Pew Oceans Commission Calls for Immediate Reforms
Overfishing at sea, over-development along the coasts, and increasing pollution from cities and fields are leading to a decline of ocean wildlife and the collapse of ocean ecosystems, according to a landmark report released today by scientists, fishermen, conservationists, business leaders, and elected officials. The independent Pew Oceans Commission calls for immediate reform of U.S. ocean laws and policies to restore ocean wildlife and protect ocean ecosystems. The comprehensive report, entitled America’s Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change, is the result of a three-year, nationwide study of the oceans.

Among the leading findings and recommendations: Due to a hodgepodge of narrow laws, U.S. ocean policy is in need of reform to reflect changes in our knowledge of the oceans; thus, the commission will call for the passing of a National Ocean Policy Act to protect, maintain and restore the living oceans. Another solution would cut across lines of jurisdiction to involve all members of the community, streamlining federal management to bring fishermen, scientists, citizens together to develop management plans.

The finding of toxic substances running off cities, streets, yards, and fields, emanating from our smokestacks and tailpipes present the greatest pollution threat to coastal waters.

The Commission calls for (1) national standards that set nutrient pollution limits and (2) compliance with these standards and further reductions in toxic pollution using watershed-based approaches.

The Commission is distributing the report to governors and to citizens in all 50 states and territories, and in over 30 countries. The public may download or order America’s Living Oceans at www.pewoceans.org.

Pioneer in Sport Diving Dies
Paul J. Tzimoulis, one of the true pioneers in sport diving, has died. His management skills were evident in the 34 years that he was the guiding force in dramatically building the granddaddy of diving magazines, Skin Diver Magazine. In 1966, at the young age of 29 years old, he was named Editor/Publisher. Since then, he served in various capacities, Editor, Editor-in-Chief, Publisher and Group Vice President.

During his tenure at Skin Diver, he provided the dynamic leadership of development of such industry milestones as the certification card dive travel, dive computers and buoyancy compensators.

For many years he guided Skin Diver during its largest growth period, with many publishing innovations and contributions to diving. After a distinguished career with Skin Diver, Tzimoulis retired as Vice President, Executive Publisher and Group Publisher for the Photography/Marine Division of Petersen Magazine Network.

Tzimoulis returned from retirement to become Executive Consultant of Sport Diver Magazine and Online Publisher of the Sport Diver Website.

He was a prolific writer on many other ocean subjects, including marine life, ocean technology, diving equipment, underwater operations and many other aspects of the oceans and lakes of the world.

Truth Fish Count Dives
Truth Aquatics is sponsoring 2 one-day trips aboard the Truth in July for the Great American Fish Count. Truth Aquatics will give 50 percent off the price of the trip, to anyone who completes fish counts on two dives during the trip.

The dive trips will be on 5 July and on 16 July. To contact Truth Aquatics for details visit www.truthaquatics.com on the web or call 805-962-1127.

The web page for REEF gives information about the survey project: www.reef.org/data/surveyproject.htm.

Mexicana Airlines Offers Discount to Scuba Divers
Mexicana Airlines is offering scuba divers a 10 percent discount off any published fare from Los Angeles to San Jose Del Cabo, Cancun, Cozumel, and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

For reservation and ticketing, contact the Los Angeles Sales Office at (310) 646-0401. Mention this promotion and receive a 10 percent discount instantly. Your electronic ticket will be waiting at the LAX airport.

Offer valid through December 31, 2003. Some restrictions apply.

LAUPS International U/W Photo Competition
The popular and prestigious Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society (LAUPS) International Underwater Photographic Competition is now open. A video raw footage category has been added and some conditions of entry and category definitions changed. The deadline for entry is September 26, 2003.

Entry categories, rules and entry form may be reviewed and downloaded at www.laups.org/contest_03.htm. This is one of the oldest and largest underwater photographic competitions. You can review the previous four year’s competition results by clicking on International Photo Competition Results at www.laups.org. 

This competition is only possible due to the generosity of sponsors. Invaluable support has been provided by the Los Angeles Natural History Museum, Weldon Color Labs, Thermostatic Industries (TMO) and Art by Rogest.