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Diving Bonaire: Why are there no sharks?
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2004-02-16 to 2004-08-14: Why are there no sharks?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bert van Barneveld (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 4:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sharks seem to be exceptional on Bonaire. Does anybody have an idea why? There seems to be enough fish.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Burnham (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 6:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

They are rarely seen, but here is a clue:

If I recall right, last September 5 baby Caribbean reefs sharks were born and I first saw them in the shallows of Webers Joy (BMP #15) soon after.

Over the next few months they slowly migrated south and settled into the area just south of the Sabadeco Pier and north of Andrea II (BMP #19). They were always seen somewhere between the shore and the drop-off (max 25-30 feet, usually 10-15 feet).

This is our "house" reef and we saw them about half of our dives there until last April or May, when we saw two of them at the base of the drop-off ~100 feet.

We had a few more reports of sightings of up to three around the same depth, and then no more...They've disappeared into the depths.

There were rumors that the fisherman got a few of them, and interestingly, one shark from early on, trailed a long tangle of fishing line from the hook embedded somewhere in its mouth. This runt of the litter seems to have survived so far with this algae encrusted tangle trailing behind.

So, my theory involves:

  • There is no tradition of shark feeding on Bonaire.
  • Reef sharks are basically shy and wary critters (until fed over long enough period).
  • Sharks do not like divers (in any sense of the word:-)), evidenced by the fact that they settled into the area half way between Andrea II and Barcadera (two popular sites) where very little diving gets done.


So, I think they are out there, but they've learned the importance of "Not Being Seen".

But that begs the question as to why the other big predator (tarpon) has learned to use night diver's lights as an aid in hunting and is otherwise unconcerned around divers.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #252) on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 9:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Bert:
Try doing a keyword search on sharks. There are shark sightings on the east side of the island, and a few thrads about this, even a photo or two.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #628) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 4:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have seen black tips on the north dive sites and a huge nurse shark on Klein complete with two remoras.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bert van Barneveld (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 6:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, I've done the Internet search, only a very few sightings. I've found no photos of sharks taken on Bonaire whatsoever. We have been diving on Bonaire twice, no sharks. Next trip is in 2 weeks, so I'm looking for some tips to find them.
On other coral hotspots in the world you will find plenty of sharks (depending upon fishing intensity).
Still there seems to be no obvious explanation. Right?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Burnham (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 7:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here's one taken at Webers Joy:

Juvenile Caribbean Reef Shark

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bert van Barneveld (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 9:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Excellent Roger, looking at the colours you were in shallow waters? We will be trying to find him again!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 10:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've got a question. I'm not disputing anyone, but was that a "real" picture of the shark? It looks to me as though the shark is out of proportion to the vegetation he's swimming in front of. Or it just might be me. Either way it's a great photo!!!

Richard

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Thomas (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 11:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would also be curious as to the real deal on this photo. It could be easily done with PS. Im not disputing either but have a little doubt.

James

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Burnham (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 1:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Come on guys, have a little faith!

The still was lifted from DV footage, and yes PS was involved in balancing the exposure/colors.

This pic was taken when the shark was very young and is in about 15 ft.

Sorry Bert, but this is one of the sharks that was either caught or "graduated" to the deep...he be gone!


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #253) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 2:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bert, Walt III posted a Bonaire shark photo in the archived Diving thread of 2003-05-01 to 2004-02-15 "Sharks in Bonaire waters?"
There are a couple of other threads about east side shark sightings, including the archived Diving "Diving East side" 2002-11-26 to 2003-04-30.
Sorry I don't know how to do a direct link to these threads. I found then using the keyword search function at the bottom of the page to look up "sharks" and "Walt III".
Maybe the sharks just like to hang out on the wild side to challenge and improve our diving skills :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #255) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 2:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

After taking my own advice and reading the Formatting info at the bottom of the page, here are the links to these threads:
Sharks in Bonaire Waters? and
Diving East Side?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #256) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 2:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Back to the drawing board

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #258) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 3:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sharks in Bonaire Waters?
Diving East Side?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darryl Vleeming (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #286) on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 2:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We've seen sharks by Andrea as well as on the East side.

My theory as to why there are so few of them is because of the fishing. Like Roger, we saw the shark with the fishing line. I think its only a matter of time until they are all caught. On the east side its too rough to fish as easily, so that's why they are there.

Darryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Heins (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, August 2, 2004 - 2:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I went out with Larry on Wildside Bonaire I was lucky enough to see 2 reef sharks. The divemaster also saw a nurse shark the week before. If you are interested in sharks, your best bet would be to try Larry's: http://www.larryswildsidediving.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DJ (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 7:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Give us a break Roger, it's not even close!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1344) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 10:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree; that pic is fake, the lighting is off :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Crumley (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 3:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Weber's Joy Shark shark

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Crumley (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 3:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Looking for the Weber's Joy Shark.....my picture

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Burnham (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 9:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've moved the thread on the "realness" of the shark image to Bonaire Photography & Videography: "Realness" of Digital Images .

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCOTT SILLENCE (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 4:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am looking for a Dive Buddy. I am arriving Bonaire September 11, 2004 and departing a week later. I am staying at Don's Habitat and have 6 boat dives scheduled. I will have a pick up truck rented and want to do some shore diving. I am Advanced (about 70 dives in 2 years)and will soon go for Search & Rescue Certification. This week, was just certified in Adult, Child, Infant First Aid, CPR and AED (Automatic External Defibulator). Anyway, enough of that, I will also have a new camera C5050 Olympus with casing etc.. and will try taking pictures during my shore dives. Any takers (dive buddies) out there during this time period that want to watch me fumble with my camera?

 


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