Written by Steve Jenkins
I came to diving relatively late in life, through the influence of an old and dear friend. This same friend introduced me to Shark Angels and encouraged me to explore joining him on a Shark Angels trip to the Bahamas to dive with Tiger Sharks and Great Hammerheads. I was interested but, while I was endeavoring to acquire my advanced certification-as advised-the trip sold out. I was disappointed, but decided I would pursue my advanced certification and sign up for the next adventure, when-with about two weeks until departure-I received an email saying that there was a cancellation and inviting me to join. After a reassuring discussion with Jamie Pollack regarding my limited diving experience (I had 30 dives at that point), I signed up, not quite sure what to expect.
As previously noted, I was aware of Shark Angels and intellectually understood and supported their mission, but I had no real idea of the scope of the issues related to shark conservation and protection.
As with many other people, and despite a lifetime spent swimming and surfing and fishing in the ocean, I harbored a primal and irrational fear of sharks. This trip changed that to a fascination and respect of these majestic and beautiful creatures.
I had never been on a live aboard dive trip and was curious as to how an extended period in close quarters would play out. I discovered that a mutual interest in diving and sharks led to an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere and experience, and a new group of friends. Add to that an incredibly helpful and experienced crew, and it led to an unforgettable experience.
The human friends I made on the trip are all wonderful, but the friends referred to in the header are the sharks. When we reached Tiger Beach, the crew gave us a thorough briefing and, after our checkout dive, we did our first feeding dive. I was excited and a bit edgy, determined to be alert and aware as instructed.
When we descended and got into position, the action kicked off. In addition to the tiger sharks (usually 3 or 4, but as many as 9 one day), there were scads of Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, and nurse sharks, as well as groupers and other assorted fish. In very little time, my trepidation eased and I became enraptured by the majesty and grace of these animals. The tigers are substantially larger and command your attention commensurately, but all of the other sharks are beautiful and awesome in their own right.
After four days comprised of two to four daily dives, I’d come to know many of the tigers by sight and name (I never could quite distinguish between Maui and Tequila), and had become completely comfortable around and with these curious and fascinating animals, redirecting them with an extended arm or gentle push.
Then we departed for Bimini and the great hammerheads, which was a completely different, but equally awesome adventure. The hammerheads are skittish, and as such, required us to be unobtrusive and discrete, entering the water on the ladder rather than stepping off the platform. When the feeders attracted the hammerheads, we formed a line behind the feeder and observed these huge, almost prehistoric looking creatures swimming amongst us, in some cases directly at us, veering off at the very last second.
I have never experienced anything as primordial as seeing the eye on the end of that hammer looking directly at you from inches away.
All of the above would have been more than enough to alter my perspective from fear and concern to fascination and awe, but our nighttime trivia games and educational presentations from Jamie and Cheryl emphasized the importance and necessity of protecting these creatures, along with a blueprint as to how we can assist and contribute to the effort. I am now an advocate and champion of my new best friends, and I have already booked my next adventure with Shark Angels. The work they do is incredible and essential to all of us. Healthy shark populations mean healthy oceans, which mean a healthier planet for all of us.