Press Release
Received from: SDUFEX

Call for Entries for SDUFEX Underwater Film Festival Open

SDUFEX

Please submit your short (10 minute max but preferably under 5 minutes) underwater film before June 15th, 2026 - at least 50% of the film must be underwater. 

The in-person festival at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall in San Diego, California is October 9 & 10, 2026, with different programs each night and the virtual film festival runs through December 15.  

For full details and to submit your film, please visit https://filmfreeway.com/SanDiegoUnderSeaFilmExhibition.

Press Release
Received from: Blue Water Film Festival

Announcing the 7th Annual Blue Water Film Festival

Blue Water Film Festival

The 2026 Blue Water Film Festival (BWFF) proudly announces its honorees and official film lineup for its 7th Annual Festival, taking place March 19–22, 2026, in La Jolla, California.

Presented by the Blue Water Institute, the four-day event will showcase a dynamic slate of features, shorts, and animated films, highlighting powerful storytelling at the intersection of water, environment, innovation, and human impact. 

World War I US Submarine Rendered in 3D

Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have captured unprecedented high-resolution images of USS F-1, a US Navy submarine that sank during World War I.

Wrecks & Archaeology

On 17 December 1917, USS F-1 collided with its sister ship, USS F-3, off the coast of San Diego during a training exercise in dense fog. The impact caused the F-1 to sink within ten seconds, resulting in the loss of 19 crew members. A mere five sailors survived the incident. The submarine now rests approximately 1,300ft (~396m) beneath the Pacific Ocean.

Elephant Seals as “Smart Sensors” of Fish Populations

For decades, researchers have studied northern elephant seals along the California coast, where thousands gather on the beach. The scientists' detailed observations have found that the seals can serve as ”smart sensors” for monitoring fish populations in the ocean‘s twilight zone.

Elephant seal
Ecology & Science

This mysterious layer of water, between 200 and 1,000 meters below the surface, lies in  almost complete darkness, for the sun's rays can scarcely penetrate that far. Thus it is difficult or impossible to monitor using traditional tools. But while ships, buoys, and satellites can only capture a fraction of what’s happening below the waves, the seals’ foraging patterns can offer a far more expansive view of ocean life. 

Killer Whales' Specialized Attack on Whale Sharks

Killer whales, known as apex predators of the ocean, have been observed preying on the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, in a rare and remarkable display of their hunting prowess. New research highlights four predation events captured between 2018 and 2024, shedding light on the sophisticated tactics these marine predators use to take down such massive prey.

Orcas
Medical & Fitness

The study, which was led by Francesca Pancaldi, used photographic and video evidence to show how a pod of killer whales (Orcinus orca) employed a collaborative approach to target the whale sharks' pelvic area, including the claspers and pelvic fins. This strategy caused significant blood loss and allowed the killer whales access to the sharks’ lipid-rich livers, which is a highly nutritious part of the prey.

WWII Destroyer USS Stewart Found off California Coast

The wreck of the USS Stewart, a World War II-era destroyer, has been located off the California coast by a team of researchers using advanced sonar technology during a survey of the ocean floor.

Wrecks & Archaeology

The USS Stewart was deliberately sunk during a US Navy exercise in May 1946, with its final resting place now located in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off northern California. This information comes from a statement by the Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc., both of which participated in the investigation. The search was led by Ocean Infinity in collaboration with NOAA and the US Navy.

Captain Ordered To Pay $32K for 2019 Dive Boat Fire

The captain of the Dive Boat Conception, who was involved in a fatal 2019 fire, was fined $32,000 following a court ruling.

Travel & Trips

The Conception was anchored off Santa Cruz Island, south of Santa Barbara, when it caught fire before dawn on the final day of a three-day excursion. It sank less than 30 metres (100 feet) from shore. Thirty-four people were killed in the fire.

Press Release
Received from: DAN

DAN at 2024 Scuba Show

DAN

Divers Alert Network (DAN), the world’s leading dive safety organization, will connect with attendees next weekend at Scuba Show, Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Throughout the event, the DAN team will be recording video testimonials in room 402A-B, located on the second floor of the venue near the event seminars. 

A Closer Look at Human-Shark Encounters

Researchers at the University of California Shark Lab have found that swimmers, surfers, and great white sharks are often in close proximity in Southern Californian waters, much more so than had been assumed. Yet in spite of this, shark bites are rare. Shark Lab Director Chris Lowe emphasizes that white sharks generally ignore humans. They just do not see them as prey.

A great white shark
Ecology & Science

A recent article by Sam Fletcher begins with the gripping account of a wildlife videographer, Scott Fairchild. Using a drone, he captures a heart-stopping moment when a great white shark repeatedly approaches a lone swimmer off the coast of San Diego. Yet suddenly the shark veers away and disappears. Fairchild states that he has seen countless such encounters between swimmers and white sharks off the Californian coast.

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