Unforgettable Shark Encounters
By: Harry Stone
Sharks face a many threats. Humanity has long feared sharks somewhat misguidedly, all while we are a far bigger threat to them. They are also animals residing in the harsh and wild ocean, where every minute constitutes merely an effort to survive. Two graphic examples of this were observed on a recent dive Latitude Encounters undertook to see silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) off San Jose del Cabo.
June and July are traditionally months in which large groups of silky sharks aggregate in the area to mate over and around the sea mounts. It is possible during this period to see these fascinating sharks with Latitude Encounters, who are among the most experienced experts in finding and safe diving with them.
Silky sharks are members of the Carcharhinidae family, the requiem sharks, and have the archetypal appearance of this group of sharks, torpedo-shaped bodies, and a classic silhouette. They have medium-sized round eyes allowing excellent vision and two-gill slits over the base of their pectoral fin. The species is named for its comparatively smoother skin than many other similar sharks; they are graceful and charismatic animals and beautiful to behold. Side-on their snouts look very pointed (although rounded from other angles), helping to give them a purposeful dart-like appearance, while their relatively small fins and streamlined bodies only act to reinforce the function that goes with their form, that of speedy and efficient predators.
Silkys, being a predominantly pelagic species (meaning found in the open ocean), tend to be quite bold and tenacious, a factor which makes them exceptionally rewarding to dive with as long as you observe the appropriate safety protocols. The fact that they aggregate here only adds to the excitement, I have seen upwards of 100 animals on one dive on occasion which makes for a stunning sight that can really set your adrenaline racing.
We arrived at the marina at San Jose in the glorious Cabo sunshine on the morning of our trip, excitedly meeting Fernanda and Katy from Latitude and anxious to meet our companions for the day, Eduardo and his 10 year-old son Mariano. Our gear was loaded and we were off, launching out of the picturesque marina out to sea on the 40 or so minute boat ride to the area in which we hoped to find the silky sharks.
Eduardo and Mariano had been out the day before but unfortunately there had been no sharks on that trip. Mariano was keen to see his first sharks in the wild, so we all hoped today would be more fruitful. Shark numbers are declining at an alarming rate globally, often due to a multitude of human pressures, and even in hotspots like here off Cabo animal sightings cannot ever be guaranteed. It can be frustrating for dive operators, but also serves as a reminder that these animals are in peril, their numbers are diminishing quickly and we need to protect them before they are lost altogether. Also factor in that these are pelagic animals and it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack in a huge ocean, but if anyone can find them it is Latitude, and on this day they put us almost on top of them from the start.
Fer and Katy had hardly finished putting out the various lines, baits and shark-attracting chum in the water before the first silky approached the boat. Fer got in first to check out the in-water situation and quickly reported that she saw what looked like a shark with no dorsal fin. We all carefully followed her in, and she had been right, a female silky swam around us completely missing her dorsal fin, and in its place was a large and fresh L-shaped wound. We have all speculated on what had caused this. It is very hard to know for sure as some of the threats facing sharks include fishers removing the fins for the shark fin soup trade, boat and propellor strikes, being caught as bycatch and carelessly released, and other animals, including larger sharks and orca. Shark fishing just for fins is not a usual factor in this area as shark fishing predominantly is conducted for meat, so the whole animal tends to be taken. After scrutinizing photos of the injury I fall on the side of a collision with a vessel as the most likely reason in this instance, but without better proof, it is difficult to be confident.
We had not been in the water for long when a second silky shark appeared out of the blue expanse to greet us, brought in by the chum slick emanating from our boat. This shark was initially far more boisterous and fearless than the other and was dragging something attached to her body. It was quicky apparent that the shark had something completely wrapped around her torso, immediately in front of her pectoral fins and into her last couple of gill slits, and it had been there for a while because you could see where it had grown into her skin and it was covered in barnacles and other encrustations. The shark was obviously in distress as was apparent from her demeanor. We knew if we could we would need to remove it, and luckily this shark seemed to be staying around.
Fer pulled out her diving knife, but it is difficult to know precisely what had fouled up the shark in this situation as the sharks dart around quite quickly allowing only fleeting glimpses. Fer was quick to try and release the animal and in fact, her knife barely had to make contact before the encumbrance was cut free. Often it is necessary to saw lines and ropes, requiring a few passes, but in this case, the object was a piece of plastic which thankfully cut very easily. So easily in fact that I had not quite had a chance to photograph it as I was expecting a lot more effort to be required. Fer held onto the plastic debris and quickly swam it to the boat to be disposed of carefully on land later so it cannot be a hazard to marine life in the future. Unfortunately, the shark had suffered some deep lacerations around her gills and where the plastic strap had been. Thankfully sharks possess an incredible capacity to heal, so we hope that this animal was rescued in time and will go on to lead an active life hunting, migrating, and reproducing for years to come with little effect from this incident.
While on one hand it was unfortunate that Mariano had a shark-less trip then a dive with two injured sharks here, it was also a stark illustration of the plight facing sharks. Silky sharks were once one of the most abundant species in the ocean, yet here we had proof of both their relative scarcity and their vulnerability. Mariano loves the ocean, a fact compounded by his willingness to meet sharks in their domain at only 10 years-old. By seeing first-hand what he did, and understanding the bigger picture like I know he does, I am sure he will go forward as an advocate into the future. With sharks being such a crucial aspect of their ecosystems, and our own survival being closely linked to them too, both we and sharks need people like Mariano to help fight for them.
