X-Ray Mag

Latest

Saccharina latissima,
Saccharina latissima, also known by the common name sugar kelp, Saccharina latissima is an ecologically important system. It is a primary producer, delivering plant material to the coastal food web. Can it also replace plastic?

Can seaweed replace plastic?

2 years ago By Catherine GS Lim

More and more alternatives to plastics are being proposed these days, as the world wakes up to the immense “longevity” of single-use plastics.

One of these alternatives—seaweed—is the focus of Notpla, a London-based startup that has developed packaging that is designed to be composted, dissolved or consumed after use.

The decision to use seaweed was made after considering that it was abundant, grew fast, sequestered carbon from the air and did not require pesticides.

Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) is one of the many shark species now protected in Hawaii.

Shark fishing is now illegal in Hawaiian waters

2 years ago By Chief minion

The ban does not apply to people with permits issued by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), shark fishing for public safety, sharks captured for self-defence, or sharks taken outside of state marine waters with required documentation.

According to Act 51, the conditions of non-commercial permits for the take of sharks “shall include native Hawaiian cultural protocol, size and species restrictions, and a prohibition on species listed as endangered or threatened.”

Royal Navy to dismantle WWII shipwreck in risk of enormous explosion

2 years ago By Chief minion

A Ministry of Defence report said an explosion “would throw a 300 metre-wide column of water and debris nearly 3,000 metres into the air and generate a wave 5 metres high”.

The warship was part of a US convoy travelling to the UK in August 1944 - but when it arrived in the Thames Estuary, it was instructed to anchor in the Great Nore, off Sheerness, where it sank, with about 1,400 tonnes of explosives remaining on board.

Snowflake morays can capture prey on land

2 years ago By Catherine GS Lim

Many of us are familiar with photos of moray eels snug in their caves or crevices, peering out into the open sea.

One might imagine them venturing out to hunt for prey when hunger pangs strike or an unfortunate prey swims by, but do you know that a particular species of moray eels—the snowflake moray—can hunt on dry land as well?

At least, this was what happened when a group of scientists from UC Santa Cruz filmed snowflake morays emerging out from the water onto dry land, then grabbing a piece of meat with their fangs, and swallowing it.

Striking Hydrothermal vents, chimneys, and mirror pools, with large population of tubeworms in the JaichaMaa' ja' ag vent field.
Striking Hydrothermal vents, chimneys, and mirror pools, with large population of tubeworms in the JaichaMaa' ja' ag vent field.

Hydrothermal vents and possible new species discovered in Gulf of California

2 years ago By Chief minion

The hydrothermal vents are located in the Pescadero basin and are unique both in their chemistry and appearance to other known hydrothermal vents, as they are the only ones currently observed to emit clear fluids as opposed to dark, smokey fluids associated with iconic “black smoker” vents.

Indigenous names

The largest of the new vent mounds, named Maija awi, sits midway between the JaichaMaa ‘ja’ag vent field, discovered by the same team during Schmidt Ocean Institute’s 2018 R/V Falkor expedition, and the Auka vent field, discovered during an expedition by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in 2015.

Making it despite hardship.
Making it despite of dire circumstances

We carry on

2 years ago By Peter Symes

Over the holidays, as 2021 drew to a close, the media once again began to overflow with retrospections on the year that has gone by, and heads of state, prime ministers and royalty gave reflective New Year’s speeches on national radio and television.

As always, I heard or read the usual fair share of speeches, but this time, it made me pensive, and I began to ponder—just as a thought experiment—what I would have said if I had to give such a speech. To whom would my thoughts have gone? Whom would I have thanked and what hopes would I have expressed?

Salon de la Plongée is postponed till March 2022

2 years ago By Rosemary E Lunn

The news comes hot on the heels that boot DĂŒsseldorf is cancelled until January 2023.

The team behind Salon de la PlongĂ©e have advised that their show will be rescheduled in three months' time. 

Everything was ready to welcome you next week and it's just a setback. Salon de la PlongĂ©e

HĂ©lĂšne de Tayrac-Senik, President of Salon de la PlongĂ©e and WDHOF member stated "[We are] determined to do everything possible to ensure that the Salon de la PlongĂ©e meets the expectations of both visitors and exhibitors and attentive to avoiding a risky situation, it is under these conditions that we are obliged to announce the postponement of the 23rd edition of the Show. We thank you for your trust, your positive messages, your support that helps us keep our heads out of water and continue with energy."

MIDE 2021 a success for both exhibitors and attendees

2 years ago By My Minion

Staying true to its theme, “Let’s Meet & Dive Locally,” the show aimed to kickstart the country’s dive industry and welcomed over 7,000 visitors during the three-day event with over 400 exhibitors, resulting in over RM5 (US$1.2) million in sales.

The bold decision to hold the show drew the attention, endorsement and partnership of several government agencies and leaders, including Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who addressed the event and said that he saw the dive community playing an important role in the recovery of tourism in Malaysia.

boot DĂŒsseldorf, German Boat Show, dive show, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine, scuba diving news
The biggest boat show in the world - 'boot DĂŒsseldorf' - is held annually in January

boot DĂŒsseldorf 2022 is cancelled

2 years ago By Rosemary E Lunn

In recent weeks, various countries in Europe have applied travel and event restrictions to help prevent the spread of this new version of the Covid-19 virus. 

 

Following a meeting of the Minister Presidents of the federal states in Germany on 21 December 2021, the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) banned large events in January 2022. This includes boot DĂŒsseldorf, the largest boat show in the world. 

It is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to holding boot in January 2022. Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe DĂŒsseldorf

 

Dr Stephan Keller stated "We had had hoped that the pandemic situation in January would allow Boot to be held under strict hygiene conditions. But in the end, it is only consistent to do without large public fairs such as Boot in order to contain the spread of the omicron variant. Even before the country's ban, I agreed with the management of Messe DĂŒsseldorf not to take an unjustifiable risk and to cancel boot if necessary."

Bob Anderson, MV Halton, British liveaboard, UK scuba diving, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine
This Brit liveaboard will mostly be sailing in Scottish waters in 2022 | Image Credit: Bob Anderson

Boat crew sought for Brit liveaboard

2 years ago By Rosemary E Lunn

British liveaboard skipper and photographer Bob Anderson is seeking crew for the forthcoming 2022 season. 

Bob Anderson stated "You will join an incredible boat that covers miles, sees a little bit of the world and takes some lovely people diving. The work is tough, relentless and demanding, but the rewards are there when you reflect at the end of the day."

Cook: needs to be adept with supplies / logistics and turn out some good food