Hi Anderson,
Thanks for the upclose and personal experience with a great white.
They really are incredible creatures albiet I don’t think I want to snorkle with them. The sea lions didn’t have much luck with that.
Thanks for bringing us this valuable information for the PIP.
And congratulations for staying out of the food chain!
XXOO

Anderson,
It’s about time you rejoined us here on your little ole blog! LOL Thought you’d forgotten us! LOL

It must have been really amazing getting to dive though in a cage with sharks. I would LOVE to do that!! I know you had to be scared to death! I would have been but would have done it anyway! LOL

Sharks got a bad rap from the movie Jaws. Ever since then everyone has seen them as nothing but man eaters which is so untrue. They are dangerous but they are very much needed to keep the ecosystem alive and well.

I’ve seen great whites when they were caught when we were deep sea fishing but only after they were caught and being reeled in.. But I have snorkeled and seen other types of sharks…less dangerous ones of course! LOL

Thanks for sharing your experience and videos with us Coop! I hope that we get to see a lot about this in the PIP 2 doc in December. I can’t wait!

C-Ya tonight!!

Cindy..Ga.

Anderson, thanks for sharing you experience with sharks with us. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. PIP II should be interesting.

Hi Anderson,
Sharks are a vital member of the food chain. I still remember your report last year on the effect on Yellowstone when wolves were re-introduced. I have been in Alaska for the past week and it is amazing to think that one predator can have such an impact on the environment, but they do. The park ranger in Glacier Bay National Park was explaining how important sharks and whales are to the ecosystem in keeping balance. I’m excited to see your report this fall. Thanks.

I think the movie “Jaws” gave sharks a bad rap that they’re out to hurt and eat man. Hopefully, PIP 2 will provide us all a better understanding about them and an awareness that these natural predators are necessary for a healthy underwater ecosystem to exist.

You know, a diving vacation has never been my thing, but since hearing about your latest adventure, it has got me intrigued. I like a nice challenge every now and then, and someday I’d like to get in one of those cages and experience it myself. I also want to help preserve these remarkable creatures.

Wow, Mr. Rutzen free-dives without a protective cage? I just find that truly amazing and brave of him.

Thanks for blogging about this today.

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

Never a dull day with you, hanging with sharks, Gorillas , crazy liberals all in a days work, I really liked the clever little seal who tricked fate. Must say I’m jealous, except for the hanging with the crazy liberals part. thanks for your intrepid flare for life.

Maritza

Hi Anderson,

Thanks for the informative comments about the dive and the Great Whites. Awesome job. Man, I would love to experience what you have. I would be a total whimp about it, but it would be so worth the effort.

Were you able to discover any previously unknown facts about the sharks while you were there? Just wondering.

Only through study and inderstanding of these incredible creatures, can we begin to change the way we think about them and move forward to protecting them. The work that you are doing with PIP is therefore vitally important. As someone who loves the sea and all of its creatures, I thank you for taking this on.

It has to be said that I sincerely hope that your next installment does not include you swimming with the Great White’s sans cage. That is one step waaay over the line mister! LOL. Please be safe. We prefer to have you around for a long, long time.

Really apprecaite the time to blog about this. All the best Anderson!

hi, Anderson. I am glad that you are back safely. That was one kind of experience you had there. It must be surreal to see those white sharks that close. I am so looking forward to see the Planet In Peril this December. It is gonna be wonderful.

Anderson, the footage of you with the sharks has been great–but it was hard not to think of that creepy scene in Jaws where Richard Dreyfuss was in the shark cage while watching it.

I had no idea sharks were being killed in such large numbers on a yearly basis or that many of their habits are still unknown. Sharks are fascinating creatures but I don’t think I’d be brave enough to go free diving with them–the shark cage is about as far as I’d want to take it.

*you were hilarious on Regis and Kelly today, btw.

Thanks for the amazing pictures from South Africa. While seeing the sharks swimming near the surface by the side of the boat would have been amazing … don’t know about being submerged in the cage with the shark charging at you! Did you need to hold onto the inner bar of the cage to stay submerged? I don’t think I could have kept my hands anywhere near the sides of the cage with a shark approaching in that way. Memories of scenes from “Deep Blue Sea” would come to mind. While it is rare for the sharks to attack humans, I seem to recall a story you reported awhile ago about someone being killed by a shark while on a free dive. The cage seems to be a much safer bet!

