What Are Marine Protected Areas?

Discover why divers play an important role in ocean conservation in The Florida Keys.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  No images? View the online version     What Are Marine Protected Areas and Why Do They Matter to Us?     Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help safeguard some of the world's most vulnerable ocean ecosystems while creating healthier reefs and more abundant marine life for divers to enjoy. Discover how the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is helping species rebound, protecting vital habitats and inspiring divers to become stewards of the sea.   Read More   Be Part of the Solution   Every diver has the power to make a difference. Whether you're perfecting your buoyancy, joining a Dive Against Debris event or helping restore coral reefs, your actions contribute to healthier oceans. Discover how divers are working alongside conservation organizations in The Florida Keys to protect these special places and how you can get involved on your next dive trip.   How To Get Involved nop1002.987654@blogger.com is subscribed to receive newsletters from Scuba Diving. Unsubscribe   |  Manage My Preferences   |   Privacy Policy Add partners@mail.padidiver.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Copyright © PADI, 30151 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688      Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the sponsors and are not an endorsement nor do they reflect the opinions of PADI or any of its publications.

SCUBA News - #311 - June 2026

SCUBA News ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011) Issue 311 - June 2026 https://www.scubatravel.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to June's SCUBA News. Whether you're just drying off your gear or already planning your next underwater adventure, we hope this issue brings a little inspiration for the months ahead. As well dive destination ideas, our Creature of the Month is the blue-spotted cornetfish - that placid predator that hunts with octopus, eats lionfish and has a remarkable ability to change colour. Contents: What's new at SCUBA Travel? Liveaboard deals & destinations The stalking cornetfish is creature of the month Diving news from around the World You can download SCUBA News as a pdf. What's New at SCUBA Travel? Dive Kenya: Reefs, Rays and Whale Sharks Kenya offers warm waters, vibrant reefs and abundant marine life: unforgettable encounters in the Indian Ocean. READ MORE Indonesia's top dive regions: How to choose where to go The challenge is not deciding whether to dive Indonesia; it is in choosing exactly where. Beginner? Love currents? Small creatures? Big pelagics? FIND OUT Liveaboard Deals and Destinations We've several offers for you today, including buy one get one free on Maldives liveaboard places. Jelajahi Laut, Indonesia SAVE 25%. Six cabins accommodating up to 14 divers. Visiting Lembeh, Gorontalo, Togean, Pulau Dua, Luwuk on an 11 day cruise with 33 dives. Save Now Princess Dhonkamana, Maldives, SAVE 32%. Nine cabins accommodate 20 guests. Classic Maldives trips. MORE INFO OR BOOK Palau Siren, Palau, SAVE 30% on Full Moon Spawning trips. A chance to witness one of the most spectacular natural events - the spawning aggregations of the bumphead parrotfish and the red snapper attractring the biggest predators in Palau such as bull sharks, oceanic blacktip sharks and hammerheads. Plus receive a number of presentations about these unique dives. Get the early bird discount. Early Bird Discount Thailand Master - Myanmar Mergui Archipelago, SAVE 20%, Price from USD 2765 2212. Reefs with huge soft coral covered boulders, mantas and even whale sharks. Garden eels, harlequin and robust ghost pipefish, short pouch pygmy pipehorses and hawksbill turtles. SAVE 20% Valentina , Mexico, SAVE 10% on Sea of Cortez trips or 7% on Socorro trips. 20 Guests in 10 cabins. SEE DEALS Emperor Fleet, Maldives, Buy one get one free on Emperor Explore III or Emperor Serenity trips BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Topaz, Red Sea (Egypt), SAVE 45%. Choose Brothers and Elphinstone or Northern wreck and Ras Mohamed. SAVE 20% See more liveaboard deals to some of the best diving in the world - Micronesia, Philippines, Galapagos, Indonesia, Socorro, Cocos Islands... Bluespotted Cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii, is our creature of the month As with many fish, the cornetfish has several different names. Whatever you call it, I am talking about the long, tubular fish you see hovering in the waters of the Red Sea, Sea of Cortez and Indo-Pacific. Recently, it has also been seen in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Central Pacific. Bluespotted Cornetfish, also known as a smooth cornetfish, trumpetfish or flutemouth. Tim Nicholson A Lionfish-Stalking Hunter A stalking predator, it is one of the few fish which eats the venomous lionfish, ambushing it from from behind. The unlikely-looking hunter also seeks opportunities to hunt alongside other species. For example, an octopus pursues prey into crevices whist the cornetfish floats in the water column waiting for fish to be flushed out. If it takes more than its fair share though, it runs the risk of being punched by the octopus. Females are bigger than Males Easily recognised, the cornet fish grows up to 160 cm (five feet) long. Females reach larger lengths and weights than males. The tail fin has a long filament running off it which is lined with sensory pores which may act as a long-range system for detecting prey. Can grow to lengths over five feet Instead of scales the