Latest news with #diver
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Before and after photos show 'dramatic' reality under the surface at Aussie beaches
"It looks like someone's been down there with a pressure washer and cleaned everything off the pylons." Those are the words of a devastated Steve Simmons, a diver of over 40 years. He's explored waters all around the world, but his favourite spot is Edithburgh Jetty in South Australia. In less than four months, his beloved diving oasis has become decimated from the algal bloom sweeping the state's coastline. The pictures he took eight months apart show the devastating impact the event is having on marine wildlife below the surface. "The first picture was taken about eight months ago, and it looked like that until April. That's when it all changed down there," Steve told Yahoo News. The second picture was only snapped a few weeks ago, with the once full-of-life jetty pylons now barren and mostly lifeless. "I was expecting to see a change, but never, ever imagined it to be that dramatic. It was quite confronting," he said. "It has basically gone from a beautiful, extremely colourful jetty, to what looks like a black and white picture." During his 40 years of donning a wetsuit and diving into Aussie waters, Steve has witnessed a vast range of marine life. At Edithburgh, situated 50 kilometres across the gulf from Adelaide, he said he has lost count of how many species he's seen. But today, there are hardly any. "There was a lot of abalone on their backs with their mantles curled up in the process of dying and numerous other dead fish and skeletons," he said. "There were thousands upon thousands of razor fish usually found down there. All dead." 🦈 Shark's worrying behaviour near coastline signals 'never seen' crisis 🏖️ Fisherman shocked by 'unfathomable' scene at Aussie beaches 🎣 Fisherman's sad admission highlights growing problem On his most recent dive, Steve saw few signs of life, with the usual species, including squid, frog fish, sea cucumbers, catfish, and leafy sea dragons all gone. "It's like a lush forest that had a bush fire go through it," he said. "This jetty was world class. It was dived by people nationally as well as internationally... and it's gone." Yahoo News has reported on multiple sightings of dead marine animals washing ashore since the algal bloom began to spread in March. Millions of shellfish were washed up on Goolwa Beach, and a string of sharks have been found along the state's coastline. However, most Adelaide residents now can't walk along city beaches without seeing dead creatures. State Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told Yahoo News the shoreline is simply a "graveyard of fish". A diver near Ardrossan in Yorke Peninsula — located over 75 kilometres north of Edithburgh — took underwater videos 55 days apart (seen below), and the difference between the marine activity is staggering since the algal bloom has spread. "With neon green water, the seabed was littered with dead and dying animals," Stefan Andrews, the co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation, wrote on social media. South Australia's Department of Environment and Water (DEW) told Yahoo News it is keeping a close eye on the situation and is carrying out daily testing of state waters. However, there is not much authorities can do to stop or reduce the impact of the algal bloom. "Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom," a DEW spokesperson told Yahoo last week. "The algal bloom is a dynamic situation. Its movement depends on weather and water conditions, and therefore makes the effect on people and wildlife unpredictable." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Footage captured 55 days apart show devastating impact of algal bloom
Two videos captured 55 days apart by a diver show the devastating impact of the algal bloom near Ardrossan in SA's Yorke Peninsula.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- RNZ News
Body found in search for missing diver in Auckland
Whatipū Beach. Photo: Fairfax Media A body has been found in the search for a diver who was reported missing at a remote West Auckland beach. Police were first called to Whatipū Beach about 5.20am on Thursday. Search crews have now located a body near Paratutae Island, just off the beach. There hasn't been a formal identification yet but police believe it is the missing diver. Their family has been advised and is being given support. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- RNZ News
Search under way for missing diver at Whatipū Beach
Whatipū Beach. Photo: RNZ / Ruth Kuo A search is underway for a diver who has been reported missing at a remote Auckland beach on Thursday morning. A police spokesperson said they were called to Whatipū Beach about 5.23am. "The police Eagle helicopter has deployed to assist with aerial-based searches, alongside police launch Deaodar, Search and Rescue and Coastguard New Zealand." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From rivers to college campuses, how these everyday heroes show up
CBS News contributor David Begnaud's latest installment of Dear David features inspiring stories sent by viewers, including the story of a diver who helped a family recover memories after a tragedy, and of two university students who help their friend with a medical condition. Diver's recovery mission A Wisconsin man who built an online following by cleaning rivers and rescuing lost items helped a grieving family recover precious memories after a fatal car accident. Ed Bieber, known as "Ed the Diver" on social media, dove into a frozen river near Wasau, Wisconsin, in March to retrieve two phones that had fallen into the water during a tragic accident that killed Bobby Nilles, a 43-year-old man from the Wasau area. Nilles died after his vehicle landed upside down in the frozen river on his way to work. His wife was first on the scene and lost her phone in the water while trying to save him. Nilles' phone was also at the bottom of the river. Derek Steinke, a friend of Nilles, reached out to Bieber on Facebook asking for help recovering the phones. Bieber, who has gained popularity documenting his river cleanup efforts and finding lost items ranging from fishing lures to drones, didn't hesitate to help. He successfully retrieved both phones, allowing the family to recover photos and messages they thought were lost forever. When the family offered payment, he declined. "From the bottom of our hearts, we wanted to help the family get their memories back," Bieber said. Bieber's diving hobby led him to meet his now-fiancée Christie Barlament, who purchased a mangled Barbie doll he had found in a lake. The couple, both 40, say their shared passion for giving back drives their underwater cleanup efforts. "I'm getting a little emotional here. There are a lot of great people out there. Ed is one of those great people," said Steinke. "My main goal is to clean up the waterways ... just do what I can as a person and make an impact," Bieber said. Students support classmate with medical condition Two Southeastern Louisiana University students have become lifelines for a classmate battling a nervous system disorder that can cause her to lose consciousness without warning. Reagan McCoy, a senior at the university, lives with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition that causes her heart rate to spike and her body to shut down unpredictably. The disorder has sent her to the hospital more than a dozen times in the past year. "I get lightheaded... I stop remembering where I am," McCoy said. Her classmate Bailey Babin has learned to recognize the warning signs and springs into action when McCoy needs help. "I tell Bailey like, 'Tag, you're it.' And she knows to kind of stop what she's doing if she can get me outside of the classroom as fast as possible," McCoy said. During episodes, Babin places McCoy's head on her lap and times the unconscious periods. If they exceed five minutes, she calls an ambulance. McCoy's boyfriend, Peyton Loving, also provides constant support as she navigates her health challenges while pursuing her degree. "Without Bailey or Peyton, I honestly don't know where I would be," McCoy said. Despite her health struggles, McCoy is graduating early from the university. She credits her friends with making her feel like more than her medical condition. "Her health problems don't define who she is. She's a lot more than that," Loving said. Babin, who describes McCoy as meaning "quite literally the world" to her, said she never questions her commitment to helping her friend. "When it comes to my friend's health and my friend's wellbeing, I'm gonna be there," Babin said. David Begnaud loves uncovering the heart of every story and will continue to do so, highlighting everyday heroes and proving that there is good news in the news with his exclusive "CBS Mornings" series, "Beg-Knows America." Every Monday, get ready for moments that will make you smile or even shed a tear. Do you have a story about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for someone else? Email David and his team at DearDavid@ Video shows Arizona police rescuing baby left alone for days Saving money vs. saving lives Colorado firebombing victim dies, suspect to be charged with 1st-degree murder