The demise of the great whites reminds me of your story about the effect of killing off wolves in Yellowstone, and the unforseen effects that had. Looking forward to Planet in Peril II in the fall.

Hi Again, I’m really looking forward to the Planet in Peril: Battle Lines show in December. Keep up the great work and Thanks. Good day, see you later.

I have tried to teach my young students that predators are not “bad”, that other animals are simply the food that their bodies are designed to consume. But here on the Pacific Coast there are frequent stories of surfers killed or injured by sharks, so it’s wise to be cautious when in their territory.

I’m just wondering though, Anderson, why you’re not wearing a scuba tank in the photos. Did you take it off for the cameras or did you have to hold your breath the whole time you were in the cage?

I’m glad you’re back safe and sound and I’m looking forward to future segments of Planet in Peril. I just love your field reporting!

Barbara

I really hate the way that an old book/movie from the 70’s has ruined the perception of these animals, as well as a culture and culinary movement that is contributing to a decimation/slaughter of an entire species . If only the where some sort of international law, strick patrolling measures with stiff fines and/or even stiffer prosecutions of the people responsible for this frenzy of slaughter.

Hi Anderson.
Thanks for the upclose and the videos about great whit sharks.
Looking forward to PIP ll.
Take care
From Dorte

Anderson:

Thanks for bringing us along on your diving experience….what an adrenaline rush that must have been.

Between you diving with the sharks and Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, last week was a great week for shark fans. It’s a shame that they are needlessly killed for their fins, like so many animals that suffer needless deaths at the hand of mankind.

I hope you continue to report more animal stories, so that you can be the voice for those that cannot speak for themselves.

Hey Anderson….thanks for writing about your experience diving with the sharks. I don’t think I would ever do it so I will enjoy it through your account of the experience.

I am so looking forward to PiP 2….December can not come fast enough

Anderson:

You may have missed Mike Rove’s show this week on Discovery — Dirty Jobs. The scientist Mike was working with was is an expert in shark autopies and he too was tagging sharks off the coast of Africa.
The shark bodies were so amazing and the scientists were trying to figure out what killed some of the great whites.

If you get a chance you may be able to pick it up on the internet or on a Discovery re-run. It definately is worth watching and very interesting. I would encourage anyone interested in sharks to watch the show.

As always, my family and I wish you the best!

I can imagine how fascinating it was. I can say that even watching it, scared the bejezus out of me… Yikes… It is amazing when you think about it….. All creatures, no matter how small or how big have a place on this great earth and a shame to think of those that are at risk.

Should be an awesome series, something to look forward to in December after all the political coverage is over. I’m so glad that AC360 is doing this planet in peril series. With all the other issues out there right now, how are we ever going to address these bigger broader issues. Unfortunatley I think everyone is so focused on energy prices, economic issues, healthcare, saving for retirement, etc etc. and solving those issues seem so overwhelming that there is no time for the “planet in peril” type issues, which is a shame.

Anderson,
thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the great white sharks. Your report shows these sharks in a different light. Hopefully they will get some of the respect they deserve! How brave of you though Anderson!! Very impressive! What’s next for you Anderson? I can only imagine!

Anderson,
Hi! It’s great to see your blog-writing this afternoon. I admire your courage and care in preparation for your shark report.
I know you could never be completely out of danger surrounded by great white sharks. The one that hit your cage during the video, though, looked more dazed than predator-like. I can see how being close to the sharks would give a more thorough understanding of their nature–and could eventually help their survival.
I look forward to seeing you later!

hey Anderson, I don’t know anyone who still thinks sharks are killer-machines out to get swimmers! I think thanks to a lot of smart TV documentaries, people these days are actually informed about the necessity of the shark, and the fact that attacks are rare and usually by mistake.

BTW, how come you’re not wearing scuba gear? How long can you hold your breath?

Looking forward to the whole PIP2 film, and kudos for overcoming your fear and diving despite of it.

Anderson:

Thanks for getting out the word about the imperiled plight of the great white sharks!

Saw you on Regis & Kelly this morning. Very funny! Just thought I would point out that the gas one breathes while Scuba diving is “compressed air,” not “oxygen” as you and Kelly stated. “Compressed air” is approximately 21% oxygen/79 % nitrogen (there are some other trace gases in there too)–exactly what we breathe at the surface.

