DiveCareDare

16/03/2026

Djenny was the first tiger shark that I encountered off Jupiter, Florida in 2015. Great to see her again considering there was a time when she was missing and assumed to be dead.

12/02/2026

Shark smarts. Great advice from Ocean Ramsey.

10/02/2026

It’s Randy Jordan’s birthday today.

The former fisher started shark Emerald dive charters out of Jupiter, Florida, where we met for the first time.

Many stories are left untold on hard drives. This YouTube post features real time video that was recorded on the dsy that Randy and I first met on his charter boat.

Real time footage features a tiger shark called Djenny with a silent “D” like Django.

When Randy massages Djenny’s head and pushes her backwards in the water, it is with the same purpose as the hand signals that are used to initiate physical interactions. The trust is specific to the established relationship that can endure for decades.

When trust is established, hook removal, even painful hook removal from around the mouth and inside the jaws becomes something that has to be seen to be believed.

Imagine what your own dog or cat might do if you attempted to remove a fish hook from their lips or gums.

Hundreds of sharks in Florida and Bahamas have these human-shark interactions with divers that they have come to know and trust.

It is legal in Florida to use a speargun while scuba diving. Fish are speared on the way to the dive site to be offered as snacks. Note that Randy offers Djenny a fish so that photographers could capture a bite shot. Djenny was not that interested. She turned up for a sentient experience with Randy.

07/02/2026

TEASER for followers.

Long before you and I met on that rainy day, my shark interaction mentor was South African, Brandon Paige. He set up Fiji’s first shark encounters at Shark Reef in Beqa Lagoon following massive coral bleaching events that left villagers desperate for work in the hotels that were no longer attracting tourists to the Coral Coast. Beqa Adventure Divers (BAD) now operate at Shark Reef. Brandon set up two more sites 2 km east of Shark Reef with The Bistro being a destination for me every year until you and I met in Florida. Before he retired, I wanted a shared experience with Brandon at his best and final site, The Cathedral, close to open ocean off Beqa Island Resort. In August, I am taking my dive buddy, Phil the Frogfather, for a high end week at Beqa Island Resort (The Cathedral) and a TimeShare week for The Bistro (AquaTrek) and Shark Reef (BAD). This text and link will be shared with Eric Isaacs who I will see in Costa Rica in November. In my dreams, you and Eric would join us for shared experiences with Brandon Paige before he retires. When I have secured flights to and from Fiji, I’ll put our costs on a spreadsheet for up to four divers to share costs at the timeshare and two divers to join us at Beqa Island Resort (The Cathedral). Sharing this as an exemplar:

This was our experience with the tiger sharks doing the Cathedral Shark Dive at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji. It’s a must for scuba diving enthusiasts who lov...

27/01/2026

How long is it going to be before the wider population is enlightened enough to understand these truths……..and demand that our democratically elected leadership does something about it…….before the 2032 Olympics in SE Queensland when the WORLD WILL BE WATCHING.

In light of recent events in Australia, this is a timely reminder that Australia already culls sharks, continuing to operate the world’s longest-running state-sanctioned marine cull, through the use of shark nets and lethal drumlines along the east coast. For nearly 90 years, both NSW and QLD have run these programs, resulting in the deaths of thousands of sharks each year.

The most current scientific research shows that culling sharks does not improve ocean safety for people. There is no evidence linking reductions in local shark populations with a decrease in human–shark encounters. Research also states that shark nets are ineffective at preventing human- shark interactions. 🦈❌
Instead, these measures can create a false sense of security, while overlooking the environmental factors that may impact shark activity and increase periods of risk.
Improving safety requires greater awareness and understanding of these factors.

Whilst the NSW Premiere has stated that the government is not considering a cull at this time, he has also confirmed that shark nets will not be removed. Shark nets are a tool of the shark cull that already runs in NSW.

The government must prioritise public education and install clear signage following significant weather events to raise awareness of when there is a greater risk to enter the water.

Shark nets need to be replaced with modern, non- lethal alternatives which are already available and backed by science, research and experts.

Our thoughts remain with the victims of the recent incidents in NSW, their loved ones, and the first responders who attended these tragic events.

27/01/2026

A couple of male cowtail stingrays alongside Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island on Australia Day with Adrian Dawson - orange fins, last frame of video.

27/01/2026

I followed a long-tailed pink ray away from the sheltered water near Manta Bommie into a current that is sometimes referred to as shark alley, North Stradbroke Island.
The pink ray video was not worth posting. Had I not left the dive group and the potential for not finding them again in the challenging conditions, I would not have seen the two spotted eaglerays.
Sharing because neither the one and only manta, nor the pink ray could be seen with as much clarity as these beautiful spotties.

27/01/2026

Flying gurnard raw and uncut near Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island on Australia Day with Adrian Dawson

27/01/2026

Wedgy, guitarfish, shovelnose ray......call them what you will from the Family Rhinobatidae.
Raw and uncut file from the sandy stretch near Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island on Australia Day with Adrian Dawson

26/01/2026

North Stradbroke Island with Adrian Dawson today.

Adrian was testing the waters today after major surgery last year.

This is an incomplete collection of his images that I scored on the ferry travelling back to the mainland.

More to follow no doubt.