Profiles & Interviews

Ethologist Ila France Porcher spent seven years observing wild sharks in French Polynesia and Florida, uncovering astonishing insights into their emotional lives, intelligence and social dynamics. Her groundbreaking work challenges long-held assumptions, revealing sharks not as mindless predators, but as sentient, complex beings capable of memory, attachment and even moral judgment.

This is the second article in a series by Don Silcock exploring how a successful conservation strategy was developed and implemented in Raja Ampat, on the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s remote West Papua province.

For many divers, Palau is a bucket list destination, thanks to the pioneering efforts of maverick Palauan Francis Toribiong. Simon Pridmore has the story.

Founded by dive pioneer Leeza English, Triton Bay Divers is a beautiful and secluded resort offering world-class diving and is the first and only resort in Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Simon Pridmore tells the story of how Leeza was the driving force behind the resort.

The island of Yap, a tiny dot in the vast Pacific Ocean, is home to a world-renowned divе resort, embedded in the authentic culture and traditions of the Yapese people. It all happened because of one person whose charisma, enthusiasm and desire to share the thrill of diving became the driving force behind the development of diving in Yap. That person is Bill Acker, founder and owner of Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers.

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.

Paul Toomer, the CEO of RAID, is a pioneering figure in dive education. With a passion for exploration and safety, he spearheads initiatives to advance dive training worldwide. Peter Symes caught up with him to learn more about his insights and perspectives.

In a country that has so much to offer the travelling diver and underwater photographer, there are certain exceptional locations in the Philippines that really stand out and top of the list has to be the remote reefs and atolls of Tubbataha. Don Silcock interviewed a central figure in the story of the conservation of Tubbataha’s marine ecosystems: Angelique Songco.

“Treat customers the way you want to be treated” is a tenet of client relations for which many businesses strive but, sadly, not all achieve. This concept of customer service was the primary building block with which Mark Derrick developed Dive Gear Express (DGX) since its infancy in 2002. In light of the five-star independent Google reviews from 97 percent of DGX patrons, I would say they are on the right track.

Back in 1992, very little was known about Raja Ampat in the Indonesian province of what was then known as Irian Jaya. Edi Frommenwiler had heard rumours about how scenic it was, so he studied the area charts and suspected that with so many islands, there must be some great places to explore underwater.