Connect with us
background

News

SeaStraw sign up 100 Ocean Heroes

Published

on

Ocean-lovers on a mission to rid Manchester (and beyond) of single-use plastic

SeaStraw is an environmental campaign focussed on helping bars and restaurants to reduce the amount of single-use plastic they use. The campaign was founded by an ocean-loving family, including Scubaverse team members Nick and Caroline, who had seen the plastic problem first hand and wanted to do their bit to help reduce the amount of disposable plastic. Over a beer in a local bar, SeaStraw was formed.

  • Plastic can remain in the environment for over 2,000 years. It does not biodegrade, but instead breaks down into tiny pieces.
  • ​Over 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year, and much of that plastic comes from our rivers.
  • By 2050 it’s estimated there will be more plastic in the sea than fish.

​SeaStraw works with pubs, bars, restaurants and other businesses to avoid single-use plastic and help businesses move to sustainable alternatives. The idea started by asking bars and restaurants to swap their plastic straws for sustainable alternatives like paper, but quickly grew to look at how we can reduce other kinds of single-use plastics for food and drinks.

Doug Robertson, co-founder of SeaStraw, says: “We came up with the idea of a pledge, where a bar, restaurant or takeaway promises to stop using single-use plastic straws, cups or takeaway containers. It’s a great way of starting a conversation around the quick and easy things to change, then we can go from there to look at the more complicated issues of other single-use plastic”.

SeaStraw are delighted that it has reached 100 bars and restaurants that have signed up to the pledge around Greater Manchester and are keen to hear from other businesses who want to join the cause.

Dr Luke Blazejewski, SeaStraw campaigner and wildlife photographer, says: “The impact of plastic on our oceans is a really hot topic at the moment, but what a lot of people don’t realise is the impact plastic is having on the wildlife of our cities. Urban rivers are being suffocated with plastic, and nesting birds are using plastic as nesting material more than ever before”. Luke volunteered to make a campaign video for SeaStraw and you can see his fantastic work below.

​Doug says: “We have a dedicated and passionate team of volunteers who chat to the staff at bars and restaurants and raise the question of whether they would consider replacing their single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives. Cutting back on plastic can attract more customers and actually save money”.

To learn more about the SeaStraw campaign please visit their website by clicking here.

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered.Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

News

PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Published

on

Scuba Technician

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.

Scuba Technician

This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.

The course modules include:

  • Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)

  • 2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)

  • K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance

  • Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection

  • Power Inflator Servicing

  • Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment

  • Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance

  • Standard Service & Repair Reporting

It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.

Scuba Technician

This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.

Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.

Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.

For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com

Continue Reading

Blogs

Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Published

on

Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.

Northern Moluccas

The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.

Northern Moluccas

But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.

Northern Moluccas

Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.

Northern Moluccas

One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.

Northern Moluccas

The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.

Northern Moluccas

Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.

Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!

info@extradivers.org

Continue Reading

E-Newsletter Sign up!

Instagram Feed

Shortcode field is empty!Shortcode field is empty!

Popular