Myth or Fact? Sharks are attracted to WHITE dive gear

[Trilobite]

There was a recent Discovery Channel shark week episode that addressed this issue, and featured shark experts and a video purporting to show what the ocean looks like to a (colorblind) shark. In any event, similar to what drrich2 relates, the conclusion was that high contrast colors, specifically yellow and white, might attract a shark. But they didn't think it was a major concern.

 

[lostsheep]

I suppose that you would rather privatize every government service and let capitalist monopolies set the price tag?

Um , context kinda matters here.

I don’t think sea_jay was talking about actual taxes…I think (s)he meant that sharks will tax your catch. We refer to sharks as the taxman around here.

 

[Ukmc]

I run black and white fin (black foot pocket and white blade) - I suppose that is the worst…
I like sharks. During my encounters with them, they did not seem a bit interested in my fins.

 

[scubadada]

@Dan has been out with Dolphin Dream twice, I have been out once for Tiger Sharks and Great Hammerheads in the Bahamas. Dolphin Dream required all dark equipment, including head covering and gloves. I think Capt Scott has a fair amount of experience.

Trip Report - Tiger Beach and Bimini on the Dolphin Dream, March 11-19, 2022

Tiger Beach and Bimini on the Dolphin Dream, March 11-19, 2022 My friend and dive buddy, @Dan and I recently had the pleasure of going to Tiger Beach and Bimini to dive with Tiger Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Reef Sharks, a Great Hammerhead, a few Bull Sharks and many Nurse Sharks. Reservations: I...

scubaboard.com

 

[Green Frog]

My very competent divemaster (dive mistress?) on a dive with Stuart Cove’s, Nassau. This was not a “Shark Experience” dive, but SC was a pioneer in safely attracting sharks, and as far as I know they never had an attack incident. She was not the only member of their staff wearing white fins or white highlights on their dive equipment.
BTW, I was diving my newly purchased “Yum Yum Yellow” fins and nobody said a word about that either. Needless to say, I got undue interest in my fins from the abundant sharks. Go figure.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Purple. Definitely purple.

Ok. I'll buy that.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

diving my newly purchased “Yum Yum Yellow” fins

Irrefutable truth. It was the yellow fins.

 

[Dan]

When visibility goes to nil, it doesn’t matter what color of fins you wear. If it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, it would be bit.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

I have black fins and a white mask, so:

a. They cancel each other out or

b. It's even more interesting for sharks because i look like an Oreo

Do we have a marine biologist here?

 

[Dan]

I have black fins and a white mask, so:

a. They cancel each other out or

b. It's even more interesting for sharks because i look like an Oreo

Do we have a marine biologist here?

If you do Shark diving in Tiger Beach with such mask, Dolphin Dream would loan you a black mask to avoid this situation: