Top French video artist Raphael has created an audio visual adventure called “Liquidity”. Shot on Koh Tao whilst diving with Davy Jones Locker Raphael and Elliott from Koh Tao PROvideo shot samples of the aquatic world around the island using HD cameras and blue screen backgrounds to animate later in After Effects.
Another Crown-of-thorns starfish was spotted just the other day around Koh Tao, giving us all the interest to further inspect these beauties. Beneficial yet capable of great danger to both coral and divers.
The Crown-of-thorns starfish recieved its name from the venomous thorn-like spines that covers the entire body, creating a crown-like shape. These spines can pierce through wetsuits, a fact that has made divers gain the respect this starfish should be treated with. The starfish can produce a neurotoxin, released through the spines, causing a sharp long-lasting stinging pain, nausea and potential vomiting. The area around the wound will turn dark blue and begin to swell, possibly lasting for weeks. Even worse, if the spine breaks off and stays under the skin, it can lead to increased toxicity and infection.
But not only can these creatures cause damage to humans, they also have a big impact on the coral reef.
Because of its spines, the starfish are a very unattractive target for other reef predators. This eliminates most enemies and therefore provides power to the animal. This can lead to overpopulation. But what does it mean for the reef?
Overpopulation of crown-of-thorns can cause great reef destruction. Some biologists even believe that its one of the most influential species in the diverse biotic communities that make up tropical coral reefs. The Crown-of-thorns, sometimes just referred to as Crownthorn starfish, has a very important role in maintaining the biodiversity, preventing fast-growing coral from overpowering the more slower growing ones.
The changes our seas are going through such as environmental pollution and coral bleaching means an increased risk of overpopulation. Consequences of this may mean a supply of alternative food sources to the predators of the crown-of-thorns.
To prevent overpopulation humans have a variety of control measures. What we can do, is inject sodium bisulphate into the starfish. This does not harm the surrounding reef and ecosystems but it does prevent a “crown-of-thorns epedemic”.
This needs to be done with much care though; When under stress or if dismembered the animal has a bit of an “alien”-effect – it will start to proliferate.
In summary, when treated with respect and the requried knowledge, the crown-of-thorns starfish is another wonder of the sea that will continue to be admired by divers all over the world and preventing overpopulation we can keep our ecosystem in tact.
Coongratulations go to Alex and George for becoming Davy Jones’ Locker’s newest Deep Divers. Both arrived on Koh Tao as Open Water divers and enjoyed the Advanced Open Water course so much they decided to continue their diving education and complete the PADI Deep Diver Speciality course.
We did the final two dives on a wreck just south of Shark Island called the Trident. This is an exciting and challenging dive, but the added challenge gives greater reward. Conditions were good and as we did the second dive on Enriched Air we got to spend plenty of time on the wreck and really got the most out of the experience.
The PADI Deep Diver (certified to 40m) and PADI Enriched Air Diver (extend your bottom time) are just two of the many specialities we teach here at DJL Diving. Check out our website for more details and get the most out of your diving.
Diving around Koh Tao has continued to impress all our student divers, and conditions right now are stunning. The sun is shining, and the visibility is brilliant. Not only that but the coral reefs are beaming with aquatic life, ensuring that every dive gives us unexpected treats. Having just taught Scott and Rachael from England to become PADI Open Water divers we were just as lucky on our dives. On the guys 2nd open water dive we visited a dive site named Shark Island, we could see for 25 meters ahead. Large shoals of Butterfly Fish and Yellow Tail Barracuda, Moray Eels, Trigger Fish, an abundance of activity. Despite only being their 2nd ever dive the sea, they controlled their buoyancy well and enjoyed what the site had to offer. For the 3rd and 4th dives we went to the locals favorite sites Twins, then White Rock, both boasting great visibility too. Twins claimed the prize for being Scott and Rachaels favorite dive of the course, and too is one of my favorite sites. We saw several Blue Spotted Stingrays, more Moray Eels, Saddle Back Clown Fish (our good friend Nemo) and Porcupine Fish, to name just a few. To top it off, White Rock was graced with the presence of a Hawksbill Turtle, a fine way to finish the 4th dive of the course.
A Big congratulations to Scott and Rachael, hope to see you guys back in Koh Tao in the Future, and enjoy your new life as Open Water Divers.
There’s never been a better time to come and learn to dive, or to take your diving to the next level. With DJL certifying new divers every day the temptation to get back out there and fun dive is overwhelming. Ask about our Fun Dive packages, and remember you get a discount if you’ve been a DJL Student.
