Edd Brooks over at the Cape Eleuthera Institute Shark Program has some very creative folks working at his lab, like for instance Brendan Talwar and Ian Rossiter who produced this very amusing look at sharks, shark conservation, and more in, The Story of Sharks:
Yeah we're also huge fans as well.
About Shark Diver.
As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
The shark diving industry blog covering sharks, shark cage diving, shark conservation and things we find "amusing" since 2008 www.sharkdiver.com, www.sharkdivers.com, www.divingwithsharks.com
Monday, February 18, 2013
Tiger Shark Rescued...by Divers?
 |
| Vintage 1960's man vs shark images |
This video shows a couple of divers, coming across a shark that had been caught, stabbed and thrown back into the water.
The divers then proceed to help the shark. I've seen the remarkable ability to heal that these beautiful animals posses and hope that the shark swam off and is ok.
This story illustrates the stark difference in attitude towards sharks that exists today. On one hand you have someone callously stabbing a shark and throwing it back into the water and then someone else actively trying to help that same animal.
Regardless of the outcome of this rescue attempt, it's nice to see that divers react to a shark not with fear, but compassion and that a media outlet reports something other than sharks attacking or threatening people.
Kind of like what we do around here on a daily basis;)
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Shark Free Marinas Video - Oceanic Allstars
Like peanut butter and jelly on some sort of yummy media based steroid, the combination of two extremely dedicated shark media folk and the Shark Free Marinas Initiative in Fiji has lead to the following PSA which, when you get right down to the nuts and bolts of it, is pretty great stuff.
Kudos to Duncan and Jillian for the fantastic work:
Shark Free Marinas - Fiji from Oceanicallstars: Duncan Brake on Vimeo.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Kudos to Duncan and Jillian for the fantastic work:
Shark Free Marinas - Fiji from Oceanicallstars: Duncan Brake on Vimeo.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Bimini Hammerheads, Shark Protocols, Common Sense
Greetings from Bimini,
With the enormous amount of interest that the Great Hammerheads are generating around Bimini this year, I wanted to attempt to to set the record straight regarding this incredible situation happening around the island. I don’t mean this message to be confrontational or self-righteous, rather I’m hoping it can be informative and maybe even helpful.
As anyone familiar with Bimini has probably already assumed, the researchers at the Bimini Biological Field Station (SharkLab) are responsible for discovering and determining the regularity and reliability of diving with these big hammerheads. The SharkLab staff began diving with these sharks on a regular basis back in 2003, and since then have utilized various ‘hammerhead sites’ around the island for numerous research projects and related expeditions. Obviously the hammerheads were around long before that, and can be found in more than one location around Bimini, but all of the visiting “shark diving” boats are utilizing sites and situations developed by local SharkLab researchers.
Due to the rarity of interacting with these sharks, and the incredible potential for research opportunities on an IUCN Redlisted species, local guides and tour operators have resisted the exploitation of this yearly “Hammerhead Season” around Bimini. It was decided that research should be the priority surrounding this event, rather than commercialization.
For better or for worse, that all changed in 2012. An off-island SCUBA operator caught wind of the situation around Bimini and convinced a former-SharkLabber to show him the basics of how-and-when-and-where to attract these incredible sharks. A year later, after the wide publicization of that proclaimed “one time only” expedition, we now have at least 10 off-island dive operations converging on Bimini to experience this event.
Anyone coming to dive with these sharks around Bimini needs to accept that there is considerable amount of responsibility that comes with your expedition. You have the ability to do an enormous amount of damage to the reputation of this island and to this endangered species of shark, and hopefully you do not take this lightly. I’m a firm believer that under the right circumstances and with the proper insight, any species of shark can be safely encountered in the wild. That being said, I would imagine there is little to no agreement on exactly what those circumstances and insights are. But simply stated, if you think its acceptable to put yourself, or your guests, or the sharks, at any elevated risk for the sake of photos, videos, or bragging-rights, you are wrong. If you or your guests get hurt around Bimini because of your own recklessness, the tourism industry on this island could face irreparable damage, as could the public perception of these sharks, and we want people to take that very, very seriously.
Additionally, I’d like to suggest that if you are benefiting in anyway from your expedition to Bimini, that you should make a point to patronize some of the local businesses while you’re here so that the island benefits from your trip as well. Go to the local bars at night, take some meals at local restaurants, take a tour of the SharkLab, or whatever else you think is fitting. If you’re looking for a marina to tie up in, please consider Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, the Bimini Big Game Club, Seacrest Hotel & Marina, Bimini Blue Water Resort, Weech’s Bimini Docks, or Brown’s Marina. All of these marinas have supported local conservation measures and should be rewarded for doing so.
If, for some reason, you’re not willing to spend money on the island, then contribute in some other way. Help maintain the moorings at the local dive sites, do a beach clean-up with your crew and guests, join and help publicize the Bimini Marine Protected Area Campaign, or something else worthwhile.
We don’t need, or want, this amazing event around Bimini to turn into a circus of competing egos. There is no need to further misrepresent the history of this situation, nor is there any reason that the operators involved can’t coordinate and cooperate in a professional manner, all without interfering with ongoing research.
If you are seeing this message, I’d ask that you help distribute it to anyone else you know that is participating in these Great Hammerhead expeditions . We expect your cooperation in ensuring the safety of every person and animal involved in these excursions, and also expect your help in maintaining a professional atmosphere around the island with proper diving etiquette employed. The Bimini Tourism Advisory Board is currently discussing this issue, and will soon put forth a set of guidelines to help ensure that Bimini’s ‘Hammerhead Season’ is managed appropriately, helping to assure that people have fun during their visit while being solicitous towards the animals and the people on this island.
As Bimini emerges as the regional “Hammerhead Headquarters,” we all need to do what is necessary to make sure your excursion not only benefits you and your guests, but also the sharks and the island of Bimini.
Thank you for your time, and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or comments.
