Monday, May 10, 2010

Tasi Tolu, May 09 2010

All of these pictures were taken on one 50 minute dive at Tasi Tolu. This site has to be one of the premier 'muck' dives in South-East Asia.

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Weedy scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondosa


Unknown Nudibranch


Unknown frogfish


Thorny Seahorse


Leaf scorpionfish Taenianotus triacanthus


Ornate ghost pipefish Solenostomus paradoxus




Mimic octupus Thaumoctopus mimicus


Unfortunately this dive site may not exist in the near future. A storm drain is being dug which empties out right on to the site. So far as we are aware no environmental impact assessement has been carried out as to the effects of this storm drain. Tasi Tolu is also a breeding and feeding ground for Dugong, one of the worls most endangered species. This site is also going to be one of the featured dive sites in the upcoming Timor-Leste Underwater Photo contest. Something needs to be done.

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1 comment:

Reiner Kuske said...

It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to come with you on this very special dive. This would have to be the most accessable of all dive sites in Timor Leste and with a size of about a volleyball pitch, one of the most diveserve for the keen photographer. The new drain on the beach looked scary and if completed, will most certainly have a negative impact on this wonderful site.