Headed out for another Broome dive trip and whether it be fishing or diving, you actually don't realise how amazing the landscapes are that we get to. I can speak for other adventurers that do this regularly, we take a lot for granted and go to places that a lot of people wouldn't experience. On this particular dive I did some more droning of the trip, so you can see what it looks like. Looks incredible from the drone when usually I just punch out of the creek and get stuck into shooting fish.

A bit of marine-life out and bout on this day as well which is always humbling. I dove the day before and the off shores were so strong surely would've lost the drone. Again vis was super clear even with the ghastly easterlies which doesn't really matter when you're underwater. There were a few blueys getting around and had a mate who really wanted to target his first ever Chinaman fish. I took him to a spot where I know they come in for a look and he managed to plug one. I saw him waving me over at one point in a sort of panic and that's usually one of two things - a shark or a big horse fish haha As I swam over I looked down and could see his gun at the edge of the reef, shootline wrapped around two bombies and his spear bent around the ledge. His response 'I think I have shot the biggest Chinaman but he’s stuck.' I went down and had a crack at pulling it out and thankfully released it and this fish came out from under the rock. I handed him my gun to finish the job so we could untangle the mess and release his gun. Was an absolute whopper. 82cm and 10kg. The cheeky bastard has now knocked me off the Chinaman leaderboard in the BNFC Dive 5 comp.

I suppose there would be Queenslanders wondering if we ate it and why? In regards to eating Chinaman Fish, I know over in QLD and parts of the East Coast they can be and carry the toxin Ciguatera. This is pretty hectic if you become sick from it as it's symptoms can come on within 24hrs of consumption. Things like: -numbness, tingling around the lips, tongue mouth and throat.

-Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps

-joints and muscle weakness

-headaches and fatigue and if severe, difficulty breathing.

I wouldn't recommend eating them after reading into those symptoms on the eastern side. They are super fun to spear because they fight hard and are so powerful with that big tail but probably not worth shooting them if you are not going to eat them. Chinaman Fish look pretty cool underwater and even better out the water, as their reds and blues come out. They extend down to around Exmouth and Coral Bay in WA where I have seen them caught and haven't heard of anyone becoming sick. I probably wouldn't chance it if I was in the NT and closer to QLD or eastern side. All up though another epic day in the big blue in Broome and dry season has arrived. Looking forward to the next adventure and hope you guys enjoy the vid!! - Ash Vagh

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Big Chinamen Fish With Ash Vagh - OCEANARCADIA