At the Our World-Underwater weekend event, visitors have the opportunity to witness many exhibitions, be part of the film festival while making sure that the little ones are having just as much fun with at the children’s activity area. Your kids will not want to miss a life size 40 feet humpback whale or the gapping mouth of a 30 feet shark.  In addition, children will have the opportunity to work with artists in order to accomplish their own underwater painting.

Hosted by Dive Photo Gudie and Wetpixel the 4^th annual Deep Indonesia International Underwater photo competition was a real success. Photographer from all over the world participated in seven themed categories with the chance to with $ 35, 000 in prizes.  Apart from the actual money awards, some prices included “die travel packages to some of the top underwater photography destinations in Indonesia and beyond, and underwater photography equipment” (Source: http://underwatercompetition.com/Competitions/DEEP-Indonesia-2010). Trips in Indonesia include, komodo, Lembeh, Manado and Raja Ampat. The competition also has a special category dedicated to the theme of conservation of the marine environment, another sections reserved for compact digital cameras and a special category dedicated to Indonesian entrants.  The first prize winner of the compact camera competition is the Canadian Stephen Holinski with a colorful picture entitled “Mantis Shrimp with Eggs”. From sea horses, to dolphins without forgetting the most unusual looking fish, this competition is an incredible collage of the underwater oceans of the world.

These photographers vary in ages and nationality but they all have in common the love and passion for the oceans.

Stretching across Israel, Jordan and the occupied West Bank, holds an important religious significance: “the Jordan river is believed by many to be the place where Jesus was baptized” (Source: http://geography.howstuffworks.com/oceans-and-seas/dead-sea-dead.htm). Its unique salty composition and the presence of heath enhancing minerals are known to have attracted important historical character such as King David and Cleopatra. Today the Dead Sea is still famous for the rejuvenating effect it has on bathers and its ability to improve the skin and the cure problems such as joint inflammation, arthritis, acne or eczema. Scientists seem to beilve that this is due in great part to the high salt concentration found in that sea. The mineral slats concentration is so high that “fish accidentally swimming into the water from on of the several freshwater streams that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies quickly coated with a preserving layer of salt crystals” (Source: http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/earth-records/37-dead-sea). While the Dead Sea is deadly for fish and other marine creatures, for us adaptable humans it is completely safe. The density of the water is much more than that of plain regular water and for this reason a human body becomes more buoyant and floats. It is interesting to note that while the Dead Sea is constantly fed with water coming from near by rivers the salt is never drained out of the sea. Not even the process of evaporation manages to get the salt of of the Dead Sea. While the water evaporates, it leaves behind dissolved minerals.

According to experts, this source of fascination that attracts many tourists every year is at risk. An article in the New York Times confirms that “the water level is now dropping by more than three feet a year” (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/world/middleeast/05deadsea.html?_r=1). The dropping rate of water started around the 1960s, mostly due to the fact that Israel, Jordan and Syria started diverting the waters of the Jordan river, feeding the Dead Sea, for agriculture and other domestic purposes. In addition, the potash industries on the Israeli and Jordanian sides are also playing an important part in depleting the Dead Sea. A possible solution would be the construction and implementation of a water conduit connecting the Red Sea to the Dead Sea in order to create hydroelectricity, providing desalinated water to Jordan while also contributing to refill the Dead Sea. It appears that the World-Bank would be ready to sponsor such construction; yet, experts and environmentalists are worried about the potential consequences: “mixing the waters could result in an algae bloom that could give the Dead Sea a reddish hue” (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/world/middleeast/05deadsea.html?_r=1). Since it has been suffering from water scarcity, Jordan is particularly interested in the project and Israel seems to be supportive of the idea. Surprisingly Palestinian authorities signed the agreement for a World-Bank sponsored feasibility study and this pleases a great deal the Palestinians community that interprets that signature as a somewhat start to the recognition of Palestinians rights.

Close to 35 different kinds of mineral salts, from calcium, to magnesium without forgetting bromine, can be found in the Dead Sea. This concoction of salts is responsible for the Sea’s macabre name. Indeed any plant or living creatures that ends up in the salty waters dies immediately. Human beings are the only privileged living creatures that can happily float away without any consequences. In addition to attracting tourists and scientists from all over the world, the Dead Sea as become a rare symbol of regional cooperation, an exception to war, fighting and the incapacity to communicate. Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians seem to want to cooperate and communicate with the hopes of safeguarding this unique wetland.