Regards,
Grant Johnson
Vice-Chairman, Bimini Tourism Advisory Board (BTAB)
Activities Director, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina (2007 – Present)
Manager, Bimini Biological Field Station –SharkLab (2001-2007)
South Bimini, Bahamas
More info:
Bimini Marine Protected Area Campaign - facebook.com/Bimini.Marine.Protected.Area
Bimini Blue Coalition - facebook.com/BiminiBlueCoalition
Note: We happen to agree with this statement and will support any and all efforts to help promote 'sustainable shark tourism' on this unique and fragile island.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
With the enormous amount of interest that the Great Hammerheads are generating around Bimini this year, I wanted to attempt to to set the record straight regarding this incredible situation happening around the island. I don’t mean this message to be confrontational or self-righteous, rather I’m hoping it can be informative and maybe even helpful.
As anyone familiar with Bimini has probably already assumed, the researchers at the Bimini Biological Field Station (SharkLab) are responsible for discovering and determining the regularity and reliability of diving with these big hammerheads. The SharkLab staff began diving with these sharks on a regular basis back in 2003, and since then have utilized various ‘hammerhead sites’ around the island for numerous research projects and related expeditions. Obviously the hammerheads were around long before that, and can be found in more than one location around Bimini, but all of the visiting “shark diving” boats are utilizing sites and situations developed by local SharkLab researchers.
Due to the rarity of interacting with these sharks, and the incredible potential for research opportunities on an IUCN Redlisted species, local guides and tour operators have resisted the exploitation of this yearly “Hammerhead Season” around Bimini. It was decided that research should be the priority surrounding this event, rather than commercialization.
For better or for worse, that all changed in 2012. An off-island SCUBA operator caught wind of the situation around Bimini and convinced a former-SharkLabber to show him the basics of how-and-when-and-where to attract these incredible sharks. A year later, after the wide publicization of that proclaimed “one time only” expedition, we now have at least 10 off-island dive operations converging on Bimini to experience this event.
Anyone coming to dive with these sharks around Bimini needs to accept that there is considerable amount of responsibility that comes with your expedition. You have the ability to do an enormous amount of damage to the reputation of this island and to this endangered species of shark, and hopefully you do not take this lightly. I’m a firm believer that under the right circumstances and with the proper insight, any species of shark can be safely encountered in the wild. That being said, I would imagine there is little to no agreement on exactly what those circumstances and insights are. But simply stated, if you think its acceptable to put yourself, or your guests, or the sharks, at any elevated risk for the sake of photos, videos, or bragging-rights, you are wrong. If you or your guests get hurt around Bimini because of your own recklessness, the tourism industry on this island could face irreparable damage, as could the public perception of these sharks, and we want people to take that very, very seriously.
Additionally, I’d like to suggest that if you are benefiting in anyway from your expedition to Bimini, that you should make a point to patronize some of the local businesses while you’re here so that the island benefits from your trip as well. Go to the local bars at night, take some meals at local restaurants, take a tour of the SharkLab, or whatever else you think is fitting. If you’re looking for a marina to tie up in, please consider Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, the Bimini Big Game Club, Seacrest Hotel & Marina, Bimini Blue Water Resort, Weech’s Bimini Docks, or Brown’s Marina. All of these marinas have supported local conservation measures and should be rewarded for doing so.
If, for some reason, you’re not willing to spend money on the island, then contribute in some other way. Help maintain the moorings at the local dive sites, do a beach clean-up with your crew and guests, join and help publicize the Bimini Marine Protected Area Campaign, or something else worthwhile.
We don’t need, or want, this amazing event around Bimini to turn into a circus of competing egos. There is no need to further misrepresent the history of this situation, nor is there any reason that the operators involved can’t coordinate and cooperate in a professional manner, all without interfering with ongoing research.
If you are seeing this message, I’d ask that you help distribute it to anyone else you know that is participating in these Great Hammerhead expeditions . We expect your cooperation in ensuring the safety of every person and animal involved in these excursions, and also expect your help in maintaining a professional atmosphere around the island with proper diving etiquette employed. The Bimini Tourism Advisory Board is currently discussing this issue, and will soon put forth a set of guidelines to help ensure that Bimini’s ‘Hammerhead Season’ is managed appropriately, helping to assure that people have fun during their visit while being solicitous towards the animals and the people on this island.
As Bimini emerges as the regional “Hammerhead Headquarters,” we all need to do what is necessary to make sure your excursion not only benefits you and your guests, but also the sharks and the island of Bimini.
Thank you for your time, and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or comments.
Regards,
Grant Johnson
Vice-Chairman, Bimini Tourism Advisory Board (BTAB)
Activities Director, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina (2007 – Present)
Manager, Bimini Biological Field Station –SharkLab (2001-2007)
South Bimini, Bahamas
More info:
Bimini Marine Protected Area Campaign - facebook.com/Bimini.Marine.Protected.Area
Bimini Blue Coalition - facebook.com/BiminiBlueCoalition
Note: We happen to agree with this statement and will support any and all efforts to help promote 'sustainable shark tourism' on this unique and fragile island.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Sharksploitation or Conservationsploitation or Both?
Free-diving with a Great White Shark, being one with it is a great idea if you're a self proclaimed shark conservationist, right? You're showing just how non aggressive, nice and cuddly those sharks really are.
They love humans and are just misunderstood.
This is the message Ocean Ramsey is trying to get out in this video. Or is she?
I've been observing and diving with Great White Sharks at Isla Guadalupe for 11 years and have literally spent thousands of hours watching them, observing their behavior and interactions. I can honestly say that I love those sharks and the one thing I can absolutely state is, that that feeling is NOT mutual. While the sharks are definitely interested in us, seem to recognize individual people and swim by just to check us out, looking each diver straight into the eyes, they do not have warm fuzzy feelings towards humans.
Let's put this in perspective. Everything in the Great White Sharks society is, by human standards, extremely violent. Their interactions range from giving each other space and and respecting the others size, to violently biting each other. I have never seen two sharks touch each other, without any violent response. They do not form human like bonds and get touchy feely with each other. Even their mating involves biting each other in order to hold on.
