Televisa Bull Shark Reportage

To see the video click HERE

Televisa presented yesterday a very complete and interesting reportage about the bull sharks in Quintana Roo, exposing the different points of view of the stakeholders: the fishermen, the conservation supporters, the biologists, the ecotourism service providers and the authorities.

The Mexican coasts are part of the second largest coral reef in the world, and therefore include a great variety of marine species. Sharks, being top predators in the food chain, play a vital role in this rich marine ecosystem. They are one of the groups of fish that control the growth of various secondary predator populations and thus play a key role in maintaining the ecological balance. The bull shark population of Quintana Roo has decreased significantly due mainly to overfishing, thus leading the species to be endangered. The loss of these animals would destabilize the food chain and cause profound profound negative effects on the ecosystem.

This results in serious ecological and socio-economic impacts, as the bull shark is now considered one of the most important ecotourism resources of the region.

We need to act immediately to take measures for the conservation and management of this species. Proper utilization management in the country can turn the country in a ecotouristic benchmark and make it position as a world leader in the conservation of these animals.

Phantom Divers, as pioneering dive center offering encounters with bull sharks in Playa del Carmen, promotes the protection of this species for ecotouristic use, thereby benefiting the marine ecosystem and the people of the region.

To see the video click HERE

PHANTOM DIVERS & SAVING OUR SHARKS

Phantom Divers & Saving Our Sharks

The Bull Shark season will start soon: from November to March a lot of bull sharks will migrate to Playa del Carmen reefs, where we offer to take you diving and have the most amazing experience by swimming with them or assist to the very exotic activity of shark-feeding. But let us explain you why we support this type of activity.
The shark species is the apex of the food chain, as it is main predator of the reef ecosystem.
Nevertheless, 90% of the shark population in the world has been destroyed by human activities such as shark finning, bycatch, sea pollution and intensive fishing: each year 100.000.000 sharks are killed all over the world, most of them being young breeding, newborns and pregnant females (FAO).
Mexico is the seventh largest shark producer worldwide, and is characterized by the overexploitation of several species of sharks.
That is why Phantom Divers supports the association Saving Our Sharks, that aims to create a shark sanctuary in the state of Q. Roo.
The Bull Shark diving in Playa del Carmen is sustainable and NOT extractive tourist activity; on top of generating greater economic resources than fishing, it raises awareness of the importance of shark conservation. That is why, by diving with Phantom Divers, you will contribute to the research, training, education and environmental interpretation, as part of the revenue will be directed to Saving Our Sharks.

More information:

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 879 3988

The Splendid Toadfish

The Splendid Toadfish

A species entirely endemic to the island of Cozumel.

The Splendid Toadfish (Sanopus splendidus), also known as the coral toadfish, is one of the most exciting peculiarities of Cozumel marine life.

It is 10-15cm long and, like the other members of the toadfish family, its head is wide, flattened and with barbels, but its distinctive feature are the vibrant colors: all of its eight fins, with the exception of the pelvic ones, are edged in a bright yellow coloring. The Splendid Toadfish also has a yellow mouth, while the head and the body are dark, attractively patterned in purple, with stripes. As it is a bottom-dwelling species, its eyes are located on the top of its head that looks directly upwards (there is mostly no need for a horizontal vision), and its wide jaws are filled with small and sharp teeth.

Despite its brilliant coloring, the Splendid Toadfish is a shy creature and is pretty difficult to coax: you can generally find it under or around crevices and coral heads in clear water, at a depth of about 10-25m. It is at night that the toadfish comes out, since it’s a nocturnal hunter: it feeds on small fish, snails and polychaete worms. So night dives are a good time to spot it.

The Splendid Toadfish is entirely endemic to the small island of Cozumel, off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and the best place to look for it is on the outer side of shallow reefs like Paradise Reef.

However, the species is not widespread and is classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19899/0).

