Scubaverse

Marine Protected Areas are expanding around the world as countries work towards ambitious targets to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. But new research suggests that simply designating an area as protected may not be enough to allow marine life to recover. Researchers analysed underwater biodiversity data from thousands of shallow coral and rocky reefs around the world, comparing sites both inside and outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF), based in the Cayman Islands, has announced the induction of Johor-born Malaysian diving pioneer Syed Abd Rahman into its prestigious Award of 2026. The prestigious ISDHF Award was presented to Syed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister of the Cayman Islands, Hon Gary Rutty, on Sept 04, 2026, at the ISDHF Event at Indigo Hotel Cayman.

Marine Life & ConservationMarine Life & Conservation BlogsNews A spectacular underwater journey revealing the surprisingly rich marine life of the North Sea is heading to UK cinemas this September. North Sea, Nature Untamed takes audiences beneath waters often regarded as cold, grey and lifeless, revealing a very different world of sharks, seals, kelp forests, wrecks, tiny marine creatures and some of the North Sea’s largest predators.

Scientists are embarking on an ambitious three-year £1m study to reveal secret lives of UK sharks in a project to uncover more about the lives of some of the most vulnerable sharks found in English waters. Researchers from the University of Exeter will focus on blue sharks, porbeagles and tope, using electronic tagging, DNA analysis and decades of records from recreational anglers to investigate where the sharks travel, feed and breed.

Divers and scientists are raising concerns over the health of spectacular soft coral gardens around South Korea’s Jeju Island, where colonies are once again showing signs of an unusual phenomenon known as ‘slumping’. Unlike hard corals, soft corals do not have rigid calcium carbonate skeletons and instead rely on internal fluid pressure to maintain their shape.

A historic working vessel has begun a new life beneath the waves after being deliberately sunk off South Australia to create an artificial reef and recreational dive site. The 40-metre MV Andrew Wilson was scuttled around six kilometres off Brighton on 7 September, becoming the first vessel to be deliberately sunk in South Australian waters for more than two decades. Built in 1962, the former grab hopper dredger spent more than 60 years working in South Australian waters.

Scientists exploring the deep sea off Central California have captured remarkable footage of an elusive bigfin squid (Magnapinna sp.), marking the first confirmed live observation of the species in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEw74DoCv6Q Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and NOAA were surveying the abyssal seafloor near Davidson Seamount when the squid emerged from the darkness at a depth of around 3,277 metres.

A heartwarming short film about one of Australia’s most distinctive marine creatures has taken the top prize at the Underwater Awards Australasia 2026. ‘Dragon’ by Kat dos Remedios Dragon, by Kat dos Remedios, was named Best of Show after winning the Reels Showcase category in the third edition of the international underwater imaging competition.

Buddy Dive Resort is proud to announce Jose Espinosa as the new Tek Supervisor of Buddy Dive Tek. Jose has been part of the Buddy Dive team for more than two years. Since joining the resort in November 2023, he has become an important part of the technical diving department, teaching and guiding technical divers while continuing to expand his own experience and qualifications. His diving journey began in Colombia in 2019, while working as a general surgeon in Bogotá.

Skip to main content NewsPhoto / Video News & ReviewsPhoto & Video Blogs Many underwater photographers are moving away from large DSLR and mirrorless rigs in favour of smaller, lighter camera systems. Is this simply about convenience, or has downsizing changed the way they photograph underwater? We asked a selection of underwater photographers to share their experiences. For the third instalment in our mini-series, Does Size Really Matter?, we talk to Libby Gawith.