Perfect Diver Magazine issue 23

diving freediving passion knowledge

No. 23 5(23)/2022

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Price 12,50 € Tax included

BALI SCAPA FLOW THE GERMAN 7

1

TACTICAL SEARCH RESCUE

2

the foreword

WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

Editor-in-Chief

T

he cover itself shows that there is no autumn under the water, and the reef and its noble inhabitants remain colorful, demonstrating actually full palette of colors.

Even wreck fanatics like (unless they don't know it yet) the amazing gardens of corals, anemones and all kinds of smaller and larger creatures found there.

What is the condition of these reefs after the last 2 years of the pandemic and increased

tourist traffic this year? In one of the articles, we answer this question directly, and Laura Kazimierska is stationed in Indonesia where she looks at the changes and phenomena taking place every day. The article is embellished with photos by Karola Takes Photos, who uses only naturally existing light. But that's not all about the reefs. We also have for you an underwater look at Bali written with Sylwia Kosmalska-Juriewicz's pen and great photos by Adrian Juriewicz (the cover belongs to Adrian!) showing the beauty that we can see with our own eyes from the other side of the mirror.

The current issue opens with an article by Kurt Storms about the wrecks of Scapa Flow, a place called mecca pf wreck divers (at least one of many). See how, from his perspective, Kurt describes these dives.

A few pages later, Jakub Banasiak reveals sensational news about disappearing dolphins.

The first announcement of the Maltese dolphinarium reported that the dolphins had been transported to Spain. See how the terrible process really looked step by step and do not attend any dolphinariums.

Ania Sołoducha develops and concludes her text about sharks. They are super-important for the stabilization of the ecosystem on our planet. They also blend beautifully with the reefs mentioned above.

The issue of Magazine 4/2022 dealt mainly with the Mediterranean. Not all articles entered that issue, so now you can look again at or remember your experiences about Montenegro and Croatia.

And in the evening, with a cup of warm tea, I invite you to a meeting with the story of Mateusz Popek and Szymon Mosakowski about the polar mystery of Endurance. Is it possible to survive 560 days and nights in extreme cold? Yes! However, back then, there were no satellite phones...

And now the question! Can a recreational diver dive with a stage? Is recreational diving a decompression dive? Many of you like the last article of the edition, because there is knowledge, practical and theoretical, and there is always the opportunity to develop the topic personally with Wojtek A. Filip, the author of these texts.

Finally, try to get into the "skin" of salmon, as well as listen to the sound of common sandpiper.

Enjoy!

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

3

table of contents

36

10

WRECKS

58 PLANET EARTH

10 Scapa Flow. The German 7

TRAVELS 20 Bali – continued 36 Krk 42 Montenegro. The black pearl of the Adriatic

4

28 Reef in times of plague. The impact of the pandemic 50 54 58 62

period on coral reefs Disappearing dolphins Sharks, part II What is it like to be a salmon?

Loud wading birds

ARCHAEOLOGY Publisher PERFECT DIVER WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

46 Endurance. The Polar Mystery

ul. Folwarczna 37, 62-081 Przeźmierowo redakcja@perfectdiver.com ISSN 2545-3319

editor in chief

Wojciech Zgoła

underwater archaeology

Mateusz Popek

photographer

Karolina Sztaba

marketing & advertisement english language translators

Hubert Reiss Agnieszka Gumiela-Pająkowska Arleta Kaźmierczak Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o.

Piotr Witek

legal care graphic design and composition

46

Lawyer Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak

the magazine was folded with typefaces

Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky) Open Sans (Ascender Fonts) Noto Serif, Noto Sans (Google)

TIPS & CURIOSITIES

printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl

distribution dive centers, online store

66 Stage cylinder (stage)

preorder@perfectdiver.com

How to become a better diver?

cover photo

Adrian Juriewicz place

Bali reefs model

Variable neon slug Nembrotha kubaryana

66

www.perfectdiver.com

The Editorial Office does not return unsolicited materials, is not responsible for the content of advertisements and reserves the right to shorten, edit, title the submitted texts and select illustrative materials. Reprinting of articles or parts thereof, copying only with the consent of the Editorial Board. Editors are not responsible for the form and content of advertisements.

34 CYPRUS If you like this issue, donate any amount!

Donation is voluntary.

PayPal.Me/perfectdiver PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

5

editorial team

WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

HUBERT REISS

Passionate about diving and pure nature. He likes to say that he travels by

An IT specialist by profession, but a flesh and blood salesman who is not

diving. He learned to swim when he was less than 6 years old. At the age of

afraid of any job. Diving has always been my big dream. At the beginning

15, he obtained a yacht sailor's license and has been diving since 2006. He

it was supposed to be a challenge, a short episode but it turned out to be

has completed over 750 dives in various regions of the world. He wrote and

a passion for the end of the world and one day longer. Under water I react

published many articles.

and rest. As a Divemaster, sidemount Razor diver, and recently also a pho-

Co-author of photo exhibitions. An advocate of leaving the place of residence

tographer, I realize my dreams by admiring and immortalizing the beauty of

clean and unblemished. Diving promoter. Since 2008 he has been running his

the underwater world. "Passion breeds professionalism, professionalism gives

own website www.dive-adventure.eu. Based on extensive experience, in 2018

quality, and quality is a luxury in life. Nowadays, especially..."

he created the new Perfect Diver Magazine, which has been successfully published regularly every two months in Polish and English for 3 years.

MATEUSZ POPEK

KAROLA TAKES PHOTOS

”My passion, work and life are under water.” He has been diving since 2009.

Karolina Sztaba, and professionally Karola Takes Photos, is a photographer

Since 2008, he's walking in caves. Underwater archeologist by education.

by education and passion. She is currently working at the Trawangan Dive

He participated in numerous projects in Poland and abroad. He has been

Center on a tiny island in Indonesia – Gili Trawangan, where she moved to live

engaged in professional diving since 2011. In 2013 he obtained the quali-

four years ago. She photographs above and below the water. In addition, she

fications of a 2nd class diver. Has experience in underwater work both at

creates photographic projects against littering the oceans and polluting our

sea and inland. Since 2013 he has been diving in caves, especially in the

planet with plastic ("Trapped", "Trashion"). She cooperates with NGO organi-

mountains, and since 2014 he is a diving instructor CMAS M1. In June 2020,

zations dealing with environmental protection and actively participates in

he obtained a doctoral degree in underwater archeology.

pro-ecological actions (coral protection, coral planting, cleaning the world, protection of endangered species). She is also the official photographer of Ocean Mimic – a brand that creates swimwear and surfwear from rubbish collected on the beaches of Bali. She cooperated with many brands of diving equipment for which she created advertising campaigns. In 2019, she became the ambassador of the Polish company Tecline.

She has been a technical diver for two years.

ANNA SOŁODUCHA

SZYMON MOSAKOWSKI

Has more than 8000 dives on his account. He

A graduate of Geography faculty at the University

Student of archeology at the Nicolaus Copernicus

has been diving for over 30 years, including over

of Wrocław and an incurable optimist… with a per-

University in Toruń. A beginner diver starting his

20 years as a technical diver. He is a professional

manent smile on her lips! It was probably Destiny

adventure with underwater archeology. A lover of

with great theoretical and practical knowledge. He

that led her to Activtour… and she's been here

photography, nature and basketball, and recently

is an instructor of many federations: GUE Instruc-

on permanent basis. She passionately fulfils the

also diving.

tor Mentor, CMAS**, IANTD nTMX, IDCS PADI, EFR,

dreams of many, organizing diving trips around

TMX Gas Blender. He participated in many diving

the world, and she has already been diving for

projects and conferences as a leader, explorer,

more than half of her life. Each year she explores

originator or lecturer. These included the Britan-

a different ‘piece of the ocean’, pinning another pin

nic Expedition 2016, Morpheus Cave Scientific

to her diving world map. In winter she changes fins

Project on Croatia caves, GROM Expedition in

into her beloved skis and gets away into the Alps.

Narvik, Tuna Mine Deep Dive, Glavas Cave in Croa-

A recipe for life? ”The only a dead trunk flows with

tia, NOA-MARINE. Professionally, he is a technical

the current – the explorer's canoe flows up the river!”

director at TecLine in Scubatech, and a director of

anna@activtour.pl

training at TecLine Academy.

activtour.pl; travel.activtour.pl; 2bieguny.com

JAKUB DEGEE

MICHAL ČERNÝ

SYLWIA KOSMALSKA-JURIEWICZ

Polish photographer, winner of awards and dis-

"Wet photos" – He has photographed since he

A traveller and a photographer of wild nature.

tinctions in world underwater photography com-

remembers. After several years of experience as

A graduate of journalism and a lover of good liter-

petitions, has already dived all over the world: with

a diver, he wanted to keep memories of underwa-

ature. She lives in harmony with nature, promotes

sharks and whales in South Africa, with orcs be-

ter dives. He bought his first compact camera with

a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and a vegetarian.

hind the Arctic Circle, on Galapagos with hundreds

an underwater housing. Over time, however, the

Also engaged in ecological projects. Sharks and

of hammerhead sharks and humpback whales in

desire to have the best photo began to dominate,

their protection are especially close to her heart.

the Tonga Islands. He participates in specialist

which was not quite possible with the compact

She writes about the subject in numerous articles

photographic workshops. He has been diving for

he used. That's why he switched to the Olympus

and on her blog www.divingandtravel.pl. She be-

27 years, he started at the age of 12 – as soon as

PEN E-PL 5 reflex camera, which allows the use of

gan her adventure with diving fifteen years ago

it was formally possible. He was the first in the

several different lenses. He uses a combination

by total coincidence. Today she is a Divemaster,

world to use the Hasselblad X1d-50c camera for

of underwater flashes and lights. He focuses on

she visited over 60 countries and dived on 5 con-

underwater macro photography. Recently, in the

wildlife photography, not arrangement. He photo-

tinents. She invites us for a joint journey with the

remote Chincorro archipelago on the border be-

graphs in fresh domestic waters as well as in the

travel agency www.dive-away.pl, of which she is

tween Mexico and Belize, he did it again, taking

seas and oceans of the world.

a co-founder.

a successful attempt to photograph the eye of

He has already won numerous awards at Czech

a crocodile with a macro lens with an additional

and foreign photography competitions. More

magnifying lens, which is the world's largest photo

photos can be found on his website, where you

of the crocodile's eye living in the wild (in terms of

can also buy them not only as photos, but also as

pixel count, print size, quality).

photos printed on canvas or on another medium. www.mokrefotky.cz www.facebook.com/MichalCernyPhotography www.instagram.com/michalcerny_photography/

constant cooperation

WOJCIECH A. FILIP

constant cooperation

WOJCIECH JAROSZ

AGNIESZKA KALSKA

BARTOSZ PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI

A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Acad-

”I can't imagine living without water, where in a free

That's my name and I come from Poznań. I have

emy of Physical Education (coaching specializa-

body I experience freedom of the spirit.”

been associated with water practically from birth

tion – handball) and the University of A.Mickiewicz, Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental biology). He connected his professional life with this first university trying to influence the direction of development of future professionals on the one hand, and on the other planning and implement-

• founder of the first freediving and swimming school in Poland – FREEBODY, • Apnea Academia International and PADI Master Freediver freediving instructor, • world record holder in freediving (DYN 253 m),

and with diving since I learned to walk. My grandfather instilled my passion for the underwater world, a CMAS*** instructor taking me to the lakes at any free time. I obtained my first qualifications in 1996. A year later I went to Croatia and literally went crazy at the sight of blue wa-

ing research, pushing laboriously in the right di-

• record holder and Polish champion, member

ter, octopus and colorful fish;) I bought my first

rection of the stroller called science. In his free

of the national team in freediving 2013–2019,

underwater camera – Olympus 5060 and started

time he spends his time actively – his main pas-

• winner of the World Championships in freed-

the adventure with underwater photography. I ac-

sions are sailing (sea helmsman), skiing (downhill

iving 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018,

quired my diving experience in the Canary Islands,

skiing instructor), riding a motorcycle, recreational

• multimedalist of the Polish Championships

Sardinia, Norway, Maldives and in Polish lakes.

diving and many other activities, as well as pho-

and a member of the national team in swim-

I am currently a Padi and ESA instructor, I train

tography, mainly nature.

ming in the years 1998–2003,

diving enthusiasts in Europe and pass my passion

• passionate about freediving and swimming.

on to others.

