Divers swim freely with the world’s biggest great white shark

A group of divers involved with One Ocean (a conservation-based organisation that offers free-diving with sharks) had the rare opportunity to swim alongside possibly the world’s largest great white, dubbed Deep Blue, off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.

 

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This was taken in Oahu yesterday by @oceanramsey . The largest Great White shark on record! She came in to feast on a dead Sperm whale about 20 miles off shore. I love sharks and this is an amazing photo! Go to his page for more photos and video. #GreatWhiteShark #deepblueshark #OceanWonders #365Kona #GladSheIsThereNotHere #oahuhawaii #SaveSharks #LifetimeExperience

A post shared by Julie Ziemelis (@365konahawaii) on Jan 16, 2019 at 3:19pm PST

Deep Blue is believed to be the same shark tagged by researches some 20 years ago and she is the largest known great white shark. It is estimated that she weighs 2.5 tonnes. It is unusual to find great whites around Hawaii as they prefer colder waters.

 

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DEEP BLUE IS BACK!! 💙🦈💙 The world’s largest (known) Great White Shark has been spotted swimming around Hawaii. A team of divers, conservationists and wildlife photographers were lucky enough to spend almost an entire day with this magnificent creature. Still pregnant, concerns were raised as Deep Blue hadn’t been seen for a very long time, so it’s great to see her healthy and curious as usual. This recent encounter has raised the debate around how best for us to interact with sharks (and all wild creatures ). Should we observe from a distance or should we physically reach out and connect, as shown in the photos and video? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 Also check out our instastory for a link to Deep Blue’s story! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Like, share and follow @thedailyjaws •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #jaws #shark #sharks #fish #creature #deepblue #deepblueshark #pregnant #pups #babies #stevenspielberg #science #study #amazing #bigfish #hawaii #oceanramsey #swim #scuba #snorkel #dive #diver

A post shared by The Daily Jaws (@thedailyjaws) on Jan 17, 2019 at 11:15am PST

One of the divers, Ocean Ramsay said her demeanour was both calm and gentle, and that she had used their boat to scratch her back. The divers were initially filming tiger sharks that were feeding off the carcass of a sperm whale but quickly disappeared when Deep Blue arrived for a chance to snack on the cetation. She quickly stole the show and stayed with the divers for a good portion of the day.

 

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Post via @oceanramsey Disclaimer: I highly discourage people from jumping into the water purposely with Great #WhiteSharks and TigerSharks and all sharks should be given respect as space as wild animals and PROTECTION from wasteful killing for their important ecological role. I work daily in the water with sharks as a shark biologist and teach public and professional safety programs through @OneoceanResearch and @OneOceanDiving and through a number of our international projects which also includes #greatWhiteShark research specifically. I try hard to replace fear with scientific facts and encourage a healthy level of respect for sharks as #apexPredatorsNotMonsters but not puppies…but not monsters. They are sharks and I love and respect them for what they are. Yes I absolutely LOVE sharks and have a deep understanding and respect for their capabilities combined with well over a decade of full time experience working in-water with them. My life mission, passion, and I think purpose is to help further conservation efforts for them through research, conservation, design, and immersive and impactful programs and outreach. Please check out all the divisions of #OneOceanDiving listed below for more information and please help us to ban #sharkfinning #sharkfishing #sharksportfishing and #sharkculling around the world. I just found out the the bill to ban the purposeful killing of sharks and rays in Hawaii will be re-introduced this year in both eh house and senate following all the positive shark press that has come from this incredible encounter in the last few days. Mahalo nui loa (thank you) to all those who support efforts for shark and marine conservation. #gratitude #helpsavesharks #finbannow #sharkarma #savesharks #Sharkconservation #sharkresearch. IMAGE © MY AMAZING FIANCE @JUANSHARKS co-founder of @oneoceandiving and @waterinspired also diving with my amazing one ocean shark ohana @mermaid_kayleigh @Forrest.in.focus and @camgrantphotography Photo credit: #JuanSharks #JuanOliphant @JuanSharks Photo of a massive 20ft gorgeous female white shark and a rough tooth dolphin swimming up to me in my home waters of #Hawaii #Aloha #MalamaManō #Aumakua #Manō

A post shared by Ocean Ramsey #OceanRamsey (@oceanramsey) on Jan 17, 2019 at 4:51pm PST

Deep Blue measures over 6m in length and is extraordinarily wide (possibly pregnant). Watch the video below to see the magnificent Deep Blue in action.

Image source: Pixabay