Zanzibar, Pemba and safaris Titan Triggerfish

Transcription

AfricanDiver
Dec/Jan 2010
Issue 8
Underwater video commercials
Gordon Hiles
Crabs of the Cape Atlantic
Georgina Jones
Titan Triggerfish
Digital diving
Zanzibar, Pemba and safaris
AfricanDiver.com 1
Return to contents page
Christopher Bartlett
Dec/Jan 09
Editorial
Contents
by Cormac McCreesh
It’s summertime again in the Southern hemisphere and the year-end is drawing closer.
That means it’s almost holiday time and my thoughts have already turned to dreaming
of getting away and drifting underwater. In that vein, Christopher Bartlett takes us to
Zanzibar and Pemba – a dreamy sun-filled vacation in the islands. And to round it off,
we’ve broken with tradition and included his story on wildlife safaris in Tanzania. Africa
has so much to offer a vacationing traveller that we just had to look at some topside
activities too.
Page 3
Surf & Turf in tantalising Tanzania
Georgina Jones treats us to the delightful little crabs of the cold Atlantic Cape seas. While
the Atlantic can get pretty cold, summertime is the time to do your diving there. And
what better activity than to look out for these little fellows?
Page 19
Norwy’s fisheries - lessons for Africa?
Regular contributor, Gordon Hiles, reflects on some of his more enjoyable underwater
commercial video activities and shares some hilarious experiences while Jason Heller
explains about the dangers of photographing too close to the infamous Titan Triggerfish.
Page 24
Cryptic crabs of the Atlantic side
We get serious about conservation with Moving Sushi’s visit to Norway and Scott
Buckley’s consideration of aquaculture as an alternative to fishing. And we get the lowdown on the history of SASSI.
Page 26
Diving with ear problems
This issue ends off with DAN Southern Africa’s article on ear problems while diving – a
very useful article to read before you head off for your diving holidays and we feature
Simon Brown’s portfolio.
Page 31
Shooting video commercials underwater
Here’s hoping you enjoy this issue and may your diving holidays be safe, enjoyable and, as
always, may your bubbles be free.
Page 34
Is aquaculture a sustainable option
Cormac and Paul
by Christopher Bartlett
by Simon Brown
Page 17
When Titan’s attack
Page 41
SASSI - the story
by Jason Heller
by SASSI
by Moving Sushi
by Georgina Jones
by DAN-SA
by Gordon Hiles
by Scott Buckley
Page 36
Meet the DAN-SA team
by DAN-SA
AfricanDiver.com 2
Page 39
Featured photographer
Cover by Paul Hunter
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Dec/Jan 09
Surf & Turf in tantalising Tanzania
Text & images by Christopher Bartlett
AfricanDiver.com 3
Dec/Jan 09
Zanzibar and Pemba
Something for everyone
T
he spacious,
purpose-built
dhow slid through
the calm Indian Ocean. We
were briefed sitting under
the shade area of the deck
and then kitted up and went
through our buddy checks
before a giant stride took us
into the 30°C sea. Looking
down I could just make
out the dive site, an old
British lighter, 27 metres
below me. It was 9:30 a.m.
and the day was going
fantastically. I’d started
the morning in Dar-esSalaam and caught a
Zanair Cessna 182 for the
20-minute early morning
flight to Stone Town on
the west coast of Unguja,
more commonly known
as Zanzibar, for some
low-level sunrise shots
of the outlying reefs. Ten
minutes in a taxi and I was
kitting up at One Ocean
Divers, a mug of coffee
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steaming next to me.
One Ocean started 14
years ago, and in 1999 it
was taken over by Aussie
Gary Greig and his South
African wife, Gail. From
one dive shop in Stone
Town they now operate
from four other resorts
around the island. Kit was
dished out whilst more
coffee was brewed and
then consumed, before
walked past the palm trees,
down the small beach, and
onto the waiting dhow.
On the leisurely cruise
out to a reef near Bawe
island acquaintances were
made and the loudmouth
been-there-done-it-all-in25-dives Harvard business
blah-blah post-grad diver
was quickly identified and
avoided as a buddy.
Dec/Jan 09
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Dec/Jan 09
The wreck itself was a tad disappointing. Although the
briefing by Amani had covered all the essentials and
had been thorough in terms of safety procedures, no
indication of the size of the wreck had been given. Hence
my initial thoughts of “With a lifeboat that size, it must
be a huge wreck” soon turned to disappointment when
Amani went straight for it. It was host to a large school
of striped eel catfish and long strands of whip coral (that
numbered one less after some unusual buoyancy “skills”
from the Adriatic). Following the dive plan we then finned
away following the contours of the sandy bottom up to
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some outcrops of reef, home to a bearded scorpionfish,
and an assortment of triggerfish, butterflyfish, and
coachmen.
By the time we’d started puttering along to The Aquarium
at Murogo Reef (how many Aquariums are there around
the world?) bellies were grumbling and the crew laid out a
spread fit for an Omani Sultan, once the rulers of Zanzibar
and the most successful slave and spice traders in Africa.
After samoosas, spring rolls, chapattis and fresh fruits
and a leisurely spot of digestion during which we tried
our best to convince our Italian expert that a Stonefish
sting really would spoil his day, it was time to pull on our
shorties again. The visibility was around 15 metres and the
site deserved its moniker. Table and plate corals adorned
the reef and we spotted common lionfish, lots of nudis,
an undulate moray, a hermit crab, huge gorgonian fans,
a giant clam, and two blue spotted rays. However, the
highlight of the dive was the large remora that took a fancy
to Captain Fantastic’s bare leg, his squeals being vaguely
reminiscent of dolphin chatter as he trashed around trying
to avoid its attempted love bites.
Dec/Jan 09
Back on the dhow he was
informed that remora like to
live on sharks, and that one is
never very far from the other. “I
could’ve been killed then”, he
shrieked. “If only”, thought I.
The reefs around Stone Town
are fairly plentiful and other,
larger wrecks exist too. And
whilst any aficionado of Bass
Lake or Stoney Cove would
gawk in amazement at the coral
formations and the fish life, the
reefs have suffered from crown
of thorns, robbing the coral of
colour.
Back on shore in Stone Town
there is a bit of sightseeing
to do; central Stone Town is
a labyrinth of narrow streets
and alleyways, flanked by
crumbling mansions and
mosques. The main attractions
are the massive Zanzibari
wooden doors, an after-dinner
drink (the food is poor value
for money) at Mercury’s
restaurant and bar (Freddy
of Queen fame is Unguja’s
most famous son) by Big
Tree, the House of Wonders,
the Omani Fort, Tippu Tip’s
house, the Hamamni Persian
Baths, and the fish market
(conservationists beware:
you will find sharks here).
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The night food market in
Forodhani Gardens is alleged,
by a Lonely Planet guidebook,
to host the best food market in
East Africa. If the guidebook
was written for flies, this is
undoubtedly true.
MATEMWE BEACH
VILLAGE AND MNEMBA
ATOLL
Situated close to Mnemba
Atoll, a shallow expanse of
coral reef with a tiny heartshaped island on its western
fringe surrounded by some
step drop-offs, Matemwe is the
“must-dive” of Unguja. With
average viz 20 metres or better,
there are a multitude of sites to
dive, and its calm conditions
make it suitable for novices
and experienced divers alike.
One Ocean’s centre here was
on the premises of the Beach
Village, where standard rooms
are comfortable and clean,
the Shamba suites are huge
and charmingly decorated.
Located next to the beautiful
infinity pool a few paces from
the beach, it also had excellent
equipment, friendly and
efficient service. After a bumpy
45-minute drive to the launch
site in a daladala and transfer to
another purpose-built diving
dhow, the MV Jessica, the
divers carried on the banter
from the night before. More
flat sea and baking sunshine
make for such a relaxing
atmosphere that even the open
water students were looking
like seasoned veterans.
Dec/Jan 09
If it was a haven of peace and tranquillity on the boat,
under it the ocean was buzzing. With great viz our
first site was West Bank.
Starting at six metres and then rolling down into a 50
m drop-off, it was covered in reef fish and eels, hard
and soft corals, and large schools of fusiliers. There
were the intriguing juvenile black snapper, damsels
in the staghorn coral, royal and emperor angelfish,
chocolate dips, blue spotted rays, two-bar clown fish.
Thumbing through the fish book back on the dhow
it was a case of “Saw that, saw that, saw that, loads of
them, two of them, few of those, etc…”
After another dhow-diving lunch taken anchored
over a snorkelling site that had several divisions of
sergeant majors flitting over it, it was time to visit
Turtle Reef. The site was not one unbroken reef, but
rather coral mounds interspersed with sand, where
unusual sightings included two left-eyed flounder,
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a huge octopus in some rocks, and a grand total of
zero turtles between eight divers. However, lionfish
fans were delighted; there was an abundance of these
delicate-looking but venom-carrying members of the
scorpionfish family.
Having returned along the same road due to extralow tides, instead of in the dhow, beers were cracked
around the poolside bar and new arrivals greeted
like distant cousins, before dinner and a relatively
early night under the sleep-inducing whir of the
strategically positioned fans. If you want to treat
yourself, the Shamba suites are well worth the extra
50 dollars, and for a special romantic night for two,
the honeymoon suite is even more secluded and has
its own plunge pool, beach access, and chef.
Fully refreshed and as relaxed as a rasta in a ganja
pile, it was time to blow bubbles at Mnemba again.
Small Wall was home to Porcupinefish swimming
slowly above the table corals, false stonefish hid
on the rocks whilst peppered and white-mouthed
morays skulked in crevices, paperfish swayed gently
in rocky recesses, rock cod went about their business
and, looking off into the beautiful blue, a napoleon
wrasse cruised by unperturbed by a school of
kingfish. The last dive was at Mnemba’s take on The
Aquarium. With a more open seascape it was like
being in the aquarium rather than looking in to it.
We drifted on the gentle current from one outcrop of
coral to another, marvelling at the size of the schools
of fusiliers and the number of green turtles. In total
twelve individuals were observed, including three
resting on one outcrop, with remoras being cleaned
by accompanying wrasse attached to their carapaces.
As we eventually moved off the site, the DM led us to
a vast sandy patch. Not the ideal spot for a safety stop
you think, until hundreds of garden eels stick their
heads out of the sand and start swaying to the tune of
an invisible snake-charmer.
Dec/Jan 09
KENDWA
in just under 30 minutes,
quicker even than from
I caught a ride across the
Matemwe which overlooks
top of the island where
the atoll. Situated next to
there are two resorts to
the excellent Bikini Beach
choose from. Nungwi was
Bar and very reasonable
a dusty village that has
Sunset Bungalows (50
rapidly grown into the most USD for a spacious en-suite
frequented and fashionable double with a traditional
(read promoted) resort on
Zanzibari bed that could
the island. It has the liveliest sleep four). The BCD’s had
nightclubs and the greatest been replaced recently and
selection of restaurants, but diver safety is paramount
is also overrun by tourists
here; each BCD came with
and has poor swimming
an SMB in the pocket with
beaches. For divers, there
a briefing on how and when
are a few local sites, but the to deploy it.
best dives involve a long
dhow trip to Mnemba.
