News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Urchin intel required
Pitcairn science lab
Forensic protection for wrecks
ENVIRONMENT
Protect Our Seas
News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Urchin intel required
For those on their way to the Red Sea or the Mediterranean , and for BSAC Dive Centres a different story - Dive4Diadema is a project where NOT seeing them is as important as seeing them , writes Jane Maddocks .
Dive4Diadema is a joint effort of recreational divers , dive centres , tour operators , training organizations and scientific institutions working to find and save the last occurrences of the black , long-spined diadem sea urchin . They come out at dusk , and feed on algae - so
Cannon on the Klein Hollandia
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they are important for the health of coral reefs .
Most have five white dots on the body and a bright orange ring around the anal cone on the upper side There is an urgent need to find where they are . All recreational divers are encouraged to report their observations seen during their dives . There is a free , multilingual app for iPhone , iPad und Android smartphones and tablets . Every observation of live and dead diadem sea urchins helps the project team to learn more about the current mass mortality . To find out more go to dive4diadema . org / en-page
PHOTO : NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Pitcairn science lab
The United Kingdom has opened a marine science base on the Pitcairn Islands to help scientists from around the world study marine biodiversity in a remote setting . “ The Governor to the Pitcairn Islands , Iona Thomas , has officially opened the new UK governmentfunded marine science base , providing a platform for scientists to visit the area and study its unique marine habitats ,” a government spokesman said . The Pitcairn Islands , a UK Overseas Territory situated in the Pacific Ocean , are the third largest marine protected area in the world . More than 1,250 marine species have been registered in the waters around the Pitcairn Islands . Commercial fishing is not allowed within 325,098 square miles of waters around the islands .
Forensic protection for wrecks
Historical artefacts at some of England ’ s shipwreck sites will be forensically marked to protect them from thieves . The marking system , which uses new technology , means that items from England ’ s 57 Protected Wreck Sites will be made traceable , which Historic England hopes will deter looters . The project