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Issue No 7. 2009
We are members of OCEAN2012, a coalition formed to give marine conservationists a platform from which to join the debate on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Last week Gaynor attended a group meeting in Brussels with other organisations who are concerned about preserving the marine environment for future generations. She also sat in on the public hearing on the CFP Green Paper in the European Parliament.
SILMAR Project Update
Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass that is unique to the Mediterranean and a key species for the SILMAR Project. Our transect goes through a Posidonia meadow, home to seahorses, pipefish and the fan mussel, Pinna Noblis. This autumn the Posidonia flowered again - which is a good indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
Eco Divers help to gather data on Mediterranean species and habitats, and enjoy unlimited warm water Eco Diving whilst volunteering and holidaying in the Med at subsidised rates.
Bad News For Bluefin Tuna....
The International Council for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna was established in 1969 after concerns that the species was being fished unsustainably when the fish came to spawn in the Mediterranean. Between 2001 and the present, the average size of bluefin tuna has shrunk by half. In October the organisation's scientists found that the stock was below 15 per cent of its pre-exploitation levels, qualifying it for a ban on trade via the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Attempts to save the bluefin tuna from extinction suffered a serious setback when the European Union dropped its demand for commercial fishing of the species to be banned. A rearguard action by Mediterranean fishing nations, including Spain, Italy and France, blocked moves to get the European Union to support a worldwide ban. Lobbying by Japan, whose sushi trade is heavily dependent on Europe's bluefin exports, is thought to have played a vital role in the conservationists' defeat.
The European Union has given out tens of millions of euros to subsidise the Mediterranean tuna fishing fleets despite warnings from scientists that overfishing is pushing the species close to extinction.
Between 2000 and 2008 a total of €34.5 million (£31.4 million) was given by the EU to support the fishing fleets. Over the eight-year period, €23 million was given to fund the construction of new boats, including ultra-modern purse seiners that are able to land 100 tonnes in one haul. A further €10.5 million was given to modernise existing vessels, increasing their ability to track down and catch the tuna. Only €1 million was used to decommission vessels, but mainly for small-scale, local boats.
This shows clearly the hypocrisy of the EU, which insists on the need to conserve fish stocks while simultaneously encouraging the rapid expansion of a fleet that was already too large.
The EU has now committed to reducing overcapacity, but we're going to have to pay again for that. We've paid once to make these ships that have been used to make a few people rich. They've destroyed the bluefin - a common stock - and now they are going to ask for more
Beaver launches BLADEFISH SEAJET- the smallest, lightest D.P.V.
Bladefish Seajet diver propulsion vehicles have a built-in propeller that pulls you along underwater at top speeds ranging from 2.5mph - 3.75mph, whilst you just relax and marvel at the wonderful underwater world.
There are 3 different models of Bladefish to choose from. The Bladefish 5000 has up to 2 hours of battery life and is rated for depths of up to 50m. No need to stress about excess luggage charges on your way to dive with us in the Med - it weighs a mere 4.7 kg!
Whether you want fun on a budget or high speed at depth the Bladefish Seajet range represents the smallest, lightest and least expensive underwater scooter of its type. See the promo video on our website and order through us to get your member discount.
Long Weekend Mediterranean Dive Breaks - starting April 2010
Fed up with wasting your time and money on weekend dive trips that are ruined by bad weather? Why drive for hours to the chilly Northern European coast when you can hop on a plane to Girona and dive in the Mediterranean for the same price as a tank of fuel?
Enjoy good visibility and abundant marine life diving with us on the Costa Brava.
Help us raise money for marine conservation when shopping online!
Please use our webshop when you're shopping online. You don't pay anything extra - and you help raise funds for us. Find our webshop here: fundraising webshop (please bookmark this link for future use).
Thanks to the support of divers like you we can work to protect Mediterranean ecosystems.
Merry Christmas to all our loyal supporters!
Sincerely, Gaynor & Ray
Issue No 6. 2009
We had a wonderful Eco Diving and fun diving season - lots of conservation work and u/w photography.
In early October I enjoyed four fantastic Medes dives in one week, catching video of a swimming moray eel, had a close encounter with an eagle ray, and saw a conger with a head the size of a labrador!
SILMAR Project Update
Eco Dive Volunteers enjoyed a great first season recording key species for the SILMAR Project. The transect goes through a variety of habitats including a Posidonia meadow, the home of seahorses and pipefish. Thanks to all who took part this year!
