Great White Shark

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Great White Shark

Great White shark spotted
Passengers on a whale watch saw a lot more than they bargained for this week. They spotted a Great White shark about 8 miles off of shore.

Gold 2007 3pc Great White Shark Set 242 of 350 Struck

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The Myths of the Shark!

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Shark, now there’s a name to strike fear into any new diver. If you have ever been lucky enough to have seen a shark on a dive; if you have ever witnessed one of natures’ truly marvellous creations, if a shark has ever entered your range of visibility underwater, then you will know, that no matter what else you may have been looking at that moment, is forgotten and the shark takes precedence.

On most dive boats around the world the most popular question is; Are there any sharks? The general public have a fear, also respect (which no doubt comes from fear) and usually a total misconception about these amazing fish.

Due largely to false press reports, Hollywood images, books and hear-say; Quite possibly this unfounded information has contributed to almost the totally annihilation of many species of Shark. It is estimated that around 70 million sharks are captured and killed annually, Not just for food ( which includes the delicacy shark fin soup, which we will come back to) but as by-catch by fishermen trawling for other fish. Also, like the seemingly happy-go-lucky Dolphins which get caught up in Tuna nets, sharks get trapped and drown too. Sharks are extremely vulnerable to over fishing due the fact they can take up to and over seven years to reach sexual maturity and do not give birth to hundreds of offspring like most other fish do. Many species are now threatened and some are on the Global ICUN Red List, they include; The Blue Shark, Long Fin Mako, Great White Shark, Salmon Shark, Megamouth, Big eyed Sand-tiger and Crocodile Shark. Other sharks which find themselves on the endangered list are The Short Fin Mako, Thresher, Porbeagle and Silky shark are also in a real danger of extinction.

Shark fin soup:

One of the main reasons Sharks populations have been decimated in recent years is the appetite for the Chinese delicacy Shark Fin Soup. This dish is seen as a status symbol by rich Chinese and as China grows economically, the lust to prove one’s riches grows. This trend has seen an ever increasing decline in Shark stocks. Shark Fin Soup is considered beneficial to the health in many Asian countries. Also it is believed to prevent cancer, and be an aphrodisiac, although there is no scientific proof of these claims. The way the sharks are captured and have their fins removed with a red hot blade and then thrown back into the sea, still alive, but unable to move and subsequently suffer an awful death, has had many claiming that this practice is unlawful and barbaric. However the trade in Shark fin is very profitable with some fins being sold for anything up to $500. With this in mind there seems to be no end in sight for this ever increasing crisis.

The Supreme Apex Predator:

Sharks have been around for over three hundred million years; The modern shark(s) that now patrol the Oceans are highly evolved and have been unchanged for over one hundred million years. Human beings on the other hand have been around for little over one hundred thousand years and we are still evolving. Sharks are fish, and have little or no bone what-so-ever. Their skeleton consists of cartilage, similar to the top part of the human ear or nose.

There are over three hundred and sixty different kind of sharks, (not including Rays, Skates and Chimaeras which are a relative, being cartilaginous fish). One of the smallest being the Pygmy shark which is no more than 20 centimetres in length to the largest fish in the world the Whale-shark, which can reach staggering 12 metres. The whale shark is probably the most sought after fish in the world, by divers that is. People spend thousands of dollars a year on the off chance of seeing this magnificent animal, which is totally harmless. Well unless you are unlucky enough or daft enough to get hit by its tail fin as it cruises through the water, filtering tiny plankton, its staple diet.

In fact Eighty percent of sharks are totally harmless less than a metre in length and eat small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates. Out of all the species of sharks there are only several types that are known to have attacked and killed man; Including the most famous of all, The Great White Shark; The Tiger Shark, with distinct tiger stripes down its side; The Bull Shark, which is one of only two sharks that can swim up river. This species has the infamous title of the most aggressive of all sharks, possibly for its ability to swim in fresh water, where it is more likely to come into contact with humans. On occasion Great Hammerheads, Oceanic white tips, and Short fin Mako’s (the fastest of all the sharks) have attacked human but these attacks are rare. A Shark will only attack if threatened or hungry. Humans are not on the menu unless we are mistaken for their natural food, especially in murky water or on the surface where the Shark can only see shadows. Sharks generally bump or poke their prey with their fins or snout before an all out attack. Some Surfers will attest to this.

