Marine conservation in the Gulf of Thailand Marine Biology

The Gulf of Thailand is weird little bit of water. It constitutes only 0.001% of the Pacific Ocean, but is feeding millions of people in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand by providing food and income through tourism. It’s also very young. It was formed roughly 10,000 years ago, when water from… Continue reading

Astrospartus Marine Biology

Imagine diving yourself in a dark, gloomy environment, perhaps enlightened only by some pale ray of moonlight… light with your torch and suddenly there appears a curious animal with unusual appearance… think of the dismay and restlessness that it might assail you if you did not know that the cluster… Continue reading

Fotosub in Marine Protected Areas Perspectives and evolution

Love, Learn, Respect and Protect

This meeting rests its foundations on the peculiarities of  marine protected area in Portofino.

Francesco Turano (www.francescoturano.it) and Michele Solca got the idea to associate the various periods of the year with the meetings that can be done, highlighting the seasonality of marine life, to see – and photograph – at best meetings and situations that can develop right in front of our eyes; then, we speak about one of the most valuable actors of MPA: fishes. In this kind of environment, we can see them acting like the human presence doesn’t matter; so they swim, they hunt and they maintain the habits that are expected to have in normal situations.

An analysis of current trends follows, and we talk about the presence of the proliferation of organisms such as the gorgon star (Astrospartus mediterraneus, of which you can read in a dedicated article on the number 36 of Scubashooters Magazine) or the Short-spine slate pen sea urchin (Stylocidaris affinis), of the discovery of a new chromatic variation of red sea fan (Paramuricea clavata) and the first sighting of Atlantic runner crab (Percnon gibbesi).

Then we talk about a great stakeholder in Portofino, Diving Evolution, and we emphasize the attention to the environment, its protection and the need for training that allows us to better appreciate what nature offers us while we dive: more than a mission for this diving center.

In conclusion, we are talking about virtuous models of human-environment interaction, declining some keywords that sound like a sort of mantra for me: Love, Learn, Respect, Protect. Love (for the Sea itself and its inhabitants) can give a boost to Learn what really is what we interacted with underwater, to cultivate their Respect and then going to Protect…and return to Love him more than before. A splendid virtuos circle that will allow you to return something to that Submerged World that gives us a great deal.

WORDS and VIDEO by Michele Solca & Francesco Turano

Porto Julius A wonderful diving sites in Archaeological Submarine Park of Baia

Porto Julius is one of the diving sites that is part of the Archaeological Submarine Park of the Baia located in the city of Pozzuoli. The name comes from the originator, Giulio Cesare who was also a Roman General and Politician: and was completed by Marco Vipsanio Agrippa in 37… Continue reading

GALÁPAGOS by Josef Litt Launches at Amazon in the US and the UK

GALÁPAGOS, the new stunning book authored by Josef Litt offers a comprehensive picture of one of the most extraordinary places on our planet. Elements of history, science and personal travelogue packed with beautiful photography will take you on a dazzling journey through the magic archipelago. GALÁPAGOS uncovers fascinating behaviour of… Continue reading

New mosaics at Baia Archaeological Park Accessible from April 2018

New mosaics discovered in the seabed of the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia. Officially presented by Superintendent Dr. Adele Campanelli during ArcheoCamp 2017, the round table that concluded the week of Underwater Archeology in the Phlegraean Fields, organized by Centro Sub Campi Flegrei. The new mosaics will be included into… Continue reading

False Bay – South Africa Diving in the gulf between the mountains

Water is still dripping from my partly undressed wetsuit. With my towel comfortably wrapped around my shoulders I can feel the heat of the African sun warming me up nicely. It’s a stunningly beautiful winter’s day in Cape Town and although there is a crispness to the air, I feel… Continue reading