Posted on November 20th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
4:00AM Wednesday Nov 19, 2008
Gillian Torckler
For many New Zealanders, summer is defined by unveiling the barbecue packed away on a corner of the deck, followed by a game of beach rugby or cricket while fresh scallops and crayfish sizzle on the coals.
The Northern Arch, near the Poor Knights Islands, is a great dive spot. Photo / Top NZ Dive Sites
If you’re lucky those delicacies will have been plucked fresh from the sea that morning by an intrepid Kiwi bloke or blokette.
We are, it would seem, a country of scuba divers. But, unlike many other countries, New Zealand hasn’t had a great tradition of just look-see divers.
We have a very high rate of diver training and participation, but they mostly become the hunter gatherers.
Read this article from The New Zealand Herald.
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Posted on November 18th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
Grey Nurse Sharks are in danger, especially on Australia’s east coast where only a few hundred individuals are thought to exist. However, in a world first, researchers at the NSW Department of Primary Industries have built an artificial uterus, which scientists believe will one day boost offspring numbers of Grey Nurse Sharks.
Grey nurse shark at South West Rocks, Australia by Ali Perkins.
Watch a 5′33″ news clip on the ABC Catalyst website.
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Posted on November 17th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
If the Radio New Zealand National audio item on ocean acidification (below) interested you, then here’s an article on the Australian ABC news website that might be of interest.
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Posted on November 16th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
UwP is a FREE bi-monthly web-based magazine published on or around the 1st of January, March, May, July, September and November. You have to subscribe with a valid email address to download the latest issues. UwP is a FREE web magazine aiming to give a platform for existing and new talent in underwater photography.
Download the latest issue of UwP here.
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Posted on November 14th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
Shark Genetics
Alison Ballance joins biologists as they take genetic samples from the rig, one of New Zealand’s smallest sharks. Listen to audio on Radio New Zealand National (duration: 13′31″).
Jessica Gwilliam with a rig shark
There are about 75 shark species found in New Zealand waters, and rig shark is one of the smaller species. Each spring, rig come into estuaries such as Wellington’s Pauatahanui Inlet to breed. PhD student Jessica Gwilliam, from Macquarie University in Australia, is collaborating with NIWA’s Malcolm Francis, winner of the 2008 Marine Sciences Society medal, in a study that aims to unravel some of the genetic mysteries about rig and other closely related species, as well as understand how rig use the estuaries. Find out more about rig and other shark species at Te Ara, the online Encyclopaedia of New Zealand.
You can also listen to an earlier interview with Malcolm Francis about sharks and shark conservation.
Ocean Acidification
University of Otago marine scientist Abby Smith explains the impact of acidification of the ocean on shell-building creatures. Listen to audio on Radio New Zealand National (duration: 13′51″).
Marine biologists are warning that rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing the world’s oceans to acidify, and that this may have significant impacts on marine organisms that build shells from lime. Abby Smith is a marine biogeochemist in the Marine Studies Department at the University of Otago. She discusses her work with bryozoans, and explains why ocean acidification could be the next global environmental catastrophe.
To find out more about ocean acidification check out Wikipedia, read the Royal Society’s policy document and the briefing document produced for the Australian Government at the 2008 Hobart conference.
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Posted on November 11th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
VIEWPOINT - Rod Salm
The colourful world supported by coral reefs is under threat as oceans absorb greater quantities of carbon dioxide, says Rod Salm. In this week’s Green Room, he says we must accept that we are going to lose many of these valuable ecosystems, but adds that not all hope is lost.
“I’ve been privileged to see many of the world’s finest and least disturbed reefs.
Mine were the first human eyes to see many of the remotest reefs at a time when we really could describe them as pristine.
I would never have dreamed that they were at risk from people, far less than from something as remote then as climate change.
Today, despite the doom and gloom one reads so much about, one can still find reefs that are vibrant, thriving ecosystems.
But sadly, too, there are more and more that look like something from the dark side of the Moon.
Read this article on BBC News.
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Posted on November 11th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
5:57PM Monday Nov 10, 2008
A search is underway for a diver missing off the Timaru coast today.
The diver went missing about 3pm while diving from a fishing vessel near a wreck about 36km off the Timaru coast, Mid-south Canterbury police area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said.
He said the diving party was believed to be ascending from 60 metres when one of the party disappeared.
Read article in The New Zealand Herald.
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Posted on November 9th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
The 5th Annual Coromandel Dive Festival is scheduled for 5-7 December 2008, in Whitianga.
The festival program includes an underwater photography competition (disposable camera and digital camera sections), diving, treasure hunt, scuba olympics and parties. There are loads of prizes up for grabs, including a dive trip for 2 to Vanuatu (which I won at last year’s festival)!
The festival is tonnes of fun and the Botany Bottom Scratchers are sending over a contingent to take part in the celebrations. They’re wondering if anyone from AUUC would be keen in linking up with them. I think they need our young blood to win the scuba olympics! If you’re interested, contact Roger (rog.sil@clear.net.nz) or 027 439 4309. Roger is a sporadic checker of email so a phone call may be worth your while.
Find out more about the Coromandel Dive Festival.
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Posted on November 8th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
Celebrating the one year anniversary of the sinking of the ex-HMNZS Canterbury
01 November 2008 - Trip Report by Ali Perkins
I was there when she sank on Saturday 03 November 2007. There was no way I was going to miss out on being there to celebrate the one year anniversary. I’m talking about the ex-HMNZS Canterbury, sunk in Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands. I didn’t mind sharing my birthday with her and Halloween one little bit.
Aaaarhhhh…monsters on the Canterbury.
There’s a magnificent dive site in Northland, which you access by launching at Bland Bay. It’s appropriately called Danger Rock. A five minute boat ride from the beach will find you at a gull-covered rock. The real danger lies nearby, in the form of two pinnacles that don’t quite break the surface at high tide. Read more »
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Posted on November 7th, 2008 by Ali Perkins
A heritage group says it has discovered what it believes to be a German U-Boat lying in a watery grave off the Kaipara Coast.
Listen to a report at 17:51 on Friday 07 November on National Radio’s Checkpoint.
Read an article from the The Northern Advocate.
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