So back to Ocean Ramsey and her video. Not only do I not agree with the portrayal of the Great White Shark as a harmless creature, I think that diving down and holding on to the sharks can actually make them more dangerous to humans. If they don't like being held onto, they might start to associate humans with being a nuisance and treating them accordingly.
Where do these stunts lead to? What is the next person that wants to get their 15 minutes of fame going to do? Open the sharks mouth and brush it's teeth? Her video is not about shark conservation but simply an attempt at self promotion. If we really are concerned with shark conservation, we need to accurately show what these magnificent creatures are like. They are neither mindless killers, nor are they pets.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
They love humans and are just misunderstood.
This is the message Ocean Ramsey is trying to get out in this video. Or is she?
.jpg) |
| Great White Shark at Isla Guadalupe after interacting with another Shark |
Let's put this in perspective. Everything in the Great White Sharks society is, by human standards, extremely violent. Their interactions range from giving each other space and and respecting the others size, to violently biting each other. I have never seen two sharks touch each other, without any violent response. They do not form human like bonds and get touchy feely with each other. Even their mating involves biting each other in order to hold on.
So back to Ocean Ramsey and her video. Not only do I not agree with the portrayal of the Great White Shark as a harmless creature, I think that diving down and holding on to the sharks can actually make them more dangerous to humans. If they don't like being held onto, they might start to associate humans with being a nuisance and treating them accordingly.
Where do these stunts lead to? What is the next person that wants to get their 15 minutes of fame going to do? Open the sharks mouth and brush it's teeth? Her video is not about shark conservation but simply an attempt at self promotion. If we really are concerned with shark conservation, we need to accurately show what these magnificent creatures are like. They are neither mindless killers, nor are they pets.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Creating Shark Week Anchor Commercials - Big Productions, Big Fun
 |
| Volkswagen 2012 Shark Week |
The idea of off brands getting into the shark space is nothing new, Snickers did it in 2010 and the commercial world became a much more interesting world for it.
Our full time entrance into this unique and growing space was to bring the, 'live shark element' to commercials.
In 2012 we were asked to create the entire underwater world for Gillette and Shark Week.
This was one very challenging shoot as there's a saying in the production world, 'never work with children or live sharks.' That being said we managed to attract and hold six full time Tigers and over 50 Lemon sharks to a locked down offshore shark site in the Bahamas delivering a completely unique first person commercial that quickly went viral.
In 2012 we were asked again to put our collective talents into an underwater production for Volkswagen. The lead on this one was What.We.Do.Media, and you'll recognize the talent behind this company as none other than Luke Tipple.
Creating a submersible iconic car brand replica and taking into the world of sharks? - Inspired.
That's what we do here at Shark Diver, with a tight team, we deliver extraordinary commercial visions that go viral featuring iconic brands...underwater with sharks.
Looking forward to 2013 - let's go shark diving.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Bimini Bull Run Operational, Bull Shark Diving!
Bimini Bull Run is now operational:1. Shark Cage - Check
2. Safety Systems - Check
3. Sunset Bar at Sharky's - Check
4. Website - Coming Soon
5. Playboy Playmate and Wahoo Tournament - Check
In all we're excited about the new shark diving operation at Bimini Big Game Club, but is it for hardcore shark divers?
No, fortunately for them and just 30 minutes from the docks at Bimini Bull Run are more big sharks than you can shake a stick at - Tigers, Lemons, Reefs, "others."
This site is for non cert day divers who have never had a wild shark encounter, this will be their first, and just up the dock will be their first shark beer as well, it's nothing short of shark diving paradise.
See you in a few weeks!
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Bull Shark Caught Goa, India - That's a Biggun'
Local fishermen in Goa, India catch a simply massive Bull Shark:
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
S.A Shark Nets - Wagging The Conservation Dog - And Wrong Sounding Muppets
 |
| Pizza box tops and lipstick...now THAT'S conservation! |
Or at least they will come down sometime in the future, and when they do you can thank the Shark Angels for it:
"Thanks in part to the hard work from several shark angels for almost four years, KZN Sharks Board has buckled under the pressure and has recommended the removal of four gill nets in the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area within the next year. This includes nets at both Scottburgh and Park Rynie and is a monumental step towards the abandonment of shark nets throughout the country – and hopefully at some point, the globe. The announcement, which came at the quarterly meeting of the Aliwal Shoal Forum in KwaZulu Natal, was made quietly and without fanfare - because it signals the weakening of the Sharks Board and constitutes an incredible triumph for those working hard to protect sharks, who have been struggling to achieve the removal of the nets since 2008."
Like many out there in the conservation space this news seems a bit odd to us...like wrong sounding Muppets.
But in fairness, let's all celebrate this news. Four nets, a victory, and Julie Anderson's redemption in the shark conservation space for years of mismanaged stage craft masquerading as an attempt to sell a Reality TV show...wait a minute...now we see it.
Could be the coffee kicking in but, stay with us here, if one wanted for the sake of argument to sell a Reality TV show about an org that saved sharks, and one happened to be peddling said show to various networks (we know because we walked into said networks weeks after), wouldn't one also want to post victory notices on websites even though said victories were:
"made quietly" and "without fanfare" and "recommended" and "within the next year"
Yup. Check that box. It's known as Wagging The Conservation Dog a distinct media specialty of Sea Shepherd and it's media clones. You take an issue, front run it to assume some sort of conservation victory, spread the story far and wide and sit back and collect donor dollars...or eye balls from networks.
Kinda of like wrong sounding Muppets and ENRON. In the conservation space the rules say you post actual victories, you celebrate actual change, you give thanks to folks who work hard for animals.
The rest is just media nonsense and for the sharks in Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area who will be killed in nets this week, next week, and the week after, the Shark Angels "victory" is as short lived as the animals that keep dying in them.
Mike's Blog - The Issue Ongoing.
Now for some amusement:
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Shark Conservation Wins - T'Was a Good Month
 |
| Image Ocean Research |
"Simian, Rock Squatting, Douchebaggery with Sharks"
Note: It was the fine assemblage of words like these to describe events of the day that made us one of the most read shark blogs out there.
But wait, there's even better news, because said "Simian" was arrested and fined, yes fined!
