Scuba Diving

News about diving

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bonaire Windsurf Place Introduces the GoPro Camera

Many visitors to Bonaire engage in active, outdoor activities that they would like to capture on video to remember their vacation experience, or share with others, either at home or even on YouTube. Bonaire Windsurf Place is now the local Bonaire agent for the GoPro HD video camera, offering the camera for both daily rental or sale to allow visitors to capture their vacation action experience on video. 

GoPro is a small waterproof HD action video camera that films in 1080p HD, which can be used in a variety of activities on Bonaire including snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, or any type of action. It is fast becoming one of the most used HD action sport cameras in the world. For those wanting to capture underwater activity, the camera is waterproof and can be used as deep as 60 meters, when in the correct housing. Divers should note that the camera does not come with lighting, so an outside lighting source will be necessary for optimal colors underwater.  For those engaging in above water activities, like windsurfing, cycling, and kiteboarding, the camera allows the user to video the experience, as a participant or a spectator. The camera is small, easy to use, yet produces high quality videos. It is both unique and versatile as it can be housed in varied ways, making it available for use in all types of activities.

The GoPro is available for rent by the day for $50 or for sale starting at a price of $260. For more information, contact Bonaire Windsurf Place. (Source: Bonaire Windsurf Place)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Jelly Jamboree Announced for June 17 to July 2, 2011 on Bonaire

The Jelly Jamboree is an event to document and survey the gelatinous marine life forms that exist in Bonaire’s waters. Everyone who is on Bonaire between June 17th and July 2nd, 2011 is invited to participate. To participate, simply keep your eyes open when diving or snorkeling, and report what you see in regard to jellies, where you see them, and at what depth. It’s hoped that by consolidating all the data gathered during this two week period, that there will be a better understanding of the life cycles of those jellies living in Bonaire’s waters. Images are also encouraged.

There will be educational and fun activities occurring throughout this year’s Jelly Jam, including a presentation at CIEE by Smithsonian scientists, a Science Cafe at Karels’ Beach Bar, snorkeling and diving with scientists during the day and evenings, and an evening dinner.

Of special interest in this year’s event is the Alatina Outreach. Alatina is a swarming species of box jellyfish (Cubozoan) that appears eight to ten days after the full moon. The swarming is actually a type of “speed dating” for reproductive purposes. If the zygotes are successfully collected, they will be raised in the CIEE lab. During last year’s Jelly Jam, a specimen of Tamoya ohboya, the new species of box jelly discovered first on Bonaire, also known as the Bonaire Banded Box Jelly or BBBJ, was collected under specific permits with STINAPA and DROB.

This year’s Jelly Jam is sponsored by Eco Sunscreen, EcoSMART Insect Repellant, and Burn-BGone. For more information and specific dates and times for events, please email: cubozoan@earthlink.net. (Source: Bud Gillan)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

IUCN Publishes Study on Bonaire’s Coral Reef Resilience Characteristics

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has published a story on the various resilience properties of the coral reefs in the Bonaire National Marine Park. The results include resilience indicators on coral population structure, algae populations and fish community structure, all of which determine how the coral reefs react to climate change and other threats. The goal of the study was to provide information to incorporate resilience information and climate change responses into Bonaire’s Marine Park planning, design and management. 

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network and helps find solutions to environmental and developmental challenges across the world. The Bonaire study is based on a survey conducted in 2009 as part of the IUCN Climate Change and Coral Reefs Working Group global coral reef resilience assessments.

Bonaire’s coral reefs are among the healthiest and resilient in the Caribbean, with the major threats to their health being coastal development and artificial beaches, leaching from septic tanks, increasing damselfish populations and an overabundance of the algae Trididemnum and Lobophora. Of the coral reefs that were rated, those farthest away from Kralendijk show the most resiliency, with the resiliency declining to medium and even one low rating closer to and in town.

Sites were ranked according to their overall resiliency. High resiliency ratings were given to the Marine Reserve North, Playa Frans, Karpata, Margate Bay, Vista Blue and South Bay. Medium ratings were given to Playa Funchi, Wayaka ll, Oil Slick Leap, Cliff, Bari, Something Special, 18th Palm, Bachelor’s Beach, Angel City, Salt City, Tori’s Reef, Carl’s Hill, Mi Dushi and Keepsake. A low rating was given to Chachacha.

