South Africa Shark Adventure

In 2004, I was a starry-eyed seventeen year-old freshly graduated from high school and aspiring to become a marine biologist. Earlier that year, I had received my PADI open water certification and felt that I was ready to explore every single blue body of water on the planet. My love for the marine world began when I was only six years old after being mesmerized by the beauty of the waters that cover over 70% of the Earth. I was captivated by the fact that we knew more about the moon that our own oceans and envied the amazing creatures that were able to stay underwater all the time, especially sharks. It was this very passion that began as a small flame, but was set ablaze when I went to South Africa the summer of 2004.

I traveled with seven other students from South Broward High and a few of my teachers because of a serendipitous opportunity that bloomed in the form of scientific research. We were invited to join a young shark biologist named Neil Hammerschlag to assist him with his data collection of the predation patterns of the infamous flying Great White sharks (also known as “Air Jaws”) in False Bay, South Africa. After helping Neil throughout the year with compiling previously collected white shark data into GIS maps as a class assignment, it seemed like a far-fetched fantasy that we would actually have the chance to see those incredible creatures in real life. But to everyone’s surprise, that fantasy became a reality.

For ten days we lodged in a quaint area along the shore of False Bay named Simon’s Town filled with sailboats and cottage-like buildings. Every morning we woke up before dawn and headed to the center of the bay where a rocky pinnacle served as home for over 60,000 Cape Fur Seals and an array of other marine life. Chills of excitement would run up and down my spine each time we boarded the two twenty-five foot vessels that barely had enough room to hold our 14 plus crew. The crisp sea breeze woke me up each day as we watched the fiery red sunrise peak above the mountains that cradled the bay. While in the field, I observed the biotic and abiotic factors that affected the predation patterns of the Great White shark on Cape Fur seals. It was the first time that I had ever experienced nature in its rawest form where predator and prey were face to face. Every time we saw one of those gigantic 2,000 pound animals leap out of the water, I felt as though I was ready to load on my scuba gear and jump in the cobalt seawater to see the action from below the surface. Unfortunately, my teachers didn’t quite have the same sense of adventure and thought that I was still a bit too young to even think about getting in the cage. So I went to the next thing…the infamous “raggies” of Cape Town.

Studying the sharks of South Africa. (Neil Hammerschlag)

After our field research was concluded we decided to a do a bit of sight seeing in Cape Town, which is a metropolis with tall skyscrapers and little natural topography. It was a treat to see the incredible Table Mountain in the distance and watch the Springboks play some pure South African rugby. But what I enjoyed the most was visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium. Filled with interesting marine creatures that populated the area, this aquarium was one of the most exciting that I’ve experienced. Once we explored most of the facility, we came upon the finale of the tour. It was a gigantic column shaped tank that towered over us about 4 meters with a beautiful blue-green glow that shone on my face while the shiny scales of the bait fish flickered in my eyes. It was the I&J Predator exhibit that was filled with rays, a loggerhead turtle and the “raggies” of Cape Town otherwise known as ragged-tooth sharks (aka Sand Tiger sharks). After a little pleading, I was given the permission to dive in the predator tank with the only other fellow student who was certified to dive. It was only my fifth recorded dive in my logbook and I couldn’t wait to get into the water. As I put on the gear, I felt the overwhelming jitters take over my body since this was officially my first dive with sharks. The day was overcast so the wind was a little chilly as we stood on the roof of the aquarium preparing to submerge. After my head went below the surface, I felt as though I was getting pulled in the circular movement of the fish who were schooling past me. They were oblivious to the bubbles and didn’t seem to mind that we were entering their sanctuary. As we glided to the bottom of the tank that was covered with pebble gravel, I felt a big dark shadow loom over my head. When I looked up, I was staring at the pale gray belly of one of the many sand tiger sharks in the tank. It was like standing next to a fighter jet that was rolling on the runway. My body was still and I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds as I looked at this magnificent creature only a foot away from me. It was simply incredible to be sharing space with the notorious raggies and at that very moment I felt like I had lived in there with them all along. It amazed me how they were so fierce yet graceful, cordial and docile. Their ragged teeth were so frightening that you could have pulled them straight out of a scary movie but those teeth soon became my infatuation during the dive. I couldn’t believe that I was actually swimming side by side with these massive animals that I knew could tear me to shreds if they desired but the fact was they had no such intention. Before we came out of the water, the guide who accompanied us throughout the dive found one of those sharp teeth at the bottom buried in the rubble and handed it to me as a gift. I felt honored to have shared that time with those incredible creatures and even more excited that I received a farewell present that I could take home to my family.

Since that dive, it has become apparent to me why I am passionate about the marine world as I understand the true beauty of ocean life. Now at age 21, I continue to appreciate the delicate balance of the sea because it gives me hope that perhaps one day human beings will find a way to emulate the harmony that nature continues to effortlessly achieve.