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Stingray City Moray Attacks “It's A Moray . . ."May / June 2006 Issue of Alert DIver by Doc Vikingo Feeding the stingrays at Stingray City and Sand Bar on Grand Cayman's North Sound is a well-known and popular activity for many divers. Not surprisingly, feeding the rays can attract other marine creatures. These include moray eels, an animal notorious for its appetite, quickness in striking and poor vision. A serious incident occurred in early April of 2005 when an 11-year-old Discover Scuba student was bitten on the right hand and arm while diving at the Sand Bar. He underwent immediate surgery at George Town Hospital, including repair of severed blood vessels. After returning blood flow to the hand, the surgeons indicated that a tendon and several nerves in the arm also needed repair. The family chartered a private jet to get their son back to the United States for further treatment, which included a long period of rehabilitation. They were told by the Grand Cayman hospital that an eel at that site had bitten three other divers in the previous six months. Very shortly after this event, with the OK of the Department of the Environment, Ocean Frontiers captured the eel in question. It was transported seven miles to the east to an area known as "The No Diving Zone," near the village of North Side. As the name states, there is no diving conducted in the area and no risk of the eel coming into contact with anyone. This zone is a typical habitat for a moray and it would have no reason to leave that general location. But Broadbelt admits that there is nothing to keep new eels from moving into the Stingray City venue and causing more problems. The suggested rules include limiting feeding sites to a maximum of 100 persons per boat (some have up to 200 on them now), a maximum of 1lb. of squid/bait per boat and a maximum of 20 boats on the Sand Bar at any one time. Additionally, all boats would be required to have a contained holding tank and head, only DMs and staff would be allowed to feed, and fins and gloves would be prohibited for snorkelers. In the meantime, all water sports operators have been requested not to feed or encourage interaction with any green morays at either the Sand Bar or Stingray City. Casey Schirmer of Neptune's Divers told Undercurrent that they occasionally dive Stingray City. Often there are one or two morays looking for a "snack." Her dive operator gives a detailed briefing on the eels, including warnings not to feed them by hand or wiggle one's fingers in front of them. In her experience attacks by eels are exceedingly rare; stingray hickeys and nips from yellowtail snappers are more common. She also notes that several years ago an inappropriately assertive porcupinefish named "Chuckie" had to be removed by the Department of Environment. This is a very popular dive that has been enjoyed by thousands; there seems no compelling reason not to do it. However, as many old hands in diving advise, it's only common sense to follow instructions, pay attention to your surroundings, don't wear shiny objects, don't wave hands or fingers or provoke marine life. Dive with care, they advise - and with the awareness that you're visiting their digs. (c) DAN - Alert Diver Ma /June 2006 Back
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