News
The Sharks of Sharm el Sheikh
Despite having dive sites such as Shark Reef, Shark Observatory and Tiger Bay, Sharm el Sheikh is not typically renowned for its shark diving in comparison to areas like the Maldives or the Bahamas. However, does that mean that if you are a shark junkie you should rule Sharm out? In my opinion, definitely not!
Sharm was once THE spot to visit, which was close to Europe to see these graceful creatures, which is how the sites originally got their names. The great news is that the shark population in Sharm appears to be on the increase again, perhaps due to the recent years of fewer tourists and less boats (for reasons that everyone is aware…).
Here at Camel Dive Club & Hotel, one of our favourite sightings of 2019 so far, has to be the five sleeping white tip reef sharks huddled together in an overhang on Gordon Reef (the Straits of Tiran). Being one of the few sharks that does not have to keep swimming in order to keep breathing, it was a truly remarkable view.
Which other sites in Sharm should be on your wish list if you want to see sharks?
How about the Local Coral Gardens? In summer months, this small bay draws in the plankton thanks to the warmer water and currents, making the bay an ideal feeding area for the legendary, holy grail of scuba diving, the whaleshark. In 2018, this gentle giant was seen commonly grazing through and allowed divers a once in a lifetime encounter. With the daily third dive often held in this area, this is the reason why your guides tell you to “Never Skip the Third Dive!”
You must also add Jackson Reef and the Straits of Tiran in general to your list. These reefs are situated in the most northern area of Sharm el Sheikh where the water tends to be a degree cooler than the rest of Sharm. That one degree seems to make all the difference when it comes to sharks. 2018 provided divers at these sites with close up views of tiger sharks, hammerheads and thresher sharks.
Of course, do not forget Ras Mohamed National Park. This unique territory of water, which reaches depths of 750 metres and deeper, is an opportune habitat for sharks. The sheer walls and stunning visibility bring not only the spawning fish life but also encounters with mating grey reef sharks as our lucky divers at Camel got to experience last year.
We have to learn from the past when it comes to the fabulous elasmobranchs that we are now seeing and this needs to start now.
This means using every opportunity that we have to swim with a shark to educate ourselves and others that they are not a danger to us, as visitors to their underwater realm; providing that we play by the rules.
As was proved by the recent project in “The Brothers” area of Egypt, we need to stop feeding this apex predator and not interrupt their natural behavior.
It is out of necessity that we stop polluting our seas and oceans with plastics, chemicals, sewage and the like – not only so that we are still able to enjoy our regular dives with sharks, but also for the sake of humankind.
If there are no more sharks then there is no more reef, fish and ultimately us!
Inspired? Take a look at www.cameldive.com and book your trip!
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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