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Bali implements tourist tax

The fee is to be paid through lovebali.baliprov.go.id or directly at the international airport and seaport in Bali.

Effective from February 14, 2024, the tax mandates a one-time fee of IDR 150,000 (about USD 10) for each foreign visitor. This initiative, aimed at supporting local projects in Bali, includes waste management, infrastructure development, and cultural heritage preservation.

The good folks from Waterproof cheer a productive dive show.

Scandinavian Dive Show 2024 report

It was a relief to see the crowds entering the Scandinavian Dive Show on the morning of Saturday, 10 February. Tommy Jarnbrink, the founder and principal organiser, alongside the X-Ray Mag team, worked tirelessly to organise and promote the expo to both local and international networks, aiming to attract new attendees. Following the 2023 edition, it became apparent that a new format was essential for the show's future.

Contact organiser Tommy Jarnbrink for further information about next year's Scandinavian Dive Show.

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Try dives were offered in the pool which was set up at the junction between the boat show halls a

Mimic octopus in Mozambique

First-ever sighting of mimic octopus in Mozambique

Unlike any other member of its species, the mimic octopus excels in the art of disguise. It possesses the remarkable capability to alter its shape, hue, and behavior to resemble various marine organisms, including lionfish, flatfish, sea snakes, and more. This extraordinary talent serves not only as a spectacle but also as a survival strategy, aiding the octopus in confounding predators and capturing prey.

Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi tooth.
Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi tooth. /McWane Science Center.

Scientists discover fossilized remains of new ancient shark species

Palaeohypotodus, pronounced pale-ee-oh-hype-oh-toe-duss, translates to "ancient small-eared tooth," a reference to the shark's distinctive small needle-like fangs found on the sides of its teeth. Spearheaded by Jun Ebersole, Director of Collections at McWane Science Center in Birmingham, alongside David Cicimurri, Curator of Natural History at South Carolina State Museum, and T. Lynn Harrell, Jr., Paleontologist and Fossil Collections Curator at the Geological Survey of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the team named the new species in honour of the late Dr.

Newborn White Shark Pup
Newborn white shark pup (Photo by Carlos Gauna)

Drone discovery: A newborn great white shark

(TOP BANNER IMAGE: Carlos Gauna/The Malibu Artist) 

The remarkable sighting occurred on 9 July 2023, approximately 400m (1,300ft) off the shores of Carpinteria, California. Wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and Phillip Sternes, a doctoral student in the Department of Biology at the University of California Riverside, stumbled upon the extraordinary sight while filming aerial footage.

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Halcyon opens European hub

Halcyon Manufacturing, a leader in premium diving equipment, is expanding its global footprint by establishing a new European Headquarters and fulfilment centre in Gdańsk, Poland. This strategic move aims to enhance customer service and streamline access to Halcyon's extensive product line across mainland Europe.

Key Highlights:

Rice Corals (Montipora capitata), Kane'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawaii

Coral resilience under climate stress: Insights from Hawaiian reefs

In 2015, amidst a marine heatwave, Barott’s team tagged numerous coral colonies, initiating a study on coral adaptability. Their focus: the rice coral (Montipora capitata) and finger coral (Porites compressa), two dominant species in the region. Over the years, multiple heatwaves provided a unique opportunity to observe coral responses, revealing both resilience and vulnerability.