divers for the environment march 2007

THE COUSTEAU SOCIETY

SOON IN DUBAI

THE COUSTEAULABEL

AN ENVIRONMENTAL “SEAL OF APPROVAL”

MARCH 2007, VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1

No

vem

ber 2007! You can make a diff

eren

ce!

CLEAN UP ARABIA

DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

DMEX 2007WIN A FREE COPYOF THE UNDERWATER EXPLORER3RD EDITION

BREATH-TAKINGWOMENADVENTURE • REDISCOVER • REVEAL

2 EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION, MARCH 2007

MARCH 2007, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 3

DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTPlease note that EDA’s magazine, “Divers for the Environment” includes articles written by individuals whose opinions, whilst valid, may or may not represent that of EDA. It is hoped that the magazine can become a platform for individuals to voice their opinion on marine and diving related issues. You are welcome to submit an article for the next issue of “Divers for the Environment” released in June 2007. Send all articles/comments to Head Office [email protected].

CONTENTSREGULARS4 EDITOR’S LETTER39 UPCOMING EVENTS EDA Event schedule Updates

FEATURES6 DMEX EXHIBITOR PROFILES Exhibitor Contact Details

8 DMEX 2007 PRESENTATIONS Presentation Schedule 9 DMEX Floor plan and map 10 DMEX 2005 A look in pictures

12 THE COUSTEAU SOCIETY Soon in Dubai

13 THE COUSTEAU LABEL An Environmental “Seal of Approval” 17 RALEIGH SOCIETY THAILAND FOUNDATION Thainon-profitorganizationthataimstofosteryouth development and help people/communities 34 ICRAN Localsolutionsforglobalproblems

INSPIRATION14 PLANNING TO CONQUER GREATER HEIGHTS FOR THIS YEAR How to make it happen

15 DUBAI PROPERTIES Proud to support EDA 18 BREATH-TAKING WOMEN A look at female freedivers

19 FREEDIVING EmmaFarrel-Oneoftheworld’sleadingfreediving instructors

EDA COVERDMEX Issue

THE COUSTEAU SOCIETY

SOON IN DUBAI

THE COUSTEAULABEL

AN ENVIRONMENTAL

“SEAL OF APPROVAL”

MARCH 2007, VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1

No

vember 2007! You can make a diff

eren

ce!

CLEAN UP ARABIA

DIVERS FOR THE

ENVIRONMENT

DMEX 2007WIN A FREE COPYOF THE UNDERWATER EXPLORER

3RD EDITION

BREATH-TAKING

WOMENADVENTURE • REDISCOVER • REVEAL

21 THE FAZZ’A CULTURAL CHAMPIONSHIP Main cultural event of DSF

22 AIRBORNE MiguelWillis(9th)KiteboardingProWorldTour2006

DESTINATIONS24 SEYCHELLES Top Inner Island Dive Sites

28 WHALE SHARK IN SEYCHELLES WhaleSharkmonitoringprogrammesetupbythe MarineConservationSociety 29 UNDERWATER CENTRE SEYCHELLES Divingandaccommodationpackages

UPDATES16 ADOPT A MOORING BUOY FirstphaseofEDA’sprojectsupportedbyEarthWatch

30 DIVE IN TO EARTH DAY Organizeamarineconservationactivityaroundthe weekofEarthDay

30 OMAN DIVE CENTRE The resort for that perfect escape

31 EDA SOCIALS Anightofwelcomes,thankyou’sandmusic 32 EDA VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES Meet the people who help us to make a difference 36 EDA PROMOTES BILINGUAL GUIDELINES Promotinggoodenvironmentalpracticetothepublic

37 EDA’S FRANCHISE ACCESSORIES EDAhasmanymoreaccessoriesonofferallonsale at DMEX

19 22 24

16



IBRAHIM N. AL-ZU’BIEDA Adviser

EmiratesDivingAssociationwww.emiratesdiving.comTel:+97143939390Fax:+97143939391

Email:[email protected]

Iampleasedtopresenttoyouthisspecialissue-theDiveMiddleEastExhibition(DMEX)2007Guide-alongwithyourcomplimentaryentrancetickettoDMEX.

DMEX,forthefirsttime,istakingplacealongsidetheworld-famousDubaiInternationalBoatShow,andwillbesituatedinafloatingexhibitionareathatwillfeatureregionalandlocaldivecenters,diveretailers,tourismbodiesandmarine-relatedcompanies.Therewillalsobeinteractivedivingdemonstrationsandproductpresentationsinaspeciallyconstructed dive platform.

WeareexpectingallEDAmemberstocomeinfullforcetosupportDMEX.ThisisyourDiveshowandyourpresencewillcertainlyhelpinpromotingtheUAEasapremierdivingdestinationandcanonlytranslatetoasaferandmoreenjoyabledivingexperienceforyou.PleaserefertotheDMEXsectionforfurtherdetailsaboutDMEX.

Asthisisourfirstissuefortheyear,IwouldliketotakethisopportunityofthankingourlongtimesponsorsMajidAlFuttaimGroupandournewestsponsor,DubaiProperties.WearegratefulforthefinancialsupportyouhavegivenEDAtoenableustocontinueourmissionofconservingandprotectingtheUAEmarineresources.Wesaluteyouforbeingenvironmentallyresponsibleorganizationsandwehopethatourpartnershipwilllastfor alongtime.

I would also like to thank the EDA members who have decided to volunteer for the variouscommitteeswehavecreatedtohelprunthemajorEDAactivitiesforthisyear.ThesearetheCoralReefAwareness&MonitoringProgramme,CleanUpArabia,EDASocialsandNewslettercommittees.ThankyouforgivingEDAyourprecioustimeandsupport!

Lastly,assomeofyoumayknowbynow,IamcurrentlyworkingfortheGovernmentofDubai-TheEducationCouncilastheHeadofEnvironmentalEducationProject.Likeyou, IamnowavolunteerworkingforEDAandwillassistinEDAactivitiesandprojectsandwill continue to be the editor of this newsletter.

IamwritingthisnowfrommynewofficeintheAcademicCityandIcanstillrememberallEDAactivitiesforthelast7years.WhenIfirstarrivedinDubaionthe20thofAugust2000,itwashotandveryhumidbutaweeklater,IwasalreadyorganizingacleanupofDubaiCreek.WehadveryfewdiversfromDubaiPolicethatIhadtosendanofficiallettertomakemoreofthemparticipate,aswehadNOBODYtodiveinthiscleanup. Butlastyear,wehadmorethan1000peopleinCleanUpArabia2006!Lookingback, who would think so?!?

I would like to thank the EDA Chairman and Board of Directors for their support in thelast7years,theEDAstaffwhowerealwaystherenexttomeworkinglonghourstomakesurethatEDAdeservestobethe1stUAEandGulforganizationaccreditedbytheGoverningCounciloftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)asavoluntarynon-profitcivilsocietyorganization,allEDAmemberswhoinspiredmewiththeirdedicationtohelpEDAinconservingtheUAEmarinelifeandeverybodywhohelpedmetomakeadifferenceandapositivechangeinmylife…

Staycool,safe&greenin2007!

EcoRegards,

Ibrahim N. Al-Zu’bi

EDAHAS GONE A LONG WAY

EDITOR’S LETTER


13 – 17 March 2007Dubai International

Marine Club, Mina Seyahi

The Dive Middle EastExhibition 2007

In association with

Organised byIn association with

In association with the Emirates Diving Association (EDA), Dive Middle East

Exhibition (DMEX) will be held alongside the Dubai International Boat

Show 2007 (DIBS). The show 'within a show' will see exhibitors display

products on a floating exhibition area within the marina display section of

DIBS, as well as an interactive diving demonstration platform.

Exhibits on display will range from the latest diving equipment, diving

specialties as well as courses and services offered by clubs and

associations. Added attractions organised by the EDA will include live

demonstrations and interactive trial dives aimed at educating children and

dive enthusiasts.

DMEX Team

Dubai World Trade Center PO Box 9292, Dubai, UAE.

Tel: +9714 308 6451 Fax: +9714 318 8607

Email: [email protected]

www.boatshowdubai.com • www.emiratesdiving.com


DIVELINK MIDDLE EAST, PROTECTAPEEL Stand 22Address:P.O.Box102558,Dubai,U.A.ETel: +971505598745Fax: +97143944327Email: [email protected], [email protected]: www.divelink.netProducts/Services:

Underwater wireless ultrasonic communicationsforsport,professional,commercial,scientificandmilitarydivers.

DIVERS DOWN Stand 11Address:P.O.Box10472Khorfakkan/ Sharjah,U.A.ETel: +97192370299, +971505531688Email: [email protected]: www.diversdown.aeProducts/Services:

FullrangePADIcoursesincludingInstructorDevelopment;MARESDivingCentre; Dive retail shop; Full equipment rental; Rental ofunderwatercameras,camcorders & diver propulsion vehicles;Swimmingpoolandclassroom on site; Fleet of purpose-builtdivingboats.

ECO CENTER WATERSPORTS AND NATURE TOURS Stand 16Address:Labriz,Silhouette,SeychellesTel: +248527022Fax: +248293939Email: [email protected]:www.labriz-seychelles.comProducts/Services:

Diving;Snorkeling;Watersports;Hiking.

AL BOOM DIVING Stand 21Address: Villa#254,CornerAlWaslRd. and33rdSt.(nexttotheIranian Consulate),Jumeirah1,Dubai, U.A.ETel: +97143422993Fax: +97143422995Email: [email protected]:www.alboomdiving.comProducts/Services:

PADICourses;Dailydivetrips to the East Coast and Musandam; Full retail shop; Air andNitroxfills;Servicecenter.

AL MARSA MUSANDAM Stand 12Address:P.O.Box32261,Sharjah,U.A.ETel: +97165441232Fax: +97165441094Email: [email protected]:www.musandamdiving.comProducts/Services:

Divingcharters;Divecruises;Liveaboards; Speedboats trips; Dhowcruises;Fishingtrips;Dive courses; Equipment rental; Paraglidingandmotorgliding.

AL SAMMAK DIVING AND MARINE SPORTS Stand 09Address:AlTawarCenter,Ghusais,P.O.Box 76842Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97142636973Fax: +97142636972Email: [email protected]/Services:

PADIScuba,NitroxandTechnicaldivingcourses;Freedivingcourses;DivetripstoDubai,EastCoastand Musandam; Boat charter fordeepseafishing;Salesofmarinesports,scubadiving,spearfishing&freedivingequipment,sportinggoods,kayak,jetskiandinflatablefloats.

ARABIAN DIVER Stand 17Address: RAS AL KHAIMAH Bin Majid BeachResort,P.O.Box 120673,Dubai,U.A.ETel/Fax: +9712363102Email: [email protected], [email protected]: www.arabiandiver.comProducts/Services:

PADI,IANTDandTDIdivecourses;Technicaldiving;DivingandSailingExcursionsacross the UAE and Musandam;Technicalgasesfillingstation;MarineBiologyLectures;Workopportunityprograms;Membershipprogramsforunlimiteddiving;Snorkeling;Sunsetdining.

DIVECO INTERNATIONAL Stand 08Address:Suite45,FishermansArea, MinaZayed,P.O.Box47175 AbuDhabi,U.A.ETel: +97126733344Fax: +97126733346Email: [email protected]: www.diveco-Intl.comProducts/Services:

NAUIDivingeducationalcourses(ALLlevels&specialties) and technical courses that support the Military,LawEnforcement,Professional and Recreational Diver ; Rebreather sales and service; Local dive trips and excursions; Scuba adventure trips to the East Coast and Musandam;Equipmentsales,service & repair of all major brands of equipment; Air fillsandothergasneeds(NITROX/02/Tri-mix).

DMEX EXHIBITORS

DMEX EXHIBITOR PROFILES

®


EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION (EDA) Stand 15Address:DivingVillage,ShindaghaArea, BurDubai,P.O.Box33220, Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97143939390Fax: +97143939391Email: [email protected]:www.emiratesdiving.comProducts/Services:

Holdsregularactivities(CoralReefAwarenessandMonitoringProgram,CleanUpArabia,PearlDiveTrips,SchoolCampaigns,MooringBuoy&ArtificialReefinstallation)tofulfillthemissionofconserving,protectingandrestoringtheUAEmarineresources. Founded Dive MiddleEastExhibition(DMEX),thefirstdiveshowintheMiddleEast,whichservestopromotetheUAEasadivingdestination.

GULF MARINE SPORTS LLC Stand 28Address: DUBAISheikhZayedRd.,3rd Interchange,KnotikaMarine Mall,P.O.Box54069 ABU DHABI TouristClubArea, 10thSt.(oppositeFayrouz Supermarket),P.O.Box32945 RAS AL KHAIMAH Al Muhtarif MarineSports,mainFishMarket Area(nexttoAlSayad Restaurant),P.O.Box1189Tel: DUBAI+97143039773 ABU DHABI +97126710017, +971504467956 RAS AL KHAIMAH +971502779920, +971506271712Fax: DUBAI+97143039776 ABU DHABI +97126710177Email: DUBAI/ABU DHABI [email protected] RAS AL KHAIMAH [email protected]:www.gulfmarinesports.comProducts/Services:

Scubadivinggear ;Snorkelinggear ;Wetsuits;Fillingtanks;Equipment rental and maintenance;Kitesurfing.

NOMAD OCEAN ADVENTURES Stand 01Address:P.O.Box23056Sharjah,U.A.ETel: +971508853238Email: [email protected]: www.discovernomad.comProducts/Services:

Divepackageswithaccommodation; Dhow cruise;Camping;Trekking;Offersvenueforteambuilding,corporateevents,martialarts & meditation center and private functions in secluded beach in Musandam fjords.

ONE EARTH SAFARIS AND DIVING Stand 10Address:P.O.Box82234,Mombasa 80100,KenyaTel: +25441471771Fax: +25441473969Email: [email protected]: www.oneearthsafaris.comProducts/Services:

5-star/boutiquelodgeaccommodation; Dive courses; Diveholidays;Liveaboards;Snorkeling;Gamefishing;Boatand dhow charters; Airport transfers;Safariarrangements;Travelprogrammes.

THE PAVILION DIVE CENTRE Stand 13Address:TheJumeirahBeachHotel, Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97144068828Fax: +97143484754Email: [email protected]: www.thepaviliondivecentre.comProducts/Services:

PADICoursesincludingInstructorDevelopment;DivingExcursions in West Coast and Musandam; Live-aboard charters to Musandam.

DMEX EXHIBITORS

JVC GULF FZE Stand 02Address:JebelAli,FreeZone(South), P.O.Box61161,Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97148860300Fax: +97148860305Email: [email protected]: www.jvc-me.comProducts/Services:

Car Audio; Everio G - Camcorders & Marine Pack.

KUWAIT OIL COMPANY - KOC DIVE TEAM Stand 18Address:P.O.Box9758,Ahmadi,Code No.61008,KuwaitTel: +9653989111,+9653263256Fax: +9653262265Email: [email protected], [email protected]: www.kockw.comProducts/Services:

Non-profitprofessionalandtechnicaldiving;KOCMarineColonyproject-“thelargestartificialmarinesanctuaryintheregion”withanareaof54,000m2containing1000reef balls constructed to enhance the marine life in Kuwait. This is part of KOC’s socialresponsibilitytopreserve,develop and rehabilitate the natural resources of Kuwait.

MALAYSIA TOURISM BOARD Stand 20Address:P.O.Box4598Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97143377578, +97143377579Fax: +97143353318Email: [email protected]:www.tourism.gov.myProducts/Services:

Tourism Promotion Board.


SUUNTO Stand 27Address:P.O.Box55816,Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97142212323Fax: +97142210257Email: [email protected]/Services:

Watchesfordiving,training,cross sports and outdoor.

DMEX 2007 PRESENTATIONS

DAY ONE: Tuesday, 13 March 2007

TIME SUBJECT PRESENTER

17:15–19:15DivinginRasAlKhaimah,FreeEFRCourseto divers/non-divers

ARABIAN DIVER

19:30–21:30 Introduction to FREEDIVING EMMA FARRELL

DAY TWO: Wednesday, 14 March 2007


15:00–17:00HOLDONTOYOURBREATH!(SeeDubaiLadies’ Champion Sara Lise-Haith in action withFreedivingInstructorEmmaFarrel)

DIVERS DOWN

17:15–19:15 Underwater Wireless CommunicationDIVE LINK W/ SCUBA DUBAI

DAY THREE: Thursday, 15 March 2007


17:15–19:15 PADIDiscoverScubaDiving AL BOOM DIVING

19:30–21:30 EVERIOGwithMarinePack–Youridealdivingbuddy JVCGULFFZE

DAY FOUR: Friday, 16 March 2007


15:00–17:00DivinginRasAlKhaimah,FreeEFRCourseto divers/non-divers

ARABIAN DIVER

17:15–19:15 Underwater Wireless CommunicationDIVE LINK W/ SCUBA DUBAI


DAY FIVE: Saturday, 17 March 2007


17:15–19:15 PADIDiscoverScubaDiving AL BOOM DIVING


DMEX EXHIBITORS

PREMIERS FOR EQUIPMENTStand 07Address:P.O.Box37438,AbuDhabi, U.A.ETel: +97126665226Fax: +97126665229Email: [email protected]/Services:

SoleagentforOceanic-USAdiveequipment(masks,fins,snorkels,BCDs,regulatorsandwetsuits).

