Amphibians at risk of extinction, says IUCN

According to the report of the biodiversity of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), disclosed yesterday (03), amphibians are the most threatened.

Were analyzed by the ONG about 47.6 thousand species belonging to the Red List of the organization and said that nearly 18 thousand are at risk of extinction – including 21% of mammals, 30% of amphibians, 12% of birds, 28% of reptiles and 37% of the fish.

Among the amphibians, from 6.2 thousand species in the list, about 1.9 billion would be in danger of extinction. Of these, 39 would already be extinct or extinct in the wild and almost 500 were “seriously threatened”. “The scientific evidence of a serious crisis of extinction is accumulating,” said Jane Smart, head of IUCN. She said a recent analysis shows that the goal of biodiversity by 2010 will not be met.

List – The Red List is considered the most respected evaluation and serious about the state of the species that inhabit the planet. In amphibians, appointed this year as the group most at risk, the document also suggests that among mammals, the situation is also worrying.

Of about 5.5 thousand mammals present on the list, 79 were extinct or extinct in the wild and 188 would be “seriously threatened”. Among the reptiles, 1.6 animals listed, 22 are already extinct and 460 were threatened.

Source: Estadão Online

Wreck diving can be a very fascinating sport

For many people, there is no way to spend their free time better than practicing wreck diving. The fascination of this sport has its roots on the natural human curiosity which we all have. Discovering things is always exciting and fun, and even more when they are things or objects to which most people can’t access.

Wreck diving allows people to discover objects which belong to the maritime history as well as to the world one. Ships and all kind of military objects belonging to wars are some of the most interesting wrecks which people wish to discover and observe while diving.

We can have a direct encounter with those who lived before us and their cultures by being able to see a lost ship just in the way it ended up. History and a culture past is never so much appealing and so real as when we have a direct contact with it and with what is left of it, and these kind of contacts is with which wreck diving deals with.

By wreck diving we might have access not only to pieces of history, but also to lost objects and even treasures. The possibilities are endless and this is one of the main reasons for which wreck diving is such an interesting and attractive sport to practice. Those who practice this sport never know what they will find, and that is what makes them enjoy this sport so much.

Many lost ships and treasures have been found by people who were wreck diving without actually looking for them. This might happen to anyone, since there are so many lost objects of all kinds in the seas which are lost and could be found by accident. Actually, this is one of the reasons for which wreck diving is so appealing to many people.

There also are some people who practice wreck diving as a profession and look for lost treasures for a living more than just a hobby. But, whatever their intentions are, all those who practice wreck diving have in common the love for discovering those lost objects and find this sport very fun and exciting.

Source: Dive Pilot

Conservation of coral reefs of Porto de Galinhas

The threat of destruction of coral reefs forming natural pools in Porto de Galinhas (PE- Brazil), in Pernambuco litroal South, led the city population demography to limit the access of tourists to the reef. The overcrowding was endangering the coral reefs, since the structure of these fragile and does not support so many people.

Before, 30% of reefs were open to visitors. With the restriction, the area was reduced to 7%. And all the rides now have monitoring of environmental agents. Buoys have also been installed in the region to demarcate the areas of diving and inland.

The idea is not prober tourist access to one of the most popular destinations along the northeast coast, but to ensure that the rides are more disciplined.

“The visit was disorderly jeopardizing the heritage of nature. We have been working to prevent the destruction, now let’s have a larger building with more agents and monitors educating and guiding tourists,” says the deputy mayor of Ipojuca, Fernando Eduardo Alves.

The alert had been made biologists Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). The reefs were invaded by a crowd on weekends. The ride seemed harmless, but the simple fact of walking on corals already degrades the environment.

Contrary to what many people think, the corals are not plants or rocks. They are animals that are part of the marine fauna. They are fragile living things that take decades to develop.

Photo: http://www.guiadeportodegalinhas.com.br 

Source: O Globo

Scuba diving in Sao Paulo

Sighting dolphins and whales, live with caiçara communities and experience the rich marine life off the coast of São Paulo (Brazil) are some of the attractions for those who venture into the scripts of the dive.

