Sharks – Amazing or appalling?

Diving

Publicerad: 2009-10-21

Most of us respect, even fear, the graceful shark. Have you been scared without cause?

hajar

If you are very lucky! J Blacktip reef shark.

Answer: Amazing!

The blockbuster movie "The Shark" from 1975 still frightens the living daylight out of people and has got many believing sharks to be horrendous beasts lurking beneath the surface for YOU to come along and become dinner. The actual truth is rather the opposite. Few species has suffered as much racism as sharks.

There many, many different kinds of sharks. The one portrayed in the movie was supposed to be a so called ”great white”. In general the largets, and potentially dangerous, sharks live and love in colder waters like South Africa and Australia. The ones found in the area around the equator, like the Maldives, är small and completely harmless. Despite the fact that more than half a million visit the Maldives every year (among them most are divers and snorkelers) there has never been any incident with a shark attacking a human reported. Apart from being small, the sharks have gazillion much tastier and easier options for food than neoprene or sunblock covered tourists. Anyway, these small sharks simply don't have the necessary equipment teeth-wise to do more than slightly harm you should one ever consider nipping you.

maldives shark diver

Can you see the (lucky) diver?

Meeting a shark in its natural habitat is an unbeatable experience of beauty and grace to tell your wide eyed children and friends about for years ahead. Don't miss out because of some more than 30 year old (and very bad too) movie. Most dive ceneters have very interesting and fun lectures on offer. Shark is called ”Miyaru” in divehi by the way. Very elegant!

linda byline