SCUBA DUBAI Stand 24Address:Interchange4,AlQuoz4, P.O.Box51753,Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97143414940(showroom), +97143414950(office), +97143414980(workshop)Fax: +97143414960Email: [email protected]: www.scubadubai.comProducts/Services:

Retail and wholesale of Dive equipment[SCUBAPRO(soleimporterintheUAE),Uwatec,Ikelite underwater camera housings,Subalunderwatercamerahousings,Luxferaluminumcylinders,FaberSteelcylinders];Maintenance& repair of all makes/brands ofdivingequipmentandhighpressurebreathingaircompressors;Rentalofdivingequipmenttothegeneraldivingpublic;MixedgasandCompressed air sales; Provides technical advice on dive equipment and repair in the region;Providesequipmentrepairandrunscylindertestingsforthemilitary.

SEYCHELLES TOURISM BOARD Stand 06Address:100AlFattanPlaza, P.O.Box36345,Dubai,U.A.ETel: +97142865586Fax: +97142865589Email: [email protected]:www.seychelles.travelProducts/Services:

PromotesSeychellesasaDiving,Sailing,Fishing,GolfandSpasdestination.Seychellesoffersanimpressivearrayofdivingopportunitiesbothforexperienced and novice divers.

TEKNODIVER ITALY Stand 26Address:ZonaIndustriale,Galatone- 73044Lecce,ItalyTel: +390833832141Fax: +390833832142Email: [email protected]: www.teknodiver.comProducts/Services:

Made-to-measure,hi-techdivingsuits;Divingaccessories.

Hybrid 700


DMEX EXHIBITORS

DMEX FLOOR PLAN & MAP


DMEX2005,heldunderthepatronageofH.H.SheikhMaktoumbinMohammedbinRashidAlMaktoum,wasthefirstdivingtradeshowintheMiddleEast.Thetwo-dayeventhostedbyEDAattheMadinatConventionCentre,saw33exhibitorsfromtheUAE,Oman,Qatar,Kuwait,Egypt,Malaysia,Seychelles,France&theUS,representingdiveretailers,divemanufacturers,tourismcompanies,environmentalorganizationsandothermarinerelatedcompanies.

DMEX REVIEW

Exhibits included the latest on dive equipment,technicaldivingspecialtiesaswellasthedivinghistoryoftheUAE. Added attractions were the presentations,afashionshowthatshowcasedthelatestdivefashions,anunderwaterphotographycompetitionand educational events aimed at children and dive enthusiasts.


DIVE MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITION (DMEX) 2005

MARCH 2007, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 11MARCH 2007, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 11


COUSTEAU IN BRIEFCaptainJacques-YvesCousteaulefthismark forever on the planet and the oceans. When Cousteau and his teams embarked aboardCalypsotoexploretheworld,nooneyetknewabouttheeffectsofpollution,over-exploitation of resources and coastal development.ThefilmsofCalypso’sadventures drew the public’s attention to thepotentiallydisastrousenvironmentalconsequencesofhumannegligence.Cousteau,throughhislifeandhiswork,wasamajorplayerintheenvironmentalmovement.

THE OCEAN’S CALLJacques-YvesCousteauwasbornonJune11,1910,inSaint-André-de-Cubzac(Gironde)inFrance.Heenteredthenavalacademyin1930,graduatedandbecameagunneryofficer.Then,whilehewastrainingtobeapilot,aseriouscaraccidentendedhisaviationcareer. So it was the ocean that would win thisadventurer’ssoul.In1936,neartheportofToulon,hewentswimmingunderwaterwithgoggles.Itwasabreath-takingrevelation.

Seekingawaytoexploreunderwaterlongerandmorefreely,hedeveloped,withengineerEmileGagnan,theSelf-ContainedUnderwaterBreathingApparatus,orSCUBA,in1943,andtheworldundertheseawasopeneduptohumanbeings.AfterWorldWarII,Cousteau,alongwithnavalofficerPhilippeTailliezanddiverFrédéricDumas,became known as the “mousquemers“ (“musketeersofthesea“)astheycarriedoutdivingexperimentsintheseaandlaboratory.In1950,Calypso,aformermine-sweeper,wasmodifiedintoanoceanographicvessel,endowedwithinstrumentsfordivingandscientificresearch,andthegreatadventurebegan.Sheandhercrewexploredtheseasand rivers of the world for the next four decades.

RECOGNITIONDivingsaucers,underseahousesandongoingimprovementstotheAqua-LungTM showed the Cousteau touch. With Professor Lucien MalavardandengineerBertrandCharrier,Cousteaustudiedhowtodesignanewcomplementarywind-powersystem,theTurbosailTM,and,in1985,theshipAlcyonewaslaunched,usingthenewinvention.Today,she is the Cousteau team’s expedition vessel.

Throughmorethan115televisionfilmsand50books,CaptainCousteauopenedup the oceans to millions of households. MadeachevalieroftheLegionofHonorforhisserviceintheRésistance,CaptainCousteau was promoted to the rank of officierthencommandeurinrecognitionofhis contributions to science. A member of

theUSAcademyofSciences,hewasalsoDirectoroftheOceanographicMuseumofMonacoforthirtyyears.In1977,theUnitedNations awarded him the International EnvironmentalPrize.HereceivedtheUSPresidentialMedalofFreedomin1985.Then,in1988,hewasinscribedintheUNEnvironmentalProgramme’sGlobal500Rollof Honor of Environmental Protection and receivedtheNationalGeographicSociety’sCentennialAward.Showeredwithawards,hewaselectedtotheAcadémieFrançaisein1989.

HERITAGERealizingthatitwouldtakeanorganizedefforttoprotecttheplanet,in1974,CaptainCousteaucreatedTheCousteauSociety,aUS-based,not-for-profit,membershipgroup.Then,in1981,FoundationCousteau(laterCousteauSociety)wasborninFrance.Fromthesebasesofsupporters,helaunchedaworldwidepetitioncampaignin1990tosave Antarctica from mineral exploitation. His effort was successful: this pristine continentisnowprotected,foratleast50years.Theglobalreachofhisinfluencewasevidentwhen,in1992,theCaptainreceivedanofficialinvitationtoparticipateintheUN Conference on Development and the EnvironmentheldinRiodeJaneiro.CaptainCousteaudiedonJune25,1997,attheageof87.Themanisgonebuthismessagehas never been more alive. The Cousteau SocietyandCousteauSocietykeepiteverintheforefrontofpublicawareness,leadbyFrancineCousteau,PresidentoftheCousteauSociety.

Cousteau Society’s action continues today by supporting environmental protection of waters systems, as follows:

TO UNDERSTAND:ThroughourshipAlcyone’sexpeditionstothemostsensitiveregionsoftheplanet,throughfilms,booksandpublications,multimediatechnology,conferencesandadvocacyininternationalmediaandmeetings,througheducationalprogramswithEcotechnieChairsattheuniversitylevelandwithDolphinLogintheclassroomforchildren.ThroughthelinkbetweenmembersoftheUSandFrance-basedorganizationsandthroughthenetworkofCousteauSchools.

TO LOVE:Lovefortheenvironmententailsdiagnosingitsneedsandtendingtoit,whichcomeataprice.Tomaintaintheirindependence,TheCousteauSocietyandCousteauSocietyacceptnogovernmentsubsidies.Tofinanceprojects,TheCousteauSocietyandCousteau

Societyrelyonthehelpofindividuals.Joinus! Help us! The more people who express theircommitmenttoourcause,themoreinfluencewehaveinthebattlesthatloomahead.

TO PROTECT:ThroughtheCousteauLabelprogramforintegrateddevelopmentoftheworld’scoastalregions,throughthepetitionforanInternational Court of the Environment and throughencouragingpotentialantagoniststorequestarbitrationoftheirconflictsbythe Permanent Court of Arbitration of TheHague,sothattheRightsoffuturegenerationsmaybepreserved.

THE COUSTEAU SOCIETY FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.COUSTEAU.ORG

EXCLUSIVE REPORT

THE COUSTEAU SOCIETY SOON IN DUBAIChristianFrancis,Consultantaswellas Chief Diver of The Cousteau Society,isinDubaionafact-findingmission in the Middle East to explore environmental issues. His mission will eventuallyleadtothesetupofanofficeforTheCousteauSocietyinthe UAE to address their traditional areas of interest in the MENASA region(MiddleEast–NorthAfrica–SouthAsia),leadingtoincreasedenvironmental awareness within the area and worldwide. As part of this mission,documentaryfilmswillbeproduced in the traditional Cousteau styleofmixingenvironment,adventureanddiscovery;thusbringingtheseascloser to their people.

Cousteau’s current activities in the Middle East include a planned documentaryfilmonLebanon’shydro-geologicalresources.TheSocietyisalsoinvolvedinthemonitoringofartificialreefsandtheapplication of the Label Cousteau on North Lebanon’s coast as an initiative for its sustainable development and the protection of its natural resources –guaranteeingthecomplianceofthese shores with international environmental standards.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Christian FrancisTheCousteauSociety710SettlersLandingRoadHampton,VA23669,USAEmail:[email protected]

Website:www.cousteau.orgLocalcontactno:+971-50-8528532Internationalcontactno:+961-3-602614


HELPING AND AWARDING THE COASTAL COMMUNITIESThe Cousteau label is an environmental “sealofapproval”,awardedafteraclearlydefinedandequitablethreeyearscertificationprocess.Itisawardedtoapplicant communities that have implemented measures in order to achieve environmental progressandpromotetherichnessandspecificityoflocalheritageinalong-termperspective.ItisanewandveryefficientwaytopromotegoodpracticesinSustainableDevelopmentwhileleadingtotheincreasingcoastal population’s welfare.

ThefirststepofthecertificationprocessisthesignatureoftheCousteau Charter followedbyanInitial Environmental Audit. This audit is an over all assessment of the qualityoftheterritoryandoftheroleplayedbytheapplicantcommunityinrelationtothe environment. On the basis of the initial environmentalaudit,thecommunitycandefineitsobjectivesforprogressregardingtheintegrationofenvironmentalquestionsin policies and actions. In order to meet theseobjectives,thecommunitydefinesand draws up an Action Plan(validatedbyTheCousteauSociety)thatitiscommittedtoimplementation.Thecreationofemploysand the implementation of ecotourism projectsmayalsobecontemplated.Whenworkontheactionplanisconcluded,thefinalauditiscarriedoutbyanexternalthirdparty:Bureau Veritas.Certificationbythisorganization,whichisrecognizedinmanycountriesthroughouttheworld,guaranteesthethoroughnessandimpartialityofthecertificationprocess.OncetheCousteauLabelhasbeenawarded,anewyearthree-yearframeworkagreementissigned.Objectivesforachievingenvironmentalprogress,withtheircorrespondingactionplans,areagaindefinedforathree-yearperiod. The project is monitored on an annual basis and a renewal audit is carried out at the endofthethree-yearperiod.

THE ISSUES OF THE COASTAL AREASCoastal areas are a crucial interface between marineandterrestrialhabitats.Theyhaveahighbiodiversityandincludeseveralimportanthabitatsandecologicalprocessesforthewholeoceanicecosystems.Despitetheirhighsensitivitytodisturbances,theyareincreasinglysubjectedtothepressurecausedbyhumanactivities.Thissituationhasledtodegradationofcoastalareas,deprivingpresentandfuturegenerationsof environmental assets that contribute to thequalityoflifeandtolocaldevelopment.Seventypercentoftheworlds’populationliveswithin80kmofacoast.Halfofthe

cities with over one million inhabitants are close to estuaries subject to the tide influence.Ninetypercentofthefishcaughtintheworldarecaughtincoastalareas.Coastalareasdegradationisremovingmanyofthebenefitsonwhichthelocalpeopledepend,andclimatechangethreatensfurtherloss.Thereisthusanurgentneedforguidanceandsupportamongstcoastalpractitioners,agenciesandinitiativestoassistinimplementingthechangesneededto address social and environmental-related issuesmoreeffectively.DespitesignificantprogressinimplementingmanyoftheprinciplesandstrategiesoutlinedinAgenda21,thepromiseofsustainabledevelopmentremainsunfulfilled.TCSattacheshighprioritytofosteringarelationshipofrespectandharmonybetweenhumansandtheenvironment,andtoformulatingapolicywhichhelpsrestore,conserve,protect,manage,andsustainablyusenaturalresourcesand the environment.

A NEW APPROACH:THE INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (ICZM)Inthe90’s,followingtheRioConference,theconceptof“IntegratedCoastalZoneManagement”wasconsideredessential.Itrefers to the enhancement and sustainable useofcoastalareas(includingestuaries),takingintoaccountthesocio-economicdevelopmentgeneratedbythepresenceoftheseawhilepreservingthebiologicalandecologicalbalanceofthecoastalareasandthecountrysideforfuturegenerations.AttheWord Summit on Sustainable development heldinJohannesburgin2002,ithasbeenhighlightedthatfailureaddressInternationalDevelopmentTargetswillseriouslyundermineourabilitytoachievesustainabledevelopment.Manyprojectsbasedonscientificandlegalstudiesweretestedatvariouslevelsbutdespitetheseinitiatives,theworld’s shorelines continue to deteriorate. Somesuccessfulprojectsandinitiativesclearlysufferfromlackofoutreachandvisibilitybythegeneralpublicandpotentialusersofthecoast.

THE USE OF COUSTEAU’S NAME IN PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICESBycreatingtheCousteaulabel,TheCousteauSocietyaimstotakeadvantageofitspopularityandinternationalrenownto promote the initiatives and actions undertakenbycoastalcommunitiesatvariouslevels,andtocomplementthemifnecessary.

Atalocalscale,TCSmayalsohelptodesignandimplementawareness,information,andeducationactivitiesforstakeholdergroups

THE COUSTEAU LABELA COMMITMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE COASTAL MANAGEMENT

THE LABELLISATION PROCESS

I. Initial AuditII. Action Plan (3 years)III. Final AuditIV. Cousteau Label AwardingV. Perpetuation of the Label

EXCLUSIVE REPORT

suchaslocalcommunities,governments,touristoperators,andtourists.Increasedawareness will help to enhance stakeholder supportformanagementefforts.

The acquisition of the Cousteau label status enablesanareatogainrecognitionforqualityandtocreateaddedvaluefortheterritories in terms of possible development ofecotourismactivities(hotelindustry,realestate...).

TaskManager:[email protected]

Francine Cousteau, President of The Cousteau Society

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Cousteau divers in the sixties


PROFILE OF THE AUTHOR: Dr.RogerHawhasmorethan20yearsofexperienceintheareaofcustomerservice.HeisafoundingmemberofAnstedUniversity,afounderofAnstedSocialResponsibilityInternationalAwards(ASRIA)andtheDirector of Director of SRW Social ResponsibilityWorldofRecordPediabook(theFirstkindofWorldBookofRecords focused on Corporate Social Responsibilitypracticeaspect.

planningthejourneyyouaredestinedtotake.Thismethodwillcreateinyourmindarealunderstandingastowhygoalsettingisimportantforyouandthepeopleinyourlife.Itwillcreatehappinessandenjoymentinyouraccomplishment of tasks.

Allowmetotellyouaboutthispuzzle.Iuseit to demonstrate how important it is for peopletoknowwheretheyaregoing-inotherwords,tohavegoals.

Thisjigsawpuzzle,onthedeskinfrontofyounow…isonlythesizeofanA4sizepaperlaid portrait. What’s unusual about it is that it is all one color. Or so it appears. All of the pieces are colored a deep shade of blue. Theyarenotcutintheusualshapesthatonewouldassociatewithajigsawpuzzle.Thepiecesofyourpuzzle,only12innumber,lookmorelikehalf-completedfigureeightandtuningforks.TheyallfittogethertoformaflatshapelikethepaperImentionedearlier.Usuallyittakesabout5minutestocompletethejigsaw-althoughthereareonly12pieces.

However,thistimeIgiveyouapictureofwhatthepuzzlelookslikewhenit’sfinished.Youmayonlytakeabout2minutestodoit.Asyou’llalreadyrealize,thereareanumberofthingstolearnfromthisexercise.

Thechallengewiththisparticularjigsawisthat…althoughallpiecesarethesamecolorandapparentlyfittogethertocreateaflatcoloreddesign,someofthepiecesonlyfitwhentheyareturnedupsidedown.Inotherwords,thenon-coloredpartisshowing.Nowthattakesaparadigmshiftinthinkingforpeople to be able to complete the exercise.

(This is the first part of a four-part article on goal setting. The second part of the article will appear in the June 2007 issue.)

Iwouldliketogiveyouacompletelydifferentwaytothinkaboutgoalsetting.