I invite all lovers of the underwater world and photography to Beediver (FB) – see you soon.

AGATA TUROWICZ-CYBULA

IRENA KOSOWSKA

LAURA KAZIMIERSKA

Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming

Regional Manager Divers Alert Network Polska,

Laura Kazimierska is currently working as PADI

a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that

diving and first aid instructor, technical diver and

Course Director at TrawanganDive Center on the

dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where

cave diver. In love with all flooded, dark, cold,

Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan. Founder of

I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving

tight places and invariably from the beginning

the Divemastergilis portal.

adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love

of the diving route – in the Baltic. Implementing

www.divemastergilis.com @divemastergilis

observing the underwater life up close and I try

the DAN mission, he conducts a series of lectures

For over 7 years she has lived and discovered the

to show other divers how fascinating the under-

”Dive safely” and Diving Safety Laboratory, so field

underwater world of Indonesia. She is not only an

water, Baltic creatures are.

research of divers for scientific purposes.

avid technical diver, but also the face of the Planet Heroes platform and the ambassador of the Ocean Mimic brand. She actively contributes to the promotion of the protection of corals and the natural environment of fish and marine animals by taking part in scientific projects, campaigns against ocean littering and cooperating with NGOs in Indonesia. @laura_kazi

ADVERTISEMENT

Polish Diving School

OCTOPUS in Hamburg +49 176 48664595

mariusbebel@icloud.com

our authors

KURT STORMS

KLAUDYNA BRZOSTOWSKA

JAKUB BANASIAK

Belgium Military, underwater cave explorer and

PADI diving instructor and videographer. She

Diver from 2008. Passionate of the Red Sea and

active technical/ cave/ rebreather diving instructor

spends most of his time in the water document-

pelagic ocean predators. Devoted to the idea of

for IANTD. He started his diving career in Egypt on

ing a fascinating underwater world. She graduated

protecting dolphins, sharks and whales. He dives

vacation, and his passion continues. Kurt is also

from the Academy of Fine Arts in the field of Fash-

mainly where you can meet these animals and

the founder and CEO of Descent Technical Diving.

ion Design in Łódź and Film studies at the Adam

monitor the level of their well-being. Member of

He dives on several CCRs such as AP, SF2, Dive-

Mickiewicz University in Poznań, trained as a tai-

Dolphinaria-Free Europe Coalition, volunteer at

soft Liberty SM. Kurt is involved in the creation of

lor, and with a love of nature and a large dose of

Tethys Research Institute and Cetacean Research

the document about the new salt mine in Belgium

adrenaline. She loves everything related to water.

& Rescue Unit, associate of Marine Connection. For

(Laplet). This project was featured in the news on

Her diving adventure began with a backpacking

10 years he has been involved in research on wild

Nationale TV.

trip in 2016. During her stay in Thailand she dived

dolphin populations and audits dolphinariums.

Privately, Kurt's true passion is deep cave diving.

for the first time and from then on she got hooked

Together with the team ”NO! For the Dolphinari-

His wife (Caroline) shares her husband's passions

on at this sport. Spending the last years and most

um” he prevents dolphins from captivity and pro-

and also dives in caves. In his free time, he visits

of her days under water, teaching and showing

motes knowledge about dolphin therapy unsaid

Belgian slate mines, and when he is not exploring,

the beauty of the underwater world in Asia, she

or concealed by centers which make money on

he takes his camera to document the dives.

believes that diving means unity – unity with own

this form of animal therapy.

mind, nature and unusual creatures. @waterographyk

HANNA MAMZER Professor at the Department of Sociology, Adam

programmes. She lectures in Poland and abroad

Mickiewicz University. A psychologist, sociologist,

and has extensive international cooperation with

and forensic expert in animal welfare, dog ethol-

the United States of America. She works towards

ogy, and human-dog relations. She initiated the

understanding animal needs and promoting ani-

creation of the Inter-species Relations Section in

mal welfare in human social practice. In her aca-

the Polish Sociological Association. Member of the

demic work, she pays great attention to making

Local Ethics Committee for Animal Testing. A two-

interdisciplinary connections between different

time scholarship holder of the Fulbright Founda-

scientific fields in order to integrate activities

tion, British Council, Leibniz Institute for Regional

and information that promote an understand-

Development and Structural Planning in Erkner

ing-based approach to human-nonhuman rela-

(Germany), Central European University in Buda-

tionships. She collaborates with law enforcement

pest, European University Institute in Florence,

agencies in Animal Welfare Act investigations. She

Stefan Batory Foundation, the winner of Polityka

also works with non-governmental organisations,

magazine scholarship campaign, and numerous

local authorities, and homeless animal shelters.

awards and distinctions. Multiple participant of

She runs a temporary home for anxious, with-

Socrates Erasmus and Socrates Erasmus Mundus

drawn, and distrustful dogs.

ADVERTISEMENT

+48 502 138 403 http://www.deepdivingslesin.pl/ baza-nurkowa-honoratka/

wrecks

Scapa Flow THE GERMAN 7

Text and photos KURT STORMS

SMS Brummer

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO GO DIVING AT SCAPA FLOW? I HAD THOUGHTS LIKE THESE FOR YEARS. IT WAS DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT I HAD NOT MADE IT THERE BEFORE, UNTIL ONE DAY A FRIEND OF MINE, STIJN, SENT ME A TEXT MESSAGE. HE WAS ASKING WHETHER I’D FANCY GOING ON A TRIP TO THE FAR NORTH OF SCOTLAND.

I

t took no long consideration to make the decision and after about 4 hours Stijn’s charter was full. The charter boat we were going to dive with was the MV Huskyan, with Emily

as the skipper. Wow, I had never seen such a diving charter – the finishing of this boat is perfection, designed and delivered especially by divers and for divers.

THE GERMAN FLEET OF SCAPA FLOW Scapa Flow is a huge natural harbour in the Orkney Islands, enclosing more than 100 square miles of relatively calm waters. The islands were used as protection for the British fleet in both World Wars. With the signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the German fleet was quartered at Scapa with a skeleton crew until its fate could be decided.

Admiral von Reuter mistakenly thought that war was about to break out and therefore gave the order to scuttle the fleet on 19 June 1919. The order was quickly carried out while the British ships guarding the Germans were out on an exercise and could not stop them. A total of 51 ships went to the bottom of Scapa Flow, with others being grounded to prevent them from sinking.

10

wrecks

SMS Dresden

After the war, most of the ships were salvaged for scrap, but seven remain submerged in Scapa Flow's waters forever.

ferent route. From Scrabster, we took the ferry to Stromness, which was a 90 minutes trip.

Scapa Flow is one of the jewels in the crown of British scuba

The accommodation is in a cottage, which is equipped for

diving. The remnants of the German fleet still lie in the current,

12 people with all the facilities you could want. A big advantage

which provides effective protection against any salvage or diver

is that it is only a 3-minute walk from the harbor where the MV

interference. These dive sites are among the best scuba sites

Huskyan is moored.

in the world, with the behemoths of battleships rising from

We could safely stow away our equipment, consisting of

a depth of 47 m to 20 m, guns pointed into the vast green,

rebreathers and OC double sets, on the boat that very same

seemingly on perpetual patrol. Battered cruisers resting on

evening, so we had time the next day to get an extensive

their flanks, their superstructures slowly falling to the seabed

boat-briefing.

after more than 100 years under water.

Emily leaves with her boat at about 8:30 each day. As the dive sites are always about 1 hour away, Emily has the oppor-

HOW TO GET TO SCAPA FLOW:

tunity each time to give her extensive briefings on the wrecks.

Getting to Scapa Flow is a logistical challenge for us from main-

Her knowledge of history and Scapa is unmatched. If there ever

land Europe. We travelled together with my regular diving part-

was a reason that would make me think of going out with her,

ner, Willem, and my wife Caroline with a van.

that would be it. Since most of our group were cave divers,

The route was as follows: we drove to 'De Hoek of Holland'

identifying and recognizing wreck parts was very difficult for

and there we took the ferry to Harwich. This trip took about

us. With Emily’s fascinating descriptions, describing the best

6 hours, so we could rest a bit before our trip to the far north.

routes for diving the wreck and taking nice pictures, every dive

We had to drive about 12 hours before we arrived at Scarbster,

was a pleasure. Yes, we even recognised some wreck parts,

where we met another part of the team that had come via a dif-

which otherwise would have only been a piece of metal.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

11

wrecks SMS Dresden

SMS Dresden

OUR FAMOUS WRECK DIVE SITES INCLUDED:

SMS Dresden

SMS Dresden The Dresden lies on its port side, at a depth ranging from 23 metres at the bow to 38 metres at the stern. The distance from the surface to the hull is about 20–22 metres.

History SMS Dresden was a light cruiser of the Cöln class, one of only two ships of this class to be completed. The other was her sister ship, SMS Cöln, which also lies on the seabed of Scapa Flow.

SMS Dresden was built by Howaldtswerke in Kiel and launched on 25 April 1917. She was a replacement for the earlier SMS Dresden, which had sunk off Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile after the Battle of the Falklands in 1915.

Dresden and her sister ship SMS Cöln were completed during the First World War. After the surrender of Germany in 1918, the SMS Dresden became one of the last two ships to be interned at Scapa Flow. Due to a turbine failure, the SMS Dresden was unable to sail to Scapa in November along with the rest of the High Seas Fleet. Instead, the cruiser arrived at Scapa Flow on 6 December 1918, badly damaged.

12

SMS Dresden

wrecks SMS Karlsruhe

SMS Cöln The Cöln lies on her starboard side at 34–36 m, with the top of the wreck reaching some 22 m.

She is in very good condition, with plenty of life and very little current, the shotline descends to approximately 22 m, making it a very easy dive.

History SMS Cöln was a light cruiser of the Cöln class and one of only two ships of this class to be completed. The other is her sister ship SMS Dresden.

SMS Cöln was built in Hamburg by Blohn & Voss with the construction number 247. The construction of SMS Cöln started in 1915 and she was launched

SMS Karlsruhe

on 5 October 1916.

She was the second ship to bear this name, the previous Cöln (1909) having sunk during the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the first naval battle of WW1, fought on 28 August 1914.

There has been some confusion over the years about the spelling, is it Cöln or Köln? Köln is the name for the city of Cologne, Cöln is the correct spelling, as can clearly be seen on the ship's bell in the Lyness museum on Hoy. SMS Cöln saw little action during the war.

On 21 November 1918, the SMS Cöln arrived in the Firth of Forth and then sailed further north for internment at Scapa Flow.

SMS Karlsruhe

SMS Karlsruhe The Karlsruhe lies on her starboard side, at some 45 degrees, resting at a maximum depth of 27 metres and rising shallower up to about 16 metres.

She is the shallowest and most broken up of all the German fleet wrecks, but she is also the most beautiful one, with lots of fish and marine life.

History The SMS Karlsruhe was a light cruiser of the Königsberg class, built in Wilhelmshaven at the Kaiserliches werf as the construction number 41. She was

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

13

wrecks SMS Karlsruhe

named Karlsruhe after her namesake, which sank in the Caribbean in 1914.

SMS Karlsruhe had three sister ships, Emden, Königsberg and Nürnberg.

Karlsruhe was commissioned into the High Seas Fleet in November 1916. She served in the II Scouting Group, alongside SMS Königsberg and Nürnberg.

The ships patrolled the Helgoland Bight in the North Sea, where they protected minesweepers from British light troops.

The Karlsruhe was the only one of her class to be sunk by the Germans, as the SMS Nürnberg and Emden were both sunk by the British.

The wreck was sold in 1962 and partially broken up between 1963 and 1965.

SMS Karlsruhe

SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm The “Seiner majestät Schiff” (SMS) Kronprinz lies tilted at 38 metres depth, with her port side up, rising to 12 metres at its shallowest.

History The Kronprinz Wilhelm was initially named Kronprinz, and later renamed Kronprinz Wilhelm in 1918 in honour of the Crown Prince Wilhelm.

The ship was a König class battlecruiser, one of four ships of this class.

The other three were König, Grosser Kurfürst and Markgraf.

The Kronprinz was built in Kiel in 1911 and launched in February 1914.

