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Posted on 06/24/2003 7:39:01 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SYDNEY (Reuters) -
A Great White Shark has gatecrashed a tuna research project in Australia, mysteriously appearing inside a fishing pen containing around 100 tuna.
The 13-foot shark, weighing about 1,500 pounds, is thought to have either bitten its way into the tuna pond or leapt a 7.5 foot electrified fence while chasing a seal last Thursday.
Scientists at the pen off the coast of the South Australian tuna fishing town of Port Lincoln said Tuesday the shark had swum contently around the pen, but they were not sure how the tuna felt about their uninvited guest.
A head count of the tuna showed two had disappeared.
"When the shark swims to the surface the tuna swim to the bottom of the net and vice versa," said a spokesman for the South Australian Research Development Institute.
The scientists, who are studying tuna feeding, said they eventually coaxed the Great White from the cage by using a net to funnel it out through underwater gates.
Only the best tuna get to sharkkist
I bet the seal jumped OVER the entire net!
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Huge for these is 40 feet.
The size of the GW is of great interest to not only the general public but also to marine biologists.
It is not known how large the GW gets but a top size of approximately 7 meters (approx. 21 feet) is the most often quoted figure.
How long is this? Picture a couple of Hondas parked in a row and then picture a shark as long as the two cars with a mouth about 3-4 feet wide and you've got a pretty good idea.
The average GW is not nearly as large being only about 10-15 feet in length. However, this is still longer than my Mazda . . . which is big enough for me!
A distinct possibility ......
There was a thread some time ago about Great Whites "flying." The pictures are no longer showing up but here is the thread.
A Google Images search on Great Whites produces some amazing photos.
Great White Shark Pictures from - Apex Predators
Check the photographic prints pulldown. Some great shots.
or
GreatWhite.org
Predator of the Deep
A friend of mine, let's call him Chuck, who is somewhat crazy, tells this story. Knowing him I believe it!
One day, Chuck was out diving with friends off Davenport, about half way between Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz CA.
He was swimming along, minding his own business, trying out his new $80 flippers. A seal grabbed one of his flippers. Annoyed, he kicked his foot up to shake the seal loose. This flipped HIM up under what he describes as a boxcar with fins. His "seal" was a Great White Shark!
The shark didn't like the taste of rubber and spit out the fin. He boosted for the surface stuck his head up and said "HELP!" Head back down, look for shark. Head up: "SHARK!" At this point he sees everybody on the boat franticly running to and fro. He and the boat manage to get together.
Later he found out that some local fishermen were in the habit of cleaning their catch in that area.
Soooo, the shark came up beside the boat looking for a handout. Finding none it then swam off in his direction. His friends said it was as long as the boat, 12 feet.
OK, now fast forward a month and a half. Chuck is visiting friends in San Diego, They go out for a dive. There are Basking Sharks, a harmless filter feeder, in the area. So his friend who knows about the earlier dive says, "Hey, Chuck! Wanna swim with the sharks?"
Slow Learner Chuck says "Sure!"
Soon, he's in the water. He sticks his head up and can see the dorsal fin of a shark approaching him. Oh goody! Dunks his head and looks. The water is too murky. Head up. Fin still coming. Head down, too murky. Then...
Out of the gloom a mouth "big enough for me to stand up in in any direction" suddenly appears.
His friend says it was the funniest thing he ever saw. Chuck came straight up out of the water, walked 10 feet across the surface and sank back down...
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