John with crocodile warning & lux meter at

Observation Point sand slope research site.

East Observation Point, possible home of "croc".   Temporary village guard lodging.

Observation Point, located on the extreme NW corner of Normanby Island, was not what your usual diver would think of as a good "dive Site". For us, however, it proved spectacularly rewarding. The sand beach sloped down at a 30 degree angle to a depth of 160 feet where it flattened out to a muck bottom across the channel to rise up almost vertically on a coral wall of the "Guarding Island". The sand slope was "home" to large swarms/families of four, possible 5, species of Trichonotus sand fish. We also found Pholidyctus, Plotosis, Star- Gazers, peacock flounders, snake eels, and other species. The site was also visited by a salt water Crocodile and on several occasions by "Dugongs". We were also boarded, in the dead of the night, by "Rascals" who stole some photo equipment items from the back deck. A gun battle almost ensued. Subsequently a temporary guard shack was erected and manned by the local villagers whenever M/V Telita was moored there. On the site, which was also a good night anchorage, we were able to monitor night activity of the fish by use of the Ntl Geo Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Kogge Rubble Cams. On site we gathered enough data to publish 3 Research papers, and are working on another three. (see esulting Publications). We were feted at a banquet put on by the village chief. Unfortunately I was infected by the Hepatitis A virus from feasting on the food presented.

Trichonotus elegans found on sand slope.   Trichonotus halstead. New discovery at Observation Point.

Unwelcome crocodile visitor	Volcanic gas vent	Mike and NTL GEO ROV
Dugong		Me and cameras
	John ROV

Villagers watching night deployment of ROV.	All of us on MV Telita invited to village feast.	Native dinner table. my source of Hepatitus A.

Sunset.

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