Jill Studholme
A scuba diver for over 40 years with a degree in biology, Jill Studholme has an special interest in marine biology, coral reef conservation and the underwater environment. She edits SCUBA News (ISSN 1476-8011), the monthly newsletter with articles on diving and marine science. She tweets as @SCUBANews.
Hole-in-the-heart closure reduces risk of decompression sickness in divers
Closing a hole in the heart (a pfo) reduces the risk of decompression sickness by eliminating bubbles in the arteries after a dive
42,000 Turtles legally killed each year
Over 42,000 turtles are legally killed each year, 80% of them endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas), a study suggests.
British scientists investigated which countries allowed...
Shark Feeding Dives change Relative Abundances of Sharks
Shark feeding dives are increasing, yet are controversial. Shark tourism has great economic benefits, and can help shark conservation. What are the drawbacks?
Underwater Photography Guide Awards $80,000 of prizes to Contest Winners
Over $80,000 of prizes has been awarded to 64 underwater photographers, in the annual Ocean Art competition. Organised by the Underwater Photography Guide, judges...
Conger Eel is the Creature of the Month
The massive Conger Eel grows to almost 3 m (10 ft) long, the females often being bigger than the males. At night they hunt fish and crustaceans like crabs and lobsters. In spite of this divers often see crustaceans sharing a hole with a conger. Congers breed only once in their lives, at between 5 and 15 years of age. They migrate to deep water to spawn – some sources say as deep as 4000 m.
‘100 Years’ until Bleaching a Problem for Corals in Northern Red Sea
Warming seas around the world are threatening corals. But scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar-Ilan University have noticed that corals in...
MSC Certifies Maldives Tuna Fishery Sustainable
Marine Stewardship Council awards the Maldives' pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery its sustainability certification. This follows independent assessment against the MSC's environmental standard. The...
Manta Ray is Creature of the Month
The Giant Manta Ray is the largest living ray and a very impressive sight underwater. Mantas migrate vast distances, crossing international boundaries, in search of food. Products from manta rays have a high value in international markets, and targeted fisheries hunt them for their valuable gill rakers used in traditional Chinese medicine. Monitoring and regulation of the exploitation and trade of manta rays is urgently needed, as well as protection of key habitats.
Midnight Snapper is Creature of the Month
Bright yellow eyes distinguish the Midnight Snapper (Macolor macularis) from related species. You find it in the Western Pacific between 3 and...
Mauve Stinger is Creature of the Month
The Mauve Stinger, or Luminescent Jellyfish, is a beautiful jellyfish. Often coloured purple, you can find it around the world in warm and temperate...