At 5:30 a.m. we headed out to shark cage dive In Gansbaai South Africa with Marine Dynamics. Unfortunately a few days ago a couple of Orca Whales chased the Great White Sharks away and they haven't come back yet. However, we saw a gigantic Cape Fur Seal colony. Well, Great Whites like to eat seals so I think the sharks will return. How many seals do you think there are in the picture that shows just a little part of the colony?
Great White Sharks are a vulnerable species. Here is some good news. Marine Dynamics works with Dyer Island Trust to help conserve the sharks. We were able to make a small donation to the fund on your behalf. Your conservation dot was placed on the shark Slashfin. Here is a little bit more about Slashfin from the Marine Dynamics website: Slashfin is a legendary 4.5m male shark. He was named 'Slashfin' after the severe damage caused to his dorsal fin - probably caused by an encounter with another shark - the shark cage diving community was able to identify him and follow his recovery for over six years during his annual visits to the Dyer Island area. The fin used to be shredded to pieces and the researchers were astonished to see how well it healed so that now it is only distinguished by two parallel scars. He is still a famous and favourite annual visitor to our waters. You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom. Super Seven and Great Eights Our tour company claims to promote responsible travel. Shark cage diving is still controversial because they do bait the sharks and bring them closer to humans. Marine Dynamics seems to be doing a pretty good job of balancing the thrill of the sharks with conservation. What do you think?--responsible or not?
20 Comments
Mrs. AB
2/14/2017 06:39:41 am
We are sorry to hear that you did not get to swim with the sharks. We were looking forward to seeing the sharks and we are sure you were too. Was Mr. Homewood disappointed?
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:12:16 am
Ray was a little disappointed about the sharks, but the marine biologist still taught us a lot about them. The seals cuddle a lot but sometimes we see them bark at each other too!
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Mrs. AB
2/14/2017 06:41:14 am
We also think this is the perfect picture for Valentine's Day!
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:14:35 am
Yes they celebrate Valentine's too. This morning they gave us a chocolate dipped fortune cookie when we checked in at the airport. Mine said "we love because it is the only true adventure".
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Kg,Lg,Mb
2/14/2017 08:03:20 am
What food has been your favourite?
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:16:03 am
We had a dinner at a South African family home last night. They made us the most delicious curried vegetables.
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HK MK OB AB
2/14/2017 08:03:43 am
Are there seals all over the place or just in specific places?
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:17:49 am
I agree...there must be 100 seals in that picture. We didn't see any seals today near Durban but there are a lot near the Cape, especially in shark alley.
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Smog
2/14/2017 08:05:19 am
Do they eat seal there?
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:19:04 am
We haven't seen seal on any menu or heard of anyone eating it!
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HEJJ
2/14/2017 08:06:15 am
Are orcas a rare occurrence or do they come often?
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:20:10 am
Apparently it is rare...the last time was 2015. BUT I would run away if something was coming to eat me too!
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Paca
2/14/2017 08:07:38 am
That's too bad about the sharks. What is the strangest food you've tried.
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:20:45 am
Still Ray and his Kudu!
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Mrs. B.'s
2/14/2017 08:14:03 am
We also think there is at least 100 seals.
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Diane
2/14/2017 10:22:07 am
Yes, I didn't know the orcas sometimes come....I thought we were going to see sharks because it is of course called shark alley. The boats see sharks 80% of the time.
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Mrs. S
2/15/2017 06:43:30 am
Some of us think:
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mb.kg.lg.ni
2/15/2017 07:45:38 am
we think there is 93 seals. how big do you think the seals are?
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Diane
2/21/2017 11:28:26 am
They are up to three hundred kg. So they can stretch out to taller than Mr. Homewood and can be almost 4 times as fat.
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KB.
2/17/2017 06:48:29 am
I think thars about 100 or 120
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