In March 1917, the Kronprinz was also rammed by its sister ship Grosser Kurfürst, which was beginning to become a bit of a habit. The collision

scale of these things into perspective,

opened up her hull to tons of water and

with her twin rudders being 3.5 metres

Two years later, in 1916, her six

forced her back to the dry dock in Wil-

high – this is probably Scapas most icon-

3.4-inch guns were removed under the

helmshaven for repairs.

ic wreck.

bridge section, making room for addi-

History

tional accommodation and for addition-

of Jutland and was part of the vanguard

Seiner Majestät Schiff (SMS) Markgraf

al radio rooms.

fleet, suffering no damage or loss of life.

was built in Germany as No 186 by

She took part in the Battle of Jutland

A.G. Weser in Bremen, according to the

under the command of Kapitan Seifer-

same specifications as her sister ships

ling. During the battle, she was hit by

Probably one of the most impressive

König, Kronprinz and Grosser Kurfürst.

three 15-inch shells, the first two did

dives you'll ever make, from a maximum

She was the third of the four König

not explode, but the third tore a huge

depth of 47 metres at the bow to 24 me-

– class battleships, carrying a crew of

hole in her side, just behind her rear

tres at its shallowest. This really puts the

1136 officers and sailors.

turret.

The Kronprinz took part in the Battle

SMS Markgraf

14

She was launched on 4 June 1913.

SMS Markgraf

SMS Markgraf

SMS Markgraf

SMS Markgraf

15

wrecks SMS König

SMS König

SMS König Today this wreck lies completely upside down with its bow facing north.

The König lies at 40 metres depth, with the hull rising to 24 metres, offering something to see for divers of almost all levels.

She is the most damaged of all the German fleet wrecks, due to extensive salvage operations Nundy's (Metal Industries). This makes it a very interesting dive, as it is the only wreck where we can see the inner workings of these mighty battleships.

History Built in 1911 and launched in 1913, the König was one of four König-class battleships in the Imperial High Seas Fleet.

She was commissioned in 1914 and led the fleet in the Battle of Jutland.

She began her service with a bit of bad luck in December 1914, first by

16

wrecks SMS König

SMS Brummer

running aground in the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, and then by being rammed in the ass by the sister ship Grosser Kurfürst.

The König was involved in the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Jutland.

At 19.32 hours on the first day, she was hit and listed to port.

She suffered 10 heavy and six medium hits, 45 men were killed, including one officer, and another 27 men were wounded.

On 6 December 1918, the König and the cruiser Dresden were the last two ships to arrive in Scapa Flow for their internment.

SMS Brummer The Brummer lies on her starboard side,

History

two to four times as many as the light

at about 36 metres, rising to a depth of

The Brummer was a fast mine-lay-

cruisers, and was very manoeuvrable.

some 22 metres.

ing cruiser and was lighter armoured

She was built by A. G. Vulcan in Stet-

and less heavily armed than the light

tin as construction number 422. She

cruisers. She could carry 400 mines,

was launched on 11 December 1915.

A nice easy dive for all levels, with very little current.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

17

wrecks

SMS Brummer

In October 1917, the Brummer was one of two ships used to intercept a British convoy en route from Bergen to Lerwick. She was chosen for this task

ther camouflage her from looking like

time has already done some damage.

a British ship.

However, these will always be beauti-

SMS Brummer arrived at Scapa Flow for internment in November 1918.

Especially with all the information we got from the crew, Duncan, Jeffrey and

because of her high speed, and the fact

AFTERWORD:

Emily, this week was one we will never

In preparation for the attack, the

All these wrecks are enormous. It’s

forget.

crew painted the ship dark grey to fur-

a great pleasure to dive them, but

that she resembled a British cruiser.

Contacts: Emily Turton Mobile: +44 (0)7974 178612 Tel: +44 (0)1856 850 292 Email: info@huskyan.com https://www.huskyan.com Postal address: Huskyan Dive Charters 110 Victoria Street Stromness, Orkney KW16 3BU, UK

SMS Brummer

18

ful dives.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

19

travels

Bali continued

Text Sylwia Kosmalska-Juriewicz Photos Adrian Juriewicz 20

travels

If there is magic on this planet it is contained in water.

Loren Eiseley

T

he next day after breakfast we set off for the dive, sail-

used by our dive guide to signal the appearance of a man-

ing in a speed boat from Sanur to the dive site took us

ta ray. First one arrives, slowly flapping its 'wings' as if about

about 45 minutes. As we leave the harbour, the captain

to take to the air. After a while, another and another appear.

suddenly shuts down the engines, the boat stops, silence en-

I try to contain my emotions, which are as violent as a thun-

sues, only the slapping of the long ocean waves against the

derstorm in the middle of summer, and in an instant, I feel joy

side of the ship can be heard. Putu, the captain's assistant,

and great emotion. I can hear the others shouting with joy into

grabs a bamboo thanksgiving basket filled with flowers and

their breathing apparatuses. It is an overwhelming happiness

rice, lights an incense, and starts speaking to the gods, asking

and a privilege to be in this otherworldly, delightful world. From

them to protect him during the dive. Then he lays the basket

time to time we move our fins admiring the incredible dance

on the surface of the water and the waves carry it away in

of some of the most beautiful creatures inhabiting the Oceans.

their embrace. After this unusual rite, the captain turns on the

After an hour-long surface break, during which we had

boat's engines and we sail to our first dive site. Today it is the

a delicious lunch, it was time for another dive, this time at

shores of the island of Nusa Penida, at a location called Man-

a site called Cristal Bay. This unusual site is located opposite

ta Point. Once we arrive, we get dressed in our wetsuits and

a beautiful coral beach, where you can see colourful umbrellas

jump into the water, there is a swell that pushes us towards

from a distance and just behind them a wall of green coconut

the tree-lined rocks. We let all the air out of our lungs and

palms. The beautiful, very exotic picture creates an extraordi-

unhurriedly plunge below the surface of the water. The rocky

nary scenery for unique dives. Off the coast of Nusa Penida

bottom is overgrown with small reef and visibility reaches over

between July and November (the date is movable and conven-

10 metres. We surrender to the force of the surf which seems

tional), one can observe the archaic, yet beautiful mola mola

like the breath of the ocean. As the ocean inhales we pull back,

fish also known as ocean sunfish. These remarkable creatures

and when it exhales, we swim forward moving our fins quickly.

live at considerable depths of up to 350 m on a daily basis.

We dive lower, where after a while we hear the sound of a rattle

With the cold ocean currents, they swim towards the surface,

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

21

travels

22

where they undergo grooming to rid their skin of parasites.

amazement and joy at this unusual encounter. This time we

Small bannerfish or angelfish play a huge role in this process.

didn't manage to see this unusual fish, but the dive over the

We had the immense pleasure of diving with a sunfish three

reef was also exciting and full of many beautiful encounters

years ago in September. We came across a mola mola just

with slightly smaller, yet adorable creatures. Shoals of small

after diving at about 15 metres. I still remember my immense

fish hide in the larger corals, a seahorse sleeps on the sand,

travels

Both SD Point and PED are quite a challenge for photographers, there are plenty of subjects to photograph, but it is difficult to linger over any of them for long, due to the strong current that keeps pushing us further and further.

swayed by the light current, a sea turtle swims by unmoved by our presence, and a moray eel of considerable size hides in a rock crevice, as it if believed it is invisible.

Off the coast of the island of Nusa Penida we dived three more times during our stay in Bali. The sites we chose were SD Point, PED, Toyapakeh.

SD as well as Pura PED are located in the north of the island and are not far from each other. They are also characterised by a similar type of diving, usually it is the so-called drift dive which means diving in the current. Both sites are characterised by very good water clarity and vibrant coral reefs which I have the impression have recovered and become even more beautiful after a long absence of tourists.

Our boat moored parallel to the shore, where we can see the low buildings and the magnificent vegetation towering above them. We jump into the water just above the beautiful coral reef. We stop at about 10 metres and swim deeper along the sloping coral-covered wall. In the dark blue depths appear the outlines of large fish – barracudas and eagle rays that slowly swim past us. We also see turtles and smaller creatures like nudibranch snails and crabs that hide in the coral reef. These places are teeming with marine life, thanks to the currents, which I feel are intensifying by the minute. Both SD Point and PED are quite a challenge for photographers, there are plenty of subjects to photograph, but it is difficult to linger over any of them for long, due to the strong current that keeps pushing us further and further. After a great dive we eat some juicy fruit on the boat overlooking the green, beautiful island of Nusa Penida.

Each of our days on the island of Bali is full of beautiful experiences, views, sunrises and sunsets, walks on the beach together, meals eaten on the shores of the ocean, delicious coffee at all times of the day, dives in various beautiful and unique places such as Tulamben.

23

travels

The drive to Tulamben, a small fishing village, took us about two and a half hours including a short coffee break. We arrived before eleven o'clock and stopped at a small parking lot, surrounded by tropical greenery. After exiting the bus, we head towards a large restaurant open to the ocean, the pool, and the garden with coconut palms. We take our seats at a long table and order the dishes for lunch which the chef will serve us after our first dive. The beautiful, very green surroundings and the hot weather encouraged some of us to cool off in the pool before we went diving. After a briefing at which we learn not only about the creatures we can encounter under the surface of the water, but also the history of the wreck where we are about to dive.

Diving on the wreck of the USS Liberty is done from the shore, in order to access the ship, you need to cross a rocky beach, where you keep getting rocked and knocked over by the waves which sweep into land with great force. Off the coast of Tulamben rests the sunken US Army ship called the USS Liberty, torpedoed on 11 January 1942 by a Japanese submarine. It was carrying valuable cargo, so after the bombing two American destroyers took it in tow to salvage what it was transporting. However, the damage proved so severe that the USS Liberty could not be towed to Singaraja – its final destination. It was decided to plant the sinking ship on the nearest beach at Tulamben to save the cargo. There it laid for 20 years left to the harsh effects of the sun, wind, and people who dismantled the ship piece by piece and took the valuable steel which was later used to build houses. Until 1963, the wreck

24

travels

rested on the beach until the eruption of Mount Agung volcano which I am looking at today. The eruption was so strong that the ship was pushed into the water. The hull broke in two and the wreck came to rest on a steep slope on the starboard side. The wreck can be explored by both experienced divers and those who have just started their diving adventure, as its minimum depth is 10 metres and maximum depth is 30 metres. The ship is already in very advanced decomposition, and it is difficult to see its original shape. Sea creatures very quickly adopted the metal skeleton of the USS Liberty and the ocean engulfed it. Corals overgrow every protruding metal part of the ship and fish have made their home inside. The beauty of the site compensates for the hardship of getting in and out of the water on grey stones washed by strong waves. After the dive, we eat a delicious meal and relax in the garden which offers a unique view of the ocean.

The next dive site is located right next to the USS Liberty, so the drive took us only about five minutes. We sit on the back of a pickup truck, wearing our diving suits, bouncing over all the holes in the road. This rather unusual transport adds colour and only stimulates our imagination for what will happen next.

From the main busy tarmac road, we turn left, pass two large

The ship is already in very advanced decomposition, and it is difficult to see its original shape. Sea creatures very quickly adopted the metal skeleton of the USS Liberty and the ocean engulfed it.

trees, and follow a narrow path into the tropical greenery. At the end of the road, you see a fork that resembles a window

enter the water. The place is called the Tulamben Wall (Drop

overlooking the ocean. The beach is narrower than the one

Off). From the very moment we enter the water we feel a slight

from which we entered the wreck dive, and all covered with

current pushing us towards the vertically dropping wall. Below

colourful boats evenly stacked on wooden poles. Our gear is

us, we can see dark sand similar to that in the Lembeh Strait in

already waiting for us, we get dressed on the beach and slowly

North Sulawesi. A forest of sea snakes "grows" out of the dark

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

25

travels

26

bottom; as we swim closer, they hide in the sand, leaving only

unusual creatures evenly attached to the metal structure form

a small depression, which also disappears after a while. They

something resembling a modern sculpture. A sculpture on

emerge again as soon as we swim away, displaying their long

which life of our planet really depends...

bodies curiously. Right next to the forest of snakes is a frame

We arrive at a vertical wall that drops down to 60 m. It is

on which a reef has been planted, the different species of these

overgrown with beautiful live corals, a variety of sponges and

ADVERTISEMENT

soft corals. There are also plenty of

hour into our dive we spot a turtle,

nudibranch snails, shrimps, lion-

which our guides call Piniu, or Kura

fish, moray eels and small fish that

Kura (phonetic pronunciation), rest-

swim in small schools. Having been

ing in a rocky hollow at about 15 m.

to Bali many times, we have dived

We approach him slowly, so as not

the wreck both day and night, but

to startle him...

never at the Drop Off site which

After a few days in Bali, we sail

I certainly add to my list of favourite

to the island of Gili Trawangan, but

dive locations. After around half an

that's another story...

