After the frightening-looking encounter captured here, the great white shark vanished into the abyss and the man kept his arm.
But cage-diving scenes that promise close encounters with sharks are creating a frenzy at Guadalupe Island west of Baja California, because some feel it's only a matter of time before a person gets killed.
"It's an arms race and it's the worst example of one that I've ever seen," said Patric Douglas, who runs Shark Divers, a shark-related tourism, filming and consulting business.
The half-dozen operators that set up shop seasonally at the remote Mexican island have become so competitive that they're constantly seeking new ways to lure high-dollar customers away from other operators.
Customers also have become bolder. They routinely lean from the gaps of cages to get better camera angles, despite instructions to keep limbs and torsos inside. In some cases, divers are even swimming out the cages or climbing on top of them in waters that are home each summer and fall to dozens of adult great whites.
Cage diving is relatively new to Guadalupe Island but its evolution beyond the traditional stern-attached surface cages, which still exist, has been swift.
The so-called arms race began when Lawrence Groth of Shark Diving International started submersing cages to depths at which the sharks lurk -- about 50 feet -- so he wouldn't have to rely on "chumming" them to the surface with ground-up fish and blood (now illegal but still practiced by some).
Groth also built a submersible "cinema cage" that has no sides, affording film crews unobstructed views but providing sharks with direct access to human flesh, if that's what they desire. Fortunately, they do not.Groth's latest invention is a horizontal two-person cage that "flies around like an airplane," with the client laying in the front with a camera and Groth in back driving with a joystick.
When informed that another operator has built a double-deck cage with no bars on the upper deck, Groth said, "I'll have to do a fly-by and check it out."
The split-level cages are the brainchild of Mike Lever, who runs the Nautilus Explorer, a luxury vessel that has a hot tub from which divers can warm up after their chilly cage dives and watch sharks circle the boat in gorgeous blue water with 100-foot visibility.
Divers in these submersible cages can enjoy the company of white sharks from behind steel bars or scamper upward, with experienced dive masters, to stand atop a deck for an open-water experience.
"It is an unforgettable rush when a great white looks at you from 50 feet away and then swims over for a very close look," says Daniel Dayneswood, who works for the Nautilus Explorer, which is based in British Columbia.
But the daring does not end here. A relative newcomer to Guadalupe is Amos Nachoum, who has raised the bar to what some might consider the ultimate level.
Nachoum, a famous photographer and outfitter who runs Big Animal Expeditions, openly advertises outside-the-cage opportunities and charges what some might consider an arm and a leg: $5,900 for a week-long trip.Nachoum, whose trips are aboard a 110-foot La Paz, Mexico-based vessel named Sea Escape, says he takes only "qualified individuals" but other operators claim Nachoum's idea of a qualified individual is anyone who shells out the money for one of his trips.
"He's new to the whole thing," says Groth, a pioneer at Guadalupe who himself has been referred to as a "cowboy" using questionable tactics. "He has an inexperienced boat crew and he's doing this stupid stuff with anyone who will pay him the money."
Lever believes Nachoum's operation is an accident waiting to happen. "What concerns me is that someone outside the cage gets freaked out by a shark, and it's easy to get freaked out by a shark; I've been freaked out by them," Lever says. "So what happens when you're at mid-water on SCUBA gear and you get freaked out and panic.
"If that person bails to the surface what kind of reflex are they going to trigger in that animal? And then that person is on the surface thrashing, and then what happens?"
It should be noted that white sharks are not bloodthirsty killers. They're generally very cautious around divers. Other operators have let veteran film crews outside the cages for brief periods, always flanked by dive masters who look for any changes in the sharks' behavior. If a shark becomes even remotely aggressive, divers are ordered back into the cages.
Nachoum maintains that he's as cautious as the sharks. He only runs one trip a year to Guadalupe, and only takes 10 people. Only half of them even want to venture out of the cages, he says. Those who do must have extensive scuba experience and must bring lawyer-signed and notarized documents stating they're aware of the risk of death and serious injury.