Ifyouhaven’twrittengoalsforyourlife…nowisthetimetodoso.Notonlywilltheygiveyoudirectionandalltheothergreatthings…theywillalsomakeyouhappier,andobviouslymorefocused.

Next:wheneveryouhaveataskorjobtocomplete…setagoalforitandsetoutthepathwaytoachievementsoyoucanestablishshort-termgoalsalongtheway.Oneofthekeystohappinessisshort-termaccomplishment.Itgivesyoutheopportunitytocelebrateyoursuccessandmaintainyourmotivation.

Ifyouareinchargeofateam,thatteammusthavegoalsthatcontainshort-term,subgoalsfortheirday-to-dayandlong-termactions.Sitdownwiththem,discuss,andagreeuponthesegoalsandsubgoals.

Next:itmustbeagoalthathassub-goalsandtheknowledgeofwhatstepstotake!Sowhetherit’salifetimeorshort-termgoal,ataskorjob,ateam,company,ormonetarygoal,oranyothergoals…itisessentialforyoutoworkoutthestepsneededtogetyouthere.Inotherwords,whatyoumustdototakeyoufromwhereyouaretowhereyouwant to be.

Allofthistakestime…butitistimewellspent.Timespentonyou,yourlife,and

PLANNING TO CONQUER GREATER HEIGHTS FOR THIS YEAR: HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

FEATURE DR. ROGER HAWWHAT DO YOU LEARN FROM THIS?SowhatdoyouandIlearnfromthisjigsawpuzzle?Or,perhapsmoreespeciallyfromanyjigsawanditsrelevancetogoalsetting?Itisakeycomponenttohappiness.Inordertoanswerthisquestionformyself,Iusedthetriedandtestedmethodofself-questioningonpaperinresponsetoafocusedandclearlydefinedquestion.Herearemythoughtsforyou.Remember these are factors or thoughts on a jigsaw puzzle and act as an analogy for goal setting. With a normal jigsaw puzzle, unlike the one I use, you have a picture on the box lid. With that you know:1. What it looks like when it’s done.2. Therulestoplayby.3. Ifyouforceapieceintothewrong place,itwon’tfitforverylong.4. Ifapiecewon’tfitnow,youcanleave itandfititinwhenyouhavemore pieces in place.5. Yougetshort-termwinsandknowthat these short-term wins will contribute to the whole-picture.6. Everythingyoudocontributetowards ultimate success.7. Youbelieveyou’llgetitdone.8. Youcanleaveitforawhile,takeabreak, and-becauseyouhaveafirmpicture inyourmind-youcangobackand continuefrompreciselythesameplace.9. Yourmindwillgiveanswersandhelp sortouttherightbitsbecauseitknows preciselywhatyouwant.10. It’s fun to do!11. Youcan’tblameanyoneelsefornot completingit.It’suptoyou!12. Youcanmakegreatconnections betweenseeminglyunconnectedpieces.13. There is a fantastic sense of achievement whenit’sfinished.14. Youcangoasfastorasslowasyoulike.15. Peopleliketohelpyou…becausethey knowthegoalandwillbeabletosee whereyou’reheaded.16. Yougetabsorbedandhavefocus andclarity.17. Youdon’ttrytoputpiecesinfrom somebodyelse’spuzzle.18. Piecesfitwhereyoucouldn’tseeuntil others were in place.19. Youhavetohavetherightsurfaceto playon,clearingeverythingelseoutof theway.Forexample,workinginthe rightcompanyorintherightfield.20. Whenyouhavedoneit…itwasso muchfunyouwanttodoanother.21. Ifitisagreatpicture,youwantto preserve it and keep it forever.22. Perhaps the most important part of all…ifyouhaven’tgotapuzzleofyour own,youareprobablyapiecein someoneelse’spuzzle.

“IF YOU HAVEN’T WRITTEN GOALS FOR

YOURLIFE…NOWISTHETIME TO DO SO”

Dr. Roger Haw

GOAL SETTING


More importantly, have you started reviewing your year 2006 and began your planning for year 2007? It’s the best time of the year... to have it all committed on paper, get new resources... especially if you need to make your desired goals happens... it’s NOW! Not later after 2007, it’s too late, as most people would want a brand new start, won’t you?

Next, what do I need? Yes, ask heaps of right questions... in order for you to work out the critical set of decisions... for this year.

And don’t miss out this one... ”Would I give myself permission to be open to new possibilities?” If yes, what will they be?

Get cracking... to prepare for a brand new year 2007.

E-MAIL DR. ROGER HAW AT: [email protected]

DubaiPropertiesisproudtosupporttheEmiratesDivingAssociation(EDA),whosemission to preserve the marine heritageoftheUAEisinlinewithourroleinthesocietyasasociallyandenvironmentallyresponsiblemasterdeveloper.

OneofEDA’sprimeobjectivesistopromoteandpreservehistoricalaspectsofdivingwithintheGulfregion.EDAbelievesthatdiverscanbeextremelyusefulinconservingthemarineenvironmentthroughobserving,reportingandpreventingenvironmentalabuse.

DubaiProperties’waterfrontmasterdevelopmentssuchasBusinessBayandCultureVillagenotonlypromotetheculturalandeconomicheritageofDubaiCreekbutalsoensurethattheCreekremainsanenvironmentallysafehavenforindigenousmarinelifeandforlocaldivers.

WelookforwardtoworkingwithEmiratesDivingAssociationinhelpingtheorganizationachieveitsgoals.

DUBAI PROPERTIES LAUNCHES EMPLOYEE REWARD PROGRAMMEDubaiPropertieshasintroducedIjada,itsnewemployeerewardprogramme,designedtorewardoutstandingcontributionstothecompany’stremendousgrowthandbusinesssuccessduringthepreviousfinancialyear.

Theprogramme,benchmarkingemployeesontheorganisation’ssixguidingprinciplesofexcellence,innovation,commitment,integrity,hardworkandspeed,waslaunchedatDubaiProperties’annualstaffgatheringrecently.

DUBAI PROPERTIESSUPPORTS EDA

FEATURE LAMA KABBANI

EDA SUPPORT

DP employees at the annual awards night on January 31 2007

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having

new eyes” Marcel Proust

“People are where they are because that’s exactly where they want to be”

Earl Nightingale

“Genius is the ability to see what everyone else thinks is invisible” Bryan W. Mattimore

“The most successful people in life are those who have the best information”

Benjamin Disrael


EDA,togetherwithQasimBarwanioftheDibba Marine Environment Research Center oftheMinistryofEnvironment,andwiththehelpofthediveteamofFreestyleDivers,recentlyreleasedmooringbuoysinDibba’smarinereserveareas,aspartofitsongoingmooringbuoyprojectcalled“Adopt a mooring buoy”.ThreeofthesebuoyswereinstalledatDibbaRockandoneinInchcape1.

Thenewmooringbuoys,madeofaluminousmaterial,whichmakesthemvisibleduringnighttime,displaythenamesofbothEDAand Earthwatch. Earthwatch supported the firstphaseofEDA’smooringbuoyprojectfor2007.

Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profitorganizationthatbringssciencetolife for people concerned about the Earth’s future.Foundedin1971,Earthwatchsupportsscientificfieldresearchbyofferingvolunteerstheopportunitytojoinresearchteamsaround the world.

FormoreinformationonEarthwatch, please visit www.earthwatch.org.

ThegrantfromEarthwatchenabledEDAtopurchasethebuoys,steelchainsandtheothernecessarymaterialtoensurethesuccessfulandsafereleaseofthebuoysinthereserved marine areas of Dibba.

ADOPT A MOORING BUOY FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY LEENA ABBASGeneralCoordinatorforCoralReefAwareness&MonitoringProgramme(CRAMP)Committee

Themooringbuoyconceptissimple:installamooringbuoyclosetooroverasitewhereboatstraditionallyanchor.Insteadofanchoring,boatuserstieontothemooringandthislessensdamagetothecoralreef.Mooringbuoysarealsousedasanongoingaidtocoralreefconservation.Theymaybeusedtozoneanareaforaparticularactivityandhelpavoidconflictsbetweenfishermenanddivers.Installingmooringbuoysrequiresprofessional expertise at all phases of project planningandimplementation.Fundingforinstallationandongoingmaintenance(acrucialelementofanymooringbuoysystem)mustbeorganized.Educationalprogramsmust be undertaken to ensure that private usersunderstandwhatthebuoysareforandadequatearrangementsforenforcementoftheprojectorsiteregulationsneedtobe in place. Despite the effort involved in amooringbuoyplanningandinstallationproject,thebenefitsfaroutweightheworkinvolved.Mooringbuoyprojectsarefirmlyfixedasahealthyelementinthefutureoftheworld’s coral reefs.

EDAplanstoreleasemoremooringbuoysinthenextcomingmonthstocovervariousmarine protected areas in the UAE. This projectrequiresongoingfundingsupport,so please contact EDA for further details on howyoucancontributetotheprojectand“Adopt a mooring buoy”!

Leena Abbas

“EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MUST BE

UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THAT PRIVATE USERS

UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BUOYS ARE FOR”

Mooring Buoy Team

NEW ADOPTION


Finally,tocreateandsupportreefgrowth,a“reef ball” structure will also be added to the “underwater wonderland”.

Thisprojectisbeingplannedfor2yearsandRSFTisseekingvolunteersanddiverswhowanttoparticipateandhelpinraisingfunds. Theinitialplanistosurveythesitetodetermine the best available area for the “underwater wonderland”. Once the plan is accepted,intensivefundraisingwillbegin.

The transportation of the planes will be dependentontheavailabilityoffunds.ItisinitiallyplannedtomoveoneortwoplanesatatimetoPhangNga,alongwiththedonatedmilitaryequipmentfromtheThaiArmy.Beforetheplanesaresunk,harmfulmaterialswill be removed and access will be created fordivers’safety.

Tofacilitatetherapidgrowthofmarinelife,RSTFplanstoalsoincludefishreleaseinthe“underwaterwonderland”.ThefishwillbeobtainedfromtheAgricultureUniversityofThailandFisheryResearchCentreinKrabi.

SPONSORS AND ASSOCIATESThe “underwater wonderland” project iskindlysupportedbyThaiInternationalAirways,whichoffersspecialtravelandhotelpackages.

The liaison work to obtain the wreck planes wasinitiallyconductedbyForSeaFoundationofThailand.ForSeaFoundationisaThaiNPO,made up of professional and amateur scuba divers and marine sports enthusiasts who aimtoprotect,enhanceanddevelopmarinesports and recreation.

BAACofThailandisastateentitythatprovidesfinancialsupporttofarmersandrural communities. It works with the EU to fosteraprogrammetoprovideeconomicsupporttocommunitiesaffectedbythe2004tsunami.

RaleighSocietyThailandFoundation(RSTF)wasfoundedinThailandin2004andwasregisteredasaThainon-profitorganization(NPO)inFebruary2005.

RSTF is a network of NPOs under the UKNPO-RaleighInternational(RI).RIwasfoundedover25yearsagoasayouthdevelopmentorganizationtofosteryouthdevelopmentandhelpingpeople/community,ofteninachallengingenvironment.TheUKRIis under the Princes’ Trust with HRH Prince Charles as its patron.

InAsia,wehaveaRaleighnetworkofNPOscalledRaleighAsia(RA).TheseareinHongKong,China,MalaysiaandSingaporeandeachoperatesindependentlyandisregisteredaccordingtolocallaws.WeparticipateinprojectsinChile,Namibia,Mongolia,Guatemala,Sabah(Malaysia),etc.Recently,theSingaporebranchjoinedtheSingaporeRed Cross in a series of post earthquake reconstructionprojects.Inaddition,wedoourownfundraisingwiththefamousWilsonTrailMountainMarathonofHongKong,whichisonits10thyearandhasattractedadventuregroupsfromallovertheworld.

Despiteitsshorthistory,RSTFhasconductedprogrammesrangingfromnaturetrailrenovation(withaSingaporeanjuniorhighschoolgroup),scubadiving,fishreleaseandreefcheckprogamme,aswellasfundraisingevents.

POST TSUNAMI ECONOMIC REHABILITATION PROGRAMMERSTF,withthesupportfromRAandthenationalcarrier-ThaiInternationalAirlines,and in conjunction with For Seas Foundation ofThailand,BankandofAgricultureandCooperatives(BAAC)ofThailandandtheEuropeanUnion(EU),planstodevelopan“underwater wonderland” in the coast of PhangNgaprovince.Thisprojectwilluseman-made structures such as planes or wreckmilitaryhardwaredonatedorcreated

as underwater attractions for scuba divers andtourists.PhangNgaprovinceislocatedjustNorthofPhuketandisashortdrivingdistance from the international tourist hub of Phuket.PhuketisservedbyaninternationalairportwithdirectflightsfrommanyAsiancitiesandEurope.Inaddition,itisthesettingoff point for the world famous Similand MarineNationalParkandisthus,wellsupportedbyawell-developedscubadivingnetwork.Allrangeofaccommodationsarereadilyavailablefromluxury5starshotelsandresortsaswellasbudgetguesthouses.

DespitetheproximitytotheinternationaltouristhubofPhuket,manyofPhangNgavillagersarepoorandrelyonasinglesourceofincome,whichiseitherfromfishingorfarming.TherearenorealtouristattractionsinPhangNgaprovincetodrawthetouristsawayfromtheIslandofPhuket;thus,theareadoesnotbenefitdirectlyfromtourisminPhuket.Thevillagerswerealsoheavilyaffectedbythe2004tsunamiduetothefactthatmanyofthemwerefromtraditionalfishingvillagesliningthecoast.Althoughmuch of the basic infrastructure was rebuilt soonafterthedisaster,lifeformanyofthesevillagersstillremainsdifficult.

It is the aim of this “underwater wonderland” projecttocreateanewtouristattraction,which will provide an alternative source ofincomeforthePhangNgavillages.Thisprojectwillbefirst-classanduniqueandasidefromattractingscubadiversaroundtheworld,willgodirectlytowardshelpingthemanyvillageshitbythe2004tsunami.

Inadditiontocreatingasustainableproject,RSFTwillalsoassistthevillagersinsettingupascubadivingsupportsystemthatincludesdiveshopswithequipmentrentalandairfills,diveguides(villagerswillbetrained),diveboats(localfishingboatswillbeused),“homestay”accommodationaswellasamulti-lingualwebsite.RSFTiscoordinatingthewholeprojectandtakescareofthefundraisingaspect.

Sofar,wehavereceivedcommitmentfromtheUSGovernmentinApril2006thattheywilldonateten(10)wreckaircrafts,mainlyDakotaC47transportplanes,aswellasSikorskyS58Thelicopters,whichwillbe the star attractions of the “underwater wonderland”.Theseplanesarecurrentlylocated in an airbase in central Thailand and need to be transported to the dive location in South Thailand.

Inadditiontothewreckplanes,RSTFisalsosolicitingwreckorunserviceablemilitaryhardwarefromtheThaimilitarytoaddtotheunderwater attractions.

RALEIGH SOCIETY THAILAND FOUNDATION FEATURE BENJAMIN LAI

RALEIGHING TOGETHER

For more information see: www.raleighthailand.org


Pierre Frolla flying over a DC3 wreck, Nassau, Bahamas.

Frederic Buyle, self portrait at fifty-five metres, Hawaii. Fred is the photographer of the book One Breath and he took all the photographs while freediving.

Yoram Zekri and humpback whale at thirty-five metres, Rurutu, French Polynesia.

Womenhavebeenholdingtheirbreathdivingtheoceanrealmsfor100sofyears.Themost famous of these are the Ama divers of Japan.ItisnotknownexactlywhenfemalediversstartedtodiveinJapanbutaccordingtoarecordinJapaneseHistory,itmayhavebeenbeforethe5thcentury.TheystartedtodiveinJapaninearnestintheearly1900sand before the restoration of independence in1945,1500~1600femalediverswenttoJapaneveryyear.

TheAmadiversarefamousforcollectingpearlsandthemajorityofamaarewomen.Thewordamaliterallymeans“seaperson”.Japanesetraditionholdsthatthepracticeofamadiversmaybe2000yearsold.Traditionally,andevenasrecentlyasthe1960s,amadivedwearingonlyaloincloth.Eveninmoderntimes,amadivewithoutscubagearorairtanks,makingthematraditionalsortoffree-diver.Dependingontheregion,amamaydivewithmasks,finsandtorso-coveringwetsuitsatthemost.Onlydivers who work for tourist attractions use white,partiallytransparentsuits.

Amaarefamousforpearldivingbutoriginallytheydivedforfoodlikeseaweed,shellfish,lobsters,octopusandseaurchins-andoysterswhichsometimeshavepearls.Women divers have evolved over centuries anddifferentoceanregionsmainlyintheareaofspearfishing,initially.InJune1965,women

BREATH-TAKING WOMEN FEATURE SARA-LISE HAITH

begantofollowthetrackingofdivesashadtheir male counterparts. Giuliana Treleani divedto31metrestakingthetitlespreviouslyownedbyHedyRoesslerandFrancescaTrombi.