Keep up your excellent work!

Am I the only person who remembers Jabber Jaw, the cartoon shark that came out in his own show on Saturday mornings in the late 1970’s to offset the fear of Jaws for kids? Jabber was anything but scary. What you watched underwater was just outright beautiful. I always thought sharks were cool because my dad made them cool for me. He taught me about them. He took me to aquariums to see them in captivity. That education as a child of sharks (and all animals for that matter) gave me a respect and appreciation for them, an ability to see what they teach us, and a responsibility toward them I still have to this day. I think adults need to sit with kids, watch these PIP shows (and other programs about nature), and talk about the issues raised. Last year my students loved watching and discussing PIP. I can’t wait until this next one comes out. They offer such teachable opportunities we have to share with kids if we want our planet to survive. And as adults we can ooh and ah at Anderson looking at sharks and gorillas and elephants all we want, but reality says the oohs and ahs won’t change a thing unless we can get children to ooh and ah and believe they can make a difference one day as well.

Anderson…

Welcome back.

I am glad to see that sharks are getting some” positive press” But I, personally, am not in any hurry to go diving with them. The video on last night’s ” Shot:” was amazing.

Hellooo Anderson!!!!
That is so amazing to see you, I felt so scared of sharks, I know you were so scared of sharks!!!!!! LOL!!!!!! 2 days ago I watched the shark on the discovery channel, I learned so lot of sharks, if people are aware warning from lifeguard if sharks are really dangerous in the ocean!!!!! I knew what people didn’t know sharks are dangerous to attack!!!! or shark will smell this person to attack people who hurt or kill. I am so nervous of you!!!!! you are so lucky go down to cage to see shark! I am so thankful that you are safe from shark!! I love your face smile, you really so brave!!!! you are so my hero!!!! One time I watch “The Jaws” in the film. that was so scary!!!! I can’t wait see this Planet in Peril 2 in December!!! I am so exciting to see sharks!!!! Thanks for reporting from S. Africa about sharks!!!!
I will see you tonight on program and live blog!!! See you there!!! love you. XOXO
Megan D.
Shoreline, Wa

Hey Anderson
It must be a big feeling looking in a mouth of a big wite shark.i am hornest bevor i saw this verry nice pictures i was not a big fan of sharks,but now i see how powerful , clever and beautiful this animals are.

Hi Anderson,
Impressive work and an awesome experience! Can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
Take care!

Anderson:
Thanks for blogging about your experience and for teaching me something about sharks that I didn’t know. I now understand their importance. Watching divers swim with them cageless is quite exciting. Talk about being at the edge of your seat! On one of the Shark Week specials, they even placed a camera on one and talk about some cool looking video. It was right up there with the shot of that shark biting your cage! Well, needless to say, you have enlightened me on the topic of sharks. I hope you stay with this topic and keep us updated as to new findings and learnings of the Great Whites. Looking forward to PIP2.

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

Hello Anderson,
it’s fascinating to read your report. U’r very brave to have done this: diving with the great white sharks. Me, no… i’m not that brave, sorry… - I sure look forward to see PIPII this fall. — & welcome back

Hey Anderson =]

This is so interesting. I can’t wait to see Planet in Peril. The last one was so incredible. It made me see things in an entirely different light. I can’t wait to see what is revealed about these majestic creatures in your report. Thank you for all of your time and effort and everything you put into this to bring these amazing stories to our tv’s and er… currently, laptops =]
Hope life is wonderful,
<3 Brittany

Anderson,

As I watched you in the shark cage I thought about your comments in “Dispatches from the Edge” and I couldn’t help but wonder if you somehow felt as though you were fulfilling your “Calypso” dream of swimming with the sharks.

The videos of your dive looked frightening, yet stimulating! As with the mountain gorillas, it must be a very humbling feeling to experience the sharks in their own habitat, on their terms, knowing these animals have no sense of who you are, seeing you as just another creature in the world.

One can better appreciate many things and situations when they are more clearly understood.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Nice to have you back on the blog, Anderson.
Did you have any desire to ‘free dive’ with the sharks? The footage seen so far is remakable, & congrats on overcoming your fear.
Am looking forward to PIP2 for the ‘entire’ story.
Am glad you are ok, &, as usual, making us feel that ‘we are there’ with you. You do that best. Thank you.

