Nothing says welcome to Mexico like...

[spt29970]

being buzzed by a Great White Shark at Guadalupe Island. I just got back from a trip on the Nautilus Explorer. All I can say is look at the photos. It is a wonderful experience to see these majestic animals up close. The rules have recently changed and chumming the water with animal blood or fish oil has been outlawed. Wrangling the sharks to come close to the cages has similarly been banned. The only attractant allowed is to use a couple pieces of tuna on ropes. In the three days I was there, I never once saw the shark take the tuna (although others did), but the GWS still seemed interested in us. It is possible that they have been conditioned to be attracted by the sound of the boats, or it could be because another ship in the area was flagrantly ignoring the new regulations. Here are a few images. Click on them for more details.



Here is one in B&W


and here is one showing the baitfish scattering before the GWS

 

[parabolic]

Very nice Steve!! That's the same shark (your first two photos) I photographed there a little over a year ago in September of 2007 (mangled dorsal fin, dark black spot on right side of head just alongside edge of mouth):

 

[spt29970]

Yep. That is Shredder, and apparently he is a regular. It is interesting that he looks fatter in my images. Perhaps he has been eating well!

 

[parabolic]

Good old Shredder!! Yes he seems to have porked up over the last year

PS maybe Shredder is a she?? I can't find any claspers on him/her in any of my photos.

 

[ohmdiver]

Definately sounds like he has been conditioned. But I am not an animal behavoirist. (just my opinion)

 

[paradicio]

Wonderful shots! I'm so jealous!

 

[Chris Walrod]

What an awesome experience!

My wife knows that I would love to do this someday and has often times wanted to give me a trip for Christmas or my birthday. Could I ask what costs are involved?

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

OMG! That is beautiful! Both of you guys have great pitures. Me=very jealous...

 

[Thalassamania]

The black and white shot is as good a GWS portrait as I've seen (and I work daily with some pretty good stuff ... Bavendam, Nicklin, Wu,Newbert, Wilms, Minakuchi, Candisani, Parry, etc.)

 

[xariatay]

I also like the B&W one! He looks FIERCE...