409 Dive Log Australasia December 24

I have just returned from a week on the Great Barrier Reef. It was my fiftieth scuba diving trip to the reef since I started diving in 1976. Most of these trips have been live-aboards with a few twelve-night camping trips to Lady Musgrave, Tryon and North West islands, down south. I am delighted to say to my fellow ocean lovers that the GBR is very healthy and alive. The fish life is abundant and the coral growth is prolific. The incredible powers of regeneration and the sheer life force of Mother Nature should never be underestimated. It is living proof that good management by the GBR marine Authority, providing pro tection for the blue zones is working. It allows life to recover. Saving the planet is so easy! Plant billions of trees, stop overfishing, create marine reserves. Mother Nature will do the rest. All she needs is time. Many overseas dive destinations remain almost totally unprotected and unregulated. Sadly, you get to see living proof of this in many countries where millions of fishers are chasing the last few fish in their waters. The Mediterranean is devoid of marine life, we are told. The GBR was famous for being the number one dive destination in the world thirty years ago. As a result of negative, irresponsible media and lack of government support, it has slipped far down the list of the top ten. Dive Log is telling the world that scuba diving on the GBR is brilliant, the corals are healthy and there are plenty of big fish. The shock jocks need to be more positive and reveal how good the reef really is. It is one of the greatest living ecosystems on our blue planet. There is great news here. The wheel is slowly turning full circle, my observation is this: if you want to dive with big fish, sharks and manta rays, live-aboards on the Great Barrier Reef are the way to dive. The standard of diving here in Australia is often better than most places I have dived overseas. With some truthful and more balanced, positive media, the reef will rightfully take its place once again as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Dive Log is here to play a small role in the revival of the reef and the Australian dive tourism industry. The corals are healthy, the marine life is abundant and there are many dive operations ready and willing to provide you with a great service. Dive Log is about education, excellence in underwater photography, good quality, well researched and informative articles. Our aim is to motivate and inspire divers to dive, to celebrate the beauty of marine life, to spread knowledge, take better photos and to promote the sport of scuba diving. We have a team of outstanding dive journalists who work hard to write great articles for your enjoyment and edification. From now, our Graphic Artist, Vikki will be taking a much reduced role due to family committments. She has provided total commitment and dedication with unwavering support for dive log over the last thirty OUR COVER PHOTO Our front cover photo is by Paul Macdonald of Downunderpix of a Warty Prowfish from Edithburgh Jetty

years. Her professionalism, hard work and graciousness will be missed but she will be on hand in a lesser role. The good news is that Dive Log will continue to strive to provide Australian divers with a world class scuba diving magazine. It will be better than ever and will continue to aim for excellence in the world of dive magazines under the guidance of Vikki’s apprentice Graphic Designer. Make no mistake, the news and magazine industry are in the fight for life against corporate media giants and economic slowdown. These media corporations destroy countless magazines and newspapers and put millions of journalists out of work. Worse still, we see some try to control content. We see far too much mind control happening in the comfort of our lounge chairs. The future is for local divers to shop lo cally and to support local community media. Your local dive shop are experts and have the advice and knowledge you need. To that end, divers yearn for adventure underwater, for close en counters with sea life and to learn about our precious sea life, safely. DAN gives us insights into diving safety about Skin Bends and how to avoid and treat them. Dr Simon Mitchell warns us about the dangers of hearing from ‘know all’ non-experts in diving forums compared to reading good Science. Some media repeatedly push falsities until most people accept untruths as ‘given’. Simon presents a great op portunity for serious divers interested in advanced diving Science in ‘Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine’ magazine. He discusses The study into deep decompressions stops is a feature . A ‘must read’ for you. Swallow Tail Nudibranchs are featured in David Mullins Nudinotes. His immense collection of great photos reveals an incredible biodiversity. This issue of Counter Strike is another excellent thought provoking read about monsters and bugs. Malcolm Nobbs shows us wonderful photos of the elusive White Spotted Bamboo shark mating in Japan. We are happy to feature an excellent article on Edithburgh Jetty by Paul MacDonald of Downunderpix. He has a superb front cover shot of the sinfully beautiful Warty Prowfish. We get spoilt on the Ribbons courtesy of Cathie Cummins with so many of her excellent photos to showcase its vibrant beauty. Des Williams gives us seventy years of very important diving history about the Victorian Sub Aqua Group and its massive contribution to the sport of diving. John Magee is a well known photographer from Cairns. He presents a really great science article on Octopus. Ken Hoppen takes us back to Palau. Then we head to the Great Barrier Reef on the Spirit of Freedom for a great week of diving. My shark feature continues. We are promoting Steve Sinclair’s “50 great dives” initiative. This challenge is supported by dive operations across Australasia and has huge industry support. There are fantastic prizes on offer. Look into it! The December issue of Dive Log Australasia is another blockbuster dive magazine filled with great diving treasures for your armchair div ing. We proudly provide this service to Australian divers for free to in spire you, to motivate you and to protect marine life. Spread the word and share our magnificent publication with your diving friends. Best wishes for the Christmas season. Get out and dive, enjoy the ocean and as always make sure that you come back safe.

Mike

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DIVE LOG Australasia #409 - December ‘24

www.divelog.net.au