SEA TO YOU: Monday 28 July 2014
Being immersed in a sea of marine life is a
dream of all divers. In order to achieve that, as divers, often we travel the
world to peek beneath the skin of the sea to what seems like another universe,
different areas of which home to certain species. Efforts all to come in close
to the marine animals in the ocean.
But instead of diving, this time, the sea
was brought to us, SP scuba divers. Thanks to Resort World Sentosa for giving us
a chance to experience their S.E.A Aquarium which is also the world’s largest
aquarium. This of which was the closest feeling to what you can expect from
diving.
Being here for the 3rd time,
entering the S.E.A Aquarium never fail to amaze me. Greeted by an unbelievable
sunken wreck, the feature simulating a realistic environment for its residents.
Surrounded, a diversity of stunning marine life, ranging from fishes to sharks
to rays, separated only by a thick glass are the audiences.
Flooded with species from dozens and dozens
of habitats all in one place as you walk through the attraction. Accomodating
more than 100,000 marine animals including dolphins! The booth midway through
the marine park is also a section where everyone has the chance to feel some of
the creatures. Beautiful experience with assortments of tanks which hold the
creatures some of which could also be beneath your feet!
Ending the Journey with a wall of water
from of the world’s largest aquarium. Feeling of serenity where tourist and
even locals can immerse themselves in and sit before it and keep the hectic
minds blank.
Men are endangering increasing number of marine life each day, creatures in
abundance, in absence from our knowledge and before we have truly come to know
what these creatures are. Which of we maybe impacting creatures of not-known existence, we may
never know.
Working with my team to promote marine
conservation, S.E.A Aquarium has further help us realised this issue of how
life under the sea could be so spectacular. To preserve endangered species for
future generations to experience what we have experienced.
Once again special thanks to Resort World
Sentosa for providing this opportunity to SP Scuba Diving Club.
Arthur Nauer
President of SP Scuba Diving Club
Something Fishy: Sunday 16 February 2014
Fishes! We see them all the time, on our dining table, fresh,
juicy, savouring and into our mouths. But what exactly are these creatures???
Fish, a limbless cold-blooded vertebrate animal with gills
and fins living wholly in water.
Why are they so important to us?
They are important to us economically, recreational and
scientifically.
Economically
·
Farming industry.
Aqua culture has been on the rise for the
past decade. Currently base on PETA (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animal) statistics,
more than 40% of all the fish consumed each year are now raised in aqua farms.
The industry is still growing, and in fact, 3 times faster than animal
agriculture. It is no doubt that aqua farms will prevail as our natural fish
stock depletes.
·
Supplies for fishing industry.
Many countries rely on fishing as their
livelihood, especially the fishing nations (Chile, Iceland and Norway). Like
countries rich in oil, these countries are rich in fish stock as they are
situated at costal region allowing them to fish. Fishing is mostly their main
natural resource for those countries.
·
A food source.
Fishes are a good source of protein and
omega3 oil. Omega 3 oil is well known to be beneficial for our cardiovascular
system.
About 20% of the world’s population derives at
least one-fifth of its animal protein intake from fish, and some small island
states depend almost exclusively on fish. (Who.int, 2014)
·
Source for fish mongers
As there are many consumers, there are many
sellers. Fish mongers depend on fishes to earn their daily income. This helps
to contribute to the economy.
Recreational
·
Fishing
Fishing is an activity where many people
enjoy as they try to bait a fish usually from the wild. There are many
different types of recreational fishing.
Examples are: Spear fishing, netting,
trapping, and angling
·
Fish keeping
Fish can be pets too! They can be
alternative to people who are allergic to fur or other allergens. They are
often being kept as pets as people are being captivated by its beauty r simple
rearing them as a hobby.
·
Diving
Science
Ichthyology:
Ichthyology is the study of fish from the branch of zoology.
Fishes are important to people who study them!! There are approximately 250 new
species found each year! Its has plaed a
big role in marine biology study.