That is to say that, although it is not Endangered, it is facing a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future: even a small-scale local environment disturbance could strongly affect its population. Despite the protected status, nowadays the Splendid Toadfish remain under the threat of the uncontrolled urban growth related to the tourist industry, but efforts are being made to manage this risk.

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 879 3988

The Whale Sharks

The whale shark will soon be back at the Mexican Caribbean.

• Its scientific name is: Rhincodon typus

• It is considered the world's largest fish. According to scientists it can reach up to 14 meters long.

• It is locally known as domino fish because the color of its body is gray or dark blue on the top with circular spots, horizontal or vertical light lines, and a white belly.

• Unlike other sharks its mouth is at the front of his broad head and spans the entire width of its body.

• Because of their feeding behavior whale sharks are species with a slow movement, it feeds with a suction method by filtering large quantities of water and retaining a wide variety of plankton, small fish and crustaceans.

• The whale shark has no teeth so it has developed in its gills some internal filters which help to retain their food.

• His reproductive method is ovoviviparous, fertilization is internal,  and the egg grows inside the mother until birth, when they are released to hatch.

• This species is found in all tropical and warm seas except the Mediterranean Sea. Whale Sharks are pelagic, highly migratory, and they feed on coastal waters; therfore their appearances are highly seasonal and are related to the presence and growth of zooplankton. Due to this reason we have the opportunity to see them in Mexico, as the Yucatán Peninsula is an area prone to the growth of plankton for its hot temperatures, which is one key factor  on contributing to the  acceleration of plankton in specific areas.

• Usually a solitary species, but massive clusters have been spotted; more than 100 individuals have been counted from aerial views!

• Remember it is very important to do this activity with a responsible tourist operator, because this snorkeling trip has become very popular in recent years and has resulted in positive and negative consequences if not done with responsibility.
•  An example of a positive consequence is that local fishermen now instead of killing the sharks for their fins, they protect them as they realized the economic value that this resouce can be alive.  
•  In turn, a negative consequence is that unless there is a control many boats and tourists gather at the same time and can hurt the whale sharks. Therefore, to continue interacting and enjoying the presence of these magnificent animals there is the need to have a good management of the resource, good regulations, properly enforced and an excelent responsible conduct form all tourists.

Some important rules are:

• Limit the number of boats in the area where the whale shark are.
• It is requested that tourists use biodegradable sunblocks.

• The boat will be at least 5 meters away from the animals.
• Tourists should be at least 2 meters away from the whale shark.
• In the water there will be a guide with a maximum of 2 people.
• Swimming with safety vests is required. The maximum time with the Whale Sharks will be 30 minutes.
• Do not harass the sharks..
• Do not leave trash in the area.

 

More information:

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 879 3988

http://www.domino.conanp.gob.mx/

Video. The Red List, Species in Danger. Sharks

The Red List, Species in Danger.  Season 2, Sharks in Mexico

Video by Fabricio Feduchi


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEMn9GrmwBw&feature=share&list=PLrFkZrRQk9nkJEtxaWHvm7Di6xx7GsWO8

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 879 3988

Bull shark reproduction

Why is reproduction so important?
 

Bull sharks vulnerability is characterized by its low reproductive potential. What does this mean?

Sharks have many reproductive constraints ; which have compromised them:

• They have very few young, this is also known as a low fertility rate.

• They reach sexual maturity relatively late.

• They have very long gestation periods.

Reproduction in sharks is key to determine the size and health of its population. It is very important to understand bull shark´s reproductive cycle, because this determines the minimum time required for its population to double.

The following list will explain important characteristics about bull sharks reproduction:


• 1. The reproduction method is viviparous, fertilization is internal and the embryos develop in a couple of uteri, therefore receiving the exchange of nutrients and wastes through a placenta.

• 2. Bull sharks have a late sexual maturity. Males reach maturity approximately when they are about 157 and 226 cm long. Females reach maturity between 180 and 230 cm in total.

