![]() ![]() Coetzee was a well-known kayaker and had spent a decade recording first descents on the wildest rivers in Africa. Coetzee didn’t even have time to cry out before the crocodile had dragged him under. He, Ben Stookesbury and Chris Korbulic were paddling close to each other in the same formation that they had used on the rest of the river, to give the impression to potential predators that they were a larger animal. In one famous incident in 2010, 35-year-old Hendrik Coetzee was leading a three-man kayaking expedition on the Lukuga River, Congo when a Nile crocodile grabbed him from behind and pulled him underwater. They attack more on sunny, warm days and are less active in the cold. He says that attacks are seasonal and happen mostly between October and March. Researcher Simon Pooley - who grew up in Africa and whose father did pioneering studies on this species of crocodile - has studied 65 years of crocodile attacks in Africa. In freshwater, the most dangerous is the Nile crocodile. Africa experiences hundreds of crocodile attacks a year, and up to half of these are fatal. An aggressive species that will bite you finger if given the opportunity.Crocodiles are opportunistic predators for whom any warm-blooded mammal, including a human, is fair game. TRIGGER FISH: There is a sharp spine on dorsal fin. Pick up a small school bass by the mouth.ĬONGER EEL: It is not aggressive, but will clamp its jaws shut on fingers so remove the hooks with a disgorger. The damage may go unnoticed until worm juice enters the wounds.īASS: While the bass has a spiked dorsal fin, beware of the razor-sharp gill edges. WRASSE, BREAM & SCAD: Various small spines. No teeth, but crushing plates, so your fingers could be in danger from a large specimen.įLATFISH: All flatfish have a sharp spine at the top of their stomach close to their gills. Lots of anglers pick up this species by the nose or the tail, but there are also lots of small spines in these areas that can take off the skin of your fingers so always use gloves or a cloth. OTHER RAYS: Many have sharp prickles and spines on the back, underside and tail, so handle with care. Take care because the ray lashes its tail around when hooked. STING RAY: The spine halfway up the tail of this ray carries venom and has proved fatal. SHARK: The very sharp teeth and the rough skin are a threat to hands, legs and fingers. Wear gloves when handling the bigger fish and use a T-bar type disgorger to remove hooks. The tope is a mini shark complete with razor-sharp teeth. SPURDOG & TOPE: The spurdog has sharp bony spurs on the leading edges of its dorsal fins and because it squirms when held these can inflict a nasty wound. Smoothhounds have hard bony plates, but no teeth. Dogfish also have sharp teeth, so use a disgorger. Grab a dogfish by the head and tail in one hand to remove hook. Seek medical advice.ĭOGFISH & SMOOTHHOUND: Beware the skin, which is like sandpaper and can take off your skin in an instant if handled carelessly. If you are stung, you should bathe in the hottest water you can stand to kill the poison. The venom can cause serious pain and has been fatal the very young and old are most at risk. ![]() Both have poisonous spines on the gill covers and dorsal fin. The greater weaver is a rarer deepwater species. It resembles a small pouting or whiting at first glance. WEAVER: The lesser weaver is commonly found on beaches in summer. Some anglers wear garden or filleting-type gloves for protection (pictured below). In the main it pays to be careful when handling any fish you catch and if you are unsure of a species take particular care. Some fish spines include an anti-coagulant that stops blood clotting or contains bacteria. There are a large number of fish species that can cause serious damage to a human.Īny injury from a fish has the potential for blood poisoning. If you’re new to sea fishing, it is useful to know the hidden dangers that can be found among British sea fish. ![]()
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