, really is quite a spectacle.

What types of diving are available in your location?

Lots of healthy reef walls filled with critters, colourful fish and a very healthy population of turtles. Sandy bottom muck diving in Moalboal bay.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

I love to teach, that’s why I became a dive instructor. Unfortunately, being a diving instructor doesn’t guarantee you will be teaching all the time, there are many other aspects to the job. However, being a manager is very much, being a teacher, guiding the team to make sure we are all successful. Listening to the comments of our guest or reading the reviews online, gives the feeling of success and that reward is well worth the hard work we all put in. On top of this I still get to teach many of the dive students which pass through Magic Island.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

Frog Fish! All of them!

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

We are planning to start a coral reef watch program that will allow our guests to get involved in monitoring the coral reefs, giving them a better understanding of how it all works, while at the same time helping collect data that will help better protection measures in the future. We also plan to make our own Frog Fish Specialty program. Both of these can earn you a PADI specialty and count towards your Master Diver Certification.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Governmental issues.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

Yes, we do regular Dive Against Debris, which is also a PADI specialty you can take at Magic Island. As stated above we will start a coral watch program and we also do regular mooring placements and upgrades. Our next project is to get all the moorings to be a double buoyed mooring; this helps keep the lose line off the reef when its low tide further reducing any negative impact.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

Overall, I think the industry is filled with people who are both passionate about their sport and the environment it is involved in. I would like to see the passion adopted by the newcomers to the industry from other regions of the world that seem to have a lesser education on the environmental problems our world faces.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

World class diving with the world renowned Filipino hospitality.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business?

Magic Island Dive Resort
Basdiot, Moalboal
6032, Cebu, Philippines
Website: www.magicisland.online
E-mail: reservations@magicresorts.online
info@magicresorts.online
jamie@magicisland.online

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Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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regulator

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

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.

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Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

regulator

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.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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paul watson

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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