ADI Management handed over to Squid Media

The management and marketing of ADI have been handed over to Squid Media Pvt. Ltd in November. Squid Media provides a comprehensive one-stop digital media solutions for all. We're also in the process of re-branding ADI. To see more about Squid Media, please check their website: http://www.squidmultimedia.com

'Brenda' the Manta

The Manta named 'Brenda' is one of the oldest recorded Manta Rays in the world according to Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler who has been researching the Manta Rays in the Maldives for the last couple of years. 'Brenda' was first recorded in 1986 and at that time she was about 10 years old. The photo below was taken at Lankan Manta Point (the outside reef of Paradise Island Resort) on 23rd October 2010.

The Life Aquatic with Lacadives!

We have officially partnered up with 'The Life Aquatic with Lacadives' from India. We'll be doing a lot of liveaboard trips all over the Maldives starting from 2011. Now a little info about who 'The Life Aquatic with Lacadives' are...

The Life Aquatic is a lifestyle company created under the Lacadives Brand. The Life Aquatic with Lacadives educates people about the blue planet, advocates a lifestyle of SCUBA diving and marine conservation, and acts in different fields to connect you with the life aquatic and open a new world to you.

Check them out @:

http://www.lifeaquaticlacadives.com
http://www.lacadives.com

Join the group if Facebook @: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=221448858517&ref=ts

Underwater Video Shoot for TravelXP Channel

We just finished the first part of the underwater video shoot for a travel show called 'Great World Hotels' for the channel TravelXP. The shoot was at Huvafenfushi Resort & Spa in North Male' Atoll. The Dive & Water Sports Center 'Float' assisted us in every way they can to make the shoot go smooth. One more shoot left and we'll keep you updated...

Mohamed preparing the underwater camera port

Shaff & the director Tascha discussing the shots

Mohamed & Tascha busy at work

The host, Kim Jagtiani

Shaff & Abdulla from 'Float'

Up on the surface after finishing the shoot

Hanifaru trip onboard the Atoll Cruiser

A dive expedition to Hanifaru, Baa Atoll from 2nd - 9th August onboard the Atoll Cruiser was a real success. The divers from India and UK did some pretty great dives at Hanifaru bay for 4 days and also snorkeled with Mantas and Whale Sharks. ADI co-founder and famous DJ Nikhil Chinapa joined the trip as well. We're going to be sending one of our cameraman on board the Atoll Cruiser and her sister vessel Finolhu on their scheduled trips from October. So keep an eye out for breath taking underwater and surf videos and photos.

Atoll Cruiser (www.faunutravels.com)

Nikhil finally conquered Hanifaru!

Whale Shark at Hanifaru

Mantas feeding at Hanifaru

Divers enjoying a Baa Atoll dive site

All photos courtesy of Eddie Huzzey

ADI is BACK after a break!!!

Aqua Dreams Imaging is back after a break from filming and photography. Have finished a few shoots in the short time we're back and will update the blog regularly.

Eyes of a Hawkfish, Banana Reef

Maldives Government to impose ban on trade and export of sharks and shark products

The cabinet in its meeting today has decided to ban trade and export of sharks and shark products. The ban will come into effect on 1 July 2010. Today’s cabinet meeting was chaired by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

In their meeting on 23 February, the cabinet had discussed on the decision to impose a total ban on shark hunting by 1 March 2010. It was decided on that meeting that a paper on this matter should be submitted to the cabinet within 14 days.

At today’s meeting the cabinet deliberated on the paper submitted, and decided to enforce the decision on banning shark hunting in the Maldives beginning from 1 March 2010. It was also decided that the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture would assist shark fishermen to find alternative livelihood.

At today’s meeting, the cabinet also decided that the Maldives would ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of South Asian Regional Standards Organisation (SARSO).

One of the key objectives of this agreement is to develop harmonized standards for the region to facilitate intra-regional trade.

The members noted that with the ratification of this agreement, consumer confidence on Maldivian local products will improve and that the Maldives would benefit from SARSO assistance in formulation national standards.

From the site: http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv

Manta Rays of the Maldives - A presentation by Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler

Anne-Marie has individually identified over 1800 mantas and estimate there may be as many as 25000 mantas throughout the Maldives. Her research on migration activity by mantas within the Maldives was presented to the American Elasmobranch Society Devil Ray Symposium in July 2008 which was the largest meeting of manta specialists ever held.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Anne-Marie has individually identified over 1800 mantas and estimate there may be as many as 25000 mantas throughout the Maldives. Her research on migration activity by mantas within the Maldives was presented to the American Elasmobranch Society Devil Ray Symposium in July 2008 which was the largest meeting of manta specialists ever held.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Location: Hiriyaa School, Maafannu
Date: 14 March 2010
Time: 2000 hrs – 2130 hrs

This event is organised by Maldives Science Society together with Aqua Dreams Imaging.

Article published in Asian Geo Passport Magazine

An article that Mafu from ADI wrote and photos from Shaff have been published in the December 2009 issue of Asian Geo Passport magazine. You can download the article from the link below:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=34532&st=0&gopid=241648&#entry241648