Scuba Diver ANZ #45

ALL ABOUT THE BASS NICOLAS REMY WAXES LYRICAL ABOUT THIS AUSSIE HIDDEN GEM

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL PT HIRSCHFIELD REPORTS FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS FILM FESTIVAL TOUR

KOMODO’S CURRENTS WE SHOWCASE THE AREA’S ADRENALINFUELLED DIVING

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BUSINESS THE PHILIPPINES REOPENS ITS BORDERS TO TOURISTS

MUDJIMBA REVEALED

DAN COLUMN

ALEX MUSTARD ISSUE #45

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mark Evans Email: mark@scubadivermag.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER Matt Griffiths Email: matt@scubadivermag.com CONTRIBUTORS Nigel Marsh, Deborah Dickson-Smith, Nicolas Remy, PT Hirschfield PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Ross Arnold Email: ross@scubadivermag.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Penney Evans Email: penney@scubadivermag.com

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTHEAST ASIA TEAM Adrian Stacey Editor (Australia and New Zealand) Tel: +61 422 611 238 Email: adrian@scubadivermag.com Don Silcock Senior Travel Editor www.indopacificimages.com

MAGAZINE To stock Scuba Diver in your centre, email: subscriptions@scubadivermag.com

PUBLISHERS Rork Media ANZ Pty Ltd 193 Latrobe Terrace, PADDINGTON, QLD 4064 Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers. Copyright for material published remains with Rork Media Limited. Use of material from Scuba Diver is strictly prohibited unless permission is given. All advertisements of which the creative content is in whole or in part the work of Rork Media Limited remain the copyright of Rork Media Limited.

is a registered trademark of Rork Media. ISSN 2515-9593

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Dive shows and freak weather conditions I want to begin this month’s editorial by congratulating the UK Scuba Diver Team for hosting a terrific GO Diving Show in March. I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended from the Asia-Pacific region. The event was a huge success. Considering that some travel restrictions are still in place, having so many exhibitors attend and so many visitors through the door is a fantastic achievement. It probably helped to have great guest speakers like Steve Backshall, Andy Torbet, Maria Bollerup, Rannva Trofrio Jormundsson, Alex Mustard and Monty Halls, to name a few. Next year promises to be bigger and better, with many exhibitors already signing up for Go Diving 2023.

Closer to home, the east coast of Australia has recently been hit with catastrophic flooding, lives have been lost, and homes and businesses have been destroyed. This is just as people were beginning to get back on their feet after COVID. These once-in-a-lifetime weather events appear to becoming a lot more common!

In this magazine issue, we have the usual mixture of great features from home and abroad. Bass Point at Shellharbour in NSW holds a special place in the heart of Nicolas Remy and, in Nicolas’s opinion, has some of the best diving the state offers. Further up the coast in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Nigel Marsh extols the virtues of a little known gem of a dive site at Mudjimba. A stone’s throw from its more-famous neighbour, the HMAS Brisbane, this terrific site offers some fantastic macro diving.

Further afield, we look at some of the best dive sites from the diving paradise that is the Philippines. While I reminisce about the amazing diving and ripping currents from Komodo in Indonesia. In the Tech section this month, we have the final part of the Truk Lagoon mapping project, and we have a review of the Ocean Film Festival from PT Hirschfield. All this plus our regular columns from SSI, Dive Planit and DAN, underwater photography tips with Alex Mustard and a review of Mares’ latest wing-style BCD. To finish this issue, the conservation section is dedicated to a great project currently being run in PNG, teaching children about ocean conservation.

Adrian Stacey, Editor (Australia & New Zealand)

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ALL ABOUT THE BASS NICOLAS REMY WAXES LYRICAL ABOUT THIS AUSSIE HIDDEN GEM

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL PT HIRSCHFIELD REPORTS FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS FILM FESTIVAL TOUR

KOMODO’S CURRENTS WE SHOWCASE THE AREA’S ADRENALINFUELLED DIVING

Back to

BUSINESS THE PHILIPPINES REOPENS ITS BORDERS TO TOURISTS

MUDJIMBA REVEALED

DAN COLUMN

ALEX MUSTARD ISSUE #45

PHOTOGRAPH © BRYAN CHU

Regular columns

Monthly features...

8 News round-up

20 Australia

16 DAN Medical Q&A

30 The Philippines

New Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks, Malaysia reopens its borders, a reef-friendly eco-cosmetic range from ScubaScreen, and a new liveaboard for Cocos Island.

The Divers Alert Network team looks at some of the common hazards to divers.

40 Divers Alert Network

The DAN Asia-Pacific team looks at a case involving decompression sickness and treatment delay.

74 Conservation Corner

The Junior Marine Environment Education Programme for children living with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.

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Nicolas Remy reminisces about New South Wales dive site Bass Point, which is where he learned to dive back in 2007, but which still holds plenty of allure for experienced divers.

We take a whistlestop tour around eight of the top diving locations in the Philippines, which was declared Asia’s Leading Dive Destination by the 28th World Travel Awards the third consecutive year it has won the title.

36 Mustard’s Masterclass

Alex Mustard turns his attention to cameras and housings, offering sage advice to help you avoid spending your hard-earned cash on the wrong equipment set-up for your requirements.

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...continued

Gear & testing

42 TECH: Truk Lagoon

66 What’s New

54 Indonesia

68 Test Extra

In our fourth and final part of this series, Marcus Blatchford and Pete Mesley talk about the immense challenges involved in the Project Baseline wreck-mapping project in Truk Lagoon.

Scuba Diver Australia and New Zealand Editor Adrian Stacey reckons the waters around Komodo offer some of the most adrenaline-fuelled diving on the planet.

60 Australia

The Scuba Diver team looks at some new products coming to market, including the Paralenz Vaquita Flip Mount and Macro Lens Bundle, and the Garmin Descent G1 series dive computer.

Scuba Diver Australia and New Zealand Editor Adrian Stacey takes the Mares XR Polygon backplate-and-wing out on test, the first time he had dived one of these systems, and I think it is safe to say he was suitably impressed.

Nigel Marsh waxes lyrical about the diving around Queensland’s Mudjimba Island, which boasts marine life more commonly associated with the waters off Southeast Asia.

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Each month, we bring together the latest industry news from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as all over our water planet. To find out the most up-to-date news and views, check out the website or follow us on our various social media @scubadivermag www.scubadivermag.com.au/news

NEW INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORIES MARINE PARKS

O

n Sunday 20 March, the Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, announced the establishment of marine parks at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean Territories – IOT).

This follows the process during 2021 to co-design the marine parks with IOT communities and seeking of written public comments on proposed marine park designs.

Covering 744,000 square kilometres of remote tropical ocean, reef and lagoon habitat, Christmas Island Marine Park and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park are the two newest additions to the national network of Australian Marine Parks.

These new marine parks will help protect the unique marine environments of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) and support positive social and economic outcomes for local communities and other marine users. These new marine park protections will build on the work of Christmas Island National Park and Pulu Keeling National Park, which have helped to protect the unique island environments of the IOT for decades.

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The marine environment of the IOT is known for iconic species such as whalesharks, turtles, manta rays, spinner dolphins and a vast array of seabirds. There are also lesser known but equally fascinating species, including locally evolved hybrid fish which result from the mixing of waters from the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the IOT. Locals and visitors can experience the magnificent marine world of the IOT under their own steam or by connecting with a local tour operator to head out scuba diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, kayaking, free diving or fishing.

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Indian Ocean Territory marine park grants programme

To coincide with the establishment of the new Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) marine parks, the Australian Government will launch an IOT Marine Parks Grants Programme opening on 28 March 2022. $2.2 million is being allocated towards innovative projects to protect and manage IOT marine parks, as well as support the local economy. Projects must be undertaken predominately in the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Parks and should also provide opportunities to engage and benefit the local community. There are small ($10,000 – $50,000) and large grant ($50,001 – $500,000) categories to support local community projects and projects from larger organisations.

Projects may include, engaging local communities to help manage the marine parks, research and monitoring pressures such as marine debris, monitoring the health of the marine environment and projects that help locals and tourists to experience and appreciate the marine parks.

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AGGRESSOR ADVENTURES’ NEW COCOS ISLAND LIVEABOARD

Aggressor Adventures have announced that from 13 January 2023, the all-new, 37-metre Cocos Island Aggressor will cruise from Puntarenas, Costa Rica, to Cocos Island, the remote, uninhabited Pacific island whose waters are worldrenowned for schooling hammerhead sharks, manta rays and whalesharks.

The 22-passenger, four-level luxury dive yacht was designed from the keel up with passengers’ comfort, safety and indulgences in mind. Onboard amenities include a sun deck with hot tub, two guests’ lounges, restaurant with chef-prepared meals, spacious dive deck and a computer station for editing underwater photos and videos.

Eleven spacious staterooms feature private baths and individual climate controls. Throughout the ten-night adventure, guests receive five-star service from eight professional, experienced staff members, many of whom have been with Okeanos Aggressor I and II for decades.

Adventures on Cocos Island

The trip includes an average of 21 thrilling dives in the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the lush island. Swift currents and underwater sea mounts attract massive fish schools, giant marble rays, tuna, whitetip sharks, Galapagos sharks, and hammerhead sharks. When conditions allow, the staff shuttles guests to the island for hiking and swimming in the pools of Cocos’ many majestic waterfalls. After the charter’s final dive, the Cocos Island Aggressor is escorted by dolphin and false killer whales for the 342-mile voyage back to Puntarenas. Guests may continue their adventure in Costa Rica with optional rainforest tours, white-water rafting or surfing.

“The Cocos Island Aggressor raises the bar of liveaboard accommodations.

We are thrilled to offer dive adventures to Cocos aboard this extraordinary new yacht,” says Aggressor Adventures Chairman & CEO Wayne Brown.

“Cocos has been an Aggressor Adventures destination since 1988, and many of our clients have experienced the adrenaline rush of diving here. Today, we invite new and returning guests alike to enjoy more exciting adventures with us in Cocos aboard the luxurious new Cocos Island Aggressor.”

Cocos Island National Park was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. www.aggressor.com

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ACTIONS S H OTS Mabul Island, Sabah

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SCUBASCREEN LAUNCHES REEFFRIENDLY ‘ECO-COSMETICS’

With a focus on environmental protection and saving the oceans, many people forget that the day-to-day products they use also have a profound effect on the planet, with the chemicals contained in shower suds and other cosmetic products ending up in our seas – ScubaScreen has introduced products that are reef-friendly and free from harmful chemicals.

ScubaScreen is a cosmetics company that caters to ocean lovers, and it invites people to make the switch to products that help protect fragile ocean environments for their beach hair care routines and other personal care products. This allows ocean lovers to enjoy their time in the sea, knowing that they are not causing harm to the reefs.

According to ScubaScreen, most of the products that people use cause harm to corals and marine animals due to their ingredients that contain endocrine disruptors and parabens. These lead to reproductive problems for ocean ecosystems. To remedy this, ScubaScreen dived into finding a solution and after five years of research and working with formulators, they have launched products that are safer for humans, the reefs, and the environment. The launch of their eco-haircare range has signalled a change, with anticipation growing for the launch of their eco-sunscreen.

Erica Joyce, the co-founder and COO of ScubaScreen, notes: “We knew we had to do better to protect not only ourselves but the oceans. By formulating incredible products without the use of endocrine disruptors and parabens, we hope to inspire as many people as possible to make the change and avoid these ingredients in the future.”

Making reef-safe products for clients is ScubaScreen’s mission, guided by a commitment to creating cosmetics that don’t compromise on function. The haircare products use essential spearmint and tangerine oils to give a delicious mojito scent. The eco-haircare range is specially formulated for use in both fresh and saltwater.

ScubaScreen also features a bottle that is uniquely designed for scuba divers. “O ur unique bottles contain

a spare O-ring that can be used if you ever need one for your dive tank,” she added. ScubaScreen is also working on plastic-free refills that are expected to launch later in the year, as the company is committed to eliminating any singleuse plastics.

In an effort to improve the world in any way possible, ScubaScreen also partners with charities, giving 1% of revenue back to marine-based charities. The company has established social media platforms to educate its audience on the benefits of using reef-friendly cosmetic products and let people in on their environmental conservation efforts. www.scubascreen.com

TRAGEDY AS TEENAGE DIVER DIES IN MALAYSIA A 14-year-old Dutch boy has sadly died after being adrift at sea for days in Malaysian waters after surfacing with three other divers from a training dive to discover their dive boat was nowhere to be seen.

Nathan Chesters, his 46-year-old British father Adrian Chesters, 18-year-old French national Alexia Molina and 35-year-old Norwegian instructor Kristine Grodem had been diving in the waters off Pulau Tokong Sanggol on 6 April when they were last seen. A large-scale multi-agency search operation involving two aircraft, some 18 boats and about 90 personnel, was set in motion.

Kristine Grodem was rescued at 8.15am on 7 April some 22 nautical miles from their original location. She confirmed the group had reached the surface, but that they were

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separated by strong currents.

Adrian Chesters and Alexia Molina were located at around 1am on 8 April some 50 miles from the original dive site, but his son was not with them.

The British national spoke to the Malaysian Coastguard and told them that his teenage son had become too weak to hold out and tragically died while they were adrift.

The rescue operation was called off, and Indonesian authorities were expected to continue the search for the teenager’s body as it is thought to have entered that country’s territorial waters.

In other developments, the skipper of the group’s dive boat was arrested after being questioned and then testing positive for methamphetamine.

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MALDIVES

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAMME

Captain Cook Cruises continue to pioneer marine science in the Pacific with the announcement of renowned marine scientist Dr Penny Berents joining a three-, four- and combined seven-night cruise as guest lecturer. The three- or seven-night cruise departs 28 May and four-night 31 May 2022.

