So I decided to get in the water to have a closer look.

Lots of really panicked skipjack tuna.

They know they are going to die.

As the purse sein net gets drawn tighter, the fish start thrashing faster and faster.

The water froths with blood. 

Sharks are never far away.

All the fish gradually became gridlocked.

This mahi mahi was having a bad day. Much as I would have loved to, I couldn't help him.

He was looking straight at me with his beady eye. Contrary to what most people think, I believe fish feel pain.

An Olive Ridley turtle was stuck in the net.

He was flapping like crazy to get out.

Eventually the fishermen let him go. Maybe it was because I of my presence, maybe not. Who knows?

A 'half/half' shot showing the purse seiner at work.

Its time to for the fish to die.

Here is a FAD the fishermen were using to attract the fish. It looks like a nice place for the fish to congregate. A genius idea, but an evil deception nontheless.

It reminded me of the Beatles song 'An Octopus's Garden'

A green sea turtle was resident.

He took a great interest in me.

So much so that it verged on the annoying. He wouldn't leave me alone, following me around, nibbling at my wet suit, etc.

A friendly chap, here he is checking out the solar-powered satellite beacon.

And here is a majestic school of passing mahi mahi. It is difficult to gauge the scale from this photo, but each fish is around a metre or so long.

Happy trigger fish, soon to become bycatch.

Salad Niçoise or tuna melt, anyone?

ALEX HOFFORD : HONG KONG CHINA ECUADOR PHOTOGRAPHER