It basically started out as what I do almost everyday and that is go out and take photos/video for myself and for the Diveshop I also work for (Sundive, Byron Bay). In recent weeks we started to see you annual aggregation of Grey Nurse Shark which move into Julian Rocks Marine park over the Winter and Spring months. With the Grey Nurse Shark here on the East Coast of Australia being classsed as a Critically endangered species we are fortunate enough to get close interaction with good numbers of the Sharks in a small area around Julian Rocks. I have seen how even in recent years the numbers of sharks that visit increase from only a handful to numbers which are hard to count (as you can see with the video clip posted above showing the amount of Sharks in a un cropped 5minute clip). From my posting of Video and stills on Sundives Facebook page which also included shots of GNS which had large stainless steel circle hooks:
From these stills and video above the staff from Sea World on the Gold Coast decided that they would come down and check if the animals are still in the area. Couplr of dives later and we confirmed that the two GNS where infact still in the area and the rescue mission was given the go ahead for the next day. Here is a few photos of that event taken from my iphone as I had my camera housed as a backup camera.
Heading down to Julian rocks onboard the Sea World research and rescue boat.
Back of the boat waiting for divers to return after the first attempt of capture.
2.4m Male captured after a 10 minute fight from being lassoed
Shark with a stainless circle hook from commerical long line fishers
The size of the hook removed after bolt cutters where used
It was actually an amazing story to have one of your photos start something like this rescue and to be able to be there through the whole event.
Regards Mark