Ecology:
Fish definitely plays an important role in the ecosystem,
keeping the food chain balanced
Fishes are important to us, but they are being overfished,
causing decline in numbers and extinction. Fish stocks globally are being
exhausted just to meet human needs. I can’t ask you to stop eating fish
completely but I do encourage you to only eat fish that are not over fished.
Here is a seafood guide by National Geography.
I fell in love with diving ever since my first
dive trip I had with my school in Pulau Tioman Malaysia. Being underwater
submerged in the silence, carefree and admiring the beautiful creatures that
swim pass me. I almost felt like a fish myself. Diving helps me to relax, to
appreciate the beauty of the nature. Halfway through my dive, it strucked me that the
future generations might never have the chance to experience the ocean like I do,
it might not be the same at the same spot 10 years later. Everyone have a part
to play, we owe it to nature as it is without her that we humans would be able
to come so far. When we surface after a dive, I was still in daze, dreaming
about the serene seas ready to welcome me until my dive partner said ‘whoa! During
the dive, all I see was food!’ I was stunned. And from then on, I knew where to
start; from the food that I take. Together lets work towards a way to sustain the sea animals not only for ourselves
but for our future generation as well.
What LIES Beneath: Monday 27 January 2014
There is a hidden world under the sea, populated by grand creatures. Among the greatest natural wonders lie colourful corals that on the sea bed. The diversity of these marine invertebrates is astounding, often photographed as vibrant and interestingly otherworldly. I knew I wouldn’t miss a chance to get close up and personal with these creatures, so I hopped on the bus to Redang Island, Malaysia with my scuba gear and got ready to feast my eyes.
The waters in Redang Island were crystal clear and its beaches were a sandy-white. Diving down, tropical fish swam above and beneath us. With only the rise and ebb of my breathing, the water and awed by this underwater safari. If unbound to laws of human endurance. I will never leave. The coral reefs below were beautiful. Exotic and surreal, the corals came in an infinite variety of shapes, sizes and colours. It was even more amazing to realise how huge a role these corals were playing in the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem. They were home to unique species of sea animals. Fish, seahorses, eels, sea urchins and sea turtles are just some of those who rely on coral reefs for survival.
The waters in Redang Island were crystal clear and its beaches were a sandy-white. Diving down, tropical fish swam above and beneath us. With only the rise and ebb of my breathing, the water and awed by this underwater safari. If unbound to laws of human endurance. I will never leave. The coral reefs below were beautiful. Exotic and surreal, the corals came in an infinite variety of shapes, sizes and colours. It was even more amazing to realise how huge a role these corals were playing in the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem. They were home to unique species of sea animals. Fish, seahorses, eels, sea urchins and sea turtles are just some of those who rely on coral reefs for survival.
Back on land, I packed up my gear and
decided to walk along the beach, to the other side of the island. The more I
walked, the more I saw specks of white and grey disturbing the smooth carpet of
sand. Being a look-alike of seashells, curiosity-picking took over, and that
was when I realised they weren’t seashells. They were bleached corals.
Bleached corals are corals that have broken
off from the reef due to stress generally caused by several factors, such as
overfishing, global warming and even sunscreen from tourists swimming,
snorkelling and diving.
How one island portraying distinctly
different stories about the deep. Peppered all over were dead corals. I was
shocked by the extent of damage man has dealt to nature. Furthermore, this was
only a small amount in which the bleached corals were washed ashore. Not to
mention about those that still lay wandering in the vastness. About half of the
coral reefs in Southeast Asia are endangered.
While I had the privilege of
coming face-to-face with corals.
I hope the future generations get to share
this opportunity as well.
A planet where humans can continue
to enjoy the beauty of nature.
All we need is a start, the damage
cannot be undone but we
can protect what’s left.
Arthur
Nauer,
President
of Sp Scuba Diving Club
: Saturday 25 January 2014
.