Based on the findings, the study made several recommendations to improve water quality and reef resiliency. First, Bonaire should have an appropriate sewage treatment facility. Second a water quality monitoring program should be established and implemented. Third, overpopulation of prey fish such as damselfish may alter the reef habitat. Fishing of predatory fish species on the reef should be controlled to prevent this from occurring. Lastly, Bonaire reefs have an overabundance of the organisms Trididemnum and Lobophora. These should be further studied to determine what factors are contributing to the overgrowth and then these factors should be removed. (Source: IUCN)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Advisory for Divers, Snorkelers, or Swimmers--Portuguese Man of War in Leeward Waters

All those in the water on Bonaire’s leeward shore should take all precautions due to the presence of a type of stinging jelly, the Portuguese Man of War.

Due to light winds and then a wind reversal on Saturday, these jellies, which are normally out to sea, were blown in toward Bonaire’s leeward coast.  Sailing events at Kas di Regatta were cancelled due to their presence, and with continued light winds today, all those in the water along the leeward coastline should be on the lookout for these jellies.

Portuguese Man of War jellies have either a blue or pink float about the size and shape of an American football, and the tentacles are trailing below in the water.  They pack a wallop of a sting, many times requiring medical attention.  All should be on the alert if entering the water.  (Source:  STINAPA, image by Sipke Stapert)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Over 100 Volunteers Contribute to the Third Consecutive Record-Setting Underwater Cleanup of Bonaire

Over 100 volunteers, made up of visitors and island residents alike, combined their efforts on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in the third consecutive record-setting underwater cleanup of Kralendijk Bay in the area of It Rains Fishes Restaurant.  Their efforts proved that one individual can make a difference, when working together with others for a common good.  Images from this cleanup are available on-line at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech N.V. are the event sponsors for these quarterly underwater cleanups, as they have been since 1998, but many others assisted to make the event a success.  After registration was complete, a complete briefing was given, providing an explanation of how to recover the trash, as well as what should be recovered and what should be left behind, as it is always of utmost importance that all participants refrain from harming any marine organisms. 

With volunteers on shore ready to check, sort, and count the trash, the divers and snorkelers entered the water and began their search for debris and trash.  With their bags bursting at the seams, those in the water reported back to the shore team, where the trash was processed and then disposed of properly in a large bin which Bonaire’s waste management company, Selibon, had donated for the day. 

The dock area that was scoured in this cleanup is popular with visiting yachts and others using the shallow water area for transport to shore, and, due to this, it can accumulate more trash than other areas of the reef, as trash can be easily blown over the side of vessels.  The following was removed during this cleanup of Kralendijk Bay:

491 Beverage Bottles (glass)
172 Cups, Plates Forks, Knives, Spoons
112 Building Materials
88 Beverage Cans
24 Fishing Lines
17 Beverage Bottles (plastic)
16 Food Wrappers/Containers
15 Ropes
11 Appliances
9 Clothing, Shoes
9 Strapping Bands
8 Fishing Nets
8 Plastic Sheeting/Tarps
7 Straws, Stirrers
6 Bleach/Cleaner Bottles
5 Plastic bags
3 Caps or Lids
3 Bait Containers/packaging
3 Oil/Lube Bottles
3 Tires
2 Fishing Lures/Lights Sticks
2 Cars/Car Parts
1 Paper bags
1 Pull Tabs
1 6-pack Holders
1 Toys
1 Crates
1 Light Bulbs/Tubes
1 Batteries
1 Floor mat for a car

In the later afternoon, all participants and their families and friends were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ, with food and beverages hosted by Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech and where quite a party ensued.  Before enjoying a great dinner, all participants were eligible for a variety of raffle prizes, consisting of t-shirts and caps and dive accessories. Volunteers were also given special dive log pages for their personal logs.

