Bubbles July - August 2016

T HE A T LA M SUBA QUA C LUB E -M A G A Z I N E

JULY/AUGUST 2016 2016 Atlam Committee Members :Joseph Azzopardi President guzeppi56@gmail.com Anton Debattista Secretary andeb@go.net.mt Klaus Farrugia Treasurer klafster@gmail.com Alex Arena P.R.O. Victor Fabri Diving Officer vfabri@gmail.com Alvin Pace Activity Officer tamsinjane@yahoo.com George Mugliett Activity Officer

IN THIS ISSUE

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Editor’s Note | 2 Species Page - Triton Shell - Edward Vella A Trip to the Red Sea - Part 4 - David Agius Sharks - Edward Sultana Boat Dives Log - Pictorial Xlendi Reef | Gozo 03-07-16 Migra l-Ferha | Malta 10-07-16 Ras il-Hobz | Gozo 24-07-16 Santa Maria Caves | Comino 31-07-16 Ras ir-Raheb | Malta 14-08-16 l-Qaws | Malta 21-08-16 Crocodile Rock | Gozo 28-08-16 Dives Location Map - Joe Formosa

SS THISTLEGORM

Photo by: David Agius (The Stern).

Read about David’s diving adventure on this wreck and others and reefs in Part 4

www.atlam.org

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The Editorial Welcome to the mid-summer edition of Bubbles – and time to announce some presentation changes to this e-Magazine which is now in its sixth year since it was issued in its e-format (which I hope that you will notice!)

It’s the Dive Logs – from this issue, these will take the form of a pictorial record, and this is for two reasons. Firstly, participation from boat dive attendees in this area has actually gone down to the level, that it has now become the norm that yours truly ends up being the sole author. This situation, I feel is both an unsustainable, and undesirable situation, since one of the primary reasons for Bubbles’ existence is member participation. The second reason for modifying this section is that arguably over the six years of the e-Bubbles existence, many of the dive sites have been covered many times. Granted that the reportage is not just about the site, but the experiences on that occasion… but let us give the new format a chance, and we’ll take it from there!

Thanks to the generally good weather conditions of the last two months, and no doubt thanks to the choice of dive sites by our indefatigable President Guzi, there have been nine more or less well attended boat dives. One hopes that this level be maintained as the seasons drift and the sea starts getting colder, although at the moment, there is no sign of that starting to happen. One can also see on Atlam’s facebook page, normally that same Sunday evening, shots taken during the morning’s boat dive. I think that this something to be encouraged – of course everybody appreciates a well taken photo, but this is not a photographic competition – and neither does it does not look like it is developing into one, so anyone with an underwater camera available is encouraged to share with the rest.

Remaining on the subject of photography, another photographic event is at the moment brewing over – these is the 1st safari, u/w Fish Photo Hunting. This was held last year at Marsascala, with Italian and Spanish teams and the Atlam participants as guests (broke my underwater endurance – over 3 hrs), and essentially consists of who captures the biggest number of different species of fish on film within a given time. Let me tell you that it is one hectic competition, but enjoyable none the less.

Participation is open to registered Atlam members only.

Wish you all the best of summer diving – enjoy safely.

Keep diving!

Edward Vella evella@onvol.net

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/malta/malta/st-julians/live-underwater-webcam.html

JOIN ATLAM SUBAQUA CLUB and share the fun & experience Activities for Divers: • Shore Dives • Boat Dives • Night Dive • Diving Excursions Abroad • U/W Photo Competitions • Lectures on various subjects • Nitrox Courses.

• Free e-magazine

Activities for the whole family • Weekly Club Nights & Bar • Barbecues • Majjalata • Pasta Nights • Boat Parties • Gozo Diving Breaks • Camping on Comino and other places.

Species Page Research by Edward Vella

Mediterranean Trition Shell (Bronja)

The lay man may perhaps recognises this mollusc as the one whose shell is / was used as a primitive form of (well not exactly) an instrument. If the topmost part of the empty shell is cut off, and the blower has a good pair of lungs – and uses a specific blowing technique, it works a bit like a bugle would, but at a lower sound frequency.

