News
Ghost Fishing Comes To EUROTEK.2016

It has just been announced that ‘Ghost Fishing’ founder Pascal Van Erp is to speak at EUROTEK on the 8th and 9th October 2016.
Pascal is a passionate temperate wreck diver. However much to his dismay, he often found the North Sea wrecks he was diving were covered in nets that ‘ghost fished’.
‘Ghost Fishing’ is the term given to an abandoned fishing net, snagged on reef or wreck, that continues to trap marine wildlife. The marine life eventually dies, whilst the net continues to fish. It is estimated that up to 640,000 tonnes of nylon fishing gear lurks beneath the ocean, and more is added daily.
One day on a dive, Pascal recovered some net. It changed the ethos of his diving – from being an ardent wreck diver to a passionate environmental diver. He was soon heading up a team of divers actively recovering discarded and trapped nets from Netherlands waters, and the ‘Ghost Fishing Foundation‘ was born.
Today a number of divers from Global Underwater Explorers are involved around the world (Germany, Greece, Pakistan, Spain, USA) with this dangerous, demanding and hazardous pursuit. And it has even come to the UK; last year, Pascal lead a team of Brits to recover ghost fishing nets in Scapa Flow.
You might think the story would finish there, but that would be to underestimate this tall quiet Dutchman. Pascal wanted a suitable solution. The answer was to recycle the recovered fishing gear into usable, knittable ECONYL® nylon yarn.
EUROTEK co-founder Rosemary E Lunn heard Pascal speak about the Ghost Fishing Project and thought the new fabric fascinating and something that divers would want to wear. She briefed Fourth Element about the project knowing that this Cornish company is heavily environmentally focused. In 2014 Fourth Element fully closed the loop on the recycling circle, by launching their ‘grave-to-cradle’ ‘OceanPositive‘ range of water-wear garments.
Pascal Van Erp is going to reveal the latest projects the Ghost Fishing Foundation have been involved in at EUROTEK.2016. Tickets for this advanced diving conference are selling quickly. To secure your pass click here.
Marine Life & Conservation
Jeff chats to… Ana Filipa Sobral, Founder of The Manta Catalog Project in the Azores (Watch Video)

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Ana Filipa Sobral, Founder and Project Leader of The Manta Catalog Project in the Azores.
Ana Filipa Sobral is a marine biologist and conservationist based in the Azores Islands. She moved to the Azores in 2011 and once there, realised that this was one of the few places in the world where Sicklefin Devil Rays (Mobula tarapacana) gather in large groups, making it a strategic place to study them. She started the The Manta Catalog Project and through this project, collects photo ID and occurrence data on Mobulid Rays, with the precious help of divers and dive operators as citizen scientists.
Ana is also finishing her PhD which focuses on population genetics and connectivity of migratory elasmobranchs in oceanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The main goal fueling my research has been to help fill the knowledge gaps on elasmobranch biology and ecology to ultimately assist in the design of effective conservation and management plans aimed at protecting their populations in this remote region of the North Atlantic Ocean.
You can find out more about Ana’s important work at: https://mantacatalogazores.wixsite.com/mobulaid/project.
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
News
Dive Holiday Deals from Diverse Travel

