Diving on Phuket

Do the seals change their habits?
New Scientist reports about changes in habits of seals. From South Africa and Netherlands people got information that seals attacked and killed blue sharks and harbor porpoises.
In South Africa the seals hunted the blue sharks, killed them and eaten bowels. Usually seals used to feed on smaller fish, squids but not sharks who are almost the same size.
On the coast of Netherlands many dolphins were found dead with huge wounds, heavy blooded, with bellies ripped. Investigation showed that the seals killed them. The scientists think they did it on purpose but not to feed only to play a bloody game. Probably the seals in that area started to feel on porpoises caught in fishing nets which changed their taste and habits and made them to kill alive mammals.

Photos by Chris Fallows and Utah People's Post

#океаны #дикаяприрода #дикиеживотные #тюлени

The world is changing
New Scientist edition referring to Polar Research journal wrote about new phenomena. Polar bears who used to hunt on seals start to catch dolphins who came too far north.
First time the scientists could watch it on Spitsbergen island in 2014. When the group of scientists arrived the first dolphin was eaten and polar bear started to bury the second one in snow to keep it fresh longer. Later the people watched another 5 bears hunting and eating dolphins. The bears used the same method what they use to hunt seals. They wait on the side of ice hole when the animal will surface to take a breath. When it comes close they attack the animal.
The scientists were mostly surprised with two facts: 1. why the dolphins came so far north and didn't leave the area before cold. 2. why the polar bear decided to keep the flash of killed dolphin in "natural fridge".

#природа #дикиеживотные #полярныеживотные #белыймедведь #дельфины
Credits: Jon Aars/Norwegian Polar Institute

P.S. thanks to Igor Podlesny for the article

With Dive Asia we brought Javi and Natalie to Phi Phi and Shark Point. With their doughter Angelina they came to Thailand for vacation and diving. It's much nice to be under water in tropical warm waters than to dive in cold freshwater lakes with beads vis in Switzerland. And according to common practise in Khao Lak, where the guys booked the accomodation, no one mentioned that in summer time diving is possible from Phuket only. And it's 3 hours dive, one way..... Our team made everything to organise good day for nice family. And we were happy to see their smiling faces in the en of the trip. Hope Javi and Nati enjoied their dives (I did;) ). And Angelina found few new friends on the boat!

Welcome to underwater world to Gordon and Stefan from me and Dive Asia. Both guys had a bracke in their underwater life. Today we had a perfekt day to refresh all skills. Sunny, no waves, clear water! What can be better? Good Divers. And Gordon and Stefan did very very good, in all step (gear assembling, theory, skills, underwater swimmng). I wish very good holiday to Gordon. Stefan, probably we will see you on Dive Asia boat on Saturday!

Sharks love metal-music!
The Independent in one of the articles said that promo group of Discovery found out that the sharks can be attracted by dead-metal-music. The group wanted to film very popular white shark in Australia - Joan of Shark, which was spotted there for first time in 2014. This shark is 4,8m long and weights 1,6 tonnes. So they put speakers underwater and started to play dead-metal music. Joan the Shark didn't come but many other sharks, even a big ones, were attracted and visited the bay. The scientists say that this vibrations of dead-metal music for sharks are similar to the vibrations which the fish make.
Even in 2011 local new reporter in Australia posted interview with Matt Waller, local guide. He said that AC/DC music makes the sharks less aggressive and more curious. The favorite songs were Back in Black and You Shok Me All Night Long.

Yesterday with Dive Asia and Chingiz from Kazachstan we went to Racha Islands. Chingiz was diving 5 years ago in Turkey and he love that feeling. He send he is more a "land person", doesn't like to swimm, but to be under water is a magic feeling for him. He enjoied our three dives and I hope the while day

P.S. Thanks to Christian Rossi for pictures

Working days

Yesterday with Dive Asia and two Divers from Australia, Tory and Darren, we went to Racha islands, where we were haiding from waves. Darren is Open Water Diver but dives all the time. Tory is Advanced but haven't dove for 10 years. His friends circle change and he didn't have dive Budde. So we had to do some skills and refresh theory. But still we had a great day and the guys were happy. What else do we need?)

With Dive Asia we want to congratulate Garegin with his Advanced Open Water certificate. Two days on the boat, six dives, Leopard shark, cuttle fish, morays, wrecks and lots of different skills. First time I saw a person who was interested in compass navigation. For our last dive, fun dive, Garegin decided to take orientation with compass. I was impressed! It's more than just "well done"!!!

On Sunday with Dive Asia and team China we went to Phi Phi. Cheng, Zheng, Peng and Xiyoi managed to survive 1m waves. Octopus, huge mantis shrimp, Ghost fish and any other things were there for us. Advanced Diver Cheng and DM Peng were the strongest in the team and did all three dives.