This complements their expanding conservation and education programmes, including citizen science initiatives, coral planting and Ocean Ambassador programmes. With its team of marine biologists and Ocean Ambassador programmes, Captain Cook Cruises have been pioneering conservation and marine science activities and education in Fiji through their three-, four-, seven- and 11-night cruises aboard Reef Endeavour and Day Cruises to Tivua Island. Coral planting continues to grow at their exclusive Tivua Island where passengers can take part in the ‘Buy a Coral Build a Reef’ programme. Tivua is surrounded by 500 acres of coral reef.

Both Captain Cook’s overnight, expedition-style, small ship cruising experiences as well as their tall ship day-sail experiences to Tivua Island, lend themselves to immersive experiences. The marine science opportunities are also enhanced by remote destinations, cultural experiences, natural unspoilt beauty and the company’s fabulous Fijian crew.

Their citizen science projects for each cruise allow passengers access to observations of species that have been made in each location by using iNaturalist. They even have the opportunity to upload their own observations and possibly discover a new species as a result.

As one of Australia’s leading marine scientists, who was awarded the 2021 Australian Museum Research Institute Medal for her lifelong commitment to the field of marine biology, and her passionate contribution to museum policy and management, Dr Penny Berents brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with those on board. A taste of some of her guest lectures will cover topic areas such as the ecology of Fijian reefs, coral bleaching in Australia and the Pacific, the latest news on crown of thorns starfish, and discovering new species in the 21st Century.

Reef Endeavour’s voyage to the Remote Lau and Kadavu islands is only a few times a year. This remote bucket list destination provides an opportunity to immerse the visitor in the pristine natural environment and experience this unique culture first hand. Other voyages include sailings to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands most Tuesdays and Saturdays, plus a monthly remote Discovery cruise on selected dates on one of three incredible itineraries; the seven- and 11-night Lau and Kadavu,and the seven-night Remote North Discovery cruise to Levuka, Savusavu and Taveuni. www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com

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Malaysia is now welcoming back international travellers after the government announced the full reopening of its borders for the first time after nearly two years of COVID-19 pandemic-related closures.

Fully-vaccinated travellers can enjoy quarantine-free travel and are only required to take the COVID-19 RTPCR test two days before departure and undergo professionally administered RTK-Ag within 24 hours upon arrival in Malaysia.

To ease the entry process to Malaysia, travellers with valid travel documents can enter Malaysia by downloading and activating the MySejahtera contact tracing app and completing the pre-departure form under the ‘Traveller’ icon without the need to apply for MyTravelPass, which will be abolished.

However, international travellers who are not fully vaccinated must undergo five-day quarantine upon arrival. Meanwhile, children and young people aged 12 to 17 are allowed for quarantine-free entry and only need to undergo professionally administered COVID-19 RTK-Ag within 24 hours upon arrival in Malaysia. The use of face masks in public places and MySejahtera check-in at premises remain in place as standard practice under the endemic phase, especially in confined areas with large crowds. The government also set out the return of full-capacity activities even though physical distancing would still be encouraged.

To date, Malaysia has fully inoculated 97.5% of its adult population with two doses of COVID-19, while 64.6% have had their booster shots. In addition, 91.1% of youth aged between 12 and 17 completed two doses and 30.9% of children aged 5 to 11 received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.

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Ask DAN

DAN medical specialists and researchers answer your dive medicine questions

What are common hazards to divers?

When DAN receives calls from divers who have symptoms after diving, decompression illness (DCI) is often on their mind. Cases of DCI, however, are incredibly rare.

From ear problems to dehydration, vehicle accidents to lacerations, there are many kinds of problems a diver or traveller could face that are more common than DCI. In the course of researching and analysing incidents, DAN has learned a lot about dive safety, risk mitigation, and accident prevention. Here’s how you can apply what they learned to your dive adventures and travels.

What Harms Divers?

Drowning is the leading cause of death in dive fatalities; however, there are triggering events that lead to these tragic incidents — and these provide insight into how such accidents can be avoided. Health-related problems like heart disease and human-related issues like running out of gas, entrapment, or equipment failures can lead to drowning incidents, and these are also all examples of how dive fatalities stem from human factors that can be mitigated.

Take Care of Yourself

Personal readiness is the foundation of personal dive safety, and this encompasses health, physical conditioning, skills, and equipment. Your training, equipment, and health status should match the type of activities you plan to do. Fatigue and exhaustion may lead to poor decision making and are common triggers for incidents. These can be avoided through a weekly fitness regime.

With properly working and maintained gear and appropriate training, human-related incidents can be mitigated, too. Read the manuals of your equipment to see when service is required and ask a professional if you have any problems or questions. With an upcoming trip, make sure your skills match up to the environmental conditions and requirements of each dive destination.

When rough currents, gear troubles, and poor physical fitness are combined, they set divers up for trouble — which can be fatal underwater.

Other Preparations

Physical health and equipment are just a small part of the preparedness equation. Thorough dive planning can work in tandem with a dive computer and should not be overlooked.

No-decompression limits set by the computer’s algorithms

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should be viewed as guidelines. Mental preparedness is a key factor in incident prevention, too. Fear, apprehension, and anxiety are all emotions that can compromise decisionmaking abilities. If you’re feeling frightened or have doubts, call off the dive.

Shift Your Focus

Decompression-related problems are just a fraction of the injuries and medical problems divers face. Because of this, a shift in focus is imperative to keep travelers and divers safe. Divers must not ignore other aspects of their activities and travels — no matter how mundane. The best defense against accidents is education, which will promote behaviour that reduces their likelihood. A heightened awareness and a mindset of prevention will help you stay safe above and below the water.

DANAP.org

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TRY SCR DIVING WITH THE MARES HORIZON

F

or divers seeking to leave their large scuba tank behind, sign up for an SSI Try SCR Diving experience today! In this introductory SCR course, you will try a revolutionary semi-closed rebreather with a system that is easy to use, natural to dive, and designed with all levels of diver in mind.

The Mares Horizon is in a class of its own among scuba rebreathers. Enjoy a new experience diving with fewer bubbles, improved buoyancy, and increased dive time and, for those that still shiver in the warmest of waters, diving with an SCR uses warm, moist air and therefore you shouldn’t feel as cold. The Mares Horizon semi-closed rebreather is also the perfect companion for avid photographers and wildlife enthusiasts - get up close and personal with marine life.

Who can participate in this programme?

You will need to be over 16 years old, have completed your Open Water Diver programme with a recognised Training Agency, and have 12 logged dives.

Who can conduct this programme?

The Try SCR programme is run by an SCR Instructor and can be done in a Pool/Confined water environment with a maximum ratio of 2:1 with your Instructor. If you would like to experience the Mares Horizon SCR in Open Water after you have completed one Pool/Confined water session, you can then do an Open Water dive at a ratio of 1:1 with your instructor.

Can I dive using the Mares Horizon SCR once I have completed the Try SCR programme?

companion and does not require dedicated cylinders or weights. The unit’s simple logistics allow you to use standard nitrox cylinders that are easily obtained from most dive destinations.

Once you have completed all components of the Try SCR programme, you will be issued with a recognition card. You can dive with your Instructor using the SCR unit for up to six months after completing the programme. Better still, you can register to do the full SCR programme and receive your SSI Horizon SCR certification and dive with your buddies whenever you want!

Can I stay underwater longer using the Horizon SCR than with standard Open Circuit Scuba?

How long does the Try SCR programme run for?

You can go to the Dive Centre locator on the SSI website and search ‘Try SCR (Horizon) or ring your local SSI Centre and ask them about it. Try SCR Diving today! n

The recommended time for this programme is four to six hours, however your SCR Instructor may wish to spend more time with you based on your needs and the logistics of the Pool and OW location.

Is the Mares SCR unit easy to travel with?

In a word, yes! This lightweight system is the ideal travel

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Yes! The Mares Horizon SCR offers incredibly extended dive times compared to open-circuit dives, giving the diver more time to take in the wonderful underwater environment.

How do I find out where I can do this Try SCR programme?

Contact your SSI SCR training centre for more information on the Mares Horizon SCR programme or the TRY SCR program if you want to experience the benefits of diving with the SCR without committing to a full course.

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HORIZON

A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

It’s all about

I

am cruising through a flow of memories and emotions as I type this article. After all, Bass Point is where my wife Lena and myself learned to scuba dive back in 2007. So perhaps I am slightly biased when I say that it holds some of New South Wales’ very best diving, especially when it comes to shore-diving. In all honesty, I have never had a boring dive in Bass Point, be it in my early days underwater, or in the last few years. Let me explain what there is to love about Bass Point diving, and delve into its most-popular dive sites.

Why I love diving in Bass Point

Firstly, Bass Point is conveniently located one hour and 40 minutes drive south of Sydney, with several car parks giving you access to four points of entry to the water, letting you access even more dive sites. It’s a popular fishing,

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snorkelling and picnic destination too, so these car parks can fill-up quickly on sunny weekends - best to arrive early! Given the topography of the peninsula, there is usually one or two entry points protected from ocean swells and safe to enter. If you’re not familiar with interpreting swell forecasts, reach out to the local dive shops who will be happy to help.

Visibility can be quite good for a temperate diving destination. I have enjoyed 15-plus metres multiple times and visibility of 20-25 metres are sometimes reported, but it can get to five to eight metres. Ocean swells are the main driver for visibility - with no rivers nearby, Bass Point is essentially unaffected by rain, unless suffering multiple days of downpour, in which case murky water can travel up and down the coast. Depth-wise, Bass Point dives range from 3m to about 30m, so there is something for every diver. I will detail depth profiles per site later in this article.

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Perhaps Bass Point’s most-popular dive site, as a single access point gives you access to a huge underwater playground with depths ranging from 3m (bottom of the said Gutter) to around 22m

Although the grey nurse shark appears extremely malevolent, it is in fact a docile slow-moving animal and extremely tolerant of humans in its environment.

In terms of marine life and photographic opportunities, there is enough to keep both macro and wide-angle shooters happy. My macro favourites include the beautiful Sydney pygmy pipehorse and various seaspider species. It takes expert eyes to find them though, again local advice is invaluable. A number of small-to-medium species make for great portraits - eastern blue devil fish, weedy seadragon, eastern frogfish, or even the common old wife, with its characterful face.

Wide-angle shooters will enjoy capturing the atmosphere around the lush sponge gardens of The Gutter, or the grey nurse sharks of Bushrangers Bay. I have seen giant cuttlefish in every dive site around the peninsula, as well as several harmless shark species - wobbegong, Port Jackson shark and grey nurse sharks. Turtles, large bull rays (smooth stingrays), and numb rays are other notable species that I enjoy shooting with a wide-angle lens, plus a myriad of fish species typical from New South Wales waters.

Let’s now dive into Bass Point’s most-popular dive sites (in no specific order).

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Nicolas Remy reminisces about New South Wales dive site Bass Point, which is where he learned to dive back in 2007, but which still holds plenty of allure for experienced divers Photographs by Nicolas and Lena Remy, and Craig Taylor

The Gravel Loader

This is the first dive site you encounter when driving into Bass Point. Situated on its northern shore, this is an easy jetty dive with depths ranging from 3m-12m. The most convenient access point is to park at the boat ramp and surface-swim the 150 metres which take you to the jetty.

Underwater the navigation is pretty straightforward following the pillars, especially if the visibility is good, which I have seen varying from seven to ten metres on different dives.

The bottom is essentially rocks with urchins or kelp in places. Towards the end of the jetty, a large school of old wives is a regular sighting and the main attraction of this

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Wobbegong sharks are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and hunting at night. This is because they have poor eyesight and rely mostly on their barbels to sense their environment. Even when they hunt, they barely move!

A wobbegong and Lena in Lou’s Reef

dive site for me as a photographer, as this is not as lively as Bass Point’s other sites. Yet, a variety of marine life can be spotted below and around the jetty if you look closely.

At night the doors to Bass Point reserve are closed, and the Loader is Bass Point’s only dive site which remains accessible for a night dive, although you have to crawl over rocks on its western side. Be sure to save this for a night with calm seas.

Schooling stripeys just outside the Arch

The Gutter

Perhaps Bass Point’s most-popular dive site, as a single access point gives you access to a huge underwater playground with depths ranging from 3m (bottom of the said Gutter) to around 22m. The most-lively parts of the playground are in the 16m-22m depth range.

All dives start with a short walk from over rocks from the car park, and then jumping into a 3m deep gutter (hence the name of the site). The rocky walls conveniently have a few natural shelves which make the exit easy enough, regardless of the tide. Once underwater, all dives start by swimming over a rocky bottom where urchins have cleared most of the kelp, until reaching the famous ‘10m Rock’, which is when you choose your own adventure. Swimming more or less north will see you travel over kelp, and eventually reach the Devil’s Cave, a rocky ledge which has been for years the habitat of two eastern blue devil fish, and is surrounded by prolific sponge gardens at around 20m depth. The rocks in this area

An aggregation of Port Jackson sharks near the Arch

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My wife Lena swims through a cloud of white-eared damselfish at Lou’s reef

Bushrangers Bay

A bouquet of seatulip in the sponge gardens, the Gutter

are a good place to search for Sydney pygmy pipehorses, seaspiders and weedy seadragons.

Other sites worth exploring include the Second Gutter and ‘Third Gutter, which are two underwater canyons, respectively 14-18m and 18-20m deep. which will also take you through interesting sponge life and rock formations.

Some locals who are familiar with the Gutter use underwater scooters to reach even further, more-remote dive sites from that same entry point! Lena and I once took a guided scooter dive there and thoroughly enjoyed cruising above the kelp and stopping at spots where interesting critters could be found.

