News
Manta Trust joins WWDS in the Maldives and Thailand
Are you a manta lover and environmentally conscious? Then you will love what Worldwide Dive and Sail and the Manta Trust have prepared for you – two incredible itineraries in Maldives’ North Atolls and in the Andaman Seas of Thailand that are totally centred on manta behaviour and how to conserve them.
On both itineraries you will come up close and personal with manta rays with the help of Manta Trust experts. While the Maldives itinerary will mainly focus on manta feeding aggregations, the Thailand trip will be all about identification and tracking them. Both trips are designed for adventurers looking for something new and rarely offered in the Maldives and Thailand.
Photo: Glen Cowans
Formed in 2011, the Manta Trust is a UK and US-registered charity with a mission to conserve mobulid rays, their relatives, and their habitats, through a combination of research, education and collaboration. As part of this mission, the Manta Trust has teamed up with regional eco-minded tourism operators to provide ‘Manta Expeditions’—a series of liveaboard dive and snorkel trips that focus specifically on getting you in close proximity to manta rays, whilst imparting expert knowledge and skills.
Maldives Manta Expedition
This expedition on board the Maldives Master has been specifically timed to coincide with the most productive monsoon winds and lunar currents, which strongly influence the movements and feeding habits of reef manta rays. Explore the pristine and rarely visited northern atolls of Baa, Raa and Lhaviyani while looking manta rays.
Photo: Glen Cowans
Trip Leader: Dr. Guy Stevens, founder of Manta Trust
In 2011, Guy founded the Manta Trust, along with a collaboration of scientists, conservationists, photographers, filmmakers and communicators. His work with manta rays now takes him to other corners of the world, but for him the Maldives will always be the best place to see and study these amazing animals.
The Boat: Maldives Master
Boasting the largest dhoni in the area, Maldives Master has 13 comfortable cabins including three suites, a Jacuzzi, and seven social areas, including a sky lounge and bar, so guests can be assured they can explore these turquoise atolls in relaxed comfort.
When: 21 – 28 October 2019
More info: www.masterliveaboards.com/special-trips/manta-expeditions
Thailand Manta Expedition
Join the June Hong Chian Lee on this unique itinerary in Thailand, exploring the very best diving that this destination has to offer, taking in the highlights of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi, The Similan Islands plus Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock!
Trip Leader: Jamie MonManeerat, Project leader of Thailand Manta Project
A Marine Biologist with a distinction from Oxford, Jamie spent 3 months in 2014 working with the Manta Trust in the Maldives. After countless hours in the water with hundreds of manta rays, Jamie decided to develop the experience and knowledge she gained in Maldives into a manta project in her home country. In 2015, Thailand Manta Project was established with the goal to research the Manta population in Thailand and increase local protection to manta and mobula rays in Thai waters. Since then, Jamie has been dedicating her time to educate and raise awareness on manta rays and marine conservation in Thailand and its neighbouring countries.
The Boat: The Junk
S/Y June Hong Chian Lee or The Junk as she is commonly known, is a restored teak wood Chinese merchant sailing vessel that offers a unique liveaboard diving experience in Thailand. With an experienced crew and great food served on board, The Junk is the most charming and distinctive vessel in Thailand. So distinctive in fact that she has been used for several famous movies! The Junk can take up to 18 divers in 6 air conditioned cabins, offering a choice of double cabins, triple cabins and quads – all of them with their own private bathrooms with hot showers.
When: 12 – 20 January 2019
More info: www.thejunk.com/manta-trust
Contact Worldwide Dive and Sail today at bookings@worldwidediveandsail.com to book your space!
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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