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Lionfish and Tiger sharks and Box Jellies oh my!

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Lionfish are from the Indio-pacific, but they are now found in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic and are considered an invasive species.

Scientists think some home hobbyists bought these beautiful unsuspecting fish for their tanks and then the Lionfish either outgrew their tanks, (this fish grows super fast!) or ate the other specimens so the owners decided to release them into the ocean. The second theory is some of these fish found their way to the ocean during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 because it destroyed an Aquarium in southern Florida releasing 6 fish into Biscayne Bay.  Scientists found most of the Lionfish tested have come from this same genetic pool.

The lionfish is a venomous fish. The difference between venom and poison is this, venom has to be injected into your bloodstream to be harmful, like through a Lionfish’s spines, a Banded Sea Krait’s fangs or a scorpion’s sting. Poison on the other hand has to be eaten or drunk, or touched, in some cases absorbed through the skin, like if you ate a puffer fish, touched a poison arrow frog or ate a poisonous plant.

Lionfish are considered ambush predators. This fish literally floats around the coral reefs waving its fins among the schools of larval fish and attacks so fast that the other fish don’t even realize what happened. A lionfish will eat anything that it can fit into its wide gaping mouth – it is able to eat things the size of itself. These Lionfish are munching their way through the coral reefs eating every larval fish in sight! Except for the occasional curious shark predator, Lionfish are free to flourish.

Organizations have started having Lionfish Derbies.  Divers are challenged to catch as many Lionfish as they can. YES, there is even a Lionfish Cookbook!

Lions are one of the top terrestrial ambush predators on our planet. It’s ironic that a fish with the same name is an oceanic ambush predator as well. (I ain’t Lion to you!) I mean who thought a fish could cause so much trouble?

Find out more about marine life with Pamela at www.gotoceans.com.

Photo: Malcolm Nobbs

Learning about marine animals has been Pamela's lifelong passion. As a young child she won a goldfish at a state fair. Her parents taught her how to care for "Goldie". Pamela fed and cleaned Goldie's bowl, watched her swim around, and even took her fish to school! Pamela moved to California to pursue her passion for the ocean. She graduated with honors and a degree from the Aquarium & Aquaculture Science Program - the only accredited program of its kind. A Professional Aquarist and children's picture book author, Pamela contributes her expertise to the popular global 'Got Oceans?®' education campaign that can be found at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Got Oceans?® websites. A national featured speaker at venues such as ExplorOcean in Newport Beach, CA and the 2013 Presidents' Round Table at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, Pamela loves to work and volunteer at public and private aquariums to help teach people about the ocean and its inhabitants. Passionate, committed, and connected with a large and growing audience, Pamela is a voice for the ocean's inhabitants sharing her knowledge with the world... because the ocean matters!

Gear News

Go anywhere with Stahlsac

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stahlsac

Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and stahlsacthe highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.

Abyss Duffels

stahlsacMade to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.

  • A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
  • Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
  • Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
  • RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
  • Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
  • Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
  • External zippered flap is easy to open and close
  • Welded external handles make transporting a breeze

stahlsac

Panama Mesh Backpack

stahlsacThe most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.

  • Density foam padded shoulder straps
  • Outside wet/dry pockets
  • 2 Carry handles
  • Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
  • Reinforced PVC bottom

stahlsacstahlsacstahlsacstahlsac

For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.

Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK. 

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EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba

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NovoScuba

In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.

Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.

NovoScuba

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Experience the Red Sea in May with Bella Eriny Liveaboard! As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Join us on Bella Eriny, your premier choice for Red Sea liveaboards, this May for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs Enjoy comfortable accommodation in our spacious cabins Savor delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef Benefit from the expertise of our professional dive guides Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot: www.scubatravel.com/BellaEriny or call 01483 411590 More Less

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