This is Bass Point’s only aquatic reserve - no fishing of any sort is allowed there. The wooden stairs connecting the car park to the pebbly beach will keep your heart pumping, but the reward is a lovely little bay, sheltered from all ocean swells except Easterly. Bushrangers Bay is Bass Point’s most beginner and family friendly dive site, with the first half of the bay being interesting for diving from zero to 8m depth.

In the outer part of the bay depth reaches down to 18m.

Underwater the scenery is a bit of sand, rock boulders and rocky walls, with patches of kelp here and there. Visibility is typically not as good as the Gutter, especially on low-tide, with six to eight metres being typical, but more can be had in the outer part of the bay, preferably around high tide.

Since 2018, Bushrangers Bay has gained greater interest from divers and snorkellers alike, with several grey nurse sharks using the bay to rest, half-awake, half-asleep, during the day. These sharks have been spotted from October to June, but chances to see (several of) them are higher in warmer months. I have seen up to 12 of them in a single dive. It is a real privilege to reliably observe these

It’s a popular fishing, snorkelling and picnic destination too, so these car parks can fill-up quickly on sunny weekends best to arrive early!

Bushrangers’ Bay and Lou’s reef from land

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endangered animals from the shore in water as shallow as 6m, so if you do dive for the sharks, please be mindful of giving them space so that ‘Bushies’ remains a place they come back to.

The Arch

South of Bushrangers Bay lies a very interesting dive site.

The Arch is a wide swim-through cave at around 23m depth.

The cave is around 20 metres long, a few metres wide and has a sandy bottom, so there is no particular challenge in swimming across it, you will always see the exit from the entry. The walls inside the cave are covered with sponges and some fish life can be seen within the cave.

However, either side of the Arch you can swim around interesting rock boulders, some of which are covered by vivid sponges. Various schooling fish species can be spotted around, as well as Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, and banded seaspiders, on the macro front.

While the Arch itself isn’t a challenging dive site, getting there from the shore is another story. The nearest entry/exit from the rocky shore is exposed to swell, so be sure to get local advice if attempting it. I personally have dived the Arch from Bushrangers Bay, but this takes a long 600 metres underwater swim, which is subject to currents and I am only attempting this because I dive a rebreather and carry ample redundant gas supply. Others have used an underwater scooter to reach the Arch from Bushrangers bay, which is probably an easier solution, or ideally dive it from a boat.

Lou’s Reef

Northeast of the end of Bushrangers Bay lies a tiny rocky island, which barely breaches the surface, and is the tip of a (modest) underwater mountain called ‘Lou’s Reef’, which reaches down to approximately 30m depth. Getting there would take a 700-metre swim from the beach at Bushrangers’ Bay, so it is best attempted from a boat, although experienced locals have dived there using underwater scooters. I had the chance to dive all around Lou’s Reef once, circling around the island between 15m-30m, with the deeper sections featuring colourful Two Sydney Pygmy Pipehorses possibly courting

The Gutter is spectacular on a clear day

A numb ray (electric ray) swims across the kelp near the Gutter

sponges and more bare rocky boulders as I ascended.

I have been impressed with the abundance of fish life, especially huge schools of white-eared damselfish staying near us in hope to seek protection from the 40 kingfish which made regular appearances out of the blue. Lou’s Reef is definitely a great dive site, yet not as accessible as the other four.

Conclusion

As I wrote before, Bass Point is a huge underwater playground and it is well worth being guided to make the most of your first visit there. I have dived with the two operators closest to the peninsula and am happy to recommend them. Both offer guided shore-dives, but not only. Shellharbour Scuba also do guided underwater scooter dives, and have a special focus in underwater photography.

Windang Dive and Spearfishing do try-dives and certification for recreational rebreathers (the Mares Horizon), and are soon going run boats around Bass Point. n

Nicolas and Lena Remy

For more images from Nicolas and Lena visit their Website, Nicolas & Lena Remy Photography or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @nicolaslenaremy https://nicolaslenaremy.com/

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“We are thrilled to be returning in a few months! The reef systems here are the most unspoiled we have seen in our travels around the world and the resort is paradise. We can’t wait to see all our friends at Wakatobi.” ~ Robert and Barbara Hay

An experience without equal At Wakatobi, you don’t compromise on comfort to get away from it all. A private guest flight brings you directly to a remote island, where all the indulgences of a five-star resort and luxury liveaboard await. The Wakatobi dive team will ensure your in-water experiences are perfectly matched to your abilities and interests so your underwater encounters can create memories that will remain vivid and rewarding long after your visit is concluded. While at the resort, or on board the dive yacht Pelagian, you need only ask and the Wakatobi team will provide any service or facility within its power. This unmatched combination of world-renowned reefs and first-class luxuries put Wakatobi in a category all its own.

www.wakatobi.com

BEYOND BALI – 5 INDONESIAN DIVE DESTINATIONS TO ADD TO YOUR BUCKET LIST

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ali is now open to international travellers with the reintroduction of visa-free entry and an end to hotel quarantine – which is good news for divers.

Bali is a gateway to so many wonderful dive destinations in Indonesia, we thought we’d share our top five lesser-known Indonesian diving hot spots.

Alor

Macro life, coral diversity and schooling fish – with the added bonus of spotting pilot whales and dolphins from your dive boat. There are a wide variety of dive sites in Alor, from muck dives in the bays of Beangabang and Kalabahi, to the always fishy Alor Kecil and the colourful walls of Pulau Reta.

The Amira liveaboard does an Alor dive-safari in May and September. Other liveaboards to visit Alor include the Damai I and Damai II (May and September). There are also a few dive resorts on Alor, including Alami Alor and Alor Divers.

Halmahera

Halmahera is the largest of the Maluku Islands, in the North Maluku province of Indonesia, between Northern Sulawesi and Raja Ampat. It might not be the easiest place to get to, but all the travel is well worth the adventure as Halmahera is home to some of the highest coral diversity in the world.

Best time to visit – March to November.

Amira liveaboard visits Halmahera in February and March, The Tambora in April, May, September and October, the Pindito in June, Raja Ampat Aggressor in June and September, Dewi Nusantara, Damai II in October and Indo Siren in May.

Sangalaki, Derawan

Derawan Island, on the east coast of Kalimantan, is the next wild frontier for divers, here, Sangalaki’s so-called ‘Big Fish Country’ boasts crazy pelagic action including mantas, schooling fish and frequent whaleshark sightings. Add to this a very rare stingless Jellyfish Lake on Kakaban Island and you’re up for a pretty exciting diving holiday.

Dive Derawan and nearby Sangalaki with Tasik Divers or Extra Divers or via liveaboard on the Raja Ampat Aggressor throughout July and August, and the White Manta from April through August.

Bangka Island and Bunaken National Park

North Sulawesi is more famous for its muck diving – the Lembeh Strait a virtual mecca for macro photographers with its proliferation of weird and wonderful teeny critters. But on the northwest coast of North Sulawesi there are the stunning soft coral gardens of Bangka Island and the equally beautiful coral walls of Bunaken National Marine Park. There are a number of dive resorts in Manado that can take you to both Bunaken and Bangka, such as Murex Manado, Tasik Divers or Thalassa Dive Resort, or you can base yourself on Siladen Island in Bunaken National Marine Park, Bangka Island at Murex Resort Bangka or nearby Gangga Island Resort & Spa. Some resorts offer a two-property package, allowing you to stay in Manado and Bangka, Manado and Lembeh, or even all three. The Tambora liveaboard visits on its crossover trips to Borneo in May and July.

Triton Bay

Raja Ampat is a firm fixture on most divers’ bucket lists, but instead of choosing a ‘Best of Raja Ampat’ itinerary near Sorong, venture further south to the less-visited regions of the Forgotten Islands and Triton Bay. The region is known for its colourful soft corals and forests of black coral.

Epaulette sharks can be seen walking over the reefs, giant grouper lurk in sheltered spots, schools of jacks and fusiliers dart around in the blue and squadrons of bumphead parrotfish patrol the reef walls. Triton Bay also boasts a resident pod of pilot whales and is famous for whaleshark action that approach the ‘bagans’ of fishermen at the surface.

Indo Siren visits Triton Bay in December, the Dewi Nusantara in March, Damai I in March and October, Damai II in February, March and April, Seven Seas in March and the Pindito in March and April.

Talk to Diveplanit Travel’s Indo experts to plan your next Indo dive trip! Diveplanit.com Email: enquire@diveplanit.com Phone: 1800 607 913.

Dive Clubs: we offer the best group rates for Indonesian resorts and liveaboards. Contact groups manager jess@ diveplanit.com for more information.

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PHILIPPINE SIREN

Dive into the Philippines ......................................

V I S AYA S • L E Y T E • T U B B ATA H A

Inspirational Diving Experiences

FIND A TRIP

masterliveaboards.com/philippines

The pioneers of diving with thresher sharks

+63-999-673-3985 | dive@thresherdivers.com | www.thresherdivers.com

MOST-POPULAR

dive destinations

T

he Philippines has undeniably some of the best diving spots in Asia, with adventures that await beginners and professional divers who want to experience the thrill of roller-coaster drift dives. Underwater photography enthusiasts will enjoy documenting the diverse marine life that thrives in the clear tropical waters.

The archipelagic state is part of the heart of the Coral Triangle, the world’s centre of marine biodiversity. It has the third-largest area of coral reef in the world at 25,060 km2 that is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and an abundant biodiversity that includes 3,000 species of fish.

The government, environmental organizations, and local residents are working together to protect this rich marine biodiversity.

The Philippines is a vibrant, colourful country and this extends to the marine life that is thriving under its seas. Health protocols are also being put into place at each destination for the safety of travellers while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Philippine seas. Join us as we ‘visit’ eight of the diving hotspots in the country.

The Philippines contain 7,107 islands, but only about 2,000 are inhabited, leaving plenty of deserted islands to explore. These thousands of islands form three main island groups, including Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Tubbataha Reef, Puerto Princesa

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is said to be one of the country’s oldest ecosystems. It covers 96,828 hectares of underwater adventures. This atoll reef has a very high density of marine biodiversity, with more than 700 fish species, over 360 coral species, 11 shark

We take a whistlestop tour around eight of the top diving locations in the Philippines, which was declared Asia’s Leading Dive Destination by the 28th World Travel Awards - the third consecutive year it has won the title Photographs by Jerome Kim, Sylvia Jenkins, Robert Yin, Gerald Nowak & Dugong Dive Center 30

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Nudibranchs are a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod molluscs. Some are known for their extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given fun nicknames to match, such as ‘splendid’, ‘dragon’, or ‘dancer’ to name but a few...

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If the Coral Triangle is considered as the underwater Amazon Forest, Verde Island is at the centre of its heart species, and 13 dolphin and whale species already recorded, and its North Islet serving as a nesting site both for birds and two species of endangered marine turtles – the green turtle and hawksbill turtle. The site has a spectacular 100m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands, with exciting pelagic action involving whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, and whalesharks.

Anilao, Batangas

Anilao, in the Municipality of Mabini, is located just a short drive away from the Philippines’ capital of Manila. This has made it a haven for weekend diving enthusiasts from the city, especially those who are into underwater photography.

It is located along the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro, which is considered as the centre of marine shore fish biodiversity with 319 species swimming in its blue waters that coral taxonomist Douglas Fenner says is home to 74 genera of hard corals. Anilao is a destination for both macro and muck diving enthusiasts, with rare critters like rhinopias, and colourful nudibranchs. It is also a perfect place to perfect blackwater and bonfire diving skills in macrophotography.

In addition to great marine biodiversity, the Philippines also features 1,100 terrestrial invertebrates, 100 mammal species and 170 bird species, making it one of the ten most mega-diverse countries.

Every year new species are found above and below the water.

Aircraft wreck

Dauin and Apo Island Dumaguete

The Municipality of Dauin has many dive spots for different levels of enthusiasts. These spots are protected marine sanctuaries that look after the sea’s biodiversity. Dauin is a big draw for those who are into muck diving, owing to the fascinating tiny creatures that dwell camouflaged along the corals, sea grass, and rock formations. Exciting sightings can start close to the shoreline, and these include different kinds of pipefishes, razorfish, frogfishes, sea horses, waspfish, snake eels, sea moths, dragonettes, flounders, snapper, stargazers, and crabs and turtles.

Macro life is prolific

Because of the Philippines’ long colonial history, Filipinos display a unique mix of culture. You’ll find pieces of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American and Pinoy tradition. In addition, the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in Asia.

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Frogfish

Thresher shark Marine-lifeencrusted cross

A scenic 30-minute boat ride from Dumaguete brings divers to Apo Island, a marine sanctuary organized by its local community. It offers myriad opportunities to explore on the ground with its volcanic rock formations, and undersea where 400 coral species where over 650 species of fish reside. There is a community of sea turtles that don’t mind swimming serenely alongside divers and having these awesome moments captured on camera. For a feeling of exclusivity, book a stop at the Marine Sanctuary found southeast off of Apo Island, where only 100 divers are allowed per day to preserve its ecological balance.

Apo Reef Natural Park, Occidental Mindoro

Apo Reef is the largest atoll-like coral reef in the Philippines.

Covering an area of 34 square kilometres, it is the second largest connecting coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The pristine waters of the 30m deep channel are teeming with 385 species of fish have been identified in the area, including angel fish, parrot fish, jacks, and trevallies. Divers can also encounter reef sharks, moray, giant squid and giant clams. It has a mangrove forest which serves as source of food, spawning ground, and sanctuary of several marine and bird species.

Among that activities available for travelers are scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, lagoon rafting, and watching the birds, dolphins and turtles that abound in the area.

Expect shoals of fish in the native waters

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Puerto Galera, Mindoro and Verde Island

The name Puerto Galera is Spanish for Port of the Galleons for the trading vessels that would anchor off its shores of this place. Today, it is popular for its numerous diving spots as part of the Verde Island Passage of the Coral Triangle of Asia.

