Five divers, who were swept away during a dive off Komodo, Indonesia have been found after managing to reach a remote beach on an island 25 miles away. 

Worried that their rescue might take days, the group began scavenging for shellfish to survive and were forced to throw stones to drive off a komodo dragon - one of the large, aggressive lizards native to the area that are capable of killing human beings.

After being caught in a strong current, the divers - three Britons, a Frenchman and a Swede - spent over nine hours adrift. The group tried to swim but became too tired and tied themselves together. They eventually managed to swim to Rinca Island. 

The divers’ were found by national park rangers who took them to Labuanbajo.

World
Photographers Invited to Compete in Marine Environment Photo Contest 
Scuba divers and other ocean enthusiasts giving it their best eco shot this World Ocean Day. 

Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb join forces to host a unique photo contest aimed to turn lenses in a different direction this World Ocean Day.  

The Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest launching on World Ocean Day June 8, 2008 is not seeking the typical beauty shots but rather images that inspire public action.  

Photographers of varied experience levels—including divers, conservationists, travelers, scientists and students—are being encouraged to vie for the Grand Prize package: a seven-night stay at Plaza Resort Bonaire; a $250 gift certificate to Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo; 16 tons of carbon offsets from NativeEnergy and more. That’s a total Grand Prize package worth more than $2,000!  

Photographers with an environmental eye will also compete for first and second place prizes in two contest categories: Species of Concern/Ecosystem Decline and Humans and the Ocean: Impacts and Solutions. 

“As AWARE divers, we have a personal relationship with underwater environments and often see damage to underwater ecosystems,” says Mike Holme Associate Director of Project AWARE Asia Pacific. “We are often part of the solution by participating in ongoing conservation projects around the world. This photo contest gives divers and water enthusiasts’ opportunities to tell these conservation stories through powerful imagery.”

 “This contest is about advancing ocean conservation through imagery,” says SeaWeb President Dawn M. Martin. “Anyone who holds a camera in their hand has the power to change the hearts and minds of people around them by capturing the challenges facing our ocean.” 

Photo entries will be accepted from June 8 through September 30, 2008. Partner organizations and sponsors for this year’s contest aim to inspire high-quality images that deliver powerful conservation messages and help illuminate the challenges facing our oceans. For complete contest submission details visit www.marinephotobank.org.  

Australia
‘Lets Go Diving’ Day at Warringah Mall Shopping Centre 
In a new initiative to promote scuba diving to the public, PRO DIVE Manly supported by PADI Asia Pacific recently set up a promotional stand in the heart of Warringah Mall Shopping Centre at Brookvale on Sydney’s northern beaches. 

The two-day diving promotion which took place on 9th & 10th May, was located on the historic Jacaranda Tree site alongside the main shopping thoroughfare. Special focus was given to entry level scuba diving programs such as PADI’s Open Water Diver Course and Discover Scuba Diving program together with a special offer for Warringah Mall shoppers on PRO DIVE’s Whale Watching Trip in Sydney. 

To heighten their prospects of interaction with the public, PRO DIVE Manly displayed a fully-kitted diver mannequin and a laptop computer airing PRO DIVE’s Learn to Dive DVD (with footage of Grey Nurse Sharks, Weedie Sea Dragons, Blue Groupers and Giant Cuttlefish – which proved very popular with the children)  together with banners, posters and giveaways.    

Mike Lewis (PRO DIVE HR & Academy Manager) reported enormous interest in the dive promotion on the second day (Saturday) when the centre was buzzing with shoppers. Many family groups were keen to check out the mannequin, watch the DVD and had many questions including what the minimum age is for learning to dive.  

Mike added, “Just about every customer that we spoke to knew who we were already and where our store is located in Manly.  The overall result was very encouraging and I’m confident we will have ongoing results from this promotion”.

If you are interested in learning to dive -  or for all your diving needs - call in and see Mike and the team at PRO DIVE Manly, 169 Pittwater Rd. Manly, NSW, 2095,   telephone : 61 2 9977 5966, fax: +61 2 9976 5133, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.prodivesydneymanly.com