Blacktip Island’s reefs have become a hot spot for scuba divers licking sea anemones for their hallucinogenic effects. (photo courtesy of Bernard Spragg)
Blacktip Island reefs this week became ground zero for scuba divers engaging in the controversial new practice of sea-anemone licking, prompting a swift response from island officials.
“These whackadoos are out there licking anemones to get a buzz,” Marine Parks spokesperson Val Schrader said. “It’s a twist on the toad licking that was all the rage years ago. Problem is, it’s damaging our reefs and aquatic life. Every time one of these yahoos touches an anemone, or the coral around it, they’re doing irreparable damage to the underwater ecosystem.
“This is a marine park, not an opium den,” Schrader said. “We fine them when we catch them, but they don’t care. We’ve located all the anemones in the park and installed security cameras and motion detectors around them. We’re also doing random patrols during non-peak hours to catch any lickers who sneak in from shore.”
Anemone afficionados were not deterred.
“The purple anemones are the best,” said a diver who requested anonymity. “First you feel the tingle from the stinging cells, then WHAM, you’re buzzing from the tip of your tongue to the tips of your toes. One second you’re taking your reg out, the next you’re just grooving along with all the groupers.
“Now, with all the blue shirts trying to shut us down, it’s getting tougher to get to the anemones,” the diver said. “We’ve had to branch out, find anemones outside the marine park, at more remote sites. The optimum depth’s 40-50 feet, but some are shallow enough for swimmers and snorkelers to get to.”
Island health officials say the practice has created a local health crisis.
“Anemone toxins are fairly mild, but some people are allergic to them,” Island nurse Marissa Graysby said. “I’m already critically low on epi-pens to treat lickers in shock. This is a small medical clinic, and these people are taking vital resources from people who truly need them.
“There’ve been no fatalities so far, somehow,” Graysby said. “Being sensory impaired 60 feet underwater is not a healthy thing to be. It’s only a matter of time before someone has a seizure and drowns.”
Authorities are implementing new regulations to discourage the anemone licking.
“The Island Council pushed through new, stiffer fines for anyone caught abusing sea anemones,” Island Police Constable Rafe Marquette said. “We’ve also begun mandatory post-dive tongue inspections to identify divers who’ve licked anemones. You surface with a red, swollen tongue, you’re going to the jail and will be significantly poorer. This isn’t that kind of island.”
The Blacktip Times 