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In a pivotal legal decision, the Court of Appeal in Sweden has revised the sentences of four men convicted in 2022 for offences against Sweden's heritage laws. These individuals were found guilty of plundering several wrecks off the coast of Öland, challenging the preservation of national heritage.

From 2013 to 2020, the convicted men retrieved a multitude of artefacts from shipwrecks near Öland, using some to adorn their homes. Dive logbook entries suggest that their activities may have begun as early as 1987.

The findings from UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute provide compelling evidence of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) value to the scuba diving industry and local economies. As global leaders aim to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, understanding the diverse benefits of MPAs is crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable coastal management.

Contrary to long-standing beliefs, recent research has revealed that grey reef sharks can rest, overturning the assumption that they must constantly swim to breathe. This groundbreaking discovery, made in the Seychelles, offers new insights into the physiology and behaviour of these marine predators. 

Researchers conducted trials using SMART drumlines in New South Wales, Australia, to catch and release sharks, particularly White Sharks. The study aimed to quantify the short-term post-release movements and the longer-term fate of these sharks.

Sharks were caught using SMART drumlines deployed about 500 meters from shore. Once captured, they were quickly secured to a research vessel, minimising potential injuries. The sharks were tagged with satellite-linked radio transmitting tags and acoustic transmitters to monitor their movements post-release.

Sharks are known for their remarkable ability to heal quickly from wounds. The mucus layer on their skin plays a crucial role in this process. Recent research has uncovered that the mucus layer on shark skin possesses properties that could be beneficial in medical applications, particularly in wound care.

During the DEMA Show in New Orleans, I encountered a dive industry colleague who appeared quite distressed. He had just discovered that a Formula One race was scheduled concurrently with the next DEMA Show in Las Vegas. His concern was that securing a hotel would be impossible, as he believed everything was already booked. At that moment, I was somewhat sceptical of his concern. 

Originally developed for use in pesticides, paints and fire-resistant materials, POPs are highly toxic and do not easily break down in nature. These chemicals have leached into the soil, air and waterways, eventually reaching the ocean. They are absorbed by plankton at the bottom of the food chain and increase in concentration through a process known as biomagnification. As a result, marine mammals, which are at the top of the food chain, accumulate high levels of these toxins.