Swimming with sharks

Two years ago I swam with sharks.
When I tell people about the experience, they often ohh and awe over my supposed bravery and want to know more about just how spine-tingling my “terrifying” adventure was.
I can understand this reaction because, prior to my family trip to Galapagos, I was frankly scared of sharks.
For me – and too many people – these creatures conjure up images of the movie, Jaws. So when a conservation guide on my Galapagos excursion said there was a good chance we’d encounter white tipped reef sharks when we went snorkelling, I wasn’t keen on getting in the water. It certainly didn’t seem like a good idea to let my daughters (then ages 11 and eight) go snorkelling, either.
Fortunately, the sense of the conservation guide prevailed; and that’s how I found myself with my family snorkelling along side a shark in the Galapagos.

White tipped reef shark that I photographed under water in the Galapagos. 

With my daughters, Sophie and Olivia, and husband, Len, shortly after we saw the shark.
I can still clearly remember the moment when I was snorkelling along – entranced by schools of brilliant-coloured fish – and my husband, Len, tapped me on the arm and motioned for me to look further down into the ocean. There, gliding just beneath me was a white tipped reef shark, about five feet in length.
Suddenly, sharks weren’t scary anymore – even though the one I was in the water with was only an arms-length away.
This creature was stunningly gracefully with its silent, gentle motions. And in that moment I realized how vulnerable the shark was. We were in its world, and this creature, and others like it, had a lot more to fear from us, than we did of them.
Sharks in Canada: Since that experience, I have started working for WWF and learnt so much more about sharks. For example, did you know that there are 28 species of sharks in the waters of the Canadian Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans?
Sadly, close to half of these species are considered globally threatened, and evidence indicates that many populations have drastically declined over the years. Around the world, sharks are among the most threatened marine vertebrates on the planet.
How we can help: The good news is that WWF’s work is increasing our understanding of sharks, and helping protect them and their ocean habitat. We can all do our part by spreading the word that sharks and oceans need to be safeguarded, and by making a donation to help save Canada’s sharks.