Its clear waters allow for high visibility that is perfect for diving among the hard and soft varieties of corals that house about 60 percent of the world’s shore fish. Puerto Galera is part of the Dive and Drive tourism circuit that has been developed by the Department of Tourism that includes important dive sites like Ticao Island in Masbate and Anilao in Batangas.

If the Coral Triangle is considered as the underwater Amazon Forest, Verde Island is at the centre of its heart.

The Verde Island Wall – two rocks jutting out southeast of the island - is considered as the best dive sites in the Philippines, with excellent visibility and lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Colourful corals are home and playground to whitetips and other sharks, mantas, tuna and jacks with parrotfish, unicornfish, and Napoleons adding even more colour to the visual impact of clouds of anthias.

For a spinning good time, head out to the Washing Machine, so-called for its wild current that is popular with divers who are looking to enjoy a unique thrill.

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Cebu (Malapascua, Moalboal)

Located at the Northern part of Cebu, Malapascua Island is a must-visit for divers to enjoy the rare and thrilling experience of swimming with thresher sharks. The pristine waters of this tropical island paradise offers more unforgettable adventures. After a 5am thresher shark dive, enthusiasts can also go on shipwreck explorations, deep and tech dives, dusk mandarinfish spotting, and night dives to observe rare nocturnal creatures. Another dive attraction is the underwater tunnel that runs through the length of nearby Gato Island, a home to whitetip sharks. Here, divers can explore undercuts and small caves to discover the secret lives of marine animals such as cuttlefish, banded sea snakes, crabs, anthias, and lionfish. The beach life is just as grand, where you can walk anywhere in flip-flops to enjoy the charming, relaxed life on the island.

Moalboal in the local dialect means bubbling waters, owing to its freshwater springs. Its dive sites offer an array of exciting experiences, with Copton Point already offering two – the Copton Deep that has an aircraft wreck to explore, and Copton Shallow that has table corals and shallow corals through which dart a wide variety of fish. Likened to the effects of stained-glass windows at church, Pescador Cathedral is a magnificent cave that captures shafts of light at midday to bathe the surroundings with a heavenly glow.

Shipwreck cover in marine growth

Anemonefish in their host anemone

Bohol (Anda, Balicasag, and Cabilao)

Beautiful Bohol, with its breathtaking natural wonders such as the Chocolate Hills and man-made Mahogany Forest, along with historic sites such as its centuries-old churches is also a haven for divers. The warm sands of Bohol’s Alona Beach is the jump-off point for dive safaris to Anda, Balicasag, and Cabilao.

Anda is a relatively new dive destination and it is being developed with sustainable tourism in mind. Conservation efforts are supported by the friendly community, with guides who expertly help divers find the best spots. Coral-covered shallow flat reefs are home to a host of creatures such as hawkfish, fire urchins, and Coleman shrimp. Schoolers such as snapper, grouper, puffers and turtles like to converge in these clear waters. Cabilao has the small island charm.

It has only five barangays or communities, but 20 dive sites. Underwater life ranges from small soft corals to large gorgonian sea fans. The Lighthouse 1 and 2 are popular dive photography sites. Balicasag is a protected area because it is a sea turtle meeting, breeding, and feeding area. There is a site that is literally named Diver’s Heaven, because here, each dive is a good dive.

Coron Wreck Diving, Palawan

Coron has been described as one of the best spots in the world for wreck diving. There are 24 Japanese ships that were sunk in the area by an American air raid during World War Two and the 12 wrecks that have been discovered are now home to corals and other forms of aquatic life. The shipwrecks are very well preserved and are all located in quite shallow water starting at 6m-10m, which is perfect for recreational diving. n

Safe and protected

The Philippines is proactive in protecting its marine resources, not only through government mandates but also through community engagement. The locals of the areas understand the importance of caring for the environment as their source of livelihood and as their legacy to the next generations. The Philippine Department of Tourism works closely with the local government units of the popular dive sites and new circuits in order to ensure that the marine biodiversity is allowed to thrive through responsible and sustainable tourism efforts. Aside from showcasing these underwater attractions to the world, the DOT is preparing

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for the return of dive enthusiasts with standardized health and hygiene protocols for a safe journey throughout the country. As of 1 October, 55% of tourism workers in the country have been vaccinated. In the nation’s bustling capital of Metro Manila, 99% of tourism workers in DOTaccredited hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as 99% of tourism workers in accredited restaurants have had their anti-COVID jabs. In addition, this fascinating destination has received the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which selects destinations that meet international health and safety standards to travel without worries.

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DIVE THE PHILIPPINES WITH ATLANTIS

Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend

Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboard

With resorts in Dumaguete, Puerto Galera and a luxury dive liveaboard, Atlantis can help you explore the very best diving in the Philippines, from Tubbataha and Puerto Galera to Dumaguete and Malapascua.

Dedicated Dive Resorts in the Heart of the Coral Triangle, 5 Star Service, Small Dive Groups, Dedicated Camera Rooms.

For more information about diving the Philippines with Atlantis Resorts and Atlantis Azores Liveaboard, contact the team of experts at Diveplanit Travel. diveplanit.com phone: 1800 607 913 email: enquire@diveplanit.com

Mustard’s MASTERCLASS Alex Mustard turns his attention to cameras and housings, offering sage advice to help you avoid spending your hard-earned cash on the wrong equipment set-up for your requirements Photographs by Alex Mustard / www.amustard.com

S

ummarise underwater photography equipment in one word? Expensive! Which among other things raises the stakes on selecting the right gear, because while the good stuff is costly, it is even more painful buying the wrong equipment first and then having to stump up again for correct stuff.

On top of this, the underwater world is also a highly challenging environment to create images, where poor set-ups are punished with poor images, inferior ergonomics mean missing the shots others bag, and the reliability of sub-par equipment is ruthlessly exposed. But I don’t want to come across all doom and gloom. While underwater cameras look broadly the same as a five, ten, or 20 years ago, their performance and reliability has rocketed in recent times, making it much harder to end up with a lemon.

The aim of this month’s column is not to get tangled in the arguments differentiating brand A over brand B. Instead, I want to furnish you with some guiding principles for those big system purchases of cameras and housings.

Cameras are where we all start this process, but despite these being the focus of this month’s column, I think most of us get too obsessed here at the expense of the rest of our set-up. Lenses and lighting (which I’ll cover next month) make much more of a difference to underwater images than cameras, yet time again I see photographers splashing the cash on their camera body, and looking to cut corners on the items that really matter. That said, it is still critical to get that first choice correct - just don’t blow all your budget!

The big debate currently among serious shooters is the choice between SLR and mirrorless cameras.

There is no doubt that mirrorless is the future and if you are starting right now, it would be foolish not to make these your first consideration. Most cameras are great these days, but not all can take all the lenses we need below. If you are thinking of a camera that few others use underwater, then make sure you research

its suitability thoroughly. For those currently invested in SLRs, the ‘upgrade or not’ arguments are more nuanced, which can be hard to hear in the barrage of industry hype about mirrorless cameras. Remember every camera company, housing company and camera shop wants us to upgrade to mirrorless, because it means buying new everything! For my money, the best SLRs still have a small edge for underwater use in important areas, like lens choice, flash synch speed, viewfinders and, arguably, autofocus. I prefer a mirrorless above the surface, but underwater the camera I choose to use is still an SLR. The other current conundrum to get our heads around is the plateauing of tech. Since the start of digital underwater photography, cameras have routinely appeared every two to four years that made very strong cases for us to upgrade. Huge progress has been made on autofocus, megapixels, dynamic range and high ISO noise that has made staying upto-date a no-brainer. However, over the last decade the cameras have increasingly matured to a point where their specs really do exceed everyday needs underwater. Now is the time to divorce our mindset from the upgrade cycle letting us save unnecessary expense. This should also mean that we are less concerned how quickly housings come to market and instead focused on buying one that is well made to take this extended workload.

The housing is your interface with your camera, and once we’ve invested in a brand and its accessories, we’re unlikely to change. A reliable housing with refined ergonomics regularly makes the difference between coming home with a shot or with just a story. This is one of our most-important purchase commitments and one, by definition, that most make when we are starting out, rather than after years of experience. With that in mind, I believe in finding a retailer I like and trust and then buying from them, rather than simply searching for the cheapest items online. A good retailer will save you both time

Cameras and underwater housings are expensive, so we want to choose well

Electronic viewfinders still lag behind optical viewfinders for composing typical highcontrast scenes

Underwater photography pushes gear to the limits and poor equipment will be exposed

For my money, the best SLRs still have a small edge for underwater use in important areas, like lens choice, flash synch speed, viewfinders and, arguably, autofocus and money with their advice. Most underwater photography retailers will sell just one to four of the 20 or so housing brands that exist, which simplifies your choice too. This also ensures you have a brand with local support, should anything go wrong just before a trip. It is also sensible to choose the same brand as your buddies, so that you have a ready source of advice and can share accessories as you get going.

The most-important feature on a housing are the primary controls: shutter release, aperture and shutter speed dials. You will use these controls for almost every single shot, and you will often need to access them without looking and in a fraction of a second to keep up with the action. All three need to fall easily to your fingertips and be easy to adjust, giving a good feel of the controls beneath.

Next check access to other important features, like ISO, back-button autofocus, autofocus point selection and image review. Some of us have big hands some small, some dive in thick gloves some wear no gloves. So just because someone else tells you a housing is the best, remember if it doesn’t feel right, it is not right for you. If you regularly dive in gloves, you must take them to the shop when trying out housings. n

Some subjects demand top quality autofocus, like small, darting fish, but many do not

3.0 16MP Resolution Flood Proof 4K Ultra HD Video RAW Image Capture

Micro 3.0 Pro 3000 Set

LCD

TM

WiFi Share 3 Dive Modes 100º Wide Angle Lens Hi Res Display

Micro 3.0 Pro Duo 5000 Set

www.sealife-cameras.com

SeaLifeCameras

SeaLifeCameras

DIVERS ALERT NETWORK: ASIA-PACIFIC

Divers Alert Network, widely known as DAN, is an international non-profit medical and research organisation dedicated to the safety and health of divers.

WWW.DANAP.ORG

DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS (DCS) UNCERTAINTY AND TREATMENT DELAY

C

ommon symptoms of decompression sickness (DCS) include extreme fatigue, achy joints and confusion. There are also numerous uncommon symptoms, however, and these are often associated with lesser-known forms of DCS. Because the most-common symptoms represent only a partial list of potential complications, gaps in divers’ (and dive professionals’ and doctors’) understanding of DCS are common. This can lead to misdiagnoses and delays to treatment.

DAN member Kelly, a Master Scuba Diver Trainer with more than 500 lifetime dives, had taken months to prepare for her technical sidemount diving certification — she was ready to tackle the classroom portion of her course, manage multiple gas cylinders and complete 12 dives in six days.

The course started in shallow water, with dives becoming progressively deeper and longer. Kelly’s overall approach was cautious — she had experienced skin DCS the

previous year, and she wanted to follow her decompression stops exactly as her late-model, multi-gas dive computer prescribed. First, she completed two dives to 9m on air.

Then Kelly completed three nitrox dives to 27m. After one dive, Kelly had a small snag while exiting the water — rough seas jostled her, and she collided with the ladder. For the next two dives, Kelly introduced 100-percent oxygen as her decompression gas. These dives were to 29m for 42 minutes and then to 36m for 67 minutes.

Now more than halfway through her dives, Kelly noticed her left bicep was sore and the skin felt taut and warm. She assumed the injury came from her collision with the ladder, and unfazed, kept diving.

But the pain worsened and spread to her left breast.

The working hypothesis among those on the dive boat was that Kelly had suffered a haematoma on her left bicep.

However, the lack of bruising to the area contradicted that assessment.

After one dive, Kelly had a small snag while exiting the water — rough seas jostled her, and she collided with the ladder

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Four days had passed since symptom onset, and the symptoms were worsening — her fingers were tingling, her chest was tight, and her vision was becoming impaired Four days had passed since symptom onset, and the symptoms were worsening — her fingers were tingling, her chest was tight, and her vision was becoming impaired.

The boat crew decided to transport Kelly back to shore and take her to the nearest medical facility while her partner contacted DAN. Once the DAN medic heard Kelly’s symptoms, they became concerned about the possibility of inert gas bubbles in Kelly’s lymphatic system, creating a build-up of lymph fluid in her upper arms and chest - lymphatic DCS. At the hospital, Kelly was directed to the nearby hyperbaric chamber for treatments. When she arrived at the chamber, she relayed the information she received from DAN about lymphatic DCS, and that helped inform her treatments.

Lung barotrauma was ruled out, and Kelly was wheeled into a hyperbaric chamber to undergo a five-hour U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6 — standard care for DCS. Kelly was eventually discharged, and her symptoms diminished as she continued recovery at home.

Kelly’s obscure symptoms were consistent with lymphatic

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DCS, but that’s a manifestation of DCS that is not well known. Her dives were long and deep, but did not violate her planned depth/time profile.

Fortunately, the DAN medic’s knowledge and quick thinking gave the doctors a starting point when assessing Kelly, who made a full recovery.

Once a DAN member calls the 24/7 hotline, DAN arranges whatever care is needed. Behind the scenes, DAN specialists co-ordinate medical care and transportation with local agencies, and in dive emergencies, DAN medical staff can even offer consultations to treating physicians who are not familiar with dive medicine.

