Miscellaneous Blogs
Book Review: The Fear Beneath by Christian Kemper

German journalist Christian Kemper’s The Fear Beneath is a serious book that documents shark attacks all around the world. Each chapter is one of his previously published articles focusing on one of many shark hotspots around the world. He takes the reader from Australia to California, from Reunion Island to Guadalupe Island, and many others besides.
As the back cover states, the author attempts to go beyond the ‘black and white’ of the age-old question, ‘are sharks dangerous?’ He explores the many ‘shades of grey’ involved with the issue of humankind’s interactions with sharks. His conclusion seems to be that human activity is primarily responsible for shark attacks, and in order to reduce the number of incidents in the future, people will have to change their habits and routines as it’s not really possible to change those of the shark.
The Fear Beneath details the facts and figures of shark attacks and seems to fall somewhere between an article collection and factual read. We felt that the chapters would have flowed more easily with details of the author’s personal journey following his passion for sharks and shark/human interaction to tie the book together.
However we enjoyed the chance to read his book, despite the often grim details of the attacks. We especially appreciated the author’s insight into the shark cage diving industry, and the benefits for both the divers and the sharks when it is done in a safe and eco-conscious manner.
For those wanting to know more about shark hotspots, documented human/ shark conflict, or perhaps with an interest in shark conservation, we recommend giving it a read!
The Fear Beneath is Christian’s first English language published book on sharks and is available from Amazon, book stores and www.tredition.com.
Dive Training Blogs
Jeff chats to… Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart (Watch Video)

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jim Elliott, Founder and President of Diveheart, and Tinamarie Hernandez who is the organization’s Executive Director.
Diveheart is a US-based, nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization which aims to provide and support educational scuba diving programs that are open to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.
In their own words:
We’ve discovered the forgiving, weightless wonder of the water column provides the perfect gravity-free environment for those who might otherwise struggle on land. Underwater, we’re all equal.
Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.
Find out more about Diveheart and their valuable work at www.diveheart.org.
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
Marine Life & Conservation
The BiG Scuba Podcast… with Julianne Zielfle

Ian and Gemma chat about what they have been up to and we hear from a caller on The BiG Scuba Bat Phone. Our guest is Julianne Zielfle. Julianne became a certified diver in 1985 and she is an award-winning speaker, photographer and media professional. She first appeared in dive magazines in the late 1980s when she met Stephen Frink. She worked on Cousteau’s Campaign on Rights of Future Generations in 1994. She co-chaired the Hans Hass Film Festival and was co-creator of the Dive Industry Awards Gala in 2000. She has been helping schools in the South Pacific since 1992 and teaches in her local school district. In 1999, she was recognized by D.A.N. with the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.
You can follow Julianne Zielfle on Facebook here.
Find more podcast episodes and information at www.thebigscuba.com and on most social platforms @thebigscuba
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