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NUPG / TGNDS Underwater Photography Print Competition Results

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Northern Underwater Photography Group

The 23rd & 24th April 2016 marked the inaugural Northern Underwater Photography Group Print Competition in association with The Great Northern Dive Show. Underwater photographers were asked to enter print images into 4 categories which were then mounted and displayed at the event for the general public to vote on.

Over 400 people voted in the competition over 2 days, and it was a tough job for all those that perused the display. Some fantastic images were on show, and the voting in some categories was very tight. Images from around the UK caught the eye, with shots from all around our amazing coastline and our fresh water sites. Alongside these, images from around the world – from Australia to the Caribbean – showed off the amazing marine life, wrecks and caverns that divers get to experience.

The Results

British & Irish Macro

Winner: Mark Thomas with his Mauve Stinger Jellyfish from Connemara

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Runner-Up: Mark Thomas again with a Shanny portrait

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Highly Commended: Yo-Han Cha with a Squat Lobster shot from Loch Sunart in Scotland

Northern Underwater Photography Group

British & Irish Wide Angle

Winner: Yo-Han Cha with a Grey Seal portrait from the Farne Islands

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Runner-Up: Kirsty Andrews with a shot of Blue Sharks from Cornwall

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Highly Commended: Kirsty Andrews with a shot of a Fireworks anemone and crab from Loch Goil

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Overseas Macro

Winner: Caroline Robertson-Brown with a shot of a Leafy Seadragon from South Australia

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Runner-Up: Jason Melton with Pigmy Seahorses from Anilao in the Philippines

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Highly Commended: Justin Beevor with a Spiny Blenny from Bonaire

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Overseas Wide Angle

Winner: Nick Robertson-Brown with a shot of an Eagle Ray from Grand Cayman

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Runner-Up: Elaine White with a shot of a diver and a snorkeler in Dos Ojos cenote in Mexico

Northern Underwater Photography Group

Highly Commended: Marcia Melton with a shot of fighting Moray Eels from Anilao in the Philippines

Northern Underwater Photography Group

The NUPG will be sponsoring the prize for each winner, which will be a shark sponsorship pack from The Shark Trust. Rather than material prizes, the NUPG thought it would be better to show our support for marine conservation with these prizes. The winners have selected to sponsor Basking Sharks and the No Limits Sharks (2 for each).

The competition was a huge success and we look forward to working with The Great Northern Dive Show again next year. The NUPG would like to thank all those that entered the competition, voted at the show and assisted us with all the preparation and running of the competition. Well done to all those that were placed.

www.nupg.org.uk

www.thegreatnortherndiveshow.co.uk

www.sharktrust.org

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

Gear News

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

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regulator

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.

regulator

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.

regulator

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.

regulator

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.

regulatorregulator

The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

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.

regulatorregulator

Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

regulator

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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