cornetfish has small spines embedded in its skin. Breed when water warm enough Their reproductive season lasts as long as the water is warm enough at 22oC. In the north it is for six months over the summer, peaking in August. Juveniles often live in a seagrass nursery. The fish may be solitary or in schools. Small school of cornetfish. Francescodj/CC BY-NC 4.0 via iNaturalist Depth-wise they are very wide-ranging, from 1 m to at least 132 m and possibly 296 m. Cornetfish change colour Normally F. commersonii is brownish to olive green on top and a lighter silvery colour below, with a pair of blue stripes or rows of dots along its back. However, it can change colours to show a disruptive pattern of dark bands to create false edges and decrease detectability. They can also lighten their colour when going over sand. Cornetfish at Soma Bay, Red Sea. Louis P B/CC BY-NC 4.0 via iNaturalist Next time you're on a dive with cornetfish, take a moment to watch their hunting and colour strategies. Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes) > Order: Syngnathiform (also pipefish and seahorses > Family: Fistulariidae > Genus: Fistularia Sources and References Lieske and Myers, Coral Reef Guide Red Sea (2012) A Natural Predator of the Lionfish, Pterois miles, Gilad Bernadsky and Denis Goulet, Copeia, Vol. 1991, No. 1 (Feb. 7, 1991), pp. 230-231 Bariche, M. et al (2013). Reproduction of the invasive bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii (Teleostei, Fistulariidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Biology Research, 9(2), 169-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2012.707322 Ascione, S. J. et al (2026). The state of knowledge on four families of Syngnathoidei fishes (Teleostei: Syngnathiformes): Aulostomidae, Centriscidae, Fistulariidae and Solenostomidae. Journal of Fish Biology, 1-50. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70393 Castillo, M. A., et al (2022). Disruptive coloration and behavior facilitate camouflage of blue-spotted cornetfish against complex coral reef bottoms. Marine Ecology, 43, e12731. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12731 Diving news from around the World Study shows octopuses' impressive ability to navigate space The invertebrates can solve a spatial problem using a mirror, which is more than I can do. The last-ditch plan to save coral reefs from utter destruction Bleaching has devastated reefs around the world. Yet new interventions have revealed that corals can be remarkably resilient if we can give them enough help to recover Shark expert says Tony Abbott doesn't understand the science after former PM calls for cull Another expert says drone technology may have prevented shark attack at Coogee beach on Saturday. A cull of sharks would make no difference, as sharks know no boundaries. Plastic food packaging blankets the world's coastlines, study finds Food and beverage plastics were the most common litter type for 93% of countries surveyed; the pattern was consistent across countries, regardless of waste management infrastructure. Female dolphins remember who is aggressive when choosing a mate Female dolphins identify males by their unique calls and keep track of their past behaviour, choosing to avoid the most aggressive males during mating season. Human activity can reshape dolphin social lives... Human-linked foraging and red tide events influence how dolphins associate with one another ...And those of reef fish When ocean acidification makes reef habitat less complex, the fish living there gather in smaller shoals that offer less social protection. World's deepest banner protest launched at the bottom of the sea Deep below the ocean surface, at roughly the depth of 130 five-story buildings stacked end to end, a robot has unfurled a protest sign that reads: LISTEN TO THE SCIENCE! Wind-assisted cargo ships could more than halve shipping emissions The shipping industry is responsible for around 3 per cent of CO2 emissions, and those emissions are growing - but adding high-tech sailing gear and using wind-favourable shipping routes could cut them by 50%. Sesame sea slug species discovered in Taiwan Translucent, speckled and barely the size of a grain of rice, a new species of sea slug has been identified in the coastal waters of Keelung, Taiwan From sesame seed to Sesame Street It's hairy, bright orange and exceptional at camouflaging. Meet the newly described hairy ghost pipefish species, demonstrating that even well-studied marine environments like the Great Barrier Reef still hold remarkable secrets.

SCUBA News is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. This means we are happy for you to reuse our material for both commercial and non-commercial use as long as you: credit the name of the author, link back to the SCUBA Travel website and say if you have made any changes. Most photos though, are copyright the photographer. Please get in touch for details. Photo credits: Tim Nicholson; Jill Studholme; NOAA; Wallenius Marine, David Harasti, Ho-Yeung Chan et al/CC BY-NC 4.0; DepositPhotos; divebooker.com UNSUBSCRIBING Visit https://c.emailsend20.co.uk/profile/S-56707@J7sllRUwYQNkRwrI93C6yQ4F0xqxNQi6gZV3_N2Z6zU.@1 to remove yourself from the mailing list. Any problems contact news@scubatravel.co.uk. ADVERTISING Should you wish to advertise in SCUBA News, please see the special offers at https://www.scubatravel.co.uk/newsad.html Other advertising opportunities are at https://www.scubatravel.co.uk/diving-advertising.html CONTACTING THE EDITOR Please send your letters or press releases to: Jill Studholme SCUBA News The Cliff DE6 2HR UK news@scubatravel.co.uk

