Scuba Dive

Carl

My name is Carcharodon carcharias, the Great White Shark, but my friends call me Carl.   I’m a recovering seal-aholic.  It’s a ten step program involving less cuter food sources.  The point is, I’m much more civilized that you make me out to be; we sharks are really misunderstood!  I enjoy long moonlit swims and fin nipping just like any other aquatic romantic.  Yeah, there was that one unfortunate incident with that surfer a few years back.  But, he didn’t even taste good and I spit him out right away.  Hey, we all make mistakes.

This week the Discovery Channel is running Shark Week, seven days of sensational shark shows filled with ferocity, attacks, and lots of close up teeth action (they always seem to pick the sharks that don’t floss – their mouths are way scarier.)  I hear that the network is also pleading for reef conservation and appreciation of us beauties, but is this positive message getting lost among the carnage? Or, is depicting our “active” lifestyle the only way to attract viewers so that the conservation message can be delivered?  Hey, we at the reef appreciate all this publicity, but keep in mind we’re not bloodthirsty monsters, but reasonable fish just looking for a snack (I personally get light-headed at the site of blood, I haven’t donated in years).  Why can’t we all get along?

Shark Week link: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/sharkweek.html