BULLDOG SHARK: TIPS

In issue 65, Steven introduced us to this so much media bulldog shark. Here is the continuation, where the aspects of observations and advice are discussed.

Observation N ° 1:

The Bulldog shark does not react in the same way depending on the region, its age, sex and number of individuals. Indeed, his behavior will be different if the shark is alone or in number, if he is accustomed to divers or not, if he is fed or not and if he evolves with humans on the surface, in scuba diving, close to the surface or in depth. In addition, there are areas on which it hunts, breeds or rests. His behavior will also change according to these areas.

Observation N ° 2:

The distribution of Bulldog sharks is very specific. The communities are gregarious, even if he is in the habit of hunting alone. Females give birth in freshwater, near estuaries or at shallow depths, in mangroves, for example, to protect juveniles. The Zambezi shark therefore seems to have three main areas of life according to the seasons, as seen previously. Clearly, depending on where and when you dive to see these sharks, ask local monitors who will tell you the cycles of the animal.

Observation N ° 3:

The encounters with the bulldog under scuba diving are multifactorial and take into account several important criteria such as:

- The diver's behavior (diver's positions, calm, neutral, excited or panicked attitude).

- The spatial situation of the diver (in the blue, on the reef, under the boat, in the open sea, in drifting, on a sandy bottom).

- The depth of the diver (above, at the same level, below the shark or on the surface).

- The distance between the man and the animal.

- The reason for the presence of the shark in the area: rest, reproduction, or feeding.

- Wild encounter or feeding.

Observation N ° 4:

The bulldog shark is a fish with which it is difficult to interact, because relatively fierce with divers, it is he who will decide the interactions and the approach distances. To date, seven different types of approaches have been observed. The approaches will also be described in the event of feeding.

Passive - Fearful Approaches

- Distant Passage : As part of these approaches, the shark remains at a good distance from the diver, ie it remains well beyond the reach of its outer zone. This is not observation! He keeps a safe distance because he does not know what he is dealing with. His swimming can be successively slow or lively and nervous depending on the stress of the shark. Most of the time, he stays at the edge of the field of view, not to feel disturbed and returns to the visual area of ​​the diver to make sure he is not in danger. In Mexico, at Playa Del Carmen, these remote passages take place on a sandy bottom of about twenty meters at the same level as the divers, while in Mozambique, at Ponta Do Ouro, the bulldogs remain in depth, between 30 and 40 meters. Staying in a group is important to reduce our intrusiveness on its territory.

- Secure observation : During dives where the bottom exceeds the 20 meters, the shark will turn around divers at their level, no lower, no higher. He shows himself, but does not cross the course of his outer section.

He observes, tries to refine his observation, but fears the look and the human activity. It is clearly seen to turn on itself at its secure zone, refusing any penetration into another zone of evolution. If the shark does not change attitude quickly, it is because of an intrusive behavior on the part of a diver. Generally, in the presence of food, the bulldog sharks quickly pass this stage to get closer to the bait. Same attitude, you must stay in a group so as not to scare the animal.

- Nerve leak : Sometimes the shark feels more comfortable and evolves in your social area. It will follow axes of approach according to your signals and more generally of your body language. If fed, the shark will be more territorial because there will be competition with other sharks who become competitors for food. A misinterpretation, stress, a sudden action on the part of a diver, a domineering gesture on the part of a rival or simply an embarrassment, can cause a nervous leak! It takes the form of a nervous spasm from the head to the tail, and the shark disappears at high speed either towards the abyss or outside your field of vision. He can come back several minutes later, after being ironed by the first approach points ... or never come back!

Causes and motivations of the approaches:

- Curiosity

- Inspection of the territory

- Indifference in the most experienced sharks

- Fear, mistrust

- Shark evolution area

Inquisitor Approaches / Dominant Attitudes:

The approaches described below are the result of a long period of immersion with the shark allowing it to become the dominant predator of the scene.

- Bullying Charge Like any predator displaying this behavior, it is more of a defense or warning language than aggression. In this case with this species, the few intimidating charges you can undergo are all, or almost all, related to a food stimulation. Coming from protective and territorial behavior because of the bait, the shark no longer takes into account the areas or the depths of evolution, forgets the codes of the approach but is still suspicious. Remember that he tries to intimidate you, to make you leave his zone, not to attack you. In this case, never stand between the animal and the food. If these loads increase, leave the area following the instructions of the guide.

- Force transition When this behavior occurs, it is because you have not followed the instructions of the previous approach and that the shark therefore feels threatened. Threatened by your non-reaction to his predatory signals seeking to hunt a competitor, you, from his territory. As its name indicates, this approach will force the shark to "sneak" in all spheres of evolution and especially yours until contact! The shark, stressed, will try to test you to see how far you are ready to try the "game"! You are the bad actor of this scene because you continue to place you between the shark and the bait! Promote the group effect, do not find yourself isolated, and leave the area calmly.

