On the recent trip to deep darkest Africa, we landed up shark cage diving, something I never really imagined doing. I should qualify that 'we' and 'diving'; 'we' went on the boat, only one of us went in the cage. The other two, myself included, fed the fish. Something about being anchored in a sizable swell didn't quite agree with the inner ear... The mackerel are serious fans of chicken focaccia!
We did however see some young modest sized Great Whites, if you call 2,5 metres modest. They were quite unperturbed by us and just moseyed around. Even the skipper was surprised at how docile they seemed, perhaps they were also seasick.
Apparently all the talk of conditioning the sharks to associate humans with food isbollocks unfounded. The sharks near Gansbaai in South Africa are migratory, and spend only a short time in the area, so are not able to become accustomed to the activity. Besides, the sharks aren't fed, just attracted by chumming, which involves tossing fish oil on the sea to lay a scent trail. (did I mention that this smell goes really well with nausea?)
What I was upset to hear about is that some of the cage dive operators are less scrupulous than others. It seems wrong using shark parts in your chum and dragging lures across the cages. Unfortunately, where there is money to be made and things to sensationalize, it seems that humans are the apex predators.
If you want to do it, I can recommend Marine Dynamics, a seemingly responsible group. I also suggest you find a calm weather day, that way you may actually enjoy it.
For all those that ask, "can you swim in the sea in South Africa?", look at the stats. 5 to 15 people are killed by sharks every year worldwide! What do you think? But yes, if you smell like fish oil you may be a shark magnet, best check your hygiene...
We did however see some young modest sized Great Whites, if you call 2,5 metres modest. They were quite unperturbed by us and just moseyed around. Even the skipper was surprised at how docile they seemed, perhaps they were also seasick.
Apparently all the talk of conditioning the sharks to associate humans with food is
What I was upset to hear about is that some of the cage dive operators are less scrupulous than others. It seems wrong using shark parts in your chum and dragging lures across the cages. Unfortunately, where there is money to be made and things to sensationalize, it seems that humans are the apex predators.
If you want to do it, I can recommend Marine Dynamics, a seemingly responsible group. I also suggest you find a calm weather day, that way you may actually enjoy it.
For all those that ask, "can you swim in the sea in South Africa?", look at the stats. 5 to 15 people are killed by sharks every year worldwide! What do you think? But yes, if you smell like fish oil you may be a shark magnet, best check your hygiene...
A juvenile cruising by, quite peaceful really.
Hmmm, how photos can lie... sea doesn't look rough huh!
Checking out the fish on a rope.
Cage diving is a bit of a misnomer. The cage is attached to the boat and is always partially exposed. So you hold your breath and duck down when the time is right. I guess going 'cage holding your breath' isn't as cool.
Would I go again? Nope. Would I suggest it? If you have the cash to spare, sure. Are humans ridiculously irrational, bordering on stupid? Absolutely!
What a beautiful animal!
Would I go again? Nope. Would I suggest it? If you have the cash to spare, sure. Are humans ridiculously irrational, bordering on stupid? Absolutely!
What a beautiful animal!
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