DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA ISSUE 413 AUGUST 25

EDITORIAL AUGUST There is something magical about salt water. When you swim in it, you feel exhilarated. Especially if it is cool and refreshing. The sea has a rejuvenating power that sparks awesome, thrilling feelings mixed with contentment and a satisfying sense of elation. It is a kind of ‘tune up’ for the soul, you could say. Divers share this simple pleasure with every other ocean user. We also get to enjoy more aspects of the magical properties of water. The feeling of weightlessness is always a joy. Then there is the feeling of liberation comes when you learn to dive. The simple act of breathing underwater gives us a newfound freedom from the need to surface for air. That is a huge part of the magic you get to enjoy. Lots of time exploring the ocean; your adventure begins! Once you develop a few skills and then some of us learn to attain the noble state of perfect buoyancy, you can achieve a level of total comfort and ease. I sometimes rest on the sand in a state of tranquility and take in the blue magic and just breathe deeply, as slow as two breaths a minute contemplating the serenity of the sea. That old song pops into my head... “ It’s wonderful... it’s marvellous.” Sharks never bother us. I think they sense our ‘vibe’ just as dogs do to us. “Welcome to my world” Every single drop of water on earth is filled with living things. Microbiologists tell us that millions of nano-particle sized lifeforms have been identified in every drop in every ocean in the world. It really is living soup! A magical world! I say ‘The simplest coral polyp is far more beautiful than the Mona Lisa.’ Please allow me to explain. Every cell is a living sculpture of creation. Think of the chemical makeup of DNA versus the simple molecules in paint. DNA contains millions of life giving instructions Genes, RNA versus coloured mud. The nucleus of each cell is a living computer with data bank of information and complex, sophisticated instructions to maintain life. Thousands of chemical messengers, RNA, enzymes control the living cell to maintain perfection and balance. The Mona Lisa is inert, lifeless and in my opinion unfinished. I stood before it in the Louvre thinking... it needs a lot of work. Then, I am no art expert. But this is not about my view of art. It is about the celebration of life! The coral polyp on the other hand is perfection, a living work of art! It can capture food, self replicate, breathe, grow, purify itself and lots more. It is living magic; a complex creation of Mother Nature of infinite beauty. A few moments of contemplation and understanding reveals living treasure all around us. The sea is a place of real magic, awe inspiring and totally mesmerising. The best way to really appreciate it is to dive, discover, observe, photograph; research, study, learn and learn. OUR COVER PHOTO Is a 40 year old “Selfie” with a Grey Nurse shark at Big Seal Rocks taken with my Sea Tite housing using a Nikon F and 20mm wide angle lens behind a dome port. Solo diving with twenty Grey Nurse.

Polish it with thought and swim into a never ending world of wonder and discovery. Many divers find ecstacy here! My book “Marine Biology in the Wild” is a most unique learning aid. It is a superb resource for divers and marine lovers who want to learn about the mind of mother nature. Yes, the author is university trained in Marine Biology; yes! it is thoroughly researched with many thousands of hours of study and observation. Written by an expert educator, easy to read, clearly explained with so many outstanding photographs to showcase much of the text captured over thousands of dives across the Pacific Ocean. It is a real treasure. Best of all, it is easy to understand. If you want to become an expert in Marine Biology, you can do no better than to read this invaluable resource. It is a service to the diving world and my gift to marine lovers. There is nothing like it anywhere on Planet Earth. I can hear Mother Nature saying that this book is a must read for all ocean lovers. (Actually, that is exactly what Valerie Taylor said to me about the book.) The best way to save the planet is admire its beauty and then to learn to about it. With knowledge comes action! Plan to save it. The August issue of Dive Log is the start of my ten to twelve chapter book on underwater photography. I give away hundreds of tips for free on how to take better underwater photos. If you really want to learn and you do not already know everything, this course is a goldmine for you. Your teacher (me) has 3000 photos published. Even if you use 100% computer controlled camera systems, you still need to learn about what you are doing under the water. As you get more experienced, this knowledge becomes more and more invaluable and helps you to improve. In addition, Dive Log is delighted to feature an excellent article on the Attraction of Sweetlips. Yes it’s true! One brush with these Sweetlips will have you captivated for life by these wonderful fish. David Mullins continues his outstanding, authoritative series on Sea Slug defenses. Our freediving expert, Vadim Belakhov’s great story and many superb photos of the Cuttles of Whyalla is a gem. Dr Terry and Cathie Cummins go diving at Volivoli in Fiji. Dr. Thomas Haider shares many awesome photos from Triton Bay. Ken Hoppen keeps the dream alive with his article about the Galapagos. Syed from Kids Scuba sent in a truly inspiring article about how scuba is used to break down the barriers for young disabled divers. Syed is a Malaysian PADI Course Director. This must read article will warm your heart. He works tirelessly to bettering the lives of young amputees. Dive Log features great stories from David Strike, Des WIlliams and Kevin Deacon. How lucky we are here in the “Lucky Country” with some of the world’s best diving right on our doorstep and great reading in Dive Log. Get into the crystal sea; Grow some goosebumps; groove with Gobies and Gropers and have a great time.

Happy diving, Mike

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DivelogAustralasia #413 AUGUST ‘25

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