Marine Life

For those who celebrate Christmas, tree decorating comes once a year, but in the world's tropical seas, there are magical creatures that brim with holiday spirit year-round. They look like miniature festively adorned firs and thus are commonly known as Christmas tree worms. In reality, the beautiful underwater “pines” are just the tip of this worm's iceberg. Two-thirds of the Spirobranchus’ body lies hidden in a calcium carbonate tube inside a coral reef.

As a diver you have probably had a chance to admire the beauty of coral reefs and the wondrous sea creatures that inhabit them. Did you know though that the importance of coral reefs extends far beyond the pleasure they bring to those who explore them? They support enormous biodiversity, provide food, jobs, income, and shoreline protection. So even if you live far away from the tropical oceans you have most likely experienced some of the benefits that coral reefs bring to billions of people worldwide.

August 30th is known worldwide as an International Whale Shark Day. Started in 2012 this special day was created to support whale shark conservation and help people learn more about our finned friends. In celebration, we have decided to dedicate this article to all things whale shark and share a few facts about these amazing creatures with you.

Today, July 14th, is known as the International Shark Awareness Day, which seems to be a perfect opportunity to dispel some of the detrimental stereotypes about these magnificent creatures and try to show them in a more positive light. Although many people picture sharks solely as dangerous, bloodthirsty predators, they are much more than this. Sharks play a vital role in the oceans and nature in general. Learning about these species, knowing their features, and recognizing their importance in our world is the first step to supporting shark conservation. So, here are a few facts you might not have known about sharks.

It all started back in 2002 when local divers off the coast of North Carolina have spotted a group of lionfish - the exotic fish species, common to the warm waters of western Pacific. The divers were perplexed by such an unusual discovery and have collected an actual specimen, which became the first solid evidence of lionfish spreading in the Atlantic.

The influence of the moon and lunar cycles on human and animal behavior has been a popular theme throughout history. In addition to being a symbol of romance, the moon in its different phases is associated with proper times for planting, harvesting and even fishing. There are also plenty of myths and fables about various loony effects of our rocky satellite. So, let’s examine some interesting facts surrounding the lunar cycle and its impact on the underwater world in particular.

Manta rays are among the most beloved of all marine creatures. These large beings capture the imaginations of many divers and snorkelers around the world thanks to the grace and majesty with which they glide through the sea. If you are lucky enough to spot the manta frolicking in the surf, or enjoying the skincare treatment at a cleaning station, you will surely be left in awe. Learn more about these beautiful fish, places to see them and guidelines for interacting with them.

There are around 30 thousand marine fish species known to science up to date. All of these large and small fish inhabit the seas, oceans, rivers, and lakes around the globe. Some of them are capable of developing incredible speed. While the term can be looked at in several ways, including how quickly an animal can kill its prey or react to potential danger, in this article we will try to determine the fastest swimmers. But before handing out the medals, let’s look at the factors that affect the speed of fish underwater.

There is much difficulty in trying to provide a definition of wildlife harassment, as there exist several different viewpoints revolving around this issue. Hopefully, none of us would purposely destroy a piece of coral or harm a sea turtle swimming by, but how can we know that no harm was done unintentionally, and fully comprehend the consequences of our presence in the water?

Many recreational divers want to experience the thrill of seeing a shark from close proximity. Shark baiting is one of the ways to achieve this. While this activity is becoming fairly popular, it is also very controversial, as it may lead to potentially aggressive behaviors by the shark population. The decision of whether or not to engage in this exercise is totally up to you, but before you make it, take a look at a few misconceptions and facts about shark feeding and baiting.