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Help give Langland a litter free start to summer

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Marine Conservation Society hopes volunteer cleaners will come and give Gower beach a spruce-up after a busy spring.

After one of the sunniest and warmest May’s on record in the UK this year, beaches across the Gower have seen a busy spring. With the top temperature in Wales on May Bank Holiday peaking at 25.7°C in Usk, making it hotter than Majorca and Crete, the Med-like weather led to an exodus to the coast resulting in many beaches in the country being left covered in litter as bins overflowed.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is organising a beach clean and litter survey of Langland on the Gower, to remove litter and make sure it’s a pleasure to visit for walkers and visitors as the weather (hopefully) remains set fair for the summer months.

MCS staff and members of the public clean up Langland four times a year as part of the Society’s ongoing Beachwatch project. It’s the charity’s ‘adopted’ beach in Wales and has been regularly cleaned for over 20 years. MCS’s beach clean projects are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

MCS volunteers last cleaned Langland in April when around 40 people picked up and recorded litter over two consecutive weekends, collecting 25 kilos of rubbish. The haul included over 50 pieces of burnt wood from fires, plus 30 nails in the fires from burning pallets.

Gill Bell, MCS Head of Conservation, Wales, says:

“It’s great to see people out and enjoying Wales’s fabulous coastline during the recent beautiful weather we’ve been having. But our finds on Langland are a salutary lesson in what not to do and leave behind. Having a beach barby is great fun but the burnt wood and the nails are dangerous to both wildlife and human visitors. If you do use the disposable BBQs, please get rid of them in the customised bins provided, once they have thoroughly cooled.”

Once again, as with so many beaches, MCS volunteers on Langland found lots of single use ‘on the go’ litter like plastic cups, lids and stirrers, with the highest quantities of litter being tiny plastic pieces.

MCS will be carrying out this year’s summer litter survey and beach clean on Sunday 24th June, starting at 11am, at Langland Beach, Gower, meeting in the car park behind the beach huts by the tennis courts.

Please bring along sensible clothing and footwear. Children are most welcome but must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Gloves and equipment will be provided. The beach clean will take about one hour.

Find out more information and register at: www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/beach/langland-bay/event/2018-06-24  or call 01989 566017.

Gear News

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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