X-Ray, an excellent (and free) online magazine oriented towards diving and underwater photography, has just announced the availability of issue #16, which includes articles on the Visayas in the Philippines, the Ambon Islands in Indonesia, Wolfgang Leander’s efforts to increase shark protections, and an interview with ‘Sharkwater’ creator Rob Stewart. Also featured are discussions of antioxidants for the diver, rebreathers, and more.

At 105 pages, this is X-Ray’s largest issue yet. The magazine is published bimonthly.

On April 3, an earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale and ensuing tsunami damaged much of the Gizo Province of the Solomon Islands and killed at least 34 individuals. So far, UNICEF and the Red Cross organizations of the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia have responded, but all mention a lack of fresh water and the threat of disease.

UNICEF is reporting that USD$500,000 in funding is needed to assist the nearly 50,000 affected people in the area. Nearly 30,000 of this population are children. Donations can be made directly to the UNICEF relief effort. 

After seeing the front page posting for Dominica’s Dive Fest 2007, Wetpixel member Mauricio Handler (handlerphoto) was concerned that the country had voted in favor of whaling interests at the previous International Whaling Commission meeting:

It seems that Dominica has sold its soul to the Japanese, allowing them to resume whaling in their territorial waters. If not immediately, soon. All this while promoting whale watching and eco-tourism in US dive trade shows.

Keep reading for Mauricio’s thoughts on the issue and his practical solution…

On Saturday, March 31, family members and friends of Larry Smith gathered to celebrate Larry’s life in a memorial service at SeaSpace 2007. All three of Larry’s sons - Casey, Tim and Trevor - were present, as was his mother, Evelyn, his sister, Joyce, and their families. Allan and Barbara Jones of Adventure H2O, Wetpixel members and contributors Gladys Howard, Burt Jones, Maurine Shimlock, Chip and Susan Scarlett, and Ken Knezick, as well as many of Larry’s family members and special friends shared stories about Larry…

Dominica has announced that the 14th annual Dive Fest will be held from July 6-15, 2007. This year’s event will include underwater photography workshops and contest, hosted by Dive Training Magazine‘s Barry and Ruth Guimbellott, and feature such sponsors as Oceanic and SeaLife.

Not just for divers, the event will also have whale watching, a treasure hunt, traditional boat races, and happy hour dances. For an idea of all the activities, visit last year’s Dominica Dive Fest 2006 blog, or watch for the Dive Fest 2007 website to be updated with this year’s schedule.