Scuba Diving Fiji

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today announced its ‘Sustainable Seafood Policy’ including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect.

2012-01-18T10:12:00.000+13:00

Congratulations to these guys! A BIG hotel chain based in Hong Kong and throughout the Asia region!

Shangri-La Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy And Discontinuing Use Of All Shark Fin Products in 72 hotels and resorts

17 Jan 2012

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today announced its ‘Sustainable Seafood Policy’ including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect.

Future banquet bookings made prior to this date will be honoured as per the signed contractual agreement. At the same time, Shangri-La announced that it will phase out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. In December 2010 the company initiated the process with the removal of shark fin products from its restaurant menus. The new policy is a continuation of Shangri-La’s journey towards environmental support.

The company launched its first CSR initiatives in 2005 which were streamlined and formalised in 2009 in the three main areas of Sustainability, Embrace and Sanctuary towards a strategic commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

‘Sanctuary, Shangri-La’s Care for Nature’ project was introduced specifically to ensure consistency in biodiversity, conservation and habitat protection across all resorts. Projects include the development of marine sanctuaries to ensure reef protection and stability of the underwater and marine life. Two years later, in May 2011, the company published its first Sustainability Report outlining the company’s progress in the areas of environment, health and safety, employees, supply chain and stakeholder relations.

Shangri-La’s ethos and core values show a commitment to the environment that the company does business in. As part of the CSR efforts, Shangri-La has been working on a number of projects related to sustainability for several years. The sustainable seafood campaign has been on the forefront as the initiative will deliver immediate results.

Shangri-La will continue to review and refine its overall programmes including environmental and sustainability issues.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today announced its ‘Sustainable Seafood Policy’ including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect

To the rescue - Fiji Times Online

2012-01-16T13:39:00.000+13:00

To the rescue - Fiji Times Online

A NADI resident who has been closely following the Shark Sanctuary Campaign was disgusted to find that the bodies of mutilated baby sharks are regularly on sale at the Nadi fishmarket.

Lavenia Mataitoga had been made aware of the issues with shark fishing in Fiji through The Fiji Times Save the Shark Campaign and the screenings of the Coral Reef Alliance documentary Shark Hope.

The dive operation she works for, Reef Safari Diving in Port Denarau Marina, also has an active environmental education program for all its staff led by marine biologist Maddy Carse.

Consequently when Ms Mataitoga encountered juvenile whitetip reef sharks and endangered hammerhead sharks in the market, she was outraged.

The shark defender challenged the sellers, and since then, one of them has stopped trading in sharks.

The other identified himself as a "middleman", not a fisherman.

He was selling the bodies of whitetip reef sharks, which had already had their fins cut off for the shark fin trade, for $F2 each.

Baby sharks are regularly caught in the Nadi Bay river estuaries, showing that this is a valuable breeding ground for these endangered species.

Many sharks do not breed until they are 10-15 years old, and then usually only have two to six babies.

If the babies are killed before they have a chance to reproduce, it will reduce the number of adult sharks, and the population will be destroyed.

Living sharks are vital to a healthy reef fish population and also bring millions of dollars to Fiji from tourists who come to go shark diving.

Killing them for $2 just doesn't make sense, economically or environmentally.

"The majority of divers have a high expectation of seeing sharks when diving in Fiji," says Reef Safaris general manager Andrew Cole.

"And all have a high respect for these apex creatures and for their necessity to have populations restored to true balance in order to protect the ecosystem of the marine world.

"Take away the sharks and the reputation of Fiji diving being a visual, dynamic and exciting experience has a high potential of being damaged and there are numerous other dive destinations around the world that may then be considered as holiday destinations at the expense of Fiji."

Ms Mataitoga had the courage of her convictions and spoke to the shark sellers, explaining that sharks are endangered and that they should be preserved.

She spoke out in the market and made sure her point was understood.

If we all did the same, we could stop this ugly trade very quickly.

Let's protect Fiji's sharks.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP

Any time you see sharks, shark meat or shark fin soup for sale, talk politely to the people doing it and explain why we should be protecting sharks. Or, if you prefer, just cut out the box below and give it to the person. Many people are still not aware why this is a problem, but by spreading the information, you can make a real difference, one shark at a time.

* Living sharks are important to the environment, tourism economy, and culture of Fiji.

* They are extremely vulnerable to overfishing as they grow slowly and breed at a late age and in small numbers.

* Shark fishing is not part of Fijian tradition or long-term fisheries practice.

* Please do not sell, buy or eat shark fin soup.

Become A Fiji Shark Defender!

* Helen Sykes works with shark campaigner Manoa Rasigatale and the Coral Reef Alliance, in conjunction with Pew, to create awareness and help bring about legislation for a sanctuary to protect sharks in Fiji's waters.

To the rescue - Fiji Times Online

The 'million dollar manta' being killed worldwide for unproven health tonics

2012-01-16T11:59:00.000+13:00

Download report

Manta rays are so popular with divers and snorkelers that a single animal can 'earn' more than US$ 1 million over its lifetime for local eco-tourism, according to a new report issued by the Manta Ray of Hope Project. Despite their popularity and lucrative tourism value, the report provides shocking evidence that these graceful and gentle giants are rapidly disappearing due to extreme fishing pressure that is largely unknown by the general public or conservationists.

The Manta Ray of Hope Project, a joint effort of two conservation organizations, Shark Savers and WildAid, released a comprehensive report documenting worldwide manta and mobula declines due to the trade in their gills. The report, entitled "Manta Ray of Hope: The Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays" provides the most far-reaching research ever conducted into both the intensive overfishing of mantas and mobulas as well as the trade in their gill rakers that are driving mantas and mobulas to the point of population collapse.

Manta Ray of Hope / Shark Savers / WildAid

The destruction of ray populations is the result of demand for their gill rakers, with an estimated market value of $11 million annually. That is a fraction of the value of manta and mobula ray tourism, which is estimated at over $100 million per year, globally.

Shawn Heinrichs, Manta Ray of Hope team leader, explains, "While the gills are valuable for this trade, it is also robbing local economies and the environment of one of the most charismatic creatures in the ocean that could draw millions of dollars each year for those communities."

Lead investigator Paul Hilton added, "We first came across manta and mobula ray gills in Asian markets several years ago and followed the trail to the dried seafood markets of Southern China. It's sad to see these animals follow the same path to extinction as sharks."

Manta Ray of Hope / Shark Savers / WildAid

Manta and mobula ray populations are severely impacted by any kind of targeted fishing because they have extremely limited reproductive biology. These rays can take ten or more years to reach sexual maturity and typically produce only one pup every two to three years. In comparison, even the Great White shark which is listed under CITES Appendix II and widely considered to be one of the world's most vulnerable species, may produce as many pups in one litter as a manta ray does over its entire lifetime.