Local sites included
Kichafi and Haji reefs
The less-publicised resort of and their extensive lattice
Kendwa has a huge beach
coral formations, peacock
that is ideal for bathing
mantis shrimp, paperfish
even at low tide, offers a
and bearded scorpionfish,
choice of eight places to
Nankivell with its giant
stay, ranging from thatched plate corals in fascinating
bandas at 15 dollars a
formations, rays, napoleon
night, to air-con en-suites,
wrasse, groupers, and
has six restaurants, is
the stunning Hunga Reef
the location of the only
with its interconnected
dive centre using zodiacs
bommies and a huge
(rubber ducks), and has
variety of hard and soft
some great local reefs. By
corals, reminiscent of a
operating with the faster
fantasy world. Hunga was
craft, Scuba-Do can get his
the home to even bigger
divers past Nungwi, round
schools of snapper, and
the tip of the island, and
the impressive crocodile
onto Mnemba dive sites
flathead that can be found
AfricanDiver.com 9
in significant numbers
resting on the sandy
bottom in gullies and
between bommies.
Rare finds included
seahorses, a Mauritius
scorpionfish, and a
Weedy scorpionfish.
Visibility was between
15 and 25 metres, and
the water was still a
balmy 29C.
Post-diving, one of the
bars would generally
have something
going on, and they
could all be reached
by walking down the
beach; the only hazard
at night being either
nausea or hysteria
brought on by the
insincere declarations
of local playboys to
female tourists. With
reduced travelling
time and morning and
afternoon dives with
a long shore-break in
between, Kendwa is
also more suitable for
mixed parties made
up of divers and nondivers, children and
adults.
Dec/Jan 09
PEMBA ISLAND
Several local airlines fly to Pemba from Stone
Town. Zanair is the pick of the bunch with a
reliable and efficient on-line booking system
and a range of different aircraft in its fleet,
but if you fancy something different then
Indigo Aviation cover the route in a Douglas
DC-3 Dakota. This particular one first flew
in 1943 as a military C-47 and was on active
D-Day service. Flying slower and lower than
its modern counterparts, there is usually an
opportunity to spend a few minutes in the
cockpit in the third seat behind the captain,
looking out of the cockpit window watching
the scenery 400 metres below drift by at 130
knots.
The 30-minute half-empty flight yielded
more picture-postcard aerial shots of
uninhabited islands and the reefs, before
touching down in Chake Chake, Pemba’s
biggest town, half-way up the west coast at
the end of a long mangrove-lined creek. The
airport was a small ramshackle affair, and
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despite a plethora of attractions including
atmospheric ruins, primeval forest, unique
bird species, deserted beaches, and some of
the best diving in the Indian Ocean, Pemba
often hosts less than 100 tourists at any given
time.
SIMPLE SWAHILI DIVERS
Swahili Divers and the Kervan Saray ecoresort on the northwest coast are run by
Farhat Jah, a seemingly eccentric mixture of
Turkish and Indian heritage with a resolutely
British upbringing, and his Dutch wife,
Cisca. Known by locals as Mr. Raf, and just
Raf to anyone else, there is something of a
young Basil Fawlty in him that, whilst a little
surprising initially, is ultimately endearing.
The accommodation was built in 2008
from local materials, and quarry where the
bricks were cut is, well, a stone’s throw away.
Any imported goods come by dhow whose
carbon footprint is limited to the fire that the
crew use to warm their food at night when
at sea. It is the best priced on the island with
dorm beds and doubles, and good value
packages. Food is wholesome and filling,
and is locally-sourced and cooked with love
by Chef Mzee Ali on charcoal (chocolate
biscuit cake a speciality), unlike the other
two resorts that ship most supplies in, and
is the most affordable Pemba diving option.
Raf pioneered much of the diving from
Pemba, and has discovered many of the sites
himself, hence the odd names. You’ll find
no Aquarium here. Deep Freeze, Slobodan’s
Bunker (after the ex-Serbian warmonger),
Le Reef Caché (hidden reef in French)
and Emilio’s Back Passage to name a few.
With a wealth of knowledge of the reefs
and conditions, years of experience, and a
passion for underwater photography and
videography, and you can pick up a host of
tips from Raf, provided you can keep up.
The RIB zipped across the top of the flat sea,
taking us to Deep Freeze. The ride had been
soothing, re-enforcing the remoteness of
this small island 50 kilometres off the coast
of one of the poorest countries in the world.
Dec/Jan 09
We passed local in sailing dhows or
dugouts, fishing teams of up to ten
men swam nets into a circle, slapping
the water as they went to scare fish
into the net. A lone spearfisherman
here and there in Jacques Cousteau
mask and an elbow-grease-powered
spear hunted for dinner. Now it was
time to see if it Pemba lived up to its
growing reputation. Had I saved the
best for last?
cruise by as we kept the wall left
shoulder. Then one of the five other
clients started babbling and bubbling
loudly, pointing back to the right.
And along came a six-metre wingspan
Manta, accompanied by the largest
and ugliest old cobia I have ever laid
my eyes upon. She glided by on the
outside to the edge of visibility, then
turned, slowly soaring back, under
me and up over the group.
Looking down as we kitted up, the
table corals twenty metres down
were clearly visible. Backwards roll,
hot tub, OK, going down. Equalize,
all together? look around. W-O-W.
With a capital W. On one side was
a wall, like the top of a submerged
mountain, covered in hard and soft
corals of all descriptions, positively
teeming with fish. On the other, the
bluest blue, near perfect viz, dropping
down, and down, and down. Lucky
there’s no point talking underwater,
because I was speechless. There was
not one moment when there was
not something to watch. The surface
interval snack of still-warm crepes
was taken on a deserted island of
fossilized coral and white sand before
heading off to Slobodan’s Bunker,
best described by looking down on
your hand with digits splayed, each
gap a ravine in the reef full of marine
life. The following day, at Le Trek, we
watched four Napoleon Wrasse pass
below us and a school of Barracuda
Over the next two days, I had the
depths and the huge schools of
bigeye trevally of Fundo Gap South
Wall, the beautiful marbled cleaner
shrimps and metallic looking bubble
algae of Manta Point (but no luck
with the mantas), the barracudas
and assorted morays at Njao Gap,
the multitude of marine life at
Swiss Reef, and the ghost pipefish
of Murray’s Wall and the eels,
nudibranchs, and anemone fish of
Egger’s Ascent to myself. Dives were
broken up by picnics on tidal sand
islands and incredible coves in cyan
waters under cloudless skies. It was
blissful; more dream diving.
AfricanDiver.com 11
Maybe it’s a mix of the remoteness
of the island, the remoteness of Raf ’s
sites, and a touch of melancholy
from sitting at a keyboard, but the
diving here felt like real adventure,
as if all I needed was a red woolly
hat and I was the re-incarnation of
Commandant Cousteau.
FUNDU LAGOON LUXURY
I couldn’t hope to top the past
week’s diving, but the place itself
looked impressive on the web, and
the room rates certainly were at 600
USD a night per standard double, all
inclusive (excluding champagne).
After a 70-dollar taxi ride back to
the airport, I met the Fundu transfer
minibus and three well-heeled guests.
45 minutes later the driver dropped
us at Pemba’s main port of Mkoani
where a speedboat was waiting to
whisk us to the lodge, a 10-minute
ride away.
The long wooden jetty was
impressive, as was the discreet but
warm welcome. The rooms are
large safari tents inside a wooden
cabin, with a magnificent en-suite
showeroom, complete with Fundu
Lagoon’s own range of four shower
gels and shampoos (one of each
for the morning and the evening,
obviously), and a secluded bit of
beach for each of the 16 rooms, the
more expensive suites having their
own pool too. The sunset views over
the infinity pool and across the bay
were breath-taking, and the sun
setting directly behind the jetty bar
and into the ocean surreal. It being
a Saturday, dinner was being served
on the beach, an eat-till-you-burst
gourmet braai of slipper lobster, tiger
prawns, and calamari washed down
Dec/Jan 09
with excellent French wines and a few forgotten cocktails for desert. The next
morning a cocktail of all four gels and shampoos revived me enough to make it
down to the dive centre. The water was like a mirror, as we sped across to Misali
Island and its surrounding reefs for my two last dives on Funga Pacha and Coral
Mountain. Six of us baled over the side and dropped down to 18 metres (the
four other guests were only Open Water certified). More clear blue water, more
prolific fish life, and on the last dive, the magnificent marbled cleaner shrimp,
and a last sighting of a crocodile flathead with a lionfish and a Model Toby in the
viewfinder. More stunning coral.
Unguja had been great, but Pemba was awesome. It’s not a place for “big”
encounters every dive, but the variety and volume of small to mediumsized species is outstanding, with coral crabs, magnificent partner shrimps,
nudibranchs, anthias, morays galore. I wondered how I would re-adjust to diving
back home?
For more information on tailor-made tours to the Zanzibari islands and the
Tanzanian mainland e-mail [email protected].
AfricanDiver.com 12
Dec/Jan 09
A trip to Tanzania wouldn’t be complete without a safari, but given the multitude of options, where to? The
so-called Northern Circuit has the world famous and unforgettable Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and
its massive migration, and the lesser known but most enjoyable Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.
The former is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and home to the lake of the same name and huge flocks
of flamingos and pelicans and its famous tree-climbing lions, the latter has its massive and fantasy-world
baobab trees, herds of elephants, and over 500 bird species. Both are also excellent for most African mammal
species, though the UN World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater is the only place where black rhinos can be
found in Tanzania.
AfricanDiver.com 13
Dec/Jan 09
The north also has treks with donkey portage through the Ngorongoro highlands to
splendid Lake Natron and its flamingos, the Olduvai Gorge where a 1.8 million year
old hominid fossil was unearthed, and Ol Doinyo Lengai, a 2878-metre active volcano,
up the 4566-metre Mount Meru in Arusha National Park, and of course, the climb to
Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the continent atop Mount Kilimanjaro. Whilst they
are all available as stand-alone trips from Arusha, off-the-shelf tours rarely tick all the
boxes. To truly appreciate the north, a longer stay combining your specific interests is
the best way to get the most out your trip.
The south is home to the luxury very accessible Mikumi National Park and the beautiful
and little-visited gem of Ruaha, the country’s second largest National Park. This rolling
wilderness, studded with the great angular-branched baobab trees, and intersected by
the Ruaha river, is known for its magnificent elephant population, huge herds of buffalo
AfricanDiver.com 14
as well as for other mammals and, in particular, its bird life. With personal park fees at 25
USD instead of 100 USD, and being accessible from Dar-es-Salaam by vehicle, Ruaha
and Mikumi are an attractive option.
Departing from Dar in the morning, we had a picnic lunch sitting on the open roof of a
Landcruiser watching a herd of female elephants and offspring hosing themselves down
with muddy water. The flat open savannah makes game viewing easy with dazzles of
zebras grazing, a kaleidoscope of giraffe lolloping across the plain, impalas pronking, a
pride of lions in the short grass with a mum offering her teats to her cubs before they
endulge in some play fighting not more than 15 metres away. Mikumi has no rhinos or
cheetahs, but makes up for it with the abundance and accessibility of its other signature
species.
Dec/Jan 09
After a night in comfortable thatched bandas, Ruaha
beckons. Passing through Iringa’s jacaranda-lined streets
and then a red-walled valley along a sun-baked ochre
road, arrive in time for an afternoon game drive through
the green rolling hills.
As well as being a Big Five park and hosting 450 bird
species in its abundant trees, Ruaha is also home to the
elusive and rare, stinky but beautiful African hunting
dog. With a varied landscape there is also a good chance
of spotting a cheetah stalking on the open savannah,
and encountering the majestic sable antelope. We
AfricanDiver.com 15
arrived in Ruaha for an afternoon game drive, and spent
the next day slowly driving around this majestic park.
