News
Winning Shots from World Oceans Day
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, June 8th would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day.” World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans – and be part of the solutions.
Photography is a powerful medium to convey a feeling or a message, so the World Oceans Day photography competition is an open and free photo competition that seeks to inspire the creation of imagery capturing the beauty, the challenges and the importance of the ocean and humankind’s relation to it, hoping to contribute to actions to preserve it.
Here are the 2019 winners…
Above Water Seascapes Winner: Caine Delacy
Image above
“On a stormy morning in Dominica I watched these fishers set a net perhaps 200-300 meters in length; from their small boat. As they started pulling it in the fish caught presumably ballyhoo (Hemiramphus brasiliensis), started to concentrate near the surface and a seemingly empty net soon became full of fish. When one fisher jumped in to close the bottom of the net, the catch was a good as theirs. The next step was to haul it all onto the boat, this is where the difference between industrial and artisanal fishing is found.”
Clean our Oceans Winner: Jacek Dybowski
“I took the pictures of this injured shark during a diving safari in the Red Sea, Egypt. The route of the safari was along the golden triangle – Brother’s Island, Deadalus, Elphistone. We met the shark in the waters around the Small Brother Island. The purpose of the safari was generally a meeting of sharks, of which this route is famous for. This is a longimanus shark, which by nature is very curious. When diving boats arrive, sharks appear to observe the divers. They are not afraid, they swim very close to divers. This shark appeared with two others, but only he was swimming with a large group of pilot fish. It was only when he approached very close that one could see that it was wounded.
The feeling was devastating. I had never seen anything like this. In the beginning, I did not know what happened to this shark and what is located on its gills. I was shocked when I noticed that this yellow plastic was cutting the shark very deeply. This had to cause the excruciating pain to it.
When we were discussing on the boat with other divers about what could have happened to this shark, when we were looking at the photos, we came to the conclusion that he was wearing a necklace for fixing the second stage of breathing regulator. The shark had to somehow put it on himself when it was small and growing along with it. This plastic band looked like rooted in. We discussed the possibility of re-diving and trying to remove this plastic, but none of us had experience in this kind of activities. We decided it could be too dangerous.”
Human Interaction – Making a Difference Winner: David Salvatori
“Strait of Messina (Italy) – a diver floats in a soup of trillion of tunicates brought together by a very rare combination of currents, winds, moon cycle. Strait of Messina, between end point of Italy peninsula and isle of Sicily, is a unique place where strong currents and steep sea bottoms often create conditions for rare encounters“
Underwater Life Winner: Galice Hoarau
Selayar Island, South Sulawesi,Indonesia
Green turtle Chelonia mydas
“Green turtles can be found in large numbers in the shallow waters around Selayar. On this dive site 30 to 40 individuals can be found resting and getting cleaned. After spending several dives with them, I was lucky to find this particularly friendly one surrounded by cardinal fish.”
Underwater Seascapes Winner: Renee Capozzola
A healthy soft coral reef explodes with life in Raja Ampat
“This image was taken in Raja Ampat, Indonesia where many healthy coral reefs can be found. Showing an explosion of color and vitality, this flourishing marine ecosystem is a testament to how coral reefs should look. Here, soft corals bloom into rainbow-hued formations that are full of fish life. It is my hope that images like this will help to raise awareness for the added protections our oceans need.”
Gender and Oceans Winner: Henley Spiers
“Marine biologists Emily and Kari tend to the coral nursery at COMO Cocoa Island. Rapidly rising sea temperatures have devastated somewhere between 60% to 90% of the shallow, stone coral reefs in the Maldives. Initiatives such as this coral garden provide a fast platform for growing coral which can then be used to repopulate the reef.”
Overall Winner 2019 UN World Oceans Day
For more information about World Oceans Day visit the website by clicking here.
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.
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.
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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