The Greek god Triton, who was the son of Poseidon, god of the sea is often portrayed blowing this shell whose sound calmed sea tempests and announced his arrival – in the end, his name stuck to the mollusc!

This is a protected species (and not just locally), in other words it may not be gathered – even though it has a very attractive shell, and for many the temptation to take one home is understandably high.

Charonia lampas

The shell is large – maximum sizes can get close to 40 cm – although the older and larger it gets, the more evidence of erosion and encrustations may be expected. The conical shape of the larger ones may have 8 to 9 layers (whorls) and the colour is basically white with irregular brown marks, while the mollusc’s flesh is orange with two black marks on each of its horns – a really nice encounter – but one which I am yet to make! In the not too distant past, triton shells could occasionally be found for sale in flea markets – I would not be surprised if occasionally one still does show up every now and then ….

On the other side of the world, its Australian relative – the Giant Triton prefers to eat other snails and sea stars, most notably the Crown-of-thorns Starfish.

Large outbreaks of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish, which feed on reef-building corals, are known to threaten the health of coral reefs. The Giant Triton is one of the only natural predators of that starfish.

For that reason, this species is considered by the Australian government to be extremely important to reef health and is given legal protection in that country and others. Once the Giant Triton chases down a snail or starfish, its venomous saliva paralyzes the prey.

The Mediterranean Triton feeds on dead animals, but as per its previously mentioned relative, it is also carnivorous, and can eat whole starfish, as well as brittle stars and sea cucumbers. It is solitary and its shell is known to blend well with the surroundings, and also it inhabits rocky surfaces in deep water, making a diver / triton encounter a rare event.

Next Species

Conger Eel

Gringu - Conger conger P L E A S E S E N D P H OTO S

A Trip to the Red Sea • Time for Heavy Metal...

The beautiful sunrise over the Red Sea with clear blue skies in February and calm seas could not have come with more eagerness today for our group of divers.

The program stated today was going to be the day to dive on the most must-visitat-least-once wreck in the Red sea… the SS Thistlegorm!

SS Thistlegorm was the third dive on the list for the day, so let’s first see where we were diving before and resist the urge to move to the last two dives of the day J

Article & photos by David Agius

and trucks and bikes... J

PA R

T4

Shark Reef and Yolanda Wreck The first dive before our proper breakfast, starting at 6.30am was a planned drift dive along Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. The Westerly currents here make diving back not an option so the plan for the dive was to get dropped by the boat’s RHIBs next to the reef and start a descent down the reef’s wall and let the current get us moving.

From the briefing, there were two concerns: 1 – Stay together. 2 – We might see some big fish here, possibly sharks, so hence the name of the reef. This area is also part of Ras Mohamed National Park, so guides stressed on taking care not to touch or damage coral in any way and thus, to follow local laws, no dive knives or gloves were allowed to be carried.

Shark Reef - seems more of an Aquarium than open sea!!

The dive itself proved to be a good opportunity to experience a drift dive, with strong currents pushing us and not really giving you much time to stop and take time for photos. In fact most of my pictures on this dive are really from the areas were the current was not as strong, mainly at the end of the dive next to the remains of the Yolanda wreck (again, hence the name of the second reef ).

The last part of the dive was amongst part of the cargo of the Yolanda which was grounded at Ras Muhammad in 1980. The wreck initially was a popular dive site but then during a major storm in 1985 it fell off the reef and is now in about 150m of water. Toilets and Bath Tubs and many other things from its cargo were left behind and have since been claimed by Marine life. Interesting point here, the bath tubs still are full of water J.

To be honest as well, the deeper parts of the dive at about 30m were not as nice as other dives due to little visibility. Some big groupers and possibly sharks were spotted as well, but these were at least at 50+ metres so well out of range for my camera. However, the rest of the reef was full of corals, sea anemones, the assorted rainbow of colours of red sea fish, (too many to name) and the Clownfish was ever present.