Just when you thought that S.A was little more than an overheated battleground for competing commercial operations, a few disparate conservation types, and a mess of shark regulations, something was done for sharks..
Actually, S.A is a fine place for sharks and for the commercial interests as well who rallied around this one dead shark to see justice for protected species done.
Now, if we could only get New Zealand on board with the legal shark fin quota they have and the few commercial miscreants who still harvest sharks for fins, and you know who you are - Lady Anna still killing sharks or have you given that up for Lent?
Oh and yes there was this, the bust of some fishermen in Honduras in a no take zone. Is this the end of shark fining in sanctuaries?
If Mikes breathy post is any indication we can all call it "Victory" and go home, as for us we'll take a more nuanced approach and wait and see. After six years of shark blogging we know better.
BTW if you happen to be into the nuanced approach Mike also wrote this, and it's about as good as it gets. Read his post before you go off on your next racist Facebook Rant about how, "brown and yellow people and raping the oceans"...they are not for the most part, what they are doing is surviving, and not in the twice-a-day Skinny Latte manner of Julie from Sea Shepherd, (oh how she suffers for sharks) but in the classic, "don't have two dimes to rub together and my folks need to eat," sense.
Good blogging.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
New Film and TV Production Hub with Sharks for Filmmakers
The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) has long been considered as one of the oceans top predators. Perhaps that is why divers and non-divers the world over get such an exciting adrenaline packed thrill from encountering them.
Film productions seeking these unique sharks
have long had difficulties finding and successfully producing
these large predators – until now.
Bimini Bull Run is a new shark production location on the pristine and white sand island of Bimini, Bahamas a 30 minute flight from the USA. Purpose built for film the television productions at the marina of the Bimini Big Game Club Resort seeking guaranteed shark encounters with large Bull Sharks. This unique site will also be used as a regional film and TV training center for Bahamians seeking to learn more about productions in the Bahamas.
Bimini Bull Run is a new shark production location on the pristine and white sand island of Bimini, Bahamas a 30 minute flight from the USA. Purpose built for film the television productions at the marina of the Bimini Big Game Club Resort seeking guaranteed shark encounters with large Bull Sharks. This unique site will also be used as a regional film and TV training center for Bahamians seeking to learn more about productions in the Bahamas.
It is a well known industry secret that
successful productions with sharks, from commercials to reality
tv/hosted shows, enjoy what has been called, “ the shark bump,’
the rise in ratings when sharks are an integral part of
productions.
Bimni Bull Run was conceived and built by
industry experts who have designed cage systems and a unique
platform that is land based to guarantee shark encounters in as
short a time as possible, enabling a host of productions the
flexibility to film Bull Sharks safely and efficiently.
Bimini Bull Run is a commercial concept endorsed and supported by the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative and the Bahamas Film Commission. Bimini Bull Runs specially designed cage systems are attached to purpose built docks that allow divers, non divers, filmmakers, and underwater photographers access this unique and thrilling underwater world.
Bimini Bull Run is a commercial concept endorsed and supported by the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative and the Bahamas Film Commission. Bimini Bull Runs specially designed cage systems are attached to purpose built docks that allow divers, non divers, filmmakers, and underwater photographers access this unique and thrilling underwater world.
Bimini Bull Run is strategically located just
40 minutes from additional offshore shark species such as Tiger
Sharks (
Galeocerdo cuvier) and Reef
Sharks
(Carcharhinus
perezi).
A spokesperson for the site said: “We’re very excited to be able to offer one day guaranteed shark encounters with this completely unique under filmed shark species. Sharks are under siege around the world and we have found that positive encounters with sharks change attitudes and mind sets allowing for the continued preservation of these animals in ways that negative encounters cannot accomplish. At the end of the day these magnificent animals have called Bimini Big Game Club home since the 1930’s when folks like Ernest Hemmingway called this resort and marina home. It’s a completely new opportunity that allows divers, non divers, and productions a safe place to encounter them in their natural habitat.”
A spokesperson for the site said: “We’re very excited to be able to offer one day guaranteed shark encounters with this completely unique under filmed shark species. Sharks are under siege around the world and we have found that positive encounters with sharks change attitudes and mind sets allowing for the continued preservation of these animals in ways that negative encounters cannot accomplish. At the end of the day these magnificent animals have called Bimini Big Game Club home since the 1930’s when folks like Ernest Hemmingway called this resort and marina home. It’s a completely new opportunity that allows divers, non divers, and productions a safe place to encounter them in their natural habitat.”
Since 2002 we have been doing productions with sharks in the
Bahamas. In the film and TV world The Bahamas is known for the ease
in which you can film sharks and for your outstanding Film TV
Commission and staff who go to great lengths to make productions
happen here.
Unfortunately there are no sites where you can film sharks successfully, or guaranteed, in one day. Most production sites for sharks in the Bahamas require a boat trip or diver certification and a minimum of two or three days of film time which sends a lot of productions to other sites around the world.
It's a shark production need that has gone unfilled - until now.
Additionally this new shark site, when in production use, will allow local school children to watch and be part of select productions hopefully opening the world to film and television to them on the ground level.
About Bimini Bull Run
Unfortunately there are no sites where you can film sharks successfully, or guaranteed, in one day. Most production sites for sharks in the Bahamas require a boat trip or diver certification and a minimum of two or three days of film time which sends a lot of productions to other sites around the world.
It's a shark production need that has gone unfilled - until now.
Additionally this new shark site, when in production use, will allow local school children to watch and be part of select productions hopefully opening the world to film and television to them on the ground level.
About Bimini Bull Run
Biminibullrun.com is the preeminent one day guaranteed shark encounter site in the Bahamas. Along with cage diving instruction and optional pool courses our specially designed cages allow non certified divers a rare glimpse into the world of the sharks face to face. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and share the world of the sharks with generations of divers and non divers the world over to help preserve this precious resource for future generations.
For more information on Bimini Bull Run please visit www.Biminibullrun.com
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Friday, February 1, 2013
From the Office to the Ocean Part I - Of Shark and Man
First official teaser for the film "From the Office to the Ocean Part I - Of Shark and Man"
Filmed on location in Pinewood Studios UK, Manchester UK and Shark Reef, Fiji
Produced and Directed by David Diley.
