[cabbage]

Anyone catch this over the weekend? Think it was on Discovery - or maybe National Geographic, too many channels

About a wildlife cameraman and his attempts to film Great White Sharks hunting seals in the waters round South Africa. It was pretty good I thought. One scene which featured the presenter in a small plastic kayak, only a short distance from a busy beach, using his oar to gently push away a 3.5 metre Great White which was trying to put its head into his kayak was particularly memorable.
I think the programme actually did a good job of showing Great Whites as creatures, which though they have to be shown great respect, aren't the killing machines of popular culture. These sharks apparently routinely spend a lot of time just offshore (only a few dozen metres by the looks of it) a popular surfing beach where there hadn't been an attack for 20 years - though there was unfortunately an attack only a few days later. The later images of sharks breaching whilst taking seal decoys behind the presenters raft were stunning.

[Sandra]

No, I missed that one - but I'm on the look out for a repeat.

I saw a programme recently where the cameraman's aim was to film the Great Whites rushing to the surface to ambush the seals.

By observing the sharks he discovered an area of water where attacks occurred regularly. Then, by towing a decoy with a speed boat he narrowed the point of ambush down even further. He then got into the water and waited on the sea bed while the boat went over and back with the decoy.

The shark was filmed swimming around and observing what was happening at the surface and then it took off like a rocket heading almost vertically for the surface whereupon it ambushed the decoy, breaching in the process.

It was very spectacular footage but I did feel a bit sorry for the shark, it having expended all of that energy and getting nothing but a mouth full of rubber in return.

[cabbage]

No, I missed that one - but I'm on the look out for a repeat.

I saw a programme recently where the cameraman's aim was to film the Great Whites rushing to the surface to ambush the seals.

By observing the sharks he discovered an area of water where attacks occurred regularly. Then, by towing a decoy with a speed boat he narrowed the point of ambush down even further. He then got into the water and waited on the sea bed while the boat went over and back with the decoy.

The shark was filmed swimming around and observing what was happening at the surface and then it took off like a rocket heading almost vertically for the surface whereupon it ambushed the decoy, breaching in the process.

It was very spectacular footage but I did feel a bit sorry for the shark, it having expended all of that energy and getting nothing but a mouth full of rubber in return.

"He then got into the water and waited on the sea bed while the boat went over and back with the decoy."

"He then got into the water and waited on the sea bed"

"HE THEN GOT INTO THE WATER"



I think it sounds like the same sort of thing. I thought the most amazing part of the whole thing was that apparently the seals being attacked have a 50/50 chance of surviving!
The presenter had a theory that the seals were able to detect the pressure wave of the shark approaching from below and take absolute last second avoiding actions.

He was using a towed decoy to try and photograph this pressure wave whilst he lay on a raft only a few feet ahead of the breach. Braver man than me! I'm aware that White Sharks don't deserve their reputation but I still wouldn't do it!

The programme is repeated tonight on discovery at 10pm (or 11 on +1) if you're still interested.

[Sandra]

I only saw your post this morning and so missed the programme.

B*gger!!

[cabbage]

I only saw your post this morning and so missed the programme.

B*gger!!

I wouldn't worry much, its on discovery so it'll no doubt be repeated again... and again...

[Sandra]

Finally saw this last night and loved it!

Like you said, the sequence in the kayak definitely stood out - as did the hairs on the back of my neck!

The photographic experiment that captured the pressure wave that gives the seals that (very late) warning that they're on the menu was also very interesting to watch.

[Thylacine]

Didn't unfortunately see the programme but your comments reminded me of this morbidly fascinating and memorable piece on Gt whites and kayaks ... it's outstanding.

http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/sharks/gr ... ttack.html

Also why are the Mediterranean great whites so harmless ??!?!?! They breed round Malta and recently they've been shown to be genetically similar to those in NZ and Oz waters (which do attack people).

[cabbage]

Glad you saw it Sandra It was really good! I think I also managed to catch the programme you were describing which was along similiar lines - in fact was it the same guy presenting? I really enjoyed that too though it almost had me hiding behind the sofa on occasion!

With regard to sharks and kayaks I presume we've all seen this image? (you might have to scroll down the page a wee bit)

http://www.thomaspeschak.com/kayak-great-white-sharks-/

Now thats a brave man!