A new layer of protection has been added to Caribbean reef corals by NOAA:

"The NOAA Fisheries Service announced its decision to list elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The final rule will be published next week, and the listing will be effective 30 days after that date. This will be the first time a coral has been listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. A species is considered endangered if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

Kenji Ohmura of Fisheye has been working on new housing prototypes, which will be built under the Seatool name.  After seeing one of the prototypes at ADEX, we’re anticipating some nice, compact housings.  Continue reading for some images of prototype designs for Sony HC3 and FX1 HDV camcorders…

Colin Gans reviews the Sealux CD200 Underwater Housing for the Nikon D200 digital SLR.

Excerpt: The first thing that struck me about the Sealux CD200 housing for the Nikon D200 camera is that it is actually no bigger than the Sealux CD70 housing for the Nikon D70 camera. In fact it is marginally smaller… Fitting a slightly larger and heavier camera into a marginally smaller housing is an interesting approach...

Student photographers, compete to win $20,000 in cash, “digital workflow prize packages,” and more! Microsoft is soliciting images in the following categories: Nature & Landscape, People & Portraits, and Fine Art.  The deadline is May 31, so get your entries in now.  We really want a Wetpixel member to win!

Speaking of a Wetpixel member winning, I have to go; I have an appointment at the enrollment office of the local community college.

*UPDATE* Microsoft has draconian statements in the contest rules that state that they own all rights to all submitted entries.  So be forewarned: if you submit a photo, they can legally “exploit” [sic] the image and force you to sign paperwork granting them full rights.  Evil!

*UPDATE 2* Microsoft has changed the wording in their contest rules to state, “Submitting an entry does not assign or transfer any ownership or copyrights to Microsoft; those rights remain with the creator of the original work. However as a condition of accepting a prize, you agree to grant Microsoft an irrevocable royalty-free worldwide license to reproduce and display the image, credited with your first and last name, in print and on the web for the purposes of promoting this contest.” I hope our post here was part of the reason for the change.

Wetpixel member Paul Carre (PRC) has posted a brief outline (schematics only) of a home-brew moisture alarm fitted into an Ikelite D70 housing.  If you’re good with electronics, check it out.! Leak alarms are a must for every underwater housing.  If you don’t feel like building your own, check out the Leek Detector, which we reviewed here on Wetpixel some time ago.

This month’s Inon Artist is Wetpixel member Keith C. Flood.  Keith is a firefighter from Santa Rosa, California, and really likes the compact size, and light ouput of his Inon Z220 strobes. This demonstrates that Wetpixel members are succesfully using their Inon products, Keith is the third member in a row to be selected as the artist of the month! Congratulations!