You can view the SILMAR website: http://www.silmar.org
For more information on volunteering visit: http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net
Eco Divers learn about Mediterranean species and habitats, and rack up lots of warm water dive time at subsidised rates.
Good News For SHARKS....
The Shark Trust marks European Shark Week 2009 by heralding a UK decision to lead in the battle against shark "finning" (slicing off a shark's fins and discarding the body at sea) with a complete ban on removal of shark fins at sea. The Shark Trust, a founding member of the Shark Alliance, has campaigned against finning and for this groundbreaking policy for years.
The U.S. submitted proposals to protect six species of sharks by listing them on CITES Appendix II: scalloped, great, and smooth hammerhead sharks, dusky shark, sandbar shark, and oceanic whitetip shark. Palau, which recently announced the creation of a national shark sanctuary the size of France, has co-sponsored these proposals.
Issue No 5. 2009
Eco Divers learn about Mediterranean species and habitats and rack up lots of warm water dive time. There are still a few Eco Dive spaces available. Get in touch a.s.a.p. if you want to join in the fun and claim your free Medes Islands dive (vouchers expire in Sept 2009).
SILMAR Project update
Eco Dive Volunteers are having great fun in Cala Montgo recording key species for the SILMAR Project. The 100 meter transect begins at a rock named Els Refrescadors, which is home to numerous species of fish, including the beautiful turkish wrasse, sea squirts, bryozoans, and octopus. It runs through and area of Posidonia seagrass, where we have discovered tiny new fan mussels growing. This is a good sign after the fierce storm last Boxing day which destroyed about 25% of the Posidonia meadow.
You can now view the SILMAR website and see the data that is being gathered in the Girona region: http://www.silmar.org
For more information visit: http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net
Petition For SHARKS....
Spain is a major exporter of shark fins to the Asian market, granting more special fishing permits than any other European country in order to allow its fishing fleets to bypass regulations on shark fishing.
As Spain came bottom of the Shark Alliance league table for countries helping/hurting sharks, the organisation has launched a petition asking the government of Spain to lead rather than hinder protection measures for endangered shark species. It will be handed to Zapatero as part of Shark Week 10 - 18 October 2009. Please sign the petiton here and spread the word.
Issue No 4. 2009
See the photo of the tiny pea-sized seahorse - a new Asian species - on the ScubaBlog. I'm glad that we EcoDivers look for seahorses a lot bigger than that! They're hard enough to spot as it is. This summer we're offering a prize to the EcoDiver who counts the greatest number of seahorses and pipefish during their volunteer conservation diving.
Diving holiday and Eco Dive places are almost full, with just a few spaces left. Get in touch a.s.a.p. if you want to join in the fun and to claim your free Medes Islands dive (vouchers expire in Sept 2009).
Make Your Dives Really Count in 2009 - Join the SILMAR marine conservation research project
Eco Dive Volunteers are doing a great job mapping marine habitats in Cala Montgo and recording key species for the SILMAR Project.
The Eco Dive program is heavily subsidised and great fun. You learn about Mediterranean species and habitats and rack up your dive time for a fraction of what you'd pay to dive anywhere else! (There are a few spaces available in Sept & Oct 2009, so hurry!)
The area will be surveyed on a regular basis, building up a data set that will make an important contribution towards Mediterranean marine research and EU marine conservation policy over the coming years. For more information visit: http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net
Bad News For SHARKS....
Spain came bottom of the Shark Alliance league table for countries helping/hurting sharks.
Despite public opinion in Spain favouring shark protection and a ban on the cruel practice of shark finning, the Spanish government and fishery ministers continue to oppose tightening of the rules on shark finning.
It has also emerged that Spanish people are unintentionally eating shark meat that is being sold under a different label.
We are meeting with Shark Alliance and other concerned organisations in July to develop a strong campaign in Spain. See ScubaBlog updates on campaigns to protect sharks from extinction.
PADI Aware Clean-Up - Sept 2009
Kenna EcoDiving will lead the PADI Aware Clean-Up for the fourth consecutive year during Sept 2009, and welcomes divers and non-divers to help with collecting any man-made debris from the sea and beaches around L'Escala.
In fact, the sandy tourist beaches around L'Escala are kept very clean by the local authority and have Blue Flag status. The rocky beaches are also very popular with families and snorkellers, as there is so much sea life to enjoy from the shore, and these do not get the same attention from the authorities.
