Two spotted Eagle Rays in Sosua bay

I went snorkling yesterday at the Sosua beach, as usual swam to the center and did a little circle around the coral in the center and back. On the way back, close to the shore, saw two small spotted Eagle Rays, about 1 meter in diameters. (Called "Chucho Pintado" in Spanish.)

Quite spectacular with their little heads, and the way they move slowly. As always when I see something interesting I don't have my waterproof camera with me, but they were like these:

http://reefguide.org/carib/eagleray.html

Quite shy really they went away slowly but I had a good look. I think because it was very quite at the beach yeaterday they came so close. The first time I have seen these here, if you come across them don't get too close, the end of the (almost two meters long) tail can be dangerous but they are really harmless and very beautiful.

I just hope their nasty predator sharks (that sometime attack these) don't follow them here.

They have supposedly put some white float/balls on the water indicating where the small boats can come and go, need to avoid that area (basically beginning and end of the beach). I recommend walking to the middle of the beach and then get into the water, swim straight up to the coral and then go around it, then come back the same way (as long as you are near corals you are safe from boats).

It was a lot worse some 7/8 years ago, they used to zip across the bay and that was really dangerous. I also see more and more big boats now come and anchor offshore a bit further out (presumably there is no law or charge !?), although it is a pretty sight I wonder how much oil and gas they emit to the water, this is a small bay where there is no water current and lots of boats, small or big, can add pollution to the water. Unfortunately I don't think anyone is really worried about this type of issues, they have a lot more serious concern here in Sosua - chicas !? (while undoubtedly the beach is one of the town's biggest assets.)

The Sosua bay coral is really mostly dead, it has been ever since I visited some 10 years ago, but still you get to see some interesting fish. Good news is I have seen some greenshoots (so to speak) of brand new living corals coming out just this last few months - so fingures crossed.

One more thing, I would ask to please not to touch or stand on corals, I don't expect much from Dominicans (they need to be educated) but when I see a tourist does that, I get really mad. Although mostly dead any chance of a recovery will be ruined ... !?

Happy snorkling....