Deep Diving & Collecting

[Tec 100]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading the majority of these posts on these forums for the past few years and mainly been an observer. I have found fascination in a number of deep sea collections mainly those done by Rufus which has yielded collections such as the Peppermint and Narcosis.

I have thought about this time and time again and have discussed this with my mates and we have decided that we would like to do a bit of travelling and collecting. There are 6 of us and we are able to dive between 60 - 100 m quite comfortably. Initially, we mainly dived to photograph submarines and other wrecks but have changed our attention to collecting fish, which has proved to be very challenging but we are now very confident that we could retrieve rare deep water species.:hmm2:

I am not sure if this is the right platform but I am aware that there is an array of people from all parts of the world on this forum and I am hoping that someone could provide some suggestions and maybe connect us to the right people to make this happen?

If this is not on the correct forum or not accepted by the forums rules, mods can you please remove my post accordingly. Thank you.

Many Thanks,

Matthew

 

[Bobbitworm13]

You might want to try this on the scuba sub forum inthe special interest group area but, I will say that collecting deep water fish is difficult. I have been down around 70 feet in Florida attempting to collect and in my whole dive I didn't get anything despite seeing hundreds of fish.

 

[McPuff]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading the majority of these posts on these forums for the past few years and mainly been an observer. I have found fascination in a number of deep sea collections mainly those done by Rufus which has yielded collections such as the Peppermint and Narcosis.

I have thought about this time and time again and have discussed this with my mates and we have decided that we would like to do a bit of travelling and collecting. There are 6 of us and we are able to dive between 60 - 100 m quite comfortably. Initially, we mainly dived to photograph submarines and other wrecks but have changed our attention to collecting fish, which has proved to be very challenging but we are now very confident that we could retrieve rare deep water species.:hmm2:

I am not sure if this is the right platform but I am aware that there is an array of people from all parts of the world on this forum and I am hoping that someone could provide some suggestions and maybe connect us to the right people to make this happen?

If this is not on the correct forum or not accepted by the forums rules, mods can you please remove my post accordingly. Thank you.

Many Thanks,

Matthew

WOW! 100m is crazy deep. Were you using re-breathers? Nitrox?

 

[Bobbitworm13]

Hopefully not nitrox because you actually can't dive as deep on nitrox compared to regular air. Closed circuit rebreather is the way to go for dives over 150-160 feet

 

[sdweller]

I think you would have a better chance in shallow water . More bottom
time to catch your fish .
Sea Dwellers

 

[Dmorty217]

I think you're underestimating the difficulty and paperwork involved with what Rufus does...

 

[d-man]

I think you're underestimating the difficulty and paperwork involved with what Rufus does...

This 100%

Collection permits, boat rentals, travel expenses, import/export licenses, decompression complications etc.

 

[humaguy]

I think you're underestimating the difficulty and paperwork involved with what Rufus does...

and the depths of the fish op mentioned. peps and narcs are an additional 100-200 feet further down.

 

[Tec 100]

You might want to try this on the scuba sub forum inthe special interest group area but, I will say that collecting deep water fish is difficult. I have been down around 70 feet in Florida attempting to collect and in my whole dive I didn't get anything despite seeing hundreds of fish.

We have been able to make catching fish quite easy well when I say easy I mean that it is possible. We don't use barrier nets as we have seen that at depths their isn't time for that and you are mainly targeting specific creatures.

 

[Tec 100]

WOW! 100m is crazy deep. Were you using re-breathers? Nitrox?

We are using rebreathers yes. Ideal when it comes to moving around as well. No bubbles so you can get closer to the animals.

 

[Tec 100]

I think you would have a better chance in shallow water . More bottom
time to catch your fish .
Sea Dwellers

That is really true. At around 30 m I get about 70 minutes bottom time. That's where the majority of our practice has been.

 

[Tec 100]

I think you're underestimating the difficulty and paperwork involved with what Rufus does...

No not at all. I really do understand the challenges involved in this. That's why help and guidance has been requested. I know that what he does is phenomenal and I am a true admirer. Going down +60 m has massive hazards but for him to do 150m and deeper is admirable.

 

[Tec 100]

This 100%

Collection permits, boat rentals, travel expenses, import/export licenses, decompression complications etc.

Being a tec diver planning is the number 1 most important thing you need to do. I know this wont be a get up and go sort of thing but I am willing to work towards it.

 

[Tec 100]

and the depths of the fish op mentioned. peps and narcs are an additional 100-200 feet further down.

Never really been a fish spotter per say. I enjoyed fish keeping and now that I think about it I don't know what I may of missed by not looking around and taking it in.

I am not going to be able to do what Rufus does from day 1. Its gonna take time and I wont be risking my life anytime for a fish.

Just think that out my side of the world, there is opportunity to explore deep reefs. Even at 60-100m, these reefs have been unexplored so it may yield great results.

Lets see.

 

[humaguy]

Good luck and please let me know where you land.
I could always use another killer source!

If you want to bounce any ideas off people, lemme know, happy to try and help.

Ted

 

[Tec 100]

Good luck and please let me know where you land.
I could always use another killer source!

If you want to bounce any ideas off people, lemme know, happy to try and help.

Ted

Thanks so much. That is much appreciated.

I'm about in Mozambique, so geographically our goal would be around Madagascar, Mauritius or the Reunion Islands. I know each location has its own hurdles and protected areas so we are getting costs together and making sure we have everything we need such sending gear, permits, boat hire, safety support, etc.

Your assistance would be appreciated if you could guide me and link us with people who would be keen to help.

 

[humaguy]

Reunion Islands:thumbsup:

 

[humaguy]

tec pm me, I have your guy...where are you located and how quickly can your team relocate?

tk

 

[d-man]

Good luck. Looking forward to seeing some fish. Be safe

 

[Tec 100]

That's the plan but I got halted by the guy who took photos of the original Reunion Angelfish. Locals have been helpful and shared some secrets but whether or not it's true is still a mystery.