OZTeK Diving Technologies Conference and Exhibition

OZTeK'09 Diving Technologies
Conference & Exhibition

 "... the adventure continues ..."

Celebrating its 10th year as a leading world event focussed on diving excitement, adventure and education, the internationally acclaimed OZTeK Diving Technologies Conference and Exhibition continues to be an inspirational forum catering to every aspect of diving interest and experience level.

Featuring an international cast of speakers and presenters drawn from among the world's most accomplished diving authorities, a full-scale diving exhibition showcasing the very best that the world of diving has to offer together with non-stop workshops and seminars, OZTeK'09 is again poised to push back the boundaries of diving knowledge and establish a new standard of excellence for Dive Events.

Excitement without limits for divers who want more, OZTeK'09 is again set to prove that,

"Few shows in the world can pack a punch quite like Australia's OZTeK."

 

Event Info
PO Box 1128
Dee Why NSW 2099
Australia
Tel: +612 9971 2559
Fax: +612 9981 2950
admin@diveoztek.com.au
21-22 March, 2009

Our partners: 

Byron Underwater Festival - Win a trip for two to Matava in Fiji ! » Byron Underwater Festival - Byron Bay

Our good friends at Matava in Kadavu, Fiji have been very kind to rescue our Underwater Festival Trip prize after the Undersea Explorer so unexpectedly closed business a few weeks ago and we lost our trip prize.

The new prize is even better ! Wandy and I have been at Matava a couple of years back and it is a very special place, so this is a very special prize !

We wrote a story on underwater.com.au about our Fiji trip .. please have a read.

The prize is worth cose to $4,000:

Dive Kadavu with Mad Fish Package for 2 pax

• 5 day of 2 tanks diving (10 dives) with Mad Fish Dive Centre for 2
• All day free access to shore diving at The Critter Junction
• 7 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
• Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
• Boat transfers to/from Kadavu airport
• All taxes

Thank you Stuart and Richard from Matava.

Win a trip for two to Matava in Fiji ! » Byron Underwater Festival - Byron Bay

International Photo Competition

Matava is proud to be a sponsor of the International Photo Competition.

Underwater images is operated as an independent underwater photo and video competition. Underwater Images is an Ohio (USA) not-for-profit corporation. Proceeds from the competition are donated to Marine Conservation and Education causes.

Inner space is a relatively new frontier for mankind that will open new horizons in science and medicine, as well as art and recreation. The purpose of the Underwater Images Photo/Video Competition is to raise the awareness of the ecological importance of preserving marine habitats that represent Nature's oldest and most stable living ecosystems. This will create more conscientious diving practices and generate new interests in the realm of marine environmental science and education.

The Underwater Images Photo/Video Competition is a non-profit corporation with proceeds donated to benefit marine conservation and marine education programs. For more information see our contributions page.

If you have a charitable marine conservation or education organization, that would like to apply for a grant, please send information to director2008@uwimages.org. Organizations must be an approved 501c3 charitable organization.

Underwater Images is operated by three Directors and a number of volunteers. The Directors for 2007-2008 are Roger Roth, Mark Beatty, and Carol Kender.

Roger Roth is the Competition Chairman and Founder. Roger is an avid underwater videographer, a member of the Gavia Scuba Club, and on the board of the OCSSDI. Roger also does underwater video production and has hosted underwater video seminars. Roger has won numerous photo competitions internationally before starting Underwater Images.

Mark Beatty is a Director and the Competition Webmaster. Mark is an amateur underwater still photographer and videographer and also moderates several email discussion groups on Underwater Photography and Underwater Video. Mark has been an officer in the Ohio Council of Skin & Scuba Divers as well as two dive clubs in Southwest Ohio.

Carol Kender is a Director and in charge of promotion and advertizing for the competition. Carol formerly owned a dive shop, and served on the board of Scubafest, and is still greatly involved in the diving industry.
Additional help is provided by many members of the Gavia Scuba Club members and the OCSSDI members and dive show staff.

Independent Judges are selected each year for judging. Our judges this year will be Stan Waterman, Bob Talbott, Georgienne Bradley and Jay Ireland.

Our Competition Sponsors also provide extensive assistance with prizes, promotion, and financial support.

2009 Competition

• Call For Entries Press Release
• Sponsors
• Prize & Sponsor List
• Competition Rules
• Printable PDF entry form (print and mail or scan and email)
• Step-by-step Instructions to Enter

Notice - Underwater Images will not be presenting awards or presentations at Scubafest for 2009, but instead will be making all announcements and awards on this website.