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

27

planet earth

REEF in times of plague THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC PERIOD ON CORAL REEFS Text Laura Kazimierska Photos Karola Takes Photos

THE POST-PANDEMIC TRAVEL FRENZY HAS STARTED IN FULL SWING. AIRPORTS ARE OVERLOADED, LUGGAGE LANDS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD, QUEUES DRIVE MOST TRAVELLERS CRAZY, AIR TICKET PRICES REACH THEIR ZENITH, BUT EVEN THIS DOES NOT STOP TOURISTS THIRSTY FOR REST.

28

T

ropical destinations finally opened their borders and lifted most of the restrictions. Uh, there is one over there. Join us!

Sitting on Gili Trawangan in a café bursting at the seams, I find it hard to believe that half a year ago sitting in the same place, apart from a bored waiter, I would not have seen a living soul. The pandemic has affected everyone.

Many of us devoted this time to reflection, evaluation of

planet earth

priorities, time for personal development, for others it was a period of financial failure, many businesses especially on Gili Air, Meno and Trawangan did not survive. The lack of income from tourism forced the local population to look for alternative ways of earning.

How did our coral reefs cope with the pandemic?

When most of the population was condemned to isolation at home or within the borders of their own country, the

environment experienced a period of rebirth. Due to the lockdown, in many places in the world, including Indonesia, there has been an improvement in water quality. And this contributed to the development of the marine environment, among others, seabirds, fish, marine mammals, as well as a dynamic improvement in the condition of mangroves and coral reefs. Many wild animals have appreciated a noise and pollution-free environment without human interference. There have been numerous reports in the press about how "Nature is reclaiming its space".

The lack of tourists, the noise of motorboats and the suspension of many industries have had an incredibly positive effect on the Indonesian coastal regions. In many places, there was an increase in the number of fish, turtles, and the overall activity of the coral reef. When visiting the popular “Turtle Heaven” dive site, which is usually besieged by divers and snorkellers, I noticed that the coral, which had previously been in a deplorable state, regenerates at a surprising rate. The same phenomenon applies to other coral reefs not only around Gilis, but also Komodo and Raja

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

29

planet earth

Ampat. They also had time to take a break from the crowds and calmly regenerate during the isolation period.

Corals are one of the most sensitive and diverse ecosystems. They support millions of species living in reef areas and are considered a key point of biodiversity. They serve as sites for the development of a variety of fish and crustaceans and contribute to the production of oxygen and the recycling of carbon dioxide in the global ecosystem.

Due to the industrial revolution, warming of the oceans, increased carbon dioxide emissions, coral reefs struggle to maintain balance. And it is all because of human activity.

Even a momentary pause has greatly improved the condition and functioning of this delicate environment.

Increased levels of greenhouse gases contribute significantly to pollution and the weakening of marine ecosystems. The increase in water acidity has degrading effects on the mollusc population as well as on the natural growth of coral. High water acidity slows down or even stops the development of the skeletal structure, dissolving calcium carbonate, which is the main building block. The lack of air traffic, the closure of many industrial companies or the reduction of their activities contributed to the reduction of

30

carbon dioxide concentration and at the same time water acidity, which has a regenerating effect on coral reefs.

Recent studies suggest that the occurrence of high intensity noise has a negative impact on the behaviour and even reproduction of organisms inhabiting coral reefs.

Human activity noises, such as the noise of ships or motorboats, can cause sensory confusion among reef inhabitants. This affects marine mammals in particular, for which sound is a fundamental element of communication and social interaction.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, most industries, including automotive and public transport, were stopped and commercial and private sailing activities were reduced. This has resulted in a reduction in the noise intensity in aquatic and land environments, and consequently the appearance of marine mammal species in places where they had not been seen for years.

During the pandemic, most beach bars and restaurants were closed in popular tourist resorts. It led to a real boom among the sea turtles returning to their former breeding grounds. On Gili Trawangan, many female green and turtle turtles have found the perfect egg laying envi-

allowed them to catch their breath.

Tragic periods for humankind, such as World War II, have shown that interruptions in commercial fishing contribute to the growth of many fish species in the ocean. The same effect occurred during the global quarantine period.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of income from tourism, many families have returned to fishing. Limited monitoring of national water parks such as Komodo and Raja Ampat has led to increased illegal and unreported fishing activities and has caused disruption to the local ecosystem. Soaring prices and

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

FOT: KAROLATAKESPHOTOS

ADVERTISEMENT

ronment. Hatching beaches were free of tourists, which reduced the amount of waste, as well as the number of accidental crushing of the turtle's eggs. Sea turtles had enough time for incubation, which resulted in a higher incubation rate. The lack of human interference and artificial light, which often confuses newborn individuals, was an additional bonus.

Even though Covid has been a curse for many of us, it could be assumed that it has been a blessing for many aquatic environments that are doomed to human exploitation. The world's lockdown

31

reduced availability of fish on the market have encouraged local populations to exploit wild fish stocks, pushing them even further towards extinction. In the Komodo National Park during the dives, an increase in specialised equipment for shark fishing and a return to practices such as the use of dynamite were noticed.

Covid-19 left not only a clear trace in our memory, but also a tragic souvenir for the next thousands of years in the natural environment. Due to attempts to stop the spread of the virus, all protective clothing and accessories contributed significantly to plastic contamination of waters and beaches. On weekly cleaning of the beach and during dives, it was increasingly often possible to notice masks, plastic gloves, one-time antigen tests or plastic protective suits. We also noticed the growth of polystyrene and plastic packaging from takeaway food.

Despite positive changes on coral reefs, the problem of plastic waste seems to be getting bigger. Indonesia is one of the leading countries contributing to the littering of the ocean. The pandemic trend for packaging all food

32

products in plastic, online shopping, medical accessories have further aggravated this problem, and consequently, caused environmental degradation worldwide.

After more than two years of pause, Indonesia is once again experiencing a crowd of tourists thirsty for experiences. Diving centers have record numbers of diving certificates, and boats going to coral reefs are bursting at the seams. The time of the pandemic has shown the enormous impact of human activities on the marine ecosystem. Despite the best intentions, as divers, we contribute to some extent to the destruction of our beloved coral reefs. So, it is worth considering what we can do to reduce our negative impact on the underwater world.

Diving centres on Gili Trawangan and I cordially invite you to visit the reefs. I wonder if the inhabitants of coral reefs share my enthusiasm.

As divers, we have a special bond with the ocean. For this reason, each of us has a chance to contribute to the protection of what we love when we dive, travel, and do other things.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF RUBBISH YOU LEAVE BEHIND. Try not to buy drinks in plastic bottles, put water into reusable bottles. Do not use plastic bags and say no to plastic straws.

KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF, respect underwater creatures, and work on excellent buoyancy while diving to avoid injuring corals.

BUY REEF-FRIENDLY SUNSCREENS. Oxybenzone, a common active ingredient in sunscreen, damages coral reefs.

DEFOG YOUR MASK ECOLOGICALLY. Do not use soap or toothpaste commonly used to defog masks before diving. Use defoggers without harmful ingredients. And, of course, there is nothing better than saliva.

DO NOT BUY SOUVENIRS FROM CORAL REEFS. From shells to decorative corals and shark teeth. Your purchases contribute to the degradation of coral reefs and the natural marine environment.

SUPPORT THE LOCAL PEOPLE. While travelling, try to eat and buy local products, in this way you contribute not only to supporting the local economy, but also to reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide produced during the importation of goods.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

33

sponsored article

BREAKING NEWS !!!

BOOK A WEEK DIVING IN CYPRUS FROM ONLY

€299 PER A PERSON

Dive on the world-famous Zenobia one of the top 5 wrecks in the world with DIVE STOP CYPRUS & Our exclusive ”Dive Easy Packages”.

DIVE STOP CYPRUS are only dive centre in Cyprus who offers tailor made dive packages at NO additional costs. We are also the only dive centre in our area to have our own purpose-built RIB offering us complete flexibility & no end of dive sites.

HERE ARE MY CONTACT DETAILS:

English +357 96039632 34

Russian +357 96109038

dive@divestopcyprus.com

sponsored article

If you have never dived in Cyprus, you need to book this unbelievable deal!

Diving in Cyprus offers some of the best diving in the world in addition to the epic Zenobia wreck we have many other dive sites offering unique cavern dives, stunning wall dives & scenic turtle safaris! This is a limited time offer so don’t delay book your Cyprus dive adventure today with the premier scuba diving centre in Cyprus!

HERE IS A BIT OF INFO ABOUT DIVE STOP Established in 2018, DIVE STOP are an English owned dive centre, offering our customers friendly personal service with some great banter in our relaxed diving centre. My dive centre is renowned as one of the best centres in Cyprus I have been diving & working in Cyprus for over 20 years and have exceptional local knowledge I hand pick my team to ensure that you receive the best possible service and diving.

NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR SAYING WE ARE THE BEST.

BOOK YOU BEST DIVE TRIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN YET!!!

www.divestopcyprus.com PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

35

travels

KRK Text and photos Wojciech Zgoła

36

travels

CROATIA IS AMAZING. JUST DRIVE A BIT OF LAND, TAKE A STOP AT THE COVE, CLIMB A HILL, TAKE A REST IN THE MOST ORDINARY BAR. THIS IS ENOUGH TO AMAZE YOU AND MAKE YOU PROMISE YOURSELF TO COME BACK HERE ONCE AGAIN.

P

ersonally, I like to discover new parts of the world. That's

In my old habit, with two weeks to go, I wrote several mes-

why, in the second year of the pandemic, when Croatia

sages to various diving centres on Krk. The first 3 replied that

announced that it was letting in both the vaccinated and

they had no available places until the end of August. I started

the unvaccinated, we opted for the largest island – Krk. It was

to worry a bit, fortunately then came a reply from Diver Krk

our another visit on this land, but this time we chose one of

Diving Centre. The choice turned out to be a good one.

the closest destinations from Poland. And if it weren’t for the

The base is located in the centre of Krk, close to the har-

5-hour wait at the border, the trip would have been one of the

bour, with its own fenced parking area. They offer professional

fastest so far.

service, and the atmosphere is nice and friendly. The weather

We arrived late in the evening, just before the recep-

was sunny and hot, yet inside you could enjoy the pleasant

tion closed. We didn't eat lunch or dinner because we were

coolness of air conditioning. After they checked our certificates

standing at the bloody border and wanted to check in in time

and insurances, we filled in the relevant forms, and packed

to avoid sleeping out.

the bus which drove our stuff to our boat in the harbour. The

It turns out that on the island of Krk, in the town of the same

divers went on foot which took five minutes.

name, it is not at all easy to eat out after 11 PM. The kitchens

Finally, we found ourselves on a boat that was gliding

close at around 9:30, of course you can go to a pub and have

among small waves towards the island of Cres. It was at this

a drink, but there is nothing to eat. Along the way there are

island that our first two dives took place. We first smelled and

stalls selling ice-cream, waffles, and other sweets... Eventually

soon afterwards tasted the sea water. The sun was stroking

we bumped into a lady who was selling corn, and willy-nilly we

us from above and the temperature of 32°C seemed pleasant

ended up having a very romantic dinner for two. We sat on the

thanks to the speed we had gained.

beach wall, soaked our feet in the Adriatic Sea and enjoyed the lightly salted corn.

We moored in bays over a wide shallow water area, where we peacefully carried out a safety stop. Earlier, descending

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

37

travels

to less than 30 m depth, we admired the amazing rock sculpture with numerous mini caves, walls and overhangs. Visibility at 20–25 m allowed us to see some sizable common dentex fish which swam at a considerable distance and were quite timid.

