The main reason why I started to map these underwater resources is interesting. I am basically a diving enthusiast. Also, I have used Google maps as a tool to show the hidden resources of nature to the world to make those who cannot reach these places feel like home even though they cannot be physically present in such locations. For this meetup, unlike my previous meetups, no local guide joined me in. The journey. At a moment, I thought to dive instead of snorkeling since I was alone. Unfortunately, I was not ready with my diving kit and I couldn’t even rent one at that point. So I decided to snorkel. I got a new friend from the locality who I got introduced to, at the snorkeling site. He joined me in roaming around the bay. He asked me why am I taking a lot of photos. I told him about my contribution to Google maps and it’s used.
When I got near the reef patches, I could see many damaged reefs and a little number of fish. Somehow, this is a significant measure that shows that this place has a high number of people visiting the corals.
I have a habit of doing mini researches on any new activity that I undertake. So, at this point, I have read a lot about fish, corals and other marine resources such as puffers, lionfish that can be harmful to snorkelers as well as certain tips on how to snorkel without damaging the reefs and what activities could harm the reef health.
I started exploring the reef and I could see many schooling fish, different types of surgeons, angelfish, wrasses, goby, damsels, and crabs and much other marine life. I had a deep desire to spot at least one anemone and a Nemo clown within this space but I couldn’t even find one. I know, they require a little more sophisticated environment to survive.
When we went a bit far, I could spot some butterfly fish, I remembered my wife @KrithikaA when I saw this, she used to tell me these are one significant indicator of a healthy reef.
Now it’s time to open some interesting story, I have posted a picture of a lobster in my hand and all my friends were asking how could I catch a lobster. They were all surprised, but actually, that’s not a lobster, that’s just a shell. Since it was the day after a full moon, they have removed their shell.
I continued snorkeling for a considerably long time. I could see many luminescent corals and many other marine resources. I remembered watching Finding Nemo long time back. With all those lovely memories, I reached home.
Lets Map Under Water Summary RECAP Video
More Photos please check this album
@KarenVChin I will get a real Lobster soon. @bDilshan95 next time you also can join with this “Let’s Map Underwater” meetup
@Seedra , @vijaih , @AnuradhaP , @NalinK , you can also join next month meetup
@Gloire_Congo , @ravindus , @TorM here’s my recap
Let’s Map Underwater Previous Meetup RECAP’s
[RECAP] Let’s Map Underwater
[RECAP] Sri Lanka Shipwreck Meetup