What's not to like about this?
"Of Shark and Man" - Teaser Trailer 1 from Scarlet View Media on Vimeo.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Filmed on location in Pinewood Studios UK, Manchester UK and Shark Reef, Fiji
Produced and Directed by David Diley.
What's not to like about this?
"Of Shark and Man" - Teaser Trailer 1 from Scarlet View Media on Vimeo.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bimini Bull Run - Big Sharks, Bahamas
Bimini Bull Run is a first for the global shark diving industry, providing divers and non-divers with an up-close and personal adrenaline packed thrill of shark encounters from the safety of specially designed cage systems attached directly to the docks at The Big Game Club Marina. The system will employ a unique “Hooka’ air system, allowing non-certified divers to experience the opportunity in addition to those certified divers who would prefer to SCUBA.
Michael Weber, Big Game Club General Manager, said the Bimini Bull Run operation will feature safe encounters with Bull Sharks at the marina and offshore species like Tiger and Lemon sharks.
The site will also act as a film and television hub for U.S based shark productions seeking ease of access to the wild world of sharks.
“As a Shark-Free Marina member we only welcome live sharks at our docks,” said Weber. “We are very excited to be able to partner with conservation organizations like The Shark-Free Marinas initiative to help fund regional shark research and the ability to introduce the world of sharks in their own environment and in a manner that is safe both for the sharks and humans.”
Weber said the Bahamas, a collection of 700 islands sweeping across 240,000 square miles of territorial waters was recently declared a Shark Sanctuary with the government banning commercial shark fishing. One of the premier shark-watching destinations for divers, reeling in $800 million over the past 20 years for the Bahamian national economy, sharks in the Bahamas are big business and certainly worth more alive than dead.
Globally, sharks are under attack with estimates of up to 90 million harvested annually commercially for their fins, considered a delicacy in certain areas of the world.
For more information, visit www.biggameclubbimini.com.
Press Release here.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
What's More Dangerous Than a Great White Shark?
 |
| Cookie Cutter Shark |
While diving at Guadalupe Island we have observed, not only Great White Sharks with Cookie Cutter bites, but also Elephant Seals and Beaked Whales.
The way this little shark gets away with biting much larger animals is very unique. They produce bio luminescence, (living light) to attract predators at night. When the much larger predators come near the Cookie Cutter Shark, it takes a bite out of them.
Unlike most predators, Cookie Cutter Sharks don't kill their prey, they just take a bite or two. I guess their feeding habits make for a sustainable food supply.
It just goes to show that even the feared Great White Shark is not immune from predators, and that size doesn't always matter.
There is so much we don't know about the oceans and the creatures that live in it. Humans entering the water tend to be afraid of the unknown and that's why it's important that we keep researching and discovering the secrets the oceans hold.
 |
| Seal with Cookie Cutter Shark bites |
The lead researcher for this study is Dr. Maurico Hoyos-Padilla, the main shark researcher at Guadalupe Island a man I have known for 10 years and am proud to call a friend.
Way to go Dr. Mau!
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Chris Fisher and South African Government at its best?
I've been diving with Great White Sharks at Isla Guadalupe for 11 years now. During that time I've gotten to know a lot of people in the field, from dive operators to researchers and government officials.A lot has changed since we first started our shark diving operation. We've gotten to know individual sharks and learned that they show distinctly different behaviors and personalities. We learned that we didn't need to throw half a cow into the water to attract the sharks. Researchers learned where the sharks migrate to, what kind of tags work and don't work, we all made mistakes and learned from them. During that time there were a lot of documentaries produced that showed what we learned and tried to educate the public and government officials.
It pains me to see, that after all we learned there is still a "Jaws" perception in the public opinion and governments are ignoring scientific discoveries, and are using drum lines and nets along with targeted shark killings to "protect" the beaches.
 |
| Fin mutilated by one of Chris Fishers tags |
Sometimes those misguided government actions target the same shark as do those questionable research methods. A recent drum line catch in South Africa not only killed a beautiful animal, but it also exposed some brutal research methods. The shark that was caught had a dorsal fin that was badly mutilated by an attached transmitter. Chris Fisher, a self proclaimed shark expert with a "research" vessel is responsible for that transmitter. Come on Chris! This is the 21 century, there are better methods to catch and tag a shark. Stop mutilating and killing sharks to promote yourself and your show.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Eco-fugitive Paul Watson resigns from Sea Shepherd
The positions included, "Grand Bloviator," "His Supreme Obfuscator," and lesser titles of, "Most Excellent Mush Mouth of Lyndale," and "Paulie the Bear."
Watson is wanted in Costa Rica to face charges in connection to a violent confrontation with a shark-finning crew in 2002. He remains on the lam after skipping bail in Germany, where he was arrested in May.
Watson has spun many differing accounts of his 2002 shark-fin encounter, blaming the entire episode on the "Yakuza," an organization that as a small child Watson would often blame for missing pastries, candies, and jellied donuts everywhere he went.
The Sea Shepherd skipper said he fears eventual extradition to Japan on account of the "Yakuza," where he's also a wanted man for skipping out on expensive restaurant tabs across the country in 1978.
In order to comply with a recent court injunction, Watson, now an American citizen, said he resigned as president of the organization in both the States and Australia, and as executive director in the U.S.
In response the U.S. Government asked Canada to take Watson back. Canada refused citing several laws concerning the expiration date of cheese products and their conservationists.
"I will hold no paid position with Sea Shepherd anywhere Sea Shepherd is registered and operates as a non-profit organization in any nation," he wrote on the group's website in day glow crayon along with several lines of atrocious poetry.
The injunction issued in December, which names Watson personally, bars Sea Shepherd U.S. from intervening in activities by Japan's Institute for Cetacean Research (ICR), which the environmental group calls "a front for illegal, government-subsidized whaling."
The IRC countered by claiming that Sea Shepherd was "a front for illegal, ego-subsidized media mismanagement, masquerading as a well oiled 'double happiness' conservation donation machine."