Cave diving differs from cavern diving insofar cavern diving is the exploration of overhead environments while remaining close to the entrances. Cave divers on the other hand, will enter the cave and go as deep as thousands of yards. In addition “cavern divers keep the entrance clearly in sight at all times, and use a guideline so that, should sight of the entrance be accidentally lost, divers can immediately regain it” (Source: http://www.cavediving.com/what/start/02.htm). In this sense, cavern diving is a safer sport insofar the diver remain in the emergency swimming zone while cave divers risk it all and go far beyond. For this reason, cavern diving is considered to be a form of recreational diving while cave diving is much more technical. Cave diving certificates are only available through serious and recognized organizations such as the National Speleological Society cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) or the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD). Another significant difference between these two types of diving is the equipment used: cavern divers use an equipment that is similar to the one used by divers in open water, while cave divers need to make some modification to their gear, especially when it comes to the gas-delivery systems. While, somewhat inexperienced curious underwater lovers can do cavern diving, cave diving is a serious and more dangerous sport limited to a target of experts with a certification.

Cave diving can be done in many places around the world such as Europe, Japan, Hawaii or Brazil. In North America, the most famous regions are ones such as California, Nevada, Missouri or Virginia. The north of Florida is one of the world’s top destinations for cave divers. Despite what you might believe, cave diving can be done in any season of the year, even if some season factors due affect the coasts of Florida and Mexico.

Jill Heinerth decided to blend together her passion for the underwater world and photography to accomplish real masterpieces. For close to 15 years she has been exploring caves around the world from the icebergs of the Antarctic to the coasts of North Africa. This renowned photographer and filmmaker wants to remind to people not to exaggerate and to go further than their limits. She reminds her fans that more than 400 people have died all over the world because of cave diving accidents and it is important for cave divers to have a real certification.  Jill Heinerth has all the credits to prove her expertise, she was named a living legend by Sport diving magazine and “she was named Canadian Technical Diver of the Year and holds various pioneering diving records” (Source: http://www.intotheplanet.com/IntoThePlanet/About.html). This Canadian diver is well-known around the world diving community has she gives many motivational speeches, presentation and shop works to various clubs and organizations around the world. In addition, she holds more than twenty years of teaching experience with classes in cave diving, rebreather and photographic pursuits.  According to experts, “less than one percent of the recreational diving population possesses the knowledge, skills, attitude and judgment needed to cave dive as safely as possible” (Source: http://www.cavediving.com/who/start/index.htm). Fitness, ability, years of experience and training are all needed in order to enjoy a beautiful and most importantly safe experience under water.

Cave diving is a serious and dangerous sport that needs to be taken seriously. If diving in a responsible manner, cave can open doors to an exclusive under water world of beautiful species and underwater secrets. Professional diver, photographer and filmmaker, Jill Heinerth illustrates the gorgeous secrets of the underwater world while reminding her fans that safety is the most important element when it comes to diving.

Along the course of the Mekong river, one has the pleasure to discover sediments of history that are still partly living today; from the Tibetan nomad culture to the ancient Kingdom of Siam, the river fosters an incredible quantity of fish species that assure the survival of most of the local communities from the six different countries. The river is also the home of the world’s largest freshwater fish, “ the Mekong giant catfish that is distinguished by the near-total lack of whisker-like barbells, the absence of teeth and its gigantic size” (Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/mekong/species.html).  This unusual specie that can reach 600 pounds and grown the size of a grizzly bear, can feed an entire village for at least a week. The future of this unique specimen is at risk, due to the various flood control schemes, dams and other changes created by human kind in order to gain control over the river. Another endangered species living in the pool of the Mekong River is the Irrawaddy dolphin that is often known as the “river dolphin”.  This slow swimmer’s life is at risk, and its population is “estimated to be as low as 70 to 100 individuals” (Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/mekong/species.html). The dolphin is in high demand in zoos and aquariums that often seem to forget that even limited trade is now prohibited because the specie is so endangered. You can adopt a toy Mekong Dolphin in order to help raising money for their survival at http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/species_SKU.cfm?gid=68&sc=AWY1100WC900.

These two species are only a tinny examples of all the treasures buried inside this long river. The cultural, social and commercial value of this wetland is gigantic; courted by many stakeholders the future of the Mekong River is at risk without a proper conservation plan.

