2016 Barracuda Near Attack, looking for causes, behavioral analysis

[foob]

Barracuda are very curious fish. That's why that one was following you.

I haven't tried it yet, but a marine biologist working at a commercial aquarium told me to just go towards the barracuda and make yourself big and threatening and they will leave you alone. Because they are curious but skittish.

I would take the advice others are giving, to be as relaxed as possible to not make the situation worse.

 

[Hotpocket]

This is one of those times where it's good to have an instabuddy who swims slower than you do.

 

[Sam Miller III]

It is suggest a trip to the local fisherman's supply - aka bait shop to review the Barracuda jigs...
You will note that they are all bright and shiny, often chromed and so designed as to fluctuate in the water

Barracudas on both coast are very curious fish and are attracted to bright shinny fluctuating objects, such as an erratic flailing fin.

It is indeed a pity that you "attack" was not documented for all to view - It would have gone viral in the diving community

Sam Miller, 111

 

[Zeagle Eagle]

Were your fins splits or paddles?

 

[60plus]

If you look on Wikipedia it suggests barracuda may think snorkelers are large predators and follow them to share their prey.
I did my 4th and 5th dives at Lanzarote. On my 4th dive there was a large shoal of barracuda above me, the average size of each fish being a bit over 2 ft. On my 5th dive a large, 5ft plus barracuda passed a few yards above and to one side of us, it took no notice of us but my guide made sure I was aware of it and indicated it could bite. On both occasions there were plenty of other divers prey fish about. Plenty of other divers reported large numbers of barracuda but no reports of anyone actually being bitten.

 

[InTheDrink]

I dunno. Barracudas can be funny. When they attack its like lightning. Has happened to some of my buddies and there was that case where one hit a Diver’s mask and did some damage. I’m happy to swim into a school of them but I’m a little wary of the loners. Sure it’s all rare but they’re fast ****ers and then do seem to like shiny things.

 

[InTheDrink]

In my personal experience it is very common for barracuda to follow divers. I have had large individuals follow me around for 20-30 minutes at a time.

I have wondered if perhaps they had been fed a tasty lion fish at some point and now associate divers with food, but that’s pure speculation.

Out of well over 100 dives where barracuda were around, on only one occasion have I ever seen even a glimpse of what might be described as an aggressive display - it was a smaller fish, and was being pursued by a diver with a video camera, and the barracuda was clearly annoyed by persistent diver and camera, finally turning suddenly and lunging toward the camera with an unmistakable jaw snap that clearly conveyed a “back off!” message.

I’ve never heard of an incident where a diver who was not spearfishing had any kind of negative interaction with a barracuda. I’ve heard of fishermen being bitten, but never a diver.

Anyone heard any credible stories of a barracuda attacking a diver?

Search on here and you’ll find an nasty example. And some buddies of mine got repeatedly attacked by one. They put it down as it was so aggressive

 

[rabe]

They put it down as it was so aggressive

This is SO wrong.

 

[InTheDrink]

Well it certainly went wrong when they were trying to put it down. I wasn’t there when it happened and yes we’re in their environment not ours but they felt it a serious hazard/risk. I wouldn’t have advocated the same course of action.

But in relation to the post - Barracudas can indeed very aggressive. I’ve swum through many schools of them without and problem but the occasional once clearly can be dangerous. The risk is still minuscule.

 

[rabe]

yes we’re in their environment not ours

that's it, the answer is this sentence
all the other arguments that they might have used to justify the killing of an animal that was just doing its own things (being an animal) are bullsh*ts