News
Terrific Tiran
The reefs of the Strait of Tiran are some of the regular dive sites for anyone diving out of Sharm el Sheikh, and during our 8 days diving with Camel Dive Club, we got to visit these reefs on three occasions. The four main reefs here are named after the British cartographers who first mapped the region: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon. It is about an hour from Naama Bay by boat and offers some pretty spectacular diving. The reef system is instantly recognisable from the boat, due to a wreck that stands up on top of the reef, slowly rusting away over the years.
Everyone has their own particular favourite dive site here, with Jackson Reef probably the most popular, but we found that on any given day, each of these sites had something different to offer. Both Jackson and Thomas have huge pink sea fans, with the most impressive on Thomas at around 24 metres. Many of the sea fans, on both of these reefs, were so vast that it took two of us to properly light them up using our INON strobes, without the sensor covers, so they would fire remotely. We spent one dive on Thomas, simply focussing on just photographing these amazingly healthy sea fans. On Jackson Reef we spent a whole dive at around 5metres, marvelling at the colours and reflections of the corals near the surface. We were also lucky enough to encounter a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, underwater! We had just got back onto the boat when the cry of “dolphins” came out. They were close to the reef, so we put on our masks, fins and snorkels, grabbed our cameras and headed out to join them. They did not let us get too close, perhaps because they had a baby with them, but they certainly put on a show, waving their tails in the air, in a sort of “reverse spy-hop”.
These reef systems can be milk-pond calm or they can have mild to strong currents, depending on where you are on the system. So it is that on some days you can drift along admiring the colourful corals and on others, you can slow down and find the small critters and marine life that inhabit the crevices on the walls and pinnacles. Gordon Reef is packed with wildlife and has a series of old drums, the cargo of a shipwreck, which offer hideouts for fish and other sea dwellers. We found Spanish dancer eggs, but alas none of these fabled creatures themselves. Woodhouse lies between Thomas and Jackson and is a narrow and long reef that is best done as a drift dive, with or without current. The visibility is incredible here and you can practically see all along the wall, including down in the deep where impressive black gorgonians can be found. Look out into the blue and you have a decent chance of spotting sharks and rays.
Nearby is the wreck of the Million Hope. We had got our hopes up (all one million of them) that we would be able to dive this amazing wreck site, but the weather has to be on its best behaviour. We had planned our dive, and the captain maneuvered the boat around, but the swells were just too big. We will just have to come back another time to dive what is considered to be one of the best wreck dives in the whole of Egypt.
www.egypt.travel/diving-in-egypt
For more from Nick and Caroline visit www.frogfishphotography.com.
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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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.
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.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
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.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
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.
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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