News
Name That Fish
It was while running my latest underwater video course at Marsa Shagra in the Red Sea that I spotted a very small fish I had never seen before either in the wild or in any identification book.
At the time I was filming with a GoPro which has a fixed lens and is very wide angle. I was near the sandy bottom next to a reef and gently working my way towards a Hawksbill Turtle resting under a small table coral. Just at the edge of my vision I caught the motion of a very small fish fleeing away from me towards the cover of another piece of coral. It could only have been about 3-4cms long. I only had time to press the record button and swing the Gopro in its general direction before it completely disappeared. Look as I may, I could not find it again. I was very excited and hoping it was a new species.
Getting back to base I downloaded the video clip. The fish was there, but just a tiny image in the great expanse of the wide angle GoPro frame. Fortunately the great quality from the GoPo let me zoom in and retrieve a half decent image of the fish. At least good enough for identification.
I showed it to several people at the resort and no one had seen it before. This was now very exciting. It was decided to send the image to a marine biologist friend to see if he had any idea. The message came back. “Hi Jeff, Very nice, we have had this already…. an inquiry from 2010, it’s a juvenile Novaculichthys taeniourus, and like most wrasses it can also dig in the sand”. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed, but it was nice to know what it was.
Then I was told about a Facebook group called ‘ID Please (Marine Creatures Identification)’ should I ever need any help in the future.
In their introduction they say:
“Dear ID Please members,
If you took a photo underwater and don’t know what it is, share your photos here or help other members to identify the creatures on their photos. Please try to provide the following info for your underwater photos:
– country / location
– depth
– size
– and other data that you think might help.
– no need to specify camera settings and such.
It’s a great group and one which I joined right away. So if you have any photos of marine creatures you can’t identify or can help others out, why not visit their page.
Information on my video courses in the Red Sea can be found at www.jeffgoodman.co.uk – Red Sea Diving Safari – Oonasdivers
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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
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