However, according to another statement on the SSCS website, Watson will remain on board the SS Steve Irwin to document the campaign against ICR, which involves sailing to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary in Antarctica. As it turns out he cannot leave his ship for fear of "Yakuza" and will probably end up melding with sections of it like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean.
"I will participate as an observer within the boundaries established by the (court)," Watson wrote.
"For the 35 years since I founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society I have strived to act non-violently and within the boundaries of the law, and when that has failed, which is most anytime I get motivated enough to waddle from my writing desk on the Steve Irwin, I have endeavored to lie my ass off about pretty much everything in my life. You see, when it comes to getting honest people to give me money so I can behave like a complete lunatic, making up stories about being shot in the chest by the "Yakuza" or how they are after me all the time, or how they sneak on board the Irwin at night and raid the community fridge taking pies away, the bigger more outrageous the lie the better...wait is this thing on? Crap I thought this was OFF the record...can we delete this?....no?....ummm the "Yakuza" said that."
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Can One University Student Save Sharks?
The idea of shark conservation has been around for many years but are we winning?. Shark finning seems to keep going, despite efforts to ban it. Poachers catch sharks illegally and few countries have the will or means to enforce their own protection laws for sharks.
Don't get me wrong great strides have been made to protect sharks over the years but I get the nagging feeling we're not quite there yet.
So what is the answer? Do we need more laws? Do we need more sanctuaries?
Of course we do, but will that solve the problem? What can we as individuals do?
Chelsea Stephens, a student at the University of Rhode Island came up with an novel idea made with 49cents worth of pvc pipe.
She developed a "hook-blocker", a device that reduces the chances of a Sand Tiger Shark, a protected and rapidly declining species, getting gut hooked and dying.
The device is a simple pvc pipe attached to the fishing line about 7 inches above the hook, preventing Sand Tiger from swallowing baited hooks.
In my view, that's how to do conservation. Real world and immediate solutions that save sharks now.
It's frustrating sometimes to look at the big conservation picture and intuit progress, but if we look at many small and regional things that we can change, we can all make a difference.
Last year China announced that it will stop serving shark fin soup at state dinners - starting in 2 years.
At first I thought, why do they have to wait 2 years?
But after a little reflection I realized that even though it's just a small step, and those state dinners don't exactly use a lot of shark fins, it signals a change in attitude. Maybe if the government stops serving shark fin soup, then the people will follow suit and stop serving it at weddings and little by little, the demand for shark fins will get smaller.
Sharks conservation is a muti headed hydra of ideas and conservation programs for sharks.
I guess I am old school when I believe that many small, smart conservation efforts can actually lead to big changes for sharks. Chelsea Stephens showed us how, with a piece of pvc pipe and an imagination, you can be part of the progress.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Don't get me wrong great strides have been made to protect sharks over the years but I get the nagging feeling we're not quite there yet.
So what is the answer? Do we need more laws? Do we need more sanctuaries?
Of course we do, but will that solve the problem? What can we as individuals do?
Chelsea Stephens, a student at the University of Rhode Island came up with an novel idea made with 49cents worth of pvc pipe.She developed a "hook-blocker", a device that reduces the chances of a Sand Tiger Shark, a protected and rapidly declining species, getting gut hooked and dying.
The device is a simple pvc pipe attached to the fishing line about 7 inches above the hook, preventing Sand Tiger from swallowing baited hooks.
In my view, that's how to do conservation. Real world and immediate solutions that save sharks now.
It's frustrating sometimes to look at the big conservation picture and intuit progress, but if we look at many small and regional things that we can change, we can all make a difference.
 |
| Hopefully these kind of pictures become a thing of the past |
At first I thought, why do they have to wait 2 years?
But after a little reflection I realized that even though it's just a small step, and those state dinners don't exactly use a lot of shark fins, it signals a change in attitude. Maybe if the government stops serving shark fin soup, then the people will follow suit and stop serving it at weddings and little by little, the demand for shark fins will get smaller.
Sharks conservation is a muti headed hydra of ideas and conservation programs for sharks.
I guess I am old school when I believe that many small, smart conservation efforts can actually lead to big changes for sharks. Chelsea Stephens showed us how, with a piece of pvc pipe and an imagination, you can be part of the progress.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Really Australia? Again?
Australia is at it again. This time they destroyed a 15+ ft pregnant female Tiger Shark in Queensland!
Here's the article by Peter Hall, The Courier-Mail.
Now keep in mind that this animal has not attacked anyone. Stands to reason that at 15 plus feet long, she's been around for many years. Now if she really was a great danger to surfers, don't you think she would have attacked a few times by now?
They destroyed a magnificent creature, just because she was big and happened to be a Tiger Shark. Sad!
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Here's the article by Peter Hall, The Courier-Mail.
Now keep in mind that this animal has not attacked anyone. Stands to reason that at 15 plus feet long, she's been around for many years. Now if she really was a great danger to surfers, don't you think she would have attacked a few times by now?
They destroyed a magnificent creature, just because she was big and happened to be a Tiger Shark. Sad!
 |
| If you look like this, they'll kill you in Queensland |
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Has Paul Watson Been Done In?
So, Paul Watson is stepping down as the leader of "Sea Sheperd Conservation Society".
A step that many, myself included, thought would never happen.
Has he finally seen the light?
One could only hope.
He said that he's stepping aside to honor an injunction by a US court, banning him from coming within 500 yards of and interfering with any Japanese Whaling Ship. On Sea Shepherd's website it states that: "Paul Watson will remain aboard to document the campaign."
I'm sure that he'll only be documenting and not doing anything else. I mean he's Paul Watson, self appointed enforcer of international law! He wouldn't violate those international laws himself.
Nope, not Paul Watson!
Take his current status for example. He's not really a fugitive from the law, with a warrant out for his arrest by Interpol. He didn't endanger a fishing vessel in Costa Rican waters, when he tried to force them into port, to face the Costa Rican justice system, the same justice system that he's now not really running from.
