MilaBooks.com Newsletter  

 

The Sea-gram

   For ocean lovers, divers,

            and "deep-thinkers."

 

September, 2012

 

 

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Montauk Sunrise      

           East-end Sunrise Paul Mila photo, Montauk New York

Welcome to the September Sea-gram,
the monthly newsletter from
 
This month we took a ride out to Montauk, the eastern-most point on Long Island, New York.

The banner photo above illustrates why Montauk is one of our favorite places: The sun explodes over the horizon while a lone figure walks the shoreline; the surf rolls in as a gull hovers in the breeze, seeking breakfast. It's a typical, beautiful morning in this beach-front community.
Chuck Wade & Paul
Captain Chuck & Paul, Montauk NY
  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
One of the many activities you can enjoy in Montauk is shark cage diving with Captain Chuck Wade, on the Sea Turtle.
The above photo was taken a while back, after a successful expedition when I saw mako and blue sharks. If you're interested in shark cage diving check out the details, right-hand column.
 
Of course, if shark diving sans cage gets your blood pumping, you can visit the Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas operation in Nassau.
This short YouTube video, taken by our Stuart Cove's videographer, shows what was like for us divers to hang out among Caribbean reef sharks up close & personal, with no steel bars impeding our view; all the better to take still-photos with my old yellow Sea&Sea camera:
Paul Mila, Bahamian Shark Feed
Paul Mila, Bahamian Shark Feed
 

 

This month's Story Behind The Photo section, Fins to the left, fins to the right (thanks, Jimmy Buffett), features some interesting shots I took in the Bahamas. 

If you have a good photo with an interesting story, or would like to share a good dive yarn, let me know at paul@paulmila.com and I'll be happy to include your story in a future issue. 
 
Our Conservation Corner topic this month highlights shark conservation initiatives.
 
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 Photo(s) . . . 
             Fins to the left, fins to the right . . .
                         By Paul Mila, Carle Place, NY

Several years ago I joined Scuba Network for a Bahamas shark diving adventure. First we had a preliminary shark dive at a site called Shark Wall to get used to the counter-intuitive idea of being in the water with sharks, on purpose.

That's when I took this shot, a large reef shark patrolling the sponges and coral at the edge of the wall:

Shark Cruising
Cruising shark
 Then it was on to the real thing -- the shark feed dive at Shark Arena!
Shark up Close
Kiss me!

 

Shark Between Photographers
OK, where's the food?
Shark feed
I paid to do this?

 Equipment:

Sea&Sea MX10 film camera with wide-angle lens and YS40A Strobe.

Conservation Corner . . .

        Save Our Sharks !

Several organizations are committed to saving sharks. Here are two:

 

 The SHARK ANGELS

The Shark Angels are active on many fronts. Visit their website to find out about their youth educational and information programs:

 Shark Angels Site

 

One example of the Shark Angels information initiatives is their work on shark nets and gill nets. Check out their video, showing the devastating effect these nets have on diverse sealife:

Shark Angels - on Shark Nets
Shark Angels - on Shark Nets

Another Shark Angel initiative is their current photo contest. While entry submissions are now closed, your can still vote and make sponsorship donations. Click below for details:

Shark Angel Photo Contest

 

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The PEW Environmental Group Initiative to save Oceanic Whitetip Sharks:

According to the PEW Group, "Oceanic whitetip sharks - one of the most recognizable sharks in the ocean - have undergone significant population declines fueled by a global demand for their large, highly valued fins.

"They are considered Vulnerable globally, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In the Gulf of Mexico, oceanic whitetip populations have declined by 99 percent in just over four decades."

 

Visit the PEW website and see how you can help:

Save Oceanic Whites

   

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

 

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: fins to the left, fins to the right . . .
Conservation Corner: S.O.S. Save Our Sharks
 
 Featured Article in Conservation Corner:
 
SOS:
Save Our Sharks !
Check out the current initiatives of these two organizations:
 Shark Angels, and
PEW Environmental Group
Story, lower left column.
 
Quick Links
         
Updates & Miscellaneous Features

 

 

Depth Magazine

 Coming Soon!

 

I recently previewed a new free online dive magazine, containing stunning underwater photos and interesting articles. It is coming in December. Click the link below to view and learn more about Depth Mag, and if you like what you see, register right there:

Depth Magazine

 

 

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Shark Cage Diving

Visit Montauk and enjoy a day on and under the waves with Captain Chuck Wade on the Sea Turtle.

  

Below, chumming for sharks early in the morning.

Chumming for sharks
"You're gonna need a bigger boat!"

This curious mako swam around our cage while  I took photos.

 

Mako Shark  

 Paul Mila photo, Montauk NY.

 

 

 Check out Captain Chuck's website; videos & more:  

Montauk Shark Diving

 

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  Reading in Montauk

While staying in Montauk, visit the Montauk Bookshop, located on the plaza. Offering a wide range of books, including mine, it's a great place to pick up a relaxing beach-read.

Their website is under construction, but check in for more information:

www.montaukbookshop.com

 

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Cape Cod Shark Tagging

Sea-gram fan Fred Chiappetta sent in this story, complete with amazing photos, about Great White Shark tagging in Cape Cod:

Cape Cod Great Whites 

 

   

 

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Dolphin & Seal: Best Buds
Check out this interesting photo story about Jet the dolphin and Miri the seal, close friends in Australia:
 
* * * * * * * * *
 
Sea Shepherd Update
It's that time of year again, when the Sea-Shepherds head into the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to face off with Japanese whaling fleet.

 

    

For the latest news on their 9th anti-whaling campaign, and about their efforts to save dolphins, seals and sharks, click below:  

  Sea Shepherd 2012

   

 

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 The Coral Reef Alliance

   

 Click the Coral Reef website below, and read about this organization's world-wide initiatives:

Coral Reef E-Current

 

* * * * * * * * *

 

  

 

 Coral Reefs In Danger
Speaking about coral reefs, this NBC News story highlights a recent study confirming Florida and Caribbean coral reefs are in serious trouble:

 

 

   

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Want to visit Cozumel?

  

Here's a great rental option: 
ww.cozumelisparadise.com

  

A fun dive site, where you can rent my beach front condo at the Residencias Reef, view great dive photos, and more!
  

    

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 GUEST LINKS

  

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:

 

 

 
 

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 Available Link! Post a link to your web site here!

E-mail paul@paulmila.com for details.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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