Perspective:

Annually reported, globally there are about seventy shark attacks a year with about five or six being fatal. There has never once been a report of any shark attack on a Scuba diver that has not been provoked or part of a shark feeding dive. Almost 200 people each year die from being struck by lightning; 600 people a year just falling out of bed; 2,800 die each year from choking; there are 40,000 that die each year from snake bites. In fact you are more likely to suffer fatal injury from a bee sting. The statistics on road travel cannot even be compared. Even while travelling by airplane, you are more likely to come a cropper than on any dive.

Attractions:

Sharks are one of the biggest attractions in diving, even bigger than the Anemone clown fish (NEMO). The mystery, the power, the phenomenon that is epitome of the word shark. The fear, the respect, the curiosity that these creatures command, is truly awe inspiring. Whether you take your divers on a reef to see the Black Tip or the White Tip reef shark, if they are lucky enough to see the Graceful Leopard shark. There may be the bullish behavior of the Silvertip or Grey Reef sharks that you may be fortunate to see. People flock in their thousands to see Hammerheads in The Red Sea. Becoming more and more popular by the year are the Galapagos Islands which have a rich marine life including a large and diverse population of Sharks. Also the ever increasing in popularity of Coco’s Islands, which have some of the best Shark dives on the Planet. Then there is The Whale-Sharks of Ningaloo Reef, The Great Whites in South Africa, there is at least sixteen species of Shark around Tahiti (French Polynesia). The waters around Thailand are to many different species too, including, The Whale-shark, Black Tip, White Tip, Grey Reef, Leopard and nurse sharks to name a few. Although, you don’t have to go to the ends of the earth for great Shark dives, They populate every sea and ocean around the world. Even the waters around the UK home or have regular visits by up to twenty one different species of Shark throughout the year. Up and down the country many dive operations offer trips to observe the huge Basking Shark (second only in size to the Whale shark).

Responsibility:

Many Scuba divers will appreciate the need for action, but what can be done? Instructors and Divemasters alike can help if only by talking about this problem with their customers and students. Many people in the general public will not realize the magnitude of the Sharks plight , the more that understand the better the chances of saving the sharks. There are many shark charities including www.sharktrust.org which is a founding member of the www.sharkalliance .org which is a coalition of non government organizations that are trying to bring to light this huge environmental issue and to pressurize governments. Also PROJECT AWARE are playing a huge role in many campaigns to help the sharks. Check out these sites to find out more, what can be done and how you can help. Lets hope there is massive outcry like that of save the whale campaigners of the seventies. It’s very true that we know very little about Sharks and yet still maybe there are more Sharks in the abyss waiting to be discovered. Only as recently as 1976 was the Megamouth discovered in Hawaii, USA. If we are to save these wonderful, majestic, mysterious and superbly evolved creatures. It seems, ‘act now before it’s too late,’ is the policy.

Summary:

If you are a first time diver and are worried about getting in the water for a fear of sharks. Well, you are more likely to crash the car on the way to the airport and even if your plane lands safely and you do not get stung by a bee on the way to your hotel and in the morning assuming you did not fall out of bed, and, if then on the way to the dive boat you avoided being bitten by snake and being struck by lightning, then you should be quite safe to dive.

About the Author

Jason Butler is a free lance writer. He is currently residing in Thailand and enjoying life. Writing articles on Sharks, Fishing and Steam engine models is a passion of his. He is also a scuba Diving Instructor with over ten years experience.
www.john-tom.com
Contact Jason …divebutler@hotmail.co.uk

http://jason-stealinrubies.blogspot.com/

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