| Nigel |
Hello Dawn. Happy Christmas and all those things. |
| Dawn |
Hi Nigel. I got to see you on the Larry King live Show, but we really
didn't get to talk much. |
| Nigel |
I know... I was busy diving in that tank. |
| Dawn |
...I could hear you in my earpiece. |
| Nigel |
I think he (Larry) was trying to get people to say bad things about
sharks, but nobody did. I thought that was interesting, even people
who had been attacked like you. |
| Dawn |
Do you remember my story? |
| Nigel |
I do. |
| Dawn |
To bring you up to date, we have a website to promote ocean and
shark safety. We have a section where we interview experts, and I
have some questions for you today. Obviously we want your opinion
because you have such an array of experience with sharks and marine
life. My first question is, you have had numerous adventures with
some of the deadliest creatures on the planet, so how would you rank
your encounters with sharks? |
| Nigel |
My encounter with the Great White Shark, is in definitely in the
top 3, probably number 1. Again, I only ever work with scientists
and before I free swum with the Great White Shark we would watch them
for 3 weeks before entering. You could see that they were very frightened
about biting things since their eyes are so vulnerable. We only did
it, under prefect conditions. They never go into the water in South
Africa with them unless the sharks can see you and you can see the
sharks. Then there is no chance of them mistaking us for food or testing
us out for food... We look pretty weird to them in the water. |
| Dawn |
So you want to make sure the water is clear before you go in? |
| Nigel |
This year we went for 3 weeks and we didn't go into the water once
with them. The water was cloudy. |
| Dawn |
What was your most dangerous Shark encounter and where did it occur?
|
| Nigel |
 I
think it was possibly with the Great White Shark in South Africa...
for the purposes to give me my first free-swimming experience with
the Great White Shark. They don't do that with tourist, it was only
because I had been there with them for 3 weeks. Its obvious that it
should not be encouraged. And only with the guy that has been doing
it for a long time there. He let me go in with a 9 foot one, but when
we got into the water the 9 foot one disappeared. He was looking around
and didn't know what had happen. Suddenly, its place was taken by
a 14 foot one. Now a 14 foot one could obviously do lots of damage.
Even though it was a she, she wasn't going to attack us as prey. She
was very inquisitive and curious about us and obviously they haven't
got arms or tentacles or hands, so they mouth you with their very
sharp teeth. She did come very close because she was curious and the
cameraman in the end had to bonk her on the nose to make her swim
away. So that was a bit of a worry, because if she would have just
given us an investigative bite that would have obviously done some
damage. |
| Dawn |
That is the problem. They investigate with their mouth because they
don't have anything else. That's the point that I am always trying
to convey to people when they ask me about my attack. |
| Nigel |
Like your baby, she puts things in her or his mouth. That's what
babies do. Sharks do the same, but they can't feel things like a baby.
|
| Dawn |
Now how do you feel about shark dives, where people come and pay
money and get on a boat and go diving with the sharks? |
| Nigel |
I think the value that it gives for shark conservation is well worth
any risks. I don't think that there are any risks, if the shark operations
work a long way off shore. So if they are working, you know within
sight of a pier and that could of course draw them in. Most of the
shark operations, the big ones are with Black Tips. So I would think
the experience of it is so breathtaking and converts so many people
to loving them. They don't try to stop golf and certainly cars are
unbelievably many times more dangerous than sharks are. |
| Dawn |
Do you feel that sharks should be protected? |
| Nigel |
Yes. Of course, common sense should prevail. If there is a Bull
Shark, which is obviously known to have high levels of testosterone
and is known to be a very aggressive species, and is where people
are swimming, obviously they should be dealt with. |
| Dawn |
I know what a Bull Shark can do. |
| Nigel |
A Bull Shark was the one that attacked you... right? |
| Dawn |
Yes. |
| Nigel |
We are doing a show on Bull Sharks, actually, so maybe we can even
come to see you for shark week next year. I am pretty certain, actually
if you added up all the people that were killed in South Africa and
India that didn't make the news in the states, they were probably
from bull sharks. |
| Dawn |
Are you going to be diving with the Bull Sharks? |
| Nigel |
Yes, in the Bahamas, we hope. |
| Dawn |
If you need a companion, I am a certified diver. I would love to
get in there and dive with the Bull Sharks, especially after what
happened to me. |
| Nigel |
That would be grand. Obviously Dave has got your details. I would
like a copy of your book and if you sign it as well, that would be
lovely... that would be really great, I love having signed copies
of books. |
| Dawn |
Where are the Sharks on the food chain and what is their purpose?
|
| Nigel |
Well, they are of course, the apex predators, like lions, tigers,
wolves and bears. You know that's probably why we like them because
they are. And we love our monsters. And they are the last great free
ranging predator of people. |
| Dawn |
What do you think is the most detrimental thing to the sharks? |
| Nigel |
Shark Finning, of course, you know cutting off the fin for the soup
and then throwing back the badly injured animal into the water. |
| Dawn |
Is it true they don't reproduce very fast? |
| Nigel |
Great White Sharks, are like other longed lived mammals, nobody
knows about how they breed. Nobody has ever seen them breed. |
| Dawn |
People don't really realize that. Obviously you have heard about
all the different attacks this summer (2001) and how the media went
crazy with the sharks. What is your opinion on this and why do think
there were so many attacks this summer in Florida? |
| Nigel |
Obviously there are lots of theories and they are only theories
that I've read. But I suppose one of the most plausible ones is the
fact that schools of fish were close to shore. In fact there was no
more shark attacks worldwide than any other year. |
| Dawn |
Right, but there was a couple of really high profile attacks, including
the little boy Jessie Aborgasst... So the Bull Shark seems to be the
deadliest species that flourishes along the Florida east coast...
