Dive Industry News and Matters

International Ocean Film Festival

he evening will feature a curated lineup of short ocean-themed films created by filmmakers from around the world. Guests are invited to an interactive reception from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., followed by film screenings from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m.

A panel discussion will close out the evening. Moderated by journalist Gwen Filosa, the panel will feature scientists and city leaders who will explore the themes of the films in connection with their ongoing environmental efforts in the Florida Keys.

Paul Toomer announces split from RAID

Toomer played a central role in the formation and development of RAID. Originally founded in 2007 in Australia as a rebreather-focused agency, RAID was later restructured and relaunched globally around 2014 with Toomer as one of the key figures driving its expansion. At that time, he served as Director of Diver Training and later became President of RAID International.


On 16 May, Paul Toomer posted the following text on Facebook

Join us at Diving Talks 17-19 October 2025

DIVING Talks—Portugal is the international diving show that will bring the world’s leading divers to Portugal, showing their best recent achievements.

DIVING Talks is also a pretext to combine your love for diving with a trip with your family. Diving Talks is talking about diving. Talking is an expression of communication, and communicating is sharing, so let’s talk about diving and share the talks! 

Scenes from MIDE 2024 at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur. Photos courtesy of MIDE.

Malaysia International Dive Expo Returns to Kuala Lumpur 13-15 June

Now in its 19th edition, MIDE continues to develop and grow as Southeast Asia’s leading dive expo, where “business meets passion and innovation meets preservation.” This year, the organisers are delving even deeper into their shared dedication to the underwater realm with this year’s theme, “Explore, Connect and Conserve the Ocean's Enigma,” featuring a range of topics such as women in diving, cave exploration, technical diving, freediving, adaptive diving, marine conservation and sustainability.

PADI Announces 11th Anniversary of the Most Celebrated Day in Diving - Women’s Dive Day 2025

Over the past decade, PADI Dive Centers and Instructors have created a powerful movement that has inspired more women of all ages to discover the transformative power of diving. More than 1,500 events in over 100 countries have encouraged scuba divers, freedivers, and mermaids to come together to continue their dive education, plant new coral nurseries, perform beach and underwater cleanups, set a world record for the longest underwater female human chain, fundraise for breast cancer research and local women’s shelters, and take their first breaths underwater as the newest PADI Divers.

International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Celebrates Women in the Industry with 2025 Inductees

The Board of Directors of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) and the Cayman Islands Ministry and Department of Tourism are pleased to announce and celebrate the new members of the ISDHF on International Women’s Day. 

Established by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism in 2000, the ISDHF celebrates dive industry leaders who have contributed to the success of recreational scuba diving worldwide through innovation and advancements made in the areas of dive tourism, equipment design, dive safety, inclusivity, exploration, adventure, innovation and more.

The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame was founded in 2000 by the Ministry of Tourism of the Cayman Islands. Since the Cayman Islands is a leading pioneer in dive travel and is a premiere world destination for divers, it seemed only natural that the Cayman Islands should be home to a hall of fame honoring those people who have contributed the most to the sport of Scuba diving.

Rosemary Lunn
Rosemary Lunn, known to most as 'Roz' (Photo: Courtesy of Rosemary Lunn)

Rosemary ‘Roz’ Lunn Inducted Into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame

I am chuffed to bits that Roz has finally received the recognition she truly deserves for her many years of dedicated service to the dive industry. Now lost in the fog of history, the day we first met was at some dive industry function; I believe it was a dive show in the United Kingdom around the turn of the new millennium. Roz has had such a long and storied career in the industry and, despite our long acquaintance, I don’t know the half of it.

Scene from Malaysia International Dive Expo 2024 in Kuala Lumpur

Registration Is Now Open for Malaysia International Dive Expo 2025

Since its debut in 2006, MIDE has grown into a key event in the international dive event calendar, drawing over 250,000 attendees during its first 18 editions. It serves as a cornerstone for promoting the dive industry, fostering community connections and showcasing innovations in the underwater and watersports sectors.

LIDA Film Festival 2025

We will once again be holding this event on the campus of Hofstra University. And in keeping with the spirit of the season, there may even be a few Halloween-themed surprises!

This year’s event will feature a slate of great speakers and accomplished photographers and videographers who will present their incredible work highlighting adventures under the sea.