SHARK EVOLUTION

MISCONCEPTIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Source: http://elasmodiver.com/elasmobranch_evolution.htm

There are many misconceptions regarding the evolution of sharks and rays. Contrary to popular belief they have not remained unchanged for 300 million years. However, many of the families we have today have been in existence for perhaps the last 150 million years. Compared to our own paltry 3.5 million years this makes the elasmobranch lineage very ancient indeed. The fossil record is sketchy at best when it comes to sharks. Cartilage is preserved very poorly so the body structures of many early sharks are purely speculative. Fortunately for the paleontologists, sharks discard their teeth on a regular basis and these teeth which fossilize well are often enough to allow accurate identification of individual groups and help place them correctly in the evolutionary time line. One of the pitfalls of using fossilized teeth for identification is that the teeth of sharks sometimes vary significantly depending on which area of the jaw they have come from. In the past this has led to paleontologists inventing multiple species of extinct sharks that were actually the same animal. During a shark's lifetime it's dentition also may change which only adds to the confusion. In recent years there has been a revision of extinct species that paid more attention to the herero-dental nature of modern species, and consequently the list of extinct species has been paired down.

A WORLD BEFORE FISH...
How life first came about on earth is a burning question that many scientists and theologists have dedicated their entire careers to solving. Be it by chance or divine intervention, it is likely that super heated compounds developed a complexity at which point they were able to grow by absorbing the chemicals around them. Complex compounds are a far cry from even the most basic fishes but at some point (around 3.5 billion years ago) simple organisms started evolving. These most ancient forms of life on earth were called stromatolites and they may still be seen today. Stromatolites are simple organisms that cluster together and form mounds not unlike coral reefs but with a far less complex structure.

1.4 billion years later the first cells with a nucleus were ooching around looking for a way to take advantage of both the chemicals in their environment and each other. As is the nature of evolution, a radiation took place after this point that enabled these basic creatures to fill every niche that was available to them. By about 600 million years ago, multi-cellular organisms such as jellyfish, worms, sea-pens, and more obscure soft bodied invertebrates had taken over the ocean deserts.

540 million years ago near the beginning of the Phanerozoic Eon (which last to this day and is split into the Cambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Periods) Most of the modern groups of animals were developing. This era heralded the development of shelled creatures which have been preserved very well in the fossil record.

There is some conjecture regarding how primitive fishes managed to develop from these invertebrates. Most likely, fishes evolved from the larval forms of their predecessors. Most invertebrates release eggs and sperm which after combining, develop into free swimming, fish-like larvae. These larvae drift within the planktonic soup until they reach a point of metamorphosis. In many groups such as corals and tunicates this metamorphosis is highly dramatic, involving a complete restructuring of the body to adapt to a sessile lifestyle. However, if the planktonic environment were rich enough it would be prudent for some larvae to remain as free swimming organisms permanently. Which group of invertebrates are responsible for spawning the first fishes is not known but it is possible that it may have been the echinoderms (seastars and sea cucumbers) as they share an early cell developmental process with vertebrates. Some scientists believe that sea squirts are responsible. Recent fossil evidence also points to a now extinct animal called a conodont that was characteristically fish-like and may have been the true predecessor.

THE AGNATHA
Around 500 to 450 million years ago the first primitive fishes appeared in the fossil record. They were the Agnathans and they were characterized by two (dorsal and ventral) bony shields on the head with many trunk scales tapering towards a primitive caudal fin in which the notocord turned upwards rather like the sharks of today. Agnathans were very successful and diversified to dominate every niche available until well into the Devonian period towards the late Paleozoic. The various groups developed many of the characteristics associated with vertebrates today including: paired limbs, cellular bone, a complex sensory line system, dentine, and complex eyes and inner ears. Sadly these pioneers of all that represents our ancenstry, mostly vanished during the Devonian extinctions. Today the two remaining groups of agnatha are represented by the Hagfishes and Lampreys. They are jawless, limbless, and have cartilaginous skeletons.

THE RISE OF JAWED FISHES
At some point during the Ordovician Period also known as the early Paleozoic, the major groups separated themselves from eachother.

Between about 400 and 350 million years ago the seas were beginning to fill. The major groups were:

Osteichthyes - the bony fishes which eventually outnumbered all other vertebrates by species.

Crossopterygii - which split to form the Porolepiformes which evolved into salamanders and the Osteolepiformes which eventually evolved into frogs and toads, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Dipnoans - the lungfishes

Acanthodians - also called the spiny sharks - Superficially shark like with strong broad spines strengthening all of their fins except the caudal fin which was upturned (heterocercal) as in the true sharks. Their bodies were covered with small flat bony scales. The Acanthodians survived into the early permian about 200 million years ago.