LaterontheBahamas,EnglishgirlEvelynPettersondescendedto33metresbutGiuliana reclaimed this depth with a record 35metresin1966withPettersonrespondingagainwith38metres,andsotheracebegan.ThelegendaryfreediverEnzoMaiorca’sdaughtersappearedonthefreedivingscenein1978.Theydescendedtogetherto40metresin1980,andsixyearslaterRossanaMaiorca joined her father in the waters of CrotoneforOperationPythagoras,aseriesof experimental dives that concluded with a newrecordinvariableweightof69metres.

Afteraseriesofyearsofbreakingthesedepths,anewcomercamecalledAngeloBandini,a28yearoldstudentofJacquesMayolandbeatallrecordsincludingthemen’srecordbydivingdownto107metresusingaweightedsled.

RossanaMaiorcaretiredfromfreedivingin1993,tobeoutshadowedbyCubandiver Deborah Andollo who was an ex-championessofsynchronizedswimming.Ina short time she took herself to the top of freedivingwithperformancesto95metresinvariableweightdives.

InSeptember1998,CaymanIslands-bornTanyaStreetermadeherdebutintheoceanrealmwith67metresinconstantweight,andthereafteremergedsuccessfulworldclassdiverssuchasTurkishYaseminDalkilic,CanadianMandy-RaeCruickshank,andAmerican Annabel Briseno. The current world championisNataliaMolchanova,Russian,bornin1962,andholdsthestaticapnea(7min30sec),constantweightwithoutfins(55m),dynamicnofins(131m),dynamicwithfins(200m),andFreeImmersion(80m).Nataliahasbeenfreedivingonly3-5yearsand has achieved these fantastic results.

Iwouldencouragewomentoparticipateinthissportasitimprovesstamina,comfortinthewater,swimmingskillsandisaveryrelaxingwaytomaintainfitnessandchallengethemselvestoachievesomethingthatpossiblynotmanyoftheircolleagueshaveventuredinto.Freedivingisanextremesportifdesired,andcanalsobeenjoyedatshallowerdepthsforphotography,spearfishingorpurewaterenjoyment.

FreedivingcoursescommenceinDubaiwithEmmaFarrell(http://www.emma-freediver.co.uk/) in March and demonstrations will also begivenattheDMEX2007.

SARA-LISE HAITHContact Sara-Lise at

[email protected]:+971504368696

FREEDOM IN PICTURESPHOTOGRAPHY FREDERIC BUYLE

ONE BREATH


Imaginedivingdowntenmetresandfloatinggentlyalongareefwall.Therearenobubblescomingoutofyourmouthtofrightenthefish,andcurious,theyflickoutoftheircoralhomes to come and have a look at this strangecreaturedriftingpeacefullyalong.Youturnonyourbackandlookupatthesunlightdancingaboveyouonthesurfaceofthewater.Itseemssofarawaybutyouareattotalpeaceinthequietnessofthegreatocean.Youhavebeenholdingyourbreathforlessthanaminute,yetitseemslikeforever.Eventuallyyouhavetoleavethismagicalworld,andwithafewleisurelyfinstrokesyouarebackatthesurface,breathingandsmilingatyourbuddy.

Freedivingisthesportofbreathholddiving,divingunderwaterwithonlytheairinourlungstosustainus.Ourancestorshavefreedivedforthousandsofyearsinsearchoffood,spongesandpearls,andnowpeoplediveforfunandtoreachseeminglyimpossible depths. Freedivers have held their breathforovernineminutes,anddivedononebreathtomorethan200metres,wheresunlightneverventures,andthepressurecrushes metal. These are the records that captureourimaginationandleaveusgaspingfor our next breath as we think of these superhuman depths. How can the human bodyachievesuchthings?

FREEDIVING FEATURE EMMA FARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY FREDERIC BUYLE

Part of the answer lies in the ‘Mammalian DiveReflex’,aseriesofphysiologicalchangesthat happen when we are in water and we holdourbreath.Thesechangesslowourmetabolism,shiftbloodfromourextremitiestoourvitalorgans,andslowourheartbeat.Freedivingtrainingcan‘reawaken’thesereflexesandenableustospendlongerunderthewaterwhetherforthepersonalchallengeofdepth,tospearfish,takephotographs,orsimplyenjoythepeaceandquietofbeingunderwaterwithoutbreathing.

Thebenefitsoffreedivingextendtoallaspects of life. When one learns to breathe correctly,itaffectsothersports,ourabilitytodealwithstress,evenhowwellwesleepatnight!Istartedfreedivingsixyearsagoandloved the peacefulness I found underwater. I foundthatasIwentdeepermetrebymetre,IastoundedmyselfwiththecapabilitiesIdiscovered.Eventually,Iwasholdingmybreathforoverfourminutes,anddivingtodepthswheremylungscompressedtothesizeofafist;featsIstillfindincredible.

Freedivingcanbepractisedtoextremedepthsbutanyonewhoputstheirheadunderwaterwhileholdingtheirbreathisafreediver.Freedivingtakesyouonanincredibleadventure,helpsusrediscoverournaturalworld,andrevealsourplacewithinit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOREmmaenjoyedasuccessfulandprolificcareerasafilmwriter/directorbeforeturningherpassionoffreedivingintoafull time occupation. She is one of the world’sleadingfreedivingInstructors,a member of the AIDA International WorkgroupandoneofonlytenInstructor Trainers in the world. Emma is one of the few people to teach children as well as adults and is the firstpersontodevisecoursesonreflexologyanddivingand‘GasGuzzler’courses,aimedathelpingscubadiversminimise their air consumption. Emma has written numerous articles about thesportoffreediving,theworld’sfirstfreedivinglogbook,andistheauthorofthebeautifulbook‘OneBreath,aReflectiononFreediving’.Emmahasalsocompeted,coming2ndintheKalymnosChampionships,and3rd in the UK and Swiss Championships. She has practised IyengarYogaformanyyearsandisaregisteredReflexologist.

EmmawillbeinDubaiduringMarch2007toteachawholerangeofcourses;frombeginnertoinstructor,aswellascoursesonbreathingforscubadivers.ShewillalsobeappearingatDMEXandgivingtalksonfreediving.YoucanfindouthertimetableandbookontocoursesbycontactingSaraHaithondiva@divasindubai.com or call +971 50 436 8696.

http://www.emma-freediver.co.ukhttp://www.pynto.com/onebreath

Freediving can be extremely dangerous and it is vital that you never freedive without proper training and without the presence of an experienced buddy with you at all times.

Emma Farell

ONE BREATH


Your new bestdive buddy

www.Explorer-Publishing.com

Wina freecopy!

We’re giving away copies of the UAE Underwater Explorer. To be in with a

chance of winning, just answer the following question:

Which island on the East Coast got its name due to its resemblance to

a popular cartoon dog?

Email your answers to [email protected] before April 30, 2007.

Updated, expanded and sporting a brand new look, the UAE Underwater Explorer features the best diving and snorkelling in the UAE and Musandam. Crammed with practical information and stunning photography, it will become an essential part of your dive gear.

Underwaterad.indd 2 31/1/07 18:41:02


SARA-LISE HAITHContact Sara-Lise at

[email protected]:+971504368696

IDCStaffInstructor#946440POBOX213677,DUBAI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Theorganiserhassaidthattheywouldbeeagertoreceivesuggestionsfornextyear’scompetitionincludingsafetyproceduresandadditionsofothercategories.Thistypeoftraditional breath hold practise is unlike the internationalstandards,wherethefreediverholdshisbreathforaslongaspossiblewithhisrespiratorytractsimmerged,hisbodyeither in the water or at the surface. Static apneaistheonlydisciplinemeasuringtheduration,andoneofthethreedisciplinesconsidered for the international competitions bytheteam,withconstantweightanddynamicwithfins.Performancescouldbedoneandrecognizedinbothpooloropenwater(sea,lake,river,etc).Formoreinformationonthedifferentfreedivingdisciplines see this website: http://www.aida-international.org/.

Freediving should never be practised alone. It can be extremely dangerous and it is vital that you never freedive without proper training and without the presence of an experienced buddy with you at all times.

TheFazz’aCulturalChampionship,heldunderthepatronageofSheikhHamdanBinMohammadBinRashidAlMaktoum,ChairmanofDubaiExecutiveCouncil,wasofficiallylaunchedonDecember28th at the AlMeedanTheatreattheGlobalVillageandotherlocations.Thechampionship,whichis one of the main cultural events of DSF 2006-07,wasinitiatedin2002.IthasplayedanimportantroleinpopularizingtraditionalsportsamongtheyoungergenerationofUAEnationalsandpreservingtherichcultureandheritageofthecountry.AbdullahHamdanBinDalmook,generalsupervisoroftheFazz’aChampionship,announcedthatontheadviceofSheikhHamdan,twonewcompetitionshavebeenaddedtotheeventthisyearwhichweredogracinganddiving.ThemainsponsoroftheFazz’aChampionshipisDubaiIslamicBank.

Onthe1stand2nd ofFebruarytheFAZZAFreedivingChampionshipswereheldattheLeMeridienMinaSeyahiHotel.Participantswererequiredtodivedownarope,wearingnothingbutswimwear,andholdtheirbreathforaslongaspossible.Thebasicruleswerenodivinggearordivingaccessoriespermitted,thediverhadtoholdtheropeatalltimesduringthedive,andanydiversincurringablackoutwouldbedisqualifiedinspiteofthelongbreathholdtime.

Thereweresome40-50participants,ofwhichIwastheonlyfemalediver.Theweatherconditionswereterribleonthedayofthefinals,thewatertemperaturewas20degreescentigrade,itwaspeltingwithrainandaverycoldwind.Inspiteofthat,webraved the conditions and the winners were as follows:

THE FAZZ’A CULTURAL CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE SARA-LISE HAITH PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL MAXWELL

1st prize (brandnewRangeRoversuppliedbyAlTayerMotors) Nadim Mazjoub3.365minutes

2nd prize (20,000dhs) Ihmied3.345mins

3rd prize (15,000dhs) Bruce McClaren2.57mins

4th place (consolationprizeyettobedetermined) Sara-Lise Haith2.33mins

“THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE

TERRIBLE ON THE DAY OF THEFINALS,THEWATERTEMPERATUREWAS20DEGREESCENTIGRADE,IT WAS PELTING WITH

RAIN AND A VERY COLD WIND”

ROLE MODELS

Judges decision

Ihmied, Nadim Mazjoub and Bruce McClaren

Sara breathing up before dive


“Whereyoufrommyfriend?”“France!”,Antoinereplied.Thekebabman’sperspiringfacelitup,“Ah,Zidane,Zidane,verygood.”Deftlyshavingsliversoffthehugelumpofmeatheturnedtome,“andyou?”“Australia!”Shakinghisheadhelookedatmeinapityingwayasiftosay“Icancommiseratewithyouforhavingsuchapoorfootballteam.”Turkey’sfailuretoqualifyfortheworldcupwasasorepointinanationgrippedlikemuchoftheworldinworldcupfrenzy.However,Antoine,Julie,CharlotteandIhadn’tcometoCesmeforfootball,we’dcomeforanothersport,kiteboarding.Aftercompetingin the Kiteboard Pro World Tour event in Istanbulwe’dflown1000kmsouthtoatownontheAegeanSeaforthereliable,consistentwind,warmwaterandacheap,relaxedpaceof life.

A unique mix of the Mediterranean and MiddleEast,CesmewasonceastagingpostalongtheSilkRoutewheregoodsweretransferred from the caravans to boats. These daysthesilksandspiceshavebeenreplacedbySilkCutandOldSpiceastouristsarrive,attractedbybeachesandaholidayinthesun.Ithasbecomefairlydevelopedandalthoughlittleremainsofthetraditionaltown,the14th Centurycastleisworthawanderaroundand provides a unique panoramic view of the harbor.Thishasprovidedsanctuaryforboatsforcenturies,stretchingfromtheByzantinesandOttomanstothemodernyachtsandferriesoftoday.

Wequicklyestablishedaroutineofkiting,eatingandsleeping.Wakinguptothehummingoftheriggingontheboatsintheharborandslappingflagspromisedanotherfulldayonthewater.Supposedlythewindwasabitlighterinthemorning,thoughwerarelymanagedtogetoutofbedearlyenoughtoseeifthiswastrue.Draggingour battered bodies from bed became progressivelyharderaskitingandcrashingeverydaytookitstoll.Turkey’shugecoastlineoffersplentyofopportunityfordiscoveringnewkitingspots.PilanteisCesme’smainkitingbeach,withsmoothonshorewindsandflatwatermarredonlybyarelativelynarrowridingareaclosetoshore.Thelocalkitescene

isstillfairlysmallbutverywelcomingandhelpful.WetriedkitingaroundAlicateandatKumBeachbuteitherthewindwasblowingoffshoreandtoogustyortherewasalackofdecentlaunchingandlandingspots.Thesurroundingcliffswhilemakinganinterestingbackdropforthephotos,addedanextraelementasifyoudidn’tlandyourmovetherewasagoodchanceyouwouldberetrievingyourkitefromathornbushhalfwayupthecliff.Afterfixingoverninetyholesinaleadingedgeyouquicklylearntokiteabitfurtherout.

Returningfromkitingweweregreetedwiththeheadyaromaofmeatbeinggrilledintheopen-aircafesonthestreet,mixedwiththecries of the sweet corn vendor and store keepersvyingfortheattentionofpassersby.It’snotexactlyashopper’sparadiseunlessyouhaveadesireforknock-offdesignerT-shirts and the usual mix of replica handicrafts (ceramicwallhangings,backgammonsetsamongstbrasswaterpipes…etc).Oncethesunset,ourprimaryformofentertainment

AIRBORNE FEATURE MIGUEL WILLIS PHOTOGRAPHY CARLOS DELICADO

NEW HEIGHTS

waseating.Kebabsboughtoffthestreetwerethemaindietmostdays,asafterafullsessionofridingtheywerethequickestandeasiestfoodavailable…andstrangelyaddictive.Thesmall cafes that line the streets provide a goodplacetoobservethetowngobywhilesippingTurkishteaandplayingagameofbackgammon.

Turkeyhasadistinctpolarizationbetweenthe ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ which becomes veryapparentwhengoingforanightoutinCesme,sincethemainspotsdefinitelycaterforthe‘haves’;smartclothes,couples-onlyandeverythingatoverlyinflatedprices(notthatI’mbitteraboutthemrefusingtoletusinthefront door).

Thereisawholerangeofaccommodationavailablefromthe‘veryswank’withmatchingpricetag,tothebudgethotelsthat,whilefairlybasic,areusuallymorethanadequate.Adoubleroomcostusaround15euros,andmostdayswewouldspendaround8eurosonfood.Thelocalbusesmadeitfairlycheaptogetaroundandtogetfurtherafieldwehiredacarfor40eurosaday.

Bythelastdaywehadkitedtothepointofexhaustion,eachpushingourselvestonewlevels.Carlosourphotographer-alwaystheperfectionistwasstilllookingforashotincorporatingkitingandthefortress.PermissionwasobtainedfromthemayorofthetownandourlastkiteinTurkeywasunderthisiconicimageofCesmesurroundedbyasunbakedhillreflectingthedustyMediterraneanlightandcastingeverythinginayellowglow.



NEW HEIGHTS

“Draggingourbatteredbodies from bed became

progressivelyharderaskitingandcrashingeverydaytook

its toll”

Thanks to our sponsors for the trip, Ozone Travel, Kiteloose and Liquid Force, the local kiters for their hospitality and Carlos Delicado for taking the great photos.

MIGUEL WILLISBiography

Born in Australia I have spent much of mylifegrowingupandlivinginOman.In1999,seeingpicturesofkiteboardingontheinternet,IknewthatitwasasportIhadtotry.Iboughtakiteandtaughtmyself,somehowmanagingnottodomyselfanyseriousinjuryintheprocess.WinningtheUAE2003DubaiRed Bull event I decided that I’d had enoughofteachingEnglishandwantedtofocusmoreonhangingaroundbeaches.In2006IcompetedontheKiteboardingProWorldTourfinishing9th.MysponsorsareBestandTarifaKiteboardingCompany.


SEYCHELLES TOP INNER ISLAND DIVE SITESPHOTOGRAPHY TALLY & LIONEL, FRANK SCHNEIDER, ANGELO CAVALLI, UNDERWATER CENTRE

SHARK BANKShark Bank is the shallowest area of the seabed between Mahe and Silhouette Island ontheNorthWestsideoftheSeychellesplateau.Beingatotallysubmergedrockbank,itisalmosttheonlyrefugeforreeffishandinvertebrates on a vast sand bottom and in turnhasbecomeanaturalfocusforpelagicfish.Thelocationofthesitemeansthereislittleboattrafficandalthoughtheareaisvisitedbylocalfishermen,theirmaintargetarethemid-waterpelagicspeciessothemarine life here is abundant.

