News

NEWS

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 social media. www.scubadivermag.com/news | fb.com/scubadivermag | @scubadivermag

UNDERWATER ROBOT TO PROTECT GBR AGAINST CROWN OF THORNS

An underwater drone that can keep watch on reef health and accurately identify and inject the devastating crown-of-thorns starfish is ready to be put to the test on the Great Barrier Reef

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF QUT

RangerBot, which can stay underwater almost three times longer than a human diver, has been developed as a result of a collaboration between QUT, Google and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Equipped with a high-tech vision system which allows it to ‘see’ underwater, and operated using a smart tablet, RangerBot is the low-cost, autonomous robot concept that won the 2016 Google Impact Challenge People’s Choice prize, enabling QUT roboticists to develop innovative robotics technology into a real-life reef protector.

Launching RangerBot at Townsville’s Reef HQ Aquarium, QUT Professor Matthew Dunbabin said after almost two years of research, development and testing, RangerBot’s industryleading technology was ready to be put through its paces by those working to monitor and protect the reef.

“RangerBot is the world’s first underwater robotic system designed specifically for coral reef environments, using only robot-vision for real-time navigation, obstacle avoidance and complex science missions,” said Professor Dunbabin.

“This multifunction ocean drone can monitor a wide range of issues facing coral reefs, including coral bleaching, water quality, pest species, pollution and siltation. It can help to map expansive underwater areas at scales not previously possible, making it a valuable tool for reef research and management.

“RangerBot can stay under water almost three times longer than a human diver, gather more data, and operate in all conditions and at all times of the day or night, including where it may not be safe for a human diver.

“The robot is fitted with computer vision to ‘see’ where it’s going and avoid obstacles as well as multiple thrusters so it can move in every direction.

“We’ve ‘trained’ RangerBot to detect crown-of-thorns starfish – and only these coral-destroying starfish – in much the same way as people learn to differentiate between various forms of sea life. Using real time computer vision processed on board the robot, RangerBot can identify these deadly starfish with 99.4 percent accuracy.”

“Once the identification is confirmed, RangerBot can instigate an injection which is fatal for the crown-of-thorns starfish, but doesn’t affect anything else on the reef,” he said.

Professor Dunbabin said unlike single-purpose marine robots – which are more manual and based on expensive acoustic technologies – RangerBot uses innovative visionbased technologies.

“We believe this represents a significant technology leap in both marine robotics and reef protection – the only autonomous, affordable, multi-function solution for effectively detecting and addressing threats to coral reefs,” explained Professor Dunbabin. “It’s an impressive piece of technology, but RangerBot is also deliberately low cost, to allow production to be scaled up once the next level of operational testing is completed and all the necessary approvals are in place.

“Weighing just 15kg and measuring 75cm, it takes just 15 minutes to learn how to operate RangerBot using a smart tablet. “Our vision is to make RangerBots readily available and accessible to be deployed on the Reef where they’re most needed and to put them in the hands of reef managers, researchers and communities worldwide.

“Environmental robotics is a real passion of ours and we see so much potential for these advanced technologies to transform the way we protect the world’s coral reefs.” RangerBot is the result of the Great Barrier Reef teaming up with QUT roboticists Professor Dunbabin and Dr Feras Dayoub in 2016 to enter the Google Impact Challenge. As the People’s Choice winner, they secured $750,000 to take the project to the next level. “We’re thrilled to see RangerBot come to fruition because this project is about giving those looking after our coral reefs the tools they need to protect them,”said Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden.

“Combining the expertise of innovators like Google and QUT, this project is a great example of harnessing technology to benefit the reef.

“More than a billion people depend on coral reefs for their food and livelihood – they stand to lose the most if those important ecosystems are not protected.

“This project and partnership with QUT and Google is about putting these costeffective, flexible and readily deployable ‘drones of the sea’ into the hands of the people at the front line of looking after and managing our coral reefs, as extra ‘hands and eyes’ to manage those critical environments.

“Even though the Great Barrier Reef is internationally acknowledged as the best managed reef globally, due to its size and complexity, effective management is a mammoth and expensive task.”

“RangerBot has the potential to revolutionise the way we manage our oceans and is an important tool to have at our disposal in the quest to save our coral reefs,” she added. n

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR ‘HEARTBROKEN’ OVER DESTRUCTION OF MALDIVIAN SCULPTURE

Acclaimed English sculptor and environmentalist Jason DeCaires Taylor said he was ‘extremely shocked’ to learn that his Coralarium sculpture, which sat just offshore from the Fairmont Maldives’ Sirru Fushi Resort, has been destroyed by the Maldivian authorities.