In a joint initiative between fishermen, dive associations and the State Department of Environment, have been mapped about 80 points – divided into eight routes – where you can perform the activity. The project goal is to make the people know the marine life and go to save it.

Located in areas of environmental preservation, the scripts include islands in the region of Ubatuba, Ilhabela, São Sebastião, Santos and Itanhaém. In all of them, you can find companies dive operators.

See more in Portal Mergulho Brazil!!

Photo: QB

By Carla Layane

Eden Beach

Eden Beach is located behind Wannadive’s Resort just south of Buddy’s Reef. The current can be a little stronger here, so be careful. There are several highlights to Eden Beach.

Under the pier is a web cam, be sure to tell your friends when you plan on being at this site and they can get some photos of you. You can find the link to the web cam at BonaireWebcams.com. As you descend at 30 feet there is an enormous round mooring.

Heading south at 60 feet is the sail boat Bakanal which is abundant with fish. Lantern bass, yellow jaw-fish, sea snakes and more have made her their home. To the north in 45 feet of water is the wreck Our Confidence. The bow faces north in 57 feet on sand and rubble, her masts have fallen and wood worms have weakened the structure, so be careful.

Source: Scuba.com

Buddy’s Reef

Buddy’s Reef

Buddy’s Reef is a resort as well as a wonderful dive site. They have an open dock policy, just stop at the gear locker to let them know you’d like to use their facility if you aren’t staying at the resort. It’s ok to drive your truck to the stairs that lead down to the pier, drop off your gear and then park your truck back in the lot. Here there are stairs or you can do a giant stride off the dock into the water. It’s a short swim to the marker buoy where the reef starts at 35 feet and drops off to a sand bottom at 110 feet. The slope is a myriad of color with soft and hard corals and many sponges. There are many critters here that have made Buddy’s Reef their home. A few things you should not miss are Frog fish, green and spotted moray’s, a resident turtle and even a sea horse. Just ask the dive master for directions to where these animals hang out; photo opportunities galore present themselves at Buddy’s. Once a week a pod of dolphins cruise by the resort, so keep your eyes to the blue and your ears open for this rare treat. Be sure to take a trip to Buddy’s at night where a few Tarpon like to hang out. One is especially large and has been nicknamed “Charlie.” He’s very used to divers and knows to follow your dive light to a nice meal, listen for the snap of his jaws when he strikes. It’s very exciting. Even in this warm water my 3mm full wetsuit made my dives so much more enjoyable, both for warmth and protection from coral.

Buddy’s Reef is a resort as well as a wonderful dive site. They have an open dock policy, just stop at the gear locker to let them know you’d like to use their facility if you aren’t staying at the resort.

It’s ok to drive your truck to the stairs that lead down to the pier, drop off your gear and then park your truck back in the lot. Here there are stairs or you can do a giant stride off the dock into the water.

It’s a short swim to the marker buoy where the reef starts at 35 feet and drops off to a sand bottom at 110 feet. The slope is a myriad of color with soft and hard corals and many sponges. There are many critters here that have made Buddy’s Reef their home.

A few things you should not miss are Frog fish, green and spotted moray’s, a resident turtle and even a sea horse. Just ask the dive master for directions to where these animals hang out; photo opportunities galore present themselves at Buddy’s.

Once a week a pod of dolphins cruise by the resort, so keep your eyes to the blue and your ears open for this rare treat. Be sure to take a trip to Buddy’s at night where a few Tarpon like to hang out.

One is especially large and has been nicknamed “Charlie.” He’s very used to divers and knows to follow your dive light to a nice meal, listen for the snap of his jaws when he strikes. It’s very exciting. Even in this warm water my 3mm full wetsuit made my dives so much more enjoyable, both for warmth and protection from coral.

Source: Scuba.com

Drop Zone Thaiti

Experience Tahiti like never before. From diving to surfing and back again.

Follow professional surfers and divers Alex Gray, Cheyne Magnusson and Holly Beck on a unique journey both above and below the surface.

Sharks, turtles, stingrays and perfect waves are just a few things you will see on this epic adventure!

See more at: Mergulho Brazil!!!

Source: Padi

The best scuba diving in Brazil

Arraial do Cabo Marine Reserve is considered the best scuba diving on the southern coast of Brazil. Located 2 hours by car from Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo is part of the Costa do Sol (Sunny Coast), which also includes Búzios and Cabo Frio.