The expedition leader adds that he only allows one diver at a time to venture outside, only after he has gone outside and feels comfortable in the presence of the shark or sharks in the area. A second dive master swims behind the customer with a stick to push the shark away if it gets too close. (These sharks can measure 18 feet and weigh 3,000-plus pounds.)Groth and Lever say what Nachoum is doing is illegal. Nachoum says other operators -- he did not name them -- are in violation for using whole tuna attached to ropes to lure sharks to surface cages and inspire them to open their mouths for camera-toting passengers. The crews yank the tuna away before the sharks can snatch them and this, Nachoum says, "makes the sharks crazy."
What's legal and illegal is largely moot because Guadalupe is 160 miles from the Baja California peninsula and enforcement of any rules is difficult, though the Mexican navy makes a sporadic inspection.
Mostly it's up to the operators to watch each other, and they do so suspiciously.
One thing they all agree on is that if a shark does kill someone, Mexico might kick everyone out and close what is arguably the world's premier white shark-diving destination.
That, they say, would remove the operators' watchful eyes and open the island to poaching, which would decimate the sharks. So it's in everyone's best interest -- though it hardly seems that way -- to keep their customers alive.
-- Top photo and bottom two photos are copyright images courtesy of Don Carpenter. Any use without his permission is illegal.
-- Second image of a scuba diver outside the cage is courtesy of Amos Nachoum
64 Comments
1-20 of 64
Posted by twf June 23, 2010 01:53am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Oh that's real smart, yah tease the BIG GREAT WHITE SHARK with tuna or other food. Yep hold the tuna out there for the THE MONSTER SIZED, HAS BEEN KNOWN TO EAT A MAN ONCE OR TWICE GREAT WHITE SHARK and then pull it away like you're teasing your puppy dog and then wonder why it gets MAD and tries to EAT YOU. What a butthead ( and I'ld be willing to bet that shark is thinking the same as me "what a butthead")
If you're doing this and you get bit or your buddy gets eaten I'm gonna LMAO at you for being a BUTTHEAD and being STUPID.
Reply by twitch1976 June 23, 2010 06:51am PDTReport Abuse
yeah real smart lets make the 3000lb attitude with teeth made that sounds like the smart thing to do lol
Reply by powerandintegrity June 24, 2010 03:33pm PDTReport Abuse
Excuse me, but the term "man eater" can never be applied to this creature. I agree that it isn't the smartest of actions to go diving with these massive beasts, but the reason to not do so it not that they are "man eaters". If anything, it is the victim's fault that they are attacked. These creatures may be large in size, but they aren't exactly the most intelligent. And even so, the shark is only trying to find a decent meal. So the fact that, a human may end up appearing in the form as a seal, or even just was in the wrong place at wrong time does not give you the right to label this animal. On the other hand, I do agree that this diver's actions were a tad bit on the moronic side. I just wish that you not run into the world using an unorthodox "name" for this misunderstood animal.
Reply by bob8080 June 24, 2010 05:28pm PDTReport Abuse
"Customers also have become bolder. They routinely lean from the gaps of cages to get better camera angles"
At the Grand Canyon gift shop I bought a book called "Over the Edge" that contained all the known stories of people's deaths in the canyon. If I remember correctly, about 80 of them were either people looking for a better camera angle, or the poor souls they instructed to take "just another step back..."
They don't yet have a Darwin award for maiming, do they?
Reply by chris mclaren June 24, 2010 05:28pm PDTReport Abuse
Um, no. You're not as up on this as you think you are. When an animal is on record as having eaten one or more people, they are quite logically and fairly referred to as man-eaters. Lions, tigers, sharks, grizzly bears, etc. all can fairly be labeled as such. This does not mean anything more - e.g., doesn't mean we shouldn't respect and try to protect them. But sharks are dangerous. They can, and sometimes do, eat people, quite deliberately.
Reply by drudown June 24, 2010 05:30pm PDTReport Abuse
@powerandintegrity
Spare me the revisionist history, missy.
A White shark just ate Lloyd Skinner this January in Fish Hoek, South Africa.
Their purported lack of intelligence is immaterial, i.e., their ampullae of lorenzini, lateral lines, smell, hearing, etc all can idenitfy a human as a human and a seal as a seal. Humans have been a tertiary prey item for Whites, Tigers and Oceanic Whitetips since before Homo erectus was rafting to Java or Australia 2,000,000 years ago. They know what we are, and know we are edible.
