Ghost net removal on HTMS Kud, Pattaya Near Islands.
Thanks to the team for supporting the environmental. A large ghost net was removed from the bow of HTMS Kud today. It had been there for a long time but had so far been too challenging to remove for dive professionals leading fundivers. Therefore, a PADI Self-Reliant diver, trained and equipped for solo diving, went down to tackle this dangerous and environmentally destructive piece of fishing gear from the starboard bow of the wreck.
Three large porcelain crabs alongside a variety of other crustaceans, sponges and bivalves were entangled in the ghost net.
The removal procedure was fraught with peril for the arthropods in question. One slip of the cutting implement could easily lead to an amputated limb or instant, gruesome death!
Fortunately, the crustaceans were cooperative apart from this one, which proved to be stubborn in the hanging onto the side of a mask case like grim death with claws department.
Finally, the last coral crab was freed from its mono-filamentous prison and released into the deep and calm waters of Koh Krok South-West face, where an amazing event, rarely witnessed in the local waters, was captured on camera for all to appreciate and learn from.
A rogue male hawksbill turtle was seen competing for the affections of a female and being chased off by the dominant male. Because there are usually two adult hawksbills at Koh Krok, it’s probable that the rogue male has swum over from Koh Sak West, where a neighboring population exists.