It’s Better in the Bahamas – even if it is just for a day…

One of the perks of living in Miami is that you can take a day trip by boat to The Bahamas – depending on the conditions and the boat you could be there in about 1.5 hours.  Crystal clear waters and an abundance of fish that you just don’t find in Miami anymore.

One of my diving buddies and friend, Manuel M was able to secure two spots for us on his friend's (Pedro Q) power boat – a 24ft cata.  The purpose of the trip was to go spearing and hopefully bring home some dinner.  I am referred to as “Greenpeace” – I was armed with my camera – although I did spear some dinner as well.

We met at 5:30AM at Pedro’s house and moved our gear to his truck and were off to the marina.  The boat had been readied the night before, so by 0600 we were east bound.  It was a close to perfect crossing, conditions were calm and we were able to cruise at 30 knots.

We explored several spots, some better than others.  From the good ones we were able to get a few hogfish, lobster, snappers, and groupers.  Of course we were also greeted by the Bahamian sharks (six at once) – who were extremely excited at the notion of wounded hogfish in the water…one took off with fish and spear, chased by three other sharks.

As the spearing continued, the sharks became more curious and bold, coming to the surface and standing their ground…we decided to move on…it’s their reef.

Was able to get some decent video sequences of the trip which I will have to put together over the weekend…that is of course unless there is diving to be done.

A Birthday to Remember

Day after diving (Wolf and Felix).  Photo by Mike Ellis

Little did I know that this would be my only post for the first week of the trip - unfortunately we were hit with bad weather that made for horrible conditions.  The captain had mentioned that in all his years he had never had w full week be completely lost.  This was partly in thanks to tropical depression Ida.  


Nov. 10, 2009
This will be a birthday that I will always remember – today was the first time that my dad and I got back in the water to dive with sharks.  Could not have asked or wished for anything better.  Our trip to The Bahamas was delayed by one day – wind was blowing hard and waves in the Gulfstream were too big to take the boat out.   Eventually conditions allowed us to make the trip across …


The afternoon was spent getting everyone acclimated with the water, gear, and four lemons – we stayed in the water until early evening.  What stuck out the most today was seeing my old man’s yellow snorkel on the surface – it has pretty much become synonymous to any diving memories I have of him.


Onboard is a nice and diverse group of people – some we knew from before and others new.  

I have also been able to reconnect with my cousin Dinah whom I had not seen in about 15 years – she made the trip from London with her boyfriend, Nick. Meeting both was a true highlight for us Leanders.


Looking forward to the next two weeks of diving among sea wolves… 

Follow-up on "Olga", the gentle tiger shark girl.

Photo: Wolfgang Leander

Click on image to enlarge

Here is a portrait of "Olga" I particularly like a lot. It is minimalistic in that it just shows the shark in all her beauty and nobleness - no distracting scuba divers, no corals, and a plain, sandy bottom.

Just look at "Olga's" expressive dark eyes - and you will understand why I am in love with these vilified creatures.

I heard that one Tiger Beach dive operator, Jim Abernethy, has not seen some of the resident tigers anymore. I am worried and fear the worst: 'Recreational' fishermen who are going after the tigers of Tiger Beach.

Should that prove to be correct, then war will be declared to what to me are wreckless poachers and senseless killers.

You, "Olga" - may you live to the tiger shark equivalent of 120 human years!!!!

Feeding Sharks - a Battlefield of Opinions. Finally a Voice of Reason and Authority...

Dr. Samuel Gruber in his element
Photograph: Wolfgang Leander

... the voice of "Doc", Dr. Samuel Gruber, one of the most experienced shark biologists of our time.

Very kindly, Doc gave me the permission to quote a letter he wrote to a TV producer who wanted an expert opinion on the subject of diving with, and feeding, 'dangerous' sharks; specifically, how it does affect or else alter shark behavior, and also whether Dr. Gruber would consider cage-free shark diving a "hazardous" activity.

Quote

Hi ................. :

I am a proponent of shark diving. While it does affect a few sharks, when compared to the approximately 100 million killed annually for fin and flesh the minimal impact of this human activity pales in comparison.

