Leslie Mcpherson on fri 15 dec 00
aloha all....
Just wanted to clarify something so that potential visitors to our
beautiful island do not have the fear of god put into them about the
reality of sharks here. As Christen states:
"This is advised, as certain beaches are better for one or the other, or
need to be avoided on account of sharks!"
1. To scare people about sharks is totally unrealistic, I have lived here
20 years and can think of three people that have been attacked by
sharks. All of these were surfers. If visitors have any thing to be
really concerned about, it is the potential of the ocean itself to take
people who are unaware of the oceans power and what to do if caught
in the situation. Now that is a reality. Be informed about that, the
ocean has taken so many people here I have lost count. Way more
than sharks.
2. Sharks as a rule are not hanging around the shoreline, where most
people snorkel here.
3. I was snorkeling off Ni'ihau a couple of months ago and swam right
over a shark, who by the way, was not the least bit interested in me.
In closing, it's too bad those Jaws movies have given sharks such a
bad rap. They are there....no doubt but not to the extent that this
person has stated.
Just wanted to clarify that......it's the ocean itself you need to be aware
of
leslie
JODO96@AOL.COM on sat 16 dec 00
Leslie
Must agree with you on the shark issue. We were in Maui last month there was
a shark attack. It was a case of mistaken identity she had a nasty bite but
if the shark was really interested it would have been a real horror. As a
former scuba diver all of my encounters with sharks have been nothing to
speak of. We are not in their food chain and they have been interested in
small game (fish ). Sharks do frequent shallower waters in search of food.
Most attacks that I am familiar with have occurred around fishing piers. When
you think about all the bait from the fishermen why would you want to swim
near a pier. It gets the sharks all confused.
My most annoying encounter with any fish came from a 3 inch Dusty Damsel fish
They are very territorial and a pest, kept swatting the thing, would bite my
ears peck at my mask pull my hair. I was too close to its nest.
Have a great trip to the islands just visit the local dive shop and they will
tell you all the recommended snorkeling places for you level as well as give
you a map.
Dorothy Weber
Manakin-Sabot, Va.
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