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Obama announces huge expansion for Pacific marine reserve

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Pacific

US President Barack Obama has vastly increased marine protection in the Pacific by declaring 1 million square kilometres of ocean part of a giant marine reserve.

Obama’s declaration on the 25th September increased the size of the protected area, which encapsulates a group of small islands in the central Pacific stretching from Wake Atoll to Jarvis Island, from 210,000 square kilometres to 1.3 million km2. This makes the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRINM), originally created by George W. Bush, one of the largest marine protected areas (MPAs) in the world. Thousands of sea birds, sharks, turtles and other marine life will now be fully protected from commercial, if not from recreational fishing over this extended area.

The expansion was not as large as some researchers and conservationists were hoping. It had been suggested that the reserve could have been expanded by 1.8 million km2, and the scale-down appears to be a concession to the tuna fishing industry, which is active in the region.

Still, the expansion still means Obama has put more of the planet under protection than any other world leader ever, says Elliott Norse, chief scientist at the Marine Conservation Institute, an NGO based in Seattle, Washington, that has played a central role in the creation and expansion of PRIMNM.

“We have been working to make this happen for nearly a decade,” says Norse. “We’re thrilled that President Obama has done this.”

Norse says the expansion should act as a trigger to nations which have been less progressive in protected their own waters, such as China, Russia, and France, saying, “We would love to see these and other nations take their cue from this action.”

 

Source: blogs.nature.com

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Go anywhere with Stahlsac

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stahlsac

Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and stahlsacthe highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.

Abyss Duffels

stahlsacMade to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.

  • A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
  • Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
  • Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
  • RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
  • Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
  • Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
  • External zippered flap is easy to open and close
  • Welded external handles make transporting a breeze

stahlsac

Panama Mesh Backpack

stahlsacThe most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.

  • Density foam padded shoulder straps
  • Outside wet/dry pockets
  • 2 Carry handles
  • Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
  • Reinforced PVC bottom

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For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.

Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK. 

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Blogs

EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba

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NovoScuba

In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.

Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.

NovoScuba

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