As a result, every area with active fisheries directed against manta and mobula rays reports devastating and rapid declines in populations of these rays. In certain regions, such as the Sea of Cortez, the oceanic manta ray (M. birostris) has largely disappeared. The aggressive trade in gill rakers continues in several of the key range states for mobulids with the largest landings documented in Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia.

"If action is not taken quickly, manta and mobula rays will likely face regional extinctions because of unregulated fisheries", said Michael Skoletsky, Executive Director of Shark Savers. "Anyone who has gone diving with mantas knows them to be intelligent, graceful, and engaging animals. It would be a tragedy to lose them."

Executive Director of WildAid, Peter Knights, adds that "Mantas can generate tens of millions of dollars of long term sustainable tourism revenue for less wealthy nations, or for a few million we can let them go extinct for an obscure and dubious folk cure. The economics and the moral imperative are clear - we need an immediate moratorium on gill raker trade and measures for complete protection to some populations and to reduce fishing pressure for others."

Manta Ray of Hope / Shark Savers / WildAid

The gills of manta and mobula rays are dried and boiled for preparation as a health tonic that is purported to treat a wide range of ailments. Yet the report's researchers did not find the gill raker remedy listed in the official Traditional Chinese Medicine manual. However, that has not prevented its use as a pseudo-medicinal tonic, driven by direct marketing to consumers by importers in Guangzhou, China, the primary destination for this trade.

The report, Manta Ray of Hope: The Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays highlights what is known about the remarkable biology and ecology of manta and mobula rays, explains the extreme threats they face, describes the fisheries and trade that target these rays, and offers some solutions via alternative, non-consumptive uses for communities to profit from them, sustainably. The information provided in the report will enable decision-makers to move swiftly in enacting critical protections for manta and mobula rays.

Manta Ray of Hope received support from the Silvercrest Foundation, Hrothgar Investments Ltd, and private donors. Manta Ray of Hope: The Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays received additional guidance and data from many of the foremost manta researchers and scientists throughout the world.

About Shark Savers: Shark Savers was founded in 2007 by six long-time divers driven by a shared passion - to save the world's dwindling shark and ray populations. Today, more than 20,000 members from 99 nations share that passion. Focusing on action and results, Shark Savers programs result in saving the lives of sharks and rays. By leveraging professional experience and expertise, Shark Savers brings this important issue to the masses in many compelling forms, motivating people to stop consuming sharks and shark fin soup, and working for the creation of shark sanctuaries and other protections. For more information, please visit www.sharksavers.org

About WildAid: WildAid focuses on addressing the human threat to wildlife. Our comprehensive approach includes public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to reduce consumer demand for wildlife products, and working with communities to support and enforce key protected habitats around the world. For more information, please visit www.wildaid.org.

About Manta Ray of Hope Project: The Manta Ray of Hope Project is a joint initiative that includes top field investigators, leadings scientists and researchers, all working together to further the conservation of manta and mobula rays. The project was founded by Shark Savers and WildAid, with support from the Silvercrest Foundation, Hrothgar Investments, and private donors. Manta Ray of Hope is developing global conservation campaigns based on sound science, including:

Manta Ray of Hope: The Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays, a comprehensive study of the destructive fishing and consumption of Mobulids.
Establishment of trade bans and sanctuaries.
Education and awareness campaigns for consumers.
Ecotourism development in fishing communities.

For more information

http://www.mantarayofhope.com

Manta Ray of Hope - Documentary

Dear Santa, Bring Me a Manta (HD)

2012-01-05T11:45:00.000+13:00

This is the second famous song to be specifically written at and inspired by beautiful Matava by the Scuba Cowboy!

Underwater Digital Photo System for under $400

2012-01-05T09:05:00.000+13:00

Epoque’s New 8MP Digital Underwater Camera System Now Available For Under $400!!!!

In the past, it was very expensive to get into underwater photography. Today, with the growth of digital technology and advanced imaging designs, it’s never been easier for the beginning underwater photographer. This week, Epoque USA announced a new 8 megapixel digital underwater camera and housing that has a suggested retail of less than $400.

Here’s some excerpts of the release:

Epoque USA has begun distribution of its EHD-800Ai underwater digital camera and housing to photo dealers. The EHD-800Ai is an 8MP digital camera in its own dedicated housing capable of protecting the camera down to 150 feet underwater. The form fitted housing is compact, lightweight, and easy for any underwater photographer to handle. Its ergonomic controls offer easy access to all the camera functions so changing important settings underwater is possible. It is constructed from molded ABS plastics for maximum strength and durability for reliable protection and performance in rugged activities.

The EHD-800Ai features an autofocus 3X optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 36mm-108mm. It also has a macro focus setting for shooting the smallest underwater subjects. The lens is equipped with a 55mm threaded lens attachment ring for mounting the Epoque DCL-20 wide angle conversion lens with a magnification factor of .56, or the DML-2 macro conversion lens with a 2X magnification factor.

The EHD-800Ai has a built-in flash and programmed auto exposure. To expand the system for greater photographic challenges, external slave strobes can be attached with an accessory strobe tray and arm system and a fiber optic cord for flash synchronization. Epoque ES-150 DSα and the ES-230 DS Auto strobes can function as slaves for use with the EHD-800Ai. The strobes are compact, high performance strobes which can be used with any underwater camera system via their Nikonos type sync cord connector, a fiber optic cord, or as a wireless slave.

In addition too being perfect for scuba divers who enjoy underwater photography, the EHD-800Ai is also the perfect outdoor camera for capturing great digital images in activities like surfing, ocean kayaking, and white water paddling. Like every Epoque photo system, the EHD-800Ai can be used as a stand alone photo tool, or it can become the center of an expanding system of accessories for increased creative control. Epoque is the most diverse and affordable high quality product line in underwater and outdoor photography.

Epoque underwater products, with worldwide corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Japan, offers a full line of underwater photo and video products. Epoque products have been a favorite of novice and advanced underwater photographers for over 20 years, and are distributed in 35 countries. Epoque USA, a division of Proteus Adaptive Devices LLC with over 30 years experience in underwater photography, is the exclusive authorized distributor of Epoque products in the USA.

For specific details, visit the website at : http://www.epoqueusa.com/epoque_EHD_800_AI.html

For complete information visit the web at www.EpoqueUSA.com, or call 203-599-1203.

Underwater Digital Photo System for under $400

Fiji Underwater photos are up! - Underwater Photography and Scuba News

2012-01-03T10:58:00.000+13:00

Well I started with well over a thousand photos. Deleted hundreds. Probably should have deleted more but oh well. Here is the Main album.

There are 4 subs listed on the left side of the screen. Images are organized by where they were taken. Kai Viti and Ra Divers were the two operations I went out with. Both great crews. I would use them again without hesitation. Fiji Underwater Snorkeling

Shore Dives Ra Divers Kai Viti Divers
Fiji Underwater photos are up! - Underwater Photography and Scuba News

Shark Free Marinas: Reducing worldwide shark mortality.

