Dugong, the mystical mermaid...

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Abu Dabbab, Egypt, 23/1-2012

N25°19.508´
E034°47.927´

Sailing distance made: 6840 nautical miles

They are believed to be the source of mermaid legends...

But today, this large marine mammal, is threatened with extinction. We are searching for the dugong...



Together with the manatees, the dugong (Dugong dugon) is one of four living species of the order Sirenia and are also called sea cows. In the Red sea the dugong is the only representative of the sea cows.

Already when we entered Red sea, our highest goal was to film the dugong. But how difficult would it be to find this mythical mermaid?





The diet of the sea cows consist mainly of sea-grass and they are normally found in shallow, protected areas.

From the locals we get some advice were to search for the dugong, and soon thereafter we are already in the bays searching...

Under water, the first thing we see is the friendly sea turtles...





We make many dives and the turtles are always there, welcoming us to the under water world. But where is the sea cow?



Finally!!! A dream becomes true when I sea a huge dark sheadow in the water. I can hardly believe it, but truly it is a dugong!!! :)



The dugong dives slowly down to the bottom, where it starts to eat from the seagrass...




What a lovely experience to be side by side with this amazing animal! The dugong behaves really calm and its does not seem to be worried about us or our cameras...




After a while, the dugong get new plans...

With a playful, as well as curious look, he starts playing in the sand... Now, it is playing time!









However, food is important and it does not take a long time before my new dive buddy is back eating at the sea bottom again...



The numbers of the dugong have decreased in recent times and many populations are close to extinction.

Today, this species is legally protected in most of the countries. Despite this, the main causes of population decline remain man-made and include hunting, habitat degradation, vessel strikes and fishing-related fatalities.





With a lifespan of 70 years or more, and a slow rate of reproduction, the dugong is especially vulnerable to extinction.

Today, the dugong is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae. The closest modern relative, Steller's sea cow, was hunted to extinction in the 18th century...




It is really sad to think of how vulnerable this species is, but I truly hope that the dugong will have a chance to survive in our profit thinking world...



It is amazing how fast time pass by when you are enjoying it! I spend many hours in the water and during the time I feel so happy when I am swiming side by side with a real mermaid... ;)




We make many lovely dives together with the dugong... and I can promise that it is really hard to get me out of the water when this friendly animal is in the surrounding!!! :)













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Snorkeling with Sea Turtles...

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Marsa Mubarak, Egypt, 15/1-2012

N25°30.753´
E034°39.117´

Sailing distance made: 6819 nautical miles

Happy greetings from a small bay south of Port Ghalib... Here we are spending most of our time under water... :)



... and of course, together with our new friends, the sea turtles!!! :)




With fins, mask, snorkel and camera in my hand, I am ready and happy to spend my day snorkeling with the turtles...

... and the friendly turtles are happy to spend their time eating seagrass at the bottom...






There are many turtles in the bay and with our cameras on record mode, we get lots of new film sequences and photos...





Many hours in the water and I can not get enough. I feel so free and happy in the blue water and when I look at the sea turtles it seem like they do feel the same... :)










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Hurghada - Hyndeman Reef

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Hyndeman Reef, Safaga, Egypt, 10/1-2012

N26°39.190´
E034°06.517´

Sailing distance made: 6737 nautical miles

We have been in Egypt for one month now and I think I slowly but surely will become to a real mermaid soon... ;)

Why spend time on dry land when there are so much to experience under water!


Our first weeks in the Red sea, we spent at the coral reefs east of Hurghada.



After a great Christmas, as well as New Year, filled with diving and snorceling, we head further south to continue our diving and filming in new under water areas...







Here, we spend both day and night out at sea. Before sunrise we are already in the water, searching for new "movie stars" ...




When the morning sun is touching the horizon it does not take a long time before the light even reach the under water world...




We continue our days diving and filming at the coral reefs...




Lovely days filled with so many nice experiences, especially under water, but even great and colourful sceneries above...



Now, we are at Hyndeman Reef, east of Safaga, where we have made nice divings both at the coral gardens, as well as some drop off diving.




Tonight, it is time for us to set sail again and head for new dive spots :)




I also want to say THANK YOU for all the great respons we have got for our films when they were broadcasted at the Swedish National Television!!

Until begining of February you can even find the films at SVT PLAY (se links below):

Corals of the North Atlantic: http://svtplay.se/v/2665240/koraller_i_morker_och_kyla

Sharks of the North Atlantic http://svtplay.se/v/2668431/naturfilm/hajar_i_kalla_vatten






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