Live video of the event can be viewed by clicking here.  Thanks go to the day sponsors:  Bonaire National Marine Park, Deep Blue, Dive Shades, It Rains Fishes Restaurant, Mondrian, Obersi Group, Ouray Sportswear, Reef, Selibon, and the Water Taxi Kontika di Amor.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, July 10th, 2011.  Registration begins at 9:30 AM at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine, with the cleanup at the Town Pier beginning at 10:00 AM.  Those interested in participating should make a reservation by e-mailing cleanups@dive-friends-bonaire.com.  Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  All are welcome to join in.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Monday, April 04, 2011

All Are Welcome to Join the Underwater Cleanup on Saturday, April 9, 2011

The next underwater cleanup will take place at the dock in front of It Rains Fishes.  Check in at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine at 12:30 PM, and the dive briefing will begin at 1:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome, and those not diving can also help, since shore support is always needed.  All participants are welcome to return at 5:00 PM for the event’s customary BBQ at Dive Friends @ Yellow Sub; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends and NetTech, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Those planning on attending should advise Dive Friends Bonaire by sending an email to cleanup@dive-friends-bonaire.com or calling 717-2929 to make a reservation.

For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? No! It’s a Flying Gunard!

If you’ve always wanted to know more about those spectacular reef fish you spot while diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean, then this is the year to join Sand Dollar Condominiums and Bonaire Dive & Adventure as they host the Fourth Annual Fish ID Challenge July 30 to August 5 and August 6 to 12, 2011. Join them this summer as they team up once more with Fish ID experts Patti & Scott Chandler of ReefNet, Inc.

Participants will enjoy multimedia Fish ID seminars targeting novice to advanced fish watchers during their stay. Attendees will receive a Bonaire-specific, custom-printed Fish ID guide of the top 100 most commonly sighted fish found in Bonaire’s waters. During the week, Patti and Scott will lead guided shore dives on Bari Reef.  Several evenings each week, Patti and Scott will share raw, uncut video of these and other dives with participants discussing fish ID and swapping the days “fish stories.” One of Scott’s specialties is shooting in Hi-Def macro, capturing on tape those interesting fishes and creatures too small to be noticed by the naked eye and fish behavior not normally seen by most divers.

Divers will learn how to contribute to REEF’s (the Reef Environmental Education Foundation) fish database through the use of roving surveys. Information gathered in the surveys will be entered into REEF’s public-accessible database and made available to divers, marine researchers, and other interested parties. Current Reef database statistics site Bonaire as having 7 of the top 10 reefs in the Caribbean in terms of species richness, with Sand Dollar’s Bari Reef boasting the top position with a remarkable 389 species recorded.

Participants will be further challenged with the goal of locating a “fish du jour” which will be posted on a daily “Wanted Poster.” At the each of week of the event, prizes will be awarded for the guest(s) who accumulate the most points for daily fish sightings. Guests will be encouraged to participate in a cumulative weekly fish sighting tally that will be updated daily to illustrate the vast representation of fish that can be found in Bonaire’s calm waters. 

Sand Dollar’s “Ride to the Reef Packages” during the Challenge are priced at US $787.00 per double diver, for seven nights studio accommodation, free Nitrox upgrades, six days unlimited shore diving, truck rental, and government room tax.  Packages including boat dives and other accommodation types including one-, two-, and three-bedrooms are also available.  The Challenge is free to guests of Sand Dollar. 

For more information, please call 800-288-4773 or Sand Dollar’s Florida Office at 954-453-5025 or email by clicking here or visit their web site at www.SandDollarBonaire.com. (Source:  Sand Dollar Condominiums)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on May 5th and continue through May 13th, 2011. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will immediately follow on May 14th and 15th.

Dive Friends will be once again offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods. E-learners can start the IDC on the third day for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director. E-Learning is easy; just visit www.padi.com to get started. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate. 

In order to ensure that all candidates are prepared in all ways, Dive Friends Bonaire is offering a free, two-day IDC Preparation Course. These two days will be used to refresh the candidates’ theoretical knowledge and improve their in-water skills.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Staff Instructor, and an option for Staff Instructor with an internship at the dive facility. Costs for these courses are: 

• IDC Prep Course, FREE
• Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1,200
• E-Learning IDC, $1,079.00
• Emergency First Response Instructor, $270.00
• Staff Instructor, $647.00
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer, $647.00 (five specialties)

* All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI fees are additional.

All candidates are also eligible for two days of free unlimited air for shore diving after the IDC.

Together with their accommodation partners, Dive Friends Bonaire also can offer the full IDC plus ten days of accommodation for $1,765, or the full IDC plus twelve days of accommodation for $1,878 (materials and PADI fees excluded).