Skillednavigationisrequiredtofindthesite,some5milesfromthenearestlandmass,butoncebelowthesurface,theterrainofhugegranitebouldersandgulliesisthefamiliarpatternfoundsocommonlyonlandintheSeychelles.Thenarrowravinesbetweenthebouldersandthedeepoverhangsprovideshelterforadiversepopulationofreeffishandinvertebrates;alargeschoolofBigEyeSoldier-fishareapermanentfeaturewhileanevenlargerschoolofYellowSnapperarefrequentlyfoundandaddabrightsplashofshimmeringcolourtothereef.Thecrevasseshavearesidentpopulationofspinylobstersandalsogiveprotectiontotheoctopusthatmayoccasionallybefoundmatingamongsttherocks.ThestrangelyarmouredCowfish,acuriousmemberoftheboxfishfamily,arerare elsewhere but common on this site.

However,formostdiverstherealdrawtothissiteisthepelagicfishlifethatappearstobedrawntothesiteespeciallyduringstrongcurrentconditions.DescendingontotherocksthroughaswirlingschoolofhuntingJack-fishorBarracudaisaninspiringwaytostartthedive.Onceonthebottom,betweentherocks,youcanoftenfindgiantMarbledStingraysupto3metresacrosstheirdiscand

sometimesingroupsoffiveorsix.White-tippedandGreyReefSharksarealsofoundhereaswellastheoccasionallargeNurseShark,generallyfoundnappingunderthedeeprockledges.ThissiteisalsovisitedbyWhaleSharksduringtheirannualvisitstotheinnerislands,usuallyinJulyandAugustandNovember and December.

The dive is suitable for experienced divers andisgenerallydivedasa30-metreprofile;operationsfromNorthWestMaheroutinelyaccessthissiteingoodconditions.Beinginmidocean,itisveryunprotectedandcanbeinaccessibleinstrongswellpatternsorbadweather.Otherwise,itcanbeaccessedallyearroundfromlargerboatsandliveaboardsbutfromJunetoSeptember,accesscanbedifficultforsmallercrafts.

SOUTH MARIANNE Grey Reef Shark diveMarianneIslandisasmall,ruggedtropicalislandfoundafewmilesfromLaDigueintheSeychellesInnerislandsandassuch,isontheSeychellesgraniteplateau.Thedivesiteis situated off the South point and is home toagroupofgreyreefsharks.ItisreachedonlongrangedivesfromDiveCentresonPraslinandLaDigueandcanbedivedallyearround subject to weather conditions.

LikemanyofSeychellesinnerislands,thegraniterocksoftheislandaresculptedintodramaticspiresandgulleysinterspersedwithlushtropicalvegetationandpalmtreesandthecarvedgranitefeaturesareechoedbelowthesurfaceonthedivingterrain.Onarrivalatthesouthpoint,visitorsaregreetedbyamassivegranitebuttressandaseriesofteeth-likerocksagainstwhichincomingrollerspoundandfoam.Therocksdropsteeplyintotheseaformingdramaticcathedralsize

structures which descend to a white sand bottomataround26metres.Duringthestrongerwindseasons,thesurfacetendstobeveryturbulentandhasanalmostmagneticattractiontoagroupofgreyreefsharks.Oncebelowthesurfaceturbulence,theclearwatersaremuchcalmerandupto25GreyReefSharkscanbefoundpatrollingbetweenthe rock buttresses. It would appear that thesearealmostalwaysfemalesharks,withmalesbeingfoundveryrarely.

Thisaggregationisacompletelynaturalphenomenonandvisitorscanenjoytheveryrareexperienceofswimmingamongstagroupofsharksandwatchingtheirnaturalbehaviourastheycruisebetweentherocks.Divemastersareabletorecogniseindividualsand brief divers about special features to lookfor,suchasmatingscarsandoldfishinginjuries.

Thisdiveisagoodsiteevenwithoutthegreyreefsharks!Twootherspeciesofsharkcanbeseenherewithregularsightingsofwhite tipped reef sharks as well as occasional nurse sharks; there are a number of resident Hawksbill turtles and Napoleon wrasse and Eagleraysareeasilyfoundsoaringaroundthe tops of the shallower rocks. The smaller rockscrevicesandholescontainarangeofmorayeelsandinvertebratessuchasthespinylobsterwhileonthesandmargins,guitarsharksandgiantmarbledstingraysareanadditional,ifnot,raretreat.

The dive is suitable for experienced divers andisgenerallydivedinthe14to26mrange,althoughtherocksgorighttothesurface.ItcanbeaccessedallyearroundfromlargerboatsandliveaboardsbutwouldbedifficultforsmallercraftsfromJunetoSeptember.

Tally & Lionel - STB

DIVING DESTINATIONS


GETTING THEREDirect access from Asia is available from Dubai aboard Emirates Airlines. The international airport is in Mahe so inter-island connections will be needed forvisitstoPraslinorLaDigue;theseareavailableeitherby16-seaterinter-islandairserviceorbyfastcatamaranto Praslin.

CLIMATESeychelleshasamild,tropicalclimatemoderatedbyseawinds:itisgenerallyinthehigh20ºCbutseldomover30ºC;clothingshouldbecoolandcasual.T-shirts and shorts are acceptable almost everywhereexceptinsomerestaurantsintheevening.

DIVING CONDITIONSThe South East wind blows from the endofMaythroughtotheendofSeptember; this creates cold water upwellingsthatpushcoldplanktonrichwaterupontotheSeychellesplateau.Visibilityatthistimewillbearound10-15metresoninshoresitesandwatertemperaturescandropaslowas20ºC.

The North West wind blows somewhat erraticallyinDecemberandJanuaryandtraditionallybringheavyrainfall;asclimatepatternshavechanged,therainfallhasbecomefarless.Visibilitycanbe20-25metresinshorewithwatertemperaturesaround27ºC.

Betweenthetwowindseasons,whichare in October and November and FebruarytoApril,thewindsareverylightandvariable,givingcalmseas.Visibilityisinexcessof30metreson offshore sites and the water temperatureisaround27ºC.

DIVE OPERATIONS & RECOMPRESSION CHAMBERThere are a number of international standard dive operations; most have PADI-trained personnel and several are recognisedbyPADIasPADIFiveStarIDC,orFiveStarCentresorGoldPalmresorts. The Association of Professional Divers,Seychelles,(APDS),representsthe mainstream operators and sets additionalstandardsofsafetyandoperation for their members. There is a recompression chamber available at the Victoria Hospital in Mahe.

MARCH 2007, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 25Angelo Cavalli - STB

Tally & Lionel - STB Underwater Centre - STB

DIVING DESTINATIONS

Frank Schneider - STB


TheSeychellesArchipelagoisoneofthemostbeautifulplacesontheplanet-115islands scattered across more than a million square kilometers of ocean. It is also one of thebestplacesintheworldtohaveagoodchanceofseeingandswimmingwiththegreatestfishintheocean–thewhaleshark.

AwhalesharkmonitoringprogrammehasbeenrunbytheMarineConservationSocietySeychelles(MCSS),withsupportfromtheUnderwaterCentrefor10years,andistheonlyorganisationwithGovernmentalapproval to conduct research on this protectedspeciesinSeychelleswaters.

TheMCSSiscarryingoutresearchthatisvitaltothesurvivalofthesegentleoceangiants.Thedatathatisprovidedbytheirresearch was instrumental in the whale shark gainingprotectionattheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies(CITES)meetingasthewhalesharkisalreadyaprotectedspeciesinSeychelleswaters.

Theprojectaimstotagwhalesharktoenableinformationtobegatheredabouttheir movements. Data collated from satellite tagshasalreadyproducedsomeamazingresults.OnesharktraveledfromSeychellestoSriLanka–ajourneyofover3000kilometres,whileotherwhalesharkshavebeen tracked to the Coast of East Africa and intotheMozambiqueChannel.Researchisalsoshowingthatupto23%ofthesharkstaggedreturnagaintoSeychelleswatersthefollowingyear.

ThepeakseasonforsightingsisfromAugusttotheendofOctober.MCSSfindthesharksusingamicro-lightaircraftthatthendirectsthemonitoringteamontothesharks’locations.Micro-lightaerialcoverageisplannedfromAugusttotheendofOctobereachyear.

Recordsarestillbeingcollatedfor2006,butMCSSreportedatotalof1305sightingsofwhalesharkfromthemicro-light–andofthese,over800resultedin“in-water”encounterswith321sharksidentifiedand43sharkstagged.

ThewhalesharkprogrammeispartlyfundedbytheSaveOurSeasFoundationbuttheoperationalcostsaremetpurelybypublicsupportintermsofparticipatinginwhalesharkmonitoringtripsandby‘adopting’awhale shark.

Programmeparticipantsgoouteveryafternoon to wherever there have beenreportedsightings,inthehopeofswimmingwiththesharkandassistingintheidentificationprogramme.Allin-water

activitiesarerunundertheSeychellesWhaleShark Encounter Code which was developed throughtwonationalstakeholdermeetingsandhasbeenendorsedbythegovernmentofSeychellesasaneffectivemethodtoensurethatthesharksarenotdisturbedbyeagervisitors.

Sightingscomefrommanysources–thereis a lot of local collaboration to support theproject–thateventhelocalhelicoptercompanyradioinanysightingstohelptodirecttheboattotheshark.However,itisthemicro-lightspotterplanewhichprovidesmostinformationandflieswheneverconditionsallow.Programmeparticipantsalsogetthechancetogoupwiththepilotandactasanobserver–anincredibleexperience!

Inthemorning,MCSSoperateamicro-lightflighttolocatethesharksandintheafternoon,theymovethemonitoringboattothemostfavourableareausingtheplaneforaerialsupporttolocatingthesharks.Iftheyarenotabletofindthesharksinthemorning(eitherbecausethesharksarenotappearingorbecausethemicro-lightcannotflyforsomereasonsuchasbadweather)thentheycan contact the participants and let them know.Assuch,althoughthereisnoguaranteeofseeingashark,ifthetripsrun,thenyouhaveaverygoodchanceindeed!In2006,outofthe57monitoringtrips,only1tripfailedtofindsharksandonthistrip,thepilothadtolandtheplaneduetobadweather,sotherewas no aerial support.

AspecialwhalesharkpackagehasbeenputtogetherforEDAbyMCSSandtheUnderwaterCentrethatwillgivethebestofbothdivingandwhalesharkactivities.Thisincludes accommodation at the beachside Coral Strand Hotel as well as car hire for one daysoyoucanexploreMahe.

FormoreinformationontheMCSSactivities,please visit their website - www.mcss.sc; alsohavealookattheirpublicationspageandcheckoutthewhalesharkmonitoringnewsletterSagren.

WHALE SHARK IN SEYCHELLES FEATURE DAVID ROWATT PHOTOGRAPHY EDA ARCHIVE

DIVING DESTINATIONS

EDA WHALE SHARK PACKAGE (Valid September and October 2007)

INCLUSIVE OF:•TransfersAirport-Hotel-Airport•CoralStrandHotel,Bed&Breakfast, sharingtwinroom,seaview,7nights•Eightboatdivepackage,withtank& weightrentalincluding4long-rangedives•Fourwhalesharkencounters•1-daycarhire(splitbetweentwopersons)

•CostperpersonEu1938•ForNon-diversbutwithwhaleshark activitiesEu1265

SUBIOS

2007Betweenthe19thand25th March 2007,thesunnyislandsofSeychellesare set to celebrate their Underwater FilmandImageFestivalbetterknownasSUBIOS,anannualattractionsince1989.SincethattimeSUBIOShasbeen a popular attraction with a raft ofactivitiesincludingintrodives,boatrides,filmshows,presentationsbylocalandforeignspeakers,aspecialcybertreasure hunt and Iron man and Iron woman-stylecompetitions.

A true celebration of the ocean and all thingsmarine, the2007 festivalwithits themeof‘OurOceanCousins’ (thecetaceans) will be centered around the famous SUBIOS Village, just a stonethrowfromstunningBeau Vallonbeach,where the fun will include a special moonlight bazaar, presentations of theartistic works of local schoolchildren andafashionshowwithgreatmusicandfood will also be available.


In2006,theUnderwaterCentrewillhavebeenoperatinginSeychellesfor30yearsandtocelebratethis,wehaveorganisedsomeveryspecialdivingandaccommodationpackagesespeciallytailoredforvisitingdivers.

ThefacilitiesforguestsaresomeofthebestinSeychelleswithfreenon-motorisedwatersportssuchaswind-surfers,canoesandhoby-catsandarangeofmotorisedsportsincludingwater-skiing,para-sailingandjet-skis.Andofcourse,therearethedivingfacilitiesoftheUnderwaterCentreandDiveSeychellesconvenientlyrightatthebeachfront.

Thepackagesbelowareasampleofthetypewecanoffer.Ifthesedonotsuityourneeds,pleasee-mailuswithyourrequirementsandwewillbepleasedtoquoteyou.

NOTE: Non-diving rates are only available when booked with at least one diving package. Single occupancy packages are available, just e-mail us your needs.

UNDERWATER CENTRE SEYCHELLESDIVING & ACCOMMODATION PACKAGESRATES VALID TO NOVEMBER 2007

Pkg No Package Details (Prices are per person) Diver Non-Diver

17nightsonbed&breakfastsharingtwinbasis10diveswithcylinder&weightsAirport Hotel Airport transfers

1a CoralStrandHotelOrBerjayaBeauVallonBayresort Eu865 Eu645

1b Sun Resorts Eu710 Eu480

1c Daniellas Eu645 Eu415

1d GeorginasCottages Eu490 Eu260

1e Panorama Guest House Eu650 Eu420

1f BelOmbreHolidayVillas(Selfcateringonly>6persons) Eu540 Eu310

210nightsonbed&breakfastsharingtwinbasis16diveswithcylinder&weightsAirport Hotel Airport transfers







37nightsonbed&breakfastsharingtwinbasisPADIOpenWaterDiverCourse(4days)Airport Hotel Airport transfers







4

7nightsonbed&breakfastsharingtwinbasisatBerjayaBeauVallonBay;10diveswithcylinder&weightsPLUSFastferryMahetoPraslin;3nightsonbed&breakfastsharingtwinbasisatBerjayaPraslinBeachResort;2diveswithcylinder&weights;FastferryPraslintoMaheAirport Hotel Airport transfers

Eu1310 Eu1010

DIVING DESTINATIONS


OmanDiveCenterisasmalldivingresortperchedontheedgeofaquietbayjusta15minutedriveoutsideofMuscat.Accommodation is offered in the form ofsmallBarastihuts,eachcomprisingadouble bedroom with mini bar and ensuite bathroom,whicharedottedalongtheresort’s beach. The center’s restaurant is openthroughoutthedayandoffersawidevarietyoftantalizingtreatstotickleyourtongueandfillupyourbellyafterdiving.Theresort’sprivatebeachisameetingpointforexpatriates and locals to escape and relax.

ThedivecenterisrunbyExtraDiversandboastsmultilingualstafffromoverthreecontinents.WorkinglanguagesrangefromEnglish,GermanandFrenchtoArabic,Swahili,Spanish,Italian,DutchandCroatian.

The dive center is open all week round and divetripsgoouttwiceadayinthemorningandintheafternoon,weatherpermitting.Thedivesiteswhicharea15to30minuterideawayalongthecoastbyboatarecolorfulandabundantinmarinewildlife.Electricrays,turtles,giantmorayeels,babybarracudaandornatenudibranchspopuponthepagesofourdivers’logbooks.Weeklytripsaremadeto the Al Munasir wreck.

Full equipment is available for hire in the center and courses are offered to all levels fromcompletebeginnerstothosemoreexperienced bubble makers who want to specialize.BothPADIandSSIcoursesareoffered.

Fornondivers,therearekayaksforhireinthebay,snorkelingtripsintheafternoonanddolphinwatchingtripsinthemorning.Morethanoftenourguestsareluckyanddon’tgohome disappointed.

Formoredetails,checkout:omandivecenter.com

CoralReefAlliance(www.coralreefalliance.org),isinvitingeverybodytoorganizeamarineconservationactivityaroundtheweekofEarthDay,April22,oranytimebetweenlateMarchandearlyMay.

RegisteryouractivityNOWasthefirst200registrantswillreceiveafreeorganizersupport packet full of outreach and educationalmaterials.ALLregistrantswillalsobe included in a draw to win some wonderful prizes!

Formoredetails,pleasereferto:www.coral.org/divein

ThisisCoralReefAlliance’seighthannualDiveInToEarthDaycelebrations.DiveInmobilizescommunities,parkmanagers,diveshops,students,andothermarinelovers around the world to take a stand in protectingourendangeredwaterworld.

Thousands of participants are expected fromaround70countriestoengagein400marine-friendlyactivities,rangingfromcoralreefsurveysinPulauTinggi,MalaysiatounderwatercleanupsinGloucester,Massachusetts.Sinceitsinceptionin2000,Dive In participants have removed an estimated170metrictonsoftrashfromcoastalareas,andcounting!