Placoderms - a large group of fishes covered with big bony plates and blade like jaws that proliferated during the Devonian and then died out at the beginning of the carboniferous period.

Chondrichthyes - the cartilaginous fishes that evolved into today's sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras.

THE FIRST SHARK - Cladoselache
Although Chondrichthyes are rooted in the Ordovician period the first, well preserved early shark fossil to be discovered was Cladoselache dating from approximately 350 million years ago. The fossil of this shark was found miraculously intact in the Cleveland Shale of Lake Erie. It was so well preserved that its muscle fibers were visible as were its kidneys. Cladoselache Had two low dorsal fins both with prominent spines, broad based pectoral fins and eyes set far forward on the head. The mouth was at the front of the head as opposed to the under slung mouths of modern sharks, and the teeth had a large central pointed cusp with a smaller point on each side. Although cladoselache was almost certainly not the first ever true elasmobranch, armed with Cladoselache, Paleontologists were able to categorically state that elasmobranchs had arrived.

TWO VISIBLE SUBCLASSES
At the end of the Devonian another group of cartilaginous fish became evident. These fish known as Chimaeras or Ghost sharks had distinct mobility differences in their skeletal structure. The upper jaw was fused to the skull, the pectoral fins were large and able to flap unlike the rigid fins of sharks and their bodies tapered to a thin whip like tail. Due to the great distance between the chimaeras and the modern elasmobranchs, extant chimaeras are considered in the separate subclass Holocephali and presently consist of three families.

AN EXPLOSION OF FORMS
During the evolution of chrondrichthyes there have been many groups with bizarre appearances. Sometimes these families are collectively referred to as "paraselachians" . Many fossil skeletons contain unusual appendages. Most of which have as yet not been conclusively explained.
Some examples of these paraselachians include:

Stethacanthus - a Cladodont which lived through the Silurian Period between 380 and 300 million years ago. It had a modified first dorsal fin that terminated in a spine covered pad reminiscent of an inverted scrubbing brush. Its forehead also had a similar surface. These surfaces may have been used for pinning prey or for mating.

Helicoprion - from the Permian Period, had a conveyor belt of teeth that spiraled out of its lower jaw and a thin corresponding line of sharp teeth in the upper jaw. The lower whorl of teeth rotated out of the jaw as the shark grew. Unlike most sharks it retained the smaller previous teeth which rotated back into the jaw forming a spiral or whorl not unlike the growth pattern of a shell. The two dermal surfaces sliced against each other giving it a formidable shearing weapon.

Falcatus - from the carboniferous period had a curving, forward facing appendage in place of its first dorsal fin. It has been suggested that only the male may have had this sword like structure.

Xenacanthus - a member of the pleurocanthids. It had a long backward facing spike extending from the back of its skull and an eel like or ribbon like fin running down the length of its back.

Iniopteryx - Iniopterygians lived from the Devonian into the Carboniferous period. More closely related to modern day chimaeras, they had flexible pectoral fins which were disproportionately long and rayed for strength. It is unclear whether these "wings" were used to glide above the water or to paddle under it. The leading edge of the wings were covered with sharp toothy denticles.

Most of these evolutionary experiments were probably adaptations to the demands of life in an ever more competitive environment. During the Carboniferous Period the ranks of the sharks swelled to their greatest diversity ever but towards the beginning of the Permian Period many ancient forms became extinct along with the majority of the more experimental forms.

ENTER THE NEOSELACHIANS
As the Permian Period was drawing to a close the seas were filling with Actinopterygians - the ray finned fishes. This was a food source that could not be ignored by the oceans predators. In response the elasmobranchs began to radiate again and during the early Triassic a shark appeared in the fossil record that was similar enough in appearance to modern day sharks to be considered one of the first of the "modern sharks". The name of this shark was Palaeospinax.

Palaeospinax was morphologically similar to the dogfish of the family squalidae. It had a calcified sectioned vertebral column instead of a continuous notochord, its two dorsal fins had supportive leading edge spines, and most notably it had the under slung mouth of a modern shark.

NEOSELACHIAN RADIATION
Amongst the first of the presently extant sharks to swim in the seas were the slow swimming Horn sharks and the Cow sharks but towards the mid cretaceous the fair to be had in the mid oceans was enough to push the development of fast moving predators that could pick off large, schooling, off shore fishes. At the time the seas were ruled by enormous icthyosaurs and plesiosaurs so this new food source did not come without risk to the sharks.