2011-12-30T17:32:00.000+13:00

Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters take the leading role in the world with a major shark conservation initiative in the gamefishing community.
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 14 July 2009 – Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters are proud to take a world wide leading role in the the international Shark-Free Marina Initiative.

The international Shark-Free Marina Initiative works with marinas, boaters and fishermen to develop policy designed to protect a vital component of the oceans health, our sharks.
Matava Director Stuart Gow said:

"We have worked hard over the past few months in Fiji at certifying many marinas and charter fishing boats as ‘Shark-Free Marinas’ and so far have more than any other country worldwide.
Matava and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters was the first in Fiji to sign up and is actively promoting, coordinating and distributing information about the Initiative. We are working towards when Fiji can be the first country to be proud to announce itself as a ‘Shark-Free Marinas’ Country!” he continued.

The majority of shark species caught by recreational and sport anglers are currently listed by the IUCN as ‘Threatened’ (or worse) and each year an average of a ½ Million of these sharks are killed in the United States alone. It is estimated that 70-100 million sharks are killed yearly world wide!
Bite Me Gamefishing Charters actively avoids fishing for any species of shark and encourages this practice to be followed by all. By encouraging non-lethal ‘catch-and-release’ shark fishing fishermen and those sharks inevitably caught accidentally can enjoy their sport while ensuring that shark populations are not further diminished. By promoting sustainable practices of ocean management we hope that sharks will be around to keep our oceans healthy for generations to come.

Many Fiji marinas and charter operations are already listed on the Shark-Free Marina website as well as having the right to use the SFMI logo and signs for their own publicity. We are now in the process of distributing the stickers, posters and metal dock signs to registered businesses, charter boats and marinas.
The SFMI website also has an education centre that we hope everyone will find useful, it includes tips on how to catch and release shark, a list of Endangered and Threatened species plus information on how they can help protect the ocean.

“At Matava, and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters we are of course both happy and proud to be spearheading this initiative in the South Pacific and indeed the World” said Matava Director and Bite Me Gamefishing Charter Captain, Captain Adrian Watt.

“We also see this as a great step forward and opportunity for all gamefishing and sportfishing charter boats, both on Kadavu and in the Fiji Islands, to move forward in their standards to achieve truly world class levels of service and capabilities demonstrated by the ‘catch and release’ programs.”

Captain Watt finished by saying “We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters past and present who have contributed to the success of our ecotouirsm principles and the resort and we look forward to exciting times ahead.”

The Shark-Free Marina Initiative has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. We encourage shark conservation at sport fishing and resort marinas by prohibiting the landing of any shark at the participating marina. The SFMI works with marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups to form community conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect our sharks, our ocean and our legacy.

Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava – Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters is our on-site IGFA game fishing specialists offering the best of superb record breaking blue water game fishing for tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin. As an active member of IGFA and The Billfish Association we advocate tag and release of all billfish and Trevally not deemed to be a National or World Record.

www.Matava.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

Shark Free Marinas: Reducing worldwide shark mortality.

Matava Resort- das Tor zum Great Astrolab Reef - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

2011-12-28T04:25:00.000+13:00

Im Im August 2009 besuchte ich das Matava-Resort auf Kadavu, der südlichsten der Fidschi-Inseln. Hauptprogramm meines Urlaubes war das Tauchen und dafür ist die Lage des Resorts ideal: auf der Südseite der Insel gelegen, bietet es mit Bootsfahrten von max. 40min Zugang zu insgesamt ca. 20 verschiedenen ausgewiesenen Tauch-Spots am Great Astrolab Reef, aber auch die Möglichkeit, das Riff an anderer Stelle zu erkunden. Die Philosophie des Resorts ist die Umweltverträglichkeit/ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit und die Kooperation mit den umliegenden Dörfern. Die Unterkünfte selbst liegen verstreut an einem kleinen Hügel, teils direkt am Strand, teils ein Stück bergauf. Doch jede der traditionell eingerichteten Hütten, von den Einheimischen Buré genannt, bietet einen einzigartigen Blick auf die vorliegende Lagune mit einer kleinen Insel sowie dem Riff. Die einzelnen Hütten sind für max. 3 Personen ausgelegt. Ausgestattet sind sie mit Doppelbett mit Moskitonetz, wenn nötig Einzelbett mit Moskitonetz, Schrank und Sitzgruppe. Das Bad ist über die Terrasse erreichbar und bietet WC, Waschbecken und Dusche mit Gaswassererhitzer. Licht gibt es nur über Solarenergie, Steckdosen sind in den Hütten keine vorhanden. Akkus etc. können aber in der Hauptburé geladen werden- vorausgesetzt, die Sonne scheint. Insgesamt sind die Hütten schlicht und einfach, aber dennoch gut ausgestattet. Der Service begeisert mit einer mir bis dahin unbekannten Offenheit und Freundlichkeit. Fragen, Wünsche oder Probleme wurden sofort in Angriff genommen und immer mit vollster Zufriedenheit erfüllt. Das Essen ist sehr abwechslungsreich und bietet eine große Fülle an unterschiedlichen Küchen (Indisch, Thai, Lokal u.vm.), eine vielseitige Auswahl von Früchten aus dem resorteigenen Obst- und Gemüsegarten sowie vielfältigste Variationen von fangfrischem Fisch, der teils von den Gästen selbst geangelt wurde. Angeln und Angelausflüge sind jedoch nur einer vielen möglichen Aktivitäten. Egal ob Schnorcheln oder Baden, Vogelbeobachtungen, Besuch von Dorf und Einheimischen, oder einem Spaziergang mit einem einheimischen Medizinmann- für jeden Geschmack ist was dabei. Eine große Rolle spielt im Matava auch das Tauchen. Der integrierte Tauch-Shop ist mit allem für einen erfolgreichen Tauchgang Nötigen ausgerüstet. Es ist ein großes Tauchboot vorhanden, aber bei größeren Gruppen werden auch mehrere Boote eingesetzt. Die Boote sind immer mit Sauerstoffkoffer und Notttelefon ausgerüstet und im Falle eines Notfalles existiert auch ein Notfallplan, der auch aushängt. Des Weiteren bietet der Tauch- Shop die Möglichkeit zur Aus- und Weiterbildung von Tauchern auf Basis des PADI-Ausbildungssystems.

Weiterhin als positiv zu nennen ist die familiäre Atmosphäre sowohl zwischen Gästen und Personal, als auch zwischen den Gästen untereinander. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl von Gästen kommt man schnell miteinander ins Gespräch, egal ob bei den Mahlzeiten, bei der traditionellen Kava-Zeremonie oder den unterschiedlichsten Aktivitäten.