You "misunderstand" that eating an occasional human is part of their ecological niche as an opportunistic, GENERALIST feeder. So, please- don't lecture people about White sharks.
Reply by ccunningham71 June 24, 2010 09:24pm PDTReport Abuse
Humans will eventually go the way of the Dodo, but of all the species we definitely have the most fun and have the most complex/inventive ways to have fun. Seriously could you imagine for a moment....if let's say, a couple of Labrador Retrievers got bored laying around the house and invented an underwater breathing apparatus and said..."that's not fun enough, let's get the biggest predator in the world to come to us, underwater, while we have a limited breathing supply, and to make it extra fun being out of our element let's swim closer to the beast because I hear they are really not interested in us because we are not their natural prey...so we will be safe...I mean we have to sign this doggie waiver stating we know we could die but I'm cool with it."
Reply by john rozelle June 24, 2010 09:56pm PDTReport Abuse
Powerfully well said. Is it any different than walking into a field of wild lions bleeding, then screaming before running awkwardly away? I don't think the response would be different.
These creatures are among the planets most majestic creations... A healthy dose of respect goes a long way.
That said, I know freedivers who've been in the water with them at that island while spearfishing. Sometimes it's ok, and sometimes it's tragic. I believe you COULD manage that encounter properly, and I would be willing to venture it myself.
I hope human encounters and education continues safely.
Reply by cdltnla June 24, 2010 11:44pm PDTReport Abuse
Bob8080--- HILARIOUS!!
I don't know what to say. People just can't get enough. It's like this with everything anymore. Where's the logic?
Reply by al shaffer June 25, 2010 06:17am PDTReport Abuse
Hey! Sharks have to eat too! If people want to feed them in person, with people-food, such are the freedoms of a free minded person. Would you chastise a religious person for nuking a country in the name of some god? These people may simply be following some religious content. Now, lets go hand-feed some lions in the Serengeti!
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 06:41am PDTReport Abuse
Ok Al lets go, let me bring the video cammera though cause I aint never seen anybody hand feed a wild Lion before, ok. ( Uh I'm gonna stay in the truck though Ok)
Reply by jack borgeson June 25, 2010 10:01pm PDTReport Abuse
I can imagine several thousand years fro now, when society becomes interstellar, people deciding that bungie jumping into a black hole is a good idea and Grindtv.com posting a blog about rising concern over danger levels of the activity.
Reply by andy murch June 26, 2010 06:18pm PDTReport Abuse
Cage diving with white sharks is not particularly dangerous. Diving with white sharks without cages poses a bigger threat but no one has been killed while intentionally doing this.
The water at G.Island is very clear. So, with the aid of a dive master it is fairly easy to maintain a 360 degree view. Most sharks (including whites) are ambush predators. Once they see that you are aware of them they won't try a sneak attack. All sharks have personalities. Having the experience to read the sharks is helpful but their moods can change quickly so remaining close to a cage is a good idea.
Re shark wrangling with tuna carcasses: It rarely makes the sharks excited. They are very used to the game and they generally take half hearted lunges at the bait. Occasionally they make a more concerted effort which can escalate into the shark swimming at speed towards the cage while in pursuit of the bait. That is when photographers have an opportunity to get graphic toothy shots. This happens rarely. Once the lunge is over, the shark invariably returns to its circling hoping for more scraps.
Irrational fear of large animals is counterproductive. There are many adrenalin sports with vastly greater risks than shark diving. Surviving the freeway ride to the dive boat is by far the most dangerous part of any shark diving trip.
More info at http://elasmodiver.com
Andy Murch
Reply by powerandintegrity June 29, 2010 09:22am PDTReport Abuse
Oh, so y'all do not enjoy me putting in my own input. You obviously haven't an ounce of optimism. I am merely stating main reasons as to why white sharks should be refereed to as such an unruly name. yes i do realize the fact that they have obviously attacked an odd sum of human beings, and that is part of the life and ecological events. However, I just find these remarks of yours unnecessary. To the point that, you actually took the time to read and dissect my "lecture". So, thank you so very much for "making my day."
Posted by melman June 23, 2010 05:46am PDTReply | Report Abuse
It looks to me, that the shark in the last pic, is poseing for his picture !
