Welcome
As I write, spring is bringing us a torrent of wildly unpredictable weather. Sunny one minute, apocalyptic the next. Seasonal changes are striking enough on land, but in the sea they are somehow even more profound. The water begins to warm; it seems that marine life is emerging from a winter torpor, blinking at the sun as the viz improves.
We are entering a time of the year loaded with possibilities, and that sense of potential is a running theme in this issue. In Learning Curve( page 44) we have three members of Thomas Guy SAC joining a Practical Instructor Exam at Vobster Quarry. I’ m often in awe of our medical professionals – Thomas Guy is a hospital branch – so I was fascinated to read about these guys confronting their own insecurities while training. Ultimately, we’ re all learning, all the time.
Andy Torbet issues a rallying call in this month’ s Snorkelling column( page 64). His point is that we still have gaps in our knowledge when it comes to our shallow seas. The UK has around 25,000 miles of coast, so there’ s certainly scope for more discovery by snorkel, and Andy is challenging us all to try something different this season.
For anyone in need of proof that shallow coastal seas are worth exploring, check out our interview with Danny Copeland, director of the upcoming documentary Guardian Angel( page 14). The film charts diver Jake Davies’ search for angel sharks off the Welsh coast. I’ ve had the chance to see a preview, and it looks really compelling.
Just as diving unites some wildly contrasting personalities, so our resident marine biologist Paul Naylor finds a parallel in the natural world( Critter Confidential, page 18). It still amazes me how completely different species such as gobies and shrimp can look out for each other – how do these things even get started?
There’ s an array of scientific theories to explain it all: mutualism, symbiosis, commensalism. But in my simplistic way I just enjoy seeing these unlikely allegiances at play. Completely different organisms looking out for each other in an otherwise predatory and unforgiving world. A modest symbol of optimism, but I’ ll take what I can get.
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
Cover photo: Pelagic thresher shark at a cleaning station at Kimud Shoal, Philippines by Simon Rogerson
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