Zusammenfassend lässt sich also sagen, dass das Matava Resort durchaus ein Geheimtipp für all jene ist, die sich ausschließlich auf Sonne, Strand, sportliche und kulturelle Aktivitäten konzentrieren möchten und Abstand vom Alltag suchen. Und das alles in einer sehr freundlichen, offenherzigen und kommunikativen Atmosphäre!!!
Matava Resort- das Tor zum Great Astrolab Reef - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

SeaWeb

2011-12-27T09:28:00.000+13:00

Donate

Dear Friend:

The ocean covers 71% of the planet and humans share 100% of the responsibility for its health. SeaWeb uses the science of communications to persuade influential individuals to become leading voices for a healthy ocean.

Let me introduce you to one such extraordinary person we have the honor of working with in Fiji!

Savenaca Tete lives in one of the most biodiverse ocean ecosystems in the world. However, the ocean that surrounds his home is under threat and that means the health and livelihood of his family and his community are in jeopardy. In fact, the collapse of marine ecosystems means devastation to the lives of millions of people like him in the region. For Savenaca, working on environmental issues is not just a hobby, it's a matter of survival!

For that reason, Savenaca joined with SeaWeb to create the Community Educator's Network. Through the network, SeaWeb provides science and communications training for ocean champions—many of whom walk for several hours to participate.

And, to cope with limited access to technology and electricity in these remote villages, SeaWeb raised the funds to design and produce waterproof flip charts that Savenaca and other leaders could carry back to their villages.

What started as an innovative way to build capacity in these villages has grown into a vibrant network powered by volunteers who are taking action to better manage their ocean resources.

The results have been astonishing! As the result of SeaWeb's outreach, Fijian villagers worked together to:

move their pigpens away from the shore to reduce nutrient runoff;
ban the use of chemicals to kill weeds;
remove solid waste from their shoreline and dig pits to better manage this waste;
replant upland slopes and mangrove areas;
stop poaching;
ban night-time scuba spear fishing; and
establish a marine protected area.

Saveneca and other leaders are awesome but they can't do it alone. Please join us in thanking them for organizing actions that have improved the ocean for all of us! Your gift this holiday season could help them to stay empowered to do their lifesaving work.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dawn M. Martin
President
SeaWeb

SeaWeb - Asia Pacific Program

Top Ten Scuba Destinations

2011-12-25T11:31:00.000+13:00

#2 Scuba Dive Fiji Islands, South Pacific

Fiji offers an incredible scuba diving experience. It is the "Soft Coral Capital of the World", the home of the "Great White Wall", the "Yellow Tunnel" and other famous underwater marvels, scuba diving conditions and visibility are unrivalled year-round.

Because of its clear water and dazzling coral Fiji is a favorite hangout for professional underwater photographers.

Top Ten Scuba Destinations

Catching the Fijian Fever | Official Website of 10 Magazine Asia

2011-12-23T10:41:00.000+13:00

One of the reasons why people travel to Fiji year in and year out are the magnificent scuba dive sites located all over the islands. Even if you’ve never taken one breath underwater, there has never been a better time to start. Choose between simple (and often complimentary) pool dives to get accustomed to life underwater or opt for a full licensed PADI Open Water Course available at many certified training facilities around the island.

In fact, it’s far more cost-effective to take PADI training in Fiji than in many other countries. This is especially true if you head to the Beqa Adventure Divers office in Pacific Harbour (contact info below). The instructors at this surprisingly affordable course somehow manage to make holding your breath fun.

Once you feel comfortable in the water, move on to the world famous shark dive that the company offers four times a week. You can swim with tiger sharks, bull sharks, and a whole host of brightly-coloured aquatic life, and it is actually a lot safer than it sounds. Experienced divers can of course skip the course and jump right into ancient shipwreck dives, witness an abundance of coral splendour, and explore mysterious underwater caves. Plus, the water around Fiji is always warm enough for a deep ocean dive.

Best Dive Sites in Fiji

• Great Astrolabe Reef (Near Kadavu)

This great reef may not be as well-known as the Great Barrier in Australia, but it does attract a lot of manta rays and the soft coral is pleasing to the eye.

Magical Islands
Kadavu

One of the best preserved areas in all of Fiji. The area lacks a lot of the predators that prowl the main islands, allowing native wildlife to roam free and delight tourists. Kadavu also offers the perfect starting point for a dive along the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Catching the Fijian Fever | Official Website of 10 Magazine Asia

Returning Soon - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

2011-12-20T17:13:00.000+13:00

We have been to several places on Kadavu and find Matava the best. We would return just for the food but when you add the reef, the wonderful staff, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and the very nice beach facing the resort we will be there again in 2010 and that should be about 12 visits for us since we began traveling to Fiji in 1993-ps we did our rescue PADI Certification there.

Returning Soon - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Two new species of freshwater fishes discovered in Vanua Levu (Fiji) now internationally recognized

2011-12-17T10:03:00.000+13:00

Two new scientific papers have been published in the last several months highlighting the discovery of two new species of freshwater fishes unique to Fiji and only known from two river systems in Vanua Levu. Wetlands International –Oceania staff Aaron Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka, made the new discoveries as part of surveys for the Ecosystem Based Management project over the last several years.

This month, the scientific paper entitled, “Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji” was released in Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology, co-authored by Aaron Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka. This handsome pipefish was found in a small mangrove lined tributary near the mouth of the Dreketi River and is distinguished from other species by several characteristics including 10-11 white spots on the lower trunk region.

The name comes from the latin albo (white) and maculosus (spotted), in reference to this new species distinctive series of white spots. This species reaches around 9 cm long and the males carry the eggs in a trunk pouch until they hatch. This paper is significant as not only is it Fiji’s newest endemic (only found in Fiji) animal species, it is the first new freshwater pipefish (related to a seahorse) to be discovered in about the last 30 years. Taxonomic description work was all done in country, based out of the University of the South Pacific and, recognizing the capacity being built in country, the second author is the first indigenous Fijian to have co-authored a new species of fish.

New freshwater goby

The second new species of fish to be named recently was also first collected by the Wetlands International –Oceania team but described overseas by Dr. Helen Larson of the Northern Territory Museum. As part of a large review paper released last month in the international journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, the new freshwater goby, Redigobius lekutu has been described. This species gains its name from the Lekutu river where it was first discovered although it is also now also known from the Dreketi river system. This species is significant, as it also is only known from Vanua Levu and only generally in clean water in the upper catchment areas of these two rivers with high forest cover and nowhere else on earth. It only reaches about 2.5 cm in length and is threatened by catchment disturbances such as logging, invasive species and gravel extraction in particular.

