Shark Feeding Jupiter (article)

[sportxlh]

Given the other related thread, I thought this was an interesting article from a diver/reporter in Miami. I think it was fairly balanced, which is unusual for local media:

Man Dives, Hand-Feeds Sharks Off The Coast Of Florida « CBS Miami

 

[iamrushman]

good article read and noted....did reported actually go on dive?

 

[makologic]

if you watch the video, ya the reporter dove with him.

I thought this was funny (ok, ironic) from Randy Jordan's blog
Puffer Fish

his biggest diving injury was losing a pinky to a puffer fish!

 

[diversteve]

His biggest diving injury AFAIK was when he lost another finger recently. He shot a fish and a shark? took it. Or maybe the fish just took off suddenly.

The line wrapped around his finger and amputated it.

Not during a feed though as I understand it, just out fishing nearby. He posted about it on Facebook? IIRC.

 

[iamrushman]

yes my old computer doesn't do videos...so thanks for the details...

 

[makologic]

The line wrapped around his finger and amputated it.

ouch! I stand corrected. Hazards of the profession I guess. Like when I worked at a lumber mill as a kid everyone was missing a digit or two.

 

[HalcyonDaze]

His biggest diving injury AFAIK was when he lost another finger recently. He shot a fish and a shark? took it. Or maybe the fish just took off suddenly.

The line wrapped around his finger and amputated it.

Not during a feed though as I understand it, just out fishing nearby. He posted about it on Facebook? IIRC.

He lost two fingertips that time around, and yes - it wasn't from feeding. He thought the coast was clear, shot a lone cobia, and didn't see the bull shark that hit the fish.

Interesting piece, although I had to chuckle at the "Oh my God" commentary with the lemons and groan at yet another repeat of the idiot "bull shark testosterone" fake factoid. I do think there is some level of conditioning on these feeds, although what I've noticed is minor stuff with the lemon sharks - keeping their eyes open during nose rubs, being patient about getting food, etc. The sharks do seem to have a travel schedule and stick to it regardless of the buffet; I think two of the tigers moved on at the same time they did last year and the "Lemon Ladies" were mostly down south with the boys during the winter and early spring.

 

[scubadada]

Emerald Charters and Randy Jordan were also featured in the July Scuba Diving Magazine. This was also a reasonably balanced article and was probably pretty good advertising. Unfortunately, the article does not appear to be in the public domain

 

[mscott556]

I'm glad he's been getting a lot of press lately but I miss the days where I could randomly show up on a Saturday morning and grab a seat.