Feedback and Discussion
If you would like to give or receive feedback on underwater photography, Please consider joining one of the web forums or email discussion groups in the COMMUNITY AREA.

International Photo Competition

underwater.com.au | Article | Great Manta Encounters

Story & Pics by Michael AW

There should be ballads, poetry and overtures written for mantas...in our ocean world, they are the epitome of grace. With a wingspan of up to seven metres, they soar through the liquid realm, seemingly dancing to the rhythm of a quintessential symphony. My most memorable experience was one morning two years ago at Coral Bay, Western Australia.

The water was dark green; literally a seafood soup of plankton; sperm and eggs spawned from the night before. Water visibility was an uninviting three metres but the half a dozen mantas beckoned me to jump right in. I swam to one of them as it began to rise towards the surface. We met eye-to-eye, a delicate moment that seemed to cause time to stand still. Nanoseconds before I collided into him the white-bellied giant arched away. In a quiescent world, they glide through the watery realm, the morning light flickers across their powerful muscular wings. Two others soon join the lone ray. Together they move through the water like birds of prey gliding in the wind. Their giant, wing-like fins propel them at speeds that make it difficult for me to match.

After several minutes of performance, one manta breaks off and dives towards the seafloor. Just before it touches the bottom, it exposes its white underside, turns and strikes up towards me. I descend to five metres and hover for a closer look. It momentarily slows its ascent as it reaches into a plankton cloud. It then begins to somersault; its cephalic fins at the side of its mouth reach out to form a funnel scooping in rich sustenance. It is only then that my body reminds me with excruciating pain, that I am not one of them. I break the surface, breathless.

Full article here:
underwater.com.au | Article | Great Manta Encounters

Fiji - Earth Hour

Fiji business gets behind Earth Hour.

Some of Fiji’s largest companies and many local businesses are getting involved with Earth Hour 2009, as they realise the importance of combating global warming. Fiji switched off the lights for Earth…

Earth Hour Fiji

Businesses of all persuasion are getting behind Earth Hour 2009 by registering their support. Tourism operators, media companies, government agencies, commerce and the energy sector are all united behind Earth Hour.

Suva, being the largest city in Fiji, is the main focus for Earth Hour but the lights will be going out in Nadi, Denarau and many other cities around the islands. Commercial buildings in Suva will be switching off their lights for Earth Hour.

In 2009, millions of people from all walks of life will join together for Earth Hour and show the world that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

Come on Fiji, join us for Earth Hour 2009, turn off your lights at 8.30pm Saturday 28 March and sign-up here at earthhour.org.

Fiji - Earth Hour

A Tribute to HG

Today was a sad day at Matava Resort. One of our longest serving staff members passed away. HG our security dog.

He saw this resort being built and has seen owners, staff and guests come and go. He protected this place with an iron bark that echoed throughout the island.

He never complained and could sit and listen so loyally. He took Pipi and Harley under his wing and taught them their roles as dogs at Matava resort.

The staff really do miss having him around, and we really miss our loyal coconut stealing friend.

Discover Scuba Dives in Fiji

Over the last week we have had a number of people try diving for their first time. Greg and Rebbekah from Alaska, Sophie and Ari from the US and Anthony and Bridie from Townsville Australia.

The Discover Scuba dives are usually done at Two tree island – theres actually seven trees on the island? – We anchor in 2m of water not far from the vast coral playground that can easily be seen on the surface.

On Greg's dive we saw a beautiful school of brown surgeon fish, With Sophie and Ari we spotted a huge White tipped reef shark. Anthony, who came to Matava to fish, was delighted to see a couple of Spanish mackerel. A real beautiful spot to try diving for the first time.

Bridie and Greg, learning to breath from their regulator before the dive

Waterfall

After a morning spent diving in the sea, nothing is more refreshing then swimming in freshwater.

A 40 minute trek to Kadavu village will bring you to a beautiful waterfall. A playground for young and old. The speed at which the village children fly across the rocks and climb the steep cliffs is just crazy to watch.

During my last visit as I attempted to climb the slippery rock face to the top of the waterfall, I looked up into the face of a young girl, her outstretched hand offering assistance. I was struggling to hold my own weight on the step rock face and had to smile at the thought of this 8 or 9 year old girl offering to help me up to the top. But she insisted with a reassuring smile and her outstretched hand. With ease she pulled me to the top, smiled and continued running, jumping from rock to ledge before diving like an Olympian from the 10 metre height.

What a sight to see, to watch the fun and games, the laughing, smiling. Good old fashion fun.