Reply by nkilmer619 June 24, 2010 02:55pm PDTReport Abuse
What a handsome shark
Reply by powerandintegrity June 24, 2010 03:33pm PDTReport Abuse
rofl
Reply by jack borgeson June 24, 2010 08:24pm PDTReport Abuse
he looks quite dashing
Reply by eurisko June 25, 2010 12:14pm PDTReport Abuse
It was a her and yes she was posing. I called her Jasmine, the others on the vessel called her spot. Very cool trip with the cages. Have not braved it yet without. I assume it would be a lot like diving with the Tigers and Bulls. Keep your cool and hold your ground.
Don Carpenter
www.euriskoimaging.com ( If U don't believe I took these)
Reply by jack borgeson June 25, 2010 09:56pm PDTReport Abuse
Actually Tigers are known to be maneaters, unlike Lions, Bears, Sharks, and Alligators, who have the reputation, but don't go out of their way to eat people, but Tigers can be really aggressive even when unprovoked.
Reply by eurisko June 26, 2010 01:02pm PDTReport Abuse
Clarification....Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks. I've never had the opportunity to photograph the mammal version. LOL
Posted by brian klapcic June 23, 2010 09:21am PDTReply | Report Abuse
The cage goes into the water... you go into the water... the sharks in the water... our Shark...Farewell and adieu, to you fair spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've just received orders, for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore, shall we see you again.-Quint-
Reply by jon eddy June 24, 2010 02:21pm PDTReport Abuse
i'm not talkin bout day sailin or pleasure cruisin, mr. hooper. i'm talkin bout workin for a livin. i'm talkin bout sharkin!
Reply by tyna4986 June 24, 2010 02:23pm PDTReport Abuse
ha! couldnt have said it better myself ;) classic movie.
Reply by mountinglosses June 24, 2010 02:40pm PDTReport Abuse
...we're gonna need a bigger boat...
Reply by black73 June 24, 2010 03:46pm PDTReport Abuse
JAJAJAJAJA From Northern MEXICO!!!
Reply by ccunningham71 June 24, 2010 09:41pm PDTReport Abuse
Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women-
Jaws is right up there with Caddyshack, The Big Lebowski for quotes. Great film.
Reply by scoggie June 25, 2010 11:15am PDTReport Abuse
"show me the way to go home. i'm tired and it wanna go to bed. i had a little drink about an hour ago and its gone right to my head"
Reply by jack borgeson June 25, 2010 10:02pm PDTReport Abuse
American Movie is pretty quotable.
Posted by tangkangbang June 24, 2010 02:20pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Cages should be big enough for divers to move around within them, Use your head please
Reply by tyna4986 June 24, 2010 02:25pm PDTReport Abuse
this would require common sense though heaven forbid we use that ;)
Reply by tangkangbang June 24, 2010 02:50pm PDTReport Abuse
If id get the chance to show knowledge i think we would see the future in no time
Posted by tangkangbang June 24, 2010 02:21pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Underwater Cages should be big enough for multiple divers to swim around them, You guys need to use youre heads and be more creative were almost on the 21st century
Posted by arcameda com June 24, 2010 02:25pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Didn't your mom teach you not to play with sharks.
Reply by arcameda com June 24, 2010 02:26pm PDTReport Abuse
Maybe that was just matches. Arcameda.com
Reply by black73 June 24, 2010 03:48pm PDTReport Abuse
Or you can go blind!!! jajajaja
Posted by nyzki June 24, 2010 02:31pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I have never agreed with this. This just teaches the whites that humans are associated with food. And before long it will not be tuna that they are after but humans. Just irresponsible and dangerous. This kind of bussiness should not even be allowed to operate. No way is this acceptable.
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 07:13am PDTReport Abuse
White Sharks and a whole bunch of other Sharks( Makos, White Tips, Tigers, and Bull Sharks ect.) have known we humans are a food source for since man first swam in the oceans, so we are not really teaching then anything they did'nt already know. Personaly I don't think they need to be out there trying to tease these Monster Sized Fish either( Yes a Shark is a fish, they breath through gills ). What it will take unfortunately for this to maybe stop is someone will have to get eaten by one of them and that will be sad because they will blame it on the shark rather than the idiot in the water who was teasing the BIG FISHY in the first place.