The Coralarium, which according to DeCaires Taylor was conceived to ‘connect humans to the environment and nurture a space for marine life to thrive’ was the first-ever museum of its kind. The large steel frame had cut-outs that aimed to mimic the marine world and allowed sea life to explore freely within, acting as a new habitat for coral and other species, while 30 human figures were positioned on top and inside the frame at tidal level, with others submerged beneath. Nine months in the making, its creation involved a large team of marine engineers, steel fabricators, divers and mould-makers. Changing according to light and tides, the artwork was open to resort guests and day visitors.

However, despite the government of the popular holiday destination being involved in a constant dialogue regarding the Coralarium, and having regular consultations, on Friday

21 September, local police officers carried out a court order to destroy the exhibit, using pickaxes and other tools to very publicly smash the human-like figures that – as with most of his works - formed the focal point of the installation.

The destruction of the installation followed condemnation by local Muslim leaders and politicians, including outgoing-President Abdulla Yameen and President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, of what they deemed to be the ‘un-Islamic depiction of human figures’ and ‘a threat to Islamic unity and the peace and interests of the Maldivian state’.

The Accor hotel group, which owns the Fairmont resort, said in a statement: “Permissions were sought and granted before the installation. This artwork was intended as an immersive way to educate people about the environmental concerns impacting the Maldives and the world, while helping to rejuvenate and restore local coral reefs.”

The main Coralarium structure remains intact and the hotel group says it has initiated ‘re-imagination plans with the artist that will be in harmony with the locals and environment’.

INTRODUCING SOLOMON ISLANDS DISCOVERY CRUISES

Heralding a long-awaited return to dedicated Solomon Islands small ship cruise programmes, newly-formed Solomon Islands Discovery Cruises (SIDC) has announced its plans to operate six adventure itineraries in 2018-2019. Operating ex-Honiara and timed to dovetail with Solomon Airlines’ Brisbane-Honiara services, SIDC has employed the 30-metre MV Taka to operate the six- and seven-day cruises, each of which have been designed to highlight two of the South Pacific’s truly unspoiled and culturally-rich regions - the Florida and Russell Islands archipelagos. Passengers will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in both region’s distinctive cultures and environments. The cruise itineraries feature visits to remote villages along with plentiful opportunity to discover the region’s amazing coral pastures and abundant marine life with daily dive and snorkel options.

Both areas are also rich in World War Two history giving passengers insight into the infamous Guadalcanal campaign in 1942 via the many wrecked US and Japanese aircraft, warships and relics which literally litter the seabed.

Congratulating SIDC on its initiative, Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said the very nature of the Solomon Islands archipelago of 992 islands lent itself to dedicated small ship adventure itineraries.

“Lindblad Expeditions left a big hole when it decided to redeploy its small ship operation to the Galapagos two years ago,” he said. “And while we regularly welcome Expedition Cruises’ vessels, these itineraries are always in conjunction with other destinations, such as Vanuatu and Papua New

Guinea, and passengers only get a very small taste of what we have to offer.

“Having a dedicated niche adventure cruise programme, operated by a local company with local experts and one that offers insight into our unique culture, history and environment plus the opportunity to experience our amazing underwater world is a huge build on our existing tourism product.

“Add to this, the amazing benefits our local people will accrue from this environmentally-oriented program are immeasurable. This product is long overdue and one that I see as being highly successful going forward.” www.sidcruises.com.au

PRO-WHALING COUNTRIES BLOCK BID FOR SOUTH ATLANTIC WHALE SANCTUARY

Conservation and environmental groups are in an uproar after pro-whaling nations blocked a near 20-year effort to create a South Atlantic haven for the endangered marine mammals, at the International Whaling Commission meeting in Brazil. The South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary was backed by 39 countries, with 25 voting against and several countries not casting a ballot, and so failed to get the required twothirds majority from the 89-member body when it was put to the vote on Tuesday 11 September. The IWC currently recognises two other sanctuaries, the Indian Ocean Sanctuary created in 1979, and another in 1994, in the waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, and it was hoped this would be the third. Brazil’s Environment Minister Edson Duarte, whose country has been proposing the creation of the sanctuary (supported by Argentina, Gabon, South Africa and Uruguay) since a 2001 IWC meeting, said he was disappointed but would continue to enlist support worldwide. He said: “As minister for the environment in a country with 20 per cent of the world’s biodiversity in its forests, we feel highly responsible for the stewardship of our wealth, for the whole world, and this goes for cetaceans as well.” Pro-whaling Japan voted against the project, backed by commercial whaling states Iceland and Norway, as well as Russia. The Japanese delegation also pushed for a rule change at the biennial meetings that would allow decisions to be made by simple majority instead of the current three-quarters minimum, which would make it easier for them to push through its proposal to end a 32- year moratorium on commercial whaling and re-introduce ‘sustainable whaling’ – a move that has infuriated nations opposing the practice. Patrick Ramage, of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, commented: “A sanctuary in this region would have provided strong protection to a wide range of whale and dolphin species.”

