Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Face to face with the denizens of the deep
A close encounter with one of the ocean’s top predators is an experience you’ll never forget, writes TANYA WATERWORTH
MANY Durbanites are fearful of getting into water, let alone facing off with a shark. And for many, the mere mention of sharks brings on images of rows of razor-edged teeth, blood-filled water and a thrashing helpless victim.
But trying out the shark cage dive at uShaka Marine World will give you a completely different glimpse into the world of the ocean’s top predator – even if you can’t swim.
uShaka Marine World invited The Independent on Saturday to try out their cage in the shark tank. Having watched many shark attacks on National Geographic channel, as well as numerous reality show interviews with shark attack survivors, I arrived at the shark pool on Wednesday morning with a certain amount of apprehension.
But uShaka’s Animal Encounters manager, Elias Lwaboshi, a qualified diver and hugely knowledgeable about life below the waves, soon put me at ease.
With instructions on how to move around the cage, I was fitted with snorkel and goggles and then I was inside, being pulled into the middle of the shark tank.
After checking out where the sharks were in relation to the cage by snorkelling at the top, I dropped down to face the powerful predators.
Below the surface, there was an immediate sense of calm, leaving behind the rush and noise of the world above. Here was an azure world filled with silence as the first shark lazily swayed past, seemingly indifferent to my presence.
Lwaboshi had explained that the shark tank holds a number of breeds, ragged tooth, silver tip, black tip and sand sharks. The sharks are fed three times a week.
“Sharks can go seven days without eating. Sharks eat fish, they don’t eat human. If a shark bites you, it’s out of curiosity, not because he’s hungry. Around the world in a year, there are perhaps eight shark bites, yet we will kill thousands in a year. Sharks will attack when they are provoked or feel threatened.
“We need to look after them – they are important creatures,” he said.
I surfaced to get more air and spotted the large ragged tooth was on his way towards the cage. I slid back down to the cage floor.
Coming out of the shadows, this shark has an unmistakable aura of restrained power and all the arrogance of an apex predator. One black eye gives me the once over as he glides past.
“Sharks’ skin feels like sandpaper and a ragged tooth has seven rows of teeth. Because they are very speedy, there’s often the mistaken thought that sharks jump out of the water,” said Lwaboshi. “In fact, it’s the sheer force when a shark meets its prey that lifts it out of the water.”
Behind me, the rare brindle bass comes up to the cage to have his own up-close-andpersonal experience, examining me with great interest.
These fish can weigh up to 400kg and, according to Lwaboshi, are very territorial.
“They also have very strong jaws. They will ambush their prey, hold on and squeeze and then suck their prey in like a vacuum cleaner,” he explained.
I have a little more time to watch these great creatures of the ocean. Being so close to them does get the adrenalin pumping, but it also creates a sense of timelessness and a moment to be savoured and tucked away as a special memory.
And if sharks are a bit overwhelming, the Ocean Walker experience allows you to walk along the ocean bed surrounded by rays, sand sharks and deep sea fish.
“There are tuna, yellowtail, barracuda and kingfish. For the Ocean Walker experience, you are fitted with a helmet which supplies air, you can breathe easily, laugh and talk. You don’t even get your hair wet,” said Lwaboshi.
As we walk through Animal Encounter Island, a load of schoolchildren are splashing in the exotic island snorkelling pool, exploring the nooks and following an array of tropical fish such as parrot, star pufferfish, smooth houndsharks and grunter.
Buoyancy vests are available for snorkelling, so again, no swimming abilities required.
Other animal encounters include an enchanting one-on-one with a dolphin, or a touch-and-greet with a seal with a special kiss thrown in, and there is fish-feeding at the Open Ocean exhibit. Visitors of 12 and older can walk in waist-deep water, quickly finding themselves surrounded by spotted eagle rays, which they can feed by hand, along with pompano, kingfish, shad and rays.
“For our animal encounters, no knowledge of swimming is required. Our oldest Ocean Walker was 80 and the Animal Encounters Island is hugely popular with overseas and local tourists. There is nothing else like this island in Africa,” said Lwaboshi.
Out of season is the best time for Durban residents to take advantage of the specials.
There is a half-price snorkel session at R50 for 30 minutes on Monday and Tuesday, while students get reduced prices on snorkelling (R65), the Ocean Walker (R70) and the Shark Cage Dive (R100) on Wednesday and Thursday.