“DiveInToEarthDay’sbuildingsuccessproves that more and more people are concernedaboutthecrisisfacedbyourgreatbodiesofwater,”saysactorandDiveInHostCommitteemember,SusanSarandon.“Communitiesacrosstheglobearetakingpartinactivitiestosafeguardouroceansandcoral reefs.”

Sarandon is joined on the Host Committee byWorldRecordFreediverTanyaStreeter,acclaimedunderwaterphotographerNorbetWu,marinelifeartistWyland,andEmmy

DIVE IN TO EARTH DAY

DIVE IN

award-winningunderwaterfilmmakersMartySnydermanandMicheleandHowardHall.

“DiveInhasbecomeahugedrivingforceforraisingawarenessonmarineconservationissues,”statesCORALExecutiveDirectorBrianHuse.“Ourthemethisyearis‘EverydayActionstoCurbGlobalClimateChangeandProtectFragileMarineEcosystems.’Webelievethatitisonlythroughlocalawarenessandactionthatwecaninspiretheglobalcommitment needed to reverse climate change.Byworkingthroughournetworkofactivists,weplantoincreaseawarenessandinspirechangeinhomesandcommunitiesaround the world.”

Come aboard the Dive In Boat and become apartofsomethingbig-DiveInToEarthDay!

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a non-profit coral reef conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco, California, dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnerships. CORAL coordinates Dive In To Earth Day with the support of The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, the Earth Day Network, and the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). For more information on how you can participate in Dive In To Earth Day, please visit: www.coral.org/divein.

OMAN DIVE CENTER FEATURE ALICE HACKMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY ALLY LANDES


EDArecentlyhostedaCocktailReceptionin honor of Clean-Up Arabia sponsors and participants. It was also an event to welcome new EDA members as well as thank the active current members for their support of EDA’s activities.

EDA Director Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi also presentedabriefline-upof2007projectsandencouragedthememberstosignupas volunteers for the various committees thatwouldbesetup.ThiswasfollowedbytheshowingoftheCleanUpArabia2006documentaryproducedbystudentsoftheSAE Institute.

ThenightwascappedwiththesplendidperformanceofMr.OvidioDeFerrari,Director of the Ovidio Music Institute -Dubai,alongwithhismusicians.Mr.DeFerrari’sfirstpublicappearanceandspecialperformancewasforthebenefitofEDAMembers.

EDA SOCIALSEDA REPORT

From left: Emmanuelle Landais, Peter Mainka, Joanna Thornton, Ally Landes and Giorgio Ungania

From Left: Lara El Saad, Greg Boyle, Lara Muir and Leena Abbas

Ibrahim giving his speech

Mr. Ovidio De Ferrari Mr. Ovidio De Ferrari with his musicians

Ibrahim presenting the Clean Up Arabia Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Kaltham Kohaji, HSBC Regional Head of Corporate Affairs

Ibrahim presenting the Clean Up Arabia Certificate of Appreciation to the students of SAE Institute


EDA VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES

EDA VOLUNTEERS

EDArecentlyinviteditsmemberstovolunteerforthefour(4)committeesthatwillhelpEDAinrunningtheorganization’skeyactivities.ThesecommitteesaretheCoralReefAwareness&MonitoringProgramme(CRAMP),CleanUp,SocialsandtheNewsletter.

26memberswholeheartedlyrespondedandsigneduptojoinoneormoreofthesecommittees.DuetothelargenumberofvolunteerswhosignedupforCRAMP,twogroupswerecreatedandwereheadedbyaGeneralCoordinator.

LEENA ABBAS CRAMP General Coordinator

I am an Advanced Open Water diverandIhavebeendivingsince2004.MyinvolvementwithEDAstartedwhilstworkingatHSBC,astheysupportedvariousEDAactivities.IenjoymycommitmentwithEDAandcontributingtoitscontinuoussuccess.

IVAN RAMOS CRAMP 1 Coordinator

I’moriginallyfromSpainandhave been an EDA active member ever since I came to theUAEthreeyearsago.I’manadventureseekerwithagreatlove for the outdoors. I’m a keen diver and I’m committed to help raise awareness on marine environmental issues andinconservingtheUAE’sreefs.

NIZAR FAKHOURY CRAMP 1 Deputy Coordinator

I’m a British national of Lebaneseorigin.I’velivedinvariouscountriesincluding,England,Qatar,Lebanon,SaudiArabia and have now resided in theUAEfor2years.NatureandtheenvironmenthavealwaysbeenmychildhoodpassionsanditgivesmegreathonourtobeabletocontributethroughEDA and be a part of marine preservation in the UAE.

HANA ABU SAMRA Newsletter Committee Coordinator

I’mJordanian,26yearsold,andmarried to an instructor who lovesdiving.IreceivedmyOpenWatercertificationinJuly2006.I’manElectricalEngineerandamcurrentlyworkinginrealestate.

CHRISTA LOUSTALOT CRAMP 2 Coordinator

IliveinDubaiwithmyhusbandand2dogs.IamaPADIOWSIand also an avid Underwater Photographerwithmyworkshowcasedatmywebsitewww.photograsea.com.I’vebeendivingsince1994andmyregulardivingactivitiesincludetechnicaldeepshipwreckdivingandcavedivinginadditiontomyrecreationalcareer.

MOHAMED BAHAA ALI CRAMP 2 Deputy Coordinator

I’mEgyptian,28yearsold,and I’m a Senior Relationship ManagerinEmiratesIslamicBank.IreallylovedivingandwhenI’mdiving,IfeellikeI’mthekingofthesea.Iamtheownerofthise-group:http://groups-beta.google.com/group/scuba-uae/.

ABDUL ALJASMEE Newsletter Committee Deputy Coordinator

I’maUAEnational,28yearsold and I work for the Dubai Public Prosecution. I’ve been anEDAmemberfor4monthsnow.Ilovedivingbecauseit’samysteriousworldoutthere.

CRAMP 1BasemAbuDaggaKim ChevolleauVesela Todorova

CRAMP 2AinhoaCarpinteroRogero

Anas DiabMohammad El-Zobeidi

Rhuss BarroMohammad Hanif

CLEAN UPHani MackiJasminPasibe

Mohamed Bahaa Ali

JoannaSteeleMohammad Hanif

SOCIALSJoannaSteele

Lawrence EnderleMohammad Hanif

Rafat Radwan WahbehSocorro Soriso

NEWSLETTERJestinJos

JoannaThorntonVanessaNanty

Vesela TodorovaYousufSayed

The rest of the Committee members are:

The following are the Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators of the various committees:


You Should BeHere...Right NOW!

Company ExcursionsExecutive RetreatsSenior executives can spend what seems to be an eternity in their offices and boardrooms. The ability to get away, sometimes far away can produce those “blue sky” ideas that are not possible in a normal office setting. Creative work types need an environment to decompress, unwind, and recharge their batteries. By developing and implementing high level executive retreats Arabian Diver promises to deliver a setting that refreshes the mind. Our staff has the experience and specialized knowledge to create the ultimate executive outing.

Team BuildingWorking closely with each client, Arabian Diver can design a creative program from start to finish to incorporate

all facets of a successful team-building event. According to our clients - one of the most beneficial results has been the level of creative thinking spawned by taking people far away from familiar surroundings. Our philosophy is if you do the “norm” it is forgettable, but if you take a chance on something spectacular it will be talked about for years. We are here to help you decide, plan, execute and measure the results of your investment.

We promise your staff will return with a “sailing story” they can defend...and document. Just ask one of our hundreds of satisfied clients.

P.O. Box 120673, Dubai, UAETel/Fax: +971 7 236 3102Mobile: +971 50 242 8128www.arabiandiver.com


PROBLEM SOLVING

The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN),establishedin2000withfundingfromtheUnitedNationsFoundation(UNF),isaglobalnetworkthatisworkingtohaltand reverse the decline of the health of the world’scoralreefs.Thisnetwork,involvingsomeoftheworld’sleadingcoralreefscientistsandconservationorganizations,wasformedinresponsetoaCalltoActionbytheInternationalCoralReefInitiative(ICRI),aglobalpartnershipamonggovernmentsandnon-governmentalorganisations.

Coral reefs fascinate people with their unrivalledbeauty.Theyarenotonlyasourceof food and income for millions of people aroundtheworldbuttheyprovidemanywithatranquilrespitefromthegrindofdaytodaylife.However,coralreefseverywherearesufferingandtheirveryexistenceisbeingthreatened. But what does it all mean? What doesthereefactuallydoandwhyisitvitalthat we protect it?

Coralreefsareamongtheworld’smostspectacular underwater environments. Often referredtoas‘therainforestsofthesea’,thesenaturalecosystemsarewonderfullycomplex,supportingaremarkablediversityoflife.AsthelargestlivingstructuresonEarththeyoccupylessthan1%oftheoceanflooryetsupportoveronequarterofallmarinelife.Alongwithmangrovesandseagrassbedstheyprovidespawninggrounds,nurseries,feedingareasandhabitatforover93,000plant and animal species with an estimated 10timesthatwaitingtobeidentified.Theysafeguardlives,economiesandcultures,provideincomeandemployment,createsafeharboursandprotectionagainsterosion,provide10%oftheworldsfishingharvest,andholdthekeytofuturescientificandmedicaladvances.Butallofthisisindangeras the factors that threaten the health and productivityofreefsaroundtheworldareincreasinginimpactandseverity.

ICRAN:

LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL PROBLEMS

Inmorethan80developingcountries,communitiesrelyheavilyoncoralreefsforincomeandfoodsecurityandwiththeworldpopulationsettoexceed6.8billionpeopleby2010,pressureswillonlyincreaseonourcoastalenvironments,furtherimpactingthereefsandtheirproductivity.

ICRANrecognisesthatreefsandpeopleareinextricablylinked.Reefdeclineisdirectlyrelated to the loss of economic opportunities andoftenacceleratestherateofpovertyintheseareas.Findingabalancewherethebenefitofonedoesnotcomeatthecostoftheotheriswhatwearestrivingtoachieve.ICRAN has made a commitment to improve the health of coral reefs around the world andiscreatingopportunitiesforcommunitiestotakechargeoftheirenvironmentbyprovidingthemwiththeskillsandtoolstoensurethelong-termvitalityofcoralreefs.

Buccoo Reef Trust

Philip Goeltenboth - Mozambique Carl J Wantenaar - Similans, Thailand Damaging coral John McManus - Discharge, Indonesia


PROBLEM SOLVING

CLIMATE CHANGEOneoftheprincipleglobalthreatstocoral reefs. While research into the causes andimpactsofclimatechangecontinuesitisbecomingincreasinglyclearthatcoralreefsareamongthemostvulnerableandthreatenedofecosystems.Increaseinseasurfacetemperatures,oceanacidification,risingsealevelsandmorefrequentandseverestormscanhavedevastatingeffectswhichleadtocoralbleaching,slowercoralgrowthandphysicaldamage,resultinginsomecasestoincreasedmortality.Itisgenerallyacceptedthatrapidclimatechangeisoccurring,butwecanhelpourreefsincreasetheirresilienceandabilitytowithstandchangestotheclimatebyreducingthestressorsfromactionswehave direct control over.

COASTAL DEVELOPMENTUnregulatedcoastaldevelopmentcausesdramatichabitatdestruction,killingthereefandhavingaknockoneffectonfisheries,tourismandcoastalprotection.

WATERSHED MANAGEMENTLand development alters natural water flowsleadingtogreateramountsoffreshwater,nutrientsandsedimentreachingthe reefs. Pollution from human activities includingineffectivemanagementofagriculture,andsewageandsedimentationfrom inappropriate land use practices such asdeforestation,endangernotonlycorals,but also human health.

OVER FISHING AND DESTRUCTIVE FISHING PRACTICESIncreasingdemandhasresultedinoverfishingofnotonlydeepwatercommercialfisheries,butreeffisheriesaswell.Whennormalfishingmethodsarenolongersufficienttoevenprovidealivingduetoreducedfishstocks,fishermenturnto unsustainable alternatives such as blastandcyanidefishing.Thiscanstartaspiralofincreasingreefdamage,reducingproductivityandtherebyincreasingtheuse of destructive methods.

TOURISMCoralreeftourismisamajorindustry.Ironically,althoughtourismisgeneratingvast amounts of income much of the tourism is unsustainable and is contributingtoitsdecline.Irresponsibletourismpracticesandunregulatedcoastaldevelopmentareimpactingtheveryreefthatcoralreeftouristsaretheretoenjoy.Sustainable tourism is a major component ofICRAN’sworkinallregions.

ICRANisworkingwithitspartnerstoaddress the major threats to coral reefs throughinnovativeapproachesinadiverserangeoflocationsaroundtheworld.

ICRAN’s Mesoamerican Reef Alliance (MAR)projectisauniqueundertakingintheCaribbeantostrategicallyengagetheprivatesectorandworkalongsidelocalstakeholdersto address the above issues. This Alliance bringspartnersandinternationalexpertisetotheregiontopromoteeconomicallyandenvironmentallysoundmanagementofthereefthroughthreecomponents:WatershedManagement,SustainableFisheries,andSustainable Tourism. To date the project has beenatremendoussuccess.Regionalandlocalpartnershipswiththeagroindustryhavebeenestablishedwhichwillhopefullyleadtoimprovedwatershedmanagementandthe reduction of impacts downstream on the marine and coastal environment. Local fishers’andfishingcooperatives’capacityhasbeenstrengthenedforundertakingsustainablefisheriesmanagementthroughthedevelopmentofindustrypartnerships,promotionof“bestpractices”,traininginfinancialandresourcemanagement,andalternativeincomegenerationstrategies.Partnerships have also been established with themarinetourismsector,helpingtorefineandimplementbusinessguidelinesandbestpractices,thuscreatingasustainableindustryminimizingthreatstotheMesoamericanreef.

IntheDominicanRepublic(DR),ICRANistakingtheleadinsustainabletourismthroughits Marine Tourism Alliance. The tourism industryintheDRisdependentoncleanbeaches,pristinewaterandhealthycoralreefs,whichareatargetforthepotentialmarketof20millionscubadiversandmanymoreskindiversperyear.However,thereefsoftheDominicanRepublicarecurrentlyseverelyimpactedbyanthropogenicactivities,a number of which can be attributed to thethrivingtourismindustry.TheICRANpartner Reef Check Dominican Republic (RCDR)isleadingthisinitiative,workingwith local stakeholders to develop and implementmonitoring,bestpracticeandpublic awareness materials and activities that highlighttheurgentneedtoprotecttheirreefs.RCDRhaveengagedstrategiclocalpartners to increase tourism revenue as a sustainablefinancingmechanismforcoralreefconservation.

Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs),arerecognisedasavaluablemanagementtool.ICRANispartofanalliancesupportingtheWorldWildlifeFundforNature’s(WWF)activitiesinthePrimeirasandSegundasArchipelago,Mozambique.Themaingoalofthisprojectistocreateafunctioningprotectedareafortheuniquehabitatsandendangeredspeciesofthearea;toincreasefishandprawncaptureandtherebyimprovelivingstandardsofthe

people who depend on these waters for their livelihoods; and to promote a focus for tourism development in Nampula and Zambeziaprovinces.Theprojectisbeingimplementedthroughcommunitybasedorganisations,raisingawarenessontheneedforprotectingbirds,marineturtles,coralreefs,sharks,whalesanddolphins.Forexample,marineturtlesaccidentallycaughtbylocalfishermennetsarebeingtaggedandreturnedtotheseainthehopeofimprovingtheunderstandingofthesespecies.

TheSouthAsiaregionsupportssomeoftherichestbiodiversityintheworldyetisoneofthemostunder-representedregionswithrespect to its number of marine and coastal protectedareas.WithfundingfromtheEuropeanUnion,coordinatedbytheSouthAsiaCooperativeEnvironmentProgramme(SACEP)andICRAN,thisregionalinitiativeseekstoimprovethemanagementandconservation of exploited marine and coastal resourcesthrougharangeofactivities.Theprojectalsoaimstoidentifyandbuilduponsustainable livelihood options for poor coastal communitiestoultimatelyimprovethequalityoflifeandreducereefdependency.TheSouthAsiaCoastalResourceTaskForce(SACRTF)has been formed as a result of this project to improvethecoordinationofregionalmarineandcoastalactivities,harnessingregionalexpertisetomaximiseeffortonthegroundandbenefitthemarineenvironmentasawhole.

AlthoughtheseexamplesofICRAN’sworkmayseemdistanttotheGulfregiontheissuesbeingaddressedandthechallengesthattheseactivitiesaretryingtoovercomewillnodoubtbefamiliar.ICRANencouragesthesharingofexperiencesandknowledgebetweenpeople,communitiesandregionswhere coral reefs are central to life and the environment.Bybeingbetterinformed,andhavingaccesstoinformationandotherswhoarefacingthesamechallengeswill,withoutadoubt,makeforabrighterfutureforcoralreefseverywhere.

Youcandoyourbittoo.Don’tjustbeasightseer,becomeanambassadorofthereefandhelpprotectthereefsthatyouloveforthebenefitofall.ForfurtherinformationonICRANandprojects,[email protected].

