Author: Kathryn Curzon

The Samoa and Tonga Sevens teams have been raising awareness for shark conservation with the Hong Kong Shark Foundation (HKSF), Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and Tuen Mun Sharks Mini rugby club. They joined forces to share the plight of sharks during the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in April 2017.

The Samoa and Tonga Sevens teams have been raising awareness for shark conservation with the Hong Kong Shark Foundation (HKSF),…

Open University have launched a new Marine Litter MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course. Starting in May 2017, this course seeks to encourage people to take action to address the global problem of marine litter.

Open University have launched a new Marine Litter MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course. Starting in May 2017, this course…

Blue Marble Private are offering diving expeditions to the Titanic wreck site in May 2018. For $105,129 per person, tourists can explore this world-famous wreck off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada during an eight-day expedition.

Blue Marble Private are offering diving expeditions to the Titanic wreck site in May 2018. For $105,129 per person, tourists…

New Zealander Freeman White has created a stunning shark mural as a tribute to the late Rob Stewart. The mural was created as part of the Seawalls: Artists for Oceans festival in Napier during 20th – 25th March 2017 and is one of twenty large-scale murals around the city.

New Zealander Freeman White has created a stunning shark mural as a tribute to the late Rob Stewart. The mural…

Vancouver Park Board has voted on 9th March 2017 to ban the importation and display of live cetaceans at Vancouver Aquarium. The vote came after two nights of debate and thousands of public submissions concerning the welfare of captive cetaceans. The ban will come into effect by amending a Parks Control bylaw in 2017.

Vancouver Park Board has voted on 9th March 2017 to ban the importation and display of live cetaceans at Vancouver…

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhat Binsar Pandjaitan, has announced up to one billion dollars will be pledged to reduce Indonesia’s plastic waste by seventy per cent over the next eight years. The announcement was made at the 2017 World Oceans Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali. Luhat confirmed that Indonesia will be focussing on plastic alternatives and education initiatives to achieve their goal. Their plan is part of the global UN Clean Seas campaign to reduce major marine waste sources by 2022.

Wellingtonian Dave Mullins has set the New Zealand freediving record at the Cressi New Zealand Depth Nationals, Lake Taupo, on 18th March 2017. Diving to a depth of 105m, using a single mono-fin, he has beat the previous record of 93m set by Austrian Herbert Nitsch.

Wellingtonian Dave Mullins has set the New Zealand freediving record at the Cressi New Zealand Depth Nationals, Lake Taupo, on…

The family of Rob Stewart, a Canadian filmmaker and shark conservationist, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on 28th March 2017 at Broward County, Florida. The lawsuit has been filed following the death of Rob Stewart during a dive off the Florida Keys in January 2017 and seeks unspecified damages.

The family of Rob Stewart, a Canadian filmmaker and shark conservationist, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on 28th March 2017…

The South Island of New Zealand is known for its diverse and spectacular landscapes including remote national parks, golden beaches, World Heritage status rainforests, glaciers, and Mount Cook. Made famous by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, it is a popular holiday destination for those seeking outdoor adventures and adrenaline highs.

The South Island of New Zealand is known for its diverse and spectacular landscapes including remote national parks, golden beaches,…

New Zealand is known for its wilderness areas on land but it is also home to 36 marine reserves and a spectacular array of dive sites. With accessible coastlines and hundreds of offshore islands, there are opportunities to dive wrecks, subtropical reefs, explore arches and dive within kelp forests, to name but a few. It is also possible to dive with rays and sharks, given that 26 species of ray and 113 species of shark have been recorded in New Zealand waters. There is something suitable for all dive preferences and abilities and here are our top picks of diving the North Island.

New Zealand is known for its wilderness areas on land but it is also home to 36 marine reserves and…

A conservation virtual running event has captured the public’s attention and turned from a solo event into a global one, with runners around the world signing up to participate.

Māui’s dolphin, a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin found off the west coast of the North Island, is the rarest marine dolphin and has approximately just 63 individuals remaining in the wild. This critically endangered dolphin needs all the help it can get to recover from fisheries bycatch.

Māui’s dolphin, a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin found off the west coast of the North Island, is the rarest marine…

The phrase muck diving was coined by Bob Halstead when he described diving off black sand beaches in Papua New Guinea. This unusual type of diving has gained great popularity and involves diving sites with sandy or silty bottoms, in search of the critters found there. Some of the best sites for muck diving are volcanic areas and sea grass beds.

