Two divers who met in Mexico explain what it is like to share the water with bull sharks, and how carefully run dives can turn fear into support for shark protection.
Fear turned into respect
Diana and Wynand, a Mexican-Dutch photography duo who met in Playa del Carmen and both became divemasters, share what they have learned from diving with bull sharks. Their main point is that the animals are curious and cautious rather than aggressive, and that seeing them up close tends to change how people feel about sharks.
They describe the season when bull sharks gather in the area, from November to February, to give birth. Pregnant females move to shallow, warm waters near Sian Ka'an, where mangrove estuaries act as nurseries. The authors note that protecting these places is essential for the sharks' survival in the region.
They also explain how the dives are run: divers stay anchored to the sea floor, groups are kept small and bright-coloured gear is avoided. In their view, well-managed shark tourism raises awareness, brings income to local communities and gives people a reason to protect sharks rather than fish them. Researchers have even used the dives to collect data such as ultrasound scans of pregnant sharks.
_This story was written by Diana & Wynand for Untold Wildlife, our partner in bringing overlooked conservation stories to more people._