Since2000ICRANhasbeenworkingattheglobal,regionalandlocallevelsin27countrieswitharangeofactivitiesthatfocusonthepreventionandmitigationofcoralreefdegradationthroughmanagement,monitoringand public awareness actions.

ICRAN Mesoamerican Reef Alliance


DIVING POINTS

EDA,incooperationwiththeInternational Coral Reef Action Network(ICRAN),CoralReefAlliance(CORAL),ProjectA.W.A.R.E.,InternationalFundforAnimalWelfare(IFAW),WiderCaribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network(WIDECAST),TheOceanConservancyandDubaiEducationCouncilandwiththefinancialsupport of the Majid Al Futtaim Group and Dubai Properties - EDA mainsponsors,willsooncomeoutwithEnglish-Arabicguidelineson Good Environmental Practices concerningDiving,Snorkeling,Whale&DolphinWatching,TurtleWatchingandUnderwaterCleanUp.

Theguidelinesadvisethepubliconsomefactsandgeneraldo’sanddon’tsbefore,duringandafterengagingintheaforementionedactivities.

TheguidelineswillbedistributedtotheUAEandOmandivecenters,EDAmembersandsupporters,schoolsanduniversities,tourists,Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX)andDubaiInternationalBoatShowvisitors,aswellasEDAsponsors and selected companies.

EDA PROMOTES GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES THROUGH BILINGUAL GUIDELINES

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يجب دائما الغوص بصحبة مرافق، كما يجب التأكد مسبقا من أدوات الغوص ومراجعة اشارات الغوص.

يجب التأكد من مالئمة ظروف القاع احمليطة واألحوال اجلوية ملمارسة الغوص وذلكلضمان سالمة الغواصني والكائنات املوجودة حتت املاء.

باإلضافة إلى عدة الغوص املعتادة، يلزم الغواص ما يلي:قفاز للحماية من املهمالت واألجسام احلادة .

مقص أو سكني لقطع خيوط الصيد وعلب الصفيح.

تعتبر عمليات تنظيف قاع البحر وسيلة عظيمة فى احلفاظ على البيئة البحرية. وهناك اعتباراتخاصة يجب مراعتها عند تنظيف قاع البحر، وخاصة حول النظم البيئية للشعاب املرجانية.

برجاء اتباع هذه االرشادات البسيطة لتجنب إتالف الشعاب املرجانية الهشة.

التخطيط للغوص

جتهيز عدة الغوص

يجب العمل ببطء وحرص.اتخذ وضعية الغوص بالرأس إلى أسفل و الزعانف إلى أعلى وذلك لتجنب التالمس مع القاع.

اضبط مستوى الطفو خالل الغطسة اذ أن القمامة امعة تثقل مبرور الغطسة.يجب التأكد من سالمة املعدات واالمساك باألكياس الشبكية عاليا حتى ال تتدلى وتعلق

بالشعاب.يقوم أحد الغواصني بتجميع الفات مرتديا القفازات بينما ميسك غواص آخر بالكيس.

ضع الزجاجيات واألبر واخلطاطيف داخل مخلفات اخرى من أجل ضمان السالمة.يجب عدم حتريك أى شىء ال ميكن حمله بسهولة مثل إطارات أو بطاريات السيارات.

بروتوكوالت الغوص

األقمشة وأجولة االرز.البالستيكات وخاصة األكياس البالستيكية.

خيوط الصيد، الشبك واألوانى احملطمة أو أدوات صيد األسماك.البطاريات، الزجاجات التى لم ينم عليها كائنات بحرية وكذلك علب الصفيح.

أعقاب السجائر وأغطية الزجاجات.

األغراض املطلوب تنظيف قاع البحر منها

إن تنظيف قاع البحر ماهو إال وسيلة عملية للمساعدة فى حماية و حفظبيئة القاع من أجل امتاع أجيال احلاضر واملستقبل.

يجب التأكد من اإلملام بالقوانني والتعليمات احمللية إذ ميكن أن تكون مختلفةعن هذه اإلرشادات العامة.

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةتنظيــف قــاع البحــر

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يجب احلرص على عدم إزالة املواد التي أصبحت بالفعل متداخلة في الشعبوتساعد على استمرار احلياة.

ال تزيل الزجاجات النامى عليها كائنات.يجب التأكد من عدم وجود أى شىء حى فى داخل أو على أى مكون قبل إزالته.

اقطع علب الصفيح للتأكد من عدم وجود أى كائن حى بداخلها.امسك علب الصفيح و االكواب بالقرب من االجزاء الرملية من قاع البحر و هزها لتخرج

منها ما فيها من رمال و طمى.

ماذا نزيل وماذا نترك

تأكد من أن تضعها في األكياس

أي شيء مغروس أو مغطى بكائنات نامية عليه.أى شىء مهما كانت قباحة منظره ويكون مغطى بكائنات بحرية نامية عليه.

. أى شىء قد يكون خطرا استخدام منظم الطفو لرفع االشياء الثقيلة. االشياء الثقيلة - فال يجب ابدا

احللقات املعدنية واألوعية التى قد حتتوى على مواد خطرة.

ماذا تترك

ال حتاول أبدا جذب خيوط الصيد، اقطعها ثم قم بإزالتها على أجزاء لتجنب تدمير الكائنات احمليطة بها.

استعمل املقص بدال من السكني.قم بلف اخليط على أى جسم أو حول اليد و ذلك للتحكم به.

خيوط الصيد البالستيكية

قم بتسجيل اى شىء مت جمعه حتى يتسنى معرفة أصله وملعاجلة مشكلة التلوث من مصدرها.

تسجيل النتائج

قم بترتيب القمامة التى مت جمعها إلخذها إلى األماكن الرسمية اصصة وال تتركها ملقاة على الشاطىء.

بعد امتام الغوص

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةتنظيــف قــاع البحــر

يرجى زيارة املوقع اإللكترونى للمحافظة على احمليطاتwww.oceanconservancy.org ودعم عمليات

التنظيف الساحلي الدولي السنوي باإلنضمام إلى أي حدث ذو صلة بهذا املوضوع قريب منك

حتالف الشعاب املرجانية (CORAL) هو منظمة دوليةال تهدف إلى الربح ويدعمها أعضاؤها وهي مكرسة

للحفاظ على الشعاب املرجانية احلية في جميع أنحاء http://www.coral.org:العالم. يرجى زيارة موقعنا على الويب

هذه االرشادات العامة ميكن اعادة انتاجها و توزيعها مجانا مادامت تنتج مرة اخرى كما هي ومتضمنة

© 2005 CORAL.

[email protected]. حقوق الطبع. اإلقتراحات لتحسني هذه االرشادات العامة يجب ارسالها الى

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةالغـــــــــــوص

ال يجب أبدا مطاردة أو مضايقة أو محاولة ركوب أي من أشكال احلياة البحرية. ملس أو التعامل أو إطعام أي من أشكال احلياة البحرية إال بإشراف ال يجب أبدا

أحد اخلبراء واتباع اإلرشادات احمللية املتبعة.

قلل إلى أدنى حد من التعامل مع احلياة البحرية

يحتاج الغواصون مهارات متقدمة في الغوص وذلك ليتمكنوا من التقاط الصور الفوتوغرافية أو التصوير باستخدام الفيديو حتت املاء . إن أجهزة التصوير الضوئي أو الفيديو تشكل عائقا وتؤثر على طفو وإتزان وحركة الغواص في املاء. كما أنها ميكن بسهولة أن توثر وتتلف احلياة

البحرية عندما يتم التركيز على التقاط الصور املثالية.

اختر منظمي رحالت الغوص ذوي املراكب املزودة مبا يتاح من بويات الرسو،فاستعمال اطاف والسالسل يدمر الشعاب املرجانية السهلة الكسر.

يجب التأكد من تخزين القمامة وباألخص املواد البالستيكية اخلفيفة الوزن.يجب التأكد من أنك قمت بأخذ كل شيء أحضرته على سطح املركب مثل العلب والبطاريات

املستعملة والزجاجات.

قم بدعم محميات الشعاب املرجانية ومشاريع احلماية األخرى.قم بزيارة محميات الشعاب املرجانية املقامة وقم بدفع الرسوم املقررة والتي

تدعم حماية احلياة البحرية.شجع وقم بدعم استعمال بويات الرسو للغوص.

قم باملشاركة في املبادرات احمللية ملراقبة البيئة البحرية.ساهم في حمالت التنظيف.

تبرع أو تطوع مبهاراتك في دعم محميات الشعاب. وميكنك، على سبيل املثال،االشتراك في مسح للشعاب املرجانية أو املساعدة في تعليم اآلخرين كيفية

حماية الشعاب املرجانية.تبرع باألجهزة املستعملة مثل الكاميرات وعدة الغوص أو كتب التعرف على الشعاب.

حتدث، تأكد من أن زمالءك في الغوص يتفهمون هذه املمارسات البيئية البسيطةولكنها في نفس الوقت مهمة.

يرجى زيارة املوقع اإللكترونى ملشروع منظمةAWARE على الويب : www. projectaware. org

ملعرفة املزيد من التفاصيل حول حماية البيئةاملائية ومصادرها.



التصوير الضوئي والتصوير باستخدام الفيديو

عند الغوص من املركب

الغوص من الشاطىء


© 2005 CORAL.


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لقضاء عطلتك، قم باختيار منتجع أو فندق صديق للبيئة، وميارس نظم احملافظة على الطاقة، وإعادة تدوير الفات، ويقوم بالتعامل مع الصرف الصحى والفات الصلبة بشكل مسؤول.

قم باختيار عمليات الغوص الصديقة للشعاب املرجانية والتى متارس نظم احلفاظ على الشعاب وذلك عن طريق:

إعطاء نبذة مختصرة عن البيئة.عقد ورشات عمل للتحكم في عملية الطفو.

استعمال املتاح من بويات الرسو.استخدام املتاح من اإلمكانيات لضخ مياه الصرف.

الدعم النشط حملميات الشعاب املرجانية احمللية.املشاركة فى املشاريع احمللية للمحافظة على البيئة.

دفع الرسوم أو التبرع عند زيارتك محميات الشعاب واملناطق البحريةاألخرى للمحافظة عليها.

جتنب شراء التذكارات املصنعة من الشعاب املرجانية، أو السالحف البحرية أو غيرها من أشكال احلياة البحرية، فهذا غالبا عمل غير قانوني، ودائما غير مراعي للبيئة.

تعلم كل ما ميكنك تعلمه بشأن الشعاب املرجانية - إنها بيئات فاتنة ولكنها قابلة للكسر.

ملس الشعاب املرجانية، فحتى التالمس البسيط ميكن أن يؤذي الشعاب كما ال يجب أبداأن بعضا منها تلسع وتسبب اجلروح.

اختر بعناية نقاط دخولك للبحر ونقاط خروجك منه وهذا لتجنب األماكن املوجود بها الشعاب.تأكد من تأمني عدة الغوص اخلاصة بك.

يجب أن تكون ذات طفو متعادل طوال الوقت.حافظ على وجود مسافة مناسبة بينك وبني الشعاب املرجانية.

تدرب على استخدام الزعانف بشكل جيد مع التحكم في جسمك وذلك ملنع أى تصادمعارض مع الشعاب أو إثارة الرواسب القاعية.

الوقوف أو أخذ راحة على الشعاب. عن القاع وال يجب أبدا كن بعيداجتنب استعمال القفازات وأجزاء حماية الركبة في بيئة الشعاب املرجانية.

ال يجب أخذ أي شيء حي أو ميت خارج املياه، باستثناء الفضالت احلديثة.

املمارسات البيئية اجليدةالغـــــــــــوص

يعتبر الغواصون من أقوى وأكثر املؤثرين فى الدعوة إلى احلفاظ على الشعاب املرجانية. الرجاء إتباع هذه اإلرشادات البسيطة لكي تصبح من الغواصني احملبى للشعاب.

مسئوليتك كسائح

فــــي املــــاء

إن الغواص اجليد يعرف أن أفضل وسيلة للتمتع بالشعاب املرجانية هياالسترخاء والتحرك ببطء ومراقبة الشعاب وهي تتحرك بال إزعاج حلياتها اليومية.

يجب التأكد من اإلملام بالقوانني والتعليمات احمللية إذ ميكن أن تكون مختلفةعن هذه اإلرشادات العامة.

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةالسباحة بإستخدام أنبوب التنفس (سنوركل)

تعد الشعاب املرجانية من ضمن أعجب النظم البيئية وأكثرها إثارة حول العالموتعتبر السباحة باستخدام أنبوب التنفس (سنوركل) وسيلة ممتازة إلستكشافها.ومبا أن الشعاب املرجانية تواجه مستقبال متزايد الغموض، فإن املمارسني للسباحة

بواسطة األنبوب (السنوركل) وغيرهم من زوار الشعاب املرجانية ميكنهم القيام بدورهام في املساعدة حلماية هذه البيئات الهشة. يرجى من ممارسي السباحة بواسطة األنبوب

(السنوركل) اتباع هذه اإلرشادات البسيطة ليصبحوا من أصدقاء البيئة.

للقيام بعطلتك، اختر إحدى املنتجعات أو الفنادق الصديقة للبيئة والتى متارس احلفاظ علىالطاقة وإعادة تصنيع الفات ومعاجلة الصرف والفات الصعبة بشكل مسؤول.

قم بدفع رسوم الزيارة أو تبرع عند قيامك بزيارة محميات الشعاب املرجانية ومناطق احلفاظعلى األشكال األخرى من احلياة البحرية.

قم بإختيار أحسن ما ميكن من تعليمات السباحة بواسطة األنبوب (السنوركل). عن منطقة قم بالتدرب على ممارسة مهارات السباحة بواسطة األنبوب (السنوركل) بعيدا

الشعاب.تأكد من مالءمة األدوات قبل السباحة بواسطة األنبوب (السنوركل) قرب الشعاب، إذ من

القيام بضبطها في البحر. الصعب جداإذا شعرت بعدم االطمئنان أو أنت من قليلي اخلبرة مبمارسة السباحة بواسطة األنبوب

(السنوركل)، فقم بإرتداء جاكت الطفو للمساعدة في االتزان.تعلم كل ما ميكنك معرفته حول الشعاب املرجانية - إنها بيئات فائقة السحر ولكنها

هشة سهلة الكسر.

قبل البدء باستكشاف الشعاب

ملس الشعاب املرجانية، فحتى التالمس البسيط ميكن أن يؤذي الشعاب ال يجب ابداكما أن بعضا منها تلسع وتسبب اجلروح.

اختر بعناية نقاط دخولك للبحر ونقاط خروجك منه وهذا لتجنب السير على الشعاب.حافظ على مسافة مناسبة بينك وبني الشعاب، بهدف تالفي التالمس بينك وبني الشعاب.

طوال الوقت اعرف أين تذهب زعانفك وال تثر الرمال في القاع.كن في وضع أفقى في املاء عندما تكون بالقرب من الشعاب أو فوقها.

تعلم أن تسبح دون استخدام يديك.حترك ببطء وبتأن في املاء - إسبح بإسترخاء وخذ وقتك في السباحة.

تذكر، أنظر ولكن ال تلمس.

في املاء

إن السباح اجليد املستخدم ألنبوب التنفس (السنوركل) يعرف أن أفضل وسيلة للتمتع بالشعاباملرجانية هي اإلسترخاء والتحرك ببطء ومراقبة كائنات الشعاب وهي تتحرك بال إزعاج حلياتها اليومية.

يجب عليك التأكد من اإلملام بالقوانني والتعليمات احمللية إذ ميكن أن تكون مختلفة عن هذهاإلرشادات العامة.

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةالسباحة بإستخدام أنبوب التنفس (سنوركل)

ال تأخذ أي شيء حي أو ميت خارج املاء بإستثناء القمامة احلديثة والتي ال يوجد عليها أيكائن نامي عليها.

ال يجب أبدا مطاردة أو محاولة الركوب على أي من أشكال احلياة البحرية. ملس أو إطعام أي من أشكال احلياة البحرية أو التعامل معها إال بإشراف أحد ال يجب أبدا

اخلبراء ومراعاة اإلرشادات احمللية املتبعة.

قلل من التعامل مع احلياة البحرية

اختر منظمي رحالت السباحة باستخدام أنبوب التنفس (السنوركل) ذوي املراكب املزودة مبايتاح من بويات الرسو، فإستعمال اطاف والسالسل يدمر الشعاب املرجانية السهلة الكسر.

يجب التأكد من تخزين القمامة وباألخص املواد البالستيكية اخلفيفة الوزن.يجب التأكد من أخذ كل شيء أحضرته على سطح املركب مثل العلب والبطاريات

املستعملة والزجاجات.

قم بدعم محميات الشعاب املرجانية ومشاريع احلماية األخرى.قم بزيارة محميات الشعاب املرجانية املقامة وقم بدفع الرسوم املقررة والتي تدعم حماية

احلياة البحرية.شجع و ادعم استعمال بويات الرسو.

اشترك في املبادرات احمللية ملراقبة البيئة البحرية.ساهم في حمالت التنظيف.

