The Stingray has made the news in recent times having caused the death of an Icon in the wild animal world. Steve Irwin Lost his life to the one in a Billion chance strike of a stingray tail. (News Story). I was Probably a Brown Stingray (Dasyatis annotatus) or maybe a Black Stingray (Dasyatis thetidis Ogilby), which is larger and capable of inflicting serious wounds. The News Media is reporting how rarely Stingray attacks occur; I say, “they are none existent” with none on record. Seventeen Deaths worldwide have been reported and attributed to the Stingray. In recorded history, but who is to blame? These fish DON”T attack People or any large animals. It is a defensive action only. I am posting Clips here of these gentle fish that we have approached, encountered, and sought out. These are wild animals and some rules do exist that may have played a roll in The “Croc Hunters” death. Never approach these fish from above or head on! It is the action of a predator and the fish will go into a defensive action to protect itself. They can move quick as you will see in the clips and can whip their tails up and to the front with violent force. Many surfers along the California coast get hit all year round to the point Life Guards carry buckets to soak victim’s legs. It is not the fishes fault but the Swimmer or Surfer who steps on one berried in the sand which is part of the fish’s behavior. Millions of people have visited places Like Stingray City in Grand Cayman with close contact with no problems. We should be careful not to vilify these beautiful creatures! If you have Stingray Stories good or bad please post them to our message board. We hope you enjoy the following clips as much as I did doing them.
We hope to be your source of underwater adventure, Videos, Photos, Training, and a place of resources for both the entertainment industry and the public. We hope to attract the diving public to a site that will be interesting and educational as well as fun and informative.
We hope to be a forum for talent from the dive industry and the diving public. A place for talented production professional and amateur videograhers and photographers to display their best work and have an opportunity to be seen by a large audience.
We are open to suggestions as to the secondary direction this site might take. We are active divers who enjoy what we do and want to share it with the dry world. We hope that in doing so will promote SCUBA Diving, help preserve the worlds reefs, and introduce the underwater world and its beauty to the many that have not gone our will not go.
This site will be built slowly over the next couple years and will morph as needed to help as we can in furthering our mission.
Please feel free to use our message board to ask questions of your piers. Post important questions and hopefully get answers from the best in the industry. This is a great place to ask about your next location or adventure location. Where to stay and what to see, plus what are the inside scoops that will make your trip better!
