Todd, so well done and explained in detail. The GoPro was the perfect video camera for this dive. It gave us time to admire what we were seeing instead of messing around with camera setup and settings. We only had about 20 minutes on this site before we had to move to a shallower site. You really need both dives to take it all in. The first time you see it it feels a little like shark pandemonium. But I found on the 2nd dive, I was able to take in the spectacle and count myself privileged to be able to witness these beautiful creatures up close. My best shark dive ever.
Glad you enjoyed it, I think it's a must-do for anyone visiting Fiji. It is amazing to see all of those Bull Sharks circling around. That is a really good point about the GoPro. Its nice that you can enjoy the dive and also shoot video. Too many photographers live in their LCD screens and miss out on a lot. That is one of the reasons I created the GoPro QR code settings. You can concentrate on your dive, not your settings.
I did this dive back in 2001. Beqa lagoon has some of the best clarity I've ever seen while scuba diving. The Fijians are amazingly welcoming and friendly. One of the best places for scuba diving in the entire world.
I also did this in 2001, it was part of my advanced diving certification. When I did it back then you could barely see anything due to the swarms of giant trevally in front of your face!
I appreciate what you are saying and understand. Shark touristism actually saves the sharks and the Eco-System. These sharks are alive because they bring in more income to the locals than a dead shark. This group has been operating since 1999 with 100% safety record. I did hear that the sharks became more aggressive during covid when tourism was shut down. Basically these sharks are here amd alive because of this shark dive, without the dive these sharks would be killed.
Excellent point. Activities like this one keep the sharks from being caught and killed. They bring in more consistent tourism revenue to the locals, rather than catching and killing the sharks.
Feeding wild animals just for tourists is an absurdity. You want to see wild animals ok then accept the fact that it's gonna be difficult because most of them are shy and afraid of humans, exactly like bull sharks by the way. By feeding wild animals you are completely disturbing their natural behaviours. This activity looks like an attraction park but even worst , an attraction park where you feed the animals.
I think what drixc means is that, "Habituation of wild animals" should be better handled, because the wild and it's animals , not a human friendly environment.
I understand what you are saying. It works differently with sharks. These shark would be dead if they did not bring in consistent money to the locals via tourism. An alive shark is more valuable than a dead shark. In some areas of the world people are teaching fisherman to run shark dives instead of fishing and destroying sharks and the Eco-System. You can look at this like these operations are destroying the behavior of the sharks, or they are keeping them alive. I found it interesting that the sharks became more aggressive during covid when this was shut down and they sharks were not being fed at this site for quite some time.
drixc1 doesn't know that this shark dive is saving the sharks lives. An alive shark brings in more money to the locals than a dead shark. Feeding them changes the behavior, so you can argue that. But the sharks are alive and are contributing the overall balance of the Eco-system.
Todd, so well done and explained in detail. The GoPro was the perfect video camera for this dive. It gave us time to admire what we were seeing instead of messing around with camera setup and settings. We only had about 20 minutes on this site before we had to move to a shallower site. You really need both dives to take it all in. The first time you see it it feels a little like shark pandemonium. But I found on the 2nd dive, I was able to take in the spectacle and count myself privileged to be able to witness these beautiful creatures up close. My best shark dive ever.
Glad you enjoyed it, I think it's a must-do for anyone visiting Fiji. It is amazing to see all of those Bull Sharks circling around.
That is a really good point about the GoPro. Its nice that you can enjoy the dive and also shoot video. Too many photographers live in their LCD screens and miss out on a lot. That is one of the reasons I created the GoPro QR code settings. You can concentrate on your dive, not your settings.
Awesome
So glad we experienced this dive. What a rush!
So educational and awesome
Thank you. I wanted to tell the story of this incredible shark dive. I was shocked to find out it has not been documented online very well.
So pretty, great shots!
I love that you think so! The sharks are really something else.
Wow…what an amazing experience!
Glad you liked it! Thank you for leaving a comment!
So cool!!!
Glad you think so!
I did this dive back in 2001. Beqa lagoon has some of the best clarity I've ever seen while scuba diving. The Fijians are amazingly welcoming and friendly. One of the best places for scuba diving in the entire world.
I agree. Fijians are very friendly. And on the other side of the island in Bligh water is incredible reefs.
I also did this in 2001, it was part of my advanced diving certification. When I did it back then you could barely see anything due to the swarms of giant trevally in front of your face!
Amazing video todd has really outdone himself this time!! He’s makes the best videos
Thank you!
Very cool! I’m glad I’m just watching a video and not real life!
😆 yes this is not for everyone. Glad you can watch and enjoy without actually being there!
I appreciate what you are saying and understand. Shark touristism actually saves the sharks and the Eco-System. These sharks are alive because they bring in more income to the locals than a dead shark. This group has been operating since 1999 with 100% safety record. I did hear that the sharks became more aggressive during covid when tourism was shut down. Basically these sharks are here amd alive because of this shark dive, without the dive these sharks would be killed.
Amazing we really need to stop shark finning that’s what really f me off amazing animals they are there home it is
Excellent point. Activities like this one keep the sharks from being caught and killed. They bring in more consistent tourism revenue to the locals, rather than catching and killing the sharks.
So scary
Yes it is, but fun. Bull Sharks you don't mess around with. And these are HUGE sharks!
What are all the pretty little fish doing? Eating crumbs? Or eating poop?
Looking for crumbs. The chum is usually frozen and as it thaws, the fish eat the little pieces.
Watching dozens of people in line feeding sharks is a complete nonsense. I dont even understand why it is not forbidden.
Why do you consider it nonsense?
Feeding wild animals just for tourists is an absurdity. You want to see wild animals ok then accept the fact that it's gonna be difficult because most of them are shy and afraid of humans, exactly like bull sharks by the way.
By feeding wild animals you are completely disturbing their natural behaviours. This activity looks like an attraction park but even worst , an attraction park where you feed the animals.
I think what drixc means is that, "Habituation of wild animals" should be better handled, because the wild and it's animals , not a human friendly environment.
I understand what you are saying. It works differently with sharks. These shark would be dead if they did not bring in consistent money to the locals via tourism. An alive shark is more valuable than a dead shark. In some areas of the world people are teaching fisherman to run shark dives instead of fishing and destroying sharks and the Eco-System. You can look at this like these operations are destroying the behavior of the sharks, or they are keeping them alive. I found it interesting that the sharks became more aggressive during covid when this was shut down and they sharks were not being fed at this site for quite some time.
drixc1 doesn't know that this shark dive is saving the sharks lives. An alive shark brings in more money to the locals than a dead shark. Feeding them changes the behavior, so you can argue that. But the sharks are alive and are contributing the overall balance of the Eco-system.