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was in its infancy, blues were one of the first species of
shark that people dived with outside of a cage. Due to
their temperament and curious nature they are ideal
sharks for divers to interact with. At first glance they
may appear sluggish, but don’t be fooled. When they
need to be, blues are one of the fastest sharks in the sea.
Once you’re in the water, their overt curiosity
becomes immediately evident, as does their striking
beauty. Blues are one of the most colorful sharks you’ll
find. Their appearance can go from a dark cerulean blue
to a deep purplish sheen. If you’re lucky and the lighting
is just right, you’ll see shimmering speckles of gold on
their snouts. At times they appear almost serpentine
as they slither through the water, flexing and turning
to lunge at hang baits and fish scraps. Blue sharks are
an underwater photographer’s dream. The repeated
close encounters they deliver can provide divers with
memories and images to treasure for a lifetime.
MAKO SHARKS
Shortfin makos are the fastest
sharks in the sea. They have
to be — they hunt some of
the fastest fish, including tuna,
swordfish and bonito. They
also feed on cephalopods, sea
birds and, once the sharks
are fully grown, large marine
mammals. An average adult is
approximately 9-10 feet long.
Mature females can reach 14
feet and weigh 1,100 pounds
or more.
Although fishermen see
them, it’s uncommon for
divers to see makos. Like blue
sharks, makos are a pelagic species
that lives and hunts in the endless
open ocean. When the warm
currents of the Gulf Stream come
closest to the Eastern seaboard, so
do the migrating sharks.
In the summer, New England
waters become a battleground for
shortfin makos. They’re a favorite
target of sport fishermen due to
their explosive agility and extreme
fighting power. They’re known to
leap 20 feet out of the water when
hooked, and they’ll occasionally
unleash their fury by charging or
hurling themselves into the boat.
Tales of the makos’ wrath are
legendary. As far as in-water encounters go, getting
a mako at the boat is always a special treat. Larger
individuals often arrive in a splash of power, striking
the hang baits without warning. If there’s a flurry of
excitement, the shark may not stick around for very
long. There’s a good chance they’ve experienced the
menace of a fishing boat before.
Some of the larger makos we see show signs of
human interactions, as do some of the blues. Whether
it’s an imbedded hook, open wounds or a long-line
trailing far behind them, many of the sharks bear the
scars of battles with fishermen. Other than people,
full-grown makos have very few natural predators.
Large makos are out there, but due to the constant
pressures of commercial fishing their numbers are
in decline. If you have the opportunity to dive with a
mako, it will be a smaller juvenile.
A diver photographs a passing blue shark.
A blue shark at night