Following pickup by RHIB and return back to boat for breakfast we did a quick turnaround and within 1 hour we were hitting the water for a second dive here, for the second dive.

Yolanda Reef - Bathtubs.

Yolanda Reef

Anemone City and Shark Reef

In the second dive, we were briefed in similar fashion as for the first dive. The location was pretty much the same but this time were doing a much shallower dive in order to reduce nitrogen intake (even though each dive was being done on Nitrox 30%) before the last two dives of the day. Whilst we were going to see shark reef again, this time we were going to go to the shallower parts were anemones and corals were in full display and fish aplenty.

Flatworms and the blue spotted stingray together with the usual moray eels were also on the program and none missed the call for parade. We had another long 1 hour dive, staying within 20m of the surface and at the same time, had to monitor current to ensure we made the correct pick up point near Yolanda’s bathtubs. Coming out of the water on this dive meant two things to look forward, lunch and then‌ finally THE SS Thistlegorm.

SS Thistlegorm (dive 1) We arrived on site at the SS Thistlegorm later in the afternoon after a short cruise up the west of Ras Mohamed National Park and whilst comfortably having lunch and then the obligatory rest. We were lucky to find very few boats around SS Thistlegorm which meant less confusion on the wreck.

However, the mooring lines indicated quite early (and as per guide’s dive when mooring) that currents were going to be strong, as is quite normal here.

The SS Thistlegorm, for those who haven’t heard about it yet (unbelievable but true), is a child’s dream toy box of Military motorcycles, trucks, rifles, Locomotives, aircraft parts and a couple of nice deck guns on a WW2 wreck. The SS Thistlegorm was delivering this material to Alexandria Egypt but due to an accident in the Suez Canal, was waiting at anchorage in the same place where she now lies, courtesy of an air attack by German planes in October 1941.

SS Thistlegorm - encrusted motocycles WW2

SS Thistlegorm - anti-aircraft gun

SS Thistlegorm - coal carrier train

The Ship is mostly intact apart from the damage inflicted by the bombs and explosions on the ship. The cargo is also in very good condition but shows signs of deterioration due to age (75 years), irresponsible divers and a bigger issue, boats mooring on this fast becoming fragile wreck. Unfortunately, projects mentioned to create permanent mooring buoys for boats instead of mooring on the wreck have not yet materialised.

Our much expected dive, due to strong currents, was planned to be down a mooring line taking us from the diving deck of our boat to the moorings on the starboard front side of the wreck, with a quick visit to the remains of a locomotive on the seabed and then up and over the decks, having a look at the two guns on the stern, going back to the mooring line at the front.

Dive briefing said not to go into the holds due to the depth and time within the dive but a sneak peek from above already showed quite clearly the cargo held within on the different decks. Trucks, motorcycles, water and coal trains and other military apparel were visible even from well above the cargo holds. As you well know, time passes quickly when having fun and going back up the shot line, one could not do otherwise but look back at the wreck with eagerness for the next dive.

SS Thistlegorm (Night Dive) By the time the sun set, all of us were again quite ready for some more action. A wonderful wreck such as SS Thistlegorm keeps calling out loud for visitors. This time round, at night, the descent into the deep was also met with a little bit of apprehension.

The currents, which earlier were strong, now were plainly at almost ridiculous levels. Hands were well glued to the mooring line and no one was daring to let it go until the wreck provided itself a little shelter and slightly better ability to move forward into the current without being pushed twice the distance back. I think this was not a dive for the recently qualified, but only for those who are ready for such a challenge.

We did the dive around the top deck mainly but that nice hold was too inviting and our buddy pair decided well before we went in the water that we will do a little bit of exploring. It ended up being a bit of a relief from the strong currents and visibility was even a little bit better. Due to it being pitch black we stayed around the cargo hold hatches and made sure at all points we were close to the exit.