During the Cretaceous most of the present genera were firmly established and then around 60 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous a catastrophe occurred which wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species, leaving the remaining sharks as the supreme rulers of the oceans.

CARCHARODON MEGALODON
About 50 million years ago a super predator evolved, the size of which the world had not previously seen. Megalodon was similar in shape and dentition to the White shark (Carcharodon carcharias) the most notorious shark of today's temperate oceans. Its size however was spectacular. The largest of its fossilized teeth that have been found to date have measured over six inches long from point to base. Extrapolating this information and using Carcharodon carcharias as a guide, it would not be unreasonable to assume that Megalodon reached somewhere between 50 to 100 feet in length. Sadly but perhaps just as well for us, no Megalodon have been seen for some time. Estimates on the time of its extinction vary widely. Some popular literature would like us to believe that Megalodon is still down there somewhere lurking in the shadows. More likely Megalodon faded away some time within the last 30 million years due to a combination of a waning food supply and a changing climate.

RAY RADIATION
Meanwhile, back at the end of the Triassic, at about the same time as Palaeospinax was swimming around the coastline of the super continent Pangaea, another group of sharks were adapting well to the bottom terrain of the shallow slopes. By the upper Jurassic Period the first guitarfishes were grubbing around for food and blending into the bottom sediments. These rays were a little more primitive than those of today. The main differences being a more shark like skeletal structure and the presence of fin spines. It has been suggested that all modern rays were derived from primitive guitarfishes but it is unclear exactly where the families are linked. The most recent addition to the batoid tree are the stingrays which showed up a mere 60 million years ago yet fill the shallows of most tropical and temperate continental waters.

Whale shark

Common Names: Whale shark.
Latin Name: Rhincodon Typus
Family: Rhincodontidae

Identification: Enormous size (worlds largest fish). Body scalloped (with two distinct ridges running from behind head along each flank into caudal fin. Pattern of white spots and indistinct lines on grey dorsum. Ventrum white or pale. First dorsal large. Caudal large. Mouth terminal and often open when observed feeding on plankton.

Size: Maximum length 18m (unconfirmed) reliably to 16m.
Habitat: Pelagic. Comes into reef areas when food supply is abundant e.g. coral spawning.

Abundance and distribution: Circumtropical except Mediterranean.
Behavior: Usually seen swimming with mouth agape in feeding mode. Little is known about the Whale sharks biology or migratory patterns.
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous. Previously thought to be oviparous due to an eggcase containing a Whale shark embryo dredge from the bottom of the sea. This perception changed in 1995 when a Taiwanese fishing boat harpooned an 8m female containing 300 embryos. Whale sharks have been observed at Ningaloo performing figure 8 maneuvers while nose to tail. It has been speculated that this may be some form of courting behavior.

Observations:
Photographs: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.

Similar species:
Reaction to divers: Whale sharks generally move away from the noise creatred by scuba bubbles and from physical contact. Getting too close to a whale shark often causes it to dive and 'riding' the sharks interferes with their natural behavior and should be discoraged even if local rules are very liberal. The best encounters tend to be on scuba.

Diving logistics: Operators around the world run Whale shark encounters. Some use spotter planes while others rely on the sharks returning to well known feeding sites. Ningaloo Reef encounters are very predicable and the customers generally get a few sharks each day during the season. For more information on Ningaloo go to the Exmouth / Ningaloo page in the Shark diving hotspots section of Elasmodiver or follow the link here.

Marine Biology Degree Programs in the U.S.

Marine Biology Degree Programs in the U.S.

The following is our list of all U.S. schools that offer degrees in Marine Biology. All links open in a new window linking directly to each school's marine biology program. To determine which school is right for you, you may want to consult the current rankings, but be forewarned that they are not always the best indicator of the "best" school. It is often better to make your own assessment based on the school's curricula, the experience of its faculty, and good laboratory facilities for hands on experience. To browse through a list of research facilities, click here. » Download the 256 page Admission Guide created by Franziska Elmer from Switzerland (700KB) - contains addresses, contact, student residential and program information as well as admission details for international students interested in Marine Biology degrees in the U.S. Thank you Franziska!

Contact us if you have any comments, changes or additions.

