Best Posts in Forum: Diving and Marine Life

I know there's not much one can do, save, accept that Jellyfish are part of the ocean's architecture - but they do seem to be proliferating in the area just now.

Since moving to Amlan 2 months ago, I have been out snorkelling most days and have noticed a dramatic increase in jellyfish over the last week or so. After some handy Google research I understand that 'peak season' for Jellyfish (Philippines) is April-May - which coincides with their earlier spawning season and feeding habits chasing Plankton etc. I have also learnt that although saltwater habitants, most favour egg laying in areas where fresh water rivers/streams converge with the sea - of which there are many opportunities in the DC (and surrounding) areas.

Box Jellyfish seem to be quite common in the Philippines too, although not usually as gargantuan in size as their Australian counterparts. Although stings from Box Jellyfish should not be treated with vinegar (or your best friend happily 'taking a leak' over the effected area) - one exception seems to be:

(Interesting factoid) : Filipino homemade coconut vinegar - which apparently does help to reduce additional venom from the stings entering the body/bloodstream. For this reason, many 'locals' carry a small bottle of coconut vinegar in their boats and pour it over the effected area (without rubbing obviously!!) Then scrape the area gently with a knife or credit card-type object to remove any remaining stings from the surface of the skin. It is recommended that medical treatment is sought, even if the injured party feels OK, as 'toxic shock' can occur up to 48 hours after the event. Usually anti-inflamatories/histamines do the trick, although permanent 'battle scarring' is common.

I'm not Jacques Cousteau, a Nurse or a Witch Doctor; but I thought the above findings might be of interest to others as, of late, there seems to be many more Jellyfish in the vicinity.

It is worth pointing out of course that the vast majority of these critters are relatively harmless, save some minor discomfort for a couple of hours after being stung.

 

I can tell you there is no charter for fishing in Dumaguete area and I think in all Negros Oriental. Most sport fishing in this area is jigging in 100-300 m deep, it's not for a novice, you need learn the technique for slow or fast jigging, equipment is not in the cheap end at least 10 k + for a starter or second-hand equipment. I will not be in a discussion about fishing in this area or in general but only want to share 2 options for fishing in this area maybe someone can use it. At Highland resort in Mabinay ( you can google it) you can catch snakehead in a lake, a nice place for a picnic, just remember some stuff for mosquito f#@k off. Another option is to rent a boatsman with a banka, it's not for everyone, no comfort, maybe you sit on a bamboo stick for hours or get a wet @ss in the bottom of the boat. I have been at Santa Catalina hiring a boatsman fishing dorado and other fish if you are interested pm me I have the phone number for the boatsman. You can go on YouTube, search for Mike Alano and watch videos from both the lake in Mabinay and from Santa Catalina and other places, also local area, most of the time he is going out from Sibulan. He is a really nice guy both don't have that much time for fishing anymore that he is the owner of Subida souvenirs an expanding business until covid make its entre in Negros, no tourists, as I'm sure you know. If you have any questions I will do my best to answer you, but I'm not a professional, I just like to stay out on the sea and why not go fishing same time