The solution is straightforward, if you have the relevant knowledge at your fingertips. Just contact one of the many NGOs around the world, such as 'Ghost Diving', who work to combat this problem internationally, and let them know the details of the ghost gear that needs to be recovered.
Ghost fishing gear is everywhere, but so are we! Pascal van Erp, founder Ghost Diving
At present, the dedication event at Gunwharf Quay is provisionally pencilled for Friday, 15 July 2022. The summer date has been chosen, because it is anticipated that Covid-19 will be less of an issue. That being the case, it is hoped that current and former Royal Navy Clearance Divers will be allowed to take part in this important occasion.
On Tuesday 31 August the international dive community lost one of the photography greats; Brian Pitkin passed away. Linda Pitkin wrote on her Facebook page: "My darling Brian died this morning, in hospital after suddenly becoming worse, but such a gentle and peaceful death, with no apparent distress for him."
The British scuba equipment manufacturer has suffered a number of business frustrations following Brexit, and the UK's withdrawal from the European Union on 31 January 2020.
Martin Parker and the team at APD have therefore established AP Diving Europe. This will enable EU customers to purchase products in Euros. The goods will then be delivered by post or carrier direct from mainland Europe. This will mean EU customers will avoid import hassles, paperwork, VAT and customs handling fees.
Founded in 1953, the British Sub Aqua Club is launching an exciting strategy to develop and deliver BSAC training. In order to support this, BSAC is recruiting for a newly created position, 'Head of Diving and Training'.
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the National Diving Officer, this new and exciting role will innovate and lead the development and delivery of BSAC training and diving support services. The role is to lead the delivery of BSAC’s strategic aims for diving and training along with its vision, mission and values.
Interested parties can find further details on essential experience and person specification, along with the full job specification and application pack below.
Focusing on nine of the most commonly found dolphin, whale and porpoise species in UK waters, the strategy has been developed by the Scottish Government, in collaboration with the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Its objective is to ensure the effective management to achieve and maintain the current favourable status of the nine species. It highlights certain pressures where further research or extra management measures may help to improve the conservation of marine mammals.
Probably Britain's leading authority today on British Naval History with an encyclopaedic knowledge of contemporary warfare. Martin Edmonds
Rear Admiral Iain Lower, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, spoke at Eric Grove's funeral on 11 May 2021. His office kindly sent me Rear Admiral Lower's eulogy.
For the past 12 months most divers have not been able to dive as much as they would like, and many haven’t dived at all. Now that the rollout of the Coronavirus vaccine program has commenced, and the weather improving, it seems that various COVID-19 regional lockdowns are beginning to ease, and scuba diving activities should begin to resume in several Northern Hemisphere countries.
If you’ve been out of the water for a while, it’s essential to take time planning your safe return to diving. DAN
A BDSG spokesman states "Although we are currently in lockdown, it is time to start preparing to scuba dive UK sites and seas. We are all very keen to get back in the water again.
We understand that everyone is heartily sick of COVID-19 rules, hence this is an appeal for divers to do the right thing, and behave accordingly. Please take into consideration the following guidelines as you get set to scuba."
Divers need to comply with relevant medical requirements, and medicals may have lapsed, so check your dates. There is now the added complication of any impact COVID-19 may have created. Your respiratory system can be affected by the Coronavirus and can have long term effects that could impact on your ability to dive safely. If you have any doubts, seek professional medical advice from a diving doctor.
The international volunteer diver organisation—formerly known as Ghost Fishing—was founded in 2012 to locate and remove lost, snagged and entangled fishing gear or "ghost fishing" equipment from our oceans and seas, across the globe.
From day one this important role has always been conducted by groups of highly experienced, specially skilled, volunteer technical divers who are used to team diving on standard gases, using a set equipment configuration. The divers involved understand and appreciate the hazards of these dives.
Dr Rich Walker, Chairman of Ghost Fishing UK advised us in writing on the 15 February 2021.
"In addition GF-UK focuses on writing and selling removal courses to non-technical divers.”
"Our course was written years ago, and we categorically do not "sell” them. The course is free of charge to all that are selected to attend. Delivering courses is not a primary focus of Ghost Fishing UK. It is a necessary component of maintaining a safe and effective team." Rich Walker
