'Sharks of the Forgotten Islands'

Hi all,

Am at the start of a long and tedious road to put together THE Shark diving experience to end all shark diving experiences.

Imagine ten weeks on a luxury liveaboard, cruising reefs and islands that could never have seen a diver. Imagine islanders with a steep and vested relationship, both spiritual and cultural, with sharks. Ten weeks to view, interact with and record images of up to 11 different species in their own environment. Challenging diving at times on sea mounts, in channels and lagoons not to mention untouched reefs. Does such a place exist? Fortunately yes. Where? That will remain a secret up until the very last moment.

Planned trip dates are thus far slotted for the early part of 2011 so plenty of time to save the pennies. It will not be cheap and as yet prices have yet to be finalized. What it will do is allow those with a true sense of adventure the opportunity to interact with sharks in their own environment, before it is too late.

Please contact me for more information.

Cheers,

Mark

mark(at)liquidmocean(dot)com

Yeah, need to hire a PA?

Steve

Hahah, yeah Steve, you will be the first on the list, which started about three days ago incidentally.

Cheers,

Mark.

I'm interested in two spots.

Two years to plan for this. Expedition dates will be from the start of July through mid-September 2011.

Please email for info: mark@liquidmocean.com

Cheers,

Mark.

Can I bring Gracie?

Seriously....can I bring Gracie???!!!

Cheers, Simon

Actually mark... make every participant sign a NDA never to divulge where the place is until it's really protected. Shark finners already have google.

Actually mark... make every participant sign a NDA never to divulge where the place is until it's really protected. Shark finners already have google.

The age old question: Is what we do in our imaging actually counter productive to the conservation of that which we film / photograph? Like you say, the finners have Google, Cable and DVD players too.

Cheers,

Mark.

Can I bring Gracie?

 

Seriously....can I bring Gracie???!!!

 

Cheers, Simon

Sure, but keep her away from the chum bucket, those ladles are big!!!

Cheers,

Mark.

Hi mark,

Ill need two spots for this one!! Im definitely in!!

No worries Mike. Noted and eMailed.

Mark.

Actually mark... make every participant sign a NDA never to divulge where the place is until it's really protected. Shark finners already have google.

This was my first concern... Okay second after where can i get the funds from... It would be a real shame to spoil such a sanctuary for sharks in the name of a trip... But im sure Mark will take a long look at this side of the coin before deciding the trip... Even if it means being blindfolded until we reach the destination ... which i have done a few times altho not through diving... ... it would be for the greater good... and add to the mystery...

Sounds a corker though...

Dive safe

DeanB

Sadly I am very aware of the implications of taking people to what are thought to be sanctuaries only to have people see the potential and ruin the locale with development. Well, isolation, no Internet, no mains electricity, fresh water tables etc would mean a massive investment for anyone wanting to set up any kind of business in the area, and to be honest, for 5 months of the year it is inaccessible due to bad weather. The closest location of any real size is about 1000 miles away from the main area of interest. The place is just too isolated for development. The underwater topography also makes it very hazardous for fishing gear, that said the biggest concern I have is for word getting out on the area in general as that would / could have an adverse effect. There could well be NDA's and Blindfolds for this one!!

On another note for people interested please go here as a group is forming to discuss the ongoing plans. For some reason I am only getting an allowance to send one PM a day on this service?? Is that normal? I have interest coming from a number of members but cannot PM more than one in any 24hr period.

Cheers,

Mark.

PS. Someone asked me to list the shark species we will be looking to encounter:

Gray Reef Sharks

White Tip Reef Sharks

Black Tip Reef Sharks

Nurse Sharks

Leopard Sharks

Silvertip Sharks

Silky Sharks

Galapagos Sharks

Tiger Sharks

If fortunate:

Oceanic White Tip Sharks

Scalloped Hamerhead

Great Hammerhead

Whaleshark.

This of course is not to mention the possibility of just about anything else to swim along.

Never filmed a Great Hammerhead, would love my shot at one of those. Sand Tigers in North Carolina are also on my list. Sounds like a wonderful trip Mark.

Keep me in mind.

Steve