Planning your next dive holiday? Check out the latest special offers from UK-based Tour Operator Diverse Travel and get yourself a great dive holiday deal!
INDONESIA | MY Emperor Harmoni | Bali, Sumbawa & Komodo | 15 – 23 September 2022
Save up to 1/3 off a trip to Indonesia!
Your chance to dive Bali, Komodo and Raja Ampat aboard the NEW luxury MY Emperor Harmoni for less!
Launching in September 2022. Emperor Harmoni is Emperor Divers Indonesia’s brand new liveaboard.
Built of Sulawesi Ironwood and offering a truly new experience to liveaboard holidays, experience a true sense of sailing the Indonesian seas in freedom, style, comfort and confidence with her two engines. Enjoy spacious diving and relaxation areas or relax with a massage on deck.
Example price based on Bali departure to Komodo
WAS £2900 / NOW from just £1995* per person based on sharing a twin luxury cabin including:
- 1 night in Bali before the boat departure with airport transfers
- One way flight from Labuan Bajo to Bali after the liveaboard with 20kgs baggage
- 7 nights onboard MY Emperor Harmoni with 3 meals a day, afternoon snacks, unlimited drinking water, tea & coffee
- All diving with guide, cylinders & weights, Marine Park & Port Fees
- Free Nitrox
- 1 cocktail party on a local island (weather allowing)
- Return airport transfers
* Price excludes international flights, these can be quoted at the time of reservation
Booking deadline: Subject to availability.
Other Dates available – book before 30 September!
MALTA | Dolmen Hotel | 28 September – 05 October 2022
With easily accessible dive sites offering great visibility, caves, overhangs and swim-throughs, with few currents, Malta is an ideal diving holiday location.
A modern hotel, with spacious, comfortable guest rooms and a choice of restaurants with delicious international and national cuisine. Several wonderfully relaxing bars, outdoor and indoor pools, plus a casino and several function rooms.
Price from just £975 per person and includes:
- Flights from Gatwick to Malta with 23kgs baggage
- 7 nights in twin room
- Bed & Breakfast meal plan
- 5 day / 10 dives diving with guide, tanks & weights
Booking deadline: Subject to availability – alternative dates available
MALDIVES | Emperor Atoll | Best of Maldives | 10 – 18 September 2022
This popular liveaboard and her crew give a personalised welcome to small groups of no more than 12 guests.
Built to high, comfortable standards she measures 26 metres and accommodates guests in 6 twin-berth cabins, all with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.
From just £1925 per person based on sharing a twin cabin including:
- Flights from London to Male with 30kgs baggage
- 7 nights in shared cabin
- 3 meals a day, afternoon snacks, unlimited drinking water, tea & coffee
- 6 days’ diving – total of 17 dives (incl. 1 night dive), guide, cylinders & weights
- Free Nitrox
- 1 BBQ dinner on uninhabited island (weather allowing)
- Malé city tour (on request)
- Return airport transfers
Booking deadline: Subject to availability.
EGYPT | Emperor Superior | Reefs & Wrecks | 11 – 18 November 2022
A very popular liveaboard, Emperor Superior offers fantastic diving in comfortable surroundings. Her experienced crew make this one of the best for divers in the Red Sea.
NOW from just £1255 per person based on sharing a twin cabin including:
- Flights from Gatwick to Hurghada with 23kgs baggage
- 7 nights in shared cabin
- 3 meals a day, soft drinks, red wine with dinner
- 6 days’ diving, guide, 12ltr tank & weights, Marine Park fees and port departure fees
- Free Nitrox
- Airport transfers
Booking deadline: Subject to availability. Limited spaces available.
EGYPT | Emperor Echo | South & St Johns Itinerary | 05 – 12 January 2023
Jump on board the latest addition to the Emperor fleet and enjoy diving the famous sites of the Red Sea with this fantastic special offer. Great value for money and perfect for small groups of buddies with a ‘Book 5 and 1 dives for FREE’ offer all year round.
Price NOW from just £1035 per person based on sharing a twin cabin/room including:
- Flights from Gatwick to Hurghada with 23kgs baggage
- 7 nights in shared cabin
- 3 meals a day, soft drinks, red wine with dinner
- 6 days’ diving, guide, 12ltr tank & weights, Marine Park fees and port departure fees
- Free Nitrox
Booking deadline: Subject to availability – limited flight seats at this price.
Alternative departure airports available at a supplement.
All offers are subject to availability. Call Diverse Travel on 01473 852002, email the team at info@diversetravel.co.uk or click HERE to see the latest special offers on their website.
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