Summer is fast approaching here in New Zealand, which means more people in the water enjoying the beautiful coastline and lakes whilst exploring their favourite dive sites.

Summer is fast approaching here in New Zealand, which means more people in the water enjoying the beautiful coastline and…

Yoga has numerous health benefits for divers including increased flexibility, muscle strength, improved breathing and good circulatory health. All of which can contribute to better and safer diving with good buoyancy control.

Find out our top tips for Travel Destinations Worldwide

The waters of New Zealand are home to a number of colourful moray eel species and conger eels, which can be dived with in places such as the Poor Knights marine reserve in Northland. Spending time with eels isn’t restricted to scuba diving though, as the land of the long white cloud is also home to the Longfin eel; a freshwater species only found in New Zealand and declining in numbers.

The waters of New Zealand are home to a number of colourful moray eel species and conger eels, which can…

Australia has experienced a tragic week with the loss of six people who died scuba diving or snorkelling in Australian waters.

It is with much relief we share the news that five sperm whales have been sighted by Whale Watch Kaikoura just six days after the 7.8 magnitude earthquakes that impacted Kaikoura and surrounds heavily. Whilst Whale Watch are currently closed for business, a short press release on their website shows their evident joy at the whales’ return to the area:

It is with much relief we share the news that five sperm whales have been sighted by Whale Watch Kaikoura…

Kiribati, an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, is committed to protecting their waters from overfishing and have recently announced they have established a large shark sanctuary. The sanctuary is approximately the size of India and commercial shark fishing is banned within it

Kiribati, an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, is committed to protecting their waters from overfishing and have recently…

Many adults today suffer from back pain intermittently or chronically thanks to our modern, primarily sedentary lifestyles. Spinal injuries are especially isolating when access to exercise and sporting opportunities become limited as a result and scuba diving with chronic back pain requires extra considerations. When done correctly however, diving can provide pain relief and escapism from chronic back pain. Here are our top tips for minimising the risk of further injury or aggravating existing conditions when diving:

Many adults today suffer from back pain intermittently or chronically thanks to our modern, primarily sedentary lifestyles. Spinal injuries are…

For many people, learning to scuba dive is a time of fun and utter joy as they breathe underwater for the first time and realise there is a world under the oceans to explore. It is a time for expanding horizons, making new friends and carefree exploration. But what of the rest of us? Is it like that for everyone?

For many people, learning to scuba dive is a time of fun and utter joy as they breathe underwater for the first time and realise there is a world under the oceans to explore. It is a time for expanding horizons, making new friends and carefree exploration. But what of the rest of us? Is it like that for everyone?

For many people, learning to scuba dive is a time of fun and utter joy as they breathe underwater for…

Marsa Alam is a small town on the western shore of the Red Sea, in south east Egypt. Until recent years it was a relatively unknown dive destination but it has gained popularity thanks to its pristine reefs and the lack of crowds that are found at other Red Sea premier diving towns, such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

Marsa Alam is a small town on the western shore of the Red Sea, in south east Egypt. Until recent years it was a relatively unknown dive destination but it has gained popularity thanks to its pristine reefs and the lack of crowds that are found at other Red Sea premier diving towns, such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

This was a tough decision we had to make. We chose black because of its superior properties over brown or green material. The tests showed that Black Viton compared to Green or Brown Viton, with all parameters constant except for the color, is favorable. It has higher strength, better stability and better elastic properties originally (brand new), and also after exposure to extreme situations that cause material fatigue. It also possesses higher resistance to surface damage.

This was a tough decision we had to make. We chose black because of its superior properties over brown or…

Every diver has a favourite critter or ocean giant they like to find during their travels and dives. Sharks, nudibranchs, whales and dolphins are often listed as popular but what about seahorses? These unusual and delicate creatures are found around the world and new species continue to be discovered. New Zealand is home to one species of seahorse, the Large-Bellied seahorse and, as its name suggests, it is the largest species of seahorse – growing up to 35cm in length. It lives up to a depth of approximately 100m and as shallow as 10metres and, like other species, is under threat from pollution of habitats and exploitation in commercial industries.

Every diver has a favourite critter or ocean giant they like to find during their travels and dives. Sharks, nudibranchs,…