Congratulations are in order for video producer Mary Lynn Price and DiveFilm.com! iTunes recently announced its “Best of 2007 Podcasts,” and DiveFilm’s High Definition Podcast Video has been named to the “Best of 2007 Podcasts, Classics - Video” list.

The only diving-related podcast to make the iTunes “Best of 2007″ list, DiveFilm Podcasts have been featured at iTunes since launching in December 2005, shortly after the first video-capable iPods were introduced.

The podcasts are now available in two versions, the original DiveFilm Podcast Video and the DiveFilm High Definition Podcast Video.

“When video podcasting first became possible, it seemed like a phenomenal way to reach more viewers with the short underwater videos that many of us were creating.” said DiveFilm producer Mary Lynn Price. “Because of this exposure we’ve been able to reach a far more diverse audience, and help raise awareness about the underwater world that means so much to us.”

Visit DiveFilm.com to learn more about the podcasts.

The Sony HDR-HC7 is the latest generation of High Definition (HD) camcorder, capturing the highest quality HD video possible on MiniDV cassette. The revolutionary Seatool SHV-HC7 underwater housing conforms closely to the HC7 camcorder body, and thus is one of the smallest and lightest underwater video housings ever produced, and is the smallest HD housing on the market.

HD video continues to gain popularity in the consumer market, and the compact, affordable HC7 is Sony’s most recent prosumer camcorder. It features high resolution and breathtaking imagery for both the hobbyist and serious amateur videographer. Paired with the HC7, the new Seatool housing brings underwater HD video to divers in a compact and affordable package.

Check it out at Dive Rite Express, or view the amazing footage this takes at LEDiveVideo.com.

As always, free worldwide shipping applies to this and any order over $350.

Are you a nudibranch fan? Do you find yourself staring at the reef, peering into little crannies, gazing at patches of coral…all in the hope that you’ll spot one of these wonderfully patterned, and often remarkably camouflaged, jewels of the sea? If so, then you’re in luck. FiNS Consultants Helmut Debelius and Rudie Kuiter have just released a new book called Nudibranchs of the World.

At 360-pages, this isn’t your ordinary guidebook. It’s the second in a series of atlases that this hard-working, self-taught pair of marine-ID experts is working on.

Unlike Helmut’s original IKAN series of guidebooks, which most divers in Asia are familiar with, this new book, as well as the World Atlas of Marine Fishes (the first book in the new series which was released slightly less than two years ago), aims to provide a comprehensive reference for comparing species in all the world’s oceans — no easy task.

To this end, Nudibranchs of the World contains over 2,500 images contributed by more than 100 photographers, covering nearly 1,200 species of sea slugs. No doubt there are more of the shell-less sea snails patrolling the seas, but the images in this book provide the most extensive reference for divers available to date.

If you’re an avid diver or sea slug enthusiast, this is a must-have. It’s far too heavy to take on dive trips, so get one for your bookshelf, and hopefully your dive resort will have a copy on hand for your slug-ID emergencies!

For more information, listen to the interview with Helmut below, which is also available via our iTunes Podcast

Worldwide distributor list

Helmut’s contact

If you’re one of those people who has every gadget known to modern diving, or if you’re looking for a really special present for someone who’s got everything, how about a personal UBoat?Say what? 

U-Boat Worx, a company based in The Netherlands, has developed personal U-Boats (basically very comfortable submarines) that come in one- and two-seater models. Called C-Questers, these oh-so-cool looking submersibles can dive to 50 metres, hold a steady 1-atmosphere of pressure (meaning no decompression issues) and come packed with safety features like redundant depth control (meaning you can’t sink past 50 metres) and advanced life-support systems (four redundant O2 sensors, redundant fans and CO2 scrubber to keep the air clean).  

The CQ1 and CQ2 are stable at the surface and light enough to move around without the need for special support ships, cranes and all the other attendant hassle usually required to have this much fun.Of course, there’s a catch.  

In order to pilot one of these Bond-esque babies, you need to take a 4-day course to becomes a certified U-Boat captain. Once certified though, you’re officially a babe/ hunk (depending on your preference) magnet. 

Join FiNS Magazine Associate Editors Gunther Deichmann and Tony Wu from 22 to 27 April 2008 for a fun-filled, action-packed and unique photography workshop in the Micronesian paradise of Palau.

This special event will be hosted by Sam’s Tours, and will include opportunities to learn about both topside and underwater photography.

Palau is world-renowned for its spectacular scenery both above and below the waves, so there’ll be no shortage of subjects to pick from, and both Gunther and Tony will diligently devote all their attention to addressing your questions.

More details on the workshop to come shortly. In the meantime, email Dermot Keane of Sam’s Tours for booking information.

Here’s a stupid and cruel gift for the holidays that’s allegedly selling well in Australia.

Dubbed the iPond and sold by Pets Paradise and Pets Good Direct down under, the little tank holds about 650 millilitres of water, barely enough to qualify as a puddle.

You stick a fish in it and blast it with music. Pets Paradise apparently throws in a Siamese fighting fish so you don’t have to find your own victim fish.

Not to worry though. As a spokeswoman for Pets Paradise and Pet Goods Direct noted: “The chains were satisfied that fish in iPonds did not suffer.”

More here.

The deadlines for two photo contests being run by Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide are coming up. The deadline for the Our World Underwater 2008 photo contest is 13 January 2008, and for DEEP 2008 on 15 February 2008.

Get your entries in asap to compete for US$80,000 in prizes! In addition, contest winners will be published in a special issue of Wetpixel Quarterly. For rules and guidelines see http://underwatercompetition.com

FiNS Publisher Edmund Tee (who always wants to be the centre of attention, as in this photo) recently won an award from Microsoft, where he is a consultant (hard to believe, eh?), for helping make possible a simple idea: taking existing technology and adapting it in an innovative way to fill a pressing need.

In this instance, the solution allowed the American Red Cross to deploy cellular phone and wireless internet access in the heart of disaster zones. The project, driven by Edmund’s team, now makes it possible for aid workers to have connectivity to the outside world, enhancing rescue and relief efforts. Specific applications include providing expedited check-in at refugee shelters and also helping refugees track down lost family and friends.

Edmund received his award directly from Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer (far left, second from left).

International conservation organisation Oceana has just released a report indicating that fishing vessels from the European Union are circumventing EU regulations on shark finning by going abroad…essentially cheating in order to reap profit from the seemingly insatiable appetite for shark fins in Asia.

Greed knows no boundaries.

Read the press release here, and download the full PDF report here.