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Giant manta ray 'begs snorkeler to help save her life in incredible encounter'.

Australia's best beaches: Perth's Cottesloe wins most votes in Guardian poll.

10 underwater experiences without scuba diving.

Alison SWEENEY of the University of Pennsylvania has been studying giant clams since she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. These large mollusks, which anchor themselves to coral reefs in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, can grow to up to three-feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. But their size isn't the only thing that makes them unique.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Anyone who has ever gone snorkeling in Australia or the western tropical Pacific Ocean, SWEENEY says, may have noticed that the surfaces of giant clams are iridescent, appearing to sparkle before the naked eye. The lustrous cells on the surface of the clam scatter bright sunlight, which typically runs the risk of causing fatal damage to the cell, but the clams efficiently convert the sunlight into fuel. Using what they learn from these giant clams, the researchers hope to improve the process of producing biofuel.

Holidaymakers' photos could help scientists track the movements of giant endangered sharks living in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Thank you for not visiting: tourist hotspots that have done a Koh Tachai.

As oceans empty, Kenya fishermen must adapt or disappear.

Swimming with giants in Madagascar.