Project AWARE - Dive for Earth Day 2009

Earth is a water planet and the planet needs our help. Why? Climate change is a major threat with increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification impacting fragile underwater environments. Dive for Earth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to take action and help address the underwater issues that concern you most.

How can you help?

Individual Divers and Water Enthusiasts:
Volunteer today! Sign up for the Scubafish Dive for Earth Day event in Kantiang Bay and choose to participate in the Asia Pacific Fish Survey, Coral Reef Monitoring Project or Beach and Underwater Cleanup activities.

About Dive for Earth Day
Earth Day raises environmental awareness on a global scale. Since the 30th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE has helped divers focus attention on aquatic environments for this annual event. Thousands of diver volunteers in more than 115 countries have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities for Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day.

As divers and water enthusiasts we are privileged to have access to unique underwater environments. In fact, due to our up close and personal relationship with the underwater world, divers and snorkelers are often the first to recognize habitat decline and contribute to solutions.

Be aware of every action when entering the marine environment and take every precaution to avoid any negative impact. In addition, be an ambassador for the protection of our aquatic world and gently remind others to do the same when necessary.

What Can You Do to Keep Waters Debris Free?

Buy in bulk, re-use as often as possible and always recycle.

Bring reusable bags with you when shopping.

Avoid buying plastic or Styrofoam products whenever possible.

Be aware of everything you buy and avoid products with excessive packaging.

Demand more and improved recycling facilities for your area.

Properly dispose of all pieces of fishing line, net or other associated litter.

Keep plastics and other litter off the ground and the ocean floor.

Keep storm drains and shorelines free of plastic and other debris.

Remove debris you see during every recreational dive or shoreline visit.

Get involved. Participate in local shoreline and underwater cleanups with Project AWARE.

Songkran Water Festival 2009 – Celebrate Thai New Year and get absolutely soaked in a huge water fight to wash away any bad luck from the previous year.

Songkran is a Thai word which means ‘to move’ or ‘to change place’ as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac calendar. It is also known as the ‘Water Festival’ as people believe that pouring water on their closest friends and relations, will wash away bad luck.

Songkran marks the beginning of the Buddhist New Year and officially lasts from April 13-15, although in some areas the festivities can last up to 10 days. Most business pretty much grinds to a halt during the festival period with schools, government offices and many shops shutting down. Airports, bus stations and train stations are jammed with travelers heading back to their home provinces. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll find seats very difficult to get hold of and it’s a good idea to confirm hotel reservations well ahead of time.

The throwing of water during the festival originated as a way to pay your respect to people, by gently pouring a small amount of water on your friends and relative’s hands or over their shoulder as a sign of respect. Nowadays, many of the religious aspects of the festival have given way to unrestrained, watery warefare and the emphasis is on fun and water-fighting rather than on the festival’s spiritual and religious aspects. Accepting your watery fate with a smile will win you much better respect and being gentle with older or respected members of the community is a good idea!

Taking part in the festivities is unavoidable if you step onto the main streets in Lanta. Most of the action is concentrated in Saladan, but there are kids, locals and tourists stationed up and down the main road throughout the island, waiting to give you a thoroughly good splashing as you pass. It’s a good idea to take serious measures to protect valuables, telephones, cameras, money and anything that would get damaged in a severe soaking. Wearing white can be a mistake as sometimes dyes are put into the water for good luck. If you want to take photographs during the festival, a waterproof casing for you camera is a good idea, or investing in a cheap disposable waterproof camera is even better. Dry bags are another good investment and can be purchased cheaply all over the island.

Songkran Festival is a great way to cool down during the hottest time of the year. Arm yourself with a water pistol at the very least and join everyone on the streets to celebrate the biggest Thai Festival of the Year, lasting 3-4 days. Remember your sense of humour – this is the most celebrated festival in Thailand and taking part and getting very wet is all part of the fun!

ZuZu Band – Live at Why Not Bar on 18th February 2009.

Come and enjoy ZuZu Band playing live at Why Not Bar in Kantiang Bay, Ko Lanta. Zuzu Band are a popular Thai Folk Rock band that are sure to entertain you.

ZuZu Band - live at Why Not bar

Beach party with live music – the beach is our dance floor.

The Big LOVE Party in Kantiang Bay will be hosted by the pool at Eyes Lanta Resort.

Everyone is welcome for a relaxing day in the pool.
Chill to the best in house and dub music while sipping on one of our 100 Baht drink specials!

Winners of the LIQUID LENSE Underwater Photography ‘Shoot Out’ contest are to be announced on the 25th February 2009.

Good Luck to all the Scubafish contestants!

The First annual Liquid Lense – Kantiang Bay Underwater Photography Competition extravaganza sponsored by Scubafish & Narima Diving is now officially OPEN!!!

If you need to use a camera, speak to Tara or myself the day before and we will set one up for you.

Entries will be judged on technical and artistic merit rather than on rarity of subject, using a complex algorithm, taking into account previous experience and various other highly flexible factors – such as bribery, coercion, flattery and various other forms of corruption.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES
1. White Balance, No Flash Photography
2. Flash Photography

COMPETITION RULES:
1. All photos must be taken in Kantiang Bay
2. Each competitor is allowed to enter 3 photos in each category
3. You are allowed to use the camera on 1 day and must use only 1 tank of air (the size of the tank is dependent on your negotiations with dive centre management)
4. Should you request a camera, but then choose not to make a dive, you are allowed to use the camera again another time.
5. You are allowed to use your own camera, if you have one, but still must abide by the above rules, or face severe consequences and reprimands from the authorities.
6. Image manipulation is only allowed if you think you are clever enough to do it without us noticing. If we notice, you are probably disqualified, although this ultimately depends on the aforementioned complex algorithm.
7. Sabotaging other peoples precious photo dive is strictly not allowed, unless you think you can get away with it. Again, please refer to the complex algorithm.
6. The submission date for entries is February 28th 2009
7. All photos must be taken in Kantiang Bay (did I say that already??)

Please submit your entries to Tara or Phil after your dive. All entries will be posted on the Facebook Liquid Lense – Kantiang Bay Underwater Photography Competition extravaganza sponsored by Scubafish & Narima Diving Event Page and here….

If you were not able to attend the workshops but would still like to enter, let us know and we will sort something out.

Good luck and may the force be with you…

LL

LIQUID LENSE is hosting its first Underwater Photo Workshop at the newly refurbished Liquid Lense Studio – opposite Drunken Sailors.

underwater photography student

The workshop is open to all Scubafish staff and will include lots of neat stuff about cameras, tips on underwater photography techniques plus details of Kantiang Bay’s first EVER underwater photo shoot-out!

If this is a success we plan to hold open-workshops that any divers can attend.