SS Thistlegorm - the hold from above

SS Thistlegorm - tube coral

SS Thistlegorm - locomotive

The wreck itself mainly had an assortment of Lionfish which were following the divers (as with our lights they could more easily pick up preys) and quite a few Nudibranchs and Flatworms all around. The colours at night are also much more amazing and the corals which have grown on this wreck make a huge contrast between the grim reality of War (9 people died in the attack on SS Thistlegorm) and nature’s ability to conquer and flourish. Back to the boat, my last dive on the Thistlegorm the next morning, with many pictures, to be seen in the next issue of the Bubbles!

Long line fishing is causing a lot of casualties amongst sharks as well as other species. Longlines can stretch for up to 150km and contain thousands of hooks, killing indiscriminately whatever crosses its way. Attracted to the bait, shark gets hooked on and while trying to break free get tangled until they cannot move. Again, their death is long and agonising.

But how do these numbers relate to reality?

Are 100 million catches sustainable or are shark stocks depleting and if yes, by how much?

Are sharks in risk of extinction or are they able to reproduce in such quantities to replenish the stocks?

SHARKS Article by Edward Sultana Scientists estimate that approximately 100 million sharks from a variety of species are killed annually. Most are killed to satiate China’s demand for shark fin soup, but also a large number are caught as by catch from long line fishing. The flesh of sharks is not worth much but their fins can fetch up to 250 Euros per kg. Fisherman slice off the fins of the sharks and throw the animal still alive back into the sea to sink to the ocean bed and die a long painful death. Sharks need to able to propel themselves forward so that oxygen rich water passes through their gills.

Scientist estimate that worldwide, the population of some species of shark have dropped by up to 80%.

Let’s look at the effects on a particular species –

The great white shark The great white is the oceans iconic fish - the top predator and the most feared of sharks.

Not much is known about the great white. Yet studies are showing that they are not the merciless hunters many imagine and they could be smarter than we think.

We know little of the way the great white live. Basic questions such as how long do they live, at what age do they reach maturity, how long do they gestate, and were they spend most of their time remain unanswered. Great white sharks appear and disappear at will making it very hard to track and follow in deep water. Efforts were done to study specimen held in captivity. These efforts have proved futile since the specimen either starved themselves to death or slammed their heads against the wall.

Scientists today are trying to gain useful information on two fundamental issues- how many great white sharks are there and where do they go?

Great white sharks congregate seasonally around 5 main areas world wide – South Africa , the South Coast of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and down America’s west coast from California to Baja California , Mexico Areas around the Mediterranean including the area between Malta and Africa are considered as areas where great white sharks could be found. In actual fact the great white shark caught in the Maltese waters On 6th April 1987 is still considered one of the largest specimen ever caught at an estimated length of 23.4 feet.

Some years back there was the belief that great whites were anthropophagous (they ate people by choice). Now it is known that almost every attack on humans is an accident- the shark mistakes the human for its natural prey – seals. It is thought that sharks evaluate the energy intake from their prey before hunting. Humans do not present a sufficient energy intake to justify the energy expanded in the hunt. Seals with their massive fat content do.

It was thought that once a great white scented blood it would launch itself in a frenzy attach. Now we know that nearly ¾ of all bite victims survive, perhaps because the shark realises it’s not their natural prey and does not return for the second bite.

Sharks do not attack boats as previously thought either.

Now we know their sensitive sensory systems detect movement, sound and electrical field. The noise and electrical pulses emanating from the engines attracts their attention and curiosity

Most studies on the great white are centred in the California area. Different individual great white sharks can be identified by the shape and marks of their dorsal fin and the distinctive lines between the grey upper body and white underbellies. In 2011 a team from California tried to estimate the number of great white sharks in this supposedly shark rich region. Based on assumptions and statistics the research team concluded that there were only 219 adults congregating there annually.

A team in South Africa estimated a population at just 900 specimen in that area.

