The Scuba News New Zealand

Following the well-publicised killing of a huge resident smooth ray on 2 April at Rye Pier Melbourne, that sparked a petition of over 26,000 signatures to ban the killing of rays in Port Phillip Bay, another attack occurred at the same pier on Wednesday evening, 3 May. Four fiddler rays (more commonly known as ‘banjo sharks’) were caught by an unidentified individual on the pier before being dealt a severe cranial split.

Tioman Island or Pulau Tioman, as it is known locally, lies off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Only 90 minutes by ferry from Mersing Jetty (RM35 per trip) stopping at 3-4 beachside villages along the way to Salang Village in the north, beautiful turquoise waters and sandy white beaches will greet you on arrival. Tioman has become a famous spot for tourists to explore scuba diving, snorkelling, and relaxing, offering sunsets to die for and hikes to tropical waterfalls. Asah waterfall is one of the biggest on the Island that is located approximately six km from Mukut village in the south. Each village has a smattering of local shops and restaurants featuring local cuisine for your taste buds delight and a souvenir or two.

They are my favourite thing to see in the water. If you’re coming from Part 2: Interview with a Shark Attack Survivor, you might ask why sharks are my favourite given the damage one inflicted to my friend Diego. My answer is because sharks are not the monsters people think they are. Check out Part 1: Dive With Sharks…It’s the Safest Thing You’ll Do All Day, where you’ll see that man’s other best friend, dogs, are more likely to kill you than sharks.