DANAP.org

DAN EMERGENCY HOTLINE

In the event of a diving incident, we encourage all divers to call the DAN Hotline promptly for advice: • Within Australia: 1800 088 200 • Outside Australia: +1 919 684 9111 • Within Indonesia: 21 5085 8719

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beyond technical

www.narkedat90.com

Project Baseline Q&A

Marcus Blatchford Pete Mesley

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We design, manufacture and retail scuba and rebreather equipment. We have fully equipped test and certification labs, and can pressure test large items in our vacuum chambers, as well as run fully automated leak test and dive simulations down to 400m. Our EMC and EMF lab is filled with state-ofthe-art equipment for testing electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic fields. We also have a large in-house laser for cutting and engraving on plastics and metals. www.narkedat90.com

Over the past three months, we have been showcasing the incredible photogrammetry from Truk Lagoon’s Project Baseline. Here we chat to Marcus Blatchford and Pete Mesley about the challenges of such an epic operation Photographs courtesy of Marcus Blatchford and Pete Mesley

Thankfully I had been doing long, deep photogrammetry dives for a good few years previous to the project starting, over this time I have been able to buy the correct equipment for the job and make sure it all interacts together in the simplest of ways

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www.narkedat90.com Q: What were your first thoughts when you became involved with the Truk Lagoon Project Baseline?

A (MB): When Pete first put his idea to me, it was a complete surprise - the scale of the job is simply huge! I pointed out that there are two basic forms of 3D model, the first is a 3D representation that looks similar to the scanned object, the second is a scaled and potentially geo-referenced model of survey quality, the latter requiring a huge amount more work to be put in than the former. Pete’s initial project plan is more for more visual representation and comparison than being survey quality. Although survey quality would be great, the additional time, labour and equipment involved are simply out of our direct financial reach. Before committing I put a plan together of what I thought to be achievable on the first trip to try to ensure it was within Pete’s vision.

A (PM): This is going back quite a few years, I always remember thinking how cool it would be to be able to see the wreck in its entirety. Feeble attempts at photo collages about 15 years ago was the first attempts at this massive task. The results were average at best, then I kind of lost interest. Until recently. Over the last five or so years, photogrammetry has come into its own. I have wanted to create baseline models of these wrecks for so many reasons and just had to make a start. But I knew very little about it.

This is where Marcus and I started getting into conversation about mapping these wrecks. Personally, at the time, my thoughts were ‘3D modelling isn’t really my thing. I am more of an ‘arty-farty’ photographer and modelling a wreck doesn’t really take any artistic skill, it’s just sit there and click away’. But what I learnt the more I got into it was how honed in my observation skills got. I have dived these wrecks many, many times, yet when I started modelling these wrecks my understanding of the wrecks in their entirety increased a thousand-fold. The more I get into this, the more invested I am in learning more about these rusting hulks. There is a definite need for this sort of thing and my excitement grows every time I work on another wreck.

Capturing the wreck images

Q: Shooting images to capture the data necessary for photogrammetry is a very different discipline to normal underwater photography. You are both very accomplished underwater photographers, how did you get to grips with this new style of photography?

A (MB): Organic photography consists of two parts: 1) Creating an image that is exposed and focussed correctly; 2) Creating an image that is composed in a way to be appealing to the viewer. Once again, the latter is far more difficult to achieve than the former. Thankfully photogrammetry requires the images to be exposed well, in focus and have overlap with previous exposure – and, of course, a shed load of them! Composing the image is passed on from the photographer to the viewer. The viewer can rotate and zoom the model in the way they wish to see it.

A (PM): Being an ‘arty-farty’ photographer I really wasn’t looking forward to taking the thousands of images needed to capture the data needed to create these models. But it’s really quite challenging in its own right. We use techniques where the camera is mounted onto the scooter and we then set the camera up beforehand and off we go. So if you get the settings wrong, then all of the images won’t come out.

So it has its own challenges. Once the camera is set up, then it becomes more of a ‘hoover’ the information up not missing any areas!

Deep inside an engine room

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Computers • O2 Cells • Gas Analysers Cables & Connectors • Rebreather Parts PathFinder Strobes • Sensors Tools • Solenoids Q: Capturing thousands of images must be a daunting prospect at the best of times, but doing it at depth as in Truk Lagoon must have raised immense challenges in itself.

A (MB): Thankfully I had been doing long, deep photogrammetry dives for a good few years previous to the project starting, over this time I have been able to buy the correct equipment for the job and make sure it all interacts together in the simplest of ways - this goes for not only the camera equipment but my life support equipment too.

Pete’s equipment is very similar to mine - although I shoot Canon and he shoots Nikon - we both have JJ rebreathers which are pretty bombproof, we both use almost identical decompression gradient factors, our scooters (although different makes) have similar burn times and speeds - the biggest challenge is travelling with it all!

A (PM): It’s like most things, if you have complex tasks to complete, add depth to that equation, then you need to be on top of your game. I have spent many a dive getting absolutely nothing simply because I wasn’t properly prepared before the dive. So most of the bottom time would be eaten up getting the rig sorted out. I guess we learn the best through experience (learning the hard way!), so when there are tasks to do, and the wreck is in deep water, it’s really important to get things sorted before you get down.

Or things just aren’t going to work out for the dive!

Q: If people have been intrigued by photogrammetry from the series of articles, how can get involved?

A (MB): A number of training agencies are either in the process of or have released photogrammetry courses, I know that GUE and IANTD (UK only at the moment) already offer courses. I believe BSAC have a course, as do the Nautical Archaeology Society. There are also, of course, Facebook groups with many members who are more than happy to pass on their knowledge and experiences. The beauty of photogrammetry is that pretty much any camera can be used for scanning, so it truly is accessible to folks with action cameras right up to professional camera systems - even images from traditional film cameras can be used (although the cost of film and processing would probably far outweigh a the cost of a simple digital camera).

Pete with a ‘cheeky shiraz’

Truk’s wrecks are impressive

A (PM): My best advice. You need to do a course. You don’t need fancy gear, use what gear you already have. Start on small, digestible projects (don’t try and map a 500-foot ocean liner for your first project). It’s best to take too much footage than too little. Understand that it’s not just gathering the image information, it’s also learning how to use the software. This all takes time. Be patient. Be persistent. And keep at it.

Q: What comes next for Truk Lagoon Project Baseline?

A (MB): The Micronesian borders are still closed due to COVID. Their roadmap suggests that once they have completed their vaccine programme, they will start opening up again. When this happens, the project plans to continue.

A (PM): Why stop there right? Then I start thinking ‘How cool would it be if I mapped all the diveable wrecks in New Zealand?’ Then, I started talking to various people round the world who are doing their own thing with the 3D modelling. What if we could have a centre location site for everyone to be able to access these amazing models?

A portal that people all round the world could share their work. The wrecks would be linked to their respective sites for information about them etc. All this, in turn, gave birth to the ‘World Wide Wreck Baseline Project’. This is a non-profit project so it will expand when more data comes available.

There is a definite need for these models of wrecks for many reasons. The technology will only get better and the more people are partaking in documenting their local wrecks, before you know it we will have thousands of wrecks for all to enjoy in one place! n

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OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

WORLD TOUR 2022

Each year, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour offers a three-hour smorgasbord of ocean-themed films celebrated by a like-minded community of theatre-goers. PT Hirschfield went along to soak up the atmosphere Photographs by Jemima Robinson, Max Romey, Pierre Frechou, Sam Riley, Adam Hamerlik, Jem Cresswell, Clayton Conn & the film Mar

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he Ocean Film Festival 2022 features fabulous door prizes courtesy of major sponsors and screens in all states of Australia, with cinema event dates between 1 March to 22 June. While some of the short films focus on surfing and sailing, others take us into the realm of scuba divers, snorkellers and the marine life they encounter.

The seven films featured in 2022 hail from around the globe (with two produced in Australia). All are inspirational, some through their conservation messages, others through their testament to the power of the human spirit in the face of raw nature, challenge and adversity.

Most attendees are already excited for the 2023 World Tour dates to be announced, commencing again in March. Join the film festival mailing list here – www. oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au - for details of all current and future screenings and bookings.

Below is a sneak peak at the films selected for this year’s mostly sold-out tour which delivers the festival into over 50 cinema screenings across Australia, plus events in New Zealand and beyond.

FILM: Tiger (Shark) King

From the film’s lingering opening shots of diver Jim Abernathy caressing the snout of a tiger shark while narrating his discovery of the ‘affectionate side of sharks’, the tranquil imagery and pace of ‘The Tiger (Shark) King’ quietly counters the Spielberg-induced ’man-eating’ stereotype.

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Abernathy’s approach demonstrates a unique rationale and model for shark conservation through ecotourism. Tiger sharks, lemon sharks and Caribbean reef sharks are depicted calmly against a delicate soundtrack that underscores their natural role in the harmonious ecosystem of the Caribbean’s Tiger Beach, 25 miles from land. Abernathy shares a profound relationship with a four-metre tiger shark called Emma, and his passion to ‘change fear into love’ is beautifully conveyed in this gentle, awe-inspiring film.

FILM: If You Give a Beach a Bottle

Hailing from Alaska, Max Romey’s film on the ubiquitous topic of marine debris takes a visually arresting, multi-media approach, sustaining audience engagement from start to finish. Well-worn and oft-times removed pleas to remedy the scourge of microplastics and ghost nets are given a fresh and vibrant sense of immediacy and concreteness. This short film is like the ‘concentrated cordial’ version of feature film A Plastic Ocean, each frame breathing new life into the call for individual and collective responsibility and action.

The imagery and editing are bright, fast-paced and innovative, coupled with narration that makes expansive issues personal. The soundtrack is at times comedic, while at other moments serving like another delicate watercolour in the film-maker’s painterly vision. The film puts the enormity of the problems caused by our modern, consumerist lifestyles into perspective yet again, highlighting the concerted efforts needed from us all in response.

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FILM: Eyre & Sea

From the first wild, sweeping images of director Jem Creswell’s film, we are gently drawn into the intimate encounters and deep personal connections that narrator Alan Payne has with a range of marine fauna at Baird Bay (with its population of three) on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Payne hosts snorkelling tours focused on extended interactions with dolphins and the country’s reportedly sole growing population of Australian sea lions (the rarest sea lion on Earth) in their natural, shallow water environments.

There is a simplicity and purity about Payne’s approach and message: we need to ‘care for our neighbours’, whether human or animal and to give, rather than just take, when it comes to our appreciation of the ocean and its inhabitants.

This short film was a clear audience favourite, delivering an understated balance of tender recount and the ultimate ‘cute factor’ through beautifully captured and curated footage of adorable sea lions alongside those who are privileged to interact with them.

FILM: Wave of Change: A Low Tech Surfing Adventure

Narrator Damien Castera joins the crew of ‘floating laboratory’ catamaran Nomade des Mers (featured in the 2018 TV series of the same name), sailing along the coast of Mexico to tell the story of ‘an adventure focused on simplicity’, combining two areas of expertise: board sports and resourcefulness. The unfolding adventure involves growing hydroponic produce with urine, salvaging and dehydrating unsold vegetables, upcycling broken surfboards using mushroom mycelium and substituting commercial products for more organic alternatives in the crew’s quest for a slower, more organic pace of life.

What might be regarded as ‘innovation’ on the boat often suggests a simple return to more manual processes of past eras. The adventures of the Low Tech crew are humble yet noble and culminate in days of sun-filled surfing. The film speaks to the potential of ordinary people to live more resourcefully towards self-reliance, irrespective of their immediate context: ‘a way of viewing the world based on need and the means available.’

FILM: I Am Ocean: PT Hirschfield

Director Sam Riley’s depiction of Australian underwater photographer PT Hirschfield’s long journey of cancer and marine life advocacy is structured around recurring visual motifs and metaphors. Alongside beautiful and harrowing images of the hapless stingrays his subject strives to protect, the frequent presence of dazzling but deadly blue-ringed octopuses suggest the danger and mortality Hirschfield navigates, while soaring sea lions speak to the fullness of life she has determined to embrace, despite her prognosis.

The film (produced as part of the Ocean Media Institute’s ‘I Am Ocean’ series) ultimately calls on each viewer to discern what in their world needs their attention, and what active role they might play in helping to achieve better outcomes for the issues they are uniquely positioned to observe.

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Each year the Ocean Film Festival World Tour will screen over two hours of the most inspirational, educational and entertaining films related to the ocean from independent film-makers both international and Australian.

FILM: MAR

Set along Portugal’s 1,800 miles of rugged coastline, offering some of the biggest ocean swells in the world, we ‘tag along’ with professional surfer Alex Botelho as he surfs enormous waves that beggar belief and (arguably) common sense. Meticulous preparation is required before paddle surfing the monstrous waves, some of which are most safely taken on by surfers towed by jet skis to scale and survive their enormity. A majestic soundtrack is married to spectacular footage of the epic thrills and significant risks of masterful board riding of waves that even a cinema screen will barely contain.

FILM: Normal Guys

The ‘build a boat and sail against the odds’ feature at this year’s festival belongs to ‘Normalni Kolesie’ (‘Normal Guys’).

When tragedy besets the grand plans of two ordinary men rom Warsaw to build a five-metre yacht and embark upon a trans-Atlantic race from Portugal with minimal prior experience, the remaining dreamer must recalibrate in order to stay the course.

Together he and his new travel companion battle boredom as they face the challenges of 3,000 nautical miles unsupported, a wave that destroys the laptop they are using for navigation, and more importantly (it seems) a shortage of cigarettes. The frequent humour of their predicaments are not lost on the audience. (Sub-titled) n

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Komodo has a well-deserved reputation for strong currents, but there are many sites where the flow is minimal and diving is easy. Some reefs are also suitable for drift dives, allowing you to sail with the current rather than fighting it.

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he outboard motor on our speedboat wined in protest as a furious current tried its best to thwart us from reaching our destination.

The texture of the water was another clear indication that this dive was going to be far from sedate.

