FathomOz

See Fathom 5 for more pictures and text "Crown of Thorns starfish"

Same shark both pictures. Exmouth, Western Australia.

Slicing a fish allows for easy access when sharing with chopsticks. An unusual to Australia species here (in lower picture). The head suggests a bottom-dwelling fish as per flounder but the body is much thicker.Very white flesh puts it into an "A" grade category - perhaps helped by very clever cooking. Nothing wrong with the presentation either. Typical of Taiwanese cuisine. Top picture features steamed Coral Cod in ginger. The cod are best when not fried.

Big sharks and plenty of crocodiles exist, but divers can't see them in the murky water. Rick Trippe concentrates on the fish - a supreme predator himself. Jewfish are the quarry, and Barramundi. Spear fishing photography is best if: The spear wound is visible (it tells a story). The fish has been hit with a paralyzing shot to the spine. The picture is taken as soon as possible after capture. Pelagic species preferable. Eventually we'll appreciate that very large fish are breeders and best left alone for that purpose. Educate the fishing TV show hosts on that point.

It seems the culprit was a very annoyed 3-meter Lemon shark. Experts agree the species in NOT a Tiger but are unable to identify it completely. The dinghy belonged to Australian celebrity (and former shark hunter), Ben Cropp.

We encountered this serpent of the sea around Great Keppel Island, off the Queensland coast. It did not bother Christine and I at all. Most sea snakes are very inquisitive - which can be mistaken for aggression, although sometimes they do seem angry. Very potent venom in all sea snakes. Correct name may be Stokesi sea snake.

Philippe Cousteau spent six days in Australia during 1971 and granted Fathom an exclusive interview - commenting that he had refused an interview request with Skin Diver magazine (USA). Our interview in Fathom 6 (See Categories)

The first divers were spear fishermen. Thought of as being either extremely brave men or complete fools. Larger sharks and a greater supply of seafood existed then. So many fish were in shallow water that venturing deeper than three meters was unnecessary. Flippers were not needed, just sand shoes. Things changed fast after that.

Photographed at Bermagui, New South Wales during one of the first Australian Spear Fishing Championships, (pre-wet suits). A group were displaying speared wobbegong's when one of the sharks suddenly latched onto the divers arm. The event recorded on movie film. (Courtesy of the John Gallagher Collection).