Hey Anderson,

It was good to see your smiles and laughs on Regis and Kelly this morning - viewers don’t get to see much of that watching the news.

When I watch the video of you with the sharks I am freaking out about your little hands holding on to the cage - I get to thinking the shark could bite them - I would have held them down by my side - I’m scared of sharks.

See you tonight.

I think as long as Rutzen didn’t refer to you as “Chum” you were safe. If I recall correctly, Mike Rutzen is known as the “shark whisperer”. I’ve seen film footage of him free diving with sharks, where after many days of earning their trust, he puts them into a seemingly catatonic state. By holding onto their dorsal fins, the sharks then take him for rides. Rutzen has also helped the White Shark Trust organization in tagging sharks to gather more data about their migration habits and other valuable data. Rutzen is a remarkable advocate for all sharks.

Anderson

Watching the footage of you in that dive cage was fascinating and scary at the same time. The big jaws and sharp teeth of the shark looked like they could make hash of that cage pretty quickly if the shark really wanted to get to the “shark snacks” inside. I’m glad the shark opted for the easier chum and tuna head put in the water to attract him.

I can’t believe that a hundred million sharks a year are killed; that is just staggering. And its even worse when you realize they just kill them for their fins and then dump the shark back in the water to die. That is as wasteful and as tragic as when we hunted the buffalo almost to extinction just for their pelts. I hope that in doing shows like Planet in Peril that people will become more conscious of the wonderful wildlife who share this planet with us. Perhaps then we can make real progress in cutting out all the senseless killing of wildlife.

BTW, I thought you were quite brave getting in that cage knowing there were those big sharks in the water. So now you have this amazing experience you will always remember - that’s cool.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Anderson:

Welcome back!

From the smiles on your face as you filed your reports,you must have had an incredible experience seeing the sharks up close like that.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us,and I look forward to seeing that,plus more,on the next Planet In Peril program.

Take care.

Interesting that I’m the first male to respond………Anderson……I think you know who your target audience is. Thanks for the sharkage.

Linz

Anderson there have got to be thousands of people that love the life you live. It is so full of adventure. I would imagine that you are still living an adventure even when you are sleeping. You are so fortunate to have the opportunity to do the things in life you have done. We are fortunate that you can share them with us through CNN. Thanks so much

Jaws was a great film and I only watched it the other day. As usual thanks Anderson for the really interesting article and video about sharks. I was reading on Wikipedia that like with whales and fish sharks are being over caught and killed and are rapidly going exinst and hopefully your journalism here will have made us aware of this and what we can do about it for the better. Check out the Megalodon on Wikipedia.

Anderson, thanks for sharing the video and posting a blog entry about your time with the sharks- it is quite interesting.

I would not ever get close to sharks like that, getting close to one in a zoo (that was in a glass-walled aquarium) made me nervous.

I remember the “Jabber Jaw” cartoons from way back when. I saw that cartoon in the 80s (reruns, obviously). For me, it was not a favorite, I thought the Jabber Jaw was creepy and avoided the show whenever possible.

As an avid scuba diver, i want to thank you for publicizing what has long been noticed in the dive community.

I was once a novice diver afraid of sharks until i was underwater with them and found: 1. they didnt bother or come after me (in fact most sharks keep away from divers), and 2. they are magnificent creatures to observe.

Over the years i have travelled to specific regions just to see sharks and Im sad to say that within the last few years they are becoming a rare sight.

Hey Anderson, Remember these words? “I imagined myself swimming slowly alongside a Great White, my hand resting slightly on its cold, silver steel skin”. Your words from, “Dispatches from the Edge”. Following your recent experience with the Great Whites, I bet your happy you were only imagining a swim with them.
I was not aware that science knows so little about sharks. I am so old I thought I, at least, had some knowledge about most things, but your reporting never ceases to amaze me. I still learn new things.
See ya` tonight.

Hi Anderson,
Thank you for including a story about sharks for PIP2. It will be so nice seeing them in a different light instead of the man-eaters they are portrayed to be. It proves every species has a place and job in this world. It must have been a fabulous experience!