|
| Nigel |
And around the world... It's found in South Africa, Australia, wherever
there are tropical waters. It is found in very shallow water, where
we swim. It is very aggressive and bites first... In India and Africa
it's found in really muddy, horrible rivers. |
| Dawn |
You're going to be featuring the Bull Shark next summer on Discovery?
|
| Nigel |
I'm doing an hour special just on Bull Sharks. |
| Dawn |
On our website we always promote the importance of understanding
ocean conditions... On television, it seems all they want to know
is, "How Did I Get Attacked?" I'm always trying to get into
the safety issue... On television all they want is the two-minute
version... What is your opinion on the importance of ocean conditions
and what should people do to avoid shark attacks as far as preventing
them. |
| Nigel |
Just the simple rules, like not to wear shinny jewel because they
can look like flashing fish scales. When they filmed that ad, Jaws,
you know the Great White Sharks leaping out of the water, they only
filmed early in the morning and late in the evening, which is the
time that they attack, like all of the big predators. If you go to
Africa to see lions hunt, they hunt in the morning. |
| Dawn |
Right, just the basics. Have you heard the expression, Yum, Yum
Yellow? |
| Nigel |
Yes, I have heard that, I made a joke about it. My fins are Yum,
Yum Yellow. I think scientists are still a bit uncertain about whether
that is true. |
| Dawn |
I didn't know this, but since I was attacked I have learned a great
deal about sharks. I had a yellow bathing cap on when I was attacked.
It was lifeguard issued. It was issued to all the lifeguards for swimming.
George Burgess, the person in charge of the Shark Institute, in Gainesville
was the one who brought it to my attention. Have you heard of him?
He told me it was Yum, Yum Yellow. I thought that was pretty interesting.
|
| Nigel |
Yes. If anyone would know he would. I thought it was still contentious
at the moment about what colors excited them. |
| Dawn |
I think it is kind of hit and miss. In a couple of weeks we are
going to be offering a real time shark alert. We have global lifeguards
reporting conditions on our web site on a daily basis as a public
service, so parents, grandparents, or anyone else who signs up for
this free public service can be alerted by their cell phone, pager,
PDA, or their e-mail the instant a shark is sighted or a beach is
closed. If you sign up from 10 in the morning to 6 at night at a certain
beach where you live... you could be alerted by one of our global
lifeguards that there was a shark sighting. What do you think about
that? |
| Nigel |
That's good isn't it? |
| Dawn |
Do you think that it sensationalizes the sharks or do you think
it is a safety issue? |
| Nigel |
It is good safety issue. If it can stop sharks from attacking people
then it's less bad press they're going to get. My only worry about
that is they are so difficult to identify, and obviously if there
is Nurse Shark swimming around that's not what we should worry about.
And obviously local businesses are bit worried about beaches being
closed off too. |
| Dawn |
... In the summer the media fly over our beaches when the visibility
is clear, spotting sharks swimming in and out of people. They call
us and make us close our beaches. Well, the same sharks are there
in the winter, but they just can't see them. |
| Nigel |
I think the more information people know, then they can make their
own decisions. Really, I think it's good if they know what's going
on. |
| Dawn |
My last question for you is, do you think the ocean is a place that
people should fear? |
| Nigel |
No, definitely not. They should take precautions but what people
should remember is the ocean is a place that should be respected.
|
| Dawn |
...When people hear a shark has attacked me, the first thing out
of their mouth is, "I'm never going into the ocean." That
kind of drives me nuts. Then I try to explain to them, that the ocean
is a beautiful place you can enjoy. Just use your head and understand
conditions. This is what we are trying to teach people. |
| Nigel |
On that basis, then people should say that I am never going to go
on a boat again, because if you added up the number of people injured
in boating accidents or killed in boats... There is always an element
of danger. |
| Dawn |
Don't you think, sharks, snakes and bears, are people's biggest
fear? |
| Nigel |
Yes, I would - definitely so. |
| Dawn |
Believe it not, my husband, was bit by a rattlesnake this past summer.
|
| Nigel |
Oh, that is a coincidence, isn't it? He is ok though? |
| Dawn |
He's ok, but we are definitely environmentally challenged. People
keep telling us that we need to hide in the house, but we just keep
going because that is what we love. |
| Nigel |
How pregnant were you when you were bitten? |
| Dawn |
Six and half months. I was working as a lifeguard and I was just
swimming laps when I was attacked. It was about 9:30 in the morning,
at a quiet beach, they had put me there because of the pregnancy.
I was lucky to have my hand over my stomach when I was attacked. When
it tried to actually take a grip, my hand it slid down my stomach
and the shark could not get a good grip. But I still ended up with
quite a bit of damage on my leg. |
| Nigel |
So where did it bite you, on the top of your leg? |
| Dawn |
Yes, the top of my leg and my hand. I have scares across all my
fingers and my wrist. |
| Nigel |
Did it bite more than once or just one bite? |
| Dawn |
Just one bite. It spun me around 180 degrees. When I sat up I was
in the opposite direction. It came at me while I was swimming and
I never saw it - the visibility was horrible. The bottom jaws left
a classic crescent shape on my leg. If you go on the website or when
I send you the book, you'll see it. Anyhow, I appreciate you taking
your time. |
| Nigel |
Oh thank you, good luck with the website and everything. We are
going to start shooting in a couple months, it would be quite cool
to take you back to sea. |
| Dawn |
Oh I would love that, I have dove all over the world... Back before
I had children of course. |
| Nigel |
Thanks so much, we'll speak again soon and Happy New Year. |
| Dawn |
Happy New Year to you Nigel. |
|
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