418 Dive Log Australasia JUNE 2026.pdf

This Tiger Shark known as “Farida” has sustained a broken jaw injury, but otherwise it looks very healthy, indicating it doesn’t impair her ability to hunt

populations. When shark numbers decline, the effects ripple outward, impacting reefs, fish stocks, and the stability of entire marine environments that billions of people depend on. The fear surrounding sharks has largely been shaped by media and sensationalism rather than evidence. Dramatic headlines and films have reinforced the image of sharks as dangerous killers, when in reality the risk of an encounter is extremely low, even for those who spend significant time in the water. As more people enter the ocean for recreation, encounters may increase, but that does not mean sharks are becoming more aggressive. It simply reflects greater overlap between human activity and their natural habitat. A more accurate way to look at the relationship is this: when I enter the ocean, I am stepping into their environment. Coexistence is not only possible, it is already happening every day. Divers and freedivers regularly interact with sharks without incident by remaining calm, aware, and respectful. These animals are not mindless predators; they are highly evolved, efficient, and often cautious creatures that play a

vital role in keeping the ocean functioning. Shifting perception from fear to understanding is essential. Sharks are not monsters to be feared, but key components of a system we depend on. The more we understand their true nature and importance, the easier it becomes to replace fear with respect and, ultimately, to coexist with them in a way that benefits both the ocean and ourselves. If there is one thing Fuvahmulah leaves me with, it is perspective. Out there, face to face with an apex predator, the noise falls away and what remains is clarity: about risk, about respect, and about my place in the ocean. I did not come here to conquer anything. I came to observe, to learn, and to adapt. And when I did it right—calm, aware, and present—the ocean gave something back: a rare, honest encounter that stayed with me long after I had left the water. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freediving.visions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vadim.belakhov YouTube: https://youtube.com/@freediving.visions Email: vbelakhov@gmail.com

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DIVE LOG Australasia #418 JUNE ‘26

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