News
Dr. Simon Pierce seeks global protection for Whalesharks
Dr. Simon Pierce, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), has launched a new Patreon crowdfunding campaign to help create global protection for the Earth’s largest fish: the endangered whale shark.
Patrons will receive unprecedented access to Simon and MMF’s expert whale shark team’s work. They’ll receive private access to the team’s latest findings, long before they’re published. They’ll have the opportunity to join researchers in the field via live streams and regular updates, and have priority access to join expeditions to iconic locations such as the Galapagos Islands and Komodo National Park. Donors interested in supporting whale shark conservation can choose from the range of tiers available, starting from just $3 per month (tax deductible for US residents):
- PENGUINS ($3 or more per month): Full access to all updates, including live streams from the field, photos and videos, see the latest scientific results as they come in, and chat to the team directly about what they mean. Basically, you can watch and laugh as MMF scientists totally geek out.
- SEA TURTLES ($9 or more per month): Full access to updates (see above), and you get to adopt your very own whale shark! You’ll receive personalised updates when your shark is seen again.
- MANTA RAYS ($49 or more per month): Full access to updates, adopt your very own whale shark, and you’ll also get free access to a bunch of upcoming content!
- WHALE SHARKS ($99 or more per month): All of the above… and you’ll get to name a whale shark of your very own! The scientists will photo-identify your shark for you and you can choose its name. Sharky McSharkface? No judgement.
- ERM… DOUBLE WHALE SHARKS ($199 or more per month): Our highest-level supporters ($200+ per month) will ALSO get a personal acknowledgement – if you’re amenable – on the team’s scientific publications, which is rather prestigious.
Copyright Simon J Pierce
The new Patreon campaign offers a deeper way for people to invest in producing the science, education and conservation initiatives needed for whale sharks to recover.
Whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, can grow up to about 20 m (65 ft) in length and reach around 40 tons in weight. These plankton-feeders are totally harmless to humans and it’s possible to dive or swim with them in total safety. However, they are now a globally endangered species. Overfishing, accidental catches and ship strikes have killed more than half of the world’s whale sharks since the 1980s.
Copyright Clare Prebble
Simon and his team are working hard to help whale sharks recover. They collaborate with national governments to create and enforce effective protection for the species, partner with fishing communities to move towards sustainable fishing techniques, and promote best-practice ecotourism that benefits the sharks while also allowing people to swim with these gentle giants. The team have published 26 (and counting) scientific papers on whale shark biology, ecology and conservation, as well as innumerable articles for the interested public. They have extensive knowledge about how to help the species recover, but need support from the public to help them achieve their mission.
Dr. Simon Pierce, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, said: “Our shark research and conservation work, underway since 2005, has been getting spectacular results. We’ve had amazing public support. I’m hugely proud of the work we’ve done to date.
Copyright Clare Prebble
“Funding these efforts, though, has been an ongoing struggle. So, we’re now building a community of supporters that share our desire to save Earth’s largest fish. We are asking members of the public to become part of this project, with donations from just $3 a month.
“You’ll be joining forces with a small, dedicated team of expert researchers that are working every day to make the world a better place. You’ll get personal updates from global leaders in marine biology and conservation, and you’ll be helping to save the world’s amazing marine wildlife. If you’re able to help, we’ll be super grateful. The whale sharks will be freakin’ stoked.”
For more information or to become a donor, please visit: https://www.patreon.com/simonjpierce.
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.
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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