MICHAEL BONFIGLI PHOTOGRAPHER

Latin America: Miskito Coast

Lobster diving came to the the Northern Coast of Honduras and Nicaragua in the 1960's as American restaurant chain's demand for inexpensive lobster grew. The lobster divers are asked to dive to devasting depths using scuba equipment or even paint compressors to breath. They typically go on 8 to 10 dives each day pausing only to get another take. As a result, large portions fo the adult make population suffer from dive illnesses ranging from incontinence to paralysis. Adequete health care is seldom available to treat those affected. Many divers die or are incapacitated at very young ages leaving their families without a means of support.