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Researchers found Muusoctopus nursery grounds on a low-temperature hydrothermal vent off the shore of Costa Rica. The octopuses hang on to the rocks in inverted positions in order to protect their eggs.

Octopus nursery discovered in Costa Rica

The team, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, located the nursery nearly 2,800 meters below the ocean's surface. The expedition's footage, captured by the underwater robot ROV SuBastian, showcased breathtaking marine life, including octopus hatchlings, tripod fish, and vibrant coral gardens.

Ancient Roman shipwreck reveals a trove of preserved glassware

Underwater archaeologists recently discovered the remains of an ancient Roman cargo ship off Rome's coast. This significant find goes beyond merely finding another shipwreck; it offers an intriguing glimpse into the complexities of ancient Roman seafaring, trade practices and the far-reaching influence of Rome's maritime network.

The Capo Corso 2 wreck was discovered in 2012 at a depth of around 350 metres between Sicily's Capo Corso and the island of Capraia which lies off Tuscany, Italy.

Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands, Australia.
Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands, Australia.

Great Barrier Reef narrowly escapes UNESCO World Heritage downgrade

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, narrowly avoided a downgrade to the "in danger" status during a recent meeting of the World Heritage Committee. The decision was made despite the repeated warnings by experts about the escalating impact of climate change on the world's largest coral reef system.

Health profiles of the elkhorn coral greatly differed among five examined areas, but the coral samples in the Dry Tortugas thrived compared to all the other sites

Endangered corals show encouraging resilience

In the face of daunting challenges to our planet's coral reefs, a glimmer of hope emerges from Florida's coastal waters.

Scientists from Ohio State University discovered that the endangered elkhorn coral population in the Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida were highly resilient in its ability to adapt and thrive, despite adverse factors like climate change, pollution and disease outbreaks.

We have posted images from the event in our event report so here are some depicting the ambience in Lisbon

Diving Talks 2023: An Oceanic Adventure Awaits in Lisbon

Diving Talks is not your typical dive event; it goes beyond the surface, emphasizing camaraderie and social connections among attendees. The 2022 report on X-Ray Mag showcased the event's unique celebration of the wonders of the underwater realm while fostering lasting friendships.

Introducing Diver's Wallet: Your Ultimate Dive Companion!

With Diver's Wallet, divers can now access everything they need, conveniently consolidated in one place, ensuring they stay organized and fully prepared for their next underwater adventure.

What Diver's Wallet offers:
1. Diving Certificates: Easily update and manage your diving certificates on your personal page, ensuring your credentials are up-to-date and readily accessible.

2. Diving Insurance: Keep track of your diving insurance status and never miss a renewal with Diver's Wallet's intuitive interface.

Mangrove forests  are major blue carbon systems, storing considerable amounts of carbon in marine sediments, thus becoming important regulators of climate change.
Mangrove forests are major blue carbon systems, storing considerable amounts of carbon in marine sediments, thus becoming important regulators of climate change.

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2023

Today, July 26th, is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. This commemorative day was initiated by UNESCO in 2015 to raise awareness of the importance of the mangrove ecosystem as a “unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem, as well as to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and use.

According to Conservation International, although mangrove forests cover only 0.1 percent of the Earth's surface, they store up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests.

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) underway off Hawaii with lifts lowered, July 1944
USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) underway off Hawaii with lifts lowered, July 1944

WWII carrier USS Ommaney Bay located in the Philippines

In a significant move, the United States Navy has confirmed the identity of a sunken World War II aircraft carrier in the Sulu Sea as the USS Ommaney Bay.

The carrier, which met its demise in 1945, was sunk by a devastating kamikaze attack during the ferocious battles of the Pacific Theater. Through meticulous examination and research, the navy has now shed light on the final resting place of this legendary warship.

University of Florida biologist Karly Cohen operating the ROV from a pier in Seattle
University of Florida biologist Karly Cohen operating the ROV from a pier in Seattle

Shedding light on the mysterious ghost shark

In a bid to learn more about ghost sharks, researchers from the University of Florida (UF) and the Seattle Aquarium are using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the oceanic depths 100 meters below the surface of the Pacific Northwest.

In particular, they want to find the nesting grounds of the Pacific spotted ratfish, as currently very little is known about their spawning habits and embryonic development.

Emperor Divers make Seven Seas their Red Sea flagship

Having worked in collaboration with the Seven Seas team in recent months, Emperor have now fully integrated her into the fleet to make her their flagship vessel in the region.

Seven Seas has won the “Best Liveaboard in the Red Sea” award on five occasions which speaks volumes for the quality of trip she offers.

She is a true icon of liveaboard holidays in this region providing a great diving experience from truly elegant surroundings.

Tetra fish
Tetra fish

Neon tetra fish wait their turn when evacuating through narrow opening

Scientists have observed neon tetra fish queuing up when exiting through a narrow opening, according to a study in the journal Scientific Reports.

In the study, Aurélie Dupont, a biological physicist in the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique at University Grenoble Alpes, and her team set up two fish tanks connected to each other by a narrow opening. The diameter of the passageway varied from 1.5 to 4 centimeters.