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, including special IDC rates for other accommodations and/or vehicle rentals. Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information, or contact Dive Friends Bonaire directly by email at info@dive-friends-bonaire.com.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Bonaire Banded Box Jelly Named to the Journal for Zoolological Taxonomists (ZooTaxa)

The Bonaire banded box jelly, now named Tamoya ohboya, has been officially listed this January 2011 by ZooTaxa, a mega-journal for zoological taxonomy in the world. Scientific studies of this new species of Cubozoan jellyfish began in 2001 after additional sightings were reported on Bonaire.

The first sighting of the jelly was captured on video and showed a single, strong-swimming cuboid shaped jellyfish that had four banded tentacles, and was identified as a box jellyfish of the class Cubozoa. It was covered in nematocyst warts and had a deep stomach. The tentacle binding pattern was distinct with dark brown to reddish-orange banded tentacles, which is unusual in the class Cubozoa, indicating that a new species may have been discovered.

Since that time, 50 sightings have been recorded in the Caribbean Basin, with most sightings occurring in Bonaire, and additional sightings in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Cozumel, Mexico and Utila, Honduras. Three specimens have been collected, with the first one being on the surface of the water off Klein Bonaire, and are currently being stored at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Furthermore, there are three recorded contacts with humans and evidence indicates that the sting is serious. The species is related to two other species; one found in Brazil and the other in the southeastern part of the United States. (Source: ZooTaxa)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Another Record-Setting Underwater Cleanup Removes Trash from Bonaire’s South Pier

Following on the heels of a record attendance at the September, 2010 cleanup, a new attendance record was set on Sunday, January 16, 2011, when 78 Bonaire visitors and residents joined together in the early morning to clean Bonaire’s South Pier, also known as the Customs Pier.  It was truly a monumental event to kick off the thirteenth year of regular reef cleanups on Bonaire.  Images from this cleanup are available on-line at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech N.V. were the event sponsors, but many others assisted to make the event a success.  After registration was complete, Susan Davis of NetTech and Asko Zuidam of Dive Friends Bonaire initiated the briefing, giving an explanation of how to recover the trash, as well as what should be recovered and what should be left behind, as it was important that all participants refrain from harming any marine organisms. 

With the tally team in place, the divers entered the water and began their search for debris and trash.  When their bags were full, they would bring them to the surface, where the tally team ensured that any animals that might have been inadvertently brought up were quickly returned to the water.  The trash was then sorted, counted, and then disposed of in a large bin which Bonaire’s waste management company, Selibon, had donated for the day. 

The South Pier is a working pier, and thus the underwater terrain can accumulate more trash than is normal on the reef.  The following was removed from Bonaire’s South Pier:  9 paper bags, 17 plastic bags, 40 plastic beverage bottles, 289 glass beverage bottles or glasses, 36 beverage cans, 57 caps or lids, 62 pieces of clothing or shoes, 75 pieces of cutlery, 34 food wrappers or containers, 1 pull tab, 1 wallet, 5 straws or stirrers, 61 pieces of fishing line, 10 fishing lures, 1 light bulb, 3 pieces of fishing net, 1 piece of fiberglass, 21 pieces of plastic sheeting, 23 pieces of rope, 15 plastic straps, 1 scuba part, 4 toothbrushes, 1 pair of goggles, 2 cell phones, 1 doorknob, 9 batteries, 160 pieces of building materials, 8 automotive parts, 2 tires, 9 boat parts, 2 fire hoses, 2 towels, and even a pair of knitting needles!  Additionally, since there were a number of trained lionfish hunters in the group, three large lionfish were removed from the surrounding reefs.

In the later afternoon, all participants and their families and friends were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ, with food and beverages hosted by Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech and where quite a party ensued.  After enjoying a great dinner, all participants were eligible for a variety of raffle prizes, consisting of t-shirts and caps and dive accessories. Volunteers were also rewarded with certificates of participation.

Live video of the event can be viewed by clicking here.  Thanks go to the day sponsors Selibon, Reef, Deep Blue Gear, Ouray, Cudas, and Dive Shades.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2011.  Registration opens at 12:30 PM, and the briefing will begin at 1:00 PM.  The planned location will be the pier in front of It Rains Fishes Restaurant.  Those interested in participating should make a reservation by e-mailing cleanups@dive-friends-bonaire.com.  Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  All are welcome to join in. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, images courtesy of Susan Davis, Frederique Schreurs, and Jim Mendria)