Our guide was named Goran. He knew very well where we were, and with his professionalism he brought a calm atmosphere. The group consisted of five people. Throughout we were accompanied by shoals of small fish. We admired anemones, tunicates, and snails, of which we counted 3 different species. We could feel the gentle current. While returning, we took a good 10 minutes to penetrate the previously mentioned shallow waters looking for crabs, octopuses and other creatures. The water temperature at the surface was 25°C, while at 30 m it was only 17°C. It is worth remembering this and being prepared for colder moments :) The next day the bora wind was blowing. The sky was cloudless, but the pressure was high. The bora strikes from the northeast, and usually, in the summer, blows only for a few hours. This happens when there is a large pressure difference between the Dinaric Alps and the Adriatic coast. The cool mountain air pushes against the hot coast.

And although it got nicer outside, as the heat had temporarily eased thanks to the wind, our dives were cancelled for the day, and we were only able to sail out for the next day's dive. This time Goran had a lot of students and could not go

38

with us. It turned out that Vlad (the owner of the base who

and we jumped into the water. We quickly reached a depth

was also the boat captain) decided that we were doing very

of 26 m. It got cold, so we surfaced a bit. We came into a cur-

well underwater and could dive without a guide. We were on

rent pushing us away from the wall, so we had to strengthen

our own, Dominica and I. Vlad conducted a briefing with us,

our fin swipes. When we reached the rock shelf, the current

travels

Krk is the largest island in Croatia. It has an area of 405.22 km2. It is located in the Kvarner Gulf in the Adriatic Sea. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge (Krk Bridge) nearly one and a half kilometres long, which was built in 1980. The passage is free of charge. The length of the Krk coastline is 219.2 km.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

39

travels

disappeared, and we calmly started to swim back close to the

perienced of us, having been diving for 42 years and, as he

rocks until we reached the shallow waters. The bora did not

admitted, wanting to reach 1000 dives. He was pretty close

spoil the visibility and we still had a good 20–25 m. We real-

to that and had recorded everything from the very beginning

ly enjoyed the terrain here. Mini canyons, rock arches and

(his first dive) in his logbook.

cones rising just above the surface of the sea, washed over constantly by new waves.

40

After the briefing we descend more than 30 m deep. Gerhard leads the way. We pass by observing a very interesting

We spent the next day diving with a third diver, he was

and colourful bottom while the current is gentle. I try to cap-

a very friendly German called Gerhard, who was now over 70

ture various underwater moments on camera. There are large

years old and spoke very good English. He was the most ex-

tree branches, a fishing net entangled in the rocks and schools

ADVERTISEMENT

SZKOLENIA KURSY SKLEP of small fish. A small scorpionfish

afternoon. He lived on the big camp

appears somewhere on a shelf, and

in his RV with his wife. Opposite, in

we also found some snails. We end

another camper, lived his son with his

the dive on another beautiful near-

wife and two children. He asked us

shore area.

to follow him, meaning the scooter

Both underwater and on the way

he drove while traveling in the camp-

out, Gerhard thanks us for the bor-

er. We spent the next 2 hours sipping

rowed hood. It turned out that he

coffee, beer and eating appetizers or-

had forgotten his own, and we had

ganized on short notice by Gerhard's

a spare. I got to admit, it came in very

amiable and surprised (I think) wife.

handy. So did the gloves. Bora made

He told his family that we saved his

the temperature at the sea surface

life by lending him a hood.

drop down from 25 to 23°C, while

We spent the last two days before

at a depth of 28–35 m the tempera-

traveling to Poland delighting in the

ture dropped from 17 to just 14°C. In

beauty of the place we found our-

7/8 mm foams it is cold. Dry suit in

selves in. We admired a pair of cor-

the summer in the Adriatic is a very

morants, which alternately jumped

wise solution ;) Hood and gloves are

into the water to catch fish, and then

a "must have".

came out on a boulder drying their

After returning to the base and

feathers. We also snorkelled, even

paying the dive fee, Gerhard unex-

at night after 10 PM, which brought

pectedly invited us to his place. We

some onlookers, but allowed us

were surprised but accepted the in-

to spot an octopus.

vitation. We had no plans for the late

Croatia never stops amazing us.

SERWIS

UWWW.COMPASSDIVERS.PL

UL. KOLEJOWA 2 62-010 POBIEDZISKA – LETNISKO PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

41

travels

MONTENEGRO THE BLACK PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC Text and photos Klaudyna Brzostowska

Underwater canyons, uplifted rocks, grottos, caves, and wrecks – Montenegro proved to be a huge diving surprise.

From the first day, I marveled at what was underwater and what was on land.

M

42

ountainous areas covered with

have been organizing daily expeditions

ena), nudibranch snails such as Flabellina

lush greenery, the smell of

for 25 years and their commitment and

affinis and spotted Doris, and clusters of

oregano and lavender wafting

passion is evident. Together we did sev-

marine predators, namely mostly star-

in the air, authentic and friendly citizens,

eral dives around the Sveti Nikola Island.

fish. One of the pearls of Montenegro is

and good cuisine – these are just a few

Called by some the Hawaii of the region,

the Oreste shipwreck. Manufactured in

reasons why surface breaks in Monte-

it is an undersized natural island that is

1896 in England, the ship sank in 1942 in

negro take on a whole new dimension.

about 2 km long and has several caverns

Trsteno Bay most likely after contact

Our first dives took place near the

and caves. In addition to interesting rock

with a mine. Today it lies at 30 meters

tourist town of Budva. Courtesy of the

formations, the first dives surprised me

deep and is undoubtedly one of the

Budva Diving crew, we were able to ex-

with the number of fish, and quite lush

most interesting diving attractions. Our

plore nearby dive spots. The center's

flora and fauna. Often you can meet

guide Dusan co-created the MeDryDive

owner Dusan and his son jointly run the

here various species of cephalopods,

app (https://medrydive.eu/) which aims

oldest dive center in Montenegro. They

Mediterranean moray eels (Muraena hel-

to promote Mediterranean heritage and

travels

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

43

travels Season: May – October Water temperature: 15°C–24°C Visibility: 10–25 m Currency: Euro Transportation from Poland: plane/ car/ motorcycle Recommended dive centers: BudvaDiving in Budva and DivingMontenegro in Herceg Novi

44

education. With this app, anyone can be-

al and cheerful Montenegrins. We did

the country's navy soldiers trained. The

come a virtual participant in the pene-

our first dive at the submarine base.

40-meter wreck is in very good condi-

tration of the wreck (through VR and AR).

Built by the Germans during World

tion, lying at 24 meters, definitely worth

Another place full of diving attrac-

War II, the hatch was used after the war

recommending.

tions is the Bay of Kotor. Near the

by the Yugoslavian Navy. The hatch is

It must be admitted that Montenegro

town of Herceg Novi, more than 30 div-

100 meters long, 12 meters wide and

looks extremely well on the European

ing spots are hidden within a radius of

10 meters deep. An unusual place that

map of diving enclaves. Going to Mon-

a dozen kilometers. Numerous wrecks,

definitely stirs up emotions. Another

tenegro, I did not expect much. Today

caves and caverns, walls of reefs and

thrilling dive was the one on the wreck

I know that it is a destination worth rec-

a submarine base – all this is hidden

next to Mamula Island. Patrol ship PBR

ommending. The main advantages are

underwater. I had the pleasure of be-

512 was built in 1952 and was a prop-

interesting and diverse dive sites, empty

ing guided to these spots by Diving-

erty of the Yugoslav army. Sunk in 1983

spots with no other dive boats, excellent

Montenegro, an intimate dive center

during military training, it was a training

visibility, attractive prices, and a very

that charms with a crew of profession-

target for Yugoslav missiles with which

good atmosphere on land.

Go to www.kubekcontigo.pl and take the advantage of a

15% discount on the code PERFECTDIVER THE ENTIRE ASSORTMENT ON THE SITE!!!

www.kubekcontigo.pl

DON'T GET ROBBED

Discount

15% on the pacsafe products with code PERFECTDIVER www.niedajsieokrasc.pl

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

45

archaeology

ENDURANCE THE POLAR MYSTERY

Text Mateusz Popek, Szymon Mosakowski Photos Wikimedia Commons

A year and a half, or five hundred and sixtyfour days and nights.

So many days it took the crew of the Ship Endurance trapped in Antarctica to fight for their lives.

Ernest Shackleton

F

Endurance under full sail, Frank Hurley State Library

ive hundred and sixty days and nights in the place where

Twenty-eight people responded to the announcement and

the lowest temperature on earth was recorded at 89 de-

boarded the ship Endurance on August 8, 1914. Their route

grees below zero. Where the night can last half a year.

led from Great Britain to the south, towards the coldest conti-

Where a human is perceived as a lunch by each and every polar

nent of the Earth. The first weeks of sailing went smoothly and

bear. So long Ernest Shackleton's crew fought

according to plan, and the plan was ambi-

for their lives. And all of them... survived!

tious. Ernest Shackleton's goal was to reach

When Shackleton was looking for a crew

Antarctica. Then the whole crew was to get

for the expedition, he placed the following

on a dog sleds and then cross the entire

advertisement in the newspaper: "I'm look-

continent. There, on the Ross Sea, they were

ing for people for a dangerous trip. low rates,

to be picked up by the sailing ship Aurora.

inhuman cold, long months in total darkness,

However, on January 18, 1915, in the

constant danger, safe return home doubtful.

Weddell Sea, the ship was blocked by an

honours and recognition in case of success of

ice floe, just 160 kilometres away from the

the mission." Even then, he must have known how difficult their

46

planned landing site. This is where the fight for life began. The

challenges were. All in all, he had already completed two expe-

crew, who was not able to get the ship out of the ice, simply

ditions to the polar regions. He was an excellent polar explorer

drifted with it along the continent. In that situation Shackle-

and a leader who knew what he wanted and how to manage

ton's men spent almost 9 months. It is difficult to imagine their

people. However, he did not expect that this time life would

situation. However, the leader knew how to manage his crew.

prepare the most important exam for him.

He wisely distributed food rations and provided entertainment

archaeology Route of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition from 1914–1917

to the crew. They played sports, engaged in ongoing repairs, and even staged theatrical plays. All this so that the morale of the sailors did not collapse and to dispel thoughts about how bad their situation really was.

On October 27, the crew left the ship and set up a camp nearby. However, after less than a month, huge forces pushed the ship under the ice, where it was swallowed up by the sea.

Now that they had no more facilities, there was nothing left for them but to set off.

In the spring of the following year, the ice melted enough for the crew to launch the lifeboats taken from Endurance.

After a few days of sailing, everyone reached Elephant Island.

They were still in the polar zone, but the mainland offered opportunities for survival. Here Schackleton made the decision to leave the crew and together with the five best sailors set out for help to the nearest inhabited island, which was located only 1300 km from Elephant Island. Captain Endurance's was successful, and on August 30 the remaining crew was rescued.

No one died.

The story of this expedition is an extraordinary story about fortitude, will to fight and leadership skills at the highest level.

Few leaders had the opportunity to manage their people in such an extreme situation and do it so perfectly. However, the story does not end there. One pioneer is an inspiration for subsequent generations. Only the goals are changing, and the goal for modern explorers is to find the wreck of Endurance.

Such enthusiasts dreaming of discovering the wreck of Endurance are the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust team. It is a charity organisation dedicated to preserving the rich and diverse maritime history of the Falkland Islands and the people associated with the area. Among the members of the expedition were gathered some of the most prominent specialists in the world in many fields, including marine archaeologists, engineers, technicians and scientists dealing with the frosty waters of Antarctica.

The Endurance22 expedition began on February 5, 2022, the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton's death, and lasted 35 days until the wreckage was found. The mission was carried out using the 134-meter polar class research vessel 5 S.A. Agulhas II, which is owned by the Government of South Africa. It is one of the largest and most modern research vessels in the world, able to break through ice one meter thick at a speed of about five knots. It is equipped with a number of specialised scientific laboratories and facilities that constitute a powerful and effective unit for multidisciplinary research.

Based on information provided in 2019 by the Weddell Sea Expedition, the Endurance wreck has been declared a historical monument under the Antarctic Treaty. For this reason, the actions of the explorers could not interfere in any way with the wreckage.