So why did he really step aside from Sea Shepherd? I suspect is has more to do with a story that got less media attention. The fact that he's being sued by Ady Gil, the owner of the famous ship that was supposedly hit and sunk by a Japanese whaling ship. Ady Gil alleges that Paul Watson ordered the sinking of the ship, rather than bringing it back for repairs, for publicity reasons.
A video on youtube clearly shows the "Ady Gil" just drifting in the water, alongside the Japanese ship. Then, at around the 19 second mark, the video shows whitewater behind the props, a clear sign that the "Ady Gil" engaged the props and propelled itself into the path of the whaling ship. So it was actually the "Ady Gil" that rammed the whaling ship, not the other way round no matter how many press releases from Sea Shepherd say otherwise.
His stepping aside is most likely an attempt to prevent Ady Gil's suit from potentially getting a lien against Sea Shepherds other ships.
So why do I think that the story about this lawsuit is really important? This is the first time that a big time supporter has come out against him. Someone who's given him a 5 million dollar vessel is now disenchanted by his actions to the point that he's suing him.
Maybe this will be a catalyst for other Sea Shepherd supporters to also take a closer look at how they operate. Hopefully this will signal a start to more support for mainstream conservation efforts. Efforts that can affect real change, instead of just media hype and self promotion. Efforts that have not only lacked financial support, because of money that's going to Sea Shepherd, but efforts that have also been undermined by the extreme and often fruitless actions taken by Sea Shepehrd.
Again, one can only hope, but when it comes to Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson, hope is something that's running in short supply these days.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
Sharkdiver.com
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
A step that many, myself included, thought would never happen.
Has he finally seen the light?
One could only hope.
He said that he's stepping aside to honor an injunction by a US court, banning him from coming within 500 yards of and interfering with any Japanese Whaling Ship. On Sea Shepherd's website it states that: "Paul Watson will remain aboard to document the campaign."
I'm sure that he'll only be documenting and not doing anything else. I mean he's Paul Watson, self appointed enforcer of international law! He wouldn't violate those international laws himself.
Nope, not Paul Watson!
Take his current status for example. He's not really a fugitive from the law, with a warrant out for his arrest by Interpol. He didn't endanger a fishing vessel in Costa Rican waters, when he tried to force them into port, to face the Costa Rican justice system, the same justice system that he's now not really running from.
So why did he really step aside from Sea Shepherd? I suspect is has more to do with a story that got less media attention. The fact that he's being sued by Ady Gil, the owner of the famous ship that was supposedly hit and sunk by a Japanese whaling ship. Ady Gil alleges that Paul Watson ordered the sinking of the ship, rather than bringing it back for repairs, for publicity reasons.
His stepping aside is most likely an attempt to prevent Ady Gil's suit from potentially getting a lien against Sea Shepherds other ships.
So why do I think that the story about this lawsuit is really important? This is the first time that a big time supporter has come out against him. Someone who's given him a 5 million dollar vessel is now disenchanted by his actions to the point that he's suing him.
Maybe this will be a catalyst for other Sea Shepherd supporters to also take a closer look at how they operate. Hopefully this will signal a start to more support for mainstream conservation efforts. Efforts that can affect real change, instead of just media hype and self promotion. Efforts that have not only lacked financial support, because of money that's going to Sea Shepherd, but efforts that have also been undermined by the extreme and often fruitless actions taken by Sea Shepehrd.
Again, one can only hope, but when it comes to Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson, hope is something that's running in short supply these days.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
Sharkdiver.com
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Australia to kill Great White Sharks?
A article in the "Australian" reports that: "WEST Australian Fisheries officers are determined to catch and
kill a great white shark suspected of having established itself at
unpatrolled swimming beaches along the southwest coast since Christmas."
Wow, I guess the shark should know that it is not supposed to swim in an unpatrolled swimming area. They want to hunt and kill the shark simply because it's a shark, not because it has attacked anyone. The article further states:
Tony Cappelluti, from the Fisheries Department's shark response unit, said his team was almost certain they were seeing the same shark. "Our assessment is there's a shark of 3-4m, and it's a white shark, which is high risk, in the area," Mr Cappelluti said.
Almost certain? Well, I'm almost certain that a 3-4 m white shark is a juvenile that's still eating fish. Mr. Capelluti concludes by saying:
"(So) we've deemed it to be an imminent threat under the guidelines because there's possibly going to be people in areas we can't get to or can't guarantee we can mitigate the risk by getting them out of the water and keeping them out of the water."
Wouldn't it be easier to advise people not to go swimming in unpatrolled waters?
I wonder if this has to do with how we portray sharks in the media. "Shark Week" type shows and news outlets seem to cater either to those who find the most creative ways to get a shark to bite a gopro or anything else in sight, or those fools who go and ride the sharks to show how "docile" they are. Reporting how sharks really are seems to be almost non existent.
As I'm writing this I'm watching the local CBS news in San Diego, reporting that a 16 white shark that was tagged on the east coast has been spotted 17 miles off the coast of Florida. Their "expert" says that people have been advised to stay out of the water. ..... they spot a shark 17 miles away and advise people to get out of the water? .... really?!
Maybe, if we want to protect the sharks, we need to focus on educating the media, as well as government and beach safety officials, to give them an accurate description of the sharks. We should respect them for the wild predators they are, but there's no need to fear them!
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Wow, I guess the shark should know that it is not supposed to swim in an unpatrolled swimming area. They want to hunt and kill the shark simply because it's a shark, not because it has attacked anyone. The article further states:Tony Cappelluti, from the Fisheries Department's shark response unit, said his team was almost certain they were seeing the same shark. "Our assessment is there's a shark of 3-4m, and it's a white shark, which is high risk, in the area," Mr Cappelluti said.
Almost certain? Well, I'm almost certain that a 3-4 m white shark is a juvenile that's still eating fish. Mr. Capelluti concludes by saying:
"(So) we've deemed it to be an imminent threat under the guidelines because there's possibly going to be people in areas we can't get to or can't guarantee we can mitigate the risk by getting them out of the water and keeping them out of the water."
