The SPVA is largely responsible for disrupting the insurance market, causing explosive increases in vessel and other insurance costs specifically targeting the recreational diving industry.
Orcas have long been considered a single global species, with different forms in different regions, known as “ecotypes.”
However, scientists have long recognised the differences between resident and transient orcas, known as Bigg's killer whales, in the North Pacific. Resident orcas maintain close-knit family pods and prey on salmon and other marine fish, while Bigg’s orcas roam in smaller groups and hunt other marine mammals such as seals and whales.
Ground-breaking research has revealed that Pacific kelp forests are much older than previously thought, reshaping our knowledge of marine ecosystems.
Originally thought to be a relatively recent occurrence in ocean history, kelp forests are now considered ancient entities, with origins dating back millions of years. This revelation comes from the analysis of fossil records and advances in dating techniques, allowing scientists to peer back through time.
Despite the conflicts not being close to the main Red Sea dive resorts, many operators we spoke to at the Boot show in Germany reported an increase in cancellations and a noticeable slowdown in bookings.
One operator based in Marsa Alam wrote that after the Boot show they had attended additional exhibitions and met many people who were enthusiastic about diving in Egypt. However, a handful expressed reluctance, choosing not to visit this year due to the political climate.
In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Vienna, researchers have unearthed evidence suggesting that the seas of the Jurassic era, some 150 million years ago, teemed with a diversity of ray species far beyond what was previously understood. The discovery of a new species, named Aellopobatis bavarica, provides fascinating insights into the evolutionary history of these ancient marine animals.
In La Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France, small-scale fishers often use surface longlines targeting tuna and billfish, but this sometimes leads to the accidental capture of sharks.
The EU-funded ASUR project is researching innovative methods to reduce the incidental catch of sharks by these longlines, bringing together scientists and fishermen to tag and release sharks and to test equipment designed to reduce shark mortality.
The abrupt discontinuation of NHS funding for the Oban Hyperbaric Chamber has been confirmed, prompting substantial concern within the diving community. This development effectively leaves the west coast of Scotland without an NHS registered facility to treat decompression illness, a critical service for divers.
Researchers have charted a colossal deep-sea coral reef system off the southeastern coast of the United States. Described as an underwater metropolis of a 'million mounds', this vast network stretches across the continental shelf and heralds a new chapter in ocean exploration.
The mapping of this coral reef, a feat accomplished through advanced 3D imaging technology, is a landmark in maritime science, underscoring the vast, uncharted territories that still lie hidden beneath the waves.
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Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have uncovered compelling evidence of a potentially new population of killer whales in the Northeastern Pacific, distinct from known orca ecotypes.
This discovery, documented in a recent study published in Aquatic Mammals, is based on observations of 49 orcas exhibiting unique hunting behaviours, including predation on sperm whales and sea turtles, off the coasts of California and Oregon.
The Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA) has uncovered the remarkably preserved steamship Milwaukee, which vanished in 1886 after a collision and has been resting in 360ft (100m) of water for over a century.
MSRA located the Milwaukee in June 2023 using side-scan sonar and documented it extensively with an ROV. Still, the discovery was only revealed to an enthralled audience in a live announcement during their annual film festival.
The discovery was no small feat. After a persistent search that spanned several years, the submarine, which had been lost to the depths since November 1917, was identified through diligent research, underwater surveys and the collation of historical data.