A vehicle safari can cover the ground and will deliver
you to concentrations of animals – you can count
yourself unlucky if you don’t see a large pride of
lions here - but walking safaris take you closer, both
physically and spiritually, to the soil. Walking with
a park ranger alongside the river the next morning,
hearing nothing but the wind rustling the vegetation
and your own footsteps makes the bush an even
more intimate place. With so few tourists around and
covering such a vast area, you are no longer visiting the
bush, you are the bush. Sightings of distant crocodiles
and, by keeping downwind, nearby giraffes, zebras,
and antelope are the norm, but you can also look at
the bizarre, sprawling nest of the hammerkop, a large
stork-like bird that buries its eggs in a three-roomed
nest decorated with old bones; inspect spoor (field
guide talk for prints and poop) of some of the bush’s
unseen nocturnal inhabitants like the aardvark and the
genet, the choggy footprint of a hippopotamus and
an impressively large lion paw; and prod biscuit barrel
sized elephant pats.
Dec/Jan 09
And all this before lunch and driving back
to Mikumi for the night and a final dawn
and morning game drive before heading
back to Dar for dinner.
There are tourist-priced lodges and cheaper
rustic but decent bandas inside both parks
and excellent value for money lodges and
hotels priced for locals on the outskirts
of both parks. A private five-day safari
from Dar to Ruaha via Mikumi can cost
as little as 850 USD in a combination of
bandas and lodges, based on two sharing
through Indigo Safaris, who can also
organise all your diving and internal flight
requirements.
Tailor-made safaris, treks, and dive trips
throughout Tanzania and the Zanzibar
Archipelago for all budgets with excellent
value-for-money
AfricanDiver.com 16
Dec/Jan 09
When Titan’s attack - what every underwater photographer should know
Text written and supplied by Jason Heller, DivePhotoGuide
Images by Debi Henshaw, DigitalDiving.
Most underwater photographers who have spent any time in the Indo Pacific have come across the
very photogenic Titan Triggerfish. Most of us have heard the stories of Titan Triggerfish attacking
divers, ramming and biting, and sometimes requiring medical attention. There is some irony in the fact
that most non-divers’ (and unfortunately many divers as well) have unwarranted fears about sharks or
barracudas, but would more than likely approach a Titan Triggerfish without a second thought.
While not always aggressive and on the
attack, these highly territorial fish are
no joke and are to be taken seriously.
So when we received an email from
underwater photographer David
Henshaw with images from a recent
Trigger attack in The Philippines, we
decided that it was important to make
sure that all of our readers understood
more about the Titan Triggerfish, and
their behavior.
About The Titan Triggerfish
The Titan Triggerfish (scientific name
- Balistoides viridescens) is the largest
of the Triggerfish family, ranging from
approximately 15 - 30 inches. Their
bodies have patterns of green, yellow,
purple and gray, with black fin tips.
They are indeed very photogenic. Titans
feed on hard coral, crustaceans and
invertebrates, using a set of specialized
teeth that are clearly designed for
these food sources. The Titans have
independently rotating eye sockets, but
apparently have poor vision, possibly
adding to their territorial nature.
AfricanDiver.com 17
Dec/Jan 09
Titan Behavior
Ordinarily you will encounter a solitary Titan. Like most
reef fish, they are active during the day and will tuck
themselves into the reef to sleep at night. Understanding
their nesting behavior and territorial nature is important
for minimizing problematic encounters.
While it is commonly cited that Titans only attack while
protecting their nests, this may not be true, as many
incidents indicate aggression against territorial intruders
even during non-nesting seasons. Titans nest in the sand
adjacent to or within the corals. They will protect these
nests with a rigor that is rarely seen from other species.
The danger zone is a cone shaped area directly above the
nest, all the way to the surface. So if you invade a Titan’s
nesting zone, which more often than not you will do
unintentionally, and find yourself with an aggressive male
chomping at your fins and ramming you, ascending will
not stop the Titan from defending its turf. You must swim
horizontally away from this zone. Try to keep your eyes
AfricanDiver.com 18
on the Titan at all times, which is easier said than done, as
these fish dart about in spurts of intense speed. Keep your
camera or fins between you and the fish if at all possible.
Better to have a hole or in fins than your body! Hardcore
photographers would say to make sure you get the shot
while evading attack, but we will be responsible and
recommend focusing on not being harmed.
Birget “Biggs” Eggert, tells of her encounter on Apo Island:
“I was bitten by a Trigger which took 2x1cm of my inner
and outer lip muscle and nerves. Yes, absolutely crazy.
He came out of nowhere without any warning in 15ft /
5meters of water while I’m doing my safety stop... guess I
must have been above his nest or he just does not like my
face and bubbles.”
fixed everything and I felt like Angelina Jolie except I’m
still waiting for Brad Pitt to visit me”
Titans Are Not Evil
Not all Titans will attack to protect their territory. Often
you will just be charged at aggressively and subsequently
escorted out of the nesting zone by an agitated pit-bull
with scales. And remember - you are not really being
attacked, the Titan is defending its territory, which you
(unknowingly) invaded. Don’t blame the Titan.
Links:
Contact Info
Website
Fortunately, Birget is ok. The wound was initially stitched
up, but required two hours of plastic surgery afterwards. In
good spirits she joked that after the plastic surgery “they
Dec/Jan 09
Moving Sushi
Fishing vessels lined up and ready to hit the seas, typical cod catching vessels.
Norway’s fisheries: lessons for Africa?
by Mike Markovina
At the latest meeting in Brazil, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas (ICCAT) ignored the real status of Bluefin Tuna stock by agreeing to inadequate
management measures. Scientific consensus has already been reached in previous stock
assessments as to the catastrophic decline of the species, now estimated at less than 15% of pristine
levels. ICCAT agreed to cut quotas for Bluefin by one third, reducing the catch quotas from just
over 19 000 tons to 13 500 tons for all Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic fleets.
According to Oceana this is not sufficient for stocks to recover and it will lead to individual
vessel quotas that are too low to economically sustain fishing activities. This will encourage
underreporting of catches and illegal fishing. ICCAT through its member states has failed to
protect the Bluefin tuna. Yet the European Union has welcomed ICCAT’s decisive action to save
Bluefin tuna and other marine species.
This is the latest in fisheries management scandals and highlights unequivocally, in my mind, the
power of industry to influence politics to affect fisheries management decisions. But this should
not surprise us anymore. If an iconic species such as Bluefin tuna cannot receive the appropriate
protection based on sound scientific advice, imagine what is happening in Africa’s waters where
fisheries management, scientific data and compliance measures are not effectively instituted.
As commercial fishing waves the proverbial “profit carrot” in front of decision makers there is a
glimmer of hope, but first fish stocks are collapsing both commercially and biologically. This is
best seen in the now famous collapse of, internationally the most important whitefish, Cod in the
North Atlantic. Cod has been a core ingredient in western civilization for over 1000 years. It has
stimulated political wars between countries and facilitated exploration of the sea (as the meat could
be cured and would last twice as long as other fish). Yet cod nearly disappeared from the face of
the earth, except in Norway, where according to the International Council for the Exploration of
the Sea (ICES) the cod fishery has full reproductive capacity and is harvested sustainably. How
did Norway achieve what the rest of the world, with possible exception to New Zealand
and Australia couldn’t? The goal of the Marine Resource Expedition was to understand the
positive aspects controlling Norway’s fishery, and to then understand if the measures could
be adapted to an African context.
AfricanDiver.com 19
Dec/Jan 09
Geopolitically and with respect to fish in their waters, Norway is no different from any African
country. Norway has abundant fish stocks (as do many African nations), they share cod stocks with
Russia (Morocco, Senegal, Mauritania, The Gambia all share small pelagic fish stocks as well as tuna,
amongst others), and has fisheries agreements with other nations including the EU and Iceland.
Lobsters for sale with whale
meat kebabs behind.
Norway is a rich country because of oil exploration. However unlike many other nations, Norway has
used its oil rights to finance scientists and fisheries managers through the Institute of Marine Research
- which receives approximately 49% of its budget, 400 million Kroner (approximately US$70 million)
per annum from the government. This has allowed Norway to acquire 5 state-of-the-art research
vessels, develop a world respected fisheries research and education program and allow objective
science to be conducted in a variety of environments that exist in Norway.
AfricanDiver.com 20
Dec/Jan 09
For example, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is the largest marine science community in Norway. The main goal of the IMR is to provide advice, based on scientific studies
and research, to the Norwegian authorities on aquaculture, fisheries and the ecosystems of the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Norwegian coastal zone. Ultimately the IMR
works to ensure that Norway’s marine resources are harvested in a sustainable way.
Within the organization, comprising of over 175 scientists, the main research programs include:
1. The Barents Sea ecosystem program.
• Monitoring of fish stocks
• Cooperation with Russia
• Management plan of the Barents Sea
• Ecosystems approach to management advice
7. Oil-fish program.
• Research on human induced noise and oil contamination by oil companies on the
marine environment.
8. Ecosystems and populations dynamics program.
• Research in understanding variations in the marine environment, with particular
reference to fish stocks
2. The Norwegian Sea ecosystem program.
• Monitoring/research of pelagic fish stocks
• Stock assessments
• Phyto and zooplankton research
9. Biological mechanisms program.
• Improve understanding of biological processes, and to create knowledge for
improved and sustainable methods of marine resource harvesting.
3. The North Sea ecosystem program.
• Monitoring of marine resources
• Environmental contamination monitoring
10. Mareano program.
• Provide research on benthic communities and habitats.
What Norway is famous for, Salmon
4. The coastal zone ecosystem program.
• Research marine coastal zones and the fjords
• Marine biodiversity and tolerance research
5. Aquaculture program.
• Ecological effects
• Carrying capacity, disease and welfare indicators
• Broodstock and fish early-life-stage research
6. Climate-fish program.
• Research into the impact of climate on the reproduction, distribution and behavior
of marine organisms.
The IMR has a further 18 strategic research groups, which focus on key marine
research, providing accurate and objective information for decision makers.
AfricanDiver.com 21
Dec/Jan 09
Fisheries form an important role in Norwegian history, and although the country has a small population of approximately 5 million,
ancestrally most families have an historical link to fisheries. Many of whom still continue fishing today. Fishermen and the population in
general have an ingrained sense of value and consciousness towards fishing, which is lacking in many modern day fisheries. However being
conscious of fish resources alone will not prevent overexploitation of the resource, and it is here the technical fisheries management measures
put in place and enforced have ensured Norway a healthy 21st century fishery.
Drying cod, very
traditional.
Positive management policies resulting in healthy fish stocks:
The Barents Sea currently holds the largest cod stock in the world. Compared to other ground fish stock around the world, the
management and regulatory measures imposed by the Norwegian government has ensured a relatively robust system for the sustainable
utilisation of ground fish resources. The WWF have reported on the positive aspects of Norwegian fisheries management, highlighting
practical measures implemented in the cod and ground fish fishery that have a proven positive effect for sustainable harvest, and that
could be adopted by any other fishery.
The Marine Resource Expedition feels that it is important to keep science in context, when inferring ideas from one country to another.
Our aim is to find simple solutions that can be implemented and which will contribute to resource conservation and sustainable resource
use. Three successful management procedures, that could play influential roles in Africa and which can be implemented given current
political and fisheries capacity, are:
1. The total discards ban: Discards refers to that part of a catch that is not retained on board during commercial fishing operations.