Unique and fragile nature of Fijian freshwaters and aquatic biodiversity

Aaron Jenkins, a fish biologist who manages Wetlands International work in the region and also represents Oceania to the global IUCN/WI Freshwater Fish Specialist Group states, “These recent publications are timely to help remind us of the unique and fragile nature of Fijian freshwaters and aquatic biodiversity. Only over the last decade or so are we beginning to gain a clear picture of the global uniqueness of Fijian and other Pacific Island freshwater fish faunas. Whole of catchment and “ridge-to-reef” water resource management are absolutely essential not only for preserving Fiji’s unique natural heritage but also for protecting our own health and well-being.
Article:

Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji

http://www.aqua-aquapress.com/latest_issues.html

NEWS

Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji

2011-12-13T09:54:00.000+13:00

Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish
(Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji

Aaron P. Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka
Wetlands International-Oceania, Fiji Office,
School of Islands and Oceans, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands.

This paper describes a new species of Hippichthys collected by the second author durng a 2009 freshwater and estuarine ichthyofaunal survey of Vanua Levu, the second largest island of Fiji.

Abstract
A new species of freshwater pipefish, Hippichthys alboaculosus, is described on the basis of 22 specimens, collected from Vanua Levu Island, Republic of Fiji.

This species is distinguished from its closest relatives by a combination of characters that include: 13 trunk rings, total rings usually 48; dorsal fin origin on first tail ring; scutella not keeled; pectoral fin rays modally 14, trunk depth about 1.7 in head length, anal ring depth about 2.8 in head length; series of 10-11 white ocelli with dark margins bilateral to median longitudinal ventral keel and below inferior trunk ridge.

Explorer - Shark Dives in Fiji - NYTimes.com

2011-12-11T09:18:00.000+13:00

In Fiji, Dancing With Sharks

Martywolff.com

Divers like to see big fish. At 50 feet below the South Pacific in Fiji, a dive leader feeds a piece of tuna to a white tip shark.

By GREG WINTER

Published: January 17, 2010

THERE’S a moment when the sheer awe of being arm’s length from a procession of hungry sharks — so close that you lock eyes with each one as it blitzes by your head — gives way to a sudden burst of clarity, and all your thoughts coalesce into a single edifying idea: “Maybe I should duck.”

Map

Fiji

Scuba diving in Fiji, a collection of some 300 islands strewn across the South Pacific, poses a kind of recreational Sophie’s Choice for anyone with less than a month on his hands. Do I chase manta rays across the famed Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu Island? Can I make it to the pristine, remote waters between the big islands? What about the legendary soft corals carpeting the Great White Wall in the Somosomo Strait? Shark diving in Pacific Harbor, a couple of hours’ drive from the international airport on Viti Levu, elbowed its way onto my list because it offers a fairly certain chance of seeing what any honest diver will admit to yearn for: lots and lots of big fish.
Giant trevally, each bigger than a grown man’s torso, racing around in swarms. A grouper the size of a love seat. Schools of plump snapper. Stealthy suckerfish, with their eerily flat heads. And such vast quantities of smaller reef fish clouding the deep that they alone, not the raging seas above, often pose the biggest obstacle to an unobstructed photograph of the huge bull sharks lumbering by.
There is a trick to luring sharks, I quickly learned when I was in Fiji last fall, and it is deviously simple. Dive boats chum up the waters with hundreds of pounds of discarded fish scraps, drawing a storm of life from miles around. Purists may call it cheating. Biologists fret over the potential impact on shark behavior, or on the delicate balance of life around the reefs. But there is no debating its efficacy.
Kneeling on the sea floor, almost 100 feet down, I counted 10 adult bull sharks circling directly overhead on one of my six shark dives, their skin taut over thick layers of muscle. Higher up, as many as two dozen speedy, smaller sharks — gray reefs, black tips and white tips, with their catlike eyes — darted by our stunned group, close enough that I felt a swoosh of water on my face from a passing tail. Had we not been clamping down so tightly on our regulators, our mouths would surely have been agape.
But if attracting the sharks is a relatively crude affair, handling them is nothing short of an art. With no cage to protect us, professional divers flanked the group, gripping aluminum prods in case the predators became overzealous. Then the feeder would reach into his bag of fish parts and wave the sharks in, one by one. Clad in chain mail under his wet suit, the feeder would dangle and sway the waiting flesh, enticing the powerful beasts, some of them about eight feet long and hundreds of pounds, to eat right from his outstretched hand.
The smaller sharks, graceful and lithe, needed little encouragement. With surprising discipline, they took turns approaching the feeder in an orderly single file, snatching the treats and quickly swooping away, their white bellies nearly grazing our heads as they scurried off.
Keenly aware of the ritual, they then circled around for the next spot in line. When a brazen newcomer from another reef broke ranks and rushed up from behind, one of the feeders, Manasa Bulivou, a Fijian man who goes by the nickname Papa, deftly grabbed the five-foot shark, spun it around and socked it in the gut with an uppercut — a lesson in manners, Papa later explained.
But the big bull sharks, despite their reputation as aggressive man-eaters, were strangely shy. An enormous and visibly pregnant one the divers called Big Mama seemed almost finicky as she warily sniffed at the flesh being offered her before turning up her nose entirely. Some of the bulls lurked in the distance, no more than silhouettes in the blue. Others swam languidly toward us, as if playing a lazy game of chicken before nonchalantly turning away.
R. Dean Grubbs, a shark expert at Florida State University, says this is probably the safest way to encounter bull sharks, in deep, clear water, where they are far less likely to mistake you for their normal prey, as they do with swimmers and surfers in the shallows or at the surface. Some sharks, including bulls, also have space issues, so the fact that they’ve come to you, not the other way around, means they’re less likely to feel crowded and testy.
But George H. Burgess, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, contends that once you start luring big sharks all bets are off, pointing to the death of a tourist on a shark dive in the Bahamas last year. Still, he acknowledges that statistics don’t show that chum dives are any more dangerous than normal dives. In fact, the bigger concern for researchers like him and Dr. Grubbs is the impact on the sharks themselves.
Even Papa wonders if his beloved sharks have grown a little complacent under his care, though they still adhere to many of their natural habits, like migrating or disappearing up the rivers for weeks on end when it’s time to breed. And because some shark-diving profits go to the villages themselves, no one fishes along the reef or drops anchor on it, granting it a welcome reprieve from overfishing.
Some of the local divers say the reef certainly looks a lot healthier than it did before the shark diving started here 10 years ago. Long before Christianity, Papa said, the people of his village considered sharks their spiritual guardians and looked to them for protection before going into the water. Now, Papa said, he is the protector, boasting that he and his crew are deputized to impound illegal fishing boats that wander in the area to pluck from the healthy fish stocks there. He even speaks of the sharks as his children.
“They know Papa’s coming,” he said, heading out to sea one morning, his nickname emblazoned across his T-shirt. “They’re waiting for me.”

Explorer - Shark Dives in Fiji - NYTimes.com

Non rebreather masks available in Fiji

2011-12-07T18:25:00.001+13:00

This disposable mask provides oxygen for breathing persons who cannot tolerate demand-valve oxygen regulators or when two divers need emergency oxygen.

