Nurse shark swims right at us, Normal?

[diverrobs]

While on a dive last week in Cayo Coco, Cuba, we had a nurse shark swim right at us. The DM and I, (only 2 of us on the dive) decended to 75' and nearly as soon as we got to the reef a Nurse shark comes over the reef at a good speed swimming straight at the DM and I. I mean this shark was moving pretty good, it covered the 60' of visibility in probably 4 or 5 seconds. When it was 15' away the DM made a fist and drew his arm back as if he would punch it if it got any closer (I thought this was a little funny given how awkward it would be to try and punch something underwater). The shark finally did an 90 degree turn about 6' from us and headed of to our right. This shark was about 7' long. As it got about 30' to our right it met up with a really big nurse shark, at leat 10' long, and they took off together across the sandy bottom between the reefs.

I do have to say it was pretty cool seeing the thing moving across the reef and I really did not have time to get nervous about it (my thought process was, cool a nurse shark swimming across the reef, hey its coming this way, man that thing is really moving, what the hell is the DM thinking trying to punch a shark, it better turn soon, hey look it met up with anouther shark, way cool, what a great way to start a dive). I was under the impression that these things are pretty dosile (I saw a DM grab one by the pectoral fins early in the week (why do DMs always harrase the wild life?)).

Questions:
1) Is this normal behavior for a nurse shark to swim right at divers at hight speed?
2) Could the shark just have been trying to get to its mate and we were in the way?
3) Is the DM crazy to try and punch a shark, would that really be any deterent?
4) Have divers ever been hurt by nurse sharks, I thought they were pretty gentle?

 

[Walter]

1) Is this normal behavior for a nurse shark to swim right at divers at hight speed?

It's not the most common behavior, but it's not rare.

2) Could the shark just have been trying to get to its mate and we were in the way?

There's no way to tell what it was doing, but sharks don't have "a mate."

3) Is the DM crazy to try and punch a shark, would that really be any deterent?

A punch would probably make it turn away, but a more prudent course of action would be to ascend or descend to get out of its path.

4) Have divers ever been hurt by nurse sharks, I thought they were pretty gentle?

Yes. They are, but so are most family pets and lots of folks have been hurt by them too.

 

[vladimir]

Perhaps the nurse sharks are being fed by divers.

 

[LavaSurfer]

Perhaps the nurse sharks are being fed by divers.

That was my first thought, comming for a squid snack

(why do DMs always harrase the wild life?)).

That is a broad generalization. Personally, I have never nor have I seen a DM harrass wildlife except in rare videos and stories.
I think most DM's respect sea life and protect them. They are, after all, the Dm's Livelyhood.

 

[Noboundaries]

Possibly mistook you two for the last guys that shook it's tail while it was sound asleep!!!!!

 

[SkipperJohn]

The action of the shark may have been a territorial thing from what I understand (which isn't much).
According to Myth Busters, a good punch may be a reasonable last resort defense in an actual attack. It probably works better than screaming and bleeding.

 

[Damselfish]

I've only seen them sit there, or swim away if they're bothered by your presence, but obviously they do approach since you saw it. I'd almost put money on the feeding theory but who knows.

My husband has hit sharks coming at him a few times (with his camera, we think the strobes electrical field or sound interests them) and they've gone away. (One took 2 hits, came around a second time.) Never a nurse though.

As far as nurse sharks hurting people, I think they're the most common shark to hurt people. They're found lying around a lot in shallow reef area where more people and snorkelers are to begin with. And because they have a rep as being gentle, people who don't know better do stupid things like try to touch them or pull their tails. It's true they're usually more tolerant of people's presence than other sharks, but they're still sharks and can easily decide to bite rather than ignoring you or swimming away.

 

[Walter]

It probably works better than screaming and bleeding.

I agree with the bleeding, but screaming works pretty well.

 

[diverrobs]

Well, I guess I'll get ready to punch next time too. It was a little weird that it came so close. It will probably never happen to me again. As for feeding, I did not see anyone on any of my 6 dives taking anything out and I think there is only the one dive center going to these sits. Could be wrong though. I personally don't like to disturb anything "Sleeping" that has as many teeth as a shark. I have seen several DMs in Jamaica and Cuba grab them by the tail or fins.