20121201

Spear Fishermen


The one that didn't get away: Incredible athleticism of spear fishermen caught in mid-flight

  • Local fishermen leap into the water with spears to catch fish on the Loyalty Islands Province in New Caledonia
  • The sea clan lives almost entirely on fish and other sea creatures
PUBLISHED: 12:04 GMT, 20 November 2012 UPDATED: 12:29 GMT, 20 November 2012
With perfect precision, this spear fisherman leaps into the air in a spectacular display of a bizarre spear hunting technique.
The fisherman shows off his incredible skill on the Loyalty Islands Province in New Caledonia where the sea clan live almost entirely on fish and other sea creatures.
However, despite the odd way of catching his food, fisherman Albert is just showing a normal way of life on the islands in the south west Pacific Ocean.
Spear fisherman Albert uses perfect precision to catch fish in this idyllic location on an island in New Caledonia
Fly fishing: Spear fisherman Albert uses perfect precision to catch fish in this idyllic location on an island in New Caledonia
Photographer Stephane Ducandas, 41, who also lives on the islands, said be believes the fishing technique is unique.
He said: ‘I have never seen this type of fishing anywhere else. In New Caledonia, some prawn fisherman use Assegai (a spear or pole-type weapon).
‘But jumping like this with that incredible precision was absolutely amazing and typical of Loyalty Island.’
 
Mr Ducandas used a camera with special underwater equipment to capture the incredible moments.
He said: ‘This is the kind of subject that most interests me photographically. It's all about the moment - one special light, one special relationship between one person and myself.
‘I'm most interested in photographing human stories and lives. When I meet with someone, I share his world, his job, his family and his life before I get out the camera.’
Albert shows off his spear and what he can catch on the island where people live almost entirely on fish and other sea creatures
Catch of the day: Albert shows off his spear and what he can catch on the island where people live almost entirely on fish and other sea creatures
Local fisherman jump with precision in a way not seen anywhere else says photographer Stephane Ducandas
Unique technique: Local fisherman jump with precision in a way not seen anywhere else says photographer Stephane Ducandas
Albert looks down into the water, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on his prey
A hunter's patience: Albert looks down into the water, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on his prey
Proud catch: A local shows off a caught fish as another throws out a fishing net in the Loyalty Islands Province
Proud catch: A local shows off a caught fish as another throws out a fishing net in the Loyalty Islands Province
A local using a sea shell in the shallows on the island in the south west of the Pacific Ocean
Nature calling: A local using a sea shell in the shallows on the island in the south west of the Pacific Ocean
A local boy relaxes in the sun by the crystal clear waters where fisherman catch food for their sea clan
A moment in paradise: A local boy relaxes in the sun by the crystal clear waters where fisherman catch food for their sea clan
Seaside stroll: A local woman walks along the amazing coastline
Seaside stroll: A local woman walks along the amazing coastline