Lace coral and encrusting sponge. La Botte, Mediterranean Sea.

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I am a marine biologist from New Zealand - the other side of the world – about as far from Italy as is possible on the planet. Italy’s latitude north is about the same as New Zealand’s latitude south. I see some parallels with that part of the world, as well as some contrasts. I have wide experience of the marine ecology of New Zealand, particularly northern New Zealand which is close to the water temperature range of Italy. My experience of Italy, however, is very limited. I have carried out only seven dives along the west coast of Italy and some of its offshore islands, from the north near Genoa, to the southeastern tip of Italy at Cape St. Maria di Leuca. So although my Italian experience is very limited, it covers almost the full latitudinal range available.

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