LEARN TO SHOOT IN STYLE
Underwater shutterbugs looking to up their game can now choose from a full range of services at Wakatobi Dive Resort, which includes private guides, private boats and one-on-one workshops and in-water sessions with their resident photo pro, Marco Fierli. Marco can tailor both single- and multi-day programmes based on your aspirations and current skill levels, covering everything from the basics to advanced imaging and post-processing.
Maybe you’re undecided about your next big rig, or want to try out a full-on DSLR before you invest the big bucks? Why not try out one of Wakatobi’s two complete Seacam housed systems: one with a Canon 5D Mark II, the second with a Canon 5D Mark III. Each can be fitted with a wide choice of lenses and matching ports, along with Seacam strobes.
You can also stay in their newand-improved two-bedroom villa while you perfect your skills, and, when you’re not shooting or slaving away in Adobe Lightroom, you can enjoy the sea breeze on the deck or take a cooling dip in the plunge pool. Villa residents are treated like royalty with a private butler and private dive guide. Upgrading your underwater photography capabilities was never so luxurious!
ONE STEP CLOSER TO SAVING MALAYSIA’S REEFS
Government departments, NGOs, and universities got together in Kuala Lumpur to roll out a series of action plans to protect Malaysia’s marine ecosystems. The strategies address threats to the ocean around four focal points: tourism, waste, development and fishing. Guiding the process is the idea that by addressing threats at a local level, reefs will be more resilient to changes occurring on a global scale.
The plans are based on work carried out by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), which researched and tested a number of approaches. All stakeholders were invited to a one-day workshop, held on November 17, 2015, and hosted by RCM and the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia (DMPM). All participants had a chance to feedback to RCM and DMPM, which will incorporate this input before the policies are circulated to the agencies that will implement them.
Considering the recent mass bleaching event predicted to take place as a result of the current El Niño, these action plans could not come at a more important time for Malaysia’s reefs.