AGGRESSOR LIVEABOARDS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH STREAM2SEA

As part of its international ‘Green the Fleet’ environmental initiative, Aggressor Liveaboards has announced a partnership with Stream2Sea to further the company’s commitment to protecting the marine environment. Through the partnership, Aggressor Liveaboards will provide environmentally-safe Stream2Sea sunscreen and personal care products in staterooms aboard five select Caribbean-based Aggressor yachts.

The programme provides every guest on the Bahamas Aggressor, Belize Aggressor III, Belize Aggressor IV, Cayman Aggressor V and Turks and Caicos Aggressor II yachts a customised package of products, including SPF 20 sunscreen, sting gel and other assorted items. All the items are free of harmful chemicals and agents that are causing damage to the environment in many parts of the world.

Aggressor Liveaboards is one of the leaders in promoting the protection of the environment. The company launched the ‘Green the Fleet’ initiative two years ago and has been at the forefront of marketing and promotional efforts designed to make the liveaboard lifestyle environmentally sustainable for divers and protect the health of the world’s oceans.

The ‘Green the Fleet’ initiative sees all captains’ briefings welcoming guests aboard their yacht include information about the company’s environmental initiatives, conserving water, and respectful interactions with marine life, while new sustainability initiatives will build on existing green operations already in place across the fleet.

These include switching from single-use plastic bags to small, compostable, non-plastic garbage bags, participating in local recycling efforts, purchasing beverages in glass bottles or cans only, and providing each guest with a complimentary re-usable water bottle, and using primarily non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners. www.aggressor.com

READY TO GO DEEPER INTO YOUR OWN MIND WITH FREEDIVING?

If the answer is yes, you’re invited to awaken your own potential with champion freediver William Trubridge, who is set to co-host a personal development retreat in Hawaii this December. From 3-10 December 2018, Trubridge will team up with lifestyle coach Tom Bilyeu, to run workshops on freediving and personal growth.

The retreat will cost US$15,000, which includes seven nights at Lumeria Resort on Maui in a king room (couples will get a US$1,500 discount for the second person), plus three meals a day, ground transport to and from Maui airport, and freediving gear. The only thing not included is the flight to Maui. www.deeperdevelopment.net

PHINISI TAKES TO THE SEAS IN THAILAND

The Phinisi yacht is the new addition to The Junk brand and will operate diving liveaboard cruises in Thailand and Myanmar starting 1 November 2018. She will offer four different routes that cover the best of diving in Thailand – Similan and Surin Islands, including the famous Richelieu Rock, as well as Phi Phi Islands, Koh Haa and the two famous dive sites Hin Deang and Hin Muang. Itineraries vary between four and six nights, and are ideally combined into a ten-night itinerary. On top of that, Myanmar is added to the schedule from 2019 onwards with sevenand ten-night cruises around the Mergui Archipelago. Officially known as Cheng I Sao, the Phinisi (pronounced: Pinisi) is fully equipped to accommodate 18 divers in seven en-suite cabins with individual air-conditioning units. Guests can choose between flexible double/twin, fixed twins, and quad cabins. Full of character and charm, the Phinisi also has quite a remarkable history. Custom-built in 2007 as a liveaboard yacht in classic Indonesian-Phinisi style, she became part of the WWDAS fleet as Sampai Jumpa Lagi. In 2008, she was renamed Siren; the first vessel to bear the name of what later became the well-known Siren Fleet. She successfully operated in Thailand, Myanmar, the Andaman Islands, Indonesia, and the Maldives. The Phinisi has had a break from hosting liveaboards for the last couple of years; instead, she has been cruising with guests on day trips around the islands near Phuket. Now she is back! New colours, new name, but with the same characteristic style and outstanding service that people have become accustomed to on The Junk. For more information and bookings, consult our website: www.thejunk.com

THAI CAVE RESCUE – UK DIVER HONOURED

A British cave diver who assisted in a rescue mission to free 12 teenagers and their football coach trapped in a Thailand cave system has been honoured with an award from his home city. Former firefighter Rick Stanton, 57, from Coventry, was awarded the Award of Merit and a Good Citizen Award by Coventry City Council. Stanton was one of the first rescuers to reach the stranded group in the flooded Tham Luang cave network back in July, alongside his diving partner John Volanthen. In a story that gripped the entire world, elite divers from around the world converged on Thailand along with thousands of local people in a massive rescue bid to locate the missing children, aged between 11-16, and their coach. All 13 people were extracted safely from the cave following the monumental effort. Rick Stanton told the BBC: “I really believe people in Coventry followed me and were supportive of me [when I was in Thailand] and for that I’m really grateful because it actually meant a lot to me.” According to the news outlet, ‘Councillor Abdul Khan, the cabinet member for policing and equalities, said that the local authority had been keen to recognise Mr Stanton’s ‘act of heroism’.’