Reply by nyzki June 25, 2010 09:45am PDTReport Abuse
twf, yes that is true. I was just saying why do something deliberatly to cause a potential attack on a human?
Reply by sharkbait ooh haha June 25, 2010 10:49am PDTReport Abuse
You do realize that Sharks don't have story telling right? They don't speak, so what their ancestors knew of 200,000 yrs ago, they don't know. Because they get old and die, they do not communicate and talk the way humans do. They are born, grow and learn the ways of the sea, on their own. They know basic instinct, not something they're grandfather told them how well a human taste. God,...talk about common sense.
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 03:12pm PDTReport Abuse
Please sharkbait, yes they do act and are born with the instinct basic to eat anything they may think is food. Please go to a local aquarium or college that has a proffessor of Oceanography or Marine Biology and ask them if humans are and have been part of the food chain for sharks since man first swam in the ocean with Megladon ( he was a prehistoric shark and possible Great Grand Father to the Great White Shark ).
And as for story telling, I'm sorry but again go and ask an Oceanographer or Marine Biologist as to weather or not sharks comunicate with each other. Oh by the way Oceanography and Marine Biology are a hobby of mine from when I lived in California in the 70s and 80s, but just to be safe go head and ask someone else please.
Reply by megandsulli June 27, 2010 10:45am PDTReport Abuse
I'll tell you right now twf. They don't have story time. Period. There is absoluteley no parental care among elasmobranchii(sharks) There never has been a human in the water with Carcharodon Megalodon. Humans weren't around yet. So you either need to stop TRYing to sound smart, or find a different hobby, because you suck at marine biology. Take it from me, I am a Bachelor of Coastal Environmental Science student, majoring in Elasmobranchii. Remember, NO COMMUNICATION.
Reply by twf June 27, 2010 11:38pm PDTReport Abuse
Now now megandsulli calm down and don't have a panic attack, #1 I never said they have story tell time, all sharcks are born with the basic instict to eat most anything that swims in the oceans of the world and yes that does include humans, #2 I'm sorry I was using Megladon as an example, I'm sorry i ment to say Carcharodon Megladon, But yes his relatives later along the line in history up through present day have and do from time to time attack and kill and yes even eat humans from time to time, #3 Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, and Great White sharks are three of the most agressive and unpredictable sharks in the oceans of the world.
Going into these creatures habitat and intentionally baiting and teasing them is about as smart as walking into the local junk yard and teasing the guard dog and thinking you wont ever be bitten. 25 years ago a girl I went to high school with in the late 70s lost her older brother to a Great White of Monteray Bay California, in 1983 I saw a man get his right thigh taken half off out by Magoo Point of the California coast, and in 1979 while in the NAVY we had a shipmate attacked by a Tiger shark out by the Fairlon Islands off the Cal coast.
So to put it plainly Mr. Bachelor of Coastal Evironmental Science, I'm sorry "student" majoring in Elasmobranchii, while no they don't have story telling time in little baby shark land ( and I never said they did ) They are all born with that instinct to eat what ever looks like their source of food including us humans, If you have ever seen a sea lion swim across the surface above you while diving you would see a resemblance between the shape of us and them that would entice a Great White to bite. No matter if you wish to believe it or not, In the oceans yes You Are Part Of The Food Chain just as I said. And just like other fish they do communicate through electrical nerve impulses that do carry through the water from body to body, I've seen this first hand.
Posted by huskyfan9494949 June 24, 2010 02:36pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
"So what happens when you're at mid-water on SCUBA gear and you get freaked out and panic.
"If that person bails to the surface what kind of reflex are they going to trigger in that animal? And then that person is on the surface thrashing, and then what happens?"
Nachoum's open water operations is what really scares me. White sharks only target their prey when it is on the surface of the water and the above quotation sounds like a very plausible scenario to me. Seeing these sharks on tv and on pictures is an entirely different percption than when it is swimming ten feet away from you.
Reply by chris mclaren June 24, 2010 05:31pm PDTReport Abuse
YES!! Anyone who has taken SCUBA training would have been taught exactly this: if you are in open water and see a shark swimming anywhere near you, the last thing you want to do is swim to the surface. You're supposed to descend lower than the shark and wait for them to leave the area before ascending to the dive boat.