Discards may result from fishermen having finished their quota for a given species, high-grading (selecting the largest or best quality fish,
and discarding the rest), which is done purely for economic benefit, or fish that are below
a minimum size. Discards are a waste of a resource, as the fish returned to the sea are dead.
The major problem with discarding fish is that the actual fishing mortality is not accounted
for, thus affecting data that management decisions are based upon. The total discards bad is
hailed by the WWF as an integral step in responsible fishing. However the key to a total ban
of discards working is effective compliance, something which Africa needs to address if such
an initiative is to be implemented with positive effects. The no-discards ban can be easily
monitored though observer programs, which are developing in Ghana, Cameroon, and Ivory
Coast and are developed in Senegal, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa. The benefit of the
no-discards ban is that no specific equipment is required to monitor it, and there is no “grey
area” to the rule and no excuses, resulting in effective and immediate punishment against
perpetrators.
2. Sorting grids: Sorting grids are a technical addition to fisheries, and although they will not
necessarily be the solution to fisheries management, they have shown a clear improvement by
reducing the capture of juvenile fish. The sorting grid is a physical barrier allowing juvenile fish
to exit the trawl net before it is hauled up onto the fishing vessel.
Right: cod drying in the cool arctic air.
AfricanDiver.com 22
Dec/Jan 09
Sorting grids are mandatory for cod and shrimp trawl in Norway’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). In the
Brown shrimp fishery in the North Sea, the use of a sorting grid resulted in a reduction of greater than 70% of fish
and 65% benthos in the catch. Sorting grids could play an influential role in the African shrimp fishing industry.
We have observed catastrophic mortalities of juvenile fish through poor fishing practices (reduced mesh size
below legal limits, net fouling, which includes deliberate blocking of the cod end therefore catching everything
that enters the net) and disrespect for non-trawl zones (so called sensitive juvenile fish zones). Sorting-grids
represent simple technology, and there is literally no excuse why they are excluded from fishing gear at present in
Africa.
3. Temporary and permanent closed areas: According to a report issued by the WWF, in the 1980’s an area
closure system was established in the Norwegian EEZ. These are areas that are closed to fishing when the amount
of landed fish below the Minimum Landing Size (MLS) (i.e. juvenile fish), in a single catch, exceed 15% by
Above: commonly caught shrimp in the market in Bergen
number. The closure of the area is effective as long as the catch of juvenile fish (fish under the MLS) accounts
for 15% of total catch. Research vessels, or commercial fishing vessels (who are contracted by the government)
continually sample the closed area until such time as juvenile fish constitute less than 15% of total catch, after
which the area is opened to commercial fishing. This initiative is brilliant and simple because fish move. Enforcing
a permanent closed area only is not a solution because juvenile fish move to surrounding non-protected waters
making them vulnerable once again to fishing. This is particularly so in the open ocean, where fish migrate
readily based on feeding and spawning patterns. However, roaming closed areas serve to protect juvenile fish
wherever they might be, instead of where we think they might be. I feel that this initiative will play a pivotal role
in defining marine protected areas in Africa. What makes temporary closed areas a success in Norway is the
ability to effectively police and monitor the closed areas. The closure and opening of sensitive areas are based on
extensive surveillance by authorities, and fishermen are obliged to redirect fishing activities to other areas if their
catches exceed limits of undersize fish. Unfortunately when looking at Africa, the challenge is the policing and
the financing of such initiatives. However at sea monitoring by observers could be the starting point for initiating Above: lemon sole in the fjords
temporary closed areas. It can work, it has to work.
Ultimately you can have the best laws and regulations defining a country’s fishery, but political will and
government backing determines whether the technical infrastructure will positively affect marine resource
management. This is where Norway has succeeded. Many African countries face economic hardship, whether
the country literally has no tradable commodities or the upper echelon of society has skimmed off the country’s
wealth. Coupled with humanitarian issues like AIDS, poverty, health, education, war and disease means fisheries
and its management reels in the aftermath on the priority list. At present fish resources in Africa, although
a life line to many locals, are no more than a bargaining tool for government financial gain through resource
agreements with European, Asian and Western countries. Soon however with the influence of climate change
and the sheer need for cheap protein, fisheries will become a food security issue, something that will have to be
appropriately addressed.
AfricanDiver.com 23
Below: angler fish
Dec/Jan 09
Cryptic crabs of the Atlantic side
Text by Georgina Jones
As the sun returns to the southern hemisphere so the westerly winds
move south of the Cape and the south east replaces the north west
as the Cape’s prevailing wind. It’s an annoying wind in general,
and a dry one, but a few days of south east bring an upwelling
of deep water to the Atlantic shores of the Cape Peninsula. This
deep water is incredibly clear, with visibility of 20 to 30m. It is
also astonishingly cold (temperature ranges from 7 to 12°C are
normal), so locals don even more protective gear than usual to
explore the wonders of the Atlantic reefs. And wonders there are,
in extraordinary profusion. Sunbeams stream through the kelp
forests, glancing off the mailed flanks of hottentots and galjoen,
lighting up the dark shysharks going about their business and the
myriad life forms crowding the jumbled granite boulders and walls
which make up most of the reefs. Jewel bright nudibranchs feast
on hydroids, darting bobtail squid swim in great clouds, fern-like
basket stars catch krill from the water with their nippers, luminous
blue anemones, neon sponges and startling pink noble corals cling
to the submarine walls, while rock lobsters lurk in crevasses, waving their curious antennae. Then there are the cryptic crabs.
Left: A furred sponge crab on a rare excursion over the reef (Andrew Taylor)
AfricanDiver.com 24
Dec/Jan 09
These animals are much less evident and it takes a while to become adept at spotting them
underwater. The furred sponge crab (Pseudodromia latens) is probably the easiest to spot,
although many divers who see them mistake them for golf ball sponges or colonial sea
squirts. This is because of the furred sponge crab’s habit of nipping off a piece of sponge
or colonial ascidian and using a specially adapted pair of legs to hold this living cloak over
its carapace. The sponge or ascidian will then grow to almost completely cover the crab.
The crabs are usually seen on sea fans, holding on, with only the very tips of their pincers
showing. The sponge or ascidian covering serves to hide the crab from predators which
might otherwise fancy a quick crab snack. It is relatively rare to see these crabs moving
about on the reef, but it’s worth watching out for a small moving sponge just in case.
Sumo crabs (Dromidia aegibotus) are less shy, perhaps because they are considerably more
difficult to spot. These are relatively big animals, growing up to 120mm across. They have
sturdy front pincers and a broad body to match. Their carapaces are covered with a dense
short fur and have a groove down the centre. This short fur catches detritus so successfully
that the sumo crab, though large, is easily overlooked, especially since these animals tend
to move slowly, if at all. They blend into the reef as though they were just another patch of
microscopic life and are only seen if they happen to move at the moment of observation.
Their cousin, the shaggy sponge crab (Dromidia hirsutissima) is an interesting case. This
is a smaller crab, only growing up to 40mm, and having much longer hairs growing from
its carapace. As it is, this crab is almost invisible, but it has an unnatural fondness for a
cratered sponge of lurid hue. This is the green moon sponge, Latruncula lunaviridis.Like
the furred sponge crab, the shaggy sponge crab uses its specially adapted legs to hold this
sponge onto its carapace. Unlike the furred sponge crab though, this renders the shaggy
sponge crab immediately visible. It may be that the sponge is toxic and serves as a warning
to predators not to tackle the crab. For divers though, it is worth inspecting these sponges
more closely when seen because the chances are good there is a shaggy sponge crab under
them. So fascinating are the Atlantic reefs that often divers find they don’t notice the cold
until they emerge from the water shivering and very grateful for offers of hot beverages.
The Atlantic season is mercifully short from a hypothermia perspective -- by March diving
has usually shifted back to the False Bay side of the peninsula -- but it seriously limits the
opportunities for seeing those animals only seen on the Atlantic side, like the last two
sponge crabs. So it’s worth hauling out the extra layer of insulation and getting underwater
while the going is good.
Left top: A furred sponge crab peers shyly out from under its ascidian cloak (Andrew Taylor)
Left middle: The short hairs of the sumo crab are remarkably effective for camouflage (Peter Gordon)
Left bottom: The shaggy sponge crab has an abiding fondness for a lurid green sponge (Latruncula lunaviridis). (Peter Southwood)
Right: The Atlantic side might be chilly but there are more-than-adequate compensations in the brilliant colours and extraordinary biodiversity (Geoff Spiby)
AfricanDiver.com 25
Dec/Jan 09
Diving with ear problems
Practical advice
By Dr Frans J Cronjé
Bony outgrowths: Exostoses
Cause: Mainly cold water.
Effect: Can impair the natural
Of all the potential problems that
affect divers, ear and sinus problems
are not only the most common, but
also most likely to keep divers out of
the water – for many the grimmest
prognosis of all... This article offers
an overview on the most common
diving maladies related to the ears
and offers some practical advice on
how to prevent and manage problems
if they occur.
removal of wax and water debris. Can
result in a blocked canal.
Solution: If troublesome, surgery may
be needed
The significant changes in pressure encountered during diving cause large pressure-volume shifts in the airspaces of the body.
For some, such as the intestines, these changes are usually insignificant. For others, such as the ears, sinuses, face mask and lungs,
these changes may be hazardous unless deliberate measures are taken by the diver to prevent problems. Much of diver training
is focussed on teaching divers these measures. Unfortunately technical issues are not the only consideration. Upper respiratory
tract infections, scarring from previous infections or surgery and anatomical abnormalities may all complicate the ability to adjust
pressure in the ears and sinuses. In addition, immersion and exposure to cold water may have potentially adverse effects on the
ears.
Diving-related problems of the ear fall into two categories: (1) exposure to water and (2) exposure to pressure. Water affects the
quality of hearing and our ability to localise sound. Immersion also exposes the external ear to water with the risk of maceration
(water-logging of the skin) infection. Cold water exposure may cause dizziness due to stimulation of the inner ear. Over time,
chronic exposure to cold water (i.e. less than 20˚C) results in exostoses (i.e. bony outgrowths in the external ear). Pressure, on the
other hand, may result in trauma called barotrauma, ear squeeze (during descent) or reverse blocks (during ascent). It may also
lead to the absorption of inert gas (i.e. nitrogen) with a potential risk of developing decompression sickness. Dizziness, or more
specifically vertigo (i.e. a false sense of spinning) may occur during descent due to rupture of the ear drum with the entry of cold
water into the middle ear, nitrogen narcosis, pressure on the ear drum being transferred to the inner ear (i.e. alternobaric vertigo),
or high pressure nervous syndrome when divers dive deeper than approximately 150 m. As problems of infection and barotrauma
are the most common, and also primarily affect recreational divers, this article will discuss these conditions.
AfricanDiver.com 26
Swimmer’s ear: Otitis externa
Causes: Loss of protective ear
wax, water-logging of the skin,
colonisation by water-loving
bacteria or fungi, and sometimes
additional trauma from divers
using cotton buds or other foreign
objects to dry or scratch an
“itching” ear.
Effect: Infection, inflammation of
the external ear and ear ache.
Solution: Do not fiddle with
the ear. For those who get these
infections regularly, replace the
anti-bacterial effect of natural ear
wax with an artificial one. The
ProEar® mask.
Dec/Jan 09
Anatomy and physiology
The ear consists of three parts: the external ear – a partly cartilaginous and partly
bony canal lined with skin, which is exposed to water during diving; the middle
ear – an isolated gas space through which sound waves are conducted to the inner
ear and which communicates to the outside world via the Eustachian tube; and the
inner ear – where sound waves and balance stimuli are converted into electrical
impulses and conducted to the brain. Each portion of the ear has its own unique
features and problems which are described hereafter.