The turquoise water of Arraial do Cabo is teeming with marine life – turtles, sea horses, moray eels, colorful coral and some exotic tropical fish like the famous Holacanthus Ciliaris (Queen Angelfish).

Tour includes:

Transfer (Hotel) Rio /Arraial do Cabo/ Rio, in a private car/van.

Complete Scuba equipment : BC, regulator, wetsuit (5mm), mask and fins.

Boat operation, with soft drinks, mineral water and snacks.

2 dives for certified divers and 1 dive for “first timers ” (with instructors assistance).

DURATION: 10 hours

Scuba diving Brazil

Arraial do Cabo Marine Reserve is considered the best scuba diving on the southern coast of Brazil. Located 2 hours by car from Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo is part of the Costa do Sol (Sunny Coast), which also includes Búzios and Cabo Frio.

The turquoise water of Arraial do Cabo is teeming with marine life – turtles, sea horses, moray eels, colorful coral and some exotic tropical fish like the famous Holacanthus Ciliaris (Queen Angelfish).

Tour includes:

Transfer (Hotel) Rio /Arraial do Cabo/ Rio, in a private car/van.

Complete Scuba equipment : BC, regulator, wetsuit (5mm), mask and fins.

Boat operation, with soft drinks, mineral water and snacks.

2 dives for certified divers and 1 dive for “first timers ” (with instructors assistance).

DURATION: 10 hours

For further information, acess http://www.rioturismoradical.com.br/scubadiving.htm

Source: Rio turismo radical
Photo: Rio turismo radical

Important IAHD Event Announced

On Saturday, October 17th, the Academy of Deeper Education is hosting it’s first annual ‘Dive In’  Festival, a fundraising event to support the handicapped diving programs offered by IAHD-Americas.   This all-day event is designed to provide a fun and educational environment to diver and non-divers from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Already over 35 dive equipment manufacturers have signed up to display their latest products, and the speakers list is impressive and growing daily.

There is something for everyone, even a diver-to-diver swap meet!  Rumor has it that the first of the five CH-47 Chinook helicopters that the US Army is donating to the IAHD-Americas Rotors to Regulators program will be on site too!

According to David Valaika, IAHD-Americas Executive Director, “We are thrilled that the Academy has offered to host this fantastic event!  Our goal is to become the standard bearer for adaptive scuba training programs, and so far we’ve been very successful.”

Source: IAHD Americas Org

Diving in Mato Grosso do Sul

Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the country’s best diving destinations. The towns of Bonito and Jardim boast the clearest waters in all of brazil, with enormous range of aquatic life and geographical features to attract divers, from absolute beginners to the technical level.

Cave diving experts have nothing to complain about either: Bonito and Jardim’s underwater caves are unique and unforgettable among the finest in the world.

Bonito / Jardim

Snorkelling is one of Bonito and Jardim’s major attractions. The best thing is to go with the flow along the riverbeds, observing the underwater fauna and flora, pretending to be a part of this fabulous ecosystem.

Kids love this. Grownups do too. Even the most experienced divers are thrilled by the experience. Such good caverns await cave divers that Bonito best cave diving destinationon the planet.

Lagoa Misteriosa

Photo: Marcelo Krause

This skinhole forms a lake with crystal-clear waters. Seventeen meters down, two skinholes open, each ten meters across, descending vertically to over 240 meters.

The water is so transparent that from thirty meters below the surface, the diver can look up and see the trees surrounding the lake. Acess to this beautiful site is along a sloping trail some seventy meters in length.

Olho d’água e Rio da Prata


Photo: Andre Seale

A large crystal-clear lake that is a habitat for piraputangas, huge dorados, pintados and corimbás. Unbelievably transparent. A stream flows toward the Rio da Prata, where care must be taken with the descent. You have to clamber over tree trunks, and there is also a waterfall to be negotiated, in order to continue the dive lower down, where there is a huge spring in the middle of the river. The descent takes over one hour and is one of the region’s most beautiful trips.Source: Brazil Nature

Learn more about Bonito and Jardim: http://www.bonitoweb.com.br/