DIVELOG JUNE 406

MARINE BIOLOGY WITH MIKE SCOTLAND - FISH IDENTIFICATION

AGONISTIC BEHAVIOUR

I have been diving with wobbegongs for 47 years. I am close to claiming my Million wobbegong sighting award. Here are a few things about their agonistic behaviour. 1. They are very alert and watch you with an extremely concentrated gaze at one metre distance. 2. They will twitch their pectoral fins and give a little warning shuffle when you are less than 70 cms. 3. They raise themselves up on the powerful pectoral fins and either turn away or lunge at you. 4. They do like to charge you, fearlessly. 5. Female sharks like to swim directly beneath you. I usually swim 61 cms above the ocean floor. I have had many

occasions when a big female has swum beneath me, Yes, just a few inches away. 6. Males sometimes swim a few inches above you. 7. If you approach too suddenly, they will lunge at speed, open their mouth wide and bark at you. 8. Always respect wobbegongs. In the photo above, you can see the wobbegong flapping its pectoral fins and raising its head. The female in the background underneath my buddy is in high alert mode, raised up and ready to move into action. Below: Tuggerah, Sydney NSW my buddy, another wobby lover, getting up close and personal at 40+ metres depth.

82

DIVE LOG Australasia #406 - June ‘24

www.divelog.net.au