Underwater photographer, David Hsiung
Lifelong diver and underwater photographer David Hsiung is not afraid to get wet. Nor is he afraid of sharks, stingrays or poisonous coral for that matter. He talks to Philip Maughan about overfishing, sea pollution and coral cathedrals.
HK Magazine: Why underwater photography?
David Hsiung: I’ve been skin diving since the 1950s. Photography and diving were both early passions of mine, so after finishing school some like-minded friends and I founded the first Chinese diving club in Hong Kong—“Sea Dragon”—I’ve been diving a couple of times a week ever since. Back then waterproof camera cases were very expensive, so we built our own by screwing together thick sheets of plastic.
HK: How has the marine life around Hong Kong changed since you started diving?
DH: Many of the coral beds are dead or dying due to pollution and overfishing. I have known fishermen using poison and dynamite, it’s really terrible. However, the last 10 to 15 years has seen quite a turnaround: the Chinese government has banned fishing at particular times of the year in order to give fish the chance to breed; people are a lot better informed today; and conservation is climbing the political agenda. I once saw a steel cross lowered onto a reef in the Philippines. The fishermen were all Catholic, so they avoided the “coral cathedral” and marine life flourished around it. In the last few years, fish I’ve never seen before have appeared in Hong Kong, and in some areas the coral is even beginning to reappear.
HK: Do any of the curios in your collection still work?
DH: To be honest, I think the only curio still working is me. Many of them have rubber parts that have long since deteriorated though my oldest piece, a regulator made in Hong Kong in the 60s, is theoretically sound. Modern equipment is far lighter and more user-friendly, I wouldn’t go back to using this kind of stuff. I have a whole set of Nikonon cameras, most of which still work.
HK: Have you been diving outside of Hong Kong?
DH: I’ve dived all over the world: Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand, as well as the Caribbean, Cuba, Australia and New Zealand. The most noticeable difference is the water. In Australia the water is clear and warm, which is why the Great Barrier Reef is so incredible—it’s too cold in Hong Kong for such coral to grow. New Zealand is clear, but there is no coral on account of cold streams coming up from the South Pole. The colors, formations and species of fish are completely different in the Pacific and the Atlantic. Just like the people I suppose!
HK: Do sharks and other dangerous sea creatures scare you?
DH: Not really. There is dangerous sea life everywhere, Hong Kong being no exception. We have sharks, moray eels and stingrays here—the secret is to study them and try to understand their behavior. Sharks are a lot like dogs, if you show your fear and try to escape, they pick up your vibrations in the water. Most fish do. The best way is to stand your ground, allow them to sniff you out, then move on. As a last resort, a big flash from my camera usually clears the scene.
HK: If you could offer one piece of safety advice to would-be divers, what would it be?
DH: My golden rule is always wear a full wet suit. I’ve seen holiday makers diving in swimsuits and short-sleeved shirts, it’s insane. Suits are affordable and comfortable these days, it’s just not worth the risk going into the water unprotected. On the whole, if you take the time to think about what you’re doing and what you can expect from the area you’re exploring, diving needn’t be dangerous. Bungee jumping however, you wouldn’t catch me doing that.