Endurance in the ice PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

47

archaeology

A seven-dog sledge team on the ice with unidentified Endurance crew member

Endurance final sinking

The crew expected difficult working conditions and developed a plan that assumed that if the research vessel was unOcean camp established on the ice, Weddell Sea

able to approach the wreckage, one or two ice camps would be created in which holes in the ice would be drilled. Thanks

Initially, an extensive archival research was carried out in

to them, it would be possible to leave underwater vehicles,

archives in Great Britain, Norway and the Falkland Islands. For

whose task would be to find the wreckage. These underwater

this task, the help of other experts was also used to deter-

vehicles are two SAAB Sabertooth (AUV) models equipped with

mine a possible location where Endurance could rest. Using

state-of-the-art technologies for visual and sonar research. The

state-of-the-art technology, the expedition set off towards the

wreck search area covered as much as 120 square miles of

Weddell Sea.

depths around the last recorded position by the captain of Endurance. Sonars and echo-sonars mapped every little bit of this vast area, and underwater robots submerged to previously unattainable depths.

Every day, a team of scientists, engineers and specialists watched for hours the image transmitted by robots and the results of mapping the bottom. March 5, 2022 was supposed to be another ordinary day for scientists on the research vessel. When the long-wanted wreck appeared on the crew's computer screen, no one could believe it. 7.7 kilometres away from the original location recorded by the captain at a depth of 3008 meters, Endurance rested almost intact. The conditions prevailing at such a depth had a huge impact on such a good preservation of the wreck, which easily allowed it to be identified. Thanks to the technology and zeal of the research team, after 107 years, Endurance has rekindled emotions among those around it.

The Weddell Sea party

48

Rehasport - motor medicine

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

ONLINE Specialty or name City

Search

Find injury Select the body part in which you feel pain.

www.rehasport.pl

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

49

planet earth

DISAPPEARING DOLPHINS Text and photos Jakub Banasiak

Brighton – commemoration of the victims of captivity

MANY DIVERS VISIT MALTA ENJOYING THE CHARMS OF THIS NEARBY AND INTERESTING DESTINATION. MALTA, HOWEVER, HAS A PLACE WITH A BAD REPUTATION, WHERE MANY OF THE DRAMAS OF OUR MARINE FRIENDS – THE DOLPHINS – TOOK PLACE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEDITERRANEO MARINE PARK – ONE OF THE WORST DOLPHINARIUMS IN EUROPE.

50

etween August and September

B

the local organisation Animal Liberation

2021, three dolphins mysterious-

Malta (ALM). The news of the death of

ly disappeared from this place.

the three females in the Mediterraneo

During this period, the dolphinarium

Marine Park in Malta has not been made

informed visitors that the animals had

public or registered in the Ceta-Base

been moved to Spain. Such events, in-

Cetacean

cluding the unannounced transfer of

which is a widespread practice in oth-

marine mammals between dolphinari-

er dolphinariums and aquariums. Two

ums, are always of concern to dolphin

of the dead female dolphins, Onda and

conservation and welfare organisations.

Mar, were around 20 and 25 years old,

One such organisation, the British Ma-

respectively, were captured in the wild

rine Connection, has submitted an inqui-

in Cuba and kept in Mediterraneo since

ry to the authorities in both Spain and

2000. The third dolphin, Melita, was only

Malta. It was discovered that these ani-

seven years old and was born here in

mals were not moved to another place

captivity in 2014.

Noncommercial

Register,

at all. It turned out all the three dolphins

Now we know what really hap-

died in Mediterraneo Marine Park. This

pened. The dolphinarium itself finally

fact was revealed thanks to the help of

revealed the details. It turned out that

planet earth

untrue description of the animals' whereabouts? Moreover, they now say that this auxiliary diver, not employed directly by the park, may have been working unattended in a swimming pool with dolphins and equipment which, as Mr Pecchioni himself has admitted, is prohibited for use in the park."

Strange cases of dolphin deaths in captivity, concealing their deaths, misleading the public is unfortunately a frequent phenomenon in this controversial and unethical business. Like the disappearing dolphins…

Dolphinarium on Malta

Dolphin conservation specialists and organisations are seriously concerned

the cause of death was lead poisoning

revealed, which probably penetrated

about the lack of transparency in inter-

and the lead, horror of horrors, came

the breast milk.

national trade in cetaceans, where it is

from the diving ballast. Pietro Pec-

Peccioni firmly states that the use of

virtually impossible to effectively track

chioni, the manager supervising the

this type of ballast is prohibited in the

the transfer of dolphins from one facil-

work at the center, admitted that the

park. He confirmed that dolphins died

ity to another. There are also few pro-

incident took place in the summer of

from the consumption of lead gran-

visions to prevent uncontrolled trade in

2021. A hired diver who was cleaning

ules but denied that the lead bag came

wild cetaceans, and the required doc-

the pool left a diving ballast unattended

from the park, emphasising that such

uments do not constitute a particular

near the pool, and the ballast fell into

lead ballasts have been banned here

obstacle for traffickers and groups in-

the water. Two adult lactating females

for years.

volved in the illegal catching and trans-

and their calves and a young female

Margaux Dodds, director of dolphin

fer of animals. Additionally, facilities

began to show signs of disease. X-rays

captivity at the Marine Connection,

rarely declare any deaths and are not

showed the presence of lead granules

however, notes: "If it was a truly tragic

held responsible for the loss of life by

in two individuals. One calf had no

accident, why did the park, when it initial-

dolphins in their care. They seem to ac-

lead in its stomach, but an extremely

ly reported the disappearance of these

cept the death of animals as an integral

elevated level of lead in the blood was

dolphins, deliberately give a vague and

part of the industry, simply replacing

Dolphinarium on Malta

Dolphinarium on Malta

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

51

planet earth

Dolphins from Festa Dolphinarium in Varna

ure of such an operation, it can always be said that the missing dolphin was sent to another place or give the natural cause of death when it is no longer possible to hide the death of the animal.

Documents outside the EU are not such a big problem either. More than once, falsifications have been revealed in export and transport documents. Several years ago, the scale of this practice was revealed concerning dolphins illegally harvested from the Black Sea and sold to local dolphinariums and to the Middle East. Dolphin welfare organisations have reported a similar problem in, for examDolphins from Festa Dolphinarium in Varna

When an adult is killed, it is enough to hide this fact until another dolphin can be brought in. The numbers will match, and virtually no one from outside will know it is another dolphin.

52

ple, Mexican dolphinariums. the dead animal with another, without any penalties or legal repercussions.

Activists of Empty the Tanks revealed that at least a few dolphins have died

In dolphinariums, the mortality rate

in Dolphinaris network facilities in Mex-

of newborn calves is particularly high,

ico in recent years. One of the victims

but the public often does not learn

was a young dolphin who died a few

about this fact at all. When an adult is

weeks after being born due to eating

killed, it is enough to hide this fact until

a palm tree leaf. The autopsy report

another dolphin can be brought in. The

showed that the cause of death was

numbers will match, and virtually no one

bowel obstruction.

from outside will know it is another dol-

Other dolphins in Dolphinaris fa-

phin. In the event of trouble or the fail-

cilities have died from lung infections

planet earth

DFE – commemoration of the victims of captivity at Whale Fest 2015

ever, 3 out of 4 unregistered dead calves reported by the Dnevnik portal last year were not mentioned. Such omissions make us wonder – how many more calves were born and died in this tank without anyone knowing about that?"

The activities of organisations and independent specialists fighting against the captivity of dolphins are extremely important. They help to reveal what is veiled by the intrusive marketing of dolphinariums, expose matters that the owners of dolphinariums want to hide from the public, educate tourists and the public, and provide materials necFesta dolphinarium in Varna

essary to initiate administrative or criminal proceedings.

caused by chlorine-containing chemicals

The problem of disappearing dol-

If we can, let us support their activ-

that keep the water clean and protect

phins and unexplained deaths in marine

ity, their informal audits in dolphinari-

against algae growth.

parks is widespread. Also close to us –

ums, information campaigns and edu-

It is not known what happened to the

in Bulgaria, so eagerly visited by Poles,

cational actions.

small dolphin from Dolphinaris Riviera

similar dramas were recorded. Follow-

Maya, who suddenly disappeared from

ing the death of a small dolphin at the

the place, even though a few days ear-

Festa Dolphinarium in Varna in August

lier dolphin activists documented its

2019, the organisations The Last Cage

FROM THE EDITORIAL OFFICE – LET

presence in the dolphinarium. Accord-

and ProWal launched a joint investiga-

US NOT BUY TICKETS TO DOLPH-

ing to Empty the Tanks, the general

tion into the operation of the facility.

INARIUMS, LET'S NOT SEND OUR

manager of the dolphinarium refused

They found data on more than 27 dol-

CHILDREN TO THEM. A MUCH BET-

to answer the questions. Due to the

phins that had died or "disappeared" in

TER SOLUTION IS TO PARTICIPATE

lack of reporting standards in Mexico,

the Festa Dolphinarium since it opened

IN WATCHING DOLPHINS IN THEIR

but also in many other countries, com-

– these cases were documented in the

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FROM

panies such as Dolphinaris do not have

press. As The Last Cage states on its

A BOAT TOGETHER WITH A PROFES-

to be transparent in the case of births,

website: "Since its opening in 1984, 13 dol-

SIONALLY TRAINED CREW.

deaths, diseases and injuries of dolphins

phins have been documented in the Festa

in captivity.

Dolphinarium (5 live to this day). How-

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

53

planet earth

Sharks part II

Text Anna Sołoducha, anna@activtour.pl Photos Łukasz Metrycki

54

planet earth

THERE ARE OVER 500 SPECIES OF SHARKS IN THE WORLD, FROM THE SMALLEST THAT ARE SEVERAL CENTIMETRES LONG TO THE ONES THAT ARE OVER 18 METERS. WITHIN THIS VAST NUMBER OF SPECIES, ONLY 12 CAN ATTACK. AND IN THIS DOZEN, ONLY 5 TO 6 SPECIES CAN ACTUALLY THREATEN US.

recorded annually. More people die annually bitten by mosquitoes (725,000), snakes (50,000) or dogs (25,000).

People are afraid of sharks. Why? They don't know. We are not ready to fight them. If the fear and misconception that sharks are a threat to us do not pass, we will lose this species, and the waters of which they are regulators. In an ecosystem devoid of large predators, the hierarchy will change. Species that are victims will begin to multiply in an unbalanced way. An alarming example is the giant toad, which has taken over Australia and threatens the entire ecosystem. The reduction of the shark population in some regions has led to a similar phenomenon. On the east coast of the US, the number of sharks has

S

decreased because of overfishing, there is no way to control harks are afraid of humans, although they surpass us in

this area. However, an increase in stingrays has been noted,

speed and size – they do not know it. Maybe the prob-

which threatens the natural balance. Seals have invaded the

lem is the fear of sharks? And if we afraid of something,

waters of South Australia. The seal population is growing, so

we do not protect it. The shark population has decreased

many individuals die of hunger, because there is a shortage

drastically. Nobody cares that 100-150 million individuals are

of food. The great white shark completely disappeared from

killed annually, although some statistics say that there are up

this region. These examples show that the final effect of these

to 200 million of them. It is well known, but we don't stop it

changes is the extinction of species.

because we think we're getting rid of the threat. In fact, sharks

On Earth, there are few predators weighing more than

attack people very rarely. On average, 10 fatal shark attacks are

50 kg. Since nature has created so many sharks for balance, it

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

55

planet earth

is arrogant on our part to get rid of them. If we do not change the course of action, at some point it will be too late, and such a loss cannot be repaired. An important problem is shark fishing. It is common that this is the domain of the countries of East Asia. The truth is that Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Portugal are among the top shark fishermen. Spaniards catch 60,000 tonnes a year, or 46% of the quota allocated by the European Commission. 165 Spanish fishing vessels have a license to harvest sharks. Sharks are caught for their valuable meat and fins, but also for their skin, cartilage and liver.

The value of the world trade in shark products reaches almost a billion dollars a year.

At this point, it is impossible not to mention the procedure that has a significant impact on reducing the population of this species. Finning, or cutting off the fins of live sharks. Currently,

Attempts have been made to prohibit finning, but loopholes in the law are destroying these efforts. The main markets are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The cut-off fin is used to prepare... soup. The most expensive soup in the world.

the estimated number of finning cases is 70 million sharks per year. "Shark finning is the practice of cutting off the fins of live Source Wikipedia

sharks, the rope is pulled onto the boat. A shark whose fins have been cut off is thrown alive overboard, where it slowly dies in agony, unable to swim, from blood loss or being eaten by other animals. Attempts have been made to prohibit finning, but loopholes in the law are destroying these efforts.

