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Record-Breaking Ocean Clean-up

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Divers unite to highlight the urgent need to stop the Ugly Journey of Trash and set a new Guinness World Record

Ocean pollution and the amount of plastic in the sea is an ever-growing talking point but unfortunately, it’s also an issue that continues to be too often ignored. In a bid to change the “out of sight, out of mind” attitude, Dixie Divers, a PADI® dive centre committed to making a difference, has found an inspiring way to highlight the urgent need to turn the tide on the plague of plastic in our ocean with a Guinness World Record.

Supported by Project AWARE® and PADI®, the 2019 edition of the annual Save Deerfield Beach Event, organized by Dixie Divers in Florida on June 15, aimed to show that conservation brings more people together now than ever before. Hundreds of divers signed up to the event and came together to put their scuba diving skills to good use.

Guinness World Record adjudicator, Michael Empric, who conducted the official scuba diver headcount, announced that 633 dive clean-up volunteers had taken part in the event.

“One by one by one… A world record is broken. 633 divers. 3200lbs of fishing gear. Over 9,000 pieces of marine debris reported to Project AWARE. To say today’s collaboration of The World Record Clean-up Event hosted by Dixie Divers was a success is an understatement” commented Jack Fishman, Project AWARE Conservation Officer.

The day ended with a huge crowd of beachgoers and dive enthusiasts greeting with cheers announcement that the Guinness World Record for the biggest ocean clean-up had been broken.

The record for the most divers taking part in an underwater clean-up was held by Ahmed Gabr, a former Egyptian Army scuba diver. He brought a team of 615 divers to the Red Sea in Egypt in 2015.

The majority of the debris removed by participating dive volunteers, as part of the Save Deerfield Beach Event, was recorded and reported to Project AWARE’s flagship citizen science program – Dive Against Debris®. The program aims to empower scuba divers to remove marine debris from the seafloor and report data on the types, quantities, and locations of materials collected. To date, over 50,000 divers from 114 countries have taken part in this citizen science program in an effort both to clean up the ocean and build evidence of the global marine litter crisis.

The marine debris data collected by the volunteer divers who took part in the Dive Against Debris® survey dives at the Deerfield Beach Pier will now go through thorough quality review before the results are added to the global Dive Against Debris map.

“What an amazing day for conservation and an amazing day for the dive community” added Jack Fishman. “We are overwhelmed by the success of Dixie Divers’ event but we want to emphasize that you don’t need to take part in an event to make a difference. We all have the power to create positive change for the ocean each day and every time we dive”.

For more information about getting involved, check out Latest Campaigns. Join ocean adventurers worldwide. Make Every Dive a Survey Dive and say No to single-use plastic to help stop the Ugly Journey of Trash at the source.

Gear News

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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