Resembling a fast-running river rather than an ocean, in some parts the sea seemed to boil and performed an agitated little dance, in other areas whirlpools drifted along the fast-moving surface. In contrast, different sections of the sea were as flat as glass and, for a split second, we were afforded a brief glimpse of the utter mayhem below.

Our experienced driver dropped us a little way in front of the reef, to give us some hope of reaching our target. We aimed to get down to 20-25m as fast as possible and to find a good place to secure a reef hook before the current swept us off the dive site. With this feat completed, it was now time to watch the show.

Immense schools of fusiliers and yellow-masked surgeonfish had congregated where the current first hit the reef, known as the split. They, in turn, attracted the unwanted attention of a whole host of predators.

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The currents of Scuba Diver Australia and New Zealand Editor Adrian Stacey reckons the waters around Komodo offer some of the most adrenalinefuelled diving on the planet Photographs by Adrian Stacey

Komodo diving typically consisting of drop-offs, pinnacles, fringing reefs, and shallow coral gardens. The destination also attracts many divers eager to see a Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, in the wild.

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Huge gangs of the thuggish-looking giant trevallies casually mingle with the fusiliers, grey reef sharks hang out in the blue on the edges of the schools, while whitetip reef sharks glided effortlessly over the reef. Then in the blink of an eye, this sedate scene of co-existence changed into a spectacular, frenzied free for all. The giant trevallies exploded into action tearing through the ranks of the agile fusiliers; they in turn create a loud boom as they all simultaneously changed direction in a frantic attempt to evade their attackers. The sharks, jacks and other predatory fish took this as their cue to join in and for a few seconds, mayhem ensued.

After viewing this spectacle for as long as no-deco limits and air consumption would allow, and still trying to regulate my breathing after a frantic descent, I unhooked myself and drifted towards the rear of the reef. At a particularly pretty coral bommie, a far-from-pretty scene was taking place. A breakaway group of giant and bluefin trevallies had enlisted the help of several whitetip reef sharks and even a giant moray to flush out a cowering bannerfish that had sought refuge in the corals. Once out in the open, the poor creature was set upon. In an explosion of scales, it disappeared under the onslaught of the waiting gang. This was Castle Rock in the Komodo National Park at its adrenaline-pumping best.

The Komodo National Park is a diving wonderland. This is where the Pacific and Indian oceans collide. It is where marine life thrives, and it is where strong currents tear relentlessly through a maze of reefs and small islands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers an area of over 1,817 sq km and was initially set up in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, which is endemic to the region.

Now the place is just as famous for its diving - and with good reason. The reefs are in excellent condition, marine life is abundant from critters to pelagic, and the sheer variety of dive sites is staggering.

Vibrant colours on the reef

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The best time to sight manta rays in Komodo is during the manta season that typically lasts from December until February.

To understand why this national park is so bountiful in terms of marine life and coral growth it is important to understand what role the currents play, and why they are so powerful in this particular region of the world.

First, let’s take a look at the geography. To the north of the national park is the Suva Sea, which is fed by the Pacific Ocean. To the south is the Sea of Flores, which is fed by the Indian Ocean. To the east is the island of Flores, that stretches for almost 1,200km and to the west is the island of Sumbawa, which is several hundred kilometres wide.

This creates a bottleneck, and as the tides rise and fall, a tremendous amount of water is pushed through a relatively small gap over a relatively shallow seabed.

Between these two larger islands are numerous smaller island, which include Komodo and Rinca, and which make the currents even more unpredictable. Running through the middle of the park is the Lintah Strait. This is the gateway between the two mighty oceans and a major reason for the success of the area. Lintah in the local dialect means ‘leech’.

The stretch of water was given the name because its currents would leech the power from boats that tried to fight against it.

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Manta ray flypast

Komodo boasts pristine reefs

Cuttlefish

Massive table corals

On one particular dive, just after a new moon, even the giant trevallies were experiencing some difficulties What these currents mean is that a considerable amount of nutrients, including plankton and larvae, are being carried through the park from deep-water basins in the adjoining seas. These are what the marine life thrives upon.

Up currents, down currents, washing machines, currents that do not go in the direction they are supposed to and currents that just come out of nowhere can all be encountered in the national park. I worked in this magical region over several seasons. I was made a fool of more than once by the erratic nature of the currents. Although Komodo is a great destination for adrenaline seekers, I should clarify that these currents are not always at their terrifying best. They tend to be at their strongest around the time of a new or full moon. For some inexplicable reason, this would usually coincide with a boat full of prominently inexperienced divers, while if the currents were mild to nonexistent, we could almost guarantee that the majority of our guest would be experienced, thrill-seeking, current junkies.

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It should also be noted some sites are sheltered from the currents and can be dived at a leisurely pace. Even around a full or new moon, there are periods of slack tide, which means that there is no current at all.

For me the allure of the park was the variety of dive sites and the wealth of marine life. These were at their best when there was a reasonable current. So, for the adrenaline seekers, these are some more of the park’s best and mostnotorious current-fuelled dives.

Perhaps one of the most-unique sites of the region is the Cauldron. The strong currents that rage through a narrow channel between two islands, Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat, have carved out a vast bowl, hence the name.

Leading up to this bowl is a gentle sandy slope scattered with glassfish-covered bommies. Once in the Cauldron swift currents funnel the falling tide past whitetip reef sharks and schooling snapper towards an area affectionately known as the Shotgun. The reef gets much shallower and narrower

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Vast shoal of surgeonfish

It is where marine life thrives, and it is where strong currents tear relentlessly through a maze of reefs and small islands here, creating powerful, turbulent currents. After hurtling through at a rate of knots the divers are spat out into a stunning coral garden, often joined by feeding mantas and grazing turtles.

Tatawa Besar is a drift dive along a colourful, sloping reef of burnt orange soft corals. Vast fields of staghorn corals and numerous bommies where batfish and sweetlips can often be found congregating, this is one of the dive sites where the current makes no sense as it only ever seems to run in the same direction, whether the tide is rising or falling.

Another of Komodo famous drift dives is Makassar Reef, not the prettiest of reefs. It is perhaps best described as a rubble-strewn highway with the occasional coral bommie.

Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks can be seen zipping over this luna landscape, but the main reason for visiting this site is the chance to see manta rays. Strong currents can tear along the reef, and the mantas seem to love it, feeding in the plankton-rich water, hovering over sporadic coral bommies to get cleaned or forming acrobatic mating trains.

Batu Bolong is an excellent place to witness the brutal force of the currents. On one particular dive, just after a new moon, even the giant trevallies were experiencing some difficulties. This tiny rock pokes mere metres above sea level, its barren features giving no hint of the stunning coral gardens teeming with life that lay beneath the surface. As

the falling tide hit the north side of the rock, it fanned out creating a lea side on the south, at each end of the reef aggressive-looking down currents signalled the boundaries of our dive site. Schools of sergeant majors inhabit the shallows, and a blizzard of anthias sometimes made it hard to see the pristine hard coral gardens that cover every inch of the site. A huge school of fusiliers had also sought refuge out of the punishing current; they in turn had attracted the attention of whitetip and grey reef sharks. Giant trevallies and rainbow runners added to the melee.

These are just some of the better-known dive sites, others like Police Point, Mauan, Bonzai, Tatawa Kecil and Worlds End, to name but a few, also offer a thrilling experience if dived at the right time.

So, my advice to anyone wanting to dive in this fantastic diving paradise would be. Make sure you choose a good dive centre with experienced guides. Get a few dives under your belt first. Plan the timing of your visit to suit your level of experience. This is not only for your safety and to maximise your enjoyment, but to also preserve this fragile and beautiful ecosystem from unnecessary damage. n Topside is just as dramatic

The reefs are teeming with life

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Numerous green and hawksbill turtles also feed and shelter around the island, and there is a busy cleaning station where the turtles queue up to get their shells scrapped clean of algae by surgeonfish

Red-girdled Glossodoris nudibranch

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or ten minutes I had been searching the sand.

Although I was finding many wonderful muck critters like mantis shrimps, nudibranchs and shrimp gobies, I was after a far more elusive prize. Suddenly I spotted it, a small and wellcamouflaged cephalopod, an amazing flamboyant cuttlefish.

At first it was a dull brown colour, which helped it blend into the background, but then it started to hunt for prey and changed its colours to a patchwork of vivid purple, white and yellow. You would expect this encounter to happen at one of the famous muck sites of Indonesia or the Philippines, but I was diving in Queensland at a wonderful site you may never have heard of – Mudjimba Island.

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a popular diving destination, with two dive shops - Scuba World and Sunreef - offering boat dives out of Mooloolaba. Most divers that visit the region come to dive one site - the scuttled navy guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane.

While the ship is a sensational dive, it is not the only dive site off the Sunshine Coast, as the area also has brilliant reef diving at sites like the Gneerings Reefs

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and Murphys Reef. But for me, the area’s best dive site - and also its least dived - is a small island north of Mooloolaba, the magic Mudjimba Island.

Located only one kilometre offshore, Mudjimba is so close to the coast that surfers and kayakers paddle across to the island. Some keen divers also paddle across on kayaks to explore the island. Unfortunately, being close to the coast and only a few kilometres from the mouth of the Maroochy River, the visibility is not always great. As such, Mudjimba is mainly used as a back-up dive when other sites are washed out or for student training, which means this is one of the most under-rated dive sites in southern Queensland.

The rocky reef that surrounds Mudjimba Island is covered in corals – hard corals, soft corals, black corals, sponges, sea whips, gorgonians and ascidians. These corals flourish in the shallow water around the island, in depths from 1m-5m, and continue down the reef slope that drops to 12m. Beyond these coral gardens is sand and rubble, which makes the island a fascinating mix of reef and muck, with a maximum depth of 15m. While you can dive right around the island, the most-popular dive sites are on its southern and western sides.

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Nigel Marsh waxes lyrical about the diving around Queensland’s Mudjimba Island, which boasts marine life more commonly associated with Southeast Asia Photographs by Nigel Marsh www.nigelmarshphotography.com

Nudibranch comes from the Latin word ‘nudus’ and the Greek word ‘brankhia,’ meaning ‘naked’ and ‘gills’ respectively. This makes sense because the little flower-type protrusions on the back of the nudibranch are the exposed (naked) gills.

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Peacock mantis shrimp

Mourning cuttlefish

Mudjimba reef diving

The first time I dived Mudjimba, over 20 years ago, the first thing that surprised me was the lush coral gardens. The coral coverage around the island is simply magnificent, and most of it is very healthy. The second thing that impressed me were the nudibranchs, as these colourful sea slugs were everywhere. Every dive at Mudjimba is a feast of nudibranchs. On that first dive I photographed over a dozen species and must have seen close to 100 of these fabulous sea slugs. I even spotted several large Spanish dancer nudibranchs, including one that had just finished laying a ribbon of eggs. On every dive since, the nudibranchs have continued to be a stand-out feature and I have lost count of the number of species I have photographed here. I probably shouldn’t be too surprised by this, as the Sunshine Coast lays claim to more species of nudibranchs than anywhere else on the planet!

Other critters found on Mudjimba’s reef include colourful flatworms, sap suckers, a great variety of cowries, spider shells, urchins, including a startling number of fire urchins, sea stars, brittle stars and a good population of octopus.

Exploring Mudjimba’s coral gardens divers will also see a wide variety of tropical reef fish, like angelfish, butterflyfish, rabbitfish, damsels, pufferfish, wrasse, morwongs, sweetlips, scorpionfish, rock cod and coral snapper, to name but a few. But if you investigate the nooks and crannies, you can also find more unusual fish. Over the years I have found numerous gobies and blennies, including two of my favourites, the leopard blenny and the chestnut blenny. Other small fishes to look for including harlequin filefish, zebra lionfish, leaf scorpionfish, reef stonefish and even dragonets.

On my very first dive at Mudjimba, I also found a completely unexpected fish, a northern blue devil. Blue devils are a feature at many dive sites in southern Australia, with the southern blue devil found from southern Western Australia to Victoria and the eastern blue devil found off New South Wales. But Queensland has its own blue devil species that is far rarer, but quite common at Mudjimba.

Sitting on their pectoral fins, like their cousins, northern blue devils occupy many of the ledges and holes at Mudjimba.

Over the years I have always spotted the odd one or two without really looking for them. However, on a recent dive

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The mourning cuttlefish is frequently found resting on the seafloor in a tripod position, using the two lower arms as stilts to raise the head.

I decided to do a survey to see how many I could find, and was very surprised to find six in only a small area. Decorated with a sparse pattern of blue spots, mainly on the head, these fish are very photogenic, but also shy, so always a challenge to photograph.

While investigating the nooks and crannies at Mudjimba, divers will also find crayfish, slipper lobster, boxer shrimps, hingebeak shrimps, hermit crabs, coral crabs, saron shrimps and dense schools of cardinalfish and baitfish. A good variety of moray eels also reside around the island, with the stout moray the most common, but I have also seen honeycomb morays and whitemouth morays. Larger reef residents to look for including spotted and ornate wobbegongs and shy brown-banded bamboo sharks.

Numerous green and hawksbill turtles also feed and shelter around the island, and there is a busy cleaning station where the turtles queue up to get their shells scrapped clean of algae by surgeonfish.

Durban hingebeak shrimp

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Costellate egg cowry

Protecting Mudjimba’s coral gardens Day octopus

Currently the fragile coral gardens and all the wonderful marine life that resides at Mudjimba Island is unprotected.

While fishers regularly drop a line around the island and obviously have an impact on the fish population, the biggest threat to the corals is anchor damage. Each weekend dozens of boats visit the island, and while most of the divers carefully drop their anchors on the sand, other boaties drop their anchors right on the corals. Many local divers are working to get the reefs at Mudjimba protected as a marine park, and hopefully get a series of moorings installed. But until that happens the best way to protect Mudjimba’s fragile corals is to educate boaties to anchor on the sand.

