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Fish 'n Fins & Ocean Hunter - News
Kurt Amsler's special trip with Ocean Hunter 3 April 23-30/2010 |
Posted Feb 9th 2010 |
Habla Español??
Check Buceo Palau, our partners' new website:
http://www.buceopalau.com/
Kurt Amsler's special trip with Ocean Hunter 3 April 23-30/2010 |
Posted Dec 19th 2009 |
Kurt Amsler will be leading a special trip aboard
Ocean Hunter III next April.
Mr. Amsler is considered by many as one of the best underwater photographers in the world. He has published books and articles which feature his unique achievements. On April 23rd, Kurt and Orca Reisen from Germany will be sharing his talent aboard Palau’s most luxurious live aboard. Spaces are still available!
For more details check: http://www.orca.de
For bookings contact Orca Reisen: weltweit@orca.de
| Marry Xmas and happy Hanukah to all our friends |
Posted Dec 15th 2009 |
| Fish 'n Fins first Alumni night | Posted Dec 14th 2009 |
Francis, Fish ‘n Fins founder returned to Palau from Oregon, USA on Nov. 1st following a courageous battle with cancer. To celebrate Francis return, Fish ‘n Fins along with Susan (Francis wife) organized the first alumni night for previous dive guides and staff. We had unique the opportunity to gather the guides who created the legend of Palau diving industry. These old timers literally discovered all the dive sites and the WWII wrecks that we dive today.
For the young generation of Fish ‘n Fins dive guides it was an opportunity to spend time and listen to stories of how diving started in Palau 35 years ago by Francis and his friends.
Great food was provided by Susan and Barracuda and music by our own musician and guitar player Lemuel.
Divers
Divers who visited Palau in 1970’s and 1980’s can recognize some of the faces in the photos: Masao, Mathew, Winkler, Adolf, Steven, Dexter, Demai, Sixtus, Hudson, Selestin, Clarens, Wilma and many others drivers and guides…
| Fish 'n Fins assist the Micronesian Shark Foundation | Posted Nov 9th 2009 |
Environmental awareness in general and Shark protection in Palau in particular start at young age.
Since the beginning of 2009/2010 school year in Palau the Micronesian Shark Foundation which is affiliated with Fish ‘n Fins, visit schools in Palau and teach kids about the importance of shark protection.
Timothy lectures and explains all 5th graders in Palau about sharks, their importance to the environment, their habitat and the threat of extinction they are facing. To make the kids comfortable with sharks we use Shark custom mascot name Finny (with Jonathan inside making the kids laugh with his dancing..) to familiarize the kids with the “evil” shark.
At the end of the day all kids volunteer to become Shark Rangers of Palau
We are the champions! |
Posted Oct 29th 2009 |
Fish ‘n Fins basketball team clinched the business championship title by beating Palau Royal Resort team in a close overtime game.
Under coach Silas and our own basketball stars Clint, Moses, Matty, Malsol and other Fish ‘n Fins staff the team was unbeaten in 13 games to win the title.
For next season championship Fish ‘n Fins is looking for a 2 meter tall (6’4”) dive instructor/dive guide, bonus for extra height…
Championship photo from left: (standing) Matty, Silas, Malsol, Moses, Jonathan as "Finny", Ronlad, Antonio, Fabio, Junior, Mavrick. (Kneeling) Clint, Ken.
Photos from left: Fish ‘n Fins mascot “Finny” support the team along with one of our divers. Score board shows 57:57 before going to overtime. Fish ‘n Fins team with supporters and families
| PADI recognizes Fish 'n Fins | Posted Sep 29th 2009 |
On September 29th, 2009 Fish ‘n Fins has received recognition from PADI for
10 years of excellence in teaching and certifying divers.
Michael Janssen, PADI regional manager presented the trophies both for Fish ‘n Fins and Ocean Hunter PADI centers.
Fish ‘n Fins is the only dive center in Palau with dive instructors who can tech in English, Japanese, German, Russian, Filipino and Hebrew .
Photo from left: Michael Janssen, Tova Harel (GM)and Jacky Brabon (Fish 'n Fins chief instructor)
| IDC course and IE at Fish 'n Fins | Posted Sep 28th 2009 |
Fish ‘n Fins is Palau’s only PADI IDC (Instructor Development Center). Last summer we run the first IDC course in Palau since 2000. Following last year success we did it again! In October 2009, we run and completed another IDC course
With course director Ross Guzman (who run the course last years as well) Timothy Olikong, Andrea Walkner and Hirokazu “Hiro” Tatebe from Fish ‘n Fins successfully completed the IDC course and IE (Instructor examination).
From left: Timothy practice teaching during IDC (left). Andrea, Hiro and Tim before diving (center). Proud PADI instructors with PADI examiner M. Jenssen.
Timothy is the first Palauan to become a PADI Instructor in over 12 years.
Andrea with her native German language will teach and certify German and English speaking divers
Hiro San will teach both in Japanese and English.
We would like to thank PADI and PADI regional manager Michael Janssen for assisting and supporting Fish ‘n Fins.
| Francis Toribiong Cancer Fund | Posted Sep 10th 2009 |
Our friend Francis Toribiong - - family man, explorer, mentor and dive legend and founder of Fish ‘n Fins - - was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. 
