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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Divers and Deep Blue the shark

24 replies

Loopytiles · 17/01/2019 20:45

Amazing photos and creature!

Don’t know if the divers are brave or foolhardy. Am in awe of their daring.

OP posts:

Original poster

Loopytiles · 17/01/2019 20:46

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46909353

OP posts:

billybagpuss · 17/01/2019 20:46

You have no idea how much I would love to do that. Just awesome.

Dyrne · 17/01/2019 20:48

They’re idiots.

Leave the poor shark alone, give it space, admire from a respectful distance.

Cannot stand people that want to touch and bother sea creatures that just want to cruise on by.

GreenThing · 17/01/2019 20:49

It's so cool that the diver was called 'Ocean'

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 17/01/2019 20:50

Great whites are primarily ambush predators so likely wouldn't attack in those circumstances. Bit still doesn't mean they should of got so close, give that big girl the space she deserves

IAmNotAWitch · 17/01/2019 21:01

As a diver I usually keep my distance and watch from afar. You might be surprised however how often the animals decide to interact.

I have been head butted by a seal (gently like a dog would), used as a scratching post, had a turtle position itself under my hand like a cat for a scratch, had my face tickled by manta wings.

I wouldn't be in the water in this situation, but there is a good chace the shark came to them to have a look. Alas sharks do not like my bubbles.

billybagpuss · 17/01/2019 21:03

I would like to add, that, out of respect rather than fear for my safety, I would not get that close, they should be admired from a distance, but I would love to be able to observe from the water.

She is beautiful.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 17/01/2019 21:04

The shark is pregnant and they are known to be a lot calmer then, and she approached the boat not the other way round.

I'm definitely one for advocating not taking the piss with wildlife and giving them space, but I don't think they did too much wrong here - even if they accepted a pretty huge risk swimming with her!

Dyrne · 17/01/2019 21:04

I agree IAmNotAWitch ; animals definitely come over to play/have a look; and it does sound like this shark was hanging around.

But that does not excuse the photos of the snorkellers reaching down to touch/grab the shark imo.

IAmNotAWitch · 17/01/2019 21:15

No I agree, they shouldn't be trying to touch her, only if she insists (which might not have been much fun for the freedivers 😃).

Having said that sharks need all the good PR they can get. They are not monsters just animals going about their business.

Original poster

Loopytiles · 17/01/2019 21:15

A 50yo shark can be pregnant?

OP posts:

IAmNotAWitch · 17/01/2019 21:20

Yep, fish don't do menopause so while she is alive she can get pregnant.

I think only high order primates and whales have menopause? Could be wrong though.

MonkeyfaceThereturn · 17/01/2019 21:21

Love people up in arms that she's been touched. Oh no! Disaster!

I bet, in her life, she's been 'bothered' less than a handful of times by humans.

It's not like a rabbit in a petting zoo

Personally the water would be brown if I was in there, but fab photos.

FlamingJuno · 17/01/2019 21:21

Isn't it only humans, elephants and great whales who have a menopause?

IAmNotAWitch · 17/01/2019 21:24

The problems with touching her is that it might stress or annoy her. Which could result in a bad outcome.

Some fish (like mantas) also have a protective coating which can be disturbed as well. But I don't know if great whites do.

brizzledrizzle · 17/01/2019 21:25

Amazing pictures but for me it would be a very effective enema.

IAmNotAWitch · 17/01/2019 21:25

Could be FlamingJuno I am sure about humans and whales, hazy on others.

MightyMoose · 17/01/2019 22:52

They're ocean conservationists not just random freedivers. She's a marine biologist and he's a photographer. They have a killer instafeed!

Fightingfit2019 · 18/01/2019 11:23

I thought they were amazing photographs. It’s been a while since she was last sighted I believe (I remember watching footage when they first came across her). I love great whites, such fascinating creatures.

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 18/01/2019 11:31

If him touching it and passing on positive comments on his encounter changes 1 person's perception that they aren't just a killing machine surely it was worthwhile?

NotACleverName · 18/01/2019 11:36

What’s their insta, @MightyMoose?

Deep Blue is beautiful. 🦈

guildTheLilly · 18/01/2019 12:08

I'd have done the dive. I've dived with other ambush sharks as well as tigers.

If I'd been bitten, it would have been my fault but the danger was minimal. Due to the shallow depth, experience of the group, NoX and lack of currents, it was a very safe dive.

MightyMoose · 18/01/2019 12:40

@NotACleverName

Oneoceandiving and oceanramsey. They're a couple - engaged I think?

People can read part of the explanation on their insta.

KittyVonCatsworth · 18/01/2019 12:44

Amazing photos, and what an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm a diver and I'd love to do a white shark dive but without the cage and chumming, which is a contributed factor to a lot of shark attacks. I've dived with bull sharks, threshers and oceanic whitetips but still long for the great white ❤️

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