Unfortunately, there are always those who discard their rubbish thoughtlessly, allowing items to end up in the sea: Plastic pollution can choke sea turtles and birds as plastic bags and bottles often resemble jellyfish when floating just under the surface. Fish get tangled in lost fishing line, which is a common problem, and slowly drown. Even discarded cigarette butts take 10 years to degrade.
Mediterranean Diving at it's best within Marine Protected Areas: Enjoy the freedom of wetsuit diving in warm water with good visibility, amongst abundant marine life. Thanks to the support of divers like you we can work to protect Mediterranean ecosystems.
Quick Links
http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net
www.kennaecodiving.net/scubablog
www.projectaware.org
www.sharkalliance.org
Members! Let us pay your VAT! We'll pay your VAT on dive equipment orders over £250 and, on orders over £500, we'll pay your postage too* Email: letterbox@kennaecodiving.net or phone: 0034 972 772746 to discuss your order. *Offer does not include lead and cylinders. Spread the savings. Invite your buddies to join our mailing list.
Issue No 3. 2009
Discover what happened to the fisherman who bombed dolphins that were stealing his catch on the ScubaBlog. Here you can have your say on all things Scuba (including any messages to our handsome PWD)
Diving holiday and Eco Dive places are filling up, with July and August proving most popular. Book now to claim your free Medes Islands dive - vouchers expire in Sept 2009.
The new Ecology and Underwater Photography Course is proving very popular. Book early if you'd like to take this course during your stay.
Make your diving count in 2009
Join the marine conservation research program
Eco Dive Volunteers have already started mapping marine habitats and recording key species associated with Mediterranean ecosystems with Gaynor, who is the SILMAR project coordinator for the L'Escala area.
The Eco Dive program is heavily subsidised and great fun. You learn about Mediterranean species and habitats and rack up your dive time for a fraction of what you'd pay to dive anywhere else! Eco Dive Volunteers will be making a great contribution towards marine research and EU marine conservation policy over the coming years.
Issue No 2. 2009
Have you heard the true story of a commercial diver who had a really bad day at the (underwater) office? You'll find it on the ScubaBlog, where you can have your say on all things Scuba (including any messages to our handsome PWD, whose cousin is to live in the Whitehouse!)
Book your sport diving holiday or Eco Dive trip in the Med to enjoy 2008 prices and claim your free Medes Islands dive. Places are limited and the voucher expires in Sept 2009, so don't delay.
The new Ecology and Underwater Photography Course is proving very popular. Book early if you'd like to take this course during your stay.
Gaynor is the local coordinator for the new SILMAR Project. The SILMAR project is mapping marine habitats around the Iberian peninsular, and Gaynor is the coordinator for the L'Escala area. Eco Dive Volunteers will be able to make a great contribution towards marine research over the coming years.
Make your diving count in 2009 - take part in marine conservation research. The Eco Dive program is heavily subsidised and great fun. You get to learn about Mediterranean species and habitats and rack up your dive time for a fraction of what you'd pay to dive anywhere else!
Issue No 1. 2009
Thank you for joining our membership. Your support helps us to protect the Mediterranean marine environment. You'll receive bi-monthly newsletters keeping you up to date with our activities.
Whether you want to join us for a relaxing fun diving holiday or to take part in the Eco Diving Volunteer Program, you're sure to enjoy the rich biodiversity of marine life from our base in lovely L'Escala.
Discount Dive Gear Bargains
Our members get their VAT paid on orders of dive equipment over 250 pounds. For a quote contact letterbox@kennaecodiving.net
PADI Project Aware Clean-up
Kenna Eco Diving works to protect our lovely Med and has coordinated Project Aware's International Clean-up around L'Escala for many years. During September our divers make a special effort to seek out and recover any underwater junk.
L'Escala has clean Blue Flag beaches, but it's amazing what falls overboard. We have recovered everything from plastic bags to an outboard motor!
This conservation activity is easy and fun for Eco-Divers and Sports Divers alike. So come and join us and make your diving count.
Launch of the SILMAR Project
Gaynor is the local coordinator for the new SILMAR Project that will map marine habitats all around the Iberian peninsular with the help of dive volunteers. Make your Diving Matter as an Eco Dive Volunteer. Find out more
Experience Mediterranean Diving at it's best with us and have fun in the sun. Discover the freedom of wetsuit diving and clear visibility, with abundant marine life to enjoy.
Quick Links
Bargain Diving Holidays: www.kennaecodiving.net
Eco Dive Volunteer Program: http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net
Join our Diving Community: www.kennaecodiving.net/scubablog
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