X-Ray Mag

X-Ray Mag #123

Feature articles in this issue with stand-alone pdfs

Silke Ptaszynski   Rainer Schimpf
Photo by Rainer Schimpf
Travel & Trips

A powerful influencer of climate and ocean currents, the Atlantic Ocean is vast, stretching from the North Pole down to the South Pole. At around the middle of this massive system lie the Azores Islands, about seven hours flight from New York or approximately four hours from Lisbon. Silke Ptaszynski shares her adventure to the southernmost island of Santa Maria, with photos by Rainer Schimpf.

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Robert Osborne   Robert Osborne
Photo by Robert Osborne
Ecology & Science

As global warming heats up oceans around the world, coral bleaching events are increasing in frequency and severity. Robert Osborne reports on how climate change has impacted his favourite coral reef in Cuba.

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Eric Hanauer   Courtesy of Eric Hanauer
Photo by Eric Hanauer
Photo & Video

As more and more people get their dive news and articles digitally, print dive magazines have been disappearing. Freelance photojournalist Eric Hanauer looks back at his time as a dive writer over the decades and how dive journalism has evolved.

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Claudia Weber-Gebert   Claudia Weber-Gebert
Photo by Claudia Weber Gebert
Travel & Trips

The Gaia Love liveaboard offers a distinctive diving experience in Indonesia, blending luxury with the thrill of underwater exploration. Renowned for its exceptional service and attention to detail, this liveaboard is not just about comfort; it is a gateway to some of the most spectacular diving adventures in the world.

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Claudia Weber-Gebert   Claudia Weber-Gebert
Photo by Claudia Weber Gebert
Travel & Trips

Triton Bay. Untouched, remote, overwhelming... it is an under-water world that enchants. Claudia Weber-Gebert shares her liveaboard adventure there.

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Simon Pridmore  
Photo by G P Schmahl NOAA CC BY 2 0 DEED
Op'eds and commentaries

This article is an abridged version of an early chapter in Simon Pridmore’s history of the early days of technical diving, Technically Speaking—Talks on Technical Diving, Volume 1: Genesis and Exodus. The nitrox saga would end up as the subject of vitriolic debate and bitter division in the sport diving community for half a decade. This is its origin story.

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X-Ray Mag Contributors   X-Ray Mag Contributors
Photo by Anita George-Ares
Photo & Video

We asked our contributors to share their favorite photos that show pairs and companions, or two of a kind, and they returned with a range of macro to wide-angle shots, featuring a variety of marine life large and small from around the world.

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Don Silcock   Underwater images by Don Silcock , Topside images courtesy of Ricard Buxo
Courtesy of Ricard Buxo
Profiles & Interviews

Undeniably one of the world’s extraordinary destinations, Raja Ampat blends breath-taking, above-water landscapes with a staggering abundance of marine biodiversity, into a remarkable combination that draws divers from all corners of the globe. Don Silcock writes about one of the pioneers of diving in this region, Ricard Buxo.

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Claudio Ziraldo, with taxonomic search by Alessandro Ziraldo   Claudio Ziraldo
Photo by Claudio Ziraldo
Photo & Video

How can one capture “abstractionism” in an underwater photo? Underwater photographer Claudio Ziraldo discusses abstract underwater photography and shares some examples of sea art.

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Other articles and news in this edition

Ecology & Science

A new study by UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute highlights the significant benefits of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the recreational scuba diving industry in California’s Northern Channel Islands. This research underscores the importance of considering the diving community in decisions about the future of MPAs.

ecent research has revealed that reef sharks can rest, overturning the assumption that they must constantly swim to breathe.
Ecology & Science

Surprising discovery challenges long-held beliefs about shark physiology

Ecology & Science

An approach to managing shark populations near beaches involving catching and releasing them, not only deters sharks from coastal areas but offers a promising solution to the challenge of balancing human safety with marine conservation.

Ecology & Science

Mucus layer on shark skin possesses properties that could be beneficial in medical applications, particularly in wound care

News

DEMA Show 2024 and Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas on partially overlapping dates. Will it be an issue?

Recent studies have raised alarming concerns about the levels of toxic chemicals found in UK whales and dolphins.
Ecology & Science

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), once hailed as groundbreaking synthetic chemicals, have now been identified as a significant threat to marine wildlife, particularly apex predators like whales and dolphins.

Bassas da India Atoll in the Indian Ocean
Ecology & Science

The potential for coral atolls to grow in response to rising sea levels offers a hopeful perspective but requires further scientific investigation and targeted conservation efforts.

Wrecks & Archaeology

Colombia is set to embark on a historic underwater expedition to recover objects from the 1708 shipwreck of the galleon San José, which has been dubbed the “holy grail of shipwrecks.“

Divers from the Naples Police underwater unit, based in Naples, Italy, have retrieved a substantial piece of obsidian from the remnants of a Neolithic shipwreck, off the coast of the island of Capri.
Wrecks & Archaeology

Underwater archaeologists have recovered obsidian cores from what is believed to be a Neolithic shipwreck, potentially one of the oldest maritime discoveries.

Southern Resident killer whale holding in its mouth a harbour porpoise calf that was eventually drowned
Ecology & Science

Despite being primarily fish-eaters, orcas have been observed harassing and even killing porpoises without consuming them. Recent studies shed light on this enigmatic behaviour, offering several hypotheses.

Ecology & Science

Coral reefs in one part of the Pacific Ocean have likely adjusted to higher ocean temperatures.

The revelation that basking sharks are partially warm-blooded adds a fascinating layer to our knowledge of these gentle giants. It underscores the complexity of marine life and the continuous surprises it holds.
Ecology & Science

In a surprising twist to our understanding of marine biology, recent research has revealed that basking sharks, known for their gentle, plankton-feeding habits, are partially warm-blooded.

Ecology & Science

Shark ecotourism, a rapidly growing sector, offers both opportunities and challenges for marine conservation. Recent studies have delved into the multifaceted aspects of this industry, exploring its effects on shark behaviour, local economies, and conservation efforts.