With medical bills soaring to more than US $120,000.00 thus far and no insurance to cover it, Francis and Susan are in dire need of financial assistance.
Francis’s friends from around the world have created a website where friends, divers and companionate people can donate money
Please click below to visit:
Francis Toribiong Cancer Fund
On January 30th, 2010 Francis will receive the ultimate honor and recognition in the diving industry, he will be inducted into the Scuba Hall of fame, an honor given to very few. Francis will be forever in the company of Jacques‐Yves Cousteau, Lloyd Bridges, Sylvia Earle, David Doubilet, Rodney Fox and other diving pioneers.
Shark Week Palau 2009 bring to a close |
Posted March 15th 2009 |
After 7 days of great shark diving during the day and lectures at nights, Shark Week Palau 2009 ended with a joyous gala night. Honorable Governor Adachi of Koror state who is in charge of the southern lagoon (where most of the dive sites are located) was the guest of honor and praised the event and the Micronesian Shark Foundation for the work we do. With great food and drink we invited everyone to come back for Shark Week Palau 2010. For some of our guests who came to Shark Week it was the 4th time in the event. During the Gala night, Richard Brooks showed the video he made for the guest. Tova, Micronesian Shark Foundation founder invited Shell Palau representatives and thanked them for their continues support. Shell Palau has been a supporter and sponsor of the foundation for the last 6 years! Aqua Lung donated prizes for the raffle and divers were delighted to win great prizes such as slingshot fins, masks, snorkels and books.
Contact us for more information about Shark Week 2010
Photos from left: Governor Adachi closes Shark Week Palau 2009 (left), Tova and Shell Palau representatives (center), Dr. Mark Meekan lecture about his work with Whale sharks in Australia.
More than 70 Juvenile Gray Reef Sharks at Short Drop Off |
Posted March 13th 2009 |
Yesterday, our dive guide Yoko visited 
Short Drop Off dive site with a group of Shark Week guests, they spotted more than 70 Juvenile Gray Reef Sharks. Today, Tova, Dr. Mark Meekan and Navot went there again and documented the sharks both on Video and photos.
The healthy young sharks swim as one group but often break apart and rejoin the big school along the reef. They mainly stay at 90’ with occasional visits to shallower water on top of the reef.
Above photo: Juvenile Gray Reef Sharks at Short Drop Off
Below photos from left: Dr. Mark Meekan, Tova, Navot at safety stop during juvenile shark dive at Shark Week 2009.
Welcome! Ed and Daniel Bank are back with us! |
Posted March 12th 2009 |
For years now, Ed Bank and son daniel come to Palau and 
dive with us for 3 or 4 week. As Ed told me today: "This is the best time of my life!!"
Ed (in Blue Rain Jacket), Daniel (Center) and Fish 'n Fins guys after a day of great diving (again...)
| First day of diving SHARK Week Palau | Posted March 9th 2009 |
(Photo right)Tova Harel Bornovski briefs one of the dive groups about Shark Count at dive sites during shark week (Photo left) Shark week participants before leaving for shark diving.
| Shark Week Palau 2009 opens! | Posted March 8th 2009 |
Eight years ago Tova Harel and Navot Bornovski have realized the importance of promoting shark protection and awareness in Palau. In 2003 we have created the 1st annual event of SHARK WEEK PALAU. To celebrate the uniqueness of shark diving in Palau we invited divers from all over the world to join us for a week of shark diving, lectures, movies and fun.
Over the last 7 years we hosted some of the world’s most amazing shark experts and environmentalists.
Among our friends and colleagues that joined us in previous years are:
World famous photographer David Doubilet and Dr. Jennifer Hayes
Sharks’ most famous ambassador Rodney Fox and his wife Kate.
Dr. Mark Meekan from AIMS who is leading a shark research program in Palau.
Greg Marshall from National Geographic with his critter cams
Dr. Phil Lobel from Boston University who lead the pilot research program for the Micronesian Shark Foundation.
Rob Meyers- fish expert
In 2009 we are proudly hosting Dr. Mark Meekan who is leading the Micronesian Shark Foundation shark research and Mrs. Christine Gstettnoer, VP of Shark Project.
Minister of Tourism and resources, the Honorable Harry Fritz welcomed more than 100 participants which more than 40 are divers who came specially to the event from Holland, UK, Germany, Austria, USA, Russia and Guam, The Ukraine, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Japan. Mr. Fritz was emphasizing during his speech of the importance of the sharks to the world wide environment and Palau Economy and promised to support the protection and research of sharks in Palau.
Minister of Resource, Development and Tourism Honorable Harry Fritz opens Shark week Palau 2009 at Palau International Coral Reef Center
| New Websites | Posted February 26th 2009 |
Welcome!! If you've been here before you might have noticed that something has changed - yes, we've launched two new look websites! Both the Fish 'n Fins and Oceanhunter.com websites are now hopefully easier on the eye and more simple to navigate, making it easier for you to find the information that you need. Plus we've added some new content, including a Movie Gallery to showcase some of the fantastic video shot by Richard, our Fish 'n Films Photo Shop videographer.
So take some time to look around and see what's new on both the sites.
