Grotta di Byron, Portovenere, Golfo dei Poeti, Liguria - Italia

Dive Site 1 Tribu Lerici

Entry: 10:10

Dive time: 48  min

Depth:  18 m

Temp: 17 degrees C 

Weights:  12 kg

Insulation: Dry suit

Palm Mar Cueva to El Bufadero, Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Spain

Dive 5 Palm Mar Cave

Entry: 9:37

Dive time: 35min

Depth: 32.9m

Temp:  degrees C 

Weights:  4 kg

Insulation: 3mm

Saw two rays right at the start of the dive: Butterfly ray and Eagle ray.

There is a statue of the Madonna with child.

 

 

 

 

In front of the cave is a crucifix in remembrance of fishermen who lost their lives in the cave.

 

 

 

Went in the start of the cave.

Lots of eels on the way back.

Dive 6 Fishfarm to El Bufadero

Entry: 11:14

Dive time: 41min

Depth: 22.9m

Temp: 21 degrees C 

Weights:  4kg

Insulation: 3mm

Dive near the fish farm. Lots and lots of rays feeding below! Some of the rays were massive! 🤩

Eagle ray, Common stingray, Roughtail stingray

 

Cirkewwa Anchor Bay, Sampling of Invasive Species - Malta (Dives 6 and 7)

The objective of this dive was for the students to take part in a meaningful and sustainable  project where they were able to contribute to conservation efforts of the island.

Before the dive, students took part in a theoretical session at the Pergola Hotel where the following topics were covered:

• Introduction to the Cirkewwa marine park
• Biodiversity - invasive species / EDGE conservation
• Study of fireworms & sponges
• Presentation of the Scientific Method  

The presentation was led by Marco, the Director of Diving of Go Dive Malta. Throughout the dive vacation Marco was a great dive guide looking after all of the students making sure it was a thoroughly enjoyable, informative and unforgettable experience.

 

A presentation was given by Davi Teles from EDGE, and the EDGE of Existence programme which is a unique global conservation initiative specifically focusing on threatened species which represent a significant amount of unique evolutionary history.

 

EDGE are continuously developing the scientific foundation of conservation work and more informatin on its current research activities can be found here.

Teams used the following board to record: Abundance, Associated with, Behaviour e.g. feeding, Crawling etc. (Ignore blue heading)

MALTA#6  Anchor Bay Sampling  (First team)

Entry: 10:13

Dive time: 32 min

Depth: 18.3m

Temp: 25 degrees C

Weights: 6kg (2 over)

Insultaion: 5mm wet suit 

Group: M, F, A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Damselfish, Castegnola (Chromis chromis)

 

 

Bearded fireworm

   

 

Dusky grouper, Cernia bruna (Ephinephelus guaza)

Red scorpion fish, Scorfano rosso (scorpaena scrofa)

Moray eel, Murena (Muraena helena)

Red starfish, Stella rossa (Echinaster sepositus)

Octopus, Polpo (Octopus vulgaris)

 

MALTA#7  Anchor Bay Sampling (Second team)

Entry: 11:42

Dive time: 38 min

Depth: 18.6 m

Temp: 25 degrees C

Weights: 6kg (2 over)

Insultaion: 5mm wet suit

Group: Y, N, A

Bearded Fireworm - Hermodice carunculata

Striped red mullet

 

Ornate wrasse - Donzella pavonina, Thalassoma pavo (adult male) tricky to take picture as it's always swimming around

Octopus