The Scuba News New Zealand

Expert technical diver, writer, photographer and filmmaker Jill Heinerth receives Canada’s Polar Medal March 9 in a ceremony in London, Ontario. It is awarded to a Canadian who renders extraordinary service in the polar regions, creates better understanding of our northern communities and people, and participates in exploration, scientific research and security of our northern sovereignty.

A private member’s bill that would ban the importation of shark fins to Canada is being presented again by Coquitlam British Columbia MP Fin Donnelly. Private member’s bills are rarely adopted but advocates for the legislation are encouraged by the fact that an attempt in 2013 failed passing second reading by just five votes. Donnelly is an advocate for oceans.

Why is it so important to get young people engaged in the marine industry in the UK and where can it lead them professionally? Many young people find the school environment challenging and often present as difficult but when given the opportunity to work and learn in a totally different setting, flourish. We meet a very special young man who has broken the mould and shown his peers that he means business and we see how the gap between the sailing world and diving world meets.

I am definitely not the first person to write about the Blue-ringed Octopus, but once you’ve seen one for yourself it is quite understandable that divers get excited about them. Blue-ringed Octopus are one of the few invertebrates you can call “cute”. Small size (Check!), adorable way of crawling around (Check!), innocent looking (Check!) and iridescent blue rings they look like something out of a cartoon (Check!). With the added level of spice that these are also one of the world’s most venomous animals, it’s only normal that people are interested in these critters.

People often ask me what my favourite dive is. While it is hard to distinguish after thousands of dives around the world on dazzling reef systems and tantalising encounters with sharks and dolphins and all those classic ocean superstars that we all know. One of my answers is often received with a confused expression on the face of the enquirer.