News
Manta Behaviour… where do they go?
The handsome male manta in the photo above is now known as Troy, thanks to Julia from Wythall, near Birmingham, who won the Scuba Tours Worldwide ‘Name the Manta’ Competition at DIVE 2016 in Birmingham over the past weekend.
“Troy is a fairly large manta who has been visiting Sunlight Thila and Lankan dive sites in the Maldives since mid 2007, but isn’t there often. He tends to appear when there is a group of large females, so it is likely that he is attracted to these busy cleaning stations during mating season and is looking for a mate,” said Dr Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler from the Manta Ecology Project.
Anne-Marie has been studying mantas for 15 years and she took the above picture whilst working as a Dive Guide in the Maldives for Scuba Tours Worldwide. “I have come to appreciate the range of behaviours exhibited by individual mantas. Some we see many times each season, in some cases we lose contact of one for a few years and then it reappears and is seen frequently for the following seasons. There have been a good number seen once and then not seen again until 10, 12 and even 14 years later … so I never give up on a manta! Where do they go in the meantime? The Maldives is a very large geographical area with many reefs never visited by divers. Even in areas where there is relatively intensive diving there are quiet reefs and channels not ever visited by divers or snorkelers so there are plenty of places for “shy” mantas to avoid human contact. I have certainly observed a range of behaviour as far as manta-to-diver interaction is concerned. All the most famous mantas “love” divers and became famous because they were seen so often, easily photographed and became recognised and their names stuck. When I write “love” divers I mean they are tolerant and curious of us and have probably incorporated swimming through our exhaled bubbles into their cleaning routines. I really enjoy having a new manta re-sighted several times and become a new favourite … and I hope this is the case with the newly-named “Troy” manta.”
So, if you are going diving in the Maldives, be sure to look out for Troy!
Scuba Tours Worldwide are Maldives Specialists and experts in tailor-made liveaboard and resort holidays. To find out more about the services they offer, visit www.scubascuba.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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