Adult Nonrebreathing Mask (also called Constant-flow, non-rebreather mask)

Low-resistance check valves prevent rebreathing and allow exhaled gas to escape
Clear, soft vinyl for patient comfort and visual patient assessment
Complete with 7-ft. oxygen supply tubing
Adjustable nose clip assures comfortable fit

As a reminder, this mask should be used with/on the constant flow barb of your regulator with a MINIMUM setting of 15 lpm to try to maintain a high concentration of inspired oxygen.

Only F$20.00 each + VAT (plus shipping $5 within Fiji)

This mask consists of a mask that has a reservoir bag attached. The bag is separated from the mask by a one-way valve that prevents air and patient exhalation from diluting the oxygen in the reservoir bag. When the patient inhales, the valve opens and the patient breathes primarily oxygen. There are also one-way valves that cover the holes on the mask to allow patient exhalation to escape without allowing large quantities of air to enter the mask.

These masks have this one-way valve on both sides of the mask. Care must be taken beacause if both sides are covered and gas flow ceases, then the patient will not be able to breathe because the valves keep air from entering during inhalation.

The common high oxygen concentration mask has a one -way valve on only one side so that if gas flow ceases, the patient can still breathe.

At a minimum oxygen flow of 15 L/min, as long as the reservoir bag is kept filled and a good seal is maintained, this mask can deliver 60 - 75% oxygen to the patient

But remember, for denitrogenation we need the highest possible concentration of oxygen, so, although this system is better than nothing, all efforts should be made to supply accident management kit with a demand system.

Contact Stuart at Stuart@ResortSupportFiji.com or call +679-336-3625.

Save our sharks, Miss Fiji to tell pageant

2011-11-29T16:32:00.000+13:00

Please support Fiji's Miss Hibiscus at the South Pacific pageant. She is championing the Fiji Shark Campaign as part of her bid to become Miss South Pacific. This is a great way for us to get the message out! Please spread this on all your Facebook, Bebo, Google + and Twitter networks!

You can support her by voting for her at :misssouthpacificpageant.ws/about-us/contestants-2011.html. You can do it once a day so come back again and again to assist the effort of protecting sharks in Fiji.

Miss Hawaii is FAR ahead at the moment, let's get Miss Fiji up there!

FIJI SUN
Save our sharks, Miss Fiji to tell pageant
writer : SITERI SAUVAKACOLO

Reigning Miss Vodafone Hibiscus Alisi Rabukawaqa will advocate for the stop to the exploitation of sharks across commercial fisheries at the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Samoa next week.

Hibiscus Event Group Executive secretary Aqela Cakobau in a statement said Miss Rabukawaqa would use the pageant as a platform to advocate for shark protection.

“This issue has prompted me to use the Miss South Pacific Pageant platform to champion the protection of the shark species, a species that is held in high regard (as a totem) in the Pacific, and particularly in Cakaudrove where my mother hails from.

“Sharks have a critical role to play in keeping the marine ecosystem in balance,” the Bua lass said.

“As Pacific island people who rely heavily on our marine resources we must be in the forefront of protecting these resources and support initiatives that drive governmental policy changes to save sharks from extinction and at the same time protect the future health of our seas.”

Preparations began in October for Miss Rabukawaqa. Brothers Craig and Warwick Marlow design her sulu/sarong category wear, award winning designer Epeli Tuibeqa who’s designing her traditionally-inspired category costume, music composer Igelesi Ete is assisting with her talent. Head of Communication at the Fiji National University Shailesh Lal is also working with her on her communication and public speaking skills.

The Hibiscus Event Group is funding all aspects of Miss Fiji’s preparations and trip to Samoa and Pure Fiji is donating gift packs for Miss Fiji’s fellow contestants.

The Miss Fiji entourage will leave for Samoa on Sunday December 4.

The Miss South Pacific Pageant proper will take place on Saturday December 10 at the Samoa Cultural Centre.

Vote for Miss Fiji

Sea Save Foundation - Auction Home Page - BiddingForGood Fundraising Auction

2011-11-24T12:57:00.000+13:00

The Sea Save Foundation Holiday Auction is now open!

The proceeds will go to Sea Save Foundation in order to support ocean conservation.

Auction items range from exotic diving vacation getaways, diving equipment and gear, underwater photography courses by noted oceanographers, and incredible hand crafted works of art guaranteed to delight and surprise.

So, tell your friends, family, and community. Let the bidding begin!

Sea Save Foundation - Auction Home Page - BiddingForGood Fundraising Auction

Shark Hope Teaser video by CORAL, Pew and Shark Defenders

2011-08-30T11:58:00.000+12:00

Drop Zone: Fiji Powers Up More Than 100,000 Fuel TV Households

2011-07-28T12:22:00.000+12:00

Exciting dive and surf documentary turns viewers on to diving and the underwater world

Released on: 7/27/2011

More than 100,000 households tuned in to Drop Zone: Fijiduring the month of May, introducing viewers to the exciting world of scuba diving. This action-packed dive and surf documentary produced by PADI, Body Glove, Air Pacific andSport Diver magazine, first premiered on Fuel TV in March and continues to generate interest in diving among members of Generations X and Y.

FUEL TV is dedicated to the sports, lifestyle and humor of males ages 12-34. “Having Drop Zone: Fiji on FUEL TV is a tremendous opportunity for the dive industry because it introduces a new audience to the sport. The numbers of viewers not only proves that Drop Zone: Fiji is a hit, it demonstrates Gen Y’s growing interest in becoming divers,” says PADI Americas Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Valette.

In addition to airing on FUEL TV, thousands of viewers have seen Drop Zone: Fiji on university campuses, at trade shows or in restaurants and hotels at more than fifteen venues throughout North America. “Scuba diving is receiving an ever-increasing amount of attention from nonendemic media as a result of Drop Zone: Fiji,” continues Valette. “In fact, water sports enthusiasts are now learning about diving through surf-related magazines, trade shows and online channels.”

PADI Members can purchase DVD versions of Drop Zone: Fiji and Drop Zone: Tahiti by contacting their PADI Sales Consultant and soon will be able to download digital versions from the iTunes Store. For more information, contact PADI Americas Marketing Consultant Cambria McConnell.

Drop Zone: Fiji Powers Up More Than 100,000 Fuel TV Households

DRT UW Photo Competition 2011

2011-06-17T12:55:00.000+12:00

DRT Show 2011 will feature the largest underwater photo competition in northern Asian region. If you have great underwater photo, please submit online to join our competition, you will got the chance to win over US$30,000 in world class prizes.

This event supported by EZ Dive, Scubapro, Aqualung, Akona, Sherwood, 10Bar, UK, Scuba Formula, Aggressor Fleet, Minahasa Lagoon Resort, Hans Christian Andersen Cruise and many more... On April, there is also underwater slide presentation show in GuangZhou and Shanghai presented by Stephen Wong, Takako Uno and Takaji Ochi. For more information, please visit our website. www.divingandresorttravelexpo.com

1) Categories:

Animal Behavior
Reefscapes
Marine Conservation

Deadline for submissions 18 June 2011

Winners will be announced on 8 July online.
Display in the DRT Show Exhibition Hall.
Published by our media partners worldwide.

