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Pond Shark – What Lurks In The Darkness?

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Pond Shark

Moving the weight in the farmer’s pond was tougher than he thought.  With the foot of muck and silt on the bottom, the weight sank deep into its sticky grip.  Searching for the murder weapon in this dark, smelly cow watering hole would seem to be an easy task.  However, the water temperature of 80 degrees and the periodic strain from moving his pattern caused him to overheat.  The only body parts exposed to the ambient water were his lips and mouth area not covered by his mask and hood.

Moving along the search line now, his thoughts focused on his sense of feel and keeping his searching hand moving in a grid pattern along his grid search line and being careful to search every square inch.  The occasional rock, stick or other bottom debris would cause him to stop and feel its shape to insure it wasn’t the object of his search.

Without warning, he felt a sudden pull on the corner of his lip followed by a sharp pain.  He moved his search hand towards his mouth to feel what was causing his discomfort.  As his hand moved close, the grip loosened long enough to allow his hand to pass and as soon as it did, the pull and the pain returned.  After a few such passes of his hand, he realized he was under attack by a small fish that apparently was protecting its nest.

Like a ninja warrior, the fish struck with lightning speed from all sides to chomp both the diver’s top and bottom lips.  The diver was unable to get close with his defensive moves and could only cuss and scream through his regulator while waving his hand in a futile attempt to ward off the attack.  His first thought was to stand and fight this invisible foe, yet it soon became apparent he was outmatched.  “Retreat or move-on,” his mind demanded, but not wanting to give in to this pond bully, the diver continued to search while struggling to fight off his attacker’s relentless onslaught.

Five feet further along his search grid, the attack ended as abruptly as it had started.  The diver regained his composure and thought of all the years he had searched in different environments as an underwater criminal investigator but could not recall having ever been so viscously assaulted from an underwater creature.  At the end of his pattern, he dug the weight out from the muddy silt and moved and set the search line.  Facing the direction he had just come from, he resumed the search while his mind thought of a popular movie about a great white shark eating people, the movie’s familiar tune starting to play in his head:  Dooooo, Do, Dooooo, Do, Do, Do, Do, Do….

He tried not to think of what might be waiting for him in the darkness as he forced himself forward, searching.  Maybe he had moved the pattern out of the fish’s nest or territory or maybe the fish just wanted a snack and thought his lips were some tasty treat like a worm, or a piece of baloney.  Maybe everything would be okay and he would soon find the weapon.  But without warning there came the first of many more bites.  The diver screamed his surprise and instantly began to move, search and defend.

Once out of the kill zone, the diver finished his pass and moved the weight.  Searching back along the grid was getting tougher, he found.  He thought of surrendering.  He also thought of using dynamite.  But not wanting to be a wimp, he forced himself forward, slowly.  To his surprise and relief, the attacks had ended.  The rest of the pond was safe and after locating the weapon he had begun to forget his horrible experience.

Then, as he slogged his way out of the water, his dive partners started to chuckle.  He looked at them quizzically and asked what was so funny.  They told him he was bleeding and, glancing in his truck’s sideview mirror, he saw the razor-thin bite marks all over his lips and blood flowing down his chin.  With a nod in the direction of the pond, he began telling them the story of his bout with the invisible attacker.  Like good dive partners, they rolled on the ground, having a good laugh at his expense and showing no sympathy for his condition.

After packing up his vehicle, he took one final look at the flat, brown water he’s just searched and thought back on his years as a police officer and how he’d never been defeated in any confrontation.  That record, sadly, had now changed forever and all because of a little fish he could not see in a farmer’s pond or, better yet, a little white pond shark that lurked in its warm, dark waters. Dooooo, Do

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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