Mudjimba muck diving

Green turtle

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With so much to see on Mudjimba’s coral gardens, very few divers think to venture out on the sand. But this zone of sand, rubble and patchy coral offers good muck diving, and the chance of seeing some weird and wonderful critters.

Nudibranchs are once more a feature in this muck zone, including a few species not seen on the reef. Other molluscs found here include octopus, cowries, volutes and the occasionally pair of mourning cuttlefish. But as mentioned in the introduction, flamboyant cuttlefish are also found here from time-to-time.

In 2020 we found two flamboyant cuttlefish, one month apart. I hope they are a breeding pair and will maintain a local population of these amazing critters. The only problem is finding these well-camouflaged small cuttlefish, as unless they flash their flamboyant colours, they are a dull brown colour that makes them blend in perfectly with the sand.

Common fish species seen on the sand include flatheads, grubfish, goatfish, wrasse, scorpionfish, lizardfish, glider gobies and a surprising number of shrimp gobies and their snapping shrimp flatmates. Less commonly seen are soles, flounder and grinners.

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Whitemouth moray

Pregnant eastern shovelnose ray

Rays are also very common on the sand at Mudjimba, and I have even nicknamed one site Ray Bay for the abundance of these elasmobranchs The sand is also a good spot to see hermit crabs, spider crabs, sea stars, sea cucumbers and flatworms. But a special critter to look for here are peacock mantis shrimp. A number of these colourful shrimp live in the area and are often seen scuttling across the bottom as they move from lair to lair.

I have also seen one carrying an arm full of eggs, so it is good to known this is a breeding population. I am yet to dive Mudjimba at night, but I would expect a bonanza of critters to emerge from the sand each night at this special dive site.

Rays are also very common on the sand at Mudjimba, and I have even nicknamed one site Ray Bay for the abundance of these elasmobranchs. Commonly seen on every dive are Australian blue-spotted maskrays and common stingarees.

Less common are the eastern shovelnose rays. Growing to just over one metre in length, these pretty shark-like rays prefer to hide under a sparse covering of sand, which can make them difficult to find. In spring, pregnant rays from all three species gather at Ray Bay, an area I suspect is a nursery.

I am sure a number of other ray species also visit Mudjimba, but the only other species I have seen is a very rare member of the family, the Australian butterfly ray. These elongated rays are shaped like a surfboard, have a very short stumpy tail and grow to one metre in width. They also have a very flattened body and skin the same colour as sand, which makes them extremely difficult to find when buried under a layer of sand. This rare ray was first spotted by Peter White and Karen Anderson in September 2020. Knowing that I have a passion for rays, Karen notified me of the amazing find and we organised several dives to re-find the ray. In 40 years of diving, I had only seen one Australian butterfly ray, on a dive in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay in 1991, and have spent the last 30 years since looking for another one.

We spent four fruitless dives searching for the butterfly ray, swimming grid patterns over the sand. We saw many

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Spotted wobbegong

other wonderful species, but the ray eluded us. Then on the fifth dive I finally found the Australian butterfly ray and fortunately it was not hidden under a layer of sand, but resting out in the open. I shot numerous photos of this unusual ray until it bored of the attention, flapping its wide pectoral fins and gliding away.

I am sure in the years to come I will find many more weird and wonderful critters at Mudjimba Island, as I suspect this site is also home to frogfish, snake eels, pipefish, waspfish, ghost pipefish and maybe even seahorses. Only time will tell if I find these exotic critters, but even if I can’t find them, I will still have great fun exploring this little gem of a dive site off the Sunshine Coast. n

Diving Mudjimba

Scuba World is conveniently located just off the motorway in Mooloolaba. The dive centre has a great layout, is clean and well-maintained. It has its own pool and is excellent for conducting courses. Its location on one of the canals that criss-cross the region offers easy access to the ex-HMAS Brisbane and other local dive sites. The staff are friendly, experienced, professional and always keen to help.

Tel: 07 5444 8595 www.scubaworld.com.au

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Nigel Marsh is an Australian photojournalist, underwater photographer and author. Working with New Holland publishers, Nigel has produced a number of guide books for divers and snorkelers, and also a series of children’s books with marine related themes.

FOR BOOK ORDERS PLEASE CONTACT NEW HOLLAND PUBLISHERS

02 89864700 | orders@newholland.com.au

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Each issue, the Scuba Diver test team bring you the latest product and equipment releases from the dive industry. Cannot wait for the next edition? Keep up-to-date with all the latest gear news and reviews by heading over to the Scuba Diver YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/ScubaDiverMagazine

PARALENZ VAQUITA FLIP MOUNT AND MACRO LENS BUNDLE | SRP: AUD$239 Paralenz Vaquita is an easy-to-use point-and-shoot underwater camera that tracks your dive depth, temperature and GPS location. With the patented Automatic Depth-Controlled Colour Correction, you can focus on your dive as it adjusts the white balance relative to your depth. No filters, no housing needed down to 350m - a camera made by divers for diving. Paralenz has now released the Vaquita Flip Mount and Macro Lens Bundle. The included accessory macro lens which mounts on the Paralenz Vaquita Flip Mount can be clicked on and off during the course of the dive. It is perfect for shooting close-up images of fish, corals, textures and more. The macro lens magnifies the subject and enables the camera to focus on short distances for creating super-sharp images. In the box you get a flip mount, allen key, macro lens and a macro lens pouch. The full Paralenz range is exclusively distributed in Australia by underwater.com.au - dealer enquiries welcome.

GARMIN DESCENT G1 SERIES | SRP: AUD$849-$999 Garmin has added to its ever-increasing line-up of wristwatch dive computers with the launch of the Descent G1 series, which is sure to cause a stir in the market as it comes in at a very competitive price, but still boasts all of the smart/fitness watch functionality that marked out the company›s previous offerings. The Descent MK1 was superceded by the Descent MK2 and MK2i, which itself was then joined by the smaller Descent MK2S, and now this rolecall has been joined by the Descent G1 (SRP: AUD$849) and the Descent G1 Solar (SRP: AUD$999).

Featuring an easy-to-read, high-contrast display and 45mm watch case, the G1 Series introduces a new compact design into the dive line-up that is purpose built in both form and function. Water rated to 100m and tested to engineering standard EN133319 for dive compliance with leakproof inductive buttons and a sapphire lens, the Descent G1 Series is rugged and ready for excursions above and below the water’s surface. It is available in multiple colour options and compatible with Garmin QuickFit bands, so divers can switch between long and short straps for wearing over wetsuits when needed, or switch up their style in a snap to take their timepiece from a dive to dinner.

Explore longer with the Descent G1 series, which offer a rechargeable battery with up to 25 hours in dive mode, up to three weeks in smartwatch mode, and up to four months in smartwatch mode with the solar charging models.

The Descent G1 series has features for new recreational divers up through seasoned technical divers with support for multiple dive modes for single and multiple gas dives

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(including air, nitrox, trimix and 100% O2), gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and closed-circuit rebreather. The G1 series also includes a three-axis digital compass and vibration depth alerts. The Descent G1 Series delivers a multitude of wellness features, including advanced sleep monitoring with sleep score and features a variety of built-in indoor and GPS sports apps with favourites that include swimming, hiking, running, cycling, golf, yoga and surfing. The G1 series will track and measure performance with Garmin’s full suite of advanced fitness features like VO2 Max, Fitness Age, Training Status, Recovery Time, HIIT Workouts, and Daily Suggested Workouts3. www.garmin.com

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Each issue, the Scuba Diver test team bring you the latest product and equipment releases from the dive industry. Cannot wait for the next edition? Keep up-to-date with all the latest gear news and reviews by heading over to the Scuba Diver YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/ScubaDiverMagazine

MARES XR POLYGON | SRP: AUD$1,000

Adrian Stacey: The Mares Polygon is the latest edition to the Tek-reational range of Mares BCDs. The Polygon comprises of a 16-litre single tank doughnut and black aluminium backplate. Plus harness, twin tanks straps, inflator hose, two dump valves and several D rings. This unit weighs in at a travel-friendly 3.1kg.

My first impression of the Polygon was that it looked very stylish and well made. This BCD is durable and unfussy looking, austere even. However, with absolutely no padding, I was concerned about how comfortable the ridged aluminium backplate would be, not just underwater but also on a boat journey or shore entry. Another initial reservation I had was the lack of quick-release pinch clips on the shoulder straps. The harness is a continuous length of webbing, with the only quick release being the waist buckle.

Due to the configuration of the BCD, I thought it wise to set up my unit well before getting on the boat. It took a few minutes to adjust the webbing and move the non-slip buckles around, plus a few more minutes of fine-tuning, but once I had the Polygon configured to my preference, it did

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fit very well. I completed several dives with the Polygon, and the straps never needed adjusting again. I found the BCD easy to get in and out of both on the boat and while in the water, and I liked the fact that there was no need to mess around with adjustable straps once on the initial set up had been done.

My early concerns about how comfortable the Polygon would be were also unfounded. It is incredibly comfortable, and I hardly noticed I was wearing a BCD most of the time. I usually wear a jacket-style BCD where the air bladder wraps around your sides and up your back to your shoulders, so you can feel the BCD inflating and deflating.

With a wing, the air bladder is on your back surrounding the tank, so you do not get the sensation of your organs being squashed when the BCD is fully inflated.

Both systems have pros and cons, but one significant advantage I found with this wing-style BCD was its stability in the water. As a photographer, it is great to have a unit that does not list to one side while I

am trying to take a shot, and Polygon did a great job keeping my position consistent.

The Polygon is also a perfect travel BCD. It takes up very little room in a dive bag, and although it only weighs 3.1kg, it has enough D-rings, five, to attach all the necessary accessories. The more I dive with the Polygon, the more I like it. This wing-style BCD is tough, lightweight and very comfortable. It is a great Tec BCD but also makes an excellent recreational unit, and I, for one, am now a huge fan. www.mares.com

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AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES

QUEENSLAND

DIVE EDEN

SHELLHARBOUR SCUBA & PHOTOGRAPHY

LADY ELLIOT ISLAND ECO RESORT

t: 04 1002 6990 e: diveeden@gmail.com Guided dives of the wrecks, vibrant wharves and shoreline in Eden, Merimbula and Tathra. Scuba and Freediving courses are available. www.diveeden.com.au

t: 02 4296 4266 e: info@shellharbourscuba.com.au a: 41 Addison Street, Shellharbour, NSW, 2529 Free guided shore diving at Bass Point reserve.

SDI/TDI scuba training. Dive photography & travel.

Retail Sales, hire & servicing. www.shellharbourscuba.com.au

t: +61 7 5536 3644 e: reservations@ladyelliot.com.au a: Lady Elliot Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef, QLD Lady Elliot Island ‘Home of the Manta Ray’ boasts 20 incredible dive sites and is renowned for amazing marine encounters. www.ladyelliot.com.au

DIVE IMPORTS AUSTRALIA t: (+61) 24 367 5512 e: info@diveimportsaustralia.com.au a: Shop 5/188 The Entrance Road Erina 2250 Central Coast NSW The Only PADI 5 STAR IDC Centre in Central Coast and Closest Dive Shop to dive ex HMAS Adelaide which located at Terrigal. www.diveimportsaustralia.com.au

EXPEDITION DIVE t: 1800 463 483 | e: info@expeditiondive.com.au a: Suite 683/41/464-480 Kent St, Sydney, NSW, 2000 PADI Courses • Guided Diving • Scuba Equipment.

Expedition Dive is a full-service scuba shop with access to the best dive sites around Sydney. www.expeditiondive.com.au

FEET FIRST DIVE t: 02 4984 2092 e: enquiries@feetfirstdive.com.au a: 97 Stockton St, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315 SDI/TDI SCUBA, Snorkelling, & Spearfishing Retail & Training Centre. Shore dives in marine sanctuary, grey nurse shark double boat dives. www.feetfirstdive.com.au

LETS GO ADVENTURES t: 02 4981 4331 e: fun@letsgoadventures.com.au a: Shop 8W, d’Albora Marina, Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315 PADI facility Introductory dives through to Instructor Courses. Guided shore & boat trips for divers & snorkellers. Retail Sales & Servicing. www.letsgoadventures.com.au

OCEAN HUT FISHING AND DIVE t: 02 4476 2278 e: darryl@oceanhut.net a: 23 Graham Street, Narooma, NSW, 2546 We are a PADI retail outlet for most diver requirements including hire and air fills. www.compleatanglernarooma.com.au

SCUBA HAVEN t: 0407 457 542 e: info@scubahaven.com.au a: 20 Merrigal Rd, Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444 SCUBA Diving Port Macquarie and Laurieton Areas. Offering Dive trips, Courses, Introductory dives, Sales and services. www.scubahaven.com.au

SCUBA WAREHOUSE t: 61 2 96891389 e: info@scubawarehouse.com.au a: 1/50 George Street, Clyde NSW 2142, Sydney We are a PADI 5-Star IDC centre that specialises in personal tuition courses and outfitting divers in all things scuba. www.scubawarehouse.com.au

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SOUTH WEST ROCKS DIVE CENTRE t: +612 6566 6474 e: info@swrdive.com.au a: 98 Gregory Street, South West Rocks, NSW Australia’s best Shark and Cave dive. Family owned and operated for over 40 Years. swrdive.com.au

ST GEORGE UNDERWATER CENTRE t: 61 2 9502 2221 e: info@stgeorgeunderwater.com.au a: 1/148 Bellevue Parade, Carlton, NSW, 2218 We have been in the industry for over 62 years.

