Chris Bakon and his friend were fishing off Ship Stern Bluff in southeast Tasmania, Australia when they encountered a sunfish – the largest bony fish on earth
Amazing moment a diver was photographed by a giant sunfish
A shocked diver was photobombed by a sea creature “the size of a van”.
Chris Bakon was diving for crayfish when his friend spotted a menacing fin on the surface.
“We initially thought it might be a great white shark, so we took a look,” he said.
But what the pair, fishing off Ship Stern Bluff in south-east Tasmania, Australia, encountered was a sunfish – the largest bony fish on earth.
“The fish seemed huge underwater; easily the size of a van,” he said.
“When I swam in it I was a little intimidated at first by the size, but after a few seconds I calmed down and was just amazed.
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Credit: Chris Bakon/Pen News)
“It was so magical to see underwater.”
In Chris’ footage, he turns the camera on himself and captures the mighty sunfish swimming behind him.
He also films the creature with one side facing the surface as it absorbs the sun’s rays to regulate its body temperature.
The sunfish is known for its massive size and freaky looks, some say it looks half fish because it doesn’t have a tail fin.
For Chris, a former soldier who served with the Australian Army in the Middle East, encounters like this help heal the scars of a traumatic past.
He now documents his underwater adventures on Facebook and YouTube, where he is known as Tassie Adventure Man.
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Credit: Chris Bakon/Pen News)
“I had no idea about these fish and definitely wasn’t expecting to see one,” he said.
“I feel pretty fortunate to experience it.
“I started diving and opened the Tassie Adventure Man page to help me manage my PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and mental health.
“They keep me motivated and keep the stress and triggers at a manageable level for me.”
Mr. Bakon, 39, hopes this will help others.
He said: “I found that as soon as I started diving, all my anxiety and PTSD just went away.
“It’s also turning into something I can use to help others, which is amazing.
“I like to show people that even if you struggle with mental health, you can still have a good life.”
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