Wouldn't it be easier to advise people not to go swimming in unpatrolled waters?
I wonder if this has to do with how we portray sharks in the media. "Shark Week" type shows and news outlets seem to cater either to those who find the most creative ways to get a shark to bite a gopro or anything else in sight, or those fools who go and ride the sharks to show how "docile" they are. Reporting how sharks really are seems to be almost non existent.
As I'm writing this I'm watching the local CBS news in San Diego, reporting that a 16 white shark that was tagged on the east coast has been spotted 17 miles off the coast of Florida. Their "expert" says that people have been advised to stay out of the water. ..... they spot a shark 17 miles away and advise people to get out of the water? .... really?!
Maybe, if we want to protect the sharks, we need to focus on educating the media, as well as government and beach safety officials, to give them an accurate description of the sharks. We should respect them for the wild predators they are, but there's no need to fear them!
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Isla Guadalupe White Shark Trip Report 2012
My dad took me to see Jaws when I was about 10 years old – maybe he thought it would be fun to scare the kids? Well, I loved it, couldn’t get enough of sharks after that.
So to be fortunate
enough to actually get to go on a trip with Shark Diver was the opportunity of
a lifetime. And it was really really amazing.
I had not been able
to convince anyone I knew to come with me, so I went on my own. It didn’t
matter though, there were several others on the boat who also came on their
own. We also had a family of 4, plus a couple (who turned out to be avid
travelers and divers, with many entertaining stories to tell).
OK, early on the first
morning (after a rocking and rolling 20 hours on the open ocean to get there),
my new dive partner and I were standing on the back deck, no one else around
(they were all either still in bed, or having breakfast inside, or getting
ready to dive). I was trying on my
wetsuit for the first time, which was dry – and I was dry – so this was not an
easy task. As I was bent over wrestling with the leg of the suit, a great white
shark breached clear out of the water, hit the deck railing (hard – I mean,
these things are 12 ft + long), and splashed back into the water. I was about 2
feet from the railing, and I saw it's belly!!!!! We had no time to be
scared, it was about a second or two at most. With the colour drained from his
face, my dive partner looked at me, walked into the centre of the deck, and
said quietly, "holy #$%&#! we're all gonna die."
The poor guy had come to Guadalupe Island to get over his fear of great white sharks… so, not a good way to start! He was convinced we were about to be eaten. But then he started to joke about it, saying that pretty much nothing else could top this experience of seeing a great white jump out of the water right in front of us. And it’s true. I will always remember that split second, putting me into the realm of a very minimal group of people in the world who have ever witnessed a great white shark breach.
The poor guy had come to Guadalupe Island to get over his fear of great white sharks… so, not a good way to start! He was convinced we were about to be eaten. But then he started to joke about it, saying that pretty much nothing else could top this experience of seeing a great white jump out of the water right in front of us. And it’s true. I will always remember that split second, putting me into the realm of a very minimal group of people in the world who have ever witnessed a great white shark breach.
We were grouped in
pods of 4 for our dive rotations, which went hourly – this meant we had on
average 5 hours a day in the water. Ample time to see white sharks! (and get
very pruney fingers soaking in water all that time) There was a half hour break (no divers in the
water) at noon for lunch. The cages went in the water at 7am, and basically
they let us go in until 5pm or 6pm or whenever we were all too exhausted to get
back in the cage. In our initial trip information from Patric, it said
that some people skip their rotations and others could get extra cage time – I
wondered why people would travel all that way and just stay on the deck! But
experiencing it was very tiring! And yes, I did end up skipping at least one
rotation, and then on the last day I didn’t do the last couple of hours that
were an open rotation. I could hardly pull myself out of the water towards the
end of each day; I was completely drained, but in a great ‘once in a lifetime’
way!
The crew worked their
butts off making sure each of us had the perfect trip. We were safe at all
times. We ate enormous amounts of food (which was fantastic). Some of us had
food allergies or sensitivities, and chef Mark made sure to cook individual meals
for those folks (including me, no wheat and no meat). Although I must admit I
had a small piece of the raspberry glazed Cornish game hen served one evening,
and it was delicious. Most of us went to
our lower-deck bunks around 8pm each night because we could hardly keep our
eyes open by then. And surprisingly, there was no drinking at all. Well, I
think a couple people had a few, but remember, we were on the ocean and the
boat never stopped rocking. Our stomachs were often feeling a little woozy at
times, but most of us were good at re-balancing ourselves by looking at the
horizon (this little tip worked well for me). However, I gave up trying to
shave my legs on day 2, because I kept bumping against the shower wall as the
boat tipped from side to side.
We saw 9 great whites
over the 3 dive days, 2 of which were ‘new’ to divemaster Martin – they had not
previously been identified. Being September, the female sharks are not
(usually) in Guadalupe, but we did see one – the rest were males. They are
nothing like in the movies and on tv – these sharks were calm, docile, just
slowly cruising by our cages, sometimes a little closer than anticipated, but I
never felt scared! One of them came so close to me I stopped breathing in my
ventilator and couldn’t even take a photo. I was mesmerized by every tiny
detail I could see of its skin, and eyeball (yes, it was that close!) Having a
great white shark look you in the eye is what the word awesome was really meant
for.
I was in a true state of awe, for sure! It’s difficult to describe the feeling of getting to do the one thing that has always been on my bucket list. Long before anyone called it a bucket list. As a kid, I thought it was just always going to be a dream. Going on this trip was exhilarating and I have so many adventurous stories and memories – and it’s kind of nice to have some bragging rights once in a while too. J But it doesn’t have to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip … I’m already planning my next trip to Isla Guadalupe.
I was in a true state of awe, for sure! It’s difficult to describe the feeling of getting to do the one thing that has always been on my bucket list. Long before anyone called it a bucket list. As a kid, I thought it was just always going to be a dream. Going on this trip was exhilarating and I have so many adventurous stories and memories – and it’s kind of nice to have some bragging rights once in a while too. J But it doesn’t have to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip … I’m already planning my next trip to Isla Guadalupe.
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Cheers,
Martin Graf
Managing Director
Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at sharkcrew@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)