One univeral concern for new abalone divers is the question of sharks. Specifically, the Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias). There's something about the idea of swimming in waters patrolled by sharks capable of exceeding 20' in length that resonates with deep seated fears we all seem to have wired into our psyche. And it's known that northern California waters are frequented by adult white sharks. When you enter those waters, it's a fact of life that you've reentered the food chain at least a full rung from the top. This is true whether you're a diver, surfer, swimmer, kayaker, or any number of other things that put you in intimate contact with the water. But just how real is this danger?
The short answer is that the danger is almost non-existent. During the past 50 years, approximately 80 individuals have been bit by white sharks in the waters off Washington, Oregon, California, and Mexico. Of those,
- 11 have resulted in fatalities,
- one fatality has been recorded north of San Francisco and
- 45 or so of the 80 have been diver/white shark encounters.
If one compares these numbers with the hordes of surfers, divers, kayakers and swimmers spending time in the waters off the California coast on any given day, a few conclusions can safely be made. First, simply in terms of the numbers, a white shark encounter of the too close type is an exceedingly rare occurance. Second, the rarity of encounters is apparently the choice of the sharks; if they were interested in snacking on humans, the frequency of attacks would be much higher.
On the other hand, the numbers aren't any consolation to the friends and family of Randy Fry, an ocean resource advocate, recreational fishing spokesman and an ab diver with 30 years experience. He and a long-time diving partner were diving north of Fort Bragg in August of 2004 when Randy was taken by a White Shark under circumstances that match the worst shark nightmares of any water person.
While a white shark attack is a real possibility and would most certainly ruin your day, the dangers of it happening are dwarfed by the other dangers of abalone diving or by the dangers of beachcombing in northern California, for that matter. Still, some techniques to further lessen the likelihood of a traumatic encounter with Mr. Whitey are offered for your consideration.
- Listen to your inner voice. When I enter the ocean, I take along every advantage I possibly can. A few of these are less tangible than others. Without getting too metaphysical, how many times have you looked at someone in another vehicle on the freeway only to have them turn to look back? If you're like me, it happens frequently enough to convince you that there is something to the idea of intuition or a sixth sense. So, if I find myself in the water and something does not feel "right", I'll usually get out and go somewhere else to try again. On a number of occasions when I've ignored this inner voice, I've ended up being sorry.
- Don't dive near pinniped colonies. Elephant seals,
harbor seals, and sea lions are the favorite food of full-grown, northern
California white sharks. Researchers know that white sharks congregate near
pinniped haulouts. Therefore, diving near pinniped haulouts is generally
discouraged.
- Don't act like a seal. Spending time floating at the
surface, with occasional dives to the bottom, is the normal behavior of seals.
Unfortunately, it's also the normal behavior of abalone divers.
- Stay inside the kelp. There have been no confirmed
attacks by white sharks inside of kelp beds. That isn't to say a white shark
won't venture into a kelp bed; photographic evidence exists that clearly
disputes any claim they won't. But white sharks in California waters are
muggers. They prefer attacking from below and behind using a combination of
smell, pressure waves, and vision to locate potential targets. If you're inside
a kelp bed, whether resting in the canopy or diving, you have a lot of
background coverage making it harder for you to be picked out.
- Dive with a buddy. White shark bite victims almost always survive their encounter if they survive long enough to make it to shore. If you do become a shark bite victim, your making it will likely depend on whether you have a buddy nearby to assist you ashore. And, once ashore, it'll be that same buddy who'll probably have to get some medical assistance to insure your survival. So, in the interests of stacking the odds in your favor, dive with a buddy.
Last Modified: September 12, 2005
