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Scuba Diversion launches ‘Off The Chart’ Myanmar Expedition

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Bespoke expedition to Black Rock and the Burma Banks offers the opportunity to participate in conservation research and learn new photography skills

Scuba Diversion has launched an exclusive new 2019 liveaboard expedition to dive Black Rock and the Burma Banks as part of its successful series of ‘Off The Chart’ expeditions. Led by host Ric Parker, guests will have the opportunity to contribute to manta ray research, improve their photography skills and take part in a Blackwater Dive. Joining Ric will be special guests Anna Flam – a leading Manta Ray scientists from the Marine Megafauna Foundation and the global coordinator for MantaMatcher.org – and Alex Tyrrell, a professional underwater photographer and founder of dive4photos in Koh Tao.

The trip, which takes place from 10-18 March 2019 and costs from 65,990 Thai Baht per person (approx. £1,506/2,004 USD) not including donations and fees, will be returning to the best areas of the Mergui Archipelago following an outstanding 2018 expedition which saw lots of action: from giant mantas on the very first dive to a whale shark on the very last.

The 2019 expedition will start at Black Rock in the hope of seeing similarly spectacular manta action as last year. The liveaboard will also visit other manta aggregation sites in the Mergui Archipelago before heading West to the Burma Banks. More dives are planned at the famed Banks than ever before, offering the chance for more exploration and some special activities. Based on new areas discovered in 2018, positive coral recovery and encounters with huge malin, nurse sharks and juvenile silvertip sharks and a successful mapping project at West Canister Island, the expedition might also attempt to map the Banks. As much is yet to be learned about manta migration patterns, the itinerary will be somewhat flexible to allow the expedition leaders and scientists to decide which are the best sites for manta encounters.

Guests will also have the opportunity to try Blackwater Diving – a popular style of extreme night diving which is loved by underwater photographers in particular. The dive is conducted in deep water whilst drifting along with the current. A downline attached to a buoy with a string of powerful lights acts both as a reference for the divers and to attract the marine life. On this dive, the aim is to see larval creatures, open ocean drifters and, possibly, even deep water species that migrate up to shallower water after dark.

There will be several onboard presentations about what was learned about mantas during 2018’s expedition, which was the company’s most fruitful to date in terms of manta ray research with a record-breaking number of encounters at Black Rock.

Anna Flam will be collecting data on the manta rays encountered throughout the trip and guests will be able to participate by helping with her research. Over the past four years with MMF, Anna Flam has been collecting vital information on manta ray population size, structure and connectivity. Her data can be used to further understand populations and guide the development of management and conservation strategies.

Anna said: “2018’s expedition was a huge success.  We saw 40 mantas over three days at Black Rock. 20 females, 17 males, and three of unknown sex. 34 of these mantas were new to the database and six had been seen before. Of those, one of our resighted mantas (TH0258B) was last seen in Koh Bon, Thailand, in 2016 making her a new addition to our confirmed international migrators. We have now recorded 19 mantas making the migration between Thai and Burmese waters. Thanks in large part to photographs from expeditions like this one we have the largest database of giant mantas in the Indian Ocean. There are now 519 identified mantas in the Thailand/Myanmar region!

Alex Tyrrell will be on hand for camera set-up advice, shooting tips, photo-related questions and troubleshooting throughout the trip. He will also hold a series of presentations concentrating on wide angle shooting. The talks cover: wide-angle ambient lighting with colour correction filters, using strobes with wide-angles and the basic editing of wide-angle images with Adobe Lightroom.

Places for this exclusive trip are limited. For more information or to book, please visit: www.scuba-diversion.com/off-chart/myanmar-2019

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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