• 3. Bull shark can have from 1 to 13 pups. Of these pups the number that will be able to survive the early years is very low.
One of the bull shark features is that the mother does not takes care of them after birth, this is why sharks decide to have their young in coastal waters, in order to protect them from predators.

• 4. The shark gestation periods are very long. In the case of bull shark is about ten to eleven months, once the shark gives birth to their young, shark pups show very slow growth rates and face too many risks while growing. A young bull shark is about 60 cm long at birth.


All these aspects of Bull Sharks reproductive cycle; in particular the low reproductive potential are essential for scientists working in Playa del Carmen in order to determine the impact that illegal fishing is having on the bull sharks populations in Playa del Carmen.

 

For more information and ways to help

contact us at:

info@phantomdivers.com

www.phantomdivers.com

www.savingoursharks.org

Sail Fish Season

Phantom Divers invites you to the 2013 SAIL FISH SEASON, from January to March.

For more information about this experience

http://www.divemexico.blogspot.mx/search?q=sailfish#!http://divemexico.blogspot.com/2012/11/sailfish-snorkel.html

or contact us at

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 879 3988

Shark observer speciality @ Phantom Divers

At Phantom Divers while diving with sharks, you can also get PADI´s specialty certification of shark observer. With this certification you will help sharks by automatically donating to the foundation Saving Our Sharks focused on conservation of bull sharks in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The purpose of becoming a shark observer is to become more knowledge about different shark species and help to preserve them.

The goals of PADI´s shark observer speciality certification are:

A. learn more about shark species, their characteristics and habits.

B. be able to do a safe dive with sharks.

C. identify potential risks and how to prevent them.

D. Create awareness for the protection of different shark species.

For Phantom Divers and PADI it is very important that at the end of the course you become a diver able to recognize different traits and habits of sharks, specifically the species that you will be diving with (Bull Shark). Also your general knowledge about this species will become much more specific, you will get tons of information from shark experts such as shark senses, and the importance of sharks in the marine ecosystem.

Finally, you will be analyzing why and where most of accidents occur, plus how to prevent them.

In addition, this certification will also address the proper equipment required while diving with sharks, what is an appropriate behavior, when shark´s are nervous, and  what to do in case of an accident or proximity. However, the most important aspect of the specialty is preservation of the species.

This last issue is very important for us at Phantom Divers because we want all of our divers to be aware of the importance of sharks. We want to create admiration and respect in our society towards creating a change in Playa del Carmen and the world. In order to achieve our goal we need people to be informed and interested in taking care and action for our oceans and life that inhabits them.

 

www.phantomdivers.com 

info@phantomdivers.com

52 (984) 9879 3988 

Cenote Experience

What is a Cenote?

The Yucatan Peninsula was once covered by a prehistoric sea. The remains of the sea life caused the area to contain a large amount of calcium. This formed large underground limestone deposits. Over the centuries rain water has slowly seeped through the topsoil and eroded these deposits. The erosion slowly caused cavities to form and fill with water. The collapse of the rocks created more space for more limestone to be dissolved, creating a larger space. Some, but not all, cenotes are open to the surface due to a roof collapse from the continued erosion of the stone above them.

Cavern diving has risks and some limitations as the diving takes places in an overhead environment. Some limitations are:

• Carry at least on light per diver
• Stay in the limits of the natural daylight
• Do not exceed a distance of more than 60m linear from the next opening
• Maximum 4 divers per guide

Some important therminology

Speleotherm: A secondary mineral deposit formed in caves, most commonly calcite

Stalactite: A speleotherm hanging downwards from a roof or a wall

Stalagmite: A speleotherm projecting vertically upwards from the floor

Halocline: the point where salt and fresh water meet.

Book your Cenote dive with Phantom divers! It is a unique experience you can only do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We have daily trips to different cenotes, and you ca always ask for a special request.

www.phantomdivers.com

info@phantomdivers.com