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Scuba Diving News
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Sunday, 10 May 2009 22:02 |
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It looks like it could be an excellent year for Red Sea diving after some incredible whaleshark sightings.
Emperor Divers' guides reported sighting a manta in mid-January during a Sharm El-Sheikh dive and a seven-metre whaleshark in Feburary in Hurghada. 
A Whaleshark These reports are unusual as Manta sightings don't usually occur until March/April time, which coincides with coral spawnin, an increase in the Manta food supply. A warm winter, which has seen water temperatures remaining at 23C, insread of the usual 20C have been cited as a reason for the early sightings. Marine biologist and Emperor Sharm dive instructor, Daniele Zanoni said, "When it gets warmer earlier in the year, it can lead to an upswelling of nutrients from deep water. Since manta rays and whalesharlks feed on plankton they will thrive in conditions like this". |
