Passengers on whale-watching cruises off Dana Point on Tuesday afternoon did not get to see the blue whales they were searching for, but enjoyed a rare sighting of a great white shark.
Capt. Chris Pica, aboard the Dana Pride out of Dana Wharf Whale Watching, spotted the shark off the vessel's bow, 1.8 miles due south of Dana Point harbor and about 1 mile from shore.
The vessel was on its noon excursion. Pica, a veteran skipper who said he was 100% certain it was a white shark, estimated the predator to measure 10 feet, making it a large juvenile.
Juvenile white sharks feed off Southern California, mostly on fish, rays and skates. However, once they reach 10-12 feet they also start targeting seals and sea lions.
"It swam several times around our boat and this shark was aggressive--he was hungry," Pica said. "He kept making these sharp turns and quick cuts, as though he was looking for something to eat."
Not far in the distance was a green buoy manned by several sea lions, which may or may not have been aware of the shark's presence.
Pica radioed captains aboard Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari and the Ocean Institute, and their passengers were able to see the shark also.
--Pete Thomas
--Image of the white shark is courtesy of Dana Wharf Whale Watching
Great photo. You can't get often the chance to see a white shark.
Posted by: tercüme bürosu | Sep 30, 2012 at 07:10 AM
A rare sighting?
"How cold it is on the mountain!
Not just this year but always.
Crowded peaks forever choked with snow"
The marine life it devours
bite-by-bite:
comes and goes.
The mysterious cafe
Renown for these sharks
Is farther away than I can tell
As men
Feign disbelief of their man-eating nature
Like a wish into the well.
Posted by: drudown | Sep 26, 2012 at 01:44 AM