Semarnat Delegate in Quintana Roo diving with the Bull Sharks at Phantom Divers.

On March 4th 2017, we had the honor of diving with Renan Sánchez at Phantom Divers who is the Delegate of Semarnat in Quintana Roo. He accompanied us on our legendary Bull Shark diving, so he had the opportunity to live this amazing experience. We talked about the marine life importance in the ecosystem, including the Bull Sharks that visit Quintana Roo every winter. He knows about the big efforts of Saving Our Sharks for the protection and conservation of the Bull Sharks, and is really proud of all the work done. 

Coexisting with Bull Sharks in the Mexican Caribbean

In Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, it is possible to observe Bull Sharks through diving and to be close to this shark, which swims in shallow waters and close to the people.

It was in 1975, when the Hollywood movie "Jaws" directed by Steven Spielberg, whose success resulted in many myths that revolve around the specie that inspired this film: the Bull Shark.
Its size is medium, large and robust body (its name is due to these features), and has long pectoral fins; although it has been classified by experts as an aggressive species, the risk of being attacked by one of them is very low. That's why in our country in the area of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, it is possible to observe it through the dive, by expert guides.
Although we do not know why these sharks come to the waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Bull Shark appears from December to March. The season can vary depending on the current, climate and food.
All specimens are females and most of them arrive pregnant, according to Jorge Loria, one of the pioneers in this activity that has been performed for 17 years in Playa del Carmen, and which has become an opportunity to see up close the behavior of Bull Sharks in their natural environment.

CERTIFIED DIVERS

To practice this extreme activity, tourists should be certified divers with at least 30 dives in their log books.
We must also comply with a dress code that doesn´t drag their attention. It consists of carrying a full black wetsuit and carry no bright objects such as jewelry or bracelets.
Most people feel scared before diving, he says, but in reality, besides knowing breath control, equalization techniques and have no air consumption problems (asthma), no further security action is needed more than the desire to know the behavior of this animal.
Already in the bottom of the sea, 22 to 24 meters deep, visitors are placed  in a line, lying on their stomachs and close together to avoid blocking the visibility of others. 
The intention is that they can observe how one of the two guides distributes pieces of bait for sharks to come and eat, all within five meters from the group.
This activity lasts around 25 minutes, during which people can appreciate Bull Sharks, inches away. Underwater, this awesome shark which can grow up to three meters, is admired white and imposing.

A SENSE OF PEACE

Most who do this activity for the first time, finish with a sense of peace, contrary to how they felt at the very beginning, says Jorge. Furthermore, it has become an incentive to reflect on shark conservation and join the cause to support its protection since 90 percent of the species in the world has disappeared.
Today, Playa del Carmen is specializing as one of the best places to dive with sharks (in Bahamas, which is first, the activity generates an economic impact of $ 80 million).
Jorge added that the amount of bait offered to them is very small, so they are not altering their feeding practices.
To learn more about the species, Jorge and his team created Saving Our Sharks NPO, in which they work through field support as placing underwater receivers, biopsies (which UNAM analyzes), placing them marks to understand their movement patterns, satellite and awareness actions. 
Before diving please read more about these animals. Since all Bull Sharks are pregnant females, the goal is to determine where they give birth to their babies and protect them.

Bull Shark swims in shallow water, even in freshwater rivers and very close to people, at which incidents occur, when they confuse their food with humans. Besides not trying to touch them (only the specialized guides are allowed), you should know that humans are not part of their diet.
In the world, nearly a hundred million sharks disappear every year, because their meat and fins are sold as exotic food; "We are a danger to them and not them for us," explains the expert. Attack sharks is attacking the balance of the entire marine ecosystem.
The idea of these dives was born in order to show tourists that the bull shark only attacks if it feels threatened or provoked, but currently it´s even protected.
So, besides diving with Bull Sharks, you will get more knowledge about this misunderstood species, and above all, you will know that they are not the aggressive creatures that Hollywood films were commissioned to make us believe.

EL FINANCIERO

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