The external ear
The external ear begins with the visible auricular appendage called the pinna which also contains a fleshy protective lump, called the
trachus. This tell-tale spot provides a valuable clue for identifying external ear infections (it becomes tender to the touch). The external
opening to the ear canal leads upwards, backwards and inwards towards the ear drum. The skin over the external part of the ear
contains hair and modified sweat glands that produce the cerumen or ear wax. This wax is a natural barrier to water and infection and
it is removed by continuous soaking during diving. Beyond the outer third of the ear follows an area of skin with no hairs and no wax
glands. This smooth skin overlies bone and is very thin, very fragile and very painful if infected or traumatised. This external ear canal
ends at the ear drum – a pearly white, semi-translucent structure that is as thin as tissue paper, but surprisingly strong.
External ear barotrauma
Causes: Can result when a diver wears
ear plugs, when a tight fitting hood traps
air in the external ear canal or when the
ear is completely blocked by wax.
Effect: Pressure damage to the external
ear – after ache.
Solution: Treatment of the after ache
with simple analgesics is usually
sufficient. Don’t dive with ear plugs! A
specialised ear plug, Proplug, premits
pressure equalisation while diving and
keeps the ear relatively dry.
Bony outgrowths: Exostoses Divers and swimmers, especially those who spend a lot of time in cold water, sometimes develop bony
outgrowths into the ear canal called exostoses. Theory has it that cold water irritates or damages the underlying bone resulting in
subsequent gradual overgrowth of bone. These bony outgrowths are not troublesome as such but can eventually impair the natural
removal of wax, water and debris from the ear, or lead to a block of the canal. If this happens, surgery may be needed.
Swimmer’s ear: Otitis externa The most common problem with the external ear, and the second most common problem in divers, is
otitis externa or swimmer’s ear. It is the result of a combination of factors including the loss of protective ear wax, water-logging of
the skin, colonisation by water-loving bacteria or fungi and sometimes additional trauma from divers using cotton buds or other
foreign objects to dry or scratch an “itching” ear. The most important preventative strategy is to not fiddle with the ears and, for those
who get these infections regularly, to replace the anti-bacterial effect of natural ear wax with an artificial one. Traditionally various
preparations have been used that contain vinegar (acetic acid). A combination of acetic acid/aluminium acetate/sodium acetate is
marketed as Domeboro® which is quite effective in preventing ear infections. Once an infection starts, however, a combination of
antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication is usually required on prescription. Ear ache due to external otitis can be severe
and once the ear canal has swollen shut it becomes more difficult to treat. Needless to say it can ruin a diving trip so obtain
medical assistance early, don’t delay. Another preventative measure for people struggling with persistent external ear infections is the
ProEar® mask which cups the ears in a way similar to a face mask and is connected to the mask to allow equalising of the cups through
two reinforced tubes. This mask keeps the ears dry but ear equalising is still required.
AfricanDiver.com 27
Middle ear barotrauma
Causes: When equalising is still
unsuccessful at 6 to 33 fsw (2 to 10 MSW)
pressure.
Effect: The eardrum will usually rupture.
There is usually significant deafness upon
return to the surface, followed by severe
pain some two to five hours later due to an
inflammatory response to the water. There
could even be gradual tearing and bleeding
within and behind the ear drum.
Solution: Treatment by a medical
professional. Nasal and oral decongestants
are invariably prescribed in an effort to
normalise Eustachian tube function.
Dec/Jan 09
External ear barotrauma: Pressure damage of the external ear can result when a diver wears ear plugs, when a tight fitting hood traps air in the external ear canal, or when the
ear is completely blocked by wax. As the volume of gas decreases due to Boyle’s law, the eardrum starts to bulge into the canal and the ear plug may be forced deeper into the
canal. Attempts at ear equalising will only make matters worse. Fortunately it is rare for the ear drum to rupture in this way and treatment of the after ache with simple analgesics
(painkillers) is usually sufficient. Don’t dive with ear plugs. Having said that, there is a fenestrated (pierced with one or more openings) ear plug known as Doc’s Proplugs that
permits pressure equalisation while diving and keeps the ear relatively dry. Although no large scale research has been conducted, an observational study of 1 000 dives by the
Sardinian Institute of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine in 2005 was very positive. At least 55 000 divers use these devices regularly with no reported adverse events. Our
limited experience has been equally favourable. Some divers seem to also find ear equalising easier.
The middle ear
The middle ear starts at the inner side of the ear drum. It contains three miniature bones – the malleus
(hammer), the incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup) – that form a chain that amplifies sound waves from
the ear drum to the inner ear. The middle ear communicates with the outside world via a partially collapsed
tube called the Eustachian tube. This tube allows oxygen to be replaced as it is continually absorbed by the
mucus lining of the middle ear. The tube also permits pressure equilibration during changes in atmospheric
pressure while diving or with altitude changes. When the diver equalises, air is driven from the back of throat
through this tube into the middle ear. Because the space is semi-closed, there is a constant tendency to form
a vacuum. The vacuum is usually broken (i.e. equalising occurs) by yawning, swallowing or chewing.
Most people can sense a pressure equivalent of about 30 cm of water on the ear drum. However, if a diver
descends more than three feet, the increased pressure collapses the Eustachian tube, and it is no longer
possible to equalise, even with a forceful attempt. This is similar to trying to blow through a kinked straw.
It can’t be done. It needs to be “unkinked” first.
Middle ear barotrauma: Approximately 65% of all divers will suffer from this malady at some stage during their years of diving. Diving to a depth of as little as 3 to 6 fsw (1 to 2 MSW)
without equalising will already cause some degree of barotrauma. If equalising is still unsuccessful at 6 to 33 fsw (2 to 10 MSW), the eardrum will usually rupture. Divers who have
experienced ear drum rupture describe momentary relief of pain as the tension on the ear drum is relieved. This is followed by an episode of extreme dizziness as cold water rushes in
and irritates the inner ear. As the water warms to body temperature the dizziness settles and divers may believe that their equalising problems are over. With water now filling the middle
ear space, there is no further need to equalise the affected ear. However, there is usually significant deafness upon return to the surface, followed by severe pain some 2-5 hours later due
to an inflammatory response to the water. Between minor irritation and a perforation of the ear drum lies a spectrum of gradual tearing and bleeding within and behind the ear drum.
Such middle ear barotrauma should be treated by a medical professional. Nasal and systemic (oral) decongestants are invariably prescribed in an effort to normalise Eustachian tube
function – the key to a healthy middle ear. Return to diving should be delayed until pain has disappeared, all signs of damage have resolved, any perforations have closed and healed and
the ability to equalise with ease has returned.
AfricanDiver.com 28
Dec/Jan 09
The inner ear
The inner ear consists of a complex of tubes and nerve endings that offer a mechanical-electrical interface for sound
and balance stimuli. It is organised into the cochlea for hearing and the vestibular system for balance. Unless exposed to
high levels of noise, the cochlea is usually unaffected by recreational diving. However, there is a risk of barotrauma
to the inner ear which may have permanent consequences. For these reasons divers are told never to force their ears to
equalise. The vestibular system provides signals for orientation. On land, the eyes and joints offer additional sensory
input, but under water, vision and gravity are reduced so that the vestibular system becomes vital for orientation.
Disorientation, vertigo and motion sickness are all related to the vestibular system but fall outside the scope of this
article. We would like to concentrate on the pressure-related effects on the inner ear and barotrauma in particular.
Inner ear barotrauma: Strenuous or prolonged attempts at middle ear equilibrium, particularly when using forceful Valsalva’s manoeuvres, may elevate pressure inside the skull
and inner ear to such an extent that it causes rupture of inner ear structures. Vertigo that starts during descent is particularly suspicious when accompanied by difficulty
equalising. If the vertigo is ongoing and is accompanied by any of the following, medical attention is urgent: intense ringing in the ears, a sensation of fullness in the ear, deafness,
nausea and vomiting, loss of balance and jerky eye movements (i.e. nystagmus). Inner ear decompression illness may present in a similar way, but is quite rare. It usually occurs
during or after ascent and is usually associated with deep or technical dives involving the use of helium. The treatment of inner ear barotrauma is bed rest with the head elevated
to reduce intra-cerebral pressure. The diver must be evaluated with an audiogram (for the cochlea) and an electronystagmogram (for the vestibular system) and must receive a full
ENT and neurological evaluation. Symptoms often resolve spontaneously within two to three days. Surgical measures should only be considered for persistent round and oval
window leaks, when there is a delay in recovery or when there is progressive deterioration in hearing or balance function.
A FINAL NOTE
Diving is a safe sport that exerts significant pressure on the structures of the ear. With proper care, training and the avoidance of discomfort or pain, injury is unlikely
or minimal. Without proper attention, permanent deafness may result and surgery may be required for ruptures of the ear drum or inner ear. Diving with a head cold is
inadvisable. Never force the ears and equalise early and often.
Ear equalising techniques
Active ear equalising is not a natural activity for humans. Many people are actually “scared” of their ears. They describe the fullness of equalising as uncomfortable or even painful.
Frequently, painful memories of childhood ear infections add to this fear. Such individuals are likely to equalise very slowly and carefully, ineffectively or not at all. The confusion
surrounding ear equalisation is compounded by the fact that it is difficult to describe how hard to blow (Valsalva technique) and what “successful” ear equalising feels (or sounds)
like. Divers should also be told specifically never to Valsalva during ascent as this constitutes “breathholding”. Instructors should bear in mind that divers that are particularly squeamish
about their ears, may not only have problems equalising, but may also be more prone to panic underwater. There are many techniques for equalising the middle ear to ambient pressure.
Only the most common and useful ones have been listed to provide divers with a number of options, as some people may respond better to one particular technique than to others. They
include: Swallowing or yawning, Voluntary Eustachian tube opening (beance tubaire voluntaire - BTV), Valsalva, Toynbee, Frenzel, Twitching techniques.
AfricanDiver.com 29
Dec/Jan 09
Swallowing and yawning: These are the natural ways in
which the middle ear is equilibrated. Middle ear infections in
childhood are largely the result of failure of these normal
mechanisms. Even in sleep, equalising occurs approximately
every five minutes through swallowing, while it occurs every
minute while awake.
BTV: Some individuals have the knack of opening their
Eustachian tubes voluntarily by a kind of twitch in the throat
or an invisible yawn. Many professional divers eventually
master this technique.
Valsalva: Perhaps the most popular equalising method is the
technique described by Antonio Maria Valsalva in 1704. It
involves blowing against a pinched, blocked nose so that air
is forced up the Eustachian tubes, thereby equalising
the middle ear. It can unfortunately be performed too
forcefully, leading to inner ear problems. Therefore, the
safest recommendation to divers is to blow harder than it
would take to inflate a large balloon and to never perform an
uninterrupted attempt of more than five seconds.
Toynbee: Joseph Toynbee described a technique of pinching
the nose and swallowing simultaneously. The action of the
soft palate and adjacent muscles then opens the Eustachian
tube while a pressure wave in the nasopharynx moves air in
and out of the middle ear. As a result, this is a very sensitive
test for Eustachian tube dysfunction as only small pressures
are involved.