2) Rules & Guidelines:

The DRT Show Underwater competition 2011 is open to entrants of all skill levels.
All submitted images must have been taken by the entrant and taken underwater.
Each individual can only win one prize or prize package. Entrants with multiple winning entries will be given priority in prizes by value.
Winners will be announced on 08 July during DRT Show 2011.
Any images that have won or placed in photo contests with winning entries may not be submitted.
Photographers retain all copyrights to their images. DRT Show, EZ Dive Magazine retains the right to publish the contest entries in print or online to congratulate or feature the winners and their respective images, and to promote future events.
Winning images will be included in a press release for third party websites and publications in the context of congratulating and/or featuring the winners and winning images, and to promote future competitions. Strict guidelines requiring photo credit and specific one-time press release usage are issued along with the press release.
Entries may have been taken from any camera, film (as scanned slides) or digital.
All photo contest staff and judges are not allowed to enter the contest.

3) Photo Submission Guidelines:

Entries must be saved in jpeg format and upload to our web server, please limit your images to a maximum file size of 3,000KB (3MB) when uploading.
a) Register at www.divercommunity.com
b) Create a Photo Album under your profile and name it “DRT Underwater Photo Competition 2011”
c) Upload your competition photo into this Album, provide title and description of each photo.
Entries must also use registered mail to send your competition image raw file or print quality image (A3 size, 300dpi) in CD to our office: Rm 1801 Wing On Central Building, 26 Des Voeux Road C., Central, Hong Kong. (Please attached a copy of your payment slip)

4) Entry Fees:

USD10/image
No limitation of entry!

5) Payment methods:

International Bank TT:
Account Name: LX Development Group Limited
Bank Address: 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Account No: 015-300775-838
Swift Code: HSBCHKHHHKH
Creditcard payment by Paypal to: sales@divingandresorttravelexpo.com

Download Application Form

DRT UW Photo Competition 2011

Drop Zone Fiji Premieres on Fuel TV

2011-05-16T10:08:00.000+12:00

Tune in with millions of viewers to watch the premiere of Drop Zone Fiji on Fuel TV on March 19th at 9:00 PM.

It will continue to air throughout the year.

Check your local programming for air times or visit Fuel TV online

Drop Zone Fiji: Drop Zone Fiji Premieres on Fuel TV

Digital Underwater Photography Workshop with Mathieu Meur @ Matava, Fiji

2011-05-09T17:42:00.000+12:00

5th Underwater Festival™ 2011 (UF11)

‘The Australasia Challenge’

@

3rd – 10th September 2011

Hosted by Mathieu Meur, Underwater Photographer
Daily photo workshops
Practical in water assistance
In depth RAW photo post processing labs
7 night stay at Matava in an Oceanview Bure
All meals and airport transfers included
5 days of 3 tank boat dives – 15 dives (incl 1 night dive)
Complimentary unlimited shore diving
Guided waterfall hike and village visit
Free use of kayaks, snorkelling around the resort
Free PADI Coral Conservation Course on one afternoon
Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava Ceremony

FJD 3250.00 per person

(only valid for double / twin share)

(Group 10 pay – 2 FOC)

Underwater Festival

Held annually, the 5th Underwater Festival™ 2011 (UF11) will be the biggest one yet. With the tagline ‘The Australasia Challenge’ it will incorporate an Australasia-wide simultaneous photo and video shootout competition like no other with over U$100,000 in prizes.

UF11 will feature a shootout competition that happens simultaneous all over Australasia – 25 countries spanning both hemispheres – every dive you can imagine will be a shootout locality, every dive centre, liveaboard, resort in the area will facilitate this new kind of shootout. You can dive your local favourite spots, go out with your dive club or shore dive with your buddy

Become part of this huge event and not unlike an underwater ‘Earth Hour’ help to highlight the underwater beauty but also the underwater issues of this fantastic bio-region and help to show the world what we’ve got to lose.

If you like organised events, dozens of Underwater Festival Fringe Events are planned all over Australasia during the 10-day shootout period.

The top 100 images will be showcased at the new Australian Dive & Tavel Expo ODEX in Brisbane on the second weekend in October 2011. A whole hall will be devoted to the Festival and seminars as well as the Underwater Festival Awards will be held during the 3 days of ODEX 2011.

The Week’s Plan

Dive with Mathieu to learn practical skills in:

Art of Composition
Shooting with Ambient Light – silhouette & colour filter
One on one image review & critique session with Matheiu
Shooting Macro techniques & strobe positioning
Art of fish photography
Shooting with single/ twin strobes
Night Shooting – lighting & techniques
Working with models

Practical hands on classroom workshops on:

Processing RAW images – using Adobe Bridge CS5
Tonal correction – Level and Saturation tool
Asset Management & Workflow
Lighting Techniques – single strobe, two strobes
Art of Seascapes – wide angle
Conversion to Black & White techniques
How to select images for competition
Preparation of images for portfolio and entry into UF11 competition

Shoot-out Sign Up

You can sign-up to the Underwater Festival Shootout by purchasing your entry credits – or if you are not ready to commit yet, you can just register yourself for FREE and purchase the shootout credits later.

There are 2 initial packages:

Photographer registration (A$50) – 5 photo upload credits + 5 lucky draw entries
Videographer registration (A$50) – 2 video upload credits + 5 lucky draw entries

Additional entries can be purchased at any stage in the lead up and during the shootout period:

A$10 per additional photo – includes 1 lucky draw entry
A$25 per additional video – includes 2.5 lucky draw entries

Head on over to the official website for the Shootout to register.

Mathieu Meur

Mathieu has been shooting underwater for close to 20 years, at first free-diving and subsequently on scuba. He was one of the early adopters and promoters of digital technology for underwater photography, authoring presumably the first PADI-approved digital underwater photography specialty course in the world in 2001. He went on to contribute regular columns on photography techniques to dive and photography publications.

In 2004, Mathieu co-authored “An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography” with Michael Aw. This was the first book entirely dedicated to the techniques associated with shooting digital underwater. The book was met with an overwhelming response, and was quickly sold out, requiring an updated version to be published in 2005.

Following the success of this introductory book, Mathieu went on to co-author “An Advanced Guide to Digital Underwater Photography” in 2007.

He is currently working on a new, comprehensive book on underwater digital photography, “Complete Digital Underwater Photography”, which is due to be published in 2011.

He is also a regular speaker at dive events, judge at underwater photography competition, and coach at underwater photography workshops.

Matava

Mad Fish Dive Centre is Matava’s on site PADI Dive Centre. We dive the The Great Astrolabe Reef extensively and cater for all levels of diver from beginner to experienced. Mad Fish Dive Centre will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 50m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colourful corals and wonderful marine life – we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.

