THE COVERS Articles & Editorials MAY 1999 • Volume 9 Number 5 
  
By Steve Simonsen		 In this month's issue, we take a look at a variety of different boat diving techniques. They can vary from one location to the next, from boat to boat, and even from dive to dive. From drift diving to anchoring to using floats and lines, it's amazing how many ways diving gets done. Even basic moves like getting in and out of the water are subject to regional interpretation, depending on variables like the type of boat you're in and the sea conditions. When you apply the appropriate techniques, you can expect a safer, more enjoyable boat diving experience.
FEATURES
22 Mating Games: Courtship and Seduction in the Sea
With more than 24,000 species of bony fishes and more than 1,000 kinds of cartilaginous fishes (sharks, rays, and skates), there are hundreds, if not thousands, of reproductive strategies found in the world of fishes. The author takes a peek at the sex lives of fishes and reveals a fascinating underwater world of courtship, spawning, mating and parental care. 		By Marty Snyderman
30 The 'Downs and Ups' of Boat Diving: The fluid world is in constant flux, which makes the "going down and up" part of scuba diving challenging at times. Diving from a vessel presents the greatest number of challenges because so many variables are involved. That's why there isn't a single "right way" rule governing boat diving techniques. By Jan G. Neal
40 Divers and Coral Reefs Part One:
The subject of just what role divers play in the worldwide plight of coral reefs is very interesting. Because of our high visibility we're easy targets for blame in their destruction. The truth is very different. In the first of a two-part feature, the author points out the real threats faced by coral reefs - sedimentation, destruction of coastal habitat, excessive nutrient input and the effects of fishing - and how divers can avoid being part of the problem by becoming part of the solution. 		By Alex Brylske
COMMENTARY
8 Editorial: "We Don't Care How You Do It Up North" By Cathryn Castle
10 Buddy Lines: Behind the Scenes
14 Diving Notes and News: U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Plans. Protection Strategies and other news from the diving industry By Alison Courtney
86 No Dumb Questions: Barracuda Bait? What to do when a barracuda has his eye on your diamond tiara By Alex Brylske
DIVE EXPLORATION
74 Dive Geo: The Bay Islands of Honduras. The Bay Islands are a captivating destination for anyone with a sense of adventure and a fondness for the sea. From scuba diving to snorkeling, sea kayaking and deep-sea fishing, the water surrounding this vacation area supports a healthy roster of related activities specifically geared for outdoor enthusiasts. By Bret Forbes
91 Dive Traveler: Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is? Understanding Time Changes Around the World. A look at time zones - where and why they change - and how to handle them when you travel By W. Lynn Seldon Jr.
93 Passport:Dive travel incentives around the globe
Compiled by Cathryn Castle
EVERY MONTH
51 Scuba Skills: Limited-Visibility Diving: When "Gin-Clear" Turns To "Pea Soup." Diving in limited visibility water requires many of the same skills that you use on every dive - buddying and navigation being the two most used - but in poor viz they take on added importance. By Lynn Laymon
55 Always Learning: Scuba Food: Dos and Don'ts for Dining and Diving: How to make your meal plan part of your dive plan By Mark Twombly
59 Dive Instructor Tips: All Choked Up Over a Free-Flow? Teaching Students to Breathe Easily. To the uninitiated, breathing from a wide-open second-stage while underwater can appear as easy as trying to take a sip of water from an open fire hydrant. The author shares a few tips on how to make free-flow breathing simple to teach - and to perform. By Jan Neal
63 Imaging: How to Paint With Light Using Underwater Strobes. Light is the heart and soul of any painting or underwater photograph. Learn how you can create "masterpiece" underwater images by using a strobe in much the same way an artist uses brush strokes on canvas. By Dave Albrecht
69 What About: Do-It-Yourself Boat Diving: How you can turn your own personal craft into a dive boat - what equipment and training you'll need, and how and where to get it By Amy Laboda
82 Smithsonian Reports: Smithsonian scientists report on Chesapeake Bay research station By Michael Lang, Edited by Alex Brylske
84 Dive Shop: Dive Gear Goes High-Tech
Compiled by Cathryn Castle
95 What's That: Clingy Crustaceans: The Facts About Barnacles. The author asks that age-old question, "Just what is a barnacle?" By Dee Scarr
101 Classifieds
105 Dive Training Quiz: Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue
106 Final Check: What It Looks Like... When You Use Teamwork to Don Your Tank. How to practice
good gearing-up 		By Linda Lee Walden