Bridie, Kate, talking to locals Lendua and Ben

Local kids scaling the rock face

Kesa and Kate – Tour guides to the village

Matava a finalist in Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards

Matava finalist in 2 categories for AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 10th February 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort was proud to be nominated in 2 categories, and was chosen as a finalist in both categories in the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Bite Me Gamefishing Charters was a finalist in the Adventure Tourism Award and Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort was a finalist in the Quality Accommodation Award.
The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island on 6th February 2009, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there was over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories.

The Adventure Tourism Award was won by our friends at Adrenaline Watersportsand the Quality Accommodation Award was won by Matava's normal airport transfer hotel the ACCOR Group's Mercure Hotel in Nadi.

"Although we missed out in winning this year's awards we are proud to have been nominated as finalists in both categories amongst such high calibre competition and collegues" said Mr Richard Akhtar, Matava's Managing Director.

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Congratulations to both Adrenaline Watersports and Mercure Nadi in their achievements this year. The improvements made, and standards set by Mr Rhys Martin, General Manager Mercure, converted us to start using the hotel in the past year as our Nadi transfer hotel, so we feel this is an award well deserved by Rhys and his team. Well done!"

Captain Adrian Watt of Bite Me Gamefishing Charters congratulated Mr Ben Dogget, Director of Adrenaline South Pacific and operator of the excellent gamefishing boats MV Opulence, MV Synergy and MV Katchalot for their award.

"It is fantastic to see that gamefishing is getting recognized in Fiji for the excellence it provides in service to our clients. Gamefishing in Fiji has long been overlooked internationally with countries like Tonga and Vanuatu gaining a lot more press. At last Fiji is being recognised alongside these destinations as a world class fishery for tournament species like Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo and Dogtooth Tuna"

He concluded by showing the good natured competitive spirit between the two fishing charter companies "As the only 2 IGFA Weigh Stations in the Fiji Islands Bite Me Gamefishing Charters and Adrenaline represent the premium gamefishing experiences in the country. To be a finalist in an Adventure Tourism award category alongside Adrenaline was an honour, and we look forward to competing with them to see who can break the most fishing records in the coming year. We're standing at 24 Fiji national records on Bite Me, where are you now? Kapena, let the games begin!"

The AON Excellence in Tourism Awards are not only to recognize excellence, special effort and initiative but to act as an incentive for the local community of all races to enter the tourism industry and so the Land Owners in particular feel that they are real partners of Fiji's largest employer and major foreign exchange earner.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views

Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters is our on-site IGFA game fishing specialists offering the best of superb record breaking blue water game fishing for tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

# # #

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Richard Akhtar
679 333 6222
Matava- Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort - Excellence in Tourism Awards

PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Awarded to Matava

Matava has been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2008 for its policies on environmental sustainability 
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 5th Februuary 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2008 recipient of The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award.

Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "The Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award   is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

After reviewing Matava's application, Project AWARE determined that our dive operation met all requirements set forth for Project AWARE's Environmental Achievement Award and shown exemplary efforts to conserve aquatic environments through education, advocacy and action. Therefore, Project AWARE was proud to name Matava an official 2008 recipient!

Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar says "The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award gives us special environmental recognition and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business."

"After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognized by our international scuba certification agency"

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "..after our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment." 

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.   To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org 

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands.


Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views


Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities.

www.Matava.com      www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com      www.GamefishingFiji.com

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PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Awarded to Matava - FIJI SCUBA DIVING - Dive the best of Fiji Diving with Mad Fish Dive Centre, Kadavu, Fiji Islands

The Shark Safe Project: There is Hope!

Lawrence Groth and Christopher Chin chat with Peter Knights from WildAid

There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet.
But there is definitely hope.

When we were planning this event, we never expected any of these establishments to throw down their soup pots and surrender without a fight.

But we did get one after all.

We had a fantastic weekend.

On Saturday, Lawrence Groth and Bob Mc Nerney from Shark Safe and Christopher Chin from COARE joined forces. As a team we went into Chinatown together, we verified several restaurants that serve shark fin soup, and identified a number of markets that sell fins. We provided information in English and Chinese to each of these proprietors, and engaged in some friendly discussion. In all but a few cases, we were treated with respect, and number of restaurateurs seemed quite interested and said they would consider removing shark fin soup from their menus.

We also ran into two restaurant owners who were very much opposed to shark fin soup (one of which was previously and mistakenly noted as offering the soup). We will be working with these two restaurants to help set an example and encourage others to follow the same path.

Sitting down with a map and our notes from the day, we decided upon the most effective approach and prioritized locations to picket the next day.

The Shark Safe Project: There is Hope!