Phantom Divers invites you to the 2013 SAIL FISH SEASON, from January to March.
For more information about this experience
or contact us at
info@phantomdivers.com
52 (984) 879 3988
Thursday, January 17, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So, one of the first things to ask is why so much research? And what is the purpose and use of it?
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!
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!
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