Sharks are crucial to marine ecosystems. They maintain a balance in populations of prey species and keep the ocean healthy by removing ill or diseased animals. They are an important resource supporting local economies through fishing and as an attraction to dive tourists.

A study of reefs in the Northwestern Hawaii Islands found that apex predators, including sharks, comprise over half of the fish biomass compared to less than 10% on reefs that are fished. On the unaltered reefs the sharks are bigger and populations of all species are far greater. Additionally the unaltered reefs are home to a larger variety of other species than regularly fished reefs.

Today, sharks are in a global decline. Overfishing has reduced many shark populations around the world to levels that threaten their continued existence. Shark numbers have fallen by more than 80% in many cases, and the continued existence of some species is at immediate risk in some regions. European sharks are particularly in danger with about one third of the species threatened with extinction.

PADI members have started a new program to raise awareness of this issue called Project AWARE. Down Under Dive Club (DUDC) is supportive of this effort. You will see a new badge placed on the left column of the web site to show this support. Additionally, DUDC encourages members to sign a petition to show support for shark conservation.

Save the Manatee Club (SMC) has a report on the manatees congregating at Blue Spring State Park and Tampa Electric Company's Manatee Viewing Center. They also mention that a  relatively mild winter is certain to improve things for manatees after too cold Florida winters took a severe toll on the population.

They are also suggesting a novel Valentine's Day present: use Adopt-A-Manatee program as a gift. Tax-deductible gift adoptions from Save the Manatee Club cost $25 and include a color photo, biography, and adoption certificate of the manatee who is chosen. Also included is a fact-filled membership handbook, subscriptions to the Club’s official quarterly newsletter, The Manatee Zone, and the bi-monthly e-newsletter, Paddle Tales, and a year’s membership in Save the Manatee Club. A personalized Valentine’s Day gift card comes with each adoption, and shipping is free within the United States. An 8-inch manatee plush toy is included with every gift adoption of $35 or more.

Save the Manatee Club (SMC) has installed webcams at Blue Spring State Park. The webcams allow millions of people around the globe to witness the manatees and hear SMC's conservation message.

Support for the webcams was made possible by a donation to SMC as a memorial gift in honor of the late Mrs. Norma Norton, a Florida resident who cared deeply for manatees.

This is the story of a diver told in cartoon and song.