Sharks are amazing creatures at the top of their food chain. I’ve scuba-dived with Tiger, Reef and Nurse sharks. I can assure you that sharks are no more dangerous to you and I than congress!-

Do you think there is some way we could get a great white shark to eat the Olsen twins?

“The chances of getting attacked by a shark are extremely small.”…except, perhaps, when free-diving with Great White Sharks. Everything in moderation, including placing your life in the ocean’s top predator’s fins, that’s my motto.

I can’t wait for the new Planet in Peril!!! Thanks for all the videos you bring us Anderson. You are truely talented

Thank you for this story. My family have recently seen the film sharkwater and felt so sorry for these magnificent creatures it was heartbreaking to watch. It also gave hope that there were people who are out there to fight for sharks.

Hi Anderson,
The Great White has it’s place and purpose in this world like every creature. They are here for a reason. However, they are not the most pretty face in the ocean, but they can’t help nature made they homely as a mud fence. And those teeth! Best to view from a distance. Good work.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Fascinating tale Anderson, but I have you topped. Last weekend I went to a pool party thrown by my brother, a trial lawyer…. and I swam in a pool - without a cage - with over 12 lawyers …. and some of them had great white hair

Strong experince and couraje. Any broken fang or feng in the cage?

Anderson, you deserve a medal for your bravery! I recall from reading Dispatches from the Edge your fascination about sharks. I admired your writing and your fascination. I must admit sharks are definitely not on my list of things to watch thus I have always avoided movies or documentaries that included them. Last week, I was afraid to even look at the screen when I first saw your special report. However, your reporting was so incredible that at some point, I actually sympathized with these ferocious specimens. Instead of cowardly changing the channel, my eyes were glued to the screen – my perception of them completely changed. Blame it on your impeccable reporting. Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting for the next Planet in Peril: Battle Lines. Did I mention you deserve a medal for your bravery? Great Job! You have my undivided attention!

Sorry if I dont agree with this. OK, nobody should kill them, but come on!!!!!!!!!!! Not man eaters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bottom line is… HUMANS SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If sharks think we look like seals, then we shouldnt risk that. And for the guys who try to convince us they are not as bad as we think…. How do they feel when somebody accidentally gets eaten. Heres the message they should give “dont kill them, but stay the heck away from them”!!!

Anderson, I swear sometimes I think you must have a death wish……I am grateful, however, that there is someone to bring us the real story about things that puzzle and amaze us THANKS……for the truth.

Well ‘look closer’ and you will understand better. Great adventures thanx for sharing.

Thank you, Anderson, for helping to reduce the fear of these remarkable creatures. I think it’s worth clarifying: Yes, cars, dogs and lightning kill more people than sharks do each year, however cars, dogs and lightning actually kill a surprisingly large number of people (cars especially). To put shark attacks into better perspective, you really need to compare them to events that are almost absurdly rare: About four times as many people are killed on golf courses by flying golf balls and clubs than are killed by sharks. More people are killed by escalators and automatic doors than are killed by sharks.

Last year, more beachgoers killed by being swallowed by the sand than killed by sharks.

And if a person were to take a dollar and buy himself a single lottery ticket, that person’s chances of winning the lottery is vastly greater than his chances of being killed by a shark, even if that’s the only lottery ticket he ever buys and even if he goes surfing every day. Shark attack is beyond merely rare, it’s next to impossible.

Unfortunately, the sharks have a lot more to fear: The 40 million sharks we kill every year (and that’s a conservative estimate) mean every single shark in the ocean has a decent chance of being killed by a human.

Anderson,
I understand the fascination that folks seem to have with sharks once every year right around shark week. I have had a love affair with sharks since college (about 25 years) and fairly recently started doing cage dives out of Rhode Island, Montauk, and of course the inevitable shark feed with Stuart Coves in Nassau Bahamas, etc. Just last week I got some cool pics of a 6 foot mako - sort of a mini Great White in that they’ll take a taste bite of anything. My goal is to do a week of Great White cage diving with Great White Adventures off Guadalupe Island in 2010. Just purchased an u/w housing for my camcorder. All that said, I think that it’s great that folks like you, who have the ability to bring to light the unfortunate plight of sharks are finally doing so before it’s too late. Check out the website Sharkwater.com - or better yet see the movie. I’ll bet very few folks are even aware of this award winning film. I fear that by the time my 5 year old daughter has children of her own, there may be no sharks left on earth. Sharks need our help! Please continue to spread the word!! Thank you.

