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The September
Sea-gram
from MilaBooks.com
For ocean lovers, divers,
and "deep-thinkers."
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Whales Under Attack -- Again!
Iceland Decides to Resume Whaling
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(Paul Mila Photo, Humpbacks in Tonga ©
"Pectoral Magic!"
One of my all-time favorite photos and memories:
Free-diving with humpback whales in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific with Rob Barrel and NAI'A.
You can see why Yankee whalers gave humpback whales their Latin name, Megaptera Novaeangeliae.
Translation: "Giant Winged of New England."
NAI'A founder and operator, Rob Barrel, told us we would see "The dancing humpbacks" during our visit to Tonga. Time and time again, these aquatic giants treated us to synchronous displays like this:
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Contrast the above photo with these next two, showing how Japan's "Scientific Whaling Program" studies whales, and you will understand why we need to save the whales! | |
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Welcome to the September 2023 Sea-gram,
from MilaBooks.com
This free-wheeling issue ranges from concerns about the resumption of whaling by Iceland, to the joy of watching sea turtle hatchlings race to the sea, with a few other interesting stories in between.
This month's Featured Creature is the Great Barracuda,
always a treat to see up close & personal.
Sea Turtle Update: From Cozumel to the Carolinas, it's sea turtle hatching season. In many locations it's been a record season so far!
This month's Story Behind the Photos features an interesting dive in an unlikely place.
Please visit the Tropical Book Nook, and check out some entertaining books by the Tropical Authors' Group.
I hope you enjoy the September Sea-gram, and share it with your friends and family.
Paul Mila
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Photo of the month!
Sea-gram fan Martin Ruiz
sent us this interesting photo.
The lesson: Think twice before naming your boat!
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Iceland Resumes the Whale Hunt! | |
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After a temporary suspension of commercial whaling, Iceland decided to resume killing finback whales.
This link from the Animal Welfare Institute provides the gruesome details: The Hunt Resumes!
While whaling is illegal in most countries, Iceland, Norway, and Japan still engage in whaling.
My 2006 adventure novel, Whales' Angels, illustrates the politics and tactics of how these countries attempted to subvert the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling years ago.
The "Angels" are the brave men & women who put their lives on the line, maneuvering their small Zodiacs between the whales and the hunters' harpoons -- with deadly consequences!
Click on the book cover, a photo of a baby humpback whale watching me, for more information:
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Featured Creature
The Great Barracuda
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An interesting animal that divers frequently encounter is the Great Barracuda, scientific name: Sphyraena Barracuda.
Barracudas are found in warm tropical waters, but also venture into temperate waters. They sometimes follow divers and snorkelers, but are more curious than dangerous. However, it you are wearing something like a shiny bracelet that resembles fish scales, barracudas tend to get more curious!
They usually exhibit a calm demeanor, presenting the underwater photographer with great photo ops.
This big boy on Cozumel's Palancar Reef, let me approach to within a couple of feet, but when he flashed his dentures I knew it was time to back off!
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This toothy torpedo in Antigua was calmly hovering over some soft corals when I snapped this photo. | |
This four-footer eye-balled me as it calmly cruised along the bottom in Cozumel. | |
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Of course, with barracudas things can go south in a hurry, especially when there is blood or a struggling fish in the water!
Dick Stuart captured this toothy photo of a hungry barracuda charging through our ScubaWithAlison dive group on Cedral Pass in Cozumel, Mexico.
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The video below, watched by over 1.1 million YouTube viewers, shows what happened next! | |
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Dive instructor Allison Dennis, wearing her colorful "bozo dive cap," was guiding new diver Sylvia Stuart through her first open water dive during the attack.
Tough to top this dive for excitement!
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Sea Turtle Nesting Updates
From the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Juno Beach, Florida.
We have seen record temperatures in Juno Beach this summer, as well as the amount of nests we are recording in our 9.5-mile survey area. Our research department has recorded 24,843 nests so far this season.
The nesting turtles broke three all-time records this year:
• The all-time total nest record (set in 2019 with 20,998 nests)
was broken on July 26, 2023.
• The all-time loggerhead nest record (set in 2016 with 15,234 nests)
was broken on August 4, 2023.
• The all-time green turtle nest record (set in 2017 with 7,808 nests)
was broken on August 8, 2023.
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From Cozumel
This video story shows how Cozumel is educating young residents and visitors about sea turtles.
Click on the link for this very interesting video:
Cozumel's Sea Turtle Education Program
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This short video I took in Cozumel shows the hatchlings' desperate sprint to the sea. Enjoy! | |
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Your own little sea turtle lover will enjoy reading this entertaining and educational children's story, about how Harry Hawksbill helps Gracie Green Turtle find her nesting beach.
Click on the book cover for more information:
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Story Behind the Photos
Diving with Dive Quest
On a single dive recently, I got to dive with sand tiger sharks, . . .
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. . . and spotted eagle rays! | |
But I wasn't diving in the open ocean! | |
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I was diving in the giant aquarium at The Seas, With Nemo and Friends, in Disney's EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest
When you book your dive, you become part of the show. Observers (and your grand kids) can watch you during your dive. A very cool experience!
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Your Tropical Book Nook
Enjoy summer with these exciting beach reads!
Click on my Tropical Author Page below . . .
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. . . and also click on the Tropical Authors logo
to dive into tropical adventures from our other
Tropical Authors!
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* *Kids Corner* *
Start Teaching Them Young!
Carter is fascinated with his electronic aquarium. Hopefully soon he will graduate to the real thing!
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Check out the SEA SAVE Foundation
This environmental organization does a great job educating people about important conservation initiatives.
According to Sea Save, none of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are on Track, and SDG #14 (Life Under Water) has actually lost ground!
Click on Sea Save's blog for more information:
Ocean Week in Review
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Other Fun Things to Check out! | | |
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My beachfront studio condo in Cozumel, Mexico is available for rent.
Perfect for your romantic getaway or dive vacation!
For additional details please visit:
Cozumel Is Paradise
Also call 516-578-1482
or email me at pjmila@hotmail.com
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Loggerhead Marinelife Center Update
There's always something exciting going on at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Check out:
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Discover the
Coastal Discovery Museum,
Hilton Head, SC.
You can adopt a
sea turtle nest,
and so much more!
Click on the
sea turtle hatchlings
for more information
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Two Great Dive Industry sources of Information:
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For New York Area Diving
For the best
Cozumel diving
contact Alison Dennis:
Looking to buy your
Slice of Paradise?
Contact Nancy Edwards
Fulvio manages my
Little Slice of Paradise.
For other properties that Fulvio manages, visit:
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About MilaBooks.com
Your home for exciting dive adventure novels, nonfiction, children's books, and YouTube videos.
Just click on the reading dolphin, and swim around our website for more information.
C
Thanks for visiting;
we'll see you next month!
Paul J. Mila
MilaBooks.com
75 Titus Avenue
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-578-1482
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