Frenzel: A German flight surgeon, Herman Frenzel,
described a technique for the benefit of Stuka pilots in
WWII. It involves moving the tongue backwards quickly
against the soft palate, thereby creating a pressure wave as
well as positioning the muscles for easy equalisation. The
technique is even better when combined with pinching of
the nose. The best way to teach this technique is to have the
subject say the nose. It is a very gentle and therefore a very
safe technique. People who struggle with the Valsalva
technique often find that this technique works for them.
Twitching: This is a good technique to get people started
who are unfamiliar with equalising. While pinching the nose,
the subject swiftly turns the head to the side. The ear facing
forward generally equalises. The technique can be repeated
for the other ear.
Head tilting: This technique corrects asynchronous
equalising. Many divers find that one ear is more difficult to
equalise than the other. The head is tilted sideways from the
neck (so as to point the “bad ear” upwards) while
keeping the shoulders horizontal. This stretches
AfricanDiver.com 30
the folds around the Eustachian and straightens
it, making equalising easier.
Edmonds: This technique exploits the effect of jutting
the jaw forward. Again, this manoeuvre tends to open
the Eustachian tube, and should be combined with other
conventional equalising techniques.
Lowry: Another combination technique described by
Christopher Lowry may be useful to improve equalising in
general. It involves pinching the nose and blowing against a
blocked nose while swallowing simultaneously. Although
this is impractical to do with a regulator in place, it can
assist with the discovery and improvement of equalising
techniques.
Otovent®: A product distributed by Invotec International.
The Otovent has been promoted for the prevention and
treatment of otitis by treating negative ear pressure caused
by Eustachian tube dysfunction. This device, made up of a
nozzle and a balloon, is very useful to train novice divers
about the correct amount of pressure required to equalise. It
also verifies effective attempts at auto inflation. Regular
practice with the Otovent® may improve the ability to
equalise.
In addition to equalising techniques, several known factors
may compromise Eustachian tube function and should be
avoided or treated. Many people display a low-grade allergy
towards dairy products. Avoidance of all dairy products two
days prior to diving often provides significant relief. Some
people have very sensitive nasal linings. These are the people
who, for instance, tend to sneeze when their feet are in
contact with a cold surface. Preventative use of nasal
decongestants with diving may be appropriate for this group
of individuals. Physical obstructions are not uncommon in
the nose and may include fleshy outgrowths called polyps
or a skew nasal septum. Corrective surgery is a legitimate
and effective remedy for these conditions. Inflammation of
the nasal passages also clearly compromises the ability to
equalise.
only result in pain during diving, blockage of the airways
may present fatal complications.
Finally, chronic use of nasal decongestants may result in
the rebound congestion that will make equalising problems
worse. The two most commonly prescribed medications for
equalising problems or middle ear barotrauma are
pseudoephedrine tablets and oxymetazoline nasal spray.
Both are chemical relatives of adrenaline (epinephrine) and
narrow blood vessels to reduce engorgement. The use of
decongestants for the purpose of diving can only be justified
if it is intended to improve an existing ability to equalise, not
to make it possible, and even then it should be taken
with caution and for no more than five days. Prolonged use
causes rhinitis medicamentosa, a chronic stuffy, running
nose that is unresponsive to decongestion.
Finally, divers should know how to preserve and protect
their ears. Upon discovering any equalising problem or ear
pain, further descent should be stopped immediately. The
diver should then ascend 3 to 6 fsw (1 to 2 MSW) to reverse
the locked-blocked situation. Various techniques for ear
equalising may then be attempted, bearing in mind that the
ear should never be forced, and no attempt at blowing
should exceed five seconds. If all these measures fail, the dive
should be ended.
Twitching
Head tilting
Edmonds
Lowry
Smoking and head colds prevent effective drainage of
mucus from the sinuses and may predispose to ear and sinus
barotrauma. It should also be remembered that the ears
are really a “safety net” for the lungs: Blockage of the nasal
passages and ears is not an isolated phenomenon. Frequently
there is some blockage and inflammation in the airways of
the lungs as well. However, whereas blockage of the ears will
Dec/Jan 09
In the last issue of African Diver I briefly mentioned the “Ocean” commercial where we filmed a
fridge underwater with Monty the moray and George the potato bass, two great characters from
days past at Sodwana Bay.
These days much use is made of filming underwater in the commercials area of the film industry.
Underwater shooting is far more accessible now and of course the camera equipment available
today makes the job a lot easier.
Shooting video commercials
underwater
Text & images by Gordon Hiles
In 1987 when we did “Ocean”, there was not much in the way of 35mm underwater movie camera
equipment in South Africa, not to mention that underwater video was still a thing of the future.
Our budget in any case limited us to 16mm so we shot on an Arriflex 16SR in an Arrimarin
housing. We were a small crew – director Tony Shuttleworth, production manager Heather Setzen,
myself as underwater cameraman and one or two others to help with the admin of the job. We
scheduled three days at Sodwana to complete the task trusting our luck that the weather would
play along.
First day underwater we rigged our specially constructed scaled down sized fridge in a suitable
spot on the seabed. We chose Sodwana because of the rich coral reefs that would provide the
marine scenery that was desired. Using suitable tricks on the angles at which we shot the images of
the fridge, we were able to create the impression that the fridge was nestled on the reef. Remember,
CG techniques were not available to us in 1987 so we had to use the proverbial trick photography.
With the co-operation of the two characters mentioned earlier, i.e. Monty and George, we set
about shooting the required images for the storyboard. Working at a depth of 10m was optimum
for us. This allowed us sufficient natural light.
This image - Gordon on his safety stop (photo by Cormac McCreesh)
AfricanDiver.com 31
Dec/Jan 09
We were lucky that the weather provided a sunny day although the wind had swung to
south westerly and that is not always good for the conditions at Sodwana. Experience
of this told us that we needed to get the diving done by midday. Shooting on daylight
balanced 16mm film under natural light still required that I shoot through a 80% red
correction filter to replace the lost colours that the water filters out – water being a
natural blue filter in photographic terms.
Again, previous experience had taught us the parameters and tolerances within which
the colour control could be managed. We could not have asked for more of Monty
and George as they almost made nuisances of themselves in front of the camera and
the fridge. It was as if they knew that something unusual was taking place and they
were making certain that they were going to be part of it. Our dive lasted 45 minutes
and we started to experience a change in the surge towards the end. I left the water
while Tony floated the fridge to the surface with a small lifting bag. Our plan was to
place it in a different spot the next day for alternative shots. I had shot 7 to 8 minutes
of footage that I was confident would be acceptable. By the time we reached the beach
the wind had whipped up the sea and clouds were already closing in fast. This was not
what we needed but we still stayed to see what the next day would bring. Luck was not
on our side and it was a no-dive day. Time had run out as well and we decided that we
just had to trust that the material we had shot was going to do the trick. We departed
Sodwana later that day.
Back in Joburg we watched the rushes after processing the film at the labs. This must
have been one of the most economical commercial shoots in history. Out of the 7
odd minutes of film exposed, Tony was able to satisfy the needs of the edit without
any problem and the result was one of the first commercials to go underwater with its
complete storyboard. This set the trend for more to follow.
Following up on “Ocean”, I was involved in a shoot for a fruit juice product where the
hero was a dolphin and the companion was a young lady. This required shots of the
two of them swimming together and this was achieved in the dolphin pool in Port
AfricanDiver.com 32
Elizabeth. This was easy in some ways because the dolphins were used to working with us
humans. However the challenge was to avoid shooting any infrastructure in order to show a
free swimming girl and dolphin. Again I shot on the 16mm Arri rig providing ample material
for the edit. Working with the dolphins was a fine experience and I was intrigued to see how
fast they understood what was going on.
I found myself being gently lifted to the
surface by the dolphin that had inserted
its snout under my armpit to nudge me
upwards.
This was aptly displayed at one stage when we had completed a sequence and the trainer
on the surface signaled the dolphin that the task was over. I was still down below without
any comms and the next thing I found myself being gently lifted to the surface by the
dolphin that had inserted its snout under my armpit to nudge me upwards. On the surface
I faced a very chatty dolphin and after the trainer instructed me to put my hand out to
acknowledge the action, the dolphin made contact with it and then swam off. Job done.
Pool cleaner and chemical commercials almost always require underwater shooting and I
did my fair share of this. Mostly it was shots of the product in action doing its cleaning job.
However, a famous brand chlorine product really needed to show the quality of swimming
pool water if it was put to use. Cobalt blue water was required for this. Again, the amount
of manipulation one could do in 1996 was fairly limited so we needed to find water like
this as well as have an infinity background. The result was about four days of shooting
in open Indian Ocean water off the Comores. We used two lady models to alternate the
action and filmed them on 35mm film at high speed to achieve slow graceful motion as
they drifted effortlessly through the water. The images showed the models in pure white
bathing suits against the deep cobalt blue colour of the sea. On this occasion we had no
weather problems; no water quality problems; and since we were shooting only 3 meters
below the surface, we did not even have to colour correct. In fact, the small amount of
blue filtering that the water provided only added to the rich colour quality of the image.
A series of alternative versions of this commercial was released using the abundance of
material captured during the four days in the water.
Dec/Jan 09
Lastly, a story of a hermit crab looking for a new home was used for an insurance product. Working with
Rob Waldron of Wild Dog Productions, we set about shooting under controlled conditions in the old and
now demolished Durban Aquarium. This was not my first job of shooting there. I had previously shot a
variety of things from Christmas mermaids to a Ninja fight sequence for a feature movie, as well as shark
dives and other documentary subjects.
This time round we tackled the job with a Digibeta camera in my own designed and custom built Betacam
underwater housing. Rob had commissioned a puppet to be built for the little hero hermit crab, so with
this little fellow strategically placed in a setting at the bottom of the aquarium tank and the camera lined up,
the puppet was manipulated into action leaving behind his old shell and going off in search of a new one.
Of course this whole process needed to take time and I found myself underwater for fairly long stretches
getting the shots done. All the time this was going on, the normal activity of the marine creatures in the
tank continued. The general trend was that they swim around the perimeter without much let-up. This
included the sting rays, the game fish and of course the resident turtles that by now had become the
extremely pedantic ‘owners’ of the turf in the main tank after being in there for so many years. We found
ourselves right in the middle of their holding pattern as they habitually circled, and this proved to be quite
an issue with them. In spite of flattening myself as much as possible on the sandy bottom of the tank, I was
pushed and jostled every time one of these large shelled animals cruised by.
port of the camera giving a determined look through. It raised its head
and studied the scene in front of the camera and then took hold of the
viewing port in its mouth and shifted the camera slightly; took another
look through the viewfinder and then swam off without even glancing
my way.
‘Bloody cheek’ I thought to myself and immediately checked
how much the shot had been disrupted. Well, the adjustment
the old bugger had made in fact reframed things to almost a
perfect balance so we decided not change anything and just
record what we now had in shot!
We continued until the job was complete, and it was noticeable
that after the old turtle had taken charge of things and made the
necessary adjustment, there was no longer any disturbance from any
of them.
I guess there is still so much that animals can teach us.
To view these commercials click here and scroll down to Showreel
Video Links
I think one of them in particular finally
had enough when I became aware of some
rather persistent shoving and pushing at
which I looked up to see a huge turtle head
about to butt me out of the way. I retreated
as much as possible allowing the beast the
space it was demanding. It immediately
took over my position behind the viewing
AfricanDiver.com 33
Dec/Jan 09
A Fishy Future - is aquaculture a sustainable option
By Scott Buckley
I
t is now common knowledge that the worlds fish stocks are in serious trouble. The pressure placed on fish stocks by intensive commercial fishing has made a major impact on fish
stocks around the globe, with 52% of commercial fish stocks now being fully exploited and 24% being overexploited, depleted or recovering from depletion. The worldwide fishing
fleet is also now roughly Two and a half times larger than is considered to be sustainable.
