Dennis J. McTaggart Releases COLD GOLD

Victoria, Australia

Abalone poaching, a form of illegal exploitation of a marine resource, is outlawed. According to Herald Sun, hunting abalone poachers is now one of the top priorities for fisheries officers in Victoria, Australia. In his first fiction, "Cold Gold," author Dennis J. McTaggart shared short stories about diving in the pursuit of the gifts of the sea. Now, he introduces its sequel, "Cold Gold II," to expose more perilous yet fantastic poaching adventures to readers.

Set in New South Wales, Australia and Bass Strait, "Cold Gold II" follows the lives of Teddy and his group of illegal abalone divers. It narrates their experiences at sea and how they run afoul of fisheries regulations. Further, it talks about the crew's escapades in helping a stricken whale and looking for the wreckage of a Japanese mini-submarine left on the ocean floor after the Second World War.

Gleaned from McTaggart's close encounters with abalone poachers for the last 50 years, "Cold Gold II" was written to offer an honest look into lives and struggles of the countless abalone poachers all over the world. It tells of the group's reasons behind poaching, as well as the risks and sacrifices divers make as they search through the wild waters for abalone.

Through this collection of riveting tales, readers will witness fast-paced, exhilarating action that revolves around the law evading poachers and impacts of abalone fishery on the viability of the species and ultimately, on the marine environment. For more information on this book, interested parties can log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.au.

About the Author
Dennis J. McTaggart started life on a farm in the Gippsland Lakes area. He left school at 16 and moved to Traralgon where he worked in electrical retail. His thirst for adventure saw him join the local "skin diving club" where he was offered a job working on an abalone boat out of Mallacoota. He soon took advantage of the affordable abalone licenses in New South Wales and started diving out of Eden. He spent the next years working in under water construction and on building sites all over Australia, eventually ending up in Tasmania diving for abalone. He suffered nitrogen narcosis (the bends) which partly paralysed him. It was during his recovery that he started to recount his adventures. Born in 1950, McTaggart has seen it all. He is a modern, medical miracle. His recovery defied the odds and medical prognosis. He now leads a relatively normal life for a sexagenarian, holed up in the fabled high country in Victoria, Australia.

Cold Gold II * by Dennis J. McTaggart
Publication Date: May 12, 2014
Trade Paperback; AU$24.19; 348 pages; 9781499001952
Trade Hardback; AU$40.31; 348 pages; 9781499001945
e-book; AU$3.99; 9781499001969

Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at 1-800-455-039. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (02) 8088 6078 or call 1-800-455-039.

Xlibris books can be purchased at Xlibris bookstore. For more information, contact Xlibris at 1-800-455-039 or on the web at Xlibris.com.au.

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