I feel that shark dives produce several very beneficial outcomes for humans and sharks. First exposing divers to sharks, safely and professionally - and in a beautiful environment will inevitably turn fear into fascination. Quickly these people become ambassadors for shark conservation. Further it produces jobs and income for areas and folks that need the work - especially in an economy such as the Bahamian one. Tourism in the Bahamas is the country's life blood, and sharks are a draw!!

As for hazard - tens of thousands of divers worldwide have safely enjoyed professional shark encounters ever since they were established in the Bahamas nearly 40 years ago. It is true that some people have been injured and there was even one fatality, but compared to other water sports this is a pittance.

Nearly a decade ago the World Health Organization estimated that over 400,000 people drowned in year 2000 making this the second leading cause of unintentional death after highway accidents. So shark dives turn out to be a very SAFE form of water activity when conducted in a professional way.

Dr. Samuel Gruber using his "magic wand" to lead a lemon shark, Bahamas *)
Photograph: Matthew D. Potenski

What I have written is controversial. Animal lovers think that humans have no right to interfere with non-human creatures. This is their opinion, not mine. Biologists always say "don't feed the animals." But I have been feeding sharks at my field station for over 20 years www.miami.edu/sharklab, and have observed their behavior carefully (my degree is in marine animal behavior and sensory physiology). I know for a fact that our shark encounters do not greatly affect the Caribbean reef sharks we feed.

- They do not become habituated to humans such that they completely lose their natural fear.

- They do not begin to consider us as food.

- They are very focused on what we do and learn almost instantly what the feeding situation means.

- They do not depend on us for food but hunt normally and supplement this ordinary behavior with our feedings.

- New individuals join the colony all the time, learn what we do and do not pose a danger. These reef sharks leave the area during breeding season in August and go about their normal reproductive activities. They return about three months later.

My favorite dive site is Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, and I would be very pleased to take you there (on your nickel) to show you amazing sights that should make you a believer. We are planning a trip later in the month.

"Doc" freediving at Tiger Beach, November 2008
Photograph: Wolfgang Leander

Remember many sharks are headed toward extinction which will have very deleterious effects on the Ocean ecosystem. We call sharks the "Lords of Time," having survived multiple extinction episodes for half a billion years. We really need sharks more than they need us! An ocean free of sharks will be a sick ocean. This is the story that shark dives engender - not the tired old monster jaws images.

Unquote

Thank you very much, Doc - that's certainly good enough for me!! :-)



*) Doc's "magic wand" is a bi-metallic rod that stimulates the sharks' ampullary system so that they think the end of the pole is a living prey.

Lemonade

Benjamin was kind enough to send his video of Tiger Beach - many sharks up close...might get to catch a few quick glimpses of some freedivers...



Nov. 10th, 2008
“Lemonade”

Everyone survived the crossing and Bahamian customs did not “confiscate” anyone. From Grand Bahama Bay it was about another 2-3 hour motor to Tiger Wreck. The group was getting pretty anxious to get into the water. Once we got there, the buoy line/anchor line had to be fixed which took about another hour.

Quick brief – and everyone was in, lemons sharks were already packing at the surface waiting for some bait to be thrown their way. The lemons reminded me a lot of the black tip sharks in Aliwal Shoal, except that these swim a little slower and are more engaging. Wolf and David managed to get a few hugs here and there. Fun loving animals that seem to enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs. Towards the end of the day we were graced by two small tigers, unfortunately they were shy and did not stay close to the commotion.

On the bright side, my video camera did not flood and I was able to get some decent shots. Jupp on the other had was not so lucky – his camera flooded the moment he jumped in – apparently his housing requires an o-ring in the front AND the back – no warning notice or o-ring placed in the front by the manufacturer – hopefully he will be able to order a new camera for his trip next week.

We stayed in the water until daylight permitted and then were spoiled by Gail – she prepared ribs, mashed potatoes, and some apple pie. For the rest of the night I watched David prepared his Gates housing which took about two hours to rig (Thanks to Fiona’s distractions). David is also diving on a re-breather, can stay down for about four hours and does not blow any bubbles.

Wondering what tomorrow will bring…

Patric Douglas is "ONE"

A while back, the people over at Shark Diver started a self-sufficent program that benefits sharks and helps marinas become greener - the concept is simple and has been implemented by various marinas in The Bahamas.

The program can be implemented anywhere there are sharks and marinas...help spread the word.

I applaud Patric's work and foward thinking in developing this.