Times of the Islands Summer 2019
Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities.
Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities.
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The Frogfish’s pectoral<br />
fins are also modified to have<br />
an elbow joint, allowing it to<br />
strangely plod around <strong>the</strong> reef<br />
on webbed feet ra<strong>the</strong>r than<br />
swimming. Like a lion, <strong>the</strong><br />
Frogfish likes to stay close to<br />
its prey and will normally stay<br />
in <strong>the</strong> same area for several<br />
weeks at a time when <strong>the</strong> fishing<br />
is good, so once spotted<br />
you can return to try and search<br />
for it again.<br />
If a prey fish should not be<br />
attracted to its lure, <strong>the</strong> Frogfish<br />
will actually stalk it instead and<br />
it can suck its victims down <strong>the</strong><br />
hatch from one body length<br />
away. To top it <strong>of</strong>f, Frogfish are<br />
jet propelled—water sucked in<br />
through <strong>the</strong> mouth is expelled<br />
through small, circular gill<br />
openings behind <strong>the</strong> “legs” and<br />
this propulsion is used to hop<br />
The Frogfish actually encourages algal growth on its body to fur<strong>the</strong>r complement its camouflage.<br />
around <strong>the</strong> reef in <strong>the</strong> fashion<br />
<strong>of</strong> its namesake.<br />
This unique and interesting little fish is a magnificently<br />
rare highlight on any dive and if you can find one<br />
it is extremely rewarding. The last one spotted in Grand<br />
Turk was at 30 feet deep on <strong>the</strong> Chief Minister’s (South)<br />
dive site. There are a number <strong>of</strong> species <strong>of</strong> Frogfish that<br />
could be encountered in <strong>the</strong> Turks & Caicos, including <strong>the</strong><br />
Longlure, Splitlure, Dwarf, Ocellated and Sargassumfish.<br />
The most fantastic member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family globally (for me)<br />
is a toss-up between <strong>the</strong> Giant and <strong>the</strong> Hairy.<br />
Have a closer look at <strong>the</strong> sponges on your next dive<br />
because one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> many amazing wonders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />
world might just be staring right back at you. a<br />
A native <strong>of</strong> Ireland, Brian moved to <strong>the</strong> Turks & Caicos<br />
with his wife Sabine in 2016 where <strong>the</strong>y opened <strong>the</strong><br />
Humpback Dive Shack on Grand Turk. Brian received his<br />
degree in Marine Biology from <strong>the</strong> Queens University <strong>of</strong><br />
Belfast in 2001 and has been traveling <strong>the</strong> globe as a<br />
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and underwater photographer<br />
since 2003. He holds an additional qualification<br />
in Tropical Habitat Conservation, is a certified whale and<br />
dolphin guide, a qualified boat captain and a self-taught<br />
outboard engine mechanic.<br />
<strong>Times</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2019</strong> 31
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