International Marine Biology Degree Programs »

Alabama
Alabama State University BS
Auburn University BS, MS, PhD
Samford University BS
Tuskegee University BS
University of Alabama BS, MS
University of North Alabama BS
University of South Alabama MS, PhD
University of West Alabama BS

Alaska Alaska Pacific University BS
University of Alaska Fairbanks MS, PhD
University of Alaska Southeast BS

California
California Lutheran University BA
California State University, Long Beach BS, MS
California State University (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories) MS
California State University Monterey Bay BS, MS
Humboldt State University BS, MS
San Diego State University BS
San Francisco State University BS, MA
San Jose State University BS
Sonoma State University BS
University of California Berkeley BS, MS, PhD
University of California Los Angeles BS
University of California Santa Barbara BS, MS, PhD
University of California Santa Cruz BS
Univ of California San Diego (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)University of San Diego BA, MS in Marine Science
University of Southern California PhD

Connecticut
University of New Haven BS
University of Connecticut BS, BA

Florida Barry University BS
Eckerd College BS
Florida Atlantic University BS, MS
Florida Institute of Technology BS, MS, PhD
Florida International University BS
Florida Keys Community College AS
Florida State University BS
Jacksonville University BS
Nova Southeastern University BS, MS, PhD
Stetson University BS
University of Florida: Fisheries/Aquatic Sciences (FAS) BS, MS, PhD
University of Miami: Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science BS, MA, MS, PhD
University of South Florida BS, MS, PhD
University of Tampa BS
University of West Florida BS

Georgia
University of Georgia BS, MS, PhD

Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University BS
University of Hawaii Hilo BS
University of Hawaii - Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology BS

Kansas
Southwestern College BS

Louisiana
Nicholls State University BS, MS

Maine
Maine Maritime Academy BS
Unity College BS
University of Maine BS, MS, PhD
University of Maine Machias BS
University of New England BS

Maryland
University of Maryland MS, PhD

Massachusetts
Boston University MA, PhD
Hampshire College BS
Harvard College summer program only
Salem State College BS
Suffolk University BS
University of Massachusetts Darmouth BS

Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi Coastal Science MS, PhD
University of Southern Mississippi Marine Science BS, MS, PhD

New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire - Marine Program BS, MS, PhD

New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University BS
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey BS
Rutgers BS, MS, PhD

New York
Hofstra University BA, MA, MS
Long Island University, Southampton College BS, BA
State University of New York BS
State University of New York - Stony Brook BS, MS, PhD

North Carolina
Duke University BS, MEM (Master of Environmental Management), PhDUniversity of North Carolina Chapel Hill MS, PhD
University of North Carolina Wilmington BS, MS, PhD

Ohio
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Aquatic and Marine Science BS Biology with an emphasis in marine and freshwater science
Ohio University BS

Oregon
University of Oregon BS(eMB), MS, PhD

Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg University BS
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania BS

Puerto Rico University of Puerto Rico Hunacao BS
University of Puerto Rico Myaguez Campus MS, PhD

Rhode Island
Roger Williams University BS, BA
University of Rhode Island BS

South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University BS, MS
College of Charleston BS, MS
Medical University of South Carolina MS
University of South Carolina BS, MS, PhD

Texas
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi BS, MS
Texas A&M University Galveston BS, MS
University of Texas at Austin BS

Virginia
College of William and Mary MS, PhD
Hampton University BS
Old Dominion University BS, MS, PhD

Washington
Seattle Pacific University BA, BS
University of Washington: Marine Biology BS
University of Washington: School of Aquatic and Fishery Science BS, MS, PhD
Western Washington University BS, MS

Wisconsin
Carroll College BS
Lawrence University BS
University of Wisconsin Superior BS

Graduate School Directory for Marine Sciences »

« Back to MarineBio Education & Career Resources

Come on People Get a clue! (PLEASE)

Come on People Get a clue! (PLEASE)

Moves to impose trawling ban stymied
"a stunning example of dysfunctional decision-making and the unwillingness of the world's nations to stand up and just say 'no' to activity that is destroying the global marine environment."

U.N. says 2005 set greenhouse gas record
Report: Seafood faces collapse by 2048


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Clambakes, crabcakes, swordfish steaks and even humble fish sticks could be little more than a fond memory in a few decades.

If current trends of overfishing and pollution continue, the populations of just about all seafood face collapse by 2048, a team of ecologists and economists warns in a report in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging. In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems," said the lead author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
"I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are -- beyond anything we suspected," Worm said.

While the study focused on the oceans, concerns have been expressed by ecologists about threats to fish in the Great Lakes and other lakes, rivers and freshwaters, too.

