July 2008    Download the Entire Issue (PDF)

Vol. 23, No. 7   What's this?

Flotsam & Jetsam

from the July, 2008 issue of Undercurrent  

Jazz Star Dies in Dive Accident. Swedish jazz pianist and composer Esbjörn Svensson, who won awards and acclaim in Europe and the U.S., died during a dive trip in Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago on June 16. Early reports at press time state that Svensson, 44, was diving near a jetty with other divers when he hit his head and lost consciousness. His body was found on the seabed, and CPR efforts were unsuccessful.

Spirit Airlines Alert, When you’re flying low-cost airlines, reconfirm your flight. Reader Jill Bruder purchased tickets to Turks and Caicos in July, departing from Detroit to Ft. Lauderdale and finally to Provo. She called before departure and learned that Spirit had rearranged her family’s flights to an earlier one to Atlantic City, where they would spend the night before reaching Provo. Because Spirit didn’t notify her, Bruder’s family would have arrived at the airport to find their flight had departed. “Cheaper flights have consequences. I rebooked on Delta and saved a family dive trip with some quick thinking and a Visa card.”

Old Broads Dive Club. For female divers, subscriber Mae Lon Ding (Anaheim, CA) wrote us about the Old Broads Dive Club that plans trips worldwide year round (gentleman guests are allowed). “The trips are well-priced and it’s a great way to meet other women divers,” says Ding. “I have been on several trips and they were all well-planned, lots of fun, and a good value.” Membership fees are $10. Upcoming trips are scheduled for La Paz, Baja California in October and Cozumel in February. Details are on the Old Broads’ Web site: www.obdc.org

What Do Reefs Mean to You? That’s the name of Reef Check’s underwater photo contest being held July 1 to August 31. Categories include Tropical Coral Reefs and California Rocky Reefs. Winners get an assortment of dive gear, and the overall winner’s prize is a five-day liveaboard on the Maldives liveaboard Manthiri (for one person only, though). Details are at www.reefcheck.org.

Lionfish Invasion. Since feeble-minded aquarists started dumping unwanted lionfish into Florida waters less than two decades ago, the fish has become a threat to the entire Caribbean ecosystem. There is no anti-venom for their sting, which can send victims to the hospital and even result in death. They’re a bold fish with no predators. Other reef fish, which have not developed a natural fear, are easy prey. One study shows that one lionfish can deplete 79 percent of a reef in five weeks. Find out how you can help at www.reef.org.