Gallipoli wrecks open in Turkey
A NEW UNDERWATER PARK THAT ALLOWS DIVERS TO EXPLORE the wrecks of British and French ships sunk during the First World War ’ s Gallipoli campaign has been created off the Turkish coast .
Launched by Turkey ’ s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and located in Turkey ’ s Dardanelles Strait , the wrecks now form a fascinating ‘ museum under the sea ’.
All the wrecks in the new park – 14 in total – sank in 1915 during a campaign by the Allies to take control of the Dardanelles Sea route from Europe to Russia , which saw a failed naval attack by British and French ships against the Ottoman forces . The battle led to the illfated land invasion of Gallipoli , and loss of more than 130,000 lives . Opened back in October , the Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park now offers divers the chance to dive on many of the wrecks from the naval battle , including the 421-foot British battleship HMS Majestic , which a U-boat torpedoed on 27 May 1915 .
The depths of the dive sites range from 3m to 80m , meaning there are dives suitable for all levels of qualified divers . All divers , however , must be escorted to the dive sites by local dive guides .
Mako sharks win vital protection
NORTH ATLANTIC FISHING NATIONS HAVE PLEDGED TO BAN catches of the shortfin mako , the world ’ s fastest shark , in a bid to save the species .
Conservationists have described the ban as a critical breakthrough in saving mako sharks in the Atlantic . The effort to ensure agreement between fishing nations was led by the UK , Canada and Senegal .
At the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ( ICCAT ) in November , countries agreed “ to end overfishing immediately and to gradually achieve biomass levels sufficient to support maximum sustainable yield by 2070 ” for the mako shark .
While the ban is initially in place for two years , this move shifts the emphasis of the debate and parties will now have to justify the reopening of the fishery of an endangered shark .
Ali Hood , Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust , was among the UK scientists lobbying for protection . “ At long last , we have the basis for a game-changing rebuilding plan ,” she said .
“ In this moment , we focus on the overwhelming chorus of concern that helped us reach this critical breakthrough . We ’ re deeply grateful for the ‘ voices for makos ’ – the continuous calls from conservationists , divers , scientists , aquarists , retailers , and elected representatives to protect this beleaguered shark .”
Benefit of the Month
Skill Development Courses
DIVER AND SNORKELLER TRAINING AND PROGRESSION are at the heart of BSAC life , and , as a member , you have access to an enviable range of short courses to help you upskill for the diving you want to do . BSAC ’ s Skill Development Courses ( or as we all call them , SDCs ) are a thoroughly enjoyable and accessible way to build skills and confidence while expanding your diving horizons . So , if you are looking to develop your diving or snorkelling in 2022 , then here ’ s the SDCs you could do :
■ Club diving - intended to support your in-club diving experience , this suite of SDCs include both practical and diving skills , including Compressor Operation , Buoyancy and Trim , Wreck Diving , Marine Appreciation and Primary Donate Workshop .
■ Safety and rescue – designed to complement BSAC ’ s core Diver Training Programme , these SDCs are perfect for honing your essential safety and rescue skills , including First Aid , Snorkel Lifesaver , Practical Rescue Management and Oxygen Administration .
■ Seamanship – if boats are your thing , expanding your seamanship skills can be invaluable for both you and your club . Seamanship SDCs to choose from include Boat Handling , Chartwork and Position Fixing and Diver Coxswain Assessment .
■ Technical – perfect for extending your diving range , our Technical courses are a great way to take your BSAC adventure further , with closed and open circuit mixed gas courses available .
■ Special interest – shake up your diving with new skills that will help you see the underwater world in a whole new light . Ice Diving and Underwater Photography are just some of the Special Interest SDCs on offer .
For more information on the range of BSAC Skill Development Courses available , go to bsac . com / sdcs
What to do next
There are several ways you can do an SDC – either via your club , through a BSAC Centre or book on to one of the regionally held SDC events are organised every year . For a complete list of regionally scheduled SDCs for 2022 , go to bsac . com / events Members can also register their interest in Skill Development Courses not yet available in their region , but they would like delivered – bsac . com / sdcinterest
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