Dog Fish Shark

[Aquanautchuck]

OK, I am going to bare my main fear diving. Sharks, I have always had a fear of them. But I have not let this stop my diving. I even volunteered as a diving volunteer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and had no problem diving with all the sharks there. May of had to do with them being fed before we worked in the exhibit.

Until this year in almost 8 years and 400 dives I have not seen a shark. Then about 2 months ago I have seen at least one large Dog Fish Shark on every dive. On one dive I saw 3 and one 8' Six Gill. I always run into the Dog Fish Sharks in about 40 feet or less where the vis is bad, like 3 or 4'. They always get real close and circle many times and I usually loose them in the crud.

My question is has anyone had any bad experiences with them? Am I still dealing with my shark fixation? In one case I was ready to punch one in the face but he turned about 1' from my face. Running into them in the crud is very disquieting. Any advice?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Charles

 

[rjpv]

Well, I have no expert knowledge but seeing as how no one else has weighed in...

My understanding is that a shark making a slow pass is not, at that instant, planning to eat you. If you don't know the shark is there until it is attached to your leg, THAT is a nibble. The bottom line is that there is a big difference between a posturing shark that charges at you (probably with your back turned) and one that cruises by at about 1 mph to show off its pointy teeth.

I would NOT punch a shark making a slow swim by. The shark can move way faster than you, so it will either take off or decide to bit the hand ("small aggressive thing that is definitely bite size" attacking it. But then, this is based on hearsay advice so maybe I'm wrong - experts? My OW book says to descend to the sea bottom (if you can) and wait for it to pass by OR make a safe exit onto the boat if more practical.

The odds of you getting attacked are tiny... there are thousands of divers and what, a handful of attacks each year? And most of those are little nibbles, or idiots grabbing onto tails. So, next time you find one 1' from your face, face your fear and watch the shark run away from the scary giant bubble-making octopus-type thing.

 

[gcbryan]

Leave them alone. You're worried about a Dogfish? The only way that you could possibly be bitten would be to punch it in the face.

Dogfish are quite active and will swim near you and then veer off. Sixgills usually move quite slowly. I would never punch a Sixgill in the face (or any other shark for that matter).

 

[girldiverllc]

That's the beauty of diving in the Northwest. We can dive with sharks...sixgills and dogfish...and not have to worry about their biting habits...

Love them both!

Cindy
http://www.girldiver.com

 

[archman]

If anything veers into my face from 1 foot away, I'm smacking it purely as a spinal reflex.

I hope I never run into any lionfish...:shakehead

 

[Divmstr223]

Careful in the low vis water around the sharks...they may mistake you for something edible.

 

[sharky60]

Careful in the low vis water around the sharks...they may mistake you for something edible.

VERY true, that's how most shark bites, (I hate using the work "attack"), happen, in low vis situations. Usually with the victim being on the surface or in shallow surf, but low vis is usually the main factor in the "mistaken identity" of a food source.

While diving one good rule to remember is that the big fish eats the little fish and most people are going to be larger than most sharks they encounter, especially if you add a set of fins to your height. So most of these sharks are not going to look at you as a food source and will have nothing to do with you other than to come over for a fly by and see what that creature is blowing bubbles. what kind of fish does that?

Sharks make up less than 2% of all the fish in the seas, some divers may never see one, others like me are blessed to have learned to dive in a place like Midway Islands that has a huge shark population and diving with them was a daily pleasure.

It's like eveything else in the ocean...enjoy the blessing of being one to see it, respect it, give it space and leave it as you found it and everyone will be just fine.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

If anything veers into my face from 1 foot away, I'm smacking it purely as a spinal reflex.

I hope I never run into any lionfish...:shakehead

With a reflex like that I'd be more worried about running into a sea lion ... :11:

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Mr.X]

I know an active spearfisherman who has to fight off dogfish (in the NE US) on occasion.

Overall, they pose little in the way of a huge threat...but then again I don't carry stringers of dead fish with me either.

 

[Zingtea]

With a reflex like that I'd be more worried about running into a sea lion ... :11Grateful Diver)

Pinnipeds (the superfamily which includes sea lions) are part of the order carnivora, as well as bears, canines and felines. So, imagine punching a bear, wolf or tiger in the face.