Using earthquake sensors to track endangered whales

The Fin whale is the second-largest animal ever to live on Earth. The animal’s huge size and global range make its movements and behaviour hard to study. Knowing their swimming behaviours could help vessels avoid strikes and help support the Fin whale’s slowly rebounding populations. Researchers at the University of Washington are now able to track whale’s positions using an array of underwater seismic sensors that can detect the calls of the whale’s.

Full story can be found here

When a Volcano Erupts Underwater

Some new and fascinating footage has emerged of lava flowing from an underwater crater in Hawaii. A team of divers got dangerously close enough to film this spectacle as extremely hot lava meets the ocean, cooling rapidly forming pillow lava which is very unstable. As a result the dive team experience frightening underwater avalanches, steam heat and fire, all which makes for a very interesting watch on a new show called UnderH2Oshow on youtube.

Orca feeding frenzy delights onlookers

A large pod of orca frolicked in Tauranga Harbour and dined on stingray – a delectable delight similar to chocolate for humans, experts say.

A large pod of Orca feeding in the channel to Tauranga Harbour chased hundreds of stingray into the shallows. Photo / Xavier Barry (Age 11)

Photo from nzherald.co.nz

Hundreds of people watched in delight as the pod of at least 20 orca fed on stingray and food in the channel between Matakana Island and the Mauao base track yesterday.

The orca, first seen about midday, swam into Tauranga Harbour and forced hundreds of brown-and-white-spotted stingrays close to shore. They then fed on the stingrays.

Read full NZ Herald article here

Mokohinau Islands – AUUC Video Report (April 2013)

Thanks to our speedy Jono and his editing skills we have our first video trip report! Hopefully there will be many more to come!

Feeling like you want to get back in the water? Check out our trips list and get diving!

Darren Shields to talk at next club meeting!

Hey Guys,

Just letting you know that we have Darren Shields coming to our next club meeting to talk about his recent trip to the Three Kings and his spearfishing adventures. Darren always has some good stories to tell even if you are not a spearo, it’s not a meeting to miss. The meeting is at 6pm this Wednesday April 10 in ENgineering 3402

Darren Shields is the 6 times NZ Spearfishing Champion and has represented NZ in 3 World Spearfishing events. He also runs the successful wetsuit shop Wettie out of Albany.

If you are planning on coming to the Mokohinaus or the Bay of Islands it is a great opportunity to sort rides!

As per usual we will be making the fortnightly pilgrimage to Shadows to drink a few cold ones and continue our Matauri Banter.

Email Lorna on prez@akunidive.com if you want any more info!