Worm and an international team spent four years analyzing 32 controlled experiments, other studies from 48 marine protected areas and global catch data from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization's database of all fish and invertebrates worldwide from 1950 to 2003.

The scientists also looked at a 1,000-year time series for 12 coastal regions, drawing on data from archives, fishery records, sediment cores and archaeological data.

"At this point 29 percent of fish and seafood species have collapsed -- that is, their catch has declined by 90 percent. It is a very clear trend, and it is accelerating," Worm said. "If the long-term trend continues, all fish and seafood species are projected to collapse within my lifetime -- by 2048."
"It looks grim and the projection of the trend into the future looks even grimmer," he said. "But it's not too late to turn this around. It can be done, but it must be done soon. We need a shift from single species management to ecosystem management. It just requires a big chunk of political will to do it."

The researchers called for new marine reserves, better management to prevent overfishing and tighter controls on pollution.

In the 48 areas worldwide that have been protected to improve marine biodiversity, they found, "diversity of species recovered dramatically, and with it the ecosystem's productivity and stability."

While seafood forms a crucial concern in their study, the researchers were analyzing overall biodiversity of the oceans. The more species in the oceans, the better each can handle exploitation.

"Even bugs and weeds make clear, measurable contributions to ecosystems," said co-author J. Emmett Duffy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

The National Fisheries Institute, a trade association for the seafood industry, does not share the researchers alarm.

"Fish stocks naturally fluctuate in population," the institute said in a statement. "By developing new technologies that capture target species more efficiently and result in less impact on other species or the environment, we are helping to ensure our industry does not adversely affect surrounding ecosystems or damage native species.

Seafood has become a growing part of Americans' diet in recent years. Consumption totaled 16.6 pounds per person in 2004, the most recent data available, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That compares with 15.2 pounds in 2000.

Joshua Reichert, head of the private Pew Charitable Trusts' environment program, pointed out that worldwide fishing provides $80 billion in revenue and 200 million people depend on it for their livelihoods. For more than 1 billion people, many of whom are poor, fish is their main source of protein, he said.

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's National Center for Ecological Synthesis and Analysis.



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Getting your feet wet- First time scuba

By: Amanda W. (Scuba Junkie)
Life of a beginner scuba queen
2/6/08

Being from Iowa, you may not consider scuba diving an option for me. That is, unless you don't know where Iowa is or that we're the land of corn. Not exactly teeming with fantastic vacation dive spots that are flocked with tourists. I want to share my thoughts and experiences as I go through the process of learning to scuba dive. My hope is that fellow novices can learn from my stories, or maybe more advanced divers to gain an understanding of beginners. No matter the reason for your interest in scuba, it has brought you to this point. Some background on myself is that I do not like being in a bathing suit, am not used to being in water, dislike emerging my face in water, and have a fear of drowning. With that said, through the encouragement and passion of a friend, I am preparing to take my first steps toward becoming an Open Water Diver.

I personally had my first experience with snorkeling in April 2007 in Nassau, Bahamas while on vacation. After the first 15 minutes in the water of thinking I was going to drown, I began to relax and focus more on my desire to see the beauty beneath me. I had to practice at breathing through the snorkel underwater, and let me tell you it is a strange feeling to see below and continue breathing. My friend and I had $10 underwater cameras, but the pictures could not do justice for what we could see with our own eyes. I was a bit disappointed in the coral to be honest, but I really had nothing to compare it to. After all, I went for the experience, and the fish didn't disappoint.With Scuba Jay's prompting I began to consider trying scuba, though after almost hyperventilating with just snorkeling I had my reservations. We began with hearing stories and watching videos on YouTube and learning of different types and purposes of diving- wreck/ excavation diving, underwater archeology, underwater ecology, vacation diving, underwater photography, night diving, cave diving, ice diving, rescue diving, search and recovery diving, and for academic or research purposes. For me, I am interested in a few of the aforementioned so I recommend that if you're nervous, find one you can use as a motivator to get your feet wet. I am assured that once you start, you're hooked.

There is a progression to diving certifications and two primary governing bodies NAUI and PADI, though SDI, TDI, WASI, and NASE are also out there.

NAUI:
1. Skin diver
2. Scuba diver
3. Advanced scuba diver
4. Master scuba diver
5. Leadership certifications
·Divemaster
· Skin diving Instructor
· Assistant Instructor
6. NAUI scuba Instructor


PADI:
1. Open water diver
2. Advanced open water diver
3. Rescue diver
4. Master scuba diver OR Divemaster (lead to Course Director)

There are many special certifications you can receive along the way of both NAUI's and PADI's paths. Each level requires varying numbers of dives you must successfully complete, and some coursework as well.