- Possession of the territory : This occurs when sharks are in number. Although you are well grouped, a merry-go-round is taking place, that of possession by distraction! Indeed, a small group of sharks will follow the same lines of approach in front of you - they can sense it thanks to your eye contact and your way of reacting - while the other sharks will take advantage of your inattention to enter the area. middle of the group of divers. Once again, no signs of aggression, although the sharks are extremely nervous in the way they move. It is imperative to stay together and “keep an eye” on what is going on behind you! If the situation becomes too intense, leave the area keeping eye contact.

- Surface tracking : It is not uncommon that at the end of the dive, when we begin our ascent, the bulldog sharks follow us… Extremely active hunter close to the surface, it is recommended to the divers in the process of ascending to display the largest vigilance… Regularly accustomed to following the olfactory corridors generated by the baits, we suppose that they follow us until the smell disappears.

Causes and motivations: great caution regarding their distance and their attitudes 

- Feeding

- Curiosity

- Territoriality between sharks: Sharks are regularly fed. Over time, they associate places and food. When they see divers, like in Playa del Carmen for example, they swim towards them and expect to be fed. The lack of a “reward” does not, however, lead to a “relationship” against the divers.

Competition is developing stress between sharks.

- Territoriality with the diver (s)

- Stress of the diver - which then sends prey signals to the shark!

- Noises

- Habits

Observation N ° 5:

Despite the different approaches and observations seen above, these explanations are the result of empirical research based essentially on everyday observation. In conclusion, this information can be refuted, completed, detailed or even reworked. What is described above is the synthesis of observations of behavioral habits observed by divers for more than ten years.

Observation N ° 6:

The best places in the world to swim with this shark are:

- Mozambique Channel (Ponta Do Ouro) - From November to May

- The Bahamas (Bimini / Abacos etc.) - From December to March

- Mexico (Playa Del Carmen / Cancun / Cozumel) - From November to March

- Fiji Islands

- South Africa (Aliwal Shoals / Protea Banks)

- Costa Rica (Bat island / Playas del Coco) - From May to November

- Belize (Sapodilla) - All year round

Observation N ° 7:

Some recommendations to interact safely with the bulldog shark?

- Wear a compulsory full suit. The white color of your skin is reminiscent of the muscle color of a fish and therefore of a bait!

- To avoid panic be prepared psychologically.

- Adopt an upright position to appear more imposing and allow the animal to know our intentions. If not possible because in the sand, avoid lying down.

- Make as few movements as possible, no sudden movements, no agitation so as not to excite the shark.

Generally if the shark is fed by hand, the feeder wavers his hand, so keep his arms along the body.

- Make as few bubbles as possible (avoid shortness of breath and excitement).

- Never find yourself isolated - the story of the lost sheep - but also so as not to scare away the shark depending on the approaches.

- Do not lose eye contact. Also constantly look behind you.

- If the shark becomes too insistent, too inquisitive, leave the area but always facing it. Do not retreat so as not to react like a prey. Wait for the instructions and the signal from the monitor.

- If not comfortable, leave the area calmly.

The media is responsible for the image of this shark, which is exaggerated. He remains a predator with big teeth unpredictable, but rather docile in scuba diving. If you respect the safety instructions related to the approach of this shark, you will be able without any effort to demystify the reputation of this "man eater" unfortunately disappearing from our oceans.

Like all great sharks, its population is very much in decline. Classified "quasi-vulnerable" by the IUCN, the shark is mainly fished for its leather, liver, flesh and fins. Recently, beatings and “samples” have been organized by various governments in order to “regulate” populations in areas where accidents have occurred. Let us be clear, these campaigns participate in the extermination of populations of “troublesome” bulldog sharks and not in any scientific regulation.

Special thanks to Phocéa Mexico for its welcome during the bulldog dives offered from November to March in Playa del Carmen in Mexico.

Steven Surina

Steven Surina is a diving instructor in the Red Sea. In this capacity, for a decade, he has accompanied cruises along the Egyptian, Sudanese and Eritrean coasts. He worked in partnership with the Italian publishing house “Magenes Editoriale” on the project of a collection of dive sites all over the Egyptian Red Sea as an author and illustrator. He wrote a dissertation on the behavior of oceanic sharks in 2008 and distributed interactive booklets on the protection and preservation of sharks to Egyptian schools.

This is how he created, in 2010, Shark Education which offers shark diving trips whose objective is to help them get to know and understand them better.