A few deep breaths at the surface and down I dove toward a sea cave 40 feet below. Skirting the rocky, coral-fringed edges of this puka on the ocean floor were five whitetip reef sharks. Preserving as much oxygen as
A few deep breaths at the surface and down I dove toward a sea cave 40 feet below.
Skirting the rocky, coral-fringed edges of this puka on the ocean floor were five whitetip reef sharks.
Preserving as much oxygen as I could, I steadily flipped my fins to propel myself toward these truly evolutionary creatures circling in an underwater cavern full of honu.
Despite reminding myself that these mano are mostly harmless, free-diving with this ancient animal never fails to take my breath away — at least at first glimpse. But they’re not so much scary as stunning in their near-biological perfection.
Unlike other requiem sharks, which rely on ram ventilation and must constantly swim to breathe, this shark can pump water over its gills and lie still on the bottom, according to an article on Wikipedia. With their slender five-foot-long gray bodies and broad head, these mano utilize their shapely features to force their way into crevices to extract hidden prey.
Unfortunately, whitetip reef sharks have been listed as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their numbers are reportedly dwindling due to increasing levels of unregulated fishing activity.
A single first-hand experience with these individuals — lucky we live Kaua‘i, yeah? — provides ample motivation to do whatever possible to protect this important part of the ecosystem. Hopefully, raising awareness about the plight of this species can play a part in its removal from the Red List after a period of recovery.
Acting now instead of waiting for whitetips to reach “endangered” status certainly seems the wiser course.
The IUCN says these sharks’ numbers are at lower levels than those found prior to widespread expansion of fishing over the past couple decades. And this species’ “restricted habitat, depth range, small litter size and moderately late age at maturity suggest that with increasing fishing pressure this species may become threatened.”
Let’s stop reeling in whitetip reef sharks now so future generations can enjoy them too.
Spending an early morning snorkeling a half mile or so off the South Shore often provides all the entertainment and sheer delight I can handle in a weekend. Sometimes, maybe most of the time, I find even my favorite movies, songs and books can’t compare to a minute immersed in the natural world.
When I find myself in a rut of routine indoors, there’s nothing that busts me out better than getting out in the great outdoors. Whether it’s a fortunate moment with a few docile sharks, paddleboarding across Kalapaki or a trek up the back side of Sleeping Giant, there really is no comparison.