Reply by cdltnla June 24, 2010 11:50pm PDTReport Abuse
Oh God that scares the heck outta me! But I will remember the advice- but hope I won't ever have to use it!!
Reply by twitch1976 June 25, 2010 06:18am PDTReport Abuse
lets be real when you see the 20 footer comin at you do you realy think youll remember what you read on a web-site comment page lol.
Reply by david8137 June 25, 2010 09:18am PDTReport Abuse
Someone just might remember that if someone has a flashback of there life they might remember oh swim down. or just might know it.. but does that apply to other sharks too or only great whites??
Reply by sharkbait ooh haha June 25, 2010 10:54am PDTReport Abuse
Not every shark attacks the same way. Blue shark gives you a warning before they attack, downward of the nose, arching of the back...kinda looks like he's having a seizure. It's the sharks way of saying, "You're in my personal bubble space, I'm uncomfortable and nervous, please get away." And yes they attack underwater. Bull sharks, nudge a couple of times, underwater attack. Great Sharks are the only known sharks to attack above water. Which is an awesome spectacle to watch.
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 03:20pm PDTReport Abuse
Dear Great Whites swim under you and then come up from the depths and at times yes have been known to come right straight out of the water and yes that is very cool to see, But please don't believe everything you see on TV and then try swimming with the sharks, they're not as nice in person and yes they will bite you. As for Bull Sharks, I've seen Bull Sharks come up into 6 inches of water to try and get a person down in Florida before, and it did not try and nudge the guy, the man just walked in to the water and was lucky enough to see the shark turn and come after him, he almost didn't make it.
Posted by scubasteve92 June 24, 2010 02:42pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
its all fun then when somebody gets bite
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 07:17am PDTReport Abuse
No scubasteve92, it's all fun untill somebody gets eaten, then that's coll dude if you caught it on film and can post it on you tube dude. ( Sorry man I just couldn't resist)
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 07:19am PDTReport Abuse
OOPs I misspelled cool ( coll ) I need more coffee bud.
Posted by sweetpea1979 June 24, 2010 02:56pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
that first pic is just crazy, love it
Reply by twf June 25, 2010 03:23pm PDTReport Abuse
sweetpea1979 I agree, But it kinda looks like an attemp at Shark Dentistry to my! LMAO
Posted by courtney mckeough June 24, 2010 02:56pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I am all for observing sharks on a normal dive in their natural environment. However these premeditated shark dives are foolishly asking for trouble! Chumming the waters to bring the sharks in creates a "Pavlov's Dog" response. Creating feeding frenzies is stupid and dangerous. Chumming the waters is stupid and dangerous. Shark dives create an association between divers and food. These sharks are learning that when there is a diver there should be food. Make no mistake! These shark dives will lead to lethal attacks. It won't be the sharks fault! When someone is attacked everyone will cry out "evil evil shark". Meanwhile the shark was totally provoked!
When you are in the ocean you are in the shark's environment not your own. People need to learn to respect the ocean not corrupt it. You should feel small when you dive in the ocean. Shark dives will provoke attacks! Guaranteed!
Reply by chris mclaren June 24, 2010 05:32pm PDTReport Abuse
yep
Reply by david8137 June 25, 2010 09:24am PDTReport Abuse
Well like you said if its just a dive or your in the cage watching them thats fine just DONT bait them cause you dump blood and fish in the watch then lower a cage down in the water your gonna get the blood and fish scent on you and of course the sharks gonna think FOOD and attack. We've all seen on animal planet divers down in the water touching and swimming with the sharks and they don't get eaten cause theres no blood or scent on them to trigger the sharks to attack and eat.
Reply by sharkbait ooh haha June 25, 2010 10:56am PDTReport Abuse
OMG!!! There's people that actually understand!!!! Thank YOU!!!!
Posted by melxlive4liarsx June 24, 2010 03:01pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Well, the king of the ocean is the shark (to be more specific, the Great White Shark [though that's debatable with the Bull Shark and Tiger Shark]) and when we step into the ocean, it's their territory. We are always at risk, even at the beach.
