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Irish Marine Science student wins European Scuba Diving Scholarship

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“Swimming with seals through a kelp forest was when she fell in love with the underwater world…”

Hannah Douglas, 23, from Co. Wicklow has been awarded the 2022 European Our World Underwater Scholarship®, one of three global SCUBA diving awards funded by Rolex each year.

The objective of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®, set up over 50 years ago in the USA, is to help to develop the careers of young people who are talented, passionate divers with a strong academic record and a deep-seated desire to build a career in our industry.  Three scholarships are awarded each year, one in the USA, one in Australasia, and one in the EU.  The scholarship can sound too good to be true as each individual spends a year on the road, diving and working with, and most importantly learning from and contributing to the work of leading divers, academics and conservationists around the world.

Hannah’s love of diving began during her Transition Year, when she completed an Open Water Diver course with Ocean Divers in Dunlaoghaire, at the end of which she experienced her first boat dive off Dalkey Island. It was on that dive, swimming with seals through a kelp forest that she fell in love with the underwater world and decided to study Marine Science at NUI Galway.

During her undergraduate studies she continued her SCUBA training, and under the guidance of kelp research specialist Kathyrn Scheonrock, became a NAUI-certified Scientific Diver. Subsequently, she worked on multiple scientific field research projects. Including her own final year thesis, focused on Pachycerianthus multiplicatus (Firework anemones) on the West coast of Ireland with the help of Seasearch Ireland, a citizen science diving organisation.

A passion for sharing the underwater world with others led her to complete her PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor qualification in Water World, Co. Kerry in 2021. In Summer of that year, as part of their bursary programme, she worked as a Communications Content Creator for the Marine Institute, Ireland’s state body for marine research and development.

In the long run, Hannah Douglas aims to continue studying life in the ocean while broadening her knowledge of economics and politics by delving into the world of resource management and legislation.  Alongside many other marine scientists, she fervently believes that ‘you can only love what you know’ and a global awakening to the beauty of our oceans is what is needed to drive the protection of marine biodiversity.

The ultimate objective of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®, is to keep talented young people in the underwater industry to drive it forwards, and it works. Scholars who graduate from this unique program go on to become underwater filmmakers, eminent underwater archaeologists, highly successful diving educators, hardware designers, leading conservationists, leading marine biologists and policymakers and explorers, all in our underwater world.

The organisation is run exclusively by volunteers including a healthy number of previous recipients of the scholarship who want to give something back to the Society which has supported their career development in such a meaningful way. The diving scholarship is supported by Rolex and is the watch brand’s longest continuous running involvement with any sport.

Hannah Douglas will attend the OWUSS award ceremony in New York in June and after that she will begin her scholarship studying underwater videography with Saeed Rashid in Northern Indonesia. During the year she will be tasked to produce articles and publications about her experiences, culminating with an end of year short film.

You can follow Hannah’s journey via the OWUSS EU Scholar Blog or on Instagram @subsea_rose and find out more about the OWUSS Scholarship at www.owuscholarship.org, and on Instagram @owuss_.


Header Image by Nadya Helmer

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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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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