Sunday, January 13, 2013

Shark observer speciality @ Phantom Divers

At Phantom Divers while diving with sharks, you can also get PADI´s specialty certification of shark observer. With this certification you will help sharks by automatically donating to the foundation Saving Our Sharks focused on conservation of bull sharks in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The purpose of becoming a shark observer is to become more knowledge about different shark species and help to preserve them.

The goals of PADI´s shark observer speciality certification are:



A. learn more about shark species, their characteristics and habits.

B. be able to do a safe dive with sharks.

C. identify potential risks and how to prevent them.

D. Create awareness for the protection of different shark species.



For Phantom Divers and PADI it is very important that at the end of the course you become a diver able to recognize different traits and habits of sharks, specifically the species that you will be diving with (Bull Shark). Also your general knowledge about this species will become much more specific, you will get tons of information from shark experts such as shark senses, and the importance of sharks in the marine ecosystem.

Finally, you will be analyzing why and where most of accidents occur, plus how to prevent them.

In addition, this certification will also address the proper equipment required while diving with sharks, what is an appropriate behavior, when shark´s are nervous, and  what to do in case of an accident or proximity. However, the most important aspect of the specialty is preservation of the species.

This last issue is very important for us at Phantom Divers because we want all of our divers to be aware of the importance of sharks. We want to create admiration and respect in our society towards creating a change in Playa del Carmen and the world. In order to achieve our goal we need people to be informed and interested in taking care and action for our oceans and life that inhabits them.






info@phantomdivers.com
52 (984) 9879 3988 


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Cenote Experience


What is a Cenote?

The Yucatan Peninsula was once covered by a prehistoric sea. The remains of the sea life caused the area to contain a large amount of calcium. This formed large underground limestone deposits. Over the centuries rain water has slowly seeped through the topsoil and eroded these deposits. The erosion slowly caused cavities to form and fill with water. The collapse of the rocks created more space for more limestone to be dissolved, creating a larger space. Some, but not all, cenotes are open to the surface due to a roof collapse from the continued erosion of the stone above them.

Cavern diving has risks and some limitations as the diving takes places in an overhead environment. Some limitations are:

  • Carry at least on light per diver
  • Stay in the limits of the natural daylight
  • Do not exceed a distance of more than 60m linear from the next opening
  • Maximum 4 divers per guide

Some important therminology
Speleotherm: A secondary mineral deposit formed in caves, most commonly calcite
Stalactite: A speleotherm hanging downwards from a roof or a wall
Stalagmite: A speleotherm projecting vertically upwards from the floor
Halocline: the point where salt and fresh water meet.

Book your Cenote dive with Phantom divers! It is a unique experience you can only do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We have daily trips to different cenotes, and you ca always ask for a special request.




info@phantomdivers.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Bull Shark Cause in Playa del Carmen

One of Phantom Divers goals is to continue fighting for the well being of the ecology and health of our reefs.

The bull shark’s (Carcharhinus leucas) cause in Playa del Carmen is a very important aspect for the well being of the reefs. Phantom Divers collaborates with a non-profit organization named Saving Our Sharks. Our common objective is to protect the sharks which are an important indicator of the health of coral reefs. 
In order to determine the best future for the sharks in the Mayan Riviera, Saving Our Sharks has based its plan of action on scientific research, public outreach, government legislation to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) and shark sanctuaries.  Another major objective is to integrate all of the key stakeholder’s beliefs including fishing collectives and dive tourism operators.  
The main goal of the research project is to collect scientific data in order to create an evidence based conservation strategy that will efficiently protect the sharks.
Saving Our Sharks is taking the first steps towards recording and analyzing data in order to gain specific knowledge of bull sharks. In the Riviera Maya there has not  been any previous research regarding shark behavior. Therefore these first steps are key to address the lack of   knowledge around shark behavior. Information such as migration patterns, general behavior, breeding and pupping sites will allow SOS to determine specific areas to protect them.

So, one of the first things to ask is why so much research? And what is the purpose and use of it?
These questions were answered by the team of Saving Our Sharks.

First, all the data collected from the studies done in the Riviera Maya is being used to identify the size and principal activities of the shark population.  Other extremely important data we are collecting includes: the division by sex, movements in relation to feeding patterns and in relation to each other.
This type of information helps to understand behavioral differences between male and female sharks. It also provides knowledge about migration, life span, mortality rates and reproductive cycles.
This is important to help us to identify:  the times and seasons when of vulnerability as well as the areas for mating and reproduction. The goal is to use the data to create a network of protected areas for sharks to be safe and able to sustainably reproduce.
All the data is being collected and analyzed by a team of dedicated scientists, using the latest technology and standards.   These include satellite tracking on the Argos system and   a network of acoustic telemetry receivers through out the Caribbean Ocean in QuintanaRoo, Mexico.  

Next at the Phantom Divers blog, we will continue to explain the procedures done for the purpose of studying and protecting the sharks. 

Join the fight, and be part of the solution, let's help our reefs that we admire so much!