Several Instructors and dive guides from Red Sea Diving College in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh have successfully transported large sections of damaged corals to a new reef. Metal artificial reef structures were sunk by the dive centre in Naama Bay last year to house corals from wrecks recently sold for salvage.

Together with marine biologists from the Ras Mohammed National Park, the Red Sea Diving College staff was granted permission to remove corals from two wrecks, including the Million Hope and attach them to a series of artificial reefs. However, the first dive went totally wrong as strong winds prevented the 16-strong diving team from removing corals from the Million Hope wreck. More »

The British Sub-Aqua Club, the club has announced that HRH The Prince of Wales has agreed a further three-year term as President of the Club.

Prince Charles became President in 1974, having developed an interest in the sport. His own experiences included training as a diver while in the Royal Navy, and (pictured) joining the team that worked on the Mary Rose in the Solent. More »

Phuket will soon boast a new dive site after 10 decommissioned aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force were recently towed to Bangtao Bay in Thalang district to be sunk to form an artificial reef.

The project hopes to attract at least 3,000 visitors a year, according to Phuket deputy governor Vorapot Rathasima. The artificial reef is a joint effort of the provincial administration, TDA - Thailand Diving Association, the Department of Marine and Costal Resources, For Sea Foundation and the Royal Thai Air Force. More »

In recognition of the urgent need to publicise the importance of marine conservation, 2008 has been declared International Year of the Reef, 11 years after the first in 1997.

So who gets to decide what 2008 will be the official year of? In this case, it’s the decision of a committee of government representatives and environmental groups, who say that 1997 was such a success, it’s worth repeating more than a decade later.

‘International Year of the Reef 1997 proved to be very successful, with over 225 organisations in 50 countries and territories participating, more than 700 articles in papers and magazines generated, and hundreds of scientific surveys undertaken,’ a spokesman said. ‘It catalysed conservation and policy initiatives, as well as numerous local and global organisations dedicated to coral reef conservation.’

The idea is that the 2008 campaign will strengthen awareness of the ecological, economic and cultural importance of reefs, as well as generating management strategies.

Photo by David Oldale

Rescuers tending two beached whales watched in amazement as a dolphin turned up, clearly communicated with the whales, and guided them to safety.

The incident occurred off New Zealand’s Mahia Beach, 500km north-east of Wellington. Before the dolphin arrived, rescuers had tried in vain for over an hour to persuade the pygmy sperm whale and her calf, to swim away. They had been unable to navigate out to sea and had stranded four times on a sandbar. More »

The population of Bluefin tuna has declined alarmingly over the past few decades due to over fishing.

A report by WWF shows that the international fleets hunting this species to extinction have double the fishing capacity of current quotas and are netting more than three and a half times the catch levels recommended by scientists to avoid stock collapse.

“WWF’s new report uncovers the absurdity of a system long out of control, where hundreds of hi-tech boats are racing to catch a handful of fish,” says Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean. More »

Wetsuit and drysuit manufacturers face a raft of additional costs due to European legislation requiring extensive tests on their products. The costs can amount to £4,000 per style, and may contribute to a price hike in diving suits.

A European safety directive called CE 14225 has recently come into force, requiring all new diving suits to undergo tests for puncture, tearing, dryness and thermal properties. Suits are considered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be personal protective equipment, which is governed by EU standards legislation. More »