While people’s views of sharks are no doubt distorted by Hollywood and the natural paranoia attached to large predators living in elements not our own, it hardly helps your case to conclude your article with such misleading statistics as more people are hurt each year by dogs and car accidents than by sharks. More people are killed each year walking down flights of stairs than are killed by taking swigs of mercury, yet taking a swig of mercury is clearly the more dangerous of the two activities.

Being apex predators, sharks are very important in keeping the trophic levels at a healthy state. I wish people would learn more about sharks, manatees, dolphins, coral reefs, etc. Science is only beginning to uncover and discover the mysteries of the seas.

Great job!

Shelly from VA-Leesburg

Anderson,

I think you were a lot safer in the shark cage last week than the sharks you were swimming with this morning on “Regis and Kelly!” I think the Lohan “Bad Karma” is a going to prove to be something you’ll need to watch out for for a long time. You are the BRAVEST!

Susan Lemarie, Fairfax, VA

Dear Anderson,

How can i convince my boss to pay me to do stuff like that? Actually scratch that. How can I convince my boss to just pay for my food so i can do stuff like that?

Who cares about the Anderson Cooper shark trip!
BIG DEAL!
I have been there many times, and duh!

Thank you for doing this dive and for reporting on it. It’s important for people to understand that when a person and a shark are in the sea, only one of them is in its natural environment — the shark. The sea is the natural habitat of sharks, and we continue to do them a great injustice by painting them as evil predators out to get us because occasionally one of them makes us into dinner. In doing so, they are simply doing what sharks do: eating and defending themselves. Terrible injustices have been done to sharks — the most obvious being the evil practice of finning, which destroys thousands of them to produce shark fin soup. The real predator in the sea is people — for every one of us who gets bitten because we have gone into their home territory, untold thousands of them are slaughtered. I hope someday I can go into the sea in a cage to see them as well.

100 million sharks killed per year??!!??

really?

Hi Anderson,
Sorry to be a downer, but I think the following is important to mention. Many people believe that tourist cage diving teaches sharks to associate humans with food. This is based on the fact that the sharks are lured to the cage by putting bate in the water. This is obviously bad for us surfers and divers, but the subsequent increase in attacks is also harmful to sharks and the bad reputation they get. There have not been any specific studies that I know of that address this common belief, but it is supported by individual case reports of shark activity, and it logically makes sense. The same theory is applied to other wildlife such as bears, which are often killed by the park service after they learn to associate humans with food. My bottom line is, if you like sharks, please think twice before cage diving with them. Thanks.

Sam, Huntington Beach, CA

Anderson,

I hope you’ve watched “Shark Water” the documentary from 2006 and if not it’s a must see.

Will shed a new light on sharks for everyone.

Cheers,

Dylan, Vancouver, BC

Check out New Smyrna Beach, FL= Shark Capital of the World

I too was in Cape Town last week with the great whites. i am an avid diver as well as shark enthusiast, however, initially i had a few nerves shaken getting into the water with the sharks. i was the first one in and first one out, but watching the amazing creatures is awesome.
i recommend everybody give it a try.
the scariest part is the water temperate (63 F, 17 C)
Cheers

ps. good to see somebody still on the sharks’ side.

Hi Anderson!
When I was younger, I had a terrible fear of sharks. People always say that in order to beat something you must learn everything about it, because information is power. The only thing humans have to protect themselves with is an abnormally large brain (which I must admit has proved to be more useful than sharp teeth). I think I was naturally drawn to information because I checked every book about sharks in my school library out, and I was not a reader-type. I learned everything about them that I could. Then I moved on to the Discovery Channel and Steve Irwin, who gave me more insight. I can now pretty much identify any shark, which some might think is odd for a girl. I was not looking these sharks up for some action figure macho reason little boys did, but to actually know the unknown. This really eased my fears, and I became a shark week lover! I am still respectfully afraid of sharks, but have skills that could hopefully save my life. I now realize that sharks scare people more than bears, for instance, for the same reason people are scared of the dark, because they can’t clearly see it (because of the water). Also, the ocean is not a human’s natural habitat, therefore making it difficult to protect ourselves. Sorry for sharing this really random story! I just wanted to say that I love listening to everything you say, and think you are a great man!
Jenny (fake name because I am 17), Memphis,TN

Hello Anderson,
Awareness for Sharks is vital, the shark population is declining fast,
Human beings are skilled at justification. Every year humans slaughter over 100 million sharks yet we depict them as vicious and blood-thirsty killers.

