News
Is this a great white shark off the coast of Cornwall?
Footage has emerged this week of what could be a great white shark in the sea off Cornwall.
Fisherman Nigel Hodge, 44, was on his boat 20 miles off Falmouth when he spotted it on the port side of his boat and pulled out his mobile phone to film it.
Shark experts who have viewed his footage said it was certainly not native to British waters and that it was ‘probably a great white’.
Mr Hodge, who runs fishing and boat trips with his Cornish Fishing business, was fishing when he spotted the enormous creature, which he estimated at more than 12ft long, circling his boat.
“I was fishing on the starboard side and went to the port side to get the deck hose when I saw it,” said Mr Hodge.
The fisherman said he didn’t want to suggest what he thought, but common consensus on his Cornish Fishing Facebook page, where he posted the footage, was that it was either a great white or an oceanic whitetip.
David Turner, a shark specialist and author of The Shark Fisherman, said: “If the fish was was 14ft long, it probably was a great white – it wouldn’t be the first off Falmouth.”
He said a similar sized shark was seen off Falmouth last year, and said it was most likely swimming around looking for food.
Shark aficionado Roger Bowring wrote “Looks like a small great white,” before adding “The more I look at it, the more it looks like a great white.”
A source at Falmouth coastguard said they haven’t had any reported sightings of a great white.
“We do get sharks of various types off the coast of Cornwall, it’s not unusual, but they’re primarily the large basking sharks.”
Experts said it was a basking shark because of its shape and its fins, and also ruled out other species such as mako, porbeagle, bull shark or thresher.
Great Whites usually prefer warmer waters than those around Britain, but scientists have warned they may be tempted to the southern British coastline as sea temperatures rise, particularly after a hot summer.
Earlier this year a great white named Lydia was spotted 1,000 miles off the south west, having swum 19,000 miles across the Atlantic from America. Marine biologists said it appeared to be heading for Britain, where the mild weather had left the sea teeming with smaller fish to eat.
This afternoon the Shark Trust played down fears of a killer circling our shores, saying it was most likely a young basking shark.
Ali Hood, director of conservation, said: “We’re yet to have a verified sighting of a white sharks in our waters. We do have an environment that is suitable.”
What do you think? Great White? Basking Shark? Seaweed? Just Bluefish? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
News
Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!
Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.
This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.
Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.
Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.
Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.
“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”
Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.
The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.
Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.
The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.
For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com
For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/
Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe
Gear Reviews
Gear Review: SurfEars 4
Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.
That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/
So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.
Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.
The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.
Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.
For more information head to: https://surfears.com/
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