Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

**·**Conservation status: IUCN\* listed as ‘Near Threatened’

**·**Their common name comes from their distinct dorsal fins with black or dark brown tips.

For thousands of years sea monsters have appeared on maps as both warnings to travelers and as decorations. Chet Van Duzer explores these monsters in his new book _Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps _and gives readers a better understanding of their place and purpose in history.

Diving can be heavenly, never more so than in the presence of one of the loveliest creatures of the underwater world, angelfish. Luckily they are found in almost all parts of the globe, as these images taken by members of [ScubaDiving.com's Forum ](http://forums.scubadiving.com/forum.php)attest.

Due to their keen camouflage tricks and seeming ability to outsmart us, octopuses fascinate divers. The hunt is only the beginning: We scan reef and rubble for tentacles and shell piles, occasionally rewarded with an opportunity to discover this animal’s reactions. Will we be deceived, or do we give octopuses too much credit?

Marine photographer and conservationist Bryant Austin has recently released a new photo book entitled Beautiful Whale, which seeks to capture the wonder and mystery of some of the largest creatures ever to roam this Earth.

A photo gallery from our D2D message board that showcases the these least understood and most endangered predators of our seas.

Statia aims to make a big impact in increasing its numbers of baby green and hawksbill sea turtles, common specimens at the island’s many dive sites.

From the reef to the open ocean, some marine animals have found ways to ease the daily rigors of survival in the underwater world by joining forces. Symbiotic and commensal relationships sometimes create mutually beneficial relationships for wildly dissimilar creatures — much to the entertainment of divers.

Is it OK to touch marine life or feed sharks when diving? Two experts discuss.