Bycatch levels are also now at dangerous levels, with 300,000 whales and dolphins, 250,000 endangered loggerhead and leather back turtles and more than a 100 million sharks falling
victim to fishing gear each year, just to mention a few. These alarming statistics can be attributed to a number of factors including; poor fisheries management worldwide, massive
technological advances in fishing techniques, unreported illegal fishing and the ever growing demand for seafood as the world’s population continues to grow. If strong action is not
taken on a global scale to curb these unsustainable fishing trends, it is certain that many fish stocks will collapse and others will be lost forever. One only need look at the large ocean
predators as an example, whose biomass is now only at 10% of what it was prior to industrial fishing.
With all these alarming statistics being
reported it is hard to believe that there is
any hope for the marine environment and its
inhabitants. The truth is, there is a growing
awareness about these matters worldwide and
more and more organisations, NGO’s and
government subsidised, are forming each year
and are working towards solutions for the many
problems faced by the marine environment.
There is no easy answer, it is going to take
cooperation between governments to improve
fisheries management globally and it will
require heightened awareness at an individual
level as consumers to only purchase and endorse
sustainably caught seafood products.
AfricanDiver.com 34
Dec/Jan 09
Aquaculture has been seen as one of the solutions and has been said to be
the future of fisheries and fish production, and is now responsible for a third
of the total global fish production each year .
Although it will take a global effort to curb the current overexploitation of the
world’s fish stocks, we also need to look at what we can do as individuals to
minimize our impact on the ocean.
This is a subject that has been the centre of much debate for many years and
has many pros and cons and can be argued from both sides.
The most important thing we can do as individuals is to educate ourselves on
what species and what seafood products to avoid and what species are being
harvested at sustainable levels.
The fact is that aquaculture can be harmful to the environment in terms of
pollution, spreading of disease and the escaping of alien species into fragile
ecosystems, sometimes leading to the eradication of indigenous species. This
being said, huge amounts of research are being done into sustainable and
environmentally friendly ways of producing fish on a large scale.
Already, ‘green’ feeds have been developed that only use recycled plant
materials as opposed to grain and fish meals that have been used traditional
If truly sustainable methods of aquaculture can be developed, there is no
denying that it could relieve huge pressures off global fish stocks and be
the very thing that saves our seas. This may still be a way off now, but with
proper consumer education in only purchasing products that are grown
in a sustainable manner, it will force the industry to change and develop
sustainable production techniques.
Locally, there are a number of sustainable aquaculture operations up and
running, primarily filter feeding species such as black mussels and oysters.
Another species that shows huge potential in being produced using
sustainable methods are the fresh water Tilapia’s, in particular, the Nile
Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
In November 2004 the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)
was launched. The three objectives of the initiative are to; Promote voluntary
compliance of the law through education and awareness, Shift consumer demand
away from over-exploited species to more sustainable options, Create awareness
around marine conservation issues.
SASSI provides a number of services that allows the consumer to make educated
choices. These services include the SASSI list, which is a colour coded list which
tells consumer which seafood species are legal and more sustainable choices from
South African seafood populations. Green species are the best choices as they
can handle current fishing pressure better. Orange species should be considered
with caution as they are either over-exploited, or from problematic fisheries. Red
species are illegal to sell in South Africa, and some of them are specially protected.
Another service is the FISHMS, a cellular phone based service that allows you to
check on the status of a particular species with one SMS.
For further information on sustainable fishing and fisheries related topics go to the
SASSI website.
The Nile Tilapia is an herbivorous species that can be feed on a combination
of plant material based feeds and naturally occurring algae’s in the pond
water. They grow extremely quickly when farmed in tunnels where high
water temperatures can be maintained, ideal for African climates. The Flesh
is white and extremely palatable which makes it popular locally and on
foreign markets.
This is a species that could be used locally to relieve the pressure on our fish
stocks.
AfricanDiver.com 35
Dec/Jan 09
Meet the DAN-SA Team
In 2006, DAN-SA celebrated its ten year anniversary. From its humble beginning, with less than 1 000 members, DAN-SA now has nearly 9 000
members, its own offices, seven board members (Dr Frans Cronjé, Mr Francois Burman, Dr Allan Kayle, Prof Alessandro Marroni, Prof Barney De
Villiers, Dr Andy Branfield and Mr Don MacRobert), two company directors, a medical director, five part-time hotline physicians and five full time
staff members. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our members. Without your support DAN would not exist. We also owe our success to
the wonderful and dedicated team of people who have worked very hard to make DAN what it is today. Dr Frans Cronjé founded DAN-SA in 1996
and served as its first board member. Today, he serves as President and Managing Director together with Francois Burman, who joined DANSA in
December 1998 as Financial and Operations Director.
Core Team
DR FRANS CRONJÉ
Frans is the founder, President and Managing Director of DAN-SA. He is a board member of DAN Europe
and International DAN. He is a NAUI instructor (since 1991), trained as a commercial diver and chamber
supervisor and a DAN instructor trainer examiner. He is considered the leading pioneer of modern hyperbaric
oxygen therapy in southern Africa and has dedicated his professional career to introduce and expand this
scientific,therapeutic modality in South Africa. He is a General Medical Practitioner with an MBChB and an
MSc in Aerospace Medicine from the University of Pretoria. He completed an academic Fellowship in Diving,
Hyperbaric and Underwater Medicine at Duke University, Durham, NC, USA in 2003. Formerly in private
practice at the Eugene Marais Wound Care and Hyperbaric Therapy Centre, he now serves as a diving and
aviation medical examiner and a consultant in otolaryngological aspects of aerospace, diving and hyperbaric
medicine in Pretoria and CapeTown; he has a special interest in dizziness and balance disorders. He is a
researcher and part-time senior lecturer at the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (University of Stellenbosch). He is the past
President of the Southern African Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Association (SAUHMA) and President of theInternational Congress
for Hyperbaric Medicine (ICHM) that will be hosting its 17th international meeting in Cape Town in 2011. He is an avid scuba diver!
FRANCOIS BURMAN
Francois accepted the position of Financial and Operations Director for DAN-SA in December 1998. He is
currently responsible for the operational, technical, safety, financial and insurance aspects of DAN and its
programmes. Due to his vision and expertise in international recompression chamber manufacture, he was
commissioned by International DAN (IDAN) in 1999 to develop a system for evaluating recompression chambers,
appropriate for the treatment of decompression illness of scuba divers around the globe. This programme is
known globally as the Recompression Chamber Assistance and Partnering Programme (RCAPP). Francois has
a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He spent eight years of his working
career with the Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa. A career change in 1994 took him into the realms
of hyperbaric technology, when he joined a Cape Town based company which specialised in life-support and
underwater engineering. It was during these next seven years that he was able to further his interests in diving and hyperbaric medical
technology eventually joining DAN-SA in 1998. He serves as Treasurer on the board of International DAN and is the technical consultant
for the various international recompression chamber assistanceprogrammes. Francois is also an active scuba diver.
HELIA VAN ZYL
Helia has been working at DAN-SA since February 2001 when DAN was still part of Medical Rescue
International. Helia commenced her career in the hospitality industry, working mainly in southern Mozambique
at a diving resort; she then went on to further her studies in Business Management. Helia is an experienced DAN
Instructor and has the additional benefit of being fluent in Portuguese. Helia serves as our DAN Office Manager
where she is responsible for the operational aspect of Membership Services and the staff. We credit her – together
with her staff – for the excellent growth DAN has enjoyed as the leading diving safety organisation in southern
Africa. Helia has been diving since 1999.
AfricanDiver.com 36
MORNE CHRISTOU
Morne started with DAN in February 2006. Morne started his career at the Knysna Elephant Park and
went on to work at various diving resorts in southern and northern Mozambique, serving respectively
as tour operator, dive guide and water sports manager. Morne manages DAN-SA’s Special Projects and
Marketing, and is also our Diving Safety Partners Programme (DSP) Co-ordinator. Morne was instrumental
in managing the building of the DAN offices. His diligence and attention to detail are remarkable. He
spent most of 2006 and 2007 setting up the chamber support programme in Zanzibar. Morne regularly
attends events all over southern Africa, visiting dive shops and implementing the various DAN training and
membership programmes, and various other DAN projects, wherever he goes. Morne has been diving since
1999 and is currently an active PADI instructor.
DAWN CARVER
After ten years with Netcare 911, where she was actively involved with the DAN hotline, Dawn started
working for DAN-SA as an inhouse DAN Medic in January 2009. Dawn has extensive experience in the
paramedical, operations, and emergency evacuations field. She started off as a volunteer in the emergency
services while still at school, and then decided to make this a career. She holds a qualification as an
Ambulance Emergency Assistant. Dawn has specialised in Air Evacuation and Repatriation, internationally
and locally. She was a team leader at the Netcare flight desk for the past two years before joining the DAN-SA
team. Dawn is responsible for supporting the Medical Information and Emergency Hotline services during
office hours. She continues to work closely with Netcare when further assistance or evacuation is required
and provides important quality assurance and customer care related to these calls. Dawn offers a uniquely
personal and even more caring dimension to the services DAN offers its members and divers at large. Dawn
is an open water diver and has been diving since 2007.
SEL-MARIE PEREIRA
Sel-Marie started with DAN in April 2002. She began her career in the vehicle finance industry working in
customer service. She then went on to vehicle sales and client services. Sel-Marie is our DAN Membership
Services Administrator. She is responsible for all aspects of membership administration, data capturing and sales.
Sel-Marie is a wonderful asset to the DAN Team with her dedication and attention to detail. She has been diving
since 2001.
TONI MCQUILLEN
Toni started with DAN in June 2008. Following a sojourn in promotions, Toni went on to pursue a career in the
diving industry where she has worked her way up to master diver, obtaining various specialties and working in
a dive shop for many years. Toni serves as our Membership Services Assistant and is responsible for assisting in
the general day to day administration of DAN-SA membership as well as the student membership. Toni has been
diving since 2002
Dec/Jan 09
Medical Team
DR JACK MEINTJES
Jack has been the medical Director of
DAN-SA since 2007, he is a full fellow of
the College of Public Health Medicine of
South Africa (Occupational Medicine)
and holds the MMed (Occupational
Medicine) degree and is a consultant in
occupational medicine at the university
of Stellenbosch. He has successfully
completed various courses and formal
qualifications in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine and personally
developed the curriculums for the BScMedScHons (Underwater
Medicine) and BScMedScHons (Hyperbaric Medicine) degree
programmes. He worked at the Institute for Maritime Medicine
as head of diving and submarine medicine from 2001 to 2003,
providing medical support to the SA Navy divers. He is serving
on the Diving Council of the Department of Labour and
advises the Chief Inspector on commercial diving medical
matters. He currently lectures in the Division of Community
Health (University of Stellenbosch) and provides post-graduate
occupational health as well as hyperbaric and diving medical
training. He also chairsthe diving medical panel, dealing with
complicated fitness to dive issues. Dr Meintjes also developed
the curriculum for the refresher course in Underwater Medicine
for diving doctors. Dr Meintjes is an active diver with not only
recreational diving and hyperbaric medicine expertise but also
vast commercial diving medical knowledge and experience.