Seasonal Specials for Cayman Islands Diving

Caradonna summer and fall vacation packages give divers the best of the Cayman Islands.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  No images? View the online version     A Winning Combination for Cayman Islands Diving   Caradonna delivers a combination of underwater excitement, vacation relaxation, and special savings on one-week Cayman Island dive packages. These offers reward everyone from first-time visitors to returning regulars who make these islands their top choice for dive vacations. Specials feature premier properties on all three islands, with memory-making adventures on 365 unique dive sites. Choose sister island packages for a quiet getaway, world-class walls, and gregarious fish life. Stay on Grand Cayman's west coast for wrecks, reefs, and the attractions of Seven Mile Beach, or head to East End for coral grottoes, fish-covered pinnacles, and pelagic sightings.   VIEW SPECIALS     Cayman Brac Beach Resort  REEF DIVERS Valid for travel 8/1/26-1/9/27 and 8/7/27-1/15/28 7 Nights Beach View accommodations 6 days 2-tank morning boat dives, use of dive computer Welcome rum punch Breakfast and dinner daily Manager's cocktail reception Free WiFi Round-trip airport transfers Hotel taxes & service charges Ask about Zero Single Traveler Supplement Rates from $2,095 pp/dbl.      BOOK NOW        Little Cayman Beach Resort REEF DIVERS Valid for travel 8/1/26-1/9/27 and 8/7/27-1/15/28 7 Nights pool View accommodations 6 days 2-tank morning boat dives, use of dive computer Welcome rum punch Breakfast and dinner daily Manager's cocktail reception Free WiFi Round-trip airport transfers Hotel taxes & service charges Ask about Zero Single Traveler Supplement Rates from $2,395 pp/dbl.    BOOK NOW          Compass Point Dive Resort OCEAN FRONTIERS Valid for travel 7/4-7/31/26 and 9/5-10/3/26 7 nights 1 Bedroom Oceanfront or Poolside Deluxe accommodations 5 days 2-tank boat dives, 1 day 3-tank Safari (Wed), 1 night dive 1 x VIP dive guide experience per reservation dbl/occ Rental gear use Breakfast daily 30th anniversary gift & limited edition T-Shirt Welcome sunset cruise (Sat) Car rental for the length of stay Free WiFi Hotel taxes & service charges Rates from $1,960 pp/dbl 1BR or $1,630 pp/quad 2BR      BOOK NOW        Sunset House  SUNSET DIVERS Valid for travel through 12/18/26 and 4/25/27-12/17/27 7 nights Courtyard accommodations 5 days of 2-tank boat dives Unlimited shore diving Breakfast daily Free WiFi Welcome drink and gift Round-trip airport transfers Hotel taxes & service charges Rates from $2,036 pp/dbl.    BOOK NOW          The Sunshine Hotel & Suites*  RED SAIL SPORTS Valid for travel 8/18/26-10/31/26- Book by 11/30/26 7 nights Studio Suite accommodations 5 days of 2-tank boat dives Sunset Sail on Seven Mile Beach VIP discounts on site for night/aft dives Access to sister resort Westin Grand Cayman's recreational facilities Round-trip airport transfers Hotel taxes & service charges *Resort fee per night not included, paid locally Rates from $1,597 pp/dbl.      BOOK NOW        Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort*  RED SAIL SPORTS Valid for travel 8/18/26-10/31/26. Book by 11/30/26 7 nights Island View accommodations  5 days of 2-tank boat dives Sunset Sail on Seven Mile Beach VIP discounts on site for night/aft dives Access to the resort's recreational facilities Round-trip airport transfers Hotel taxes & service charges *Resort fee per night not included, paid locally Rates from $2,345 pp/dbl.    BOOK NOW      Caradonna Adventures: The Cayman Islands Begin your journey with Caradonna's Digital Dive Travel Guide Video to the Cayman Islands detailing information on the diving diversity and unique sites seen on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Round-trip airport transfers are included. Offers may require specific qualifications and are subject to availability; standard terms & conditions apply. Additional taxes, fees, and vehicle insurance information, if applicable. Blackout dates, holiday surcharges & other restrictions may apply. Rates may be subject to change. Not responsible for typographical errors.   CARADONNA.COM  •  800-329-9989  •  SALES@CARADONNA.COM CSOT#2111993-40 • WSOT#603254669 • FSOT#38781 Copyright © 2026 Caradonna Adventures, All rights reserved. nop1002.987654@blogger.com is subscribed to receive newsletters from Scuba Diving. Unsubscribe   |  Manage My Preferences   |   Privacy Policy Add partners@mail.padidiver.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Copyright © PADI, 30151 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688      Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the sponsors and are not an endorsement nor do they reflect the opinions of PADI or any of its publications.