- Fathom was a marine diving magazine published by Gareth Powell & Associates in Australia. It is considered to have played an important role in raising international awareness of the status of Australian marine life, especially sharks with underwater photography, and established new standards in terms of quality, content, design and accurate marine journalism at a time when most was being sensationalized in the popular press.
- It was said to be better designed and printed than the leading USA publication, Skin Diver.
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“Fathom magazine was a perfect fit for its time. The 48-page publication first appeared in Sydney December 1970, produced by Gareth Powell, an eccentric, entrepreneurial British publisher who knew, above anything else, how to employ talented people and give them the freedom to work. Fathom quickly came to reflect the new scuba diving and marine environmental awareness inspired by the Save the Barrier Reef campaign, and the crown-of-thorns starfish plagues threatening coral reefs world wide”.
- Gareth Powell has been quoted as saying the title Fathom was one of three suggested by editor, John Harding who had canvassed the idea of publishing a dive magazine to him on three occasions. The design was similar to Surf International which was soon to cease production.
- A major influence on the style of the magazine was the designer, Roy Bisson. In Fathom the freelance contributing photographers and marine journalists were among the best that Australia had produced and included Ron and Valerie Taylor, Neville Coleman, Walter Starck, Richard Ibara and John Harding. The art director (an accomplished diver) had full responsibility to choose the photographs used and to decide how they should be displayed. No other magazine company in Australia, at that time, allowed this level of involvement by their creative staff. The only person who was kept well away from the creative process was the publisher, Gareth Powell. He knew printing – and Fathom was to set new standards for the international diving world, attracting attention from many experts in this field, including the aloof Philippe Cousteau who granted an exclusive and rare interview during his Australian visit. The editorial content of the magazine was under the control of John Harding (a photojournalist and underwater film cameraman) and Roy Bisson.
- It was the responsibility of Harding & Bisson to devise stories, write, photograph and sell advertising and assemble all pictures rather than rely on haphazard contributions. Dive shops were initially reluctant to advertise until issue number six.
- 1971 was the beginning of P.A.D.I scuba schools being available to Australian dive shops.
- In early 1973 the magazine ceased production with issue ten and before completion of a proposed “Annual”. Various reason contributed to the closure despite a rapidly rising circulation in Australia and USA. A plan to publish Fathom Yearbook much later was actively supported by all former advertisers.
- The magazine was printed in Hong Kong and Singapore to obtain better quality than anything available in Australia.
- FathomOz.com will feature pages from all issues with hindsight captions and updates. Copyright applies. Links to other sites permitted.
FathomOz
Marine, underwater photographs made by John Harding from his time as editor of FATHOM magazine (Australia).
Seems a pretty fair summary of the situation. The great truth is that I was kept well away from the editorial and the design. And the photography. This was a policy pursued on all the magazines I was associated with. In this case it was particularly appropriate in that I could not skin dive.
What is not mentioned is that John Harding ethically fought for the right to refuse anything to do with spear guns and underwater carnage. He may have been slightly before his time in this but he was absolutely in the right.
Gareth Powell
Blow me down!
Just heard from Gareth that you are still alive and breathing.
The FATHOM site is a mighty effort. Very impressed.
We’re now living (almost) on Throsby creek in Newcastle.
I see you’re still somewhere in Coffs Harbour…?
email or write to 8/18 The Lane Maryville NSW 2293.
Ex designer of FATHOM and most impressed with
the FATHOM site. A a mighty effort by John.
I see from an email from Gareth you’re still somewhere in Coffs Harbour…?
We’re now living in Maryville (Newcastle)