Satellite tags indicated that the female specimen travel in straight patterns in water hundreds of metres deep, while the males swim up and down in the water column, possibly searching for mates. The males than swim back to the coast while the females wander to unknown places where they remain for a year or so perhaps to give birth to the young. It’s not a complete picture especially since males and females are only in the same place for a short period of time and there is no knowledge of where the young sharks are born. It is increasingly estimated that female great white sharks start to breed when they are 12 to 14 years old.

As explained these numbers are based on a number of assumptions. Other studies using different assumptions and statistical analyses could return different values.

No similar trend has been noticed with the sharks found in Australia and research is still being carried out on the migratory pattern of these sharks.

Are these numbers large or small?

Are great whites thriving or dwindling?

As a comparison let us consider land based animals – the world has about 4,000 tigers and 25,000 African lions.

Using the lowest estimates, global great white resemble the estimate of tigers which are listed as an endangered species. Using the highest estimates the numbers are close to that of African lions which are considered as vulnerable.

Some experts are seeing them heading to extinction others are contradicting this version and are pointing that there is a very slow increase.

The convention on International Trade of Endangered Species gives white sharks the second highest and strongest level of protection. With numbers so low even the unintentional catch by fishermen can cause havoc in this species which as top predator, has an ecologically important role in managing the oceans.

Using long term, long distance tags, scientists are getting some clarity on the migration patterns of these sharks.

Again most research is based in California were sharks abandon the coast towards the end of the year. Using these tags it was noted that the sharks migrate to the deeper waters in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. One possible reason for this migration is mating. So after spending the summer and autumn months feeding on seals, they head out to the deep ocean to breed using the energy reserves accumulated.

Until recently there has been no public outcry to save the sharks as there has been for other species such as whales and dolphins. The reasons are many and some obvious. Sharks are still perceived as these ruthless men eating creatures, even though this only occurs very rarely.

According to the Shark attack file there have been 74 deaths in the past 100 years. There is more of a chance of a swimmer being hit by lightning than of being killed by a shark.

By understanding better these creatures and their natural tendencies, only then can humans and sharks live in better harmony. Great white sharks have survived virtually unchanged for millions of years. They are highly evolved and perfectly in tune for its environment.

For them to be driven to extinction by man, a relative newcomer , would be an ecological tragedy.

Did you know: The great white is one of 6 shark species that are endothermic- they can raise their internal body temperature over that of surrounding waters. Other species include mako sharks. This allows the great white sharks to inhabit extreme depths and the cold waters at higher latitudes while still able to function efficiently.

This warm blood is also transferred near the brain and behind the eyes to keep the shark alert and with good vision even in cold waters Great whites have no bones but cartilage. Age of sharks are determined by growth rings found in the cartilaginous spine just like on trunks of trees Sharks are said to possess 7 senses. Besides possessing excellent sense of vision, taste, smell and hearing, the most fascinating sensory performance of sharks is their ability to detect electrical fields. All living things emit electrical fields, either with the beat of the heart, muscle movement or with the brain. Animal prey can effectively hide or camouflage themselves, but they cannot conceal their electrical field. Sharks have hundreds of pores located around the head, in particular around their snout. These are filled with a jelly like substance and are called ampullae of lorenzini and are used to detect these electrical impulses of prey animals around them.

ATLAM BOAT DIVES LOG - Pictorial Xlendi Reef | Gozo | 03.07.16

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Edward Vella

Ras il-ÓobΩ

| Gozo | 24.07.16

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Edward Vella

Family Outing and Double Dive on board Barbarossa Fungus Rock | Gozo | 31.07.16

Photo: Elaine Cutajar

Family Outing and Double Dive on board Barbarossa Santa Marija Caves | Comino 31.07.16

Photo: Edward Vella

Ras ir-Ra˙eb | Malta | 14.08.16

Photo: Elaine Cutajar

Photo: Pierre Mallia

Photo: Pierre Mallia

Photo: Pierre Mallia

Il-Qaws | Malta | 21.08.16

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Edward Vella

Crocodile Rock | Gozo | 28.08.16

Photo: Joe Formosa

Photo: Veronica Busuttil

Photo: Veronica Busuttil

Photo: Edward Vella