Dives complete: 20 + 4 confined dives
Deepest dive: 31m
Parrot fish and butterfly fish, yala rock
Unfortunately much of the once pristine and beautiful reefs has been dystroyed in southern Sri Lanka. The damage has been caused by trawling fishing nets, dynamite fishing and 2004's tsunami. The evidence can be seen as the sea floor is covered in fragments of dead coral. It's sad to see, sometimes you see glimpse of the beauty of the past but much is now desolate and bare. One dive site was even describes as 'apocalyptic' by ofher divers.
Some dive sites and local snorkeling spots seem to lack in fish which the local 'jungle' diving trade maybe to blame. The local men catch fish, shrimps and other desirable marine life which is sold for the booming aquarium market. There equitment is stored at the side of the dive shop and they even use the same tanks. Thaminda used to be a 'jungle' diver so now allows his old colleges to make use of his centre. All the 'jungle' fishing it's totally unregulated and seemingly out of control. It seems crazy to facilitate the decline of marine life while at the same time making a business taking toritst to see it!
Despite all this we have enjoyed our stay and met some amazing friendly people. It's nice to feel part of a family while being so far from our own. I won't be taking some of the dive practices I witnessed with me which are very much in the 'Sri Lankan' style, we even took our equitment to the boat by tuc-tuc. However I have made some new friends and gained some new diving expirence.
Thaminda and me outside the shop- "diver diver, you ok?"
A huge thank you to Thaminda and his family, who were very welcoming, funny and hospitable. Shout out to the rest of dive team and crew too! Buuuuuuut, See you in Trincomalee!
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