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Anse Chastenet and SeaLife Team Up for 2017 Underwater Photography Weeks in Saint Lucia

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Saint Lucia’s Anse Chastanet Resort with their PADI 5 STAR scuba operation, Scuba St. Lucia, in collaboration with SeaLife Cameras, will be hosting four specialty weeks in 2017 dedicated to underwater photography. The 2017 weeks are August 19-26, September 30-October 7, November 11-18, and December 9-16.

Divers will be able to learn and fine tune their photography skills through a series of seminars and dives in one of the most protected sites in the Caribbean.

Anse Chastanet offers designated marine reserves, protecting miles of colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, vibrant corals, and stunning macro life.

Whether a new photographer with a point and shoot camera or the owner of a complete DSLR system, the week will provide hands on training in areas such as ambient light use, model photography, macro photography, animal portraits, and general compositions.

Days will be filled with two morning dives in and around St. Lucia’s pristine marine reserves, including dive sites such as the Pinnacles, Superman’s Flight, and various sites nestled between the two world heritage Pitons. In the afternoon, seminars will be held reviewing the photographs taken in the morning, editing photos and videos, and discussing the next day’s underwater adventure.

Throughout the week, divers will collect images from which they can submit one photo in each of the predetermined categories in the Photography Week Photo Competition. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the week in the closing ceremony celebration.

Seminars will be conducted by resident pro photographer, Bernd Rac. Bernd started with underwater photography and videography at UNESCO in Freeport Bahamas in 1993 and has been shooting ever since. He began working in 1996 at Scuba St. Lucia, which is owned and operated by the Anse Chastanet Resort, as an underwater photo/video professional. Bernd won the Rodales Resort Pro Photographer competition in 1998 and then expanded his knowledge in photography and videography including post production. Divers will be closely supervised by Bernd and other underwater photo pros on the Scuba St. Lucia staff.

The Underwater Photography Week will be taught using your own camera set up or the brand new SeaLife DC2000. The rental fee for the new DC2000 camera is included in your Underwater Photography Week package.

As SeaLife’s most advanced underwater camera, the DC2000 includes a full featured waterproof inner camera and an ergonomic, precisely designed 200ft/60m underwater housing. The DC2000 uses a SONY® 1” back-illuminated 20MP CMOS image sensor to produce sharp stills and full 1080p HD videos.  For details on the SeaLife DC2000, visit www.sealife-cameras.com/cameras/dc2000.

If participants wish to invest in a new camera, SeaLife is offering a $100 booking incentive when pre-ordering a DC2000 camera through Scuba St. Lucia and registering for the Photo Week. Anse Chastanet is the perfect location for non-diving family members, with adventure sports galore as well as world class beaches, spas, and tours.

The Underwater Photography week starts at US $2,819 per person in a double occupancy room. A non-diving partner pays $2,109 per person per week in a double occupancy room.

To book or for more information, email ansechastanet@ansechastanet.com or call 1-800-223-1108 and reference the Underwater Photography Weeks.

The Underwater Photography Week package includes: Underwater Photography course, 7 nights’ accommodation, airport transfers, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, all tax/service, welcome drink and culinary amenity on arrival, 12 beach or boat dives inclusive of tank, weights, belt, mask, snorkel, fins (other equipment at a charge if needed, marine park fee to be paid locally).

The package is available to certified divers. Please bring your certification cards with you.

DC2000 Camera  MSRP $699.95 Pre-order price $599.95
DC2000 Pro 2500 Set MSRP $1099.95 Pre-order price $999.95
DC2000 Pro Flash Set MSRP $999.95 Pre-order price $899.95
DC2000 Pro Duo MSRP $1399.95 Pre-order price $1299.95

The DC2000 Photography Week camera incentive is exclusive to Anse Chastanet and the Photography Week experiences. The DC2000 camera or camera set will be shipped to you (in USA only) or awaiting you on arrival at Anse Chastanet.

For more information about SeaLife cameras visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com.

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Dive into Adventure: Limited Space Available for January Socorro Liveaboard Trip with Oyster Diving

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Socorro Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins – 8-16th January 2025

Oyster Diving is offering an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary dive destinations – Socorro Island. With only one male space left for this January’s liveaboard adventure, divers are invited to join an exclusive trip to explore the waters of Socorro, renowned for its remarkable marine life and incredible dive experiences.

Unmatched Diving in Socorro

Socorro is home to a unique population of giant oceanic mantas that actively seek interaction with divers and snorkelers, making it one of the best places in the world to encounter these majestic creatures. But the adventure doesn’t stop there – the waters surrounding Socorro are also teeming with marine life, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, over 10 other species of sharks, playful bottlenose dolphins that love to interact with divers, large schools of pelagic fish, and, during the season, humpback whales.

Luxury Aboard the Nautilus Belle Amie

Diving in such an extraordinary location is made even more special by the Nautilus Belle Amie. Launched in 2015, this modern, spacious liveaboard yacht is designed with divers in mind, ensuring comfort and luxury throughout the trip. The boat offers various suite options, including twin rooms and superior double suites, all with the ambiance of a boutique hotel. Divers will spend 8 days aboard the Belle Amie, with all meals, guided dives, and soft drinks included.