No more than 12 people a year are killed by sharks worldwide. In fact is more dangerous to play golf than to swim in the ocean with sharks. More golfers are struck by lightning and killed each year than the total number of shark fatalities. Many more humans are struck and killed by boats every year than are attacked by sharks.

The Greatest Threats to Sharks:

Tragically, these top predators are in grave trouble due to human activity. Heavy fishing pressure continues to threaten many shark populations. Two of the greatest threats to sharks are finning and bycatch.

Estimates of the total number of sharks killed each year for their fins range from 26 to 73 million per year. Increasing demand for the Chinese luxury food, shark fin soup, is now placing even greater pressure on shark fisheries.

Approximately another 50 million sharks are caught unintentionally as bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. This is a global problem that spans several fishing gear types including longlines, trawls, and gillnets.

Some fisheries also target sharks for their meat, which is often sold in Europe as “fish and chips.” In addition, sharks are fished for their liver oil and cartilage, which are used in cosmetics and dietary supplements. Other threats to sharks include habitat damage, pollution, and the loss of prey speci.
You should do a show on this. Spread the word STOP SHARK FINNING.
Thanks and love your work.
Patrick

Anderson,
you have the best job in the world, I thought when you were sitting down with the Gorillas was amazing, but once again you show the no fear factor and chum with the Great Whites. Your a lad with no fear. Well done mate…

response to male( linz) above…yes maybe grey hair is in or the girls commenting are older than him…..back to the topic…good shark info…if you can please go to Indonesia and do peices on the Tiger ,elephants and Orangutans..they need more coverage and protection instead of palm oil taking over the country

You did it and lived to tell the tale and educate us. Keep reminding us how everything is connected and how balance must be restored on our planet/in ourselves! Stay safe!!!!

Anderson,

how wonderful to hear from you again, while you’re out there working on Planet in Peril 2 and raising awareness about the need for rescuing our planet!

Sharks are wonderful creatures, I imagine it is a bit frightening being close to them, but I would’ve done it too if it could help to broaden the knowledge about them and hopefully stoping the slaughter!!!

*love*

Thanks for raising awareness about sharks Anderson,
Sharks are magnificent creatures and one must remember that humans are swimming in THEIR home!!
Not the other way around.
People need to learn to respect ALL animals and the Earth!!
I’m a scuba diver, and have not dived with great whites, but have been in the water with other sharks and they are so graceful to watch.
I hope that we can save the planet so that future generations can enjoy all the beauty that I’ve been able to experience.

thanks for everything you are doing!!

My daughters and I watched with amazement, not fear. The ocean as always needs to be respected, the ocean and her inhabitants are not forgiving. I have to admit I envy all the places you and your crew get to see. I understand your are trying to educate people of the crisis in those areas, but they are beautiful.

thanks for the story

The sharks wouldn’t be so scary if they had no teeth!

Always fascinating to see these large voracious marine creatures in their natural environment… up close. Looking forward to see Planet in Peril later in the year.

You have an amazing job with staff, crew and a blog to document your experiences. I just have a digital camera and a journal to record my less adventurous but just as memorable moments. Guess that makes me one of those annoying people in the coffee shop.

Thanks for sharing on the blog. I wish you would do it more often.

Hi Anderson
You did an amazing job out there in the clear blue sea swimming with those great white sharks. They need to protect every living creature and they are so imidataitng and yey feierce looking ..I loved you on Reis and Kelly and please blog more often like you said you were going to do .
Thanks for sharing your story
bye :Michelle

Anderson,
I also agree with Michelle in Canada,
I am enjoy watch you on Regis and Kelly……you are so funny to me…. I hope you would more blog to write to viewers!!! thanks for share with viewers and including me…….
Megan D.
Shoreline, Wa

Be honest, the theme to Jaws was playing on a loop in your head wasn’t it?

XXO