Who's afraid of the big bad Tiger (Shark)??

[Jeremy Hughes]

Those are great pictures Mark. Really great. Sharks look really nice, sharp shark design. I'm really looking forward to seeing your footage with RED.

Did you ever swim with a Basking Shark?

I think the scariest shark is the Frilled Shark... Well, one in particular: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X6GKcLkdRE

When I saw this, I has just woke up and turned on the TV. Then I was mortified. I couldn't believe it. I tried to convince myself it wasn't real. So after a while I decided to face my fears and watch it on YouTube. Stilll scarey, but not as bad.

But this is what they look like when healthy:

A beauty! But scarey beauty...

Perhaps the reason more people die with toilets on the beach then sharks is they are more careful around sharks and are overtrusting toilets. He he...

 

[Mark Thorpe]

Hi Guys,
Yeah, Filming in south Africa. Will be doing so for quite some time to come.

Ken, look forward to hooking up whenever........big fish a definite.

I haven't seen the frilled shark, yet!

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[vincelucero]

Those are great pictures Mark. Really great. Sharks look really nice, sharp shark design. I'm really looking forward to seeing your footage with RED.

Did you ever swim with a Basking Shark?

I think the scariest shark is the Frilled Shark... Well, one in particular: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X6GKcLkdRE

When I saw this, I has just woke up and turned on the TV. Then I was mortified. I couldn't believe it. I tried to convince myself it wasn't real. So after a while I decided to face my fears and watch it on YouTube. Stilll scarey, but not as bad.

But this is what they look like when healthy:

A beauty! But scarey beauty...

Perhaps the reason more people die with toilets on the beach then sharks is they are more careful around sharks and are overtrusting toilets. He he...

Looks like an homage to Jaws mechanics. Where's the remote?

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

Great work, Mark.

 

[Mark Thorpe]

In response to the risk element. One can only look with one set of eyes in any one direction. The other day I had four Tigers around and I was the only diver, there were a few snorkelers keeping an eye on my back as apart from the Tigers there were also upwards of some 50 Dusky and Blacktip Sharks. But snorkelers do have a Birds Eye view of the action and whilst I had one or two Tigers in the shot at any one time I guess at the back of my mind was the small voice asking where those other critters were. At the end of the dive I was on the boat and some of the 'minders' were telling me things like "Oh man, and there was one just inches from the back of your head sniffing your SCUBA tank" and other such claims. In that regard I guess the calls can come close but when there is no reason to be aggressive I find that most, above all the larger species, sharks tend to be more laid back and actually welcome interaction with divers.

I guess its like with everything, kick a domestic dog too many times and he'll bite back. Next day headlines read 'Old Yeller Chows Down Owners Liver' but we don't really know the story behind it all. I do, as do other guys like Sharky, jump into baited scenarios with Tiger Sharks and Great Whites given the opportunity but through understanding of the species I guess I am more willing and excited about doing so than someone who believes the media hype and Hollywood negativity heaped on the shark species of the World.

Its a dirty job but someone's gotta do it......

These are incredibly appealing animals.

Cheers,
Mark.