News
Two Shark Attacks On California Coast Over Fourth Of July Weekend
Two shark bites were reported on the California Coast over the Fourth of July weekend.
On Saturday, two men surfing near the Oceano Dunes encountered a shark who bit a chunk out of one of their boards. They were not injured.
Further down the coast, in Manhattan Beach, a man was attacked by a great white shark while swimming near the pier. Witnesses say the shark may have been provoked.
It had been hooked by a fisherman on a nearby pier and was thrashing in the water for more than 30 minutes before biting Steven Robles. He is out of the hospital and recovering.
Shark experts say while these incidents may be unnerving, there is no cause for alarm. Shark bites and attacks are still rare.
According to research, there were 39 reported shark attacks in California from 2001 to 2013.
The last fatal shark attack in California happened in 2012 at Surf Beach. Two year’s earlier a UCSB student was killed by a shark in the same area.
Dr. Chris Lowe is a Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach.
“Once you get north of Santa Barbara, once you get around point conception, we see typically see sub-adult and adult sharks coming in close to the shoreline. In some cases, there is greater a likelihood of shark interaction in places that are less populated by people,” he said.
Lowe says while great white attacks have increased at a steady rate since the 1990’s, the rate is still lower when compared to the number of people using the ocean.
“We are putting a lot more people in the ocean than we did ten, twenty, thirty years ago. Even though the number of sharks going up, the rate of shark attacks isn’t mirroring that rate,” Lowe said.
In fact, most marine mammals are making a comeback because of ocean conservation efforts. Lowe said, “One of the things people need to realize is that the big animals are coming back. The seals, sea lions, dolphins, and the sharks.”
The bottom line is people need to get used to sharing the ocean with them.
“It’s exciting to see these animals come back. We’ve spent a lot of time and a lot of money to bring these populations back. What it comes down to is we have to learn how to share the ocean with them. Obviously we don’t want to go back to where we were, when we had a predator-less ocean,” Lowe said.
The Director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center in Santa Barbara agrees.
Amanda Allen said, “Sharks are definitely important animals in our ecosystem. We want those top predators to be there. We want a healthy ocean ecosystem and healthy oceans have sharks in them.”
Source: www.keyt.com
News
Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!
Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.
This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.
Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.
Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.
Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.
“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”
Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.
The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.
Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.
The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.
For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com
For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/
Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe
Gear Reviews
Gear Review: SurfEars 4
Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.
That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/
So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.
Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.
The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.
Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.
For more information head to: https://surfears.com/
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