Undercurrent Online Update

Diving Unlimited International (DUI) in San Diego is recalling two of its weight systems -- the DUI Weight & Trim System Classic, and the DUI Weight & Trim System II. Manufacturing defects in the lanyard connecting the handle to the pocket, or the cable securing the pocket to the harness, can prevent the weight pockets from easily detaching from the harness and releasing the weights when the handle is pulled, thus posing a drowning hazard (no dive accidents or injuries have been reported). The weight systems, made in China, were sold between July 2010 and April 2011, and DUI wants to recall 1,454 of them in the U.S., and 46 in Canada. If you have either of these weight systems, call DUI at 800-325-8439 Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, or e-mail CustomerService@DUI-Online.com to receive a free repair of the system.

If you're a near- or far-sighted diver, how do you correct your vision underwater? We're planning a story about the topic, and we need your stories and tips. Do you wear contacts, order prescription dive masks, or use some other technique? Ever had a dive experience where visual impairment made an impact underwater? Let me know at EditorBenD@undercurrent.org

More countries are proposing and passing shark-finning bans. The Bahamas announced on July 5 that it would end all commercial shark fishing in its waters, more than 240,000 square miles. A petition drive by the Bahamas National Trust got 5,000 signatures from Bahamas residents. A day later, Chile announced it would ban shark finning in its waters - it does not prohibit shark fisheries, but makes it obligatory for fishers to land the sharks whole, and detached fins are prohibited aboard any vessel. Taiwan announced it planned to follow similar measures to Chile. And Fiji's government is reviewing fisheries laws that would include a ban on the trade of shark fin and meat captured in its waters, although villagers could still eat shark meat.

DiveNav, creator of online scuba training courses, has created an app that teaches divers how to use their dive computers - and view them in action -- on their iPhones. DiveComputerTraining is a free app that gives an intro of many popular dive computers on the market, explains each one's indicators, reviews settings step by step, shows what to expect underwater, and covers unexpected situations. Get more information and download the app here.

Want to hunt them down? The Caymans government and dive shops are offering a new "Invasive Lionfish Tracker" specialty dive course. The one-day course educates divers about lionfish and the safe ways to capture and kill them (nets are used). Two dives are included in the course and upon completion, you'll get a new PADI c-card and a local culling license. To register for a course, send an email to doe@gov.ky and let them know your travel dates and how many people want to attend.

Here are a couple of awe-inspiring videos for divers. Lauryn Evans was diving Puget Sound near West Seattle last fall when she came across a giant Pacific octopus about to give birth. Evans filmed the start of the eggs hatching - 50,000 of them hatched over the course of a week. Best footage starts at 3:24 (http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/06/21/diver-captures-seattle-octopus-hatching-50000-babies/). Down in the Sea of Cortez, Michael Fishbach, co-founder of the Great Whale Conservancy, filmed his team's encounter with a humpback whale entangled in a fishing net, the group's efforts to rescue it, and - the best part -- the whale's show of appreciation

Insel Air introduces new service to Bonaire, via Curacao, from Charlotte, NC (a US Airways hub) on Wednesdays and Saturdays (it also has nonstop flights from Miami). Book between now and August 13 for a special introductory round-trip fare of $366, including fees, for travel until December 14. Charlotte flights leave at 2:55 p.m., arrive in Bonaire at 9:55. Return flights leave Bonaire at 7:55 a.m. and arrive in Charlotte at 1:25 pm. Book tickets through travel agents or at Insel's website

We got an e-mail from the Florida Keys' tourism bureau reminding us that dive operators are planning their annual coral-spawning night dives. The rare underwater exchange of reproductive cells is apparently tied to seasonal lunar, tidal and light cycles, and while spawning can't be guaranteed to happen on an exact date, this year's full moons fall on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, September 12. If you're interested in doing these night dives in the Keys, here's a list of dive operators to contact

Can dive travel agents score you discounts on excess baggage fees?. . . a dive expert explains why alleged murderer Gabe Watson couldn't have killed his wife underwater . . . the biggest influences on divers' behavior underwater . . . what's the term for a group of divers? . . . a new type of wetsuit worth considering. . . do shark-repelling magnets really work? . . . and much, much more.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
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