Broadreach - Trip Reports!

Source.

Wow.

Time sure flies!

Broadreach are once again in town with their incomparable sharky High Scool and College summer programs - and having checked, it very much looks like this may well be year 11 in a row!

Just