For this reason, on 5 April 1995, was founded The Mekong River Commission (MRC), an official agreement between Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. These states signed  The Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin in order to come up with a joint management plan to share water resources and the development of the river.  This association aims at promoting regional cooperation and its goals are also to “promote and support coordinated, sustainable and pro-poor development, to strengthen basin-wide environmental monitoring and impact assessment and to strengthen the Integrated Water Resources Management capacity and knowledge base on the MRC bodies “ (Source: http://www.mrcmekong.org/). In addition to this organization, the WWF is also working hard in order to address the threats facing the long-term sustainable survival of the river and all its precious resources. Indeed, the WWF Living Mekong Programme is working in partnership with the MRC in order to achieve a set of goals that comprehend: sustainable river basin management, the conservation of freshwater ecosystems while raising awareness on these issues amongst the local populations and all the interested stakeholders.

A strong interest for hydropower development in the lower part of the basin is dividing many invidious stakeholders around the world amongst private and public companies. In order to mitigate the demand, the MRC has launched the Initiative on Sustainable Hydropower (ISH) in order to study the potential side effects of a large-scale hydropower development and to come up with a basin management strategy. This initiative serves as a fundamental funnel for ideas and proposal where dialogue and communication is much needed in order to compromise economical interests with the ones of the conservation of the river and all its ecosystems.

Any sort of development and action plant taken to modify the course of the river, the balance of its rich biodiversity could have a life-changing impact on the lives of 60 million people and on the survival of various precious endangered species. This rich wetland is worth a lot from an economical standpoint. States need to remember that a violent over-exploitation could but an end to all the precious resources the river has to offer. Nature is generous only if it is treated with respect and dignity.

This eco-friendly way to produce vegetables for home or sale consumption has seen a revival in the past years amongst a growing rate of Americans who want to grown their own greens. In this process, the waste produced by the fish becomes an automatic recycled form of nutrients for the plants. The water from the fish tank, rich in nutrients is pumped into the area where the plants are grown. “The plants clean the water of excess nutrients, the water is then oxygenated by simple means and is reused again and again in the fish rearing tanks” (Source: http://www.northernaquafarms.com/aquaphonics.html). Lettuce, chives, tomatoes and cucumbers all have successfully been raised in aquaponics; in addition to flowers such as rose or lilies. This simple process permits the recycling of water that would otherwise be considered useless waste. The functionally of this system is based on a mutual exchange: the plants purify the water while they get extra nutriments in exchange from the fish. This approach is totally eco-friendly since not only water is recycled, but also the usually chemical fertilizers are not need and cannot be used since they are harmful to the integration of the plants and fish. This system is revolutionary insofar a well operated structure uses “about one tenth of the water required for normal vegetable growing and reduces the water needed for single usage fish farming by 95% or greater” (Source: http://www.northernaquafarms.com/aquaphonics.html). This year long sustainable method of agriculture is particularly popular in Australia a country that has suffered numerous draughts.

In the United States, aquaponics seems to be at a early flourishing stage with a gradual increase in sales and demand. Rebbeca Nelson part of the Nelson & Pade company, publishes the Aquaponics Journal ( http://www.aquaponicsjournal.com/) and sells aquaponics systems in the USA. She has stated that subscriptions have doubled in the past years and she “estimates that there may be 800 to 1,200 aquaponics set-ups in American homes and yards and perhaps another 1,000 bubbling away in school science classrooms” (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/garden/18aqua.html?_r=1).  If you are intrigued by aquaponics but have long-term commitment issues, an Atlanta based company called Earth Solution sells kits on the internet called “ farm in a box” that range from a price of 300$  to 3, 000$.  According to experts, aquaponics will replace hydroponics on the long term considering that it has considerable advantages over the practice of hydroponics: first of all the nutrient source is organic since it derives from fish waste and second of all, aquaponics provides a protein crop that is lacking in hydroponics.

This environmental friendly system is quickly developing in the United States and soon enough the industry will develop for both salt and fresh water fish. The product seems to be the future of gardening at a time where the world is suffering from a world crisis and where every single drop of water can make the difference.  This system is totally organic and recycles water that maintains the fish alive and enables plants to grow. For countries that suffer from droughts this might be a revolutionary method.

Washington’s lakes and water streams are so polluted that citizens and local fish restaurants are having problems to find the needed supply from their own water streams.  For many individuals, especially native people and tribes, fish is at the core of their daily diet: “for the Swinomish of La Conner and other tribes in Washington, local game and seafood are an integral part of every funeral, birthday celebration or other family gathering” (Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012448836_tribalfish26m.html ). In 2002, this tribe received a considerable grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to finance a research study for selfish and crabs. The alarming results presented a large quantity of carcinogens like dioxins and PCBs. Toxins dumped in the sea have reached the organs of the fish that now contain a dangerous amount of mercury’ trout are contaminated with alarming level of DDT while shellfish infected with PCBs. The situation is so that there is enough quality fish in the waters for people in the state to have only one portion of fish every month. “Because toxic contaminants accumulate in fish tissue, part of the federal Clean water Act requires that state waters be clean enough for local residents to safely consume certain amounts of fish: The greater the amount eaten, the cleaner the water must be” (Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012448836_tribalfish26m.html). If federal states fail to determine the average quantity of fish eaten by their population, the EPA imposes a representative quality of 6.5 grams of fish daily.

