Aliwal Shoal 8th August 2015. Great dive with good friends. Harry Roberts Mike Buchholtz Lizette Slabbert Audrey Langenegger
Sea Snake venom is Neurotoxic (affecting the nervous system) classified in the group Proteroglypha and sometimes Myotoxins (affecting skeletal muscles) with a fatal dose being about 1.5 milligrams. Most Sea Snakes produce an average of 10-15 mg of venom so they should always be approached with caution as this venom is 10x more lethal than the venom of the land-based deadly Black Mamba. Most Sea Snake bites are recorded when fisherman fall victim to Sea Snake bites while untangling their fishing net catches. Sea Snakes also present a high degree of danger to humans particularly after tropical storms when they are washed ashore becoming virtually helpless to move and extremely dangerous alive or dead.
Although controversial it was an awesome experience. A few years ago these fishermen would have finned these sharks and maybe been paid a few hundred dollars for the fins and meat. Now they have made it a tourist activity and earn a few thousand dollars a day for their community. They are feeding the whalesharks shrimp, which the fishermen collect almost 1000kg a day to feed up to 14 sharks for a few hours in the morning. Google Whale sharks at Oslob Philippines and make your own conclusion 'Controversial or not"
This footage was shot using a GoPro Hero2 HD with a dive housing and a red lens filter. The red filter works well from approx 10m. Direction of the sun affects the results as on occasions the red lens over compensates and gives the shot a pink undertone.