Latest Industry News
The Cayman Islands Become Focus for
Megafauna Surveys
Scientists and shark hunters recently gathered in the Cayman Islands to carry out surveys of local shark, whale and dolphin populations. In conjunction with the Cayman Department of Environment (DoE), the multi-talented, multi-national team's objectives also include helping DoE efforts to establish a "public sightings scheme" for recording encounters with these charismatic megafauna in Caymanian waters. "Sharks, as top-level predators in our marine environment are key components and we have very little reliable data or information on local species, populations and the pressures they face," said DoE Deputy Director for Research and Assessment Tim Austin. "Through this project we hope to expand on local efforts to better understand what species of whales and dolphins use Caymans' waters as part of their home ranges or a seasonal migratory routes, as currently very little is known."
» Read more at CaymanNewsService.com
New Program Designed To "Gen-Y-ify" the Dive Industry
|
Created by partners Body Glove, PADI, Sport Diver and Transworld SURF, Drop Zone: Dive-In is meant to inspire the next generation of divers to dive in, keep current divers diving and stimulate business growth by expanding lifestyle product offerings at dive centers. The program features social networking strategies to incorporate viral marketing into the marketing mix and environmental initiatives to motivate Gen X and Y to make a difference, allow their voices to be heard and join in cause related activities. Program members receive a "how to" manual, website access to marketing kit downloads with posters, ads and more, the opportunity to order customized T-shirts and participate in the online community to share best practices and interact with other dive shop retailers, as well as a DVD of the movie Drop Zone: Tahiti, to share with customers at a screening event.
» Read more about Drop Zone: Dive-In program at dropzonedivein.com
|
|
DEMA Announces Special Election
|
To fill the vacant A-2 — "Certifications-Training Organizations" — Board of Directors seat, DEMA has announced a special election to occur from February 19, 2010 through March 22, 2010. All 2010 DEMA Members are eligible to vote, and all A-2 members renewed for 2010 are eligible to run for the vacant seat. Write-in nominations for the open seat will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. PST on December 18, 2009. Those primary DEMA Member Voting Delegates interested in becoming a write-in candidate should contact DEMA (secretary@dema.org) to request a write-in petition form.
» Read more at DEMA.com (PDF)
|
|
Buy a Billboard, Save a Shark
|
In 2008, WildAid bought 200 billboards in Beijing featuring Chinese icon Yao Ming. In a survey, 19% of Beijingers responding said they remembered having seen the boards, and of that number 82% said they would stop or reduce their consumption of shark fin soup.
WildAid and Shark Savers are upping the ante for 2010: For $100 you can fund a "Say 'no' to shark fin soup" bus stop billboard in Beijing and Shanghai. The price includes production, installation, maintenance, and lighting for a full year. What's more, for a limited time every purchased billboard will be matched by a grant from a Shark Savers sponsor.
» Read more or make a donation at SharkSavers.org
|
|
American Airlines Increases Service to USVI
|
In mid-November, American Airlines added an additional flight to the US Virgin Islands. Flights currently operate daily between Miami and St. Croix but the new service, flight #879 from Miami, adds three more flights per week, with arrivals on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday and departures on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. "The new service from American Airlines arrives at a key time for the territory," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "With the holiday season upon us and temperatures cooling down in the USA, potential travelers are looking for family-friendly destinations with good flight schedules like St. Croix."
» Read more at CaribbeanNetNews.com
|
|
|
|
Recently on Scuba Diving and Sport Diver
 |
|
Connect with Real Divers
Scuba Diving has one of the best user communities out there.
Join the conversation »
|
|
 |
|
Sport Diver magazine's
enewsletter
Get the latest from Sport Diver.
Subscribe Now »
|
|
Contact your Bonnier Dive Group Territory Manager today:
|
David Benz, Group Publisher
David.Benz@bonniercorp.com
850–934–3173
|
Jeff Mondle, Associate Publisher
Jeff.Mondle@bonniercorp.com
760–433–5141
Equipment Manufacturers
Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Pacific, Tahiti
|
Bonnie Borkin Filippi, Associate Publisher
Bonnie.Borkin@bonniercorp.com
201–497–5045
Bermuda, Cayman, New York, Statia
|
Francesca Mariani
Francesca.Mariani@bonniercorp.com
321–956–0901
Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Tobago, Turks & Caicos
|
Linda Sue Dingel
Lindasue.Dingel@bonniercorp.com
407–913–4945
Central & South America, Japan, Mexico, Philippines.
Marketplace & Classified Advertising
|
Ashley Bringman
Ashley.Bringman@bonniercorp.com
407.347.7681
Aruba, Bahamas, Bonaire, BVI, Curacao, Grenada, SV&G and USVI.
|
Someone forward this Bottom Time to you? Sign up to receive it yourself.
|
|