The crew at Mad Fish Dive Centre are a dedicated team of professionals who look forward to guiding you through some of the best dive sites in the world. As the only dive operation located directly on the world famous Great Astrolabe Reef we will zip you the abundant coral reefs of the 4th largest barrier reef in the world in minutes.

Combined with simple access to The Manta Dive, Fiji’s only year round manta dive site, Mad Fish Dive Centre truly offers divers easy and comfortable access to some of the best diving Fiji can offer. With a fully stocked dive centre and access to some of the best scuba diving in the world on the Great Astrolabe Reef, Mad Fish Dive Centre is the prime diving operation in Kadavu.

Matava is Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in Fiji. Mad Fish Dive Centre is Matava’s on site PADI Dive Centre. We dive the The Great Astrolabe Reef extensively and cater for all levels of diver. Mad Fish Dive Centre will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 50m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colourful corals and wonderful marine life – we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed

Contact us to book your ticket to this once in a lifetime opportunity event!

Digital Underwater Photography Workshop with Mathieu Meur

DiveCaching

2011-05-04T16:12:00.000+12:00

Sounds like a blast, looking to place some in Fiji!

Professional Dive Centers are always looking for fun local diving events to keep their current customers engaged. Local and regional diving activities are as important as dive travel to promote education, equipment purchases and fun. Today the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) is proud to announce the release of a new in-water game called “DiveCaching,” designed to keep divers active locally while promoting more diving, more retail dive business and keeping customers involved!

“We’re extremely excited to be introducing this new real-life game to the diving and snorkeling community,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “It’s a simple in-water activity that can be conducted almost anywhere, regardless of visibility or dive conditions. There are so many rewards to be gained from participating in DiveCaching; exploring new dive sites, visiting favorite locations with a new eye for adventure, and simply thriving on the fun and excitement of discovering ‘treasure’ underwater. DiveCaching gives certified divers a great reason to dive locally, use and update their equipment, brush up on previously learned skills such as navigation and search, and just have a great time with family and friends. Divers can also search for caches when traveling to dive anywhere in the world, and there’s virtually no limit to the games and activities in which retailers, dive professionals, and divers can incorporate DiveCaching. DiveCaching is truly ‘Looking for Fun!’”

DiveCaching is an underwater variation of “Geocaching,” a decade-old game that uses a GPS device and simple search skills to locate hidden land-based caches. Here’s how it works:

Divers hide a “treasure” or “cache” underwater and post the GPS coordinates and compass directions on www.geocaching.com, the official global GPS cache hunt website
Other divers search www.geocaching.com for divecache listings near their dive site and actually dive to locate the cache
Once the cache is found, divers log their cache visit using the on-site visitor’s log. The finder may also choose to photograph the cache, deposit an additional treasure in the container or simply return it to its original location
After returning to the surface, the finders log their visit on www.geocaching.com, sharing their adventure with other divers around the world

There are more than 5 million geocachers worldwide and more than 1.3 million active, mostly land-based, geocaches. Divers can join www.geocaching.com with a free basic membership, and log the caches they hide for others to find as well as any they find while searching.

Why DiveCaching? Not only is it fun but it also gives divers motivation to dive wherever there are submerged caches located in dive environments for which they are trained and equipped. Caches can be hidden in almost any underwater environment, and the visibility, temperature and other diving conditions are part of the challenge of hiding and finding a cache. It also creates the perfect family outing when combined with land-based geocaching or social activities and allows non-divers to join in the fun!

DEMA member retailers will receive DiveCaching information and tools over the next few weeks to get their customers involved and help them hide their own caches. In the meantime, visit www.facebook.com/DiveCaching to view and share the introductory video now! DEMA will “officially” launch DiveCaching to the entire diving community beginning on May 17^th at which time online ads promoting DiveCaching to consumers will begin to appear. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get your customers involved in this exciting activity!

For more information about DiveCaching, including finding and hiding a cache, visit www.DiveCaching.org and don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest DiveCaching details, updates and events!

DiveCaching

Underwater Photography Seminar at Matava in August 2011

2011-04-19T15:59:00.000+12:00

You’re a pretty good underwater photographer, but not a pro. You want to step up your game by sharpening your eye, honing your photo trigger finger and getting your lighting down. If you just had one week, you’re thinking, you could get it done. And if you had a patient instructor, minus the intimidating resume and overinflated ego, who’s willing to spend as much time with you as you need, you’d be all set.

Wait! Did you hear that knocking at your door? It’s opportunity. Scuba Travel Ventures is now proud to offer divers the chance to spend a week luxuriating in a Pacific paradise while elevating their underwater photography skills. Noted underwater photographer Dr. Andre Smith is leading a seminar on the subject from Thursday, August 11 to Saturday, August 20 at Matava – Fiji’s leading eco-adventure resort, on the island of Kadavu – for shooters of all levels of skill and experience.

“We’re taking all comers, aiming to make sure that everyone gets the right level of attention,” says Smith, an anesthesiologist by profession who originally hails from South Africa but now calls British Columbia home. “Some resorts and live-aboards offer courses, but they forget that people are on holiday and want to have fun. The diving will be fun and easy and not pressurized.”

The diving goes down in the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the Pacific’s most radiant dive jewels, located on Kadavu’s southern shore. With an area of about 75 miles, the reef is the world’s fourth largest and features encounters with graceful manta rays, curious reef sharks, a rainbow palette of tropical fish, spectacularly colorful hard and soft corals, walls and mesmerizing passages. Some of the sexiest sites include a handful in the immaculate Naiqoro Marine Reserve, the aptly named Manta Reef, the richly colored Japanese Gardens and Coral Wonderland. It’s all yours to photograph.

Smith says the course – which also features instruction by shooter and trip leader Randy Osgerby – will involve daily classroom sessions, with two days devoted to macro, three to wide-angle and the final day devoted to a diver’s choice, with a slide show at the end of the trip. The majority of the work Smith says he’ll do with his new students will be underwater and after dives to check out the results.

“There’s lots of multitasking on dives and I’m hoping to simplify things for divers so the photography part becomes second nature,” Smith says. “I’m not looking for shooters to compete with each other. But by the end of the week, we’re hoping to turn out confident photographers.”

To check out more of Dr. Andre Smith’s fabulous underwater photography click this link or visit his website: http://andresmith.speedalbum.com/home.htm.

Dive Package $2899

August 11 - 20, 2011

This package includes Round trip airfare from LAX, 7 nights Ocean View Bure accommodations, taxes and airport transfers, all meals, 5 days unlimited seminar boat dives, 5 days underwater digital photography and unlimited shore diving, prizes and give-aways, Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava Ceremony.

Call 1-800-298-9009

Diving in Fiji: Underwater Photography Seminar at Matava in August 2011