Sharkman Mike Rutzen Trip Report

Sharkman Mike Rutzen

Trip Report
May 22 - 28, 2011

We had a very special week with Mike Rutzen from Shark Diving Unlimited in South Africa. Not only did we have four days and countless hours with the Oceanic Whitetips, but our favorite shark Miranda graced us with her presence again. We also had a more Blacktips and Caribbean Reef sharks. Finally, to end the season, we had two days with blue sharks.

   

Our first Blue shark of the season


Having a couple of Oceanics and a Blue was a real treat!  After about an hour though, Miranda had enough and the two sharks squared off.  It was a tense and amazing moment, but Miranda asserted her dominance and the Blue took off in retreat.


The much larger Oceanic Whitetip chased off the Blue

 
The following day, a different Blue swam up the slick first, and stayed with us for a few hours.  During that time, more Oceanics had arrived!


Mike Rutzen lining up Miranda and the Blue Shark

A win for shark protection proponents

GREAT news today! The government of the Bahamas agreed to pass legislation to prohibit the export of any shark or shark product from the Bahamas. Thanks to the Bahamas National Trust, PEW, Guy Harvey Research Institute, and all those who who supported this project. A special thanks to the local community on Cat Island for joining us at the meeting and signing the petition. It was an honor to be a part of this!


Read the full story here