418 Dive Log Australasia JUNE 2026.pdf

I could see out of the corner of my eye that “Risla” was heading straight at me, but as soon as I made direct eye contact, it made a very sharp turn and veered away

ocean environment I had been diving in. It was quieter and more enclosed, with birdlife moving through the trees and wetlands. Scattered around the island are also small cultural and historical sites that are easy to miss if you are not looking for them. Places like Vasho Veyo, an old coral stone bathing pool, and the remains of Havitta, a structure dating back to the Buddhist era. They are not large or dramatic, but they add depth to the island. For me, they gave context to the place beyond diving, and they were worth stopping for while moving between locations. Looking back on the week, the experience exceeded every expectation I had. What started as a long-planned goal quickly became something far more personal, an immersive encounter that reshaped how I see these animals. Being in the water with Tiger Sharks day after day and observing their behaviour up close, I began to understand them not as something to fear, but as ancient, highly intelligent, and remarkably composed predators. There is a quiet confidence in the way they move, a constant awareness, curiosity, and restraint that

challenges the common perception of them. It is an experience that stays with me, one that shifts perspective long after I leave the water. For decades, sharks have been portrayed as ruthless, man-eating predators. It is a narrative deeply embedded in popular culture, but it does not hold up against the facts. Globally, shark related fatalities average only a handful each year, typically fewer than ten, while humans kill an estimated 80 to 100 million sharks annually through fishing and bycatch. The imbalance is extreme, and sharks are not a significant threat to humans. Humans are not part of their natural diet. Most species feed on fish, squid, or marine mammals, and encounters with people are typically driven by curiosity or confusion rather than intent. Out of more than 500 shark species, only a very small number have ever been involved in incidents with humans, and even then, such interactions are rare and usually non-fatal. At the same time, their role in the ocean is critical. As apex predators, they help maintain balance within marine ecosystems by removing weak and injured animals and regulating

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DIVE LOG Australasia #418 JUNE ‘26

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