elbuzo

I just saw the article and video on the front page and i'm in shock ! That is a really bad thing to do ! Definitely a non-sense and very dangerous situation , hope that this don't create a trend and more people try to do the same . Maybe Wetpixel must consider to not publish this kind of reckless actions. I've been in the water many times with humpback whales and once, unexpectedly, i get caught in the middle of a heat run and almost get hit . That's the only time i feel my life was in danger with the whales .

Hi Not exactly the lens you asked but i have the Nikon 12-24mm , if you are interested let me know

Yes , you are right . That light was a prototype ( the shoot was in 2014 ) , they corrected the problem and the actual models have an even flood light .

Hello Tom I had used the services of Mike Mesgleski mikem@underwatercamerarepair.com for the maintanence/overhaul of my Aquatica housings . Faster and cheaper than sending to Canada , specially for me that live outside USA. He's located at Florida keys as i remember , and i it gave me a great service. Good luck JA

Thanks Pajjpen and Sbonev ! I will go next month for 2 weeks on a Deep South route , i will post a report after my return . It's supposed to be a great diving there but very limited information available on the web about it . Regards

Thanks I'm planning to go there in April ! so i will like to have some recent report Nobody have been there lately ?!

Anyone here have been diving the southern dive sites at Sudan's Red Sea ? Have been episodes of coral bleaching recently in that area ? I will appreciate any recent information

Thanks for your post ! I'm actually planning a trip for next year . Which time of the year you went ? Great photos JA

Very nice !! Great shots . Hard corals looks abundant and healthy . The vis is amazing Thanks for posting

Yes , that's true and sadly those parrotfishes are mostly fished within our territorial waters . After this decree that must stop , but i will take time and lot of efforts . Shark are already being targeted for the shark fin trade, the use of their livers for extract the oil , the jaws for souvenirs and in the south west they fish the eagle rays because they had a false believe that their tongues cure asthma !! . Also the use of long nets ( chinchorros ) kill lots of juveniles eagle rays in an area in the north west that seems it's a big nursery . We need to promote the consumption of more sustainable species ( lion fish , dorado , wahoo,king fish, deep water snappers , etc ) instead of the parrotfishes , which we are already doing it . Also to help the authorities to promote better fishing practices among local fishermen and to put more efforts on law enforcement . Conservation is still a very difficult matter here , so this ban is only the first step but it's a huge one . If you live in DR and you want to get involved, you can pm and i will let you know how you can help.

Dominican Republic banned the capture and trading on all shark and rays species in his territorial waters forever. A cornerstone action was implemented by the minister of environment that will greatly help the conservation of our marine ecosystems . The decree also temporarily prohibited the fishing of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes( for 2 years ) and diadema urchins ( 5 years ) . Which we hope it can be extended for life in the near future. The implementation was made by the new minister Francisco Dominguez-Brito and was heavily supported by world known business man and conservationist Richard Branson ; also by the local community of environmentalists which are also now collaborating on the implementation and enforcement of the new rules . Here is one of the few publications in english of the news: http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=19&id=92316&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target=

Thanks Tim , i will check Emperor Divers .

I'm planning to go to the Red Sea June/2017 , but i'm not sure which itinerary/live aboard to choose . This will be my first time there and i'm looking to photograph nice scenics with beautiful hard/soft corals and schooling fishes . A friendly napoleon wrasse and a dugong will be also in my wish list . Can someone recommend me a live aboard good for photographers and which itinerary is the best for what i'm looking for ?

Hi I live and dive in DR for the last 25 years . We do have plenty of locations with clear water and white sand , water temp at this time is 26-27 celsius. I can give you some guidance based on what you want to do exactly and your budget. Island is quite big so i suggest to plan ahead first and then choose to fly to the airport here that is closer to your chosen location . Airports options could be La Romana, Punta Cana , Santo Domingo , Puerto Plata and El Catey ( close to Samana ) , all international airports with daily flights from USA except El Catey which i'm not sure if only receive charter flights . All of them are close to white sand beaches with clear water. Any additional info let me know Regards JA

Hope that we have some croatian divers here that can help me with some info about the diving there. A friend of mine is heading to Croatia this weekend and wants to know which dive sites are the best and which dive operator to use . Can anybody here give me some info ? Regards