The main markets are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The cut-off fin is used to prepare... soup. The most expensive soup in the world. Shark fin soup is a traditional Asian dish. You can buy it in many seaside resorts or restaurants. In fact, only spices are responsible for its taste, because the fin itself has no taste. Its "gourmets" claim that it also strengthens bones and potency. In addition, shark body parts are also used in Asian folk medicine. However, their sharks for commercial purposes." The long rope method is

healing properties are not true, as evidenced by research –

the most used and most efficient. It is 80 to 100 meters long

fins often contain dangerous concentrations of the neurotoxin

and has hooks mounted on it at different intervals. At its end,

BMMA (also known as B-Methylamino L-Alanine), produced by

there is a lure that "attracts" predators to it. After "catching"

cyanobacteria and responsible for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In addition to overfishing, the extinction of sharks is influenced by their late maturation, because some of them only reproduce when they reach the age of 20. What's more, sharks reproduce very slowly. They only have a few young in one throw.

We know about 500 species of sharks, of which 60 to 100 are depleted. Nearly 20 of them are endangered species, e.g., white sharks, whale sharks or basking sharks. These sharks will not survive even if they are protected, which is why (though brutal) we should protect species whose population is stable, and which have some impact on the state of our waters. Rare species, they have no chance to survive.

100 million years ago, sharks were 60% of the species in the ocean. Currently less than 3%. Therefore, we can see a correla-

Source Wikipedia

56

ADVERTISEMENT

planeta ziemia

diving

Wyprawy nurkowe Miejsce WYBIERZ KIERUNEK

tion between aggressive overfishing and the decreasing number of sharks in our waters. When they are extinct, it will have disastrous, even unimaginable consequences for the marine environment. Sharks are called 'peak predators', which means they have no natural enemies. Sharks regulate populations of other animals, hunting sick, weak, old or near-death

WHY ARE SHARKS IMPORTANT? ● Across the world's oceans there are over 500 species of sharks. ● They have inhabited our oceans for over 400 million years.

● Their diverse roles are part of a balance needed for healthy oceans. ● As many as 100 million sharks may be killed every year in commercial fisheries.

a natural selection mechanism that ensures the survival of only the best

● Losing sharks can disrupt the delicate eco-

adapted, strongest representatives of other species. Without sharks, populations of species down the

system balance that they help maintain. ● Our future depends the oceans. The ripple effect of an ocean without sharks are complex and potentially devastating.

food chain (sharks are the upper link of the food chain) could overpopulate, which would significantly increase the pressure on other animals and the plants they feed. In this way, the balance of the marine world would be disturbed. We need to understand that the stability of balance in nature affects not only the lives of animals, but also people. Let us be open to knowledge and finally look at sharks – with a friendly eye.

Cel wyprawy

● Some are top predators, others are the clean-up crew of the ocean.

● Many sharks populations have declined by more than 90 %, due to overfishing, climate change and habitat loss.

individuals. Pressure from sharks is

Termin

HOW CAN WE HELP? ● Avoid shark products. A single shark can be worth over $1 million annually through tourism, but only $100 if fished for its meat.

Where we spend our money decides how sharks are used ● Choosing reputable eco-tour operators keeps sharks alive, and often supports the protected areas that keep them safe. ● Spread the world! We are sharks' best allies. Share your passion and knowledge with your family and friends. Together we can make a difference!

02.03.2023

Antarktyda Wyprawa poza granice wyobraźni!

WIĘCEJ WYPRAW >>

www.activtour.pl 607 777 538

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

57

planet earth

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A SALMON? Text Dr hab. Prof. UAM Hanna Mamzer

Photo Paweł Vogelsinger

The title of this text is a paraphrase of Thomas Nagel's article "What is it like to be a bat?", which was published in 1974 and in which the author argued that although we have knowledge about echolocation or the nervous system, we cannot answer the question: what is it really like to be a bat? How does it feel?

58

W

e can only imagine how we would feel having the wings and the body of a bat, but we will never answer the question of how they really feel. The

article was a philosophical treatise on the impossibility of embodying other beings and understanding the world as they understand it.

As land creatures, we have little interest in marine depths – we are unable to cross them or get to know them, we do not understand the animals functioning there and we do not know how to empathise with their emotions. Marine animals lead

planet earth

salmon plays an important role in the lives of many communities, for which fishing activities are important. Fishing as an activity important for the survival of the community is surrounded by a whole range of rituals and activities that must be carried out in order for the expeditions on salmon to be effective. You have to learn how to fish and this is the subject of intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Sharing and consuming preys were activities integrating the community. Fish fishing for these communities was an important element in religious rituals. The same was true of the North American Indian communities, for whom hunting and collecting the "gifts" of the forest was not only an activity of food provision.

The destruction of the environment, the displacement of Indians destroyed the ability to perform these activities and became one of the causes of the erosion of cultural traditions.

In the era of industrial production that drives consumption, we produce salmon as part of advanced zootechnical engineering. Located off the coasts of Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, for example, aquaculture produces salmon in an automated and deliberate manner. Fish crammed into giant baskets, are fed with feed in granules resembling dog and cat food. Under the baskets on the seabed there are deposits of excrement excreted by fish, which promotes the development of phytoplankton to an extent unfavorable to the ecosystem.

Salmon live in extreme density, which a lifestyle so different from human life that it often seems to us that they do not

causes stress, aggression, mutual infec-

communicate and do not feel. Other philosophers also wrote about the fact that

tion with parasites and diseases in fish.

it is impossible to "get into the skin" of another animal, presenting the subject

It is therefore necessary to prevent this

in different perspectives. This issue also appeared in Martin Lee Mueller's book

by administering antibiotics to avoid

entitled "Being Salmon, Being Human: Encountering the Wild in Us and Us in the Wild"

losses in production. Salmon meat can

(published in 2017), in which he presented human relations with the world of wild

take on a whole range of colours (rated

animals based on relationships between humans and... salmons. On the example

according to the fifteen-point SalmoFan

of the Norwegian society and some communities living on the north-western Pacific

scale), and consumers in different cul-

coast, the author traces the interrelationships between us humans and their fish.

tural circles prefer different shades of

It would seem that a salmon is just a fish that we eat. It turns out, however, that

meat. Therefore, some manufacturers

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

59

planet earth

Crowd of salmon fishes jumping Source www.rawpixel.com

60

have gone so far as to add chemical dyes to the feed, chang-

artificially fertilised by stirring them in containers, and then

ing the colour of the carcasses. Before slaughter, the fish

the incubation process begins. After hatching from eggs, fish

are subjected to a three-day hunger, then caught with nets

are kept for some time in containers in halls, and then they

to special baskets resembling huge pens and pumped alive

are pumped into sea cages ("maricultures") invented in the

to boats, with which they are delivered to the slaughterhouse.

1960s in Norway. You feed them for the next 12 to 24 months.

The efficiency of production is calculated in tons, not in pieces

Feed consists of waste from catching other fish and cereals.

of individuals.

It is estimated that 1.2 kg of food allows to produce 1 kg of

Wild salmons are large fish growing up to 150 cm in length.

salmon. Fish should be stunned (electrically or pneumatically)

They can weigh more than 25 kg and are predatory fish, feed-

before being killed (by batons), but unfortunately, also due

ing on plankton crustaceans, insect larvae as well as small

to the rapid pace of work, they are very often killed and scaled

fish. Salmon is one of the anadromous fish, so it travels from

in full consciousness (this is a problem regarding the industrial

the seas to the rivers for spawning. During these wanderings,

slaughter of all animals). Fish feel pain just like mammals, but

physiological and biochemical changes occur in their bodies,

their touch receptors in the skin are much more sensitive – so

allowing them to adapt to life in another ecosystem. During

a touch that is unpleasant to mammals can already be a pain

the spawning trip, which is often hundreds of kilometres long,

stimulus for fish.

fish eat little, focusing on reaching cold aerated waters, where

Human impact one the environemnt is a serious prob-

eggs are laid in the ground pits. After fertilisation and several

lem for salmon ecology. Water dams, regulating rivers, dams

months of incubation, in the spring, larvae hatch, absorbing the

on them make it impossible for fish to wander and die. Sal-

yolk sac for about 40 days. Afterwards for another 2–3 years

mons are able to jump over small obstacles, but they need

they live in fresh water to reach maturity, they to go on a jour-

help to overcome larger ones. Therefore, special lifts are con-

ney to salt water after, live there for another 2–3 years, and

structed at dams and hydroelectric power plants. They take the

return to the same river for spawning. In industrial production,

form of cages, into which fish enter through a special corridor,

fish are killed and eggs and sperm are extracted from the dead,

they are collected (compressed), and then the cage rises and

planet earth

Salmon attempting to jump waterfall Source www.rawpixel.com

Fish feel pain just like mammals, but their touch receptors in the skin are much more sensitive – so a touch that is unpleasant to mammals can already be a pain stimulus for fish.

somehow carries the fish remaining in the water to the other side of the dam. That's where the gates open and the fish can come out. Such cycles last several minutes and are repeated several times during the migration of fish during the day. Fish are monitored and counted, and their flow can also be viewed by outsiders as a kind of tourist attraction.

The pollution of river and marine waters is another facSource www.pixabay.com, Cock Robin

tor threatening the life and health of fish. Reproduction is not possible if the spawning grounds are silted, which happens when regulating rivers. In the sea, fish experience noise (and

moderately successful and it is a species that is still threatened

vibration) pollution. This phenomenon is very rarely discussed

with extinction in our country.

and hardly anyone is aware of the intensity of sound generated

Mueller in his book tries to describe the world as salmons

by sea ships, drilling platforms, ferries. All these factors caused

would see it. But it also shows the differences in the attitude of

the extinction of salmon in rivers in many places, including Po-

traditional and postmodern communities towards the animals

land. The restitution of this predator in Polish rivers has been

on which their fate depended.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

61

planet earth

LOUD WADING BIRDS Text and photos Wojciech Jarosz

Common sandpipers, or formally Actitis hypoleucos, also

Common sandpipers are one of those birds that are difficult to spot before they notice us.

sometimes called in Polish "squeaky sandpipers" (rather formerly) or "noisy wading birds", owe their species name to their acoustic expression which they give vent to primarily during the courtship displays (breeding behaviour of birds used to form couples for reproduction purposes – editor's note), but also when they are frightened – they do not run away quietly, but behave

T

62

as if they expressed their irritation at the need to stop forhey are not particularly small (although they are not big

aging. Usually, they do not fly far away, which gives us some

either – more or less the size of a starling), and their

chances to observe these birds not only under the influence of

camouflage is also not really sophisticated and, in addi-

an adrenaline shot caused by the sudden rising of something

tion, they are quite loud. However, we usually notice them only

squeaky almost from under our feet, but also a moment lat-

when they run away from us when we get too close to them

er, when the observer's heart rate begins to calm down and

while wandering along the banks of the river, less often lakes.

we are able to hold in less trembling hands binoculars... or

Once they are in the air, we have a chance to look at them

a camera. A camera, however, is not the best equipment to use

only briefly, because they fly very efficiently and quickly change

to observe common sandpipers according to Polish law. Com-

the feeding place to one in which they are not disturbed by

mon sandpipers are covered by species protection in Poland

intruders (well, unless we have violated their territory and

and have been additionally entered into the catalogue of spe-

are approaching the nest, then common sandpipers will urge

cies whose photographing without special permits is not legal.

us to go away (which, of course, for the sake of the birds we

Of course, if during migration, outside the breeding season,

should do) with the squeaky sounds they produce.

the sandpipers arrive themselves and begin to nod their tail

planet earth

Anthropopressure is doing its job and especially regulation of rivers, elimination of river islands, development of buildings on river banks, do not help birds such common sandpipers. They are adapted to getting food on the border of water and land, so when they do not find places where they can eat, they fly away to find them.

in a characteristic way in front of the lens of a photographer

mon sandpipers appreciate the sandy, stony and gravel banks

falling asleep during a sitting with absolutely no camouflage

of medium and large rivers the most, but they also happen

on the shore of a heavily exploited tourist lake, the photog-

to stay and feed on silty banks. During migration, when they

rapher can of course take the opportunity and take more or

group into flocks and can be spotted a little easier, they are

less successful shots (unless the adrenaline shot will not allow

also happy to stay over dam reservoirs, ponds and other water

them to set the camera as it should be) without breaking the

reservoirs. It is because common sandpipers, like basically all

law. This is how my photos, accompanying this text, were cre-

plovers, come to us only for the time of breeding (of course,

ated. I kindly ask the environmental inspectors reading this

there are also those that we see only during migration, as they

text (although I do not expect it) to give me the least severe

treat our country only like a roadside gas station, where they

punishment. A bit more seriously, it really makes sense to pro-

replenish fuel and fly, for example, to the far North). Our sand-

tect these and similar birds, if only because of their decreasing

pipers fly most often to Africa for the cool part of the year and

numbers. In our country (Poland) there are no more than two

we can meet the birds ringed in our country in sub-Saharan

thousand breeding pairs of common sandpipers. This is not

part of Africa, as well as in its western and northern parts.

much, although there is no fully reliable data as it used to be,

Some birds remain in warmer parts of Western Europe and

for example, 150 years ago. It is known, however, that the num-

the Mediterranean. The most numerous populations of these

ber of banks of unregulated rivers, available to calm-loving

waders are found in Scandinavia and the Baltic States. In Po-

birds especially during breeding, not only does not increase,

land, breeding pairs are most often found in the Middle Basin

but quite the opposite. Anthropopressure is doing its job and

of the Vistula, due to the unregulated nature of many of its

especially regulation of rivers, elimination of river islands,

side streams, especially on the Narew and Pilica. Other regions

development of buildings on river banks, do not help birds

where it is easier to meet sandpipers are Subcarpathia, the

such common sandpipers. They are adapted to getting food

Carpathians and Central Pomerania, while it is more difficult

on the border of water and land, so when they do not find

to encounter them in the Warta basin in Greater Poland or the

places where they can eat, they fly away to find them. Com-

Oder River in Silesia.

