Title – Sharks in the Shallow
Date – September 2004
Location - Bikini Atoll – Marshal Islands
Walking along a deserted beach in the middle of the day under the heat of the Pacific sun, you fancy a swim to cool off; it’s a little off-putting when you walk down to the shore line only to be faced with a small Black Tip Shark lurking in the shallows. The question you might ask yourself is; where’s mummy? That might well be your mummy but the more sensible question is where is it’s mummy? But having a good knowledge of sharks should reassure you that actually, only a very few species are genuinely dangerous and common sense measures can reduce the risks further.
So I walked along the shoreline to a location where I might not be disturbing this truly beautiful little animal. I walked at least half a mile up the beach and my new best friend followed me the whole way, this picture was taken when I finally gave up and returned to camp.
They say knowledge is power and it certainly can be. Knowledge can give you the power to overcome common ignorant fears. There is no reason not to swim in these waters because of this shark; it’s a small and relatively harmless species, certainly reasonably harmless when this size. But knowledge should also tell you that on Bikini Atoll, here in the Marshall Islands, there may be a reason this Shark is so close in to the shoreline. Tiger Sharks regularly patrol the beaches here and they do give you very good reason to stay out of the water.
Beyond The Blue is a training company set up to help individuals gain the knowledge they need to travel safely to their chosen destinations. Through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we provide those attending with the skills and information they will need to successfully prepare for and execute the trip they have planned.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Date – September 2004
Location - Bikini Atoll – Marshal Islands
Walking along a deserted beach in the middle of the day under the heat of the Pacific sun, you fancy a swim to cool off; it’s a little off-putting when you walk down to the shore line only to be faced with a small Black Tip Shark lurking in the shallows. The question you might ask yourself is; where’s mummy? That might well be your mummy but the more sensible question is where is it’s mummy? But having a good knowledge of sharks should reassure you that actually, only a very few species are genuinely dangerous and common sense measures can reduce the risks further.
So I walked along the shoreline to a location where I might not be disturbing this truly beautiful little animal. I walked at least half a mile up the beach and my new best friend followed me the whole way, this picture was taken when I finally gave up and returned to camp.
They say knowledge is power and it certainly can be. Knowledge can give you the power to overcome common ignorant fears. There is no reason not to swim in these waters because of this shark; it’s a small and relatively harmless species, certainly reasonably harmless when this size. But knowledge should also tell you that on Bikini Atoll, here in the Marshall Islands, there may be a reason this Shark is so close in to the shoreline. Tiger Sharks regularly patrol the beaches here and they do give you very good reason to stay out of the water.
Beyond The Blue is a training company set up to help individuals gain the knowledge they need to travel safely to their chosen destinations. Through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we provide those attending with the skills and information they will need to successfully prepare for and execute the trip they have planned.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
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