News
Siren Fleet and Reef Check Foundation team up for Philippines trip
The Siren Fleet and Reef Check are working together this July to give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about reef conservation. Whilst on-board the Philippine Siren, you will have the opportunity to participate in several courses and presentations by Dr. Gregor Hodgson from Reef Check.
Reef Check was founded in 1997 as an international non-profit foundation that monitors reefs in over 90 countries, mainly tropical coral reefs. Their protocol is the largest coral reef monitoring program and is used by many national governments as their primary coral reef monitoring tool. The Reef Check Mission is to “empower local people to save their reefs through research, education and active conservation”.
Dr. Gregor Hodgson is a coral reef ecologist and the founder of the Reef Check Foundation. Greg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology, specialising in Coral Reef Ecology and Integral Coastal Management, and attained his doctorate studying the impacts of logging on reefs in El Nido, Palawan. For 10 years he worked in Hong Kong as an environmental consultant before becoming a professor in Environmental Science and Marine Conservation at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The Reef Check courses are:
Eco-Diver: A 3 day course taught by Gregor on how to monitor coral reefs by using a set of 30 predefined indicators. After successfully completing the course you will receive a certification card, allowing you to participate in future Reef Check survey expeditions anywhere in the Indo-Pacific.
Discover Reef Check: A half day course for divers interested in learning a little more about reef conservation.
All participants in both courses will receive a wall certificate signed by Dr. Gregor Hodgson.
Participation in the course and presentations given by Gregor are strictly voluntary, so guests may opt to do as little or as much as they wish and the trip will follow the regular itinerary. Dive guides will be on hand to assist both those participating in the courses and guests who prefer to simply dive the reefs.
The itinerary of the 6 night trip will include Cabilao, Balicasag, Dauin, Apo Island and Pescador Island.
“Built by divers for divers”, the Siren Fleet yachts feature individually air conditioned cabins with en-suite facilities and plenty of space for you to relax and enjoy your time onboard. Siren Fleet offers 4 Guided Dives per day in small groups with free scuba equipment rental and Nitrox. All this surrounded by their professional, experienced and friendly crew.
Visit the Siren Fleet website (www.sirenfleet.com) or contact their reservations team at info@sirenfleet.com. Book today and receive a 10% discount. Have you already been onboard the Siren Fleet? Quote Summer of Sirens when you contact them and receive something extra special.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News3 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Blogs3 months agoFreediver Christian Redl Sets His 13th World Record at Lake Neufeld