miami

Manuel Menendez Hunting for Dinner by Felix Leander

If I were stuck on a deserted island there is only one person I would want to be with in terms of survival and having "food on the table".  When I was approached by a friend who was tasked by AJ+ (part of the Al Jazeera) to do a segment on "Hunting for Dinner" - I knew Manuel Menendez would be the person to feature.

Manuel is a Miami native who has been diving the South Florida waters for over 30 years.  He knows where to find fish and how to catch them (pole spear, spear gun, hands, whatever it takes) while freediving.  You go out with Manuel and you are pretty much guaranteed to have a delicious dinner and a better understanding of the SOFL wildlife.  

We have been friends for over 5 years now and it is always a pleasure to explore the ocean with him - solid guy who will be there when you need it.

Below is the video that was featured on AJ+

Cormorant Freedivers by Felix Leander

Cormorant are Miami's best freedivers.  We always see them in the bay swimming on the surface and diving.  Usually it is next to impossible to get close to them - they are weary and shy. However, the other day we saw one that had just caught a fish and was having problems handling it.  I was able to get close enough for some footage.

Cormorant freediving for his dinner in Miami, FL