DR FRANS CRONJÉ
Frans is the founder, President and
Managing Director of DAN-SA. He is
a board member of DAN Europe and
International DAN.
AfricanDiver.com 37
DR LOURENS DE KOCK
Lourens is one of the partners in a
busy diving, aviation and maritime
medical practice in Cape Town. Born
in Mapumalanga and growing up in
KwaZulu-Natal, Lourens has always
had a love for the sea. Diving and
Diving Medicine are his passion and
have taken him around the world,
often as a diving medical officer
responsible for commercial diving operations off-shore.
With both a medical degree and a BScMedSc(Hons) degree
in Diving and Underwater Medicine from the University of
Stellenbosch (SUN), Lourens brings considerable experience,
knowledge and passion to DAN.
DR ROB SCHNEIDER
Rob is a general medical practitioner
practising full-time in Emergency
Medicine in Pretoria. He completed his
medical degree and started diving in
the year 2000. In addition to running
a private level 1 Trauma Unit, Rob has
accumulated a wealth of experience in
clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He
is an avid scuba and breathhold diver.
He is also completing a BScMedSc(Hons) training in Diving
and Underwater Medicine at SUN. We are delighted that Rob
has joined our ranks; he brings important emergency medical
knowledge and experience to the team.
DR MIKE MARSHALL
Mike obtained his MBBCh degree
from WITS University in 1985. In
1987 he received a BScMed(Hons)
in Sport Science from the University
of Cape Town. He completed the
Diving and Submarine Medicine
Diploma at the Institute for Maritime
Medicine in 1988; the Fellow of the
College of Surgeons (SA) Part 1a
(SA College of Medicine) in 1989; Advanced Trauma Life
Support (AEMS in Durban) in 1994; Advanced Cardiac Life
Support (AEMS, Durban) in 1997; Diving and Hyperbaric
Medicine Staff Training Course (Pretoria) in 1999; Bennett
and Elliott’s Physiology and Medicine of Diving Course
(IMM) in 2002; Certified Hyperbaric Technologist
Certification (via NBDHMT, Louisiana) in 2003. He serves
as the Medical Director for the St Augustine’s Hyperbaric
Medicine Centre since its inception in 2000. He has been a
part-time medical officer to DAN since 2002.
DR GARY MORRIS
Gary is a general medical practitioner
from Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal.
His proximity to Aliwal Shoal
and a love and compassion for
people and their general health
have rapidly expanded his medical
activities to encompass diving
medicine. Being introduced to the
underwater realm several years ago
DR ISABEL DU PREEZ
has further expanded his interest. Gary is also completing
Isabel was the first DAN doctor in
his BScMedSc(Hons) in Diving and Underwater
Zanzibar on call at the EAHC (East
Medicine at SUN. Apart from his medical degree, Gary
Africa Hyperbaric Centre) medical
also has a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and a Masters
facility. She graduated from the
degree in Family Medicine. His love for the outdoors –
University of Pretoria in 2003, attaining sailing, snorkeling, and hiking – adds to a well-rounded
her MBChB. In 2007 she completed
background.
a BScMedSci(Hons) in Underwater
Medicine from the University of
Stellenbosch. Dr Du Preez is currently
one of the Directors of the emergency rooms at Akasia
Hospital in Pretoria. Diving is one of her greatest passions. She
says that working with such a wonderful group of committed
and like-minded professionals is a privilege and pleasure to her.
Dec/Jan 09
Hotline Team
During office hours, all calls to the DAN-SA hotline on 0800 020
111 or +27 828 10 60 10 will be taken by our in-house medic.
After hours and overflow calls as well as emergency calls requiring
evacuations will be answered by the DAN hotline staff at Netcare –
these operators have been especially trained and have experience in
dealing with DAN calls. Alongside are operators that will take the
DAN hotline calls after hours
AfricanDiver.com 38
Dec/Jan 09
www.simonbrownimages.com
Featured photographer - Simon Brown
AfricanDiver.com 39
Top left: Yamil & the sunlight. Dive
guide Yamil posing in the Red Sea
Top centre: Tommy & the gorgor-
gonian. Taken at 42m in Trondheim
Fjord, Norway. The only place in
the world where a cold water coral
reef is in scuba range. Dressed in
drysuits, in the dark and cold it felt
just so wrong to photograph a coral
reef.
Top right: Mark and cuttlefish.
Taken at Port Cros Marine Park,
France. It took a while to get the
cuttlefish to relax and Mark in position, but the result was a magazine
front cover.
Bottom left: Pike in chalk stream
near Arundel in West Sussex. The
first dip into the water with my new
camera housing yielded this image.
Bottom centre: Tango divers. Taken
in a local swimming pool to support
the feature called “Strictly Come
Diving” this image is backlit by a
slave strobe, giving the bubbles the
extra sparkle.
Bottom right: Me in Te
Waikoropupu Springs, New
Zealand. Taken by my then-9-yearold daughter, Emily. Diving is now
banned in this spring.
Dec/Jan 09
www.simonbrownimages.com
Featured photographer - Simon Brown
AfricanDiver.com 40
Top left: Royal Engineers diver. The
water was filthy from the cutting tool
and the diver had “walked” through the
silt to get to the workbench, dragging
the umbilical behind him. I still wonder
how I managed to photogrpah this
subject in these conditions
Top centre: Deck gun of the KT-12,
Sardinia. After diving this wreck I found
that the submarine that torpedeod the
KT-12 was a known wreck in the English Channel, so I dived that too.
Top right: VSW diver with mine. The
team of Royal Navy Divers survey
invasion beaches for mines. It took a lot
of talking to secure access to this team.
Centre left: The range finder on the SMS
Koln, Scapa Flow.
Centre right: Jewel anemone at Skellig
Michael. Who says temperate seas lack
colour & life? 20m plus of visiability in
clear Atlantic water.
Bottom left: Diver in the tile wreck, Abu
Nuhas, Red Sea. Taken on my first visit
to the Red Sea.
Bottom centre: The Markgraf, Scapa
Flow. At a depth of 44m the ISO button
jammed down on my camera, leaving
me no control of shutter speed, aperture
or image preview. I was stuck with f4.5
and 1/20th. All I could do was bracket
the ISO and compose ... all the camera
could do was focus and flip the shutter.
Bottom right: Wreck of the Torp, near
Kristiansund, Norway. A great wreck
in great visibility. Twice featured as a
magazine cover.
Dec/Jan 09
The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative
We’ve mentioned SASSI in African Diver before
and they have a wonderful website detailing their
activities and providing useful information to the
public. But we wondered how it all got started and
what was behind the SASSI movement. In their
words, here it is.
Six years ago in Kwazulu-Natal, a questionnaire survey of seafood restaurants and retailers revealed some alarming trends in the
linefish trade in that province. The questionnaire tried to fathom the level of awareness that seafood retailers had about marine
conservation issues, the sections of the Marine Living Resource Act (MLRA) of 1998 relevant to them, and whether there
were any species of particular concern being sold. The results showed a high level of ignorance concerning the MLRA with 77%
of the retailers not being familiar with it and 92% of them contravening at least one aspect of the Act, mostly by buying from recreational fishers and offering “no-sale” species for sale.
The news about species was no better with 15 no-sale species making an appearance on the species list, including specially protected species seventy-four and potato bass. Furthermore,
the top 12 most popular fish in KZN included four overexploited species, and one prohibited species (Natal stumpnose). Hardly anyone was aware of the crisis that was announced in
the South African linefishery in December 2000. This announcement came in the wake of recent revisions of linefish stock assessments that showed the majority of traditional linefish
stocks to be far from healthy1. For example, out of the top 27 recreationally important species for which sufficient information were available 18 (or 67%) were classified as “collapsed”,
one species was found to be “over-exploited”, four were considered “optimally-exploited”, and only two species were “under-exploited” 2. For commercial species it was no different with
six out of the ten most important commercial species falling well below critical levels in the Western Cape region, where the bulk of national linefish catches are made3. These species
included household favourites such as kabeljou (kob) and red roman.
SASSI has three major objectives:
The generally positive response from the majority of retailers to
the questionnaire prompted Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to develop a
Sustainable Seafood Initiative that would try to address these issues.
Soon after this it was realised that there existed a real need at national
level for such an initiative.
This became reality with the appointment of a National Co-ordinator
for the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) by
the Marine Programme of WWF South Africa, with funding from
The Green Trust, and in close collaboration with the Department
Environment and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management
(MCM). Other participating partners are Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Two
Oceans Aquarium, TRAFFIC, and more recently the South African
Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
AfricanDiver.com 41
1.Promote voluntary compliance with the MLRA 1998
through education and awareness.
2.Shift consumer demand away from over-exploited
species to more sustainable options.
3.Create awareness on marine conservation issues.
Dec/Jan 09
The first objective will be achieved by offering training courses to the staff of participating restaurants and retailers, to be presented by the various implementing partners. At this stage
KZN is the furthest ahead with a course already developed and ready to go, while Two Oceans Aquarium awaits further guidance regarding course content, based on the results from
questionnaire surveys that are being carried out at seafood restaurants and dealers in the Cape Town region. The emphasis is on nationally consistent course content based on accurate
and credible information, but with local relevance. It is also intended to expand the surveys to Gauteng and Eastern Cape provinces, and to find suitable partners there who could
implement the training.
The courses will mainly focus on the following topics:
•
•
•
•
•
Legal aspects regarding dealing in seafood
Seafood identification skills
Conservation or stock status of different species
Fishing methods and their impacts
The biology and ecology of seafood species
The second and third objectives go hand-in-hand. By creating awareness on broad marine conservation matters, consumers will also be exposed to more specific issues. Here we can take
a leaf from the book of similar international campaigns where the concept of mustering consumers to move the seafood industry towards better practices has been successfully applied in
a number of countries, notably the United States, Australia and in Scandinavia.
Typically the campaigns are formed through collaborations between NGOs, governments, environmental interest groups and aquaria. What they offer ranges from websites with
information regarding fisheries related issues such as over-fishing, bycatch, habitat destruction and fishing methods, to detailed species databases. The most established campaign,
Seafood Watch run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, offers regional wallet cards to consumers with colour coded species lists that can aid in their choices at restaurants and shops. This
project has attracted strong buy-in from consumers, the hospitality industry and even the fishing industry.
SASSI is slightly different in that it goes beyond harnessing consumer pressure, but also seeks to build the capacity of the seafood industry and to encourage it to move towards
sustainable practices. This principle of sustainability has become a matter of priority for NGOs worldwide . The take-home message is that these types of projects do not seek to harm
the industry but rather aim to ensure a steady and diverse seafood supply for decades to come, and to promote security throughout the seafood chain.
For further information regarding SASSI, or for comments, please visit their site here.
1
Oceanographic Research Institute. 2000. Southern African Marine Linefish Status Reports. (Ed.) B.Q. Mann. Special Publication No. 7, 257 pp.
Griffiths, M.H. & Lamberth, S.J. 2002. Evaluating the marine recreational fishery in South Africa. In: Recreational Fisheries: Ecological, economic and social evolution (Eds. T.J. Pitcher & C.E. Hollingworth):
227-251
2
Griffiths, M.H. 2000. Long-term trends in catch and effort of commercial linefish off South Africa’s Cape Province: Snapshots of the 20th Century. South African Journal of Marine Science 22: 81-110
2
AfricanDiver.com 42
Dec/Jan 09
AfricanDiver.com 43
Dec/Jan 09

Zanzibar, Pemba and safaris Titan Triggerfish

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