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

63

planet earth

Wherever they are, their diet basically looks similar. With their long beaks (al-

already advertised in previous articles in

though shorter than in other waders) they search for insects and their larvae, crus-

Perfect Diver – it works great in the field!

taceans, molluscs, earthworms, as well as tadpoles and smaller frogs. They are not

In the behaviour of common sandpipers,

much different in their diet from their cousins, although they rather pick up what

the most characteristic is the aforemen-

they can see on the surface of the land or what water will throw out, and less often

tioned shaking of the trunk – a kind of

they push their beak into the ground to its full length (which some other plovers can

peculiar nodding. In flight, however,

do very well). They can also catch their prey on the fly.

they quickly hit the air with their narrow

So how to recognise that a bird with a long beak and legs is a common sandpip-

wings, and after a while glide through

er? Of course, you can consider in detail the proportions of the length of the beak

the air for some time with the wings

and legs, but this is a path rather for those already familiar with the bird menag-

spread and slightly lowered. Quite often

erie. Common sandpipers are the easiest to recognise by their voice (I constantly

it's easy to confuse a common sandpiper

encourage you to listen to the voices of birds on an increasing number of websites

with a green sandpiper or a wood sand-

and portals – here even the popular Youtube service is more and more often useful).

piper (I will also write about them one

You can also use the application for recognising bird voices (BirdNET), which I have

day for our Dear Readers), but there are a few details that may indicate we are looking at a common sandpiper – e.g. the lack of a white spot at the base of the tail and a lot of white in the underside of the wings (which are black for the green sandpipers and grey for the wood sandpipers).

I am writing this article during a cruise on the Great Masurian Lakes, during which I had the pleasure to meet a common sandpiper and enjoy its agile movements. Watch the waterfront shores vigilantly – maybe some common sandpiper will nod at you one day?

64

Bandana/multifunctional scarf comfortable, light, airy, quick-drying, seamless, flexible

WEAR IT THE WAY YOU LIKE!

QUICK-DRYING TOWELS as the only ones in Poland, finished with the certified Polygiene® technology, against the growth of bacteria and unpleasant odors

with code PERFECTDIVER

discount

15 %

www.drbacty.com

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

65

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

STAGE CYLINDER (STAGE) Photo Jon Borg

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER DIVER? Text Wojciech A. Filip

A

stage is an additional tank mount-

´ as an additional bottom gas cylinder

How to choose its size? Why recreational

ed at the side of a diver and taken

´ as a decompression gas cylinder

divers do not use stages?

under water in addition to a sin-

´ as a gas cylinder for filling/suppling

Current stage cylinder users are invited

gle tank or twinset for 3 reasons*:

66

additional devices

to refresh their knowledge and those of

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

ALUMINUM OR STEEL?

HINT

Opinions differ in this matter – sometimes people using a stage made from a particular material with a random capacity only because such a tank was at hand and this is how it goes.

My suggestion: aluminum.

If filled even with a very heavy gas (high oxygen content), the tank will have a neutral buoyancy at some 100 bars of pressure (11.1 L capacity). In other words, the tank will not pull the diver to either side and when detached, it will float next to its owner.

This will not happen in the case of the

Take your stage cylinder filled up to 200 bar for a simple dive. Breathe gas from it and check the tank’s buoyancy at 50 bar intervals. If you are using 11.1 L tanks (a big aluminum tank, very often called an aluminum 12L), be careful when the pressure is low. A freely released tank will slowly resurface.

smallest 5.7 L aluminum tanks. A good idea is to check how the stage behaves with different amounts of gas. over ten minutes or so, consider taking WHICH CAPACITY?

a smaller tank. Oxygen is the heaviest of

Theory has it that there is no such thing

breathing gases that we can take under

as too much gas, but having too little can

water. A large stage cylinder filled with

be dangerous.

this gas will have negative buoyancy for

Is an 11.1 L aluminum tank the best?

the entire dive (it will hang low, giving

This is a universal gas container. In the

a distinctive overweight feeling). To avoid

case of recreational diving, taking such

having to deal with such overweight, you

a tank under water may extend your div-

can attach such a tank to your hip d-ring

ing time significantly. If we are planning

on a special leash, hanging between the

to only take oxygen in a stage cylinder

diver’s legs. If I do not need a very large

as a decompression gas and the decom-

amount of oxygen, a smaller tank will be

pression time with this gas is slightly

more convenient.

you who have seen such a tank only in photographs are invited to explore new knowledge. * This article is about using stage cylinders in the OC backmount configuration, i.e. a situation where the diver is using a single tank or twinset as their basic source of gas.

Photo Mariusz Czajka

PERFECTDIVER No. 5(23)/2022

67

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

Photo Mariusz Czajka

Explanation for recreational divers:

for the dive, and this in turn will help us

or more stage cylinders without any prob-

when we dive, our dive time usually

determine how long can we stay and

lems. Before doing so, they should check

depends on the amount of gas in our

how deep can we go.

the capacity of their equipment. Modular

tank. We very rarely resurface because

Many stage cylinders look good on pho-

buoyancy compensator devices, e.g. Te-

the planned time ended and much more

tos, but they mostly get in your way

cline Peanut 21, ensure a vast freedom of

often the pressure gauge arrow is near-

while diving.

movement when diving with 1 tank on the

ing the 50 bar red field.

back and several stage cylinders.

Things vary slightly when it comes

Why recreational divers do not use

to technical diving. We start planning

stage cylinders?

I am an AOWD diver. Does it mean

by determining the amount of decom-

First, it’s a technical matter. Every diver us-

that I can dive with additional tanks?

pression gases that we can safely take

ing a single tank on their back can add 1, 2

I do not recommend this solution without good prior training under the supervision of an experienced trainer,

ADVICE FOR REC DIVERS Ask your instructor how to calculate gas consumption at different depths.

You will see that dive planning is a cool and extremely useful skill. It is like going on vacation somewhere where the number of gas stations is very low. In such a situation you should learn how much fuel does the car take and how far can you go without refueling.

68

however there is no such training in the recreational diving market.

Before diving with a stage cylinder, learn how to plan diving longer than the socalled “no decompression” dives and advanced skills related to properly configuring the equipment and achieve very good buoyancy control.

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

IMPROPER TANK CARRYING AND THE RESULTS IN WATER

PROPER TANK CARRYING AND THE RESULTS IN WATER Photo Jon Borg

…meanwhile in technical diving 

lines, the 2nd stage regulator hose

3. Information on the tank owner

HERE IS SOME USEFUL INFORMA-

will be very tight, pulling the regulator

should be placed on the bottom part,

TION FOR DIVING WITH STAGE CYL-

out of your mouth and controlling the

at a 90 degrees angle to the MOD. If

INDERS

pressure gauge will require turning

done properly, we can see no other

1. The stage cylinder harness is used

the tank every time.

mark while reading the MOD.

to stabilize the valve and consequent-

2. Stage cylinder marking, i.e. the so-

4. When diving with 1 stage cylinder,

ly the regulator and pressure gauge in

called MOD sticker, should be placed

you may shorten the bottom part of

the water. It should be very tight. This

right below the cylinder bell, on both

the harness so that the tank will not

way we can not only constantly ob-

sides of the tank. Proper attachment

extend beyond the twinset contour

serve the pressure gauge without the

is a guarantee of easy gas identi-

when empty. You can do it by put-

need to turn the tank around, but also

fication also in difficult conditions

ting the bottom snap under the har-

freely conduct a modified v-drill. The

(e.g. stress, low visibility). Put the

ness counter-clockwise, if the tank is

harness is not intended for carrying

tank on the ground with the valve

mounted on the left side of the diver

the tank (carry the tank by the valve).

pointing up. The first MOD sticker is

(clockwise, if the tank is mounted on

If carried by the harness on the sur-

placed so as to allow to read it while

the right side). This in turn will im-

face, the tank will turn around its axis

standing on the side of the knob, as

in the water once attached to the div-

a numerical value running horizontal-

5. If you use 2 or more stage cylinders,

er. The valve becomes lowest point,

ly, e.g. 21. We attach the same sticker

usually 2 are left at the front of the

which can easily get caught on guide

on the other side of the tank.

diver. We attach the tank emptied

prove the tank valve location.

69

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

Photo Jon Borg

ROTATION OF STAGE CYLINDERS This means changing tanks under the water (if there are more than 2) so that the tank with the gas needed at a given depth is located in the most convenient position for the diver.

using a line attached to a surface marker buoy. 11.1 L tanks resurface with their bottom up, so it is better to mount them to the line using the top snap.

Every organization that trains divers in

from gas closer to the diver’s body.

are mounted on the side of the diver.

using stage cylinders is using specific

This is how we get an equal position

The rest is attached to special loops

procedures. It is vital to learn them thor-

of both tanks (the empty one raises

called “leashes” on the diver’s hip

oughly and master them. Compare the

the full one slightly) and easier ac-

d-rings that you slip between your legs.

methods you follow with the ones de-

cess to the valve of the tank currently

7. Overhead diving requires distribut-

scribed in our article. Practical tests will

ing so-called “deposits”. These are

help you find the perfect configuration.

6. During complex dives, the diver can

stage cylinders mounted to the guide

Dive safe, WAF

use more than one stage cylinder.

line at specific locations in a cave or

Usually, there are 3 to 6 tanks. Each

wreck. This way the diver has more

PS.

one contains a gas needed at differ-

freedom, because they do not need

You can write to the Perfect Diver’s ed-

ent depths.

to constantly transport all the tanks.

itorial team with any reflections. If you

In order to move freely and not be

8. In open water diving, you may “re-

prefer to talk in person, come to the Te-

overweighted, no more than 2 tanks

lease” empty tanks to the surface

used.

cline Academy.

https://teclinediving.eu/tecline-academy/#/

70

Klapki w stylu „japonek”

Calzuro Aqua Wykonane z materiału bezlateksowego EVARITE®, o doskonałych parametrach technicznych.

Stworzone z pojedynczego bloku, co ogranicza możliwość łamania klapek w krytycznych punktach.

Calzuro Aqua są tak ukształtowane, że powierzchnia sprzyja prawidłowemu ukrwieniu. Antypoślizgowa podeszwa zapewnia trzymanie stóp w takich miejscach jak baseny, spa czy plaże.

Calzuro Aqua to komfort, relaks, lekkość i wodoodporność.

DOSTĘPNE W WIELU KOLORACH

CHCESZ WIEDZIEĆ WIĘCEJ? Zapytaj o cenę i dostępność: info@tecres.pl