MilaBooks.com Newsletter  

 

The Sea-gram

   For  ocean lovers, divers,

            and "deep-thinkers."

 

June, 2012

 

 

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Masked Grouper 2

          "The Masked Grouper," photo by Paul Mila, Roatan, Honduras

Layle and Paul, Roatan
Divers Layle Stanton & Paul Mila, Roatan, Honduras

Welcome to the June issue of Sea-gram, the monthly newsletter from milabooks.com 
 





 
 
Greetings from Roatan, Honduras, where I started writing this issue of Sea-gram. This was my first visit to the island. I really enjoyed diving with OCEAN CONNECTIONS, located in Roatan's West End section, and meeting new friends.
 
The headline photo of "The Masked Grouper," above, was taken just after we visited the wreck of the Aguila, resting at about 125 feet. View this short clip, looking down at the bow from the top of the ship's coral-encrusted mast.
Wreck of the Aguila, Roatan
Wreck of the Aguila, Roatan
 
If you're visiting Roatan's West End and searching for a great eating adventure, stop in at Linga Longa.  Located on beautiful Half Moon Bay (check out their reviews on Trip Advisor), proprietor Garry Wanless and his attentive staff will provide an unforgettable dining experience.

In this issue's Story Behind The Photo(s), read about how choosing your perspective when capturing your subject affects your photos.  
 
If you have a good photo with an interesting story, or would like to share a good dive yarn, let me know at [email protected] and I'll be happy to include your story in a future issue. 
 
 Our Conservation Corner topic this month concerns an assortment of initiatives. Read up and get involved!
 
If you know someone who would enjoy reading Sea-gram, please forward a copy to your buddy, using the link at the end of the newsletter. 
 
To view past Sea-grams click our ARCHIVE link below:

I hope you enjoy Sea-gram !
Sincerely,
 Paul J. Mila
MilaBooks.com
516-578-1482
 Story Behind The Photos . . . 
                    A Matter of Perspective
                                   By Paul Mila
 We were diving in Roatan Honduras, a site called Green Outhouse. 
Most dives on this trip featured little or no current, so it was easy to set up a nice photograph.
We saw turtles on almost every dive, and this dive was no exception.
We came across this green sea turtle, just calmly hanging out on the reef. I floated over and he, or she, let me take a nice profile photo.
 Green Turtle; Roatan
The turtle didn't seem to mind posing, so I moved around for a different angle, this one from the front.
 Turtle2; Roatan

Both shots are very nice, but notice how the different angle changes the nature of the photo.

The top profile shot has good color and detail, but the bottom photo seems more interesting, at least to me. The turtle appears to be peaking at something which has caught its attention. We wonder, What?

 

I think shooting either head-on or at a 45-degree angle instead of a profile results in a more interesting photo. What's your opinion?
                                       

Equipment:

SeaLife 1000 camera, using a wide-angle lens and strobe. 

PHOTO TIPS:  

Your goal is to shoot heads and eyes, not tails and butts. 

Good positioning is the secret to getting great shots. Anticipate how sea creatures are moving. Get in front and let them come toward you. If you approach, do so slowly and calmly. Don't chase or swim at them. Good buoyancy control is a must!
Conservation Corner . . .
Assorted Initiatives

Jamie Pollack of the PEW Environment Group sent us information about saving the Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna:

 

U.S. fishermen use surface longlines that can average 30 miles in length to catch yellow fin tuna and swordfish. But this indiscriminate and wasteful gear also catches and kills more than 80 types of animals, including deeply depleted Atlantic blue fin tuna.

 

Fortunately, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has recognized the significant impact that U.S. surface longlines have on Atlantic blue fin tuna and is evaluating various management options that could reduce harmful interactions with blue fin.

Your voice can make all the difference for these fish, so please send a message today! Click on this link for more information, and to send a message:

 Help Protect The Blue Fin Tuna

 

 

Sea-gram reader Martha Weisberg sent in this story from the PEW Environment Group newsletter, about a shark finning ban in Venezuela, as well as creation of a safe haven for a local shark nursery.

Now if that extended to a shark catching ban as well that would be great. But we'll take one victory at a time:

 Venezuela Bans Shark Finning

   

About MilaBooks.com
www.milabooks.com is your home for exciting dive adventure novels (in both e-format and print format), YouTube videos featuring ocean creatures, and more.
 
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Click on the reading dolphin and swim
 into our website

 

In July we'll be diving in Cozumel, Mexico, so our next Sea-gram will feature stories and photos from Margaritaville.
Thanks for visiting, and we'll see you next month!
Paul J. Mila 
 Paul in Cozumel

MilaBooks.com
75 Titus Avenue
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-578-1482

 

 
To forward Sea-gram to a friend, please click the "Forward email" link below.
In This Issue
The Story Behind The Photo: A Matter of Perspective
Conservation Corner: Protecting Blue Fin Tuna & Sharks
 
 Featured Article in this Conservation Corner:
Recent Initiatives to Protect Blue Fin Tuna and Sharks.
Lower left column.
 
 

Quick Links
         
Updates & Miscellaneous Features

 

Sea-gram fan Ann Aurelio, from the Sierra Club, sent us this story about a deep-sea angler who was fishing for tuna and swordfish, but caught something very unusual instead: a blue shark eating a giant squid. 

Fisherman Catches Giant Squid 

 

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Lionfish Hunting in Bonaire

Tal Bixby, inventor of the ELF (Eliminate Lion Fish) mini-spear, sent us this video about hunting these invasive predators in Bonaire.

Lionfish the ultimate invasive species
Lionfish the ultimate invasive species

 

* * * * * * * * * 
 
Hunt Lionfish in Cuba!
 
Accompany ELF inventor Tal Bixby to Cuba's Gardens of the Queen, a unique coral environment.
Reef Protection Inc. has reserved a
73-foot 6-bedroom live-aboard yacht to venture into Cuba's Gardens Of The Queen for the purpose of removing lionfish.

The Gardens of the Queen is celebrated as one of the world's healthiest coral reef environments, which is now threatened by the invasive lionfish.
Only 500 divers per year are allowed into the pristine area.
 
View Anderson Cooper's report on 60 Minutes about the Gardens of the Queen:
 
For more information contact
Tal Bixby at: [email protected]

 

 

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A fun divesite, where you can rent a beachfront condo, view great dive photos, and more!

 
GUEST LINKS

 

In Roatan I stayed at the Lands End Resort.
Manager Adi and his dedicated crew work hard to ensure a quality experience. 
If you're seeking a restful, laid back venue right on the Caribbean, check out their website:


* * * * * * * * *

Diving in Roatan I met Heather, Jonas, and their dive group from BluePlanet, based in Washington, D.C. Check out their excellent dive operation at: www.blueplanetdc.com
 
 
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For the best in scuba diving, including basic & advanced lessons, continuing education, equipment sales & repair, world-wide dive adventures, and more, visit Scuba Network of Long Island, located on Old Country Road in Carle Place.
More information on their website:
 
* * * * * * * * *
 
Available Link! Post a link to your web site here!
E-mail [email protected] for details.
 
 
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