Feed the sharks
Over the years, guest divers have watched the highly-trained UNEXSO Shark
Team invite sharp-toothed predators to lunch. Now guests will have the opportunity
to join UNEXSO's Shark Team by completing Sharklab: a shark feeder and behaviour
specialty course that begins in Spring, 1996.
Ollie Ferguson, Vice President of Dive Operations at UNEXSO, says "safety
is, of course, our number one concern. We want participants in Sharklab
to gain a better understanding and appreciation of these magnificent creatures.
This carefully designed, multi-day diving and educational program gives
participants the chance to handfeed the sharks at Shark Junction in a controlled
environment."
Sharklab includes intensive course work in shark biology and behaviour and
marine ecology. Students will learn to use the tools and equipment of the
UNEXSO Shark Team: a shark feeding tube and steel-mesh, chainmail shark
suit and gloves. In UNEXSO's 18-foot deep tank, the student will practice
diving with the suit and learn to use the feeding tube.
The student will also complete multiple dives at Shark Junction, observing
sharks and learning feeding techniques-ultimately handfeeding reef sharks.
For more information on UNEXSO or shark Lab, contact UNEXSO (954) 351-9889.
E-mail 102006.321@compuserve.com.
Maritimes beach cleanup
Since 1992, more than 25,000 volunteers have been involved with the Moosehead
Maritimes Beach Sweep program. In 1995 alone, close to 15,000 volunteers
in over 250 locations throughout the Maritimes organized shoreline cleanup
projects. While not all groups reported their findings, the data that was
returned indicates that 7,900 bags of marine trash were collected from an
approximate 480 kilometre stretch of our coastline.
"We must make Atlantic Canadians aware of the serious damage caused
by such careless behaviour," says Martin Janowitz, Executive Director
of the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation. "One of the most positive things
we can do to protect our coastline is to stop and think before tossing our
garbage away-and the Moosehead Maritimes Beach Sweep strives to ensure that
we do that. The Sweep is not just about cleaning up after the fact, but
about educating the public so that everyone realizes the negative impact
littering has on our marine environment," he said.
The foundation would like to collaborate with dive groups to "sweep"
the ocean this year. They provide data cards, garbage bags, and promotional
material. The Beach Sweep coordinator also generates media coverage of events,
distributes educational material and collects and tabulates information
from Beach Sweep groups for follow-up action.
To organize an underwater sweep in your areas please contact Rochelle Owen
at the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, PO Box 2528 Central, Halifax, NS B3J
3N5. (902) 420-3474 fax (902) 424-5334. e-mail cnsf@fox.nstn.ca.
New Nova Scotia dive shop
Scuba Experts, located near the corner of Young and Windsor St. in Halifax,
opened its doors to the public in December. Scuba Experts is a PADI facility
and is an authorized dealers for Scubapro, Cressi Sub, Sea Tux, VP Sports,
Andy's Undies and Ocean Edge. For further details, contact Scuba Experts,
6189 Young St., Halifax, NS B3K 2A5. (905) 455-DIVE fax (902) 455-3482.
DIVER photographer on the Net
Jett Britnell, contributing editor to DIVER Magazine, has been spending
a lot of late nights lately (and a few early mornings, too) "surfing
the net." The Internet offers a rather unique and a quick way for divers
to communicate on topics related to their sport. If you have any exciting
diving news to share, have discovered some "must see" diving oriented
Web pages, or, if you would simply like to offer comment on any of Jett's
articles, his E-mail address is, Jett_Britnell@mindlink.bc.ca.
Gold medal for Canadian television film
Charleston International Film Festival presented a Gold Award recently to
Canadian film maker, Maxima Film Corporation, for its underwater documentary
television film, The Fragile Ocean.
This film is one of the 26 half-hour episodes in The Living Sea series which
was developed this year with the cooperation of the Discovery Channel.
The major factor in the success of The Living Sea is its incredible photography
and direction of John Stoneman, Canadian naturalist and underwater film
maker. Stoneman stated, "we are particularly happy with the Fragile
Ocean and are most pleased with this recognition in Charleston. It is important
for Canada, for our company to have achieved this honour in an international
forum."
