A WOW moment of scuba Diving with a Whaleshark in Curaçao! Check out this recent, incredible and exceptional moment where scuba divers from @oceanencounters in Curaçao literally almost run into a Whaleshark while descending onto the fringing reef!
Many thanks to Jeff Litwak from SCUBATEEN Dive Tours ( [ Ссылка ] ) for capturing this amazing encounter right here in Curaçao!
Video recording date: February 5, 2023
Amazing moments like this further underline WHY Curaçao was once again voted as one of the Best Overall Dive Destinations in the Caribbean and Atlantic region in Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2023 Readers Choice Awards that ranks the World’s Best Diving Destinations!
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Curaçao is a Best Destination for Big Animals
“Since discovering Curaçao in the winter of 2006-2007, I can honestly say that it’s never the same scene twice since arriving here. Whale Sharks, Dolphins, Giant Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Hammerheads, Sea Turtles, a Mola Mola, and even a few Bryde's whales have all wandered into my path over the years. That’s the beauty of diving around Curaçao: it’s natural biodiversity.” says Bryan Horne, Dive Curaçao
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Saving Sharks in the Caribbean
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As recently as fifteen years ago, sharks, the apex predator of marine ecosystems, where abundant in Caribbean coastal waters. Over the past several years however, shark encounters while scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing have become a rare occurrence. The depletion of these keystone species is not unique to the Caribbean. Globally, shark populations have suffered rapid decline from over exploitation, threatening the health of coral reef and open ocean ecosystems that they maintain.
To counter this trend, and set an example for the region, in 2011 the St. Maarten Nature Foundation successfully lobbied for a ban on fishing and killing sharks and rays in the territorial waters around St. Maarten. In the last three years the region has seen the implementation of shark conservation action plans in the Bahamas, Honduras and Venezuela.
However, significant challenges exist amongst all stakeholders. Theses challenges must be overcome to reverse the damages that have been done to coral and fish communities. Unfortunately, up until recently, Curaçao has not actively took the steps necessary to cultivate a culture that safeguards its ocean resources for the benefit its people now and into the future. BUT, everything is set to change now! Curaçao has committed to take action and pledged resources to the UN Agenda 2030. * [ Ссылка ]
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Caribbean Shark Coalition
Dive Curacao has proudly joined the Caribbean Shark Coalition to become its newest member to represent the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, along with over 45 new members from NGOs, governments, and local businesses from nearly 30 countries, which have formally joined the CSC to build capacity around research, policy, and education efforts for these threatened species in the region. ** [ Ссылка ]
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Discover more than 70 amazing scuba diving and snorkeling sites on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, CLICK HERE: [ Ссылка ]
For more information and to plan your next adventure, visit these sites:
Dive Curaçao: [ Ссылка ]
Dive Travel Curaçao: [ Ссылка ]
Dive News Curaçao: [ Ссылка ]
Cover Photo courtesy of Ocean Encounters: [ Ссылка ]
Bonaire Aruba sustainable Tourism Travel