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Hawaiian Islands sight seeing, ITAN, Kona, NAUI, NOAA, other specialty certifications, sharks, SSI, TDI/SDI, airlines, family travel, family vacations, Hawaii reef divers, Hawaiian Islands, hotels, Jason Kilgore, Maui, scuba certification, scuba diving, scuba rental gear, Scuba Hawaii, Hawaii Travel, Caribbean Scuba, Scuba Certification, Scuba Jay, Costa Maya Scuba Dive, Gear, Cave Diving, TDI, Water Rescue Diving, Water Rescues, PADI Technical Scuba Diving, Dive Rescue, Scuba Dive Answers, Jason Kilgore and Martial Arts, Jason Kilgore and USANA, Jason Kilgore and Karate, Jason Kilgore and Scuba Diving, Sacramento, auburn, California, Hawaii, Jason Kilgore and Sierra Foothills Karate, Sierra Foothills Karate and Scuba Diving, Jason Kilgore and Scuba Diving, snorkel and fins, vacation, Basic Open Water, Extreme Scuba and Jason Kilgore, Hawaiian Islands

Kaaihue Brothers

We Snorkel With Turtles ? On Every Tour!! We travel the South Shore of Kauai; the islands best snorkeling year round and best whale watching (December - May)! Poipu, also known as ?Sunny Poipu? or locally as the South Side, is located only about 20 minutes from the airport in Lihue. With virtually no runoffs or streams, the visibility is exceptional and not affected by rainfall. Most of our tour is spent snorkeling with turtles, exotic fish and various sea life. We snorkel at least 2 locations and give you a guided tour through the water, pointing out eels, lobster, octopus, etc.

The surf on the south side is minimal. The large swells that hit our island in the winter months only affect the north and west shores? not the south! Therefore, if you’re planning on snorkeling on your vacation, or just want to join us for exceptional whale watching, be sure to go with Kaaihue Brothers.



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Diving With Sharks

My first experience with sharks came at the age of six, looking through the glass of a San Diego Aquarium, looking bright eyed and up at these big fish with fangs and ugly teeth. Kind of like what my daughter looks like when she wakes up in the morning.

When I was little and every chance to visit this sharks I took the chance, not many visits but the few I was able to do, until I got older, I knew then what I knew now. I fell in love with these beats. They are magnificent creatures of mystery and intrigue.

You want the best; dive with these guys:
http://www.divingwithsharks.com/index.html

NO Body BETTER!

Discover cage diving with great white sharks off Australia, California, and South Africa, or try scuba diving with the Caribbean reef sharks of the Bahamas, encounter whale sharks, or hammerheads. This section features some of the top shark diving destinations around the world, and where to go for the best shark diving opportunities

Learn why sharks are some of the most interesting and mysterious creatures in the sea. Have you ever wondered where would be the best place to go cage diving with great white sharks? Or what kind of shark is the biggest fish in the sea? Here are a few quick facts about some of the species most commonly encountered by divers.

For over 400 million years sharks have been the oceans top predators, dominating the marine world and swimming without fear. But now over-fishing and a rising demand for shark body parts, such as cartilage, teeth, and especially the fins, have placed many of the worlds sharks in danger. Check this section to learn more.

Diving With Sharks is here to make your next shark diving experience as seamless as possible. We have selected the top vessels out of San Diego, checked the dive crews and reviewed everything down to your meal service and cage construction. In short these vessels are the best you can get.Shark diving allows shark enthusiasts, divers and non-divers an easy way to observe the extraordinary world of Great White Sharks.

The shark cages we use create a discernable barrier that our sharks quickly recognize allowing us to safely observe and experience these incredible animals up close and personal. Safety is our highest priority, for both divers and our sharks. Shark diving is unique in the fact that the rewards often far exceed the effort both physically and mentally. Not to say that shark diving is not challenging, getting in the water with up to five Great Whites can very challenging and very exciting to say the least!

Shark diving with us requires less equipment to bring along, and only minimal equipment is needed to dive in our cages. For instance we use surface supplied air at Isla Guadalupe, thus no tank is required to be worn in the cage or while climbing in and out of the water leaving more room in the cage. We also provide regulators and weights. Our shark diving crews are industry professionals who care about your safety and enjoyment. In the world of cage diving with Great Whites you can either go where everyone has been before, or discover a newer and better world.

It will change the way you think of adventure forever. Period!



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