The Living Sea was completed in September of 1995 and is now being aired
in a growing list of countries around the world. For more information contact
Maxima Film Corporation, 70 East Beaver Creek road, Unit 19, Richmond Hill,
Ontario L4B 3B2. (905) 882-9605.
Ocean Sports on the Internet
Ocean Sports of Edmonton, Alberta can now be found on the Internet at http://ccinet.ab.ca/oceansports.
Their goal is to promote watersports activities such as scuba diving, water-skiing,
wake-boarding, windsurfing and other water-related activities as well as
equipment, associations, suppliers and different events in all of these
pursuits. For more information contact Ocean Sports, 10133-82 Ave., Edmonton,
AB T6E 1Z5. (403) 432-1904 fax/phone (403) 439-3505. e-mail: oceansports@ccinet.ab.ca.
Aqua-Lung, DIVER and others help children's charities
Aqua-Lung dealers across Canada raised over $27,000 for children's charities
in their first treasure hunt series held in 1995. The treasure hunts had
four primary goals: promote diving; encourage regional diving activity;
generate a cooperative spirit between dealers and raise awareness and monies
for Canadian children in need. Host stores, provincial councils and volunteers
worked hard to promote their respective events, with 2,387 divers attending.
Two grand prizes were given away in each region. The first grand prize was
a trip for two to Cozumel which was won by Brad Kyle, Myrna McLean, John
Chartier, Doug Hewko, Dominque Chagnon and Patrick Doyle. The second grand
prize was a weekend wreck diving for two to Victoria, BC which was won
by Vince Schmidt, Greg Harris, Kerri Zeuena, Norm Artelle, Pierre Lefebvre
and Carl Francis.
The success of the 1995 Treasure Hunt dive series was due in part to the
contributions of sponsors such as DIVER Magazine, PADI Canada, Papa Hogs
Diving, Canadian Holidays, Princeton Tec and Plaza Las Glorias. Preparations
for the 1996 Treasure Hunt are already underway with the hopes of raising
$50,000 for children's charities. For more information contact Aqua-Lung
Canada Ltd., Unit E, 2200 Keating Cross Rd., RR3, Victoria, BC V8X 3X1.
(604) 652-5881 fax (604) 652-5891.
Blue hole specialty dive program
Small Hope Bay Lodge's custom-tailored specialty dive program includes nine
different blue hole dives, six of them ocean blue holes and three of them
inland blue holes. These blue holes are parts of an intricate cave system
which runs beneath the island of Andros and its ocean floor. They have simplified
diving these blue holes by running them as one-on-one dives with a divemaster.
Small Hope Bay Lodge supplies all the necessary equipment-including redundant
dive lights and computers.
Small Hope Bay Lodge has been exploring the Andros Barrier Reef, the third
largest in the world, for over 35 years. They offer just 20 cottages on
the beach and all-inclusive rates. In addition to its specialty program,
Small Hope Bay Lodge offers three dives every day, night dives twice a week,
a complete snorkelling program and complimentary introductory scuba lessons
to anyone who wants learn. For further information contact Small Hope Bay
Lodge by writing PO Box 21667, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33335-1667. 1-800-223-6961,
(809) 368-2013/4, fax (809) 368-2051.
Shipwrecks conference and dinner
The Underwater Archaeological Society of BC will be holding their 11th annual
Shipwrecks Conference and Dinner on April 20, 1996 at the Vancouver Maritime
Museum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Guest speakers will include Neil
McDaniel, Erica-leigh Haley, Fred Rogers and Brendan Coyle presenting the
topics "Legacy of Truk Lagoon", the "Transpac Expedition",
the history of "Hardhat Diving in BC" and the "Secret War
on the West Coast" respectively. There is a dinner planned with John
Pollack, UASBC Southern Interior director as speaker and also a tour of
International Hardsuits. A raffle will be held with first prize being a
dive in the Newtsuit. For more information contact Mike Paris at (604) 738-1217.