We are a TDI SDI 5 star training centre. We service, train and travel. www.stgeorgeunderwater.com.au

WINDANG DIVE & SPEARFISHING t: 02 4296 4215 e: info@windangdive.com.au a: Shop 1, 239 Windang Road, Windang, NSW, 2528 Scuba Diving Courses to Instructor. Spearfishing needs and servicing of all brands of scuba and spearfishing. www.windangdive.com.au

QUEENSLAND AQUA ADVENTURES PTY LTD t: 07 55917117 e: info@aquaadventures.com.au a: 95 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215 Padi 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, oldest and most experienced operating dive company on the Gold Coast. www.aquaadventures.com.au

BLUE DIVE PORT DOUGLAS t: 0427 983 907 | e: info@bluedive.com.au a: Port Douglas – Please call 0427 983 907.

Superb private guided dives on the best Agincourt Reefs. Private multi-day dive charters. www.bluedive.com.au

BUNDABERG AQUA SCUBA t: 07 4153 5761 e: Julian@aquascuba.com.au a: 17 Walla Street, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670 Bundaberg has world class wreck diving sites, access to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the best coral reef shore diving in Queensland. www.aquascuba.com.au

KPT DIVING & MARINE SERVICES t: 07 4783 1519 e: info@yongaladive.com.au a: 36 Braby Street, Alva, QLD, 4807 We provide unique trips, including a beach launch & a fast, exhilarating ride to the dive site! www.yongaladive.com.au

MANTA LODGE AND SCUBA CENTRE t: 07 34098888 e: info@mantalodge.com.au a: 132 Dickson way, Point Lookout, QLD, 4183 Amazing diving all year round. Manta Rays, Sharks, turtles and whales along with a huge variety of marine life. www.mantalodge.com.au

PASSIONS OF PARADISE t: 07 4041 1600 e: Reservations@passions.com.au a: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, QLD Dive, snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns onboard a sailing catamaran with locally owned Passions of Paradise. www.passions.com.au

SCUBA IQ t: +61 (0)404964878 e: info@scubaiq.com.au a: PO Box 588, Port Douglas, QLD 4877 PADI & TDI/SDI Dive operator. Courses for all levels – Guided Diving – Liveaboards to the Ribbon Reefs, Coral Sea + more. www.scubaiq.com.au

SCUBA WORLD t: 07 5444 8595 e: info@scubaworld.com.au a: 207 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, 4557, QLD We create safe, comfortable, enthusiastic divers who always have a fun, personal and enjoyable experience at Scuba World. scubaworld.com.au

SUNREEF t: 07 5444 5656 e: info@sunreef.com.au a: 11-12/123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557 World class dive sites & first class service. Dive the HMAS Brisbane Wreck, Stunning Flinders Reef or Swim With Whales! www.sunreef.com.au

TASMANIA EAGLEHAWK DIVE CENTRE t: 0417013518 e: info@eaglehawkdive.com.au a: 178 Pirates Bay Drive, Eaglehawk Neck, TAS, 7179 We have world-class temperate water diving, with sites suitable for divers with skill levels from novice to advanced technical. www.eaglehawkdive.com.au

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA RODNEY FOX SHARK EXPEDITIONS t: 08 8363 1788 e: expeditions@rodneyfox.com.au a: 107 Henley Beach Road, Mile End, SA, 5031 Great white sharks, SCUBA, Ocean Floor Cage, Surface Cage, Australian Sea Lions and our own wine all on the 32m liveaboard MV Rodney Fox! www.rodneyfox.com.au

SCUBA COURSES PTY LTD t: 0407 580 580 e: simon@scubacourses.com.au a: 1/83, Mount Barker Road, Stirling, SA 5152 PADI Dive Centre, Open Water through to Assistant Instructor courses, and specialties. Tank fills and shop. PADI MSDT, experienced instructors. www.scubacourses.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA BATAVIA COAST DIVE & WATERSPORTS t: 08 99214229 e: info@bcda.com.au a: Batavia Coast Dive, 118 Northwest Coastal HWY, Geraldton, WA 6530 We are a PADI 5 Star dive centre and THE local experts when it comes to oceanic adventures. www.bataviacoastdive.com.au

OCTOPUS GARDEN DIVE CHARTERS t: 0438925011 e: kimroyce@gateway.net.au a: Casuarina Boat Harbour, Bunbury, WA, 6230 Wreck & reef diving (small groups, min 2/max 11). Photographers paradise. Hire gear available.

Prolific fish life. 10-18 metres. www.octopusgardendivecharters.com.au

SOUTHCOAST DIVING SUPPLIES t: 08 98417176 e: whale@divealbany.com.au a: 84b Serpentine Road, Albany, WA, 6330 Diving Albany means diving anything from wrecks to reef, plunging drop offs to awesome canyons with unbelievable colours and fishlife. www.divealbany.com.au

VICTORIA ALL ABOUT SCUBA t: (03) 9939 4913 e: info@allaboutscuba.com.au a: Unit 17/30-34 Maffra Street, Coolaroo, Victoria, 3048 A fully equipped SCUBA service centre with a passion for servicing so we can safely explore the underwater world! www.allaboutscuba.com.au

DIVE GEAR AUSTRALIA t: 03 9702 3694 e: sales@divegearaustralia.com.au a: 11/53-57 Rimfire Drive, Hallam, Victoria, 3803 DGA is a PADI 5 star training dive store with a huge range of scuba diving, snorkelling and spearfishing gear. www.divegearaustralia.com.au

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VICTORIA EXTREME WATERSPORT t: 03 5982 3432 e: info@extremewatersport.com.au a: 621/1623 Point Nepean Rd, Capel Sound, VIC 3940 Full sales, equipment servicing, training, rental, and Air fill services available onsite. On the water of below it you can’t go past Extreme Watersport! www.extremewatersport.com.au

OCEANSUITS t: 03 9702 4993 e: sales@oceansuits.com.au a: Unit 3, 101 Wedgewood road, Hallam, Victoria, 3803 Australia’s foremost authority on wetsuits and drysuits. Manufacture custom wetsuits. Miraculous repairs service all brands, styles for over 30 years. www.oceansuits.com.au

OCEAN DIVERS t: 03 9579 2600 e: info@oceandivers.com.au a: 223a East Boundary Road, Bentleigh East Ocean Divers is a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Centre and a Scubapro Platinum Dealer. www.oceandivers.com.au

SCUBA CULTURE PTY LTD t: 03 9808 0033 e: info@scubaculture.com.au a: 117 Highbury Road, Burwood, Victoria 3125 Full service dive shop providing equipment sales, service, hire, training, dive club, dive travel and air/ nitrox fills. www.scubaculture.com.au

NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND AQUATECH t: +64 2156 3563 e: servicing1@yahoo.com a: 4 WOULDBANK Way, Welcome Bay Aquatech is a scuba service centre. We service scuba regulators / full face masks / oxygen regulators. Underwater Scooters. www.aquatech.kiwi.nz

DIVE DOCTOR t: +09 530 8117 e: info@divedoctor.co.nz a: 20R Sylvia Park Rd, Mt Wellington.

(1 min off the M’way) Scuba servicing centre – all brands. Wide range of products and hard to find items instore and online. 300 Bar fills, NITROX, O2. Quality dive training. www.divedoctor.co.nz

DIVING ACADEMY LTD (AUCKLAND SCUBA) t: +64 9478 2814 e: info@aucklandscuba.co.nz a: 49B Arrenway Drive, Auckland 5* PADI centre, beginner to Instructor courses (student loan approved), quality equipment retail, rebreathers, scooters, dive trips, servicing, air fills. www.aucklandscuba.co.nz

AUCKLAND GLOBAL DIVE t: +64 9920 5200 e: info@globaldive.net a: 132 Beaumont Street, Westhaven, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand NZ’s Premium Dive Store. Leaders in Training, Servicing and Travel. Home of Fourth Element, OMS, Shearwater, XDeep, Light&Motion, DUI, Cinebags. www.globaldive.net

KIWI DIVERS NZ LTD t: 09 426 9834 e: info@kiwiscubadivers.co.nz a: 8 Keith Hay Court, Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand Air, Nitrox & Trimix fills. SSI & TDI Rec, Tech & Rebreather courses. 2 dive boats. Brands: Hollis, Oceanic, Zeagle, Atomic, Bare/Stahlsac service centre. www.kiwiscubadivers.co.nz

WAIHEKE DIVE & SNORKEL t: +64 9217 4892 e: info@waihekedive.com a: 110 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island, Auckland, NZ, 1081 NZ’s most fun little dive shop! We’re your choice for online retail, diving & snorkeling adventures – just 35 mins from Auckland CBD! www.waihekedive.com

CANTERBURY DIVE HQ CHRISTCHURCH t: +64 3379 5804 e: sales@divehqscuba.co.nz a: 103 Durham Street South, Sydenham, Christchurch South Island’s Premium Dive Centre, Specialists in Scuba Diving, Spearfishing & Freediving. Brands: Hollis, Oceanic, Atomic, Zeagle, Beuchat, Bare & Rob Allen. www.divehqscuba.co.nz

MARLBOROUGH GO DIVE PACIFIC t: 0274 344 874 e: info@godivepacific.nz a: 66 Wellington Street, Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand Dive one of the biggest cruise ship wrecks in the world, the Mikhail Lermontov, suitable for recreational to advanced technical divers. www.godivepacific.co.nz

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NEW ZEALAND NORTHLAND DIVE NOW t: 09 438 1075 e: info@divenow.co.nz a: 41 Clyde St, Whangarei We’re Northland’s largest SCUBA, Spearfishing & Freedive retail store offering great deals on gear along with SCUBA and Freedive courses. www.divenow.co.nz

PAIHIA DIVE t: +64 9402 7551 e: info@divenz.com a: 7 Williams Rd, Paihia 0247, New Zealand We run daily trips to the Canterbury wreck, The Rainbow Warrior wreck and reef sites in the Bay of Islands. www.divenz.com

SUBAQUA DIVE CENTRE t: 09 988 9508 e: subaquadivecentrenz@gmail.com a: 108 Cameron Street, Whangarei, NZ Friendliest dive shop in town. Stocker of Hollis, Ratio Dive computers, Atomic Aquatics, Bare, Oceanic and Zeagle. www.facebook.com/subaquadivewhangarei

WAIKATO

SOUTHLAND

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DESCEND NZ – MILFORD SOUND

t: +64 7867 1580 e: info@divethecoromandel.co.nz a: 10 Campbell Street, Whitianga 3510, New Zealand Dive charters, training, service and retail store.

Many and varied dive spots. Beautiful coastal town location. Offshore islands & Marine Reserve. www.divezonewhitianga.co.nz

t: +64 (0)27 337 2363 e: info@descend.co.nz a: Deepwater Basin Milford Sound – bookings essential Dive in the majestic and unique Milford Sound where deepwater species such as black coral live in diveable depths. www.descend.co.nz

TAURANGA

WELLINGTON

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DIVE WELLINGTON

t: 0064 7578 4050 e: info@divezonetauranga.co.nz a: 1213 Cameron Rd, Tauranga, New Zealand Join our friendly crew for a great day out exploring the dive sites of the Bay of Plenty, you will be well looked after onboard our comfortable Dive Boat Ruku Moana. www.divezonetauranga.co.nz

t: 04 939 3483 e: dive@divewellington.co.nz a: 432 The Esplanade Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand Wellington’s Padi 5 Star Centre, right across the road from Taputeranga Marine Reserve.

Come and dive or snorkel with us. www.divewellington.co.nz

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Marine Environment Education Papua New Guinea

I

n the last quarter of 2021, Mahonia Na Dari (MND) launched its first Junior Marine Environment Education Programme for children living with disabilities. The programme was supported by the Australian Government through Incentive Fund Phase 4.

To ensure the new programme was tailored to participants, MND sought advice from Callan Services, which is Papua New Guinea’s leading disability rights, advocacy and representative network for all people with disability and has a particular focus on inclusive education and training. Eight students from Callan Centre participated in the programme which catered to a variety of learning needs for the students. Five teachers and two parents were present as support and communication agents. Their skills proved invaluable to the successful completion of the indoor and outdoor activities.

MND looks forward to continuing activities and building on experience gained in their future engagements with Callan Services. We feel confident this visit has commenced a path to a successful environment learning skills transfer for students who have not had the opportunities to participate in such learning processes in the past.

Mahonia Na Dari’s mission is to understand and conserve the natural environments of Kimbe Bay and Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the benefit of present and future generations. This has been and continues to be achieved by supporting local resource management initiatives with all our community. Mahonia Na Dari (MND) means “Guardian of the Sea” in the local Bakovi language of the Talasea Peninsula in West New Britain Province (WNBP), Papua New Guinea.

Mahonia Na Dari started in 1997, through co-operative effort between The Nature Conservancy, the European Union Islands Regional Environmental Programme and Walindi Plantation Resort. Mahonia Na Dari operates from the Walindi Nature Centre (Walindi NC). The organization was registered as an independent non-government organization in November 1998, with its own Board of Directors. It was formed to provide Marine Environment Education Programme (MEEP) to the local population in West New Britain Province and the New Guinea Islands region.

Its mission is to understand and conserve the natural environments of Kimbe Bay and Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the benefit of present and future generations. This has been and continues to be achieved by supporting local resource management initiatives now and during the past.

Since the inception of the organization in 1998, MND has reached out to more than 150,000 students and teachers, local communities and other organizations who are interested in marine education.

In the national arena, MND is a leading advocate for marine conservation with strengths in marine education and awareness. It facilitates marine research and an increased understanding of the marine environment.

These programmes have promoted the protection of PNG’s abundant biodiversity by promoting sustainable use of marine resources by the community.

Learn more about Walindi’s conservation work here: www.walindiresort.com/conservation Learn more about Mahonia Na Dari here: www.mndpng.org/

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