News
Message in a bottle from UK boy found by dive club in Belgium
Harrison Keeley attends Park Avenue Nursery in Deal, and as part of one of their activities, eight children wrote letters and drawings and put them inside a bottle to send off Deal beach on Friday 19th June.
Harrison drew a picture of an octopus and the nursery put the address and date and asked whoever found it to let them know how far it had gone.
On Tuesday 23rd June, it was found by the Recreational Diving Society in De Haan, a seaside resort between Ostend and Zeebrugge.
The group were taking part in their annual rescue training.
Member Rik Demeyer said: “The sea was very rough and one of our members lost a fin. While looking for it, she found a sealed little plastic bottle with a message.
“As scuba divers, we always recover plastic objects from the sea. This message said it came from the Park Avenue Nursery and After School Club in Deal.
“It was a letter from Harrison, aged four, and contained a drawing of an octopus. It had travelled 70 miles across the sea.”
Evelyne Becu, who found the bottle, sent a letter back to the nursery to let them know it had been discovered.
In her letter, Mrs Becu said: “We were all so very charmed by your beautiful drawing of an octopus.
“We were surprised to discover that you send us a drawing of an octopus as we often encounter them on our scuba diving trips. They are really very beautiful and amazing animals.
“So, dear Harrison, I would like to thank you for your beautiful letter.
And in return I send you a copy of the local paper and a drawing of an octopus made by my daughter Jeanne (aged 7).”
Stephanie McGahan, proprietor at Park Avenue Nursery said she hadn’t expected a response.
She said: “They’d been learning about pirates all week. On a Friday afternoon the children go out and do something and they thought they would write a letter and put it in a bottle. They all did one.
“We didn’t actually think they would be found.”
Source: www.kentonline.co.uk
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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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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Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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