Pricing and Availability

This exclusive Socorro liveaboard trip is available for the following prices:

  • Twin Room (2 people sharing a Stateroom): £3360 per person
  • Superior Double Suite (2 people sharing): £3860 per person

Both prices include Socorro Island fees. A port fee of $35 is payable upon arrival.

Additional Costs:

  • Return economy flights: Approx. £1,000 – £1,300 per person (prices confirmed prior to booking)
  • One night hotel B&B accommodation before the liveaboard: Approx. £100 per person

Book Now

With only one spot left, this opportunity to explore Socorro’s spectacular underwater world is sure to fill up fast. Interested divers are encouraged to get in touch with Oyster Diving Holidays to secure their place today.

For more information and bookings, please contact:

Oyster Diving Holidays
Phone: 0800 699 0243
Email: info@oysterdiving.com

Don’t miss your chance to dive with mantas, sharks, dolphins, and humpbacks in one of the world’s most pristine marine environments!

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Marine Life & Conservation

12 Days of Zero-Waste Fish-mas

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This holiday period, the Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading ocean membership charity, invites you to make some simple changes to eating fish this Christmas to help our seas.

Dr Kenneth Bodles, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “During the festive season, our consumption increases, but so does waste. Sustainability isn’t just about where food comes from – it’s also about how you use it. By reducing waste and making the most out of your seafood, you’re not only taking steps to be more ocean-friendly, but can also help to cut costs during what is often one of the most expensive times of the year”.

The Marine Conservation Society has compiled twelve tips on how to consume seafood sustainably with zero-waste this Christmas:

Buy whole fish instead of fillets

Instead of fillets, consider buying whole fish such as salmon, hake, or lemon sole. By adopting a “nose to tail” approach with cooking, whole-baked fish not only feeds a crowd, but also helps to minimise waste and maximise sustainability by using up every part of the animal, including bones, skin, and fat.

Make fish stock

Leftover fish bones or shells can be put to good use by boiling them to make a nourishing fish stock or bisque. This can be frozen and preserved for later use and makes for a flavourful base in a soup.

Make your own fish pâté

Avoid waste by turning leftover fish, such as smoked mackerel or salmon, into a delicious pâté by blending with cream cheese and lemon. Perfect when paired with crackers.

The sustainability of salmon and mackerel varies depending on where and how it is caught or farmed. For more information on green-rated options, check the charity’s Good Fish Guide.

Buy frozen

By purchasing seafood that is frozen or vacuum-packed, this helps to reduce waste by extending the shelf life of your food.

Fish pie

If you’re wondering what to do with leftover cooked fish, why not opt for a classic fish pie with mashed potatoes, leeks, and a cheesy sauce? A sure crowd pleaser on Boxing Day.

Use the head

Don’t forget the fish head! The meat is incredibly tender and flavourful. The charity recommends a cod’s head curry or recreating Fallow’s renowned cod’s head in siracha butter.

By stretching your ingredients further, not only is this a more sustainable way to enjoy seafood, but also cost-effective by repurposing leftovers and cooking creatively.

Boxing Day brunch

Mix leftover kippers or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs for a tasty, zero-waste, Boxing Day brunch.

For best choice, make sure you buy kippers, or herring, from the North Sea and the North Irish Sea.

Zero-waste storage

A top tip from the Marine Conservation Society to avoid waste is freezing fish offcuts to save for future use.

Crisp up the skin

Even leftover fish skin can be turned into a quick savoury snack by crisping it up in an air fryer with a little olive oil and salt.

Anchovies two ways

Leftover anchovies can either be blended with butter to make a delicious anchovy butter or tossed into pasta for a hit of umami flavour.

The charity recommends opting for anchovies caught in the Bay of Biscay for best choice.

Fishcakes

For an easy, zero-waste meal, leftover seafood trimmings can be mixed with mash and fried in breadcrumbs to make fishcakes.

Pickled mussels

Try pickling mussels in 1:1 vinegar and water, with a dash of sugar for a sustainable, zero-waste snack that can be enjoyed well beyond the festive season.

Mussels farmed in the UK are a seafood superhero. Grown using low-impact methods and harvested by hand, they get all the food they need from the sea around them. This makes them one of the most sustainable, ocean-friendly, and cost-effective seafood options.

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £6.6M towards the Marine Conservation Society’s vital work in making seafood more sustainable.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Fish is a festive favourite for many, but making sustainable choices when it comes to how we buy and eat seafood makes all the difference for our ocean. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has helped the Marine Conservation Society further its sustainable seafood work, so that we can all enjoy healthier, better protected seas.”

The Marine Conservation Society encourages you to make sustainable seafood choices a year-round habit, not just for Christmas. To check how sustainable the seafood on your plate is, you can visit the charity’s Good Fish Guide. The Guide helps consumers and businesses identify the most sustainable seafood using a simple traffic light system, based on where and how species are caught or farmed. Green is the best choice, amber means improvements are needed, and red indicates fish to avoid buying.

Zero-waste gift idea

Why not embrace a zero-waste Christmas by gifting a membership to support marine conservation? It’s a meaningful, low-waste gift that helps protect our ocean for generations to come. Memberships start from as little as £5 a month – the price of a sandwich and drink from your local coffee shop.

Find the latest sustainable seafood advice for wild-caught and farmed seafood on the Good Fish Guide, downloadable to your phone from www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide.

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