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Netflix camera boat attacked by sharks

When a swarm of tiger sharks attacked a Netflix video crew's boat, the boat was punctured, and they were forced to make an emergency landing on a beach in Hawaii.

The team had been gathering material for the David Attenborough documentary Our Planet II. They were operating an inflatable boat around the Laysan area of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in order to capture footage of tiger sharks consuming young albatross fledglings.

Dolphins speak "baby talk" to offspring

Have you ever noticed that when adults speak to babies or small children, they speak in a distinctively specific manner? As if by instinct, they speak in a high-pitched voice, with clear pronunciation and longer pauses between words.

It seems that this “baby talk” is not reserved for humans. Researchers have discovered that dolphins too indulge in baby talk—by changing their characteristic whistles and frequencies—when they communicate with their offspring.

Life reconstruction of Olympicetus thalassodon hunting their prey, with plotopterid birds in the background
Life reconstruction of Olympicetus thalassodon hunting their prey, with plotopterid birds in the background

Ancestor of early toothed whales had "weird" teeth

Today, researchers are using the fossils of the Olympicetus thalassodon an early toothed whale which existed around 26.5 and 30.5 million years ago, to better understand the early history and diversification of modern dolphins, porpoises and other toothed whales. 

Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023: A Roaring Success

MIDE
Big crowds of visitors came to MIDE 2023. Photo courtesy of MIDE

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 June 2023: Aptly themed “Let’s stay connected with the ocean,” the 17th Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) concluded with great success at its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur. 

After moving from the former venue at the World Trade Center (WTC), where the expo was held for 16 years, the refreshing start at the uber modern and spacious Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) proved to be a hit among exhibitors and visitors alike.

Lithographic print of men in whaleboat lancing a sperm whale.

Iceland suspends controversial whale hunt

“I have taken the decision to suspend whaling” until 31 August, food minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said in a statement, after a recent government-commissioned report concluded the hunt does not comply with Iceland’s Animal Welfare Act.

The report which provided a video showing a whale being hunted for five hours concluded the killing of whales during the hunt took too long.

Animal rights groups and environmentalists hailed the decision, with the Humane Society International calling it “a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation”.

MIDE welcomed big crowds each day to its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur on 26-28 May
MIDE welcomed big crowds each day to its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur on 26-28 May

MIDE 2023: Bigger and Better

Entering the exhibition hall on Day One at MIDE 2023 gave me a distinct buzz. Squaring my shoulders in anticipation, I walked past the booths and waved hello to old friends. As I made my way deeper into the hall, I felt a raising sense of excitement. MIDE 2023 was my first overseas dive show since the pandemic, and it appeared to be off to a promising start.

Olivier Leger Portfolio

Mothership, by Olivier Leger. Ink painting on gesso, 60 x 80cm
Mothership, by Olivier Leger. Ink painting on gesso, 60 x 80cm

British artist and avid diver Olivier Leger creates large-scale fineliner pen drawings and colourful ink paintings that celebrate the diversity and interconnectedness of our blue planet, drawing attention to the threats the oceans face. In his highly intricate artworks, viewers will discover marine species such as octopuses, sea turtles and whales carrying living worlds on their backs, giving sanctuary to a diverse range of sea life.

Ambient Light in Underwater Photography

Photo by Kate Jonker
Photo by Kate Jonker: Capturing the sun’s rays when the surface of the water is calm and flat can add a whole new dimension to your images. Long Beach, Simon’s Town, South Africa. Gear: Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens, Sea&Sea housing. Exposure: ISO 160, f/11, 1/200s

We asked our contrib­utors what their favorite images were, captured using ambient light only, and they came back with a diverse selection of photos featuring sublime underwater scenes from a variety of dives on reefs and wrecks, in caverns and cenotes, as well as with interactions with marine life.

Adventures Edition of Peregrine dive computer

Adventures Edition of  Peregrine dive computer
Adventures Edition of Peregrine dive computer

Shearwater has announced the new Adventures Edition of its popular Peregrine dive computer, in two color combinations: light and dark. The light model sports coral reef-inspired white and silver foam colors, with ocean teal accents; and the dark model is a wreck and cavern-inspired steel gray, with sporty orange accents.

Fresh shark fins drying on sidewalk at Hong Kong
File photo of Fresh shark fins drying on sidewalk at Hong Kong

Brazil seizes record haul of illegal shark fins

Brazil's environmental protection agency, Ibama, estimated that approximately 11,000 blue sharks and shortfin mako sharks, which Brazil listed as endangered last month, were killed.

The fins, which were destined for Asia, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy, were found in two locations.

Mosquito bites cause itching and discomfort, and in some cases carry diseases such as malaria.

How to avoid mosquito bites

Amid the buzzing hum of the relentless mosquito, it appears that our everyday habits may be making us more alluring to these pesky insects. In a surprising discovery, it appears that your favourite body wash may be your downfall when it comes to warding off mosquitoes.