The problem with mercury is that there is no way to see it or smell it, therefore a fisherman has no way to determine the quality of the resources. Even the smallest amount of mercury can damage the brain of younger children and leave them with long going learning disabilities. In larger amounts mercury also harms older adults causing numbness or change in vision. It is impossible to clean the fish from the mercury since it gets directly into the flesh of the animal. “By removing the skin and cutting away other fatty areas of the fish, you may reduce other types of contaminants (Such as PCBs and dioxins) that can be in fatty tissue” (Source: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/swqa/2008/documents/appendix_27).

The ocean is a precious resource for humankind and the source of life of many communities who live by the sea side. Fishing is crucial to the world’s economy. The lakes of America are starting to be so polluted that fishermen and restaurants are starting to feel threatened. Fish contain an alarming quantity of mercury, a dose that is dangerous to human beings. If rigorous  measures aren’t taken rapidly the situation could get worst, millions of people could lose their jobs and others could get intoxicated by fish poising. Nature and its oceans demand and deserve respect for everything they provide to us in exchange.

Mrs. Goldendiamondy has been like this all week! She just won’t leave Miss Evian alone for one second. It seems like she is always looking for excuses to talk to her or to steal her away from me. I am oh so happy that in the end Miss Evian decided to stay with us at the supermarket instead of trying to escape to go to the Rice-Castle with all of the other important French water bottles.  Oups! Yah, your right! I get confused all the time; it’s not the Rice-Castle but the Ritz Carlton! I still think that the “Rice-Castle” sounds so much funnier! I can just imagine a big castle made out of rice! Hahaha! But what is the Ritz-Carlton anyways?? Mrs Goldendiamondy told me it is a place like the supermarket but instead of being for bottles it is for real people. Sounds funny, I didn’t know they had people supermarkets as well… I need to ask Mrs Goldendiamondy to tell me more about those places like the Ritz, I think that they are called something like “botels”, or was it “motels”? No wait I am pretty sure they are called “hotels” now that I think of it!

Anyways, Miss Evian doesn’t need the Rice-Castle, she seems to be doing better at the super-market! Now that we have made peace we are really good friends and I like chatting with Miss Evian, she is very nice and funny. Last night, she was telling about her cousin from Australia, Aussie Bottled Water, who is being moved to America. Aussie comes from the town of Bundanoon in Australia. I don’t know about you but I think the name Bundanoon is absolutely hilarious! Well, anyways, getting back to my story, Miss Evian told me that Aussie was “deported” to the United States because Bundapoo, I mean, Bundanoon is the first city in the world to have completely banned bottled waters like me, from the shelves of all stores! I am not really sure what deported mean, but it doesn’t sound too good especially since Miss Evian told me that Aussie was so sad to leave her home. This is scary, they are trying to kick us out from everywhere! First the Rice-Castle and now Bundaboo!

Of course, right when Evian was telling me this story about her cousin, Aussie, Mrs. Goldendiamondy was spying on us and she immediately jumped in saying: “ once someone buys us and finishes all of our water we usually end up being discarded somewhere in the environment or in the ocean where the fish never welcome us in a very warm manner”.  I’ m not sure I understand what discarded means, but I sure know I love the beautiful ocean and the fish and I surely don’t want to get them mad.  I trust Mrs. Goldendiamondy, she is older than all of us here and seems to know many top secrets things! She sure is nice even if she is making me worry with all her talks about how we, plastic bottles, are so bad for the environment! At lunch, she even told me that we cost a thousand times more than normal water that comes from the sink !!! A THOUSAND TIMES!!! That sure sound like a lot! I hope our water has some magical powers because I really don’t understand why people would spend so much money on water they can get from their own kitchen. Maybe it is a grown up thing that I can’t understand who knows…! Oh! I have to run, or should I say, roll, tonight I am going to have lunch with Miss Evian!

(Source: http://www.thegreenguide.com/food/buying/bottled-water, http://www.justmeans.com/-Battle-Ban-Bottled-Water/20493.html)