Atlantic bluefin tuna is in crisis and meets the criteria for a total ban on international trade, the head of the UN wildlife trade organisation said on Saturday in opening a 13-day meeting.

The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), convening for the first time in the Middle East, is the only UN body with the power to outlaw commerce in endangered wild animals and plants.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna - endangered but delicious

Besides the sharply disputed proposal on bluefin, the Convention will debate the status of African elephants, polar bears and tigers.

Delegates from the nearly 150 nations in attendance will also vote on less stringent protection for several types of shark and their lookalikes.

Read the full article from the Sydney Morning Herald

Purse Seine boats encircling school of fish

The main way that tuna is caught is through purse seines in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Basically, after a large group of tuna is located, a miles-across purse seine net is closed around them via a group of small boats associated with a large factory ship.

This technique is pretty standard- the main variation lies in how the large group of tuna is located. There are basically three ways to do this:

1) Get lucky and happen to stumble across a large group of tuna visible from the surface in the middle of an enormous ocean. Obviously, this isn’t terribly practical.

2) Attract tuna using floating objects. Stay tuned, we’ll come back to #2.

3) Follow dolphins, because dolphins in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are often associated with large schools of tuna. Dolphins are easy to follow because, unlike tuna, they have to come up for air.

As a result of pressure from environmental activist groups like Greenpeace, it became illegal to fish using method #3, and we now have what is called “dolphin safe tuna”. Technically this means only that the tuna isn’t harvested by searching for dolphins associated with a school of tuna, something that many environmental groups think isn’t a strong enough definition.

“Ten thousand sets of purse seine nets around immature tuna swimming under logs and other debris will cause the deaths of 25 dolphins; 130 million small tunas; 513,870 mahi mahi; 139,580 sharks; 118,660 wahoo; 30,050 rainbow runners; 12,680 other small fish; 6540 billfish; 2980 yellowtail; 200 other large fish; 1020 sea turtles; and 50 triggerfish.”

“Ten thousand sets of purse seine nets around mature yellowfin swimming in association with dolphins, will cause the deaths of 4000 dolphins (0.04 percent of a population that replenishes itself at the rate of two to six percent per year); 70,000 small tunas; 100 mahi mahi; 3 other small fish; 520 billfish; 30 other large fish; and 100 sea turtles. No sharks, no wahoo, no rainbow runners, no yellowtail, and no triggerfish and dramatic reductions in all other species but dolphins.”

Interesting article. So although almost 4000 cute lil dolphins are saved, the cost in other more endangered species, and juvenile tuna (hurting the fishery itself) is very much higher! And if accurate, perhaps too high to justify.

Read the full the article here and discuss.

NIWA scientists have discovered that nearly all snapper on the west coast of the North Island come from nurseries in just one harbour.

In 2003, NIWA scientists collected juvenile snapper from seven estuaries along the west coast of the North Island. By testing their ear bones (otoliths) for eight different chemical elements, scientists were able to create a ‘chemical signature’ to identify which estuary the fish came from.

Four years on, a sample of 140 adult snapper was collected from commercial catches, from Ninety Mile Beach to Mana Island in Wellington. The analysis of these snapper using the ‘chemical signatures’ established is now complete. The scientists found that 98 percent of the adult snapper were originally juveniles from Kaipara Harbour.

NIWA Fisheries Ecologist Dr Mark Morrison said the discovery is a significant breakthrough for scientists working on ways to maintain and potentially increase snapper and other fisheries stocks.

Read the full article from NIWA

Because now underwater mp3 players have matured and the new iDive 300 allows you to play and control your iPod down to a depth of 300ft (90m).

“An integrated dock and microprocessor allow for control of touch wheel and even touch screen iPods through external buttons. The headphones can be tucked under your dive hood, or clip directly onto your mask strap.”

It costs $350 USD for the case but you must supply your own iPod. Seriously though, this could be great for decompression stops; currently a lot of tech divers are using those swimmers headphones but they can usually only be used on the 3m stops. It may be good for bored oil rig divers too? who knows. You can even watch movies, I can’t wait to play Finding Nemo for the clownfish and see if they get any ideas.

But if I am swimming through the corridors of the Canterbury and hear bum-tish, bum-Tish, bum-TISH, BUM-TISH coming up behind me like jaws. Well, I might finally find a use for that big ass dive knife strapped to my leg.

Odd looking marine animals

Big fish extravaganza

Out of this world fishing

Just make sure you stay away from the rest of the site, or like me you will never get any work done.

Remember, be friendly and courteous to all of our affiliated stores, these discounts are run on goodwill, and the stores have no obligation to provide the discounts stated here. Also, don’t just hit and run, support your local dive store, and they will keep you in last minute rental gear in return!

Check out two new stores, one on the North Shore, and underwater camera rentals:

Dive Centre

Great store, one of New Zealand’s oldest dive stores. They just recently moved to new premises in Takapuna, and they have some nice stuff in there, and friendly people!

Show your membership card for access to these deals:

• $5 air fills.
• 10% off retail items not on special.
• 25% off gear rental (see here for prices).
• They also rent scooters! Wheeee!

Fish on Film

This guy rents out underwater cameras, underwater video cameras, and strobes!

Show your membership card, and get access to the dive club regular customers discount! 10% at the moment, and growing as club members go more often!

Check here for prices, you can rent out a still camera for as low as $30 a day before the discount; and with extra discounts for multiple day hire, this place can’t be beat for a great deal.

However, bear in mind that you will have to put down a $500 bond before renting, these cameras are expensive. Credit card is easiest, but call to inquire about other options.

There are multiple options for cameras, from beginner to more advanced. I can vouch for the Sony P150 for being super easy to use, with great quality photos, but I’m sure the others are good too.

Before you take it away for the first time he spends about 20 minutes with you, explaining how the camera works, how to ensure it does not leak, and tips for taking great photos. So this is a great way to try out underwater photography on a low low budget.

Twins, AND four stage bottles hahaha, awesome. Keep an eye on Mike for this one… he might sprain something!
EDIT: Dammit, that wasn’t the right video… that was just a lame advert. Oh well.

Each individual will be presented with a bottle of sparkling wine courtesy of AUUC and after consuming it we will go for a frolick through the many fountains of Auckland city. We are meeting in the quad at approximately 7:45am, and wetsuits are optional :p. Please send me an email (trips@akunidive.com) to confirm your place and secure yourself a bottle of champagne. NO RSVP NO BOOZE!

We will be locking our gear in the AUES or AUSA offices, and afterwards remember there are nice hot showers available in the quad toilets. Drinking at 8 in the morning may sound a little early, but trust us, it is worth it. Plus we are just in time to spread the (damp) love to all the office workers getting ready for what they thought was a normal day…

Non fountain-divers are always welcome to document the event; and remember, be careful with your hire wetsuit if you get one!

If you want to see some more photos check out Fountains of Auckland.

Sooo in a nutshell:
When: Check your email
Where: Main Quad
Time: 7:45am
What you need: Wetsuit / swimsuit (if you can handle a bit of cold), wetsuit booties / old shoes, towel
You may want: Mask and snorkel (for underwater funnels), disposable underwater camera

Followed the link to this video of a cute little cuttlefish in an aquarium, probably also a very bored little cuttlefish… this was probably the most exciting thing that happened to it all week.

And yes, after hearing about this I just had to look it up. Scuba Cat, just like it sounds.