News
Great Hammerhead Sharks in Bimini, Bahamas
Bimini is becoming one of the most popular shark diving destinations in the world with divers and underwater photographers flocking to these tiny islands in The Bahamas to experience diving with Great Hammerhead Sharks. The dive offers the opportunity to get up close to these impressive sharks that can be up to 5m in length.
We arrived on the south island and jumped on the ferry to take us the 2 minute crossing over to the north island and our accommodation for this part of the trip, Bimini Big Game Club. This is where the Neal Watson Bimini Scuba Centre is located and where, once we had unpacked, we would be heading out for our Hammerhead Shark experience. The hotel hosts plenty of sport fishing boats, and because of the gutting of the catch each evening, the water surrounding the hotel is filled with Bull Sharks. It makes for a special post dive beer on the balcony, watching them gliding below the surface from your table.
The hammerhead shark dive is based quite close to shore, and so the journey out to the site is short; however, the preparation time and the wait for the sharks to turn up can take several hours. In our case, we were very lucky and the first sharks appeared almost instantly and we were soon gearing up and jumping in the water, but not before a thorough briefing from the crew to ensure everyone knew where to go and how to behave…
Descending down the line we could see three Hammerhead Sharks already slowly circling the sandy seabed, as well as a handful of Nurse Sharks and a solitary Bull Shark on the periphery. We took up our position, kneeling on the sand, and waited for the sharks to come in close, and they do come in very close! It is an incredible experience and one that is unique to this island, as you sit on the sandy seabed in less than 10m of clear blue water and these magnificent sharks swim past you. One dive guide is situated in the middle of the group, with a bait box, occasionally giving a shark a fish for their troubles, and an additional dive guide stays behind the group to watch over proceedings.
As it is so shallow, and the whole experience is really relaxed, you can stay for as long as your tank lasts and then head back to the boat for refreshments and a new cylinder, before heading back down for some more hammerhead action. This dive is a real treat for divers and underwater photographers alike.
For more information please visit:
Text, Images and video by Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown of Frogfish Photography – www.frogfishphotography.com
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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