The incident took place in October off the north-western Mexican state of Baja California when a group of divers on the boat ‘Nautilus’ encountered a great white shark, an animal classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As the curious shark approached the diving cage containing at least four divers, it accidentally got ensnared between the bars of the cage.
In the dramatic footage, the massive shark can be seen thrashing against the metal wires in a desperate attempt to free itself. The struggle led to significant bleeding around its gills. After approximately 25 minutes, the shark’s lifeless body fell from the cage into the depths of the ocean.
Mexican environmental activist Arturo Islas Allende strongly criticized Nautilus Dive Adventures, the company responsible for the diving expedition, and its owner, alleging that the cage’s bars should have been closer together to prevent such incidents and ensure the animals’ safety.
Allende emphasized that the great white shark is protected under international laws, making its tragic death a matter of concern and legal scrutiny. He also stressed the significance of the area where the dive took place, which is considered one of the most vital great white shark sanctuaries globally.
Nautilus Dive Adventures responded to the incident, describing it as “totally extraordinary” and involving an unusually aggressive great white shark. They denied any negligence regarding safety standards and claimed their cages were fully compliant with Mexican regulations. The company also pointed out that this was the first such incident in over 16 years of their operation.
In a statement on Facebook, Nautilus Dive Adventures expressed their sadness and concern for both the shark and the divers involved in the incident. They assured that modifications would be made to their cages to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the ethical and safety considerations that must accompany wildlife interactions in the tourism industry. It has ignited a debate on how to strike a balance between providing thrilling experiences for tourists and ensuring the well-being of the animals involved.