تبرع أو تطوع مبهاراتك في دعم محميات الشعاب. وعلى سبيل املثال، ميكنك اإلشتراك فيمسح للشعاب املرجانية أو املساعدة في تعليم اآلخرين كيفية حماية الشعاب املرجانية.

تبرع باألجهزة املستعملة مثل الكاميرات وعدة الغوص أو كتب التعرف على الشعاب.جتنب شراء التذكارات املصنعة من الشعاب املرجانية، أو السالحف البحرية وغيرها منأشكال احلياة البحرية - فهذا غالبا ما يكون غير قانوني، ويكون دائما غير مراع للبيئة.

حتدث وتأكد من أن زمالءك في السباحة (السنوركل) يتفهمون هذه املمارسات البيئية البسيطة ولكنها مهمة في نفس الوقت.

يرجى زيارة املوقع اإللكترونى ملشروع منظمةAWARE على الويب : www. projectaware. org

ملعرفة املزيد من التفاصيل حول حماية البيئةاملائية ومصادرها.



في املركب

بجانب الشاطىء


© 2005 CORAL.

[email protected]. حقوق الطبع. اإلقتراحات لتحسني هذه االرشادات العامة يجب ارسالها الىww

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةمراقبة السالحف البحرية

عاشت السالحف البحرية فى محيطات العالم ما يزيد عن 150 مليون سنة. و مما يدعوإلى احلزن، ان هذه الزواحف البالغة القدم قد أصبحت األن مهددة باإلنقراض على مستوى

العالم. العديد من مجتمعات السالحف أصبحت فى تناقص نتيجة للصيد، تزايد التنمية الساحلية، أسرها باخلطأ عن طريق املصايد، التدهور البيئى و تدمير الشواطىء التى يتم

بها وضع البيض والتلوث البحرى. بإتباع هذه اإلرشادات البسيطة، ميكنك املساعدة فىاحلفاظ على السالحف البحرية.

كل أنواع السالحف البحرية مهددة وحتتاج الى احلماية.ميكن للسالحف أن متوت غرقا اذا منعت من الوصول الى سطح املاء لتتنفس.

، و باألخص األكياس البالستيكية، و التى تعتبرها الفضالت والبقايا خطرة جدابطريق اخلطأ قناديل البحر وهى الغذاء املفضل للسالحف.

تظل السالحف في نفس أماكنها لسنني عدة، كأفراد بالغة، وتعود إلى نفس أماكن. وضع البيض سنة بعد سنة. إذا دمرت أماكن وضع البيض فإن السالحف قد التعود أبدا

حقائق حول السالحف

ادعم املبادرات احمللية حلماية السالحف البحرية - قم بالتبرع أو فكر بالقيام بعمل تطوعى.اشترك فى الشبكات احمللية للمراقبة وأكمل كل استمارات مراقبة احلياة البرية.

ال تقم بشراء أو بيع املنتجات املصنعة من السالحف - السالحف البحرية خاضعةللحماية بقوة حتت CITES (اتفاقية اإلجتار العاملى فى األنواع البرية احليوانية

والنباتية املهددة باالنقراض) وأغلب القوانني األهلية.

ماذا ميكنك عمله

راقب السالحف البحرية خالل إبحارك - إن صدمات املراكب ميكن أن تقتل.عندما تكون فى املاء، كن على بعد وتفادى السالحف اجلافلة. ال تقم بإزعاج اى من

السالحف التى تستريح أو النائمة أو التى تأكل.ال حتاول أبدا صيد السالحف أو مضايقتها أو األمساك بها أو الركوب عليها.

إذا أظهرت أى عالمة من عدم االرتياح. اقترب من السالحف ببطء وهدوء وابتعد فوراال تلمس أو تطعم السالحف البحرية.

إن اإلشتراك فى برنامج جدي ملراقبة السالحف البحرية ميكن أن يساعد فى زيادة التوعيةمبا هو ضرورى حلماية السالحف.

تأكد من معرفة القوانني والتعليمات احمللية، اذ ميكن أن تختلف عن هذه اإلرشادات العامة.

في املاء

إن ااملشاركة الفعالة في برامج مراقبة السالحف تساعد بشكل كبير في حمايتهاوذلك عن طريق نشر الوعي فيما يخص هذه الكائنات البحرية.

يجب عليك التأكد من اإلملام بالقوانني والتعليمات احمللية إذ ميكن أن تكون مختلفة عن هذهاإلرشادات العامة.

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةمراقبة السالحف البحرية

خالل مواسم التزاوج، بعض اإلعتبارات اخلاصة يجب مراعاتها عند زيارة الشواطىء التىتستخدمها السالحف لوضع البيض.

جتنب األعشاش احلاضنة للبيض - ال تقم بالقيادة على شواطىء وضع البيض أو استخدامهاللتخييم أو الشواء.

ال تترك األغراض الكبيرة (مثل املقاعد، املظالت أو العربات) على شواطىء وضع البيض خالل الليل. هذا ميكنه اعاقة مسيرة السالحف و منع وضع البيض.

ابعد احليوانات االليفة، و بخاصة الكالب، اذ بإمكانهم تعريض البيض او السالحف احلديثةالفقس للخطر.

قلل من إضاءة الشاطىء - اإلضاءة اإلصطناعية تضلل السالحف.قم بتقليل األضواء او أغلق تلك التى ميكن مالحظتها من الشاطىء.

على الشاطىء

احمي السالحف حديثة الفقس من أضواء الشاطىء األمامية. اطلب غلق األضواء لفترة كافية كى تتمكن السالحف احلديثة الفقس من بلوغ البحر.

ال تتدخل فى زحفها إلى البحر.ال تقم بتصوير السالحف احلديثة الفقس - انها حساسة للغاية من األ ضواء.

ملعرفة للمزيد من املعلومات عن السالحفالبحرية واحلفاظ عليها يرجى زيارة املوقع

االلكترونى للشبكة االوسع للحفاظ علىسالحف الكاريبى البحرية (WIDECAST) على

http://www.widecast.org



السالحف حديثة الفقس

إن التصوير الضوئى العشاش السالحف البحرية غير قانونى فى بعض األماكن. استعملضوء الكاميرا، و اذا لزم األمر، قم بالتقاط الصور الضوئية فقط من اخللف وذلك لتجنب

تعريض السالحف للعمى.

التصوير الضوئي


© 2005 CORAL.


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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةمراقبة احليتان والدالفني

إن مراقبة احليتان والدالفني شيء ملهم للنفس وجتربة ال تنسى. فيجب أن تكون رحالت مراقبة احليتان والدالفني هادئة وحتت السيطرة، ومنفذة بإهتمام عميق

من أجل رعاية احليوانات وسالمتها.

ال تقم أبدا مبالحقة أو مضايقة احليتان والدالفني.قم دائما بالسماح للحيوانات بالسيطرة على الطبيعة و مدة مواجهتها.

. اذا أظهروا أى من عالمات الهياج أو عدم االرتياح، أترك املنطقة فورااحرص على وجود مراقبة جيدة طوال الوقت وذلك لتجنب املصادمات أو

املضايقات غير املقصودة.كن على حذر وخاصة حول األمهات و الصغار - حافظ على وجود مسافة

. وال تفرق شملهم أبداينصح اخلبراء بعدم ملس أو إطعام احليتان والدالفني.

احرص على ان تكون أى ضوضاء فى أدنى مستوياتها.املهمالت ميكن ان تكون قاتلة: تخلص منها بشكل آمن ومسؤول.

ال تقم بشراء منتجات احليتان - إنها محمية بشكل صارم مبوجب معاهدة CITES (معاهدة اإلجتار الدولى بأنواع احليوانات والنباتات البرية املهددة باالنقراض).

ما يجب فعله وما اليجب فعله على وجه العموم

السلوك غريب األطوار.التغيير السريع فى اإلجتاه والسرعة.

تكتيكات الهروب مثل الغوص ملدة طويلة.حتريك الذيل بعنف أو الضرب بالذيل.

عالمات الهياج عند احليتان والدالفني

إن سلوك احليتان و الدالفني غير مفهوم بدقة. ينصح اخلبراء بأن األفضل هو مراقبةاحليوانات واإلعجاب بها دون النزول إلى املاء، ففى ذلك حماية لنفسك وللحيوانات.

السباحة مع احليتان والدالفني

إن املشاركة فى البرامج املسؤولة عن مراقبة احليتان ميكن أن تساعد فى حماية احليتان عن طريق التوعية و تقدمي إيرادات للسكان احملليني.

تأكد من التعرف على القوانني واللوائح احمللية فهى قد تختلف عن هذه املبادىء التوجيهية العامة. www.

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دائما اترك محرك املركب دائرا حتى فى حالة الطفو مع تيار املاء. هذا لسالمتك باإلضافةالى سالمة احليوانات. فاملعروف عن احليتان انها تتصادم مع املراكب املبحرة.

حتذير: دع احليتان او الدالفني تعرف مكانك.

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املمارسات البيئية اجليدةمراقبة احليتان والدالفني

ال يجب أبدا مطاردة أو محاولة جتميع احليتان أو الدالفني. قم بتشغيل مركبك بسلوكميكن التنبؤ به. وعلى سبيل املثال:

جتنب التغيير الفجائى فى السرعة أو االجتاه، أو مستوى الضوضاء. بالسباق مع احليتان أو الدالفني. أحرص على التحرك بسرعة غير مزعجة و ال تقم أبدا

للهرب. ال تقم بالدوران حول احليوانات، أو مطاردتها، أو التفرقة بينها، و أترك لها دائما مسارا من ناحية رأس احليتان أو الدالفني، و كن بعيدا عن مسارها حتى ال جتبرها على تغييره. ال تقترب أبدا

ال تشترك فى وثبات أو قفزات أمام مسار حوت إلجباره على مواجهتك.

ارشادات عامة عند استعمال املراكب

على الوضع احملايد. حافظ على مسارك واستمر بالسير ببطء أو توقف، مع ترك احملرك دائرا

يرجى زيارة املوقع اإللكترونى للتمويل الدوليwww.ifaw.org لتحسني أحوال احليوانات على

ملمزيد من العلومات ودعم عملها في حمايةاحليتان والدالفني.


للحفاظ على الشعاب املرجانية حية في جميع أنحاء http://www.coral.org:العالم. يرجى زيارة موقعنا على الويب

حترك بسر عة بطيئة أو غير مزعجة.كن على بعد 100 متر (110 ياردة) على األقل.

نسق الدخول إلى منطقة املراقبة مع باقى املراكب وذلك لتجنب حبس احليتان أو الدالفني.قلل مدة املشاهدة إلى حوالى 30 دقيقة للمركب الواحد.

قلل عدد املراكب فى منطقة املراقبة إلى واحد أو اثنني فى نفس الوقت.ابق على مسار مواز ملسار احليتان أو الدالفني.

في منطقة الرؤية

عند إقتراب احليتان أو الدالفني

ال تقم بالقيادة خالل مجموعات الدالفني لتشجيعها على ركوب املوجة عند مقدمة املركب -قد ال ترغب كل الدالفني فى ركوب موجة مقدمة املركب - و الكثير منها ال يرتاح إلى ذلك.

اذا اقتربت الدالفني لركوب املوجة، حافظ على اجتاهك وسرعتك أو قف ببطء و دعها متر.

الدالفني وركوب املوجة


© 2005 CORAL.


www.

emira

tesd

iving

.com


EDArecentlyreleasedPearlDiving,a140-pageArabicpublication,whichoffersglimpsesofthehistoricalsignificanceofpearldivingandthemaritimelegacyintheGulf.

The book includes a compilation of interviews with old pearl divers and UAE nationals on their experiencesofdivingintheUAE.Thedata,supportedbyauthenticphotographs,wascollectedbyJuma’aBinThalith,EDA’sHeritageDepartment Coordinator.

“PearldivingwasanimportantpartoftheeconomyoftheArabian Gulf before the current oil boom. Local pearl divers wenttogreatriskstocollectoystersfromtheoeanfloor,butthe rewards were worth it. The income received from the pearl industryhelpedsupportmanyDubai families. This book will shedlightonaveryinterestingand important period in Dubai’s history,explainedEssaAlGhurair,EDA’s Vice-Chairman.

PEARL DIVING

The publication was made possible through the sponsorship of Dubai Properties, an EDA main sponsor.


EDA GEAR

MOUSE PAD - Dhs 25COFFEE MUG - Dhs 15CANVAS BAG - Dhs 30ZIPPY BAG - Dhs 20

NEW LADIES TSHIRTS - Dhs 35 LADIES TSHIRT(Rectangularbackdesign)-availableinwhiteandblack Sizes-S,M,L,XL,XXL LADIES TSHIRT(Circularbackdesign)-availableinwhiteonly Sizes-S,M,L,XL,XXL

NEW MENS TSHIRTS - Dhs 40 MENS TSHIRT(Rectangularbackdesign)-availableinwhiteandblack Sizes-M,L,XL,XXL MENS TSHIRT(Circularbackdesign)-availableinwhiteonly Sizes-M,L,XL,XXL

EDAMembersBasemAbuDagga,wifeHanaAbuSamraandSueGiles(shownwithhusbandPaul)poseforaphotojustbeforethestartofthe10kmraceoftherecentStandardCharteredMarathon.PhotocourtesyofFrancisUy

EDA IN STANDARD CHARTERED

MARATHON

EDAmembersproudlyshowtheirmedalsafterfinishingtherace.PhotocourtesyofFrancisUy.

EDA’S NEW GEAR NOW ON SALE!AVAILABLE AT DMEX

DHS 15

EDA Mug

DHS 20

Zippy Bag

DHS 15

Mask Strap

DHS 30Canvas Bag

DHS 100Rash Vest

DHS 25Mouse Pad

DHS 35

DHS 40

DHS 35

DHS 40

DHS 35

DHS 40

MASK STRAP - Dhs 15RASH VEST - Dhs 100 (Unisex)-1coloronly Sizes-S,M,L,XL,XXL


Chairperson Mr Faraj Butti Al Muhairbi

Vice Chairperson Mr Essa Al Ghurair

The Secretary General Mr Jamal Bu Hannad

Financial Director Mr. Khalfan Khalfan Al Mohiari

Head of the Technical Committee Mr. Omar Al Huraiz

Head of the Scientific Committee Mr. Mohd Al Salfa

Technical Adviser Mr. Ahmed bin Byat

EXECUTIVE TEAM

EDA AdviserIbrahim Al Zu’biEmail: [email protected]

EDA Administrative AssistantMelrose ValenciaEmail: [email protected]

EDA SecretaryErna Magbanua

Graphic Designer & Film MakerAlly Landes

MISSION STATEMENT

To conserve, protect and restore the U.A.E. marine resources by understanding and promoting the marine environment and promote environmental diving.

LEGISLATION

Emirates Diving Association (EDA) was established by a Federal Decree, No. (23) for the year 1995 article No. (21) on 23/02/1995 and chose Dubai as its base. The Decree stipulates the following responsibilities for EDA.

• To Legislate and regulate all diving activities in the UAE. • Ensure environmentally respectful diving practices in all EDA members.• Promote and support the diving industry within the UAE by coordinating the efforts of the diving community.• Promote diving safety in the commercial and recreational diving fields through standardization of practices. • Promote and preserve historical aspects of diving within the gulf region and enhance environmental education to diving and non diving communities through EDA activities.

CONTACT DETAILS

Emirates Diving AssociationHeritage & Diving VillageShindaga AreaP.O. Box: 33220Dubai, UAE

Tel: +971-4-3939390Fax: +971-4-3939391Email: [email protected], [email protected]: http://emiratesdiving.com/

EDA EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS EDA SOCIAL (MONTHLY)

EDASocialisaregulareventtobringtogetherEDAmembersfortalksandothersocialactivities. It can include discussions on topics that EDA believes will be of interest to its members.Ledbyindividualswhoareexpertsintheirrespectivefields,thetalksaimtoprovidememberstheopportunitytogainknowledgeontopicsrelevanttothedivingcommunity.

DIVE MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITION (DMEX) 2007

13th-17thMarch,DubaiMarina,MinaSeyahi.

CORAL REEF MONITORING & AWARENESS PROGRAMME (CRAMP)

CRAMPCommitteememberswillundergotrainingtotakepartinthecommittee’smainactivityofmonitoringthehealthofthecoralsintheUAEaspartoflocalparticipationinongoingglobalreefconservationeffortsthroughReefCheck.www.reefcheck.org

GALA DINNER

Emirates Towers, 17th May 2007EDAwillholditsannualGalaDinnerinMay.ThisisayearlycelebrationofEDA’sachievementsandawaytothankitssponsors,partnersandmembersfortheirsupport.

CLEAN UP ARABIA

TheCleanUpCommitteeisplanningtoholdregularcleanupsthisyear.CleanupactivitieswillculminatewiththeannualCleanUpArabiainNovember2007.

divers for the environment march 2007

Documents

issue of divers

eda volunteer committees

cousteau label

dmex floor plan

free copyof

edas magazine

breathtaking women

head office