Also, these organizations, when put into effect, are held responsible to the safety of their customers. I don't care if that means that customer X didn't get their "million dollar shot" because they enforced the rules of all body limbs staying inside the cage. I'd rather get some pictures of the Great White with some bars than loose my hand (or worse, bleed to death) in the process of getting a neat shot. Plus, it's not smart to be waving your hand (or anything shiny that resembles fish scales) in front of these predator's faces. If I was that Great White, I'd bite your hand just to get you to stop! These amazing predators- when respected in the waters- can be truly appreciated with safety playing a big role in the watching of them. And, they have enough of a bad reputation, so why would you want to make it any worse?
I'm going to laugh when these organizations get sued heavily because customer X lost his left arm and almost died while taking their "million dollar shot" outside of the cage, or trying to pet a 16 foot predator and the "professional" inside the cage with them didn't stop to enforce safety.
Reply by david brooks June 24, 2010 03:32pm PDTReport Abuse
Hi y melxlive4liarsx, I think that Orcas are pretty big and nasty beasts too.
Reply by melxlive4liarsx June 24, 2010 06:17pm PDTReport Abuse
Well, even Orcas kill Great Whites, very true David!
Reply by ccunningham71 June 24, 2010 09:58pm PDTReport Abuse
Remember in the movie "Orca" (starring Richard Harris and Bo Derek) when the pregnant Orca sliced herself on the propeller of the boat and ultimately the pre-natal embryo of the orca fell out onto the deck of the boat?...and then Richard Harris' character reflected how a drunk driver took the life of his wife and unborn child? In the end the Orca took the life of Richard Harris' character I like believe because Richard Harris couldn't act his way out of a paper bag and the Orca was bored...not hungry because the Orca did not eat him.
Reply by cdltnla June 24, 2010 11:51pm PDTReport Abuse
HI-LAR-I-OUS recap there!!
Reply by ccunningham71 June 25, 2010 05:31am PDTReport Abuse
Glad you like cdlnla -
Posted by jgeoff June 24, 2010 03:05pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Well this is a chance for good old EVOLUTION to act. Kill off the stupid ones we definiteley do not need them to breed.
Posted by mayne85 June 24, 2010 03:22pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
actually i think its pretty awesome... this guy must have sum big balls to pull that off.. instead of his arm being pulled off.. theres sum crazy bastards out there...
Posted by rob b June 24, 2010 03:26pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
What MAGNIFICENT BEAUTIFUL creatures and what we need to do is protect them! As long as the japs are kept away from these animals, they stand to have a wonderful future.
Posted by david brooks June 24, 2010 03:29pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
@ brian klapcic hahaha! Funny comment! :-P I don't know about you guys, but in the article the guy says the Great Whites are not blood thirsty killers. But I have read stores of these sharks attacking surfers. (Sure, because they think they are a seal) But even still, they are predators, period.
Some people get killed for lack of common sense. I think in the case of swimming with sharks, if someone gets killed, its their own fault.
Posted by thomas gillis June 24, 2010 03:31pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
"In the survival of favoured individuals and races, during the constantly-recurring struggle for existence, we see a powerful and ever-acting form of selection."
Charles Darwin
Reply by cdltnla June 24, 2010 11:54pm PDTReport Abuse
Love this quote
Posted by erich bomersback June 24, 2010 03:43pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Bottom line, keep all limbs and body parts in the cage and ur fine.
Posted by lather68l June 24, 2010 03:59pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Dennis Miller said it best....sometimes you just need to thin the herd..anyone stupid enough to put themselves in scenarios where the potential to have ones head bitten off is plausible deserves no pity or remorse when such an incident occurs(oh an it will trust me)..
Reply by cdltnla June 24, 2010 11:57pm PDTReport Abuse
WHAT???
Reply by cdltnla June 25, 2010 11:41am PDTReport Abuse
Hey-- little note here-
my comment above, was in reference to a previous post that has since been deleted.
Not to cause confusion :)
Posted by ehawk7 June 24, 2010 04:02pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
does anyone else find it funny that you need a note from a lawyer to swim with a shark?
Reply by jgggg June 25, 2010 10:33am PDTReport Abuse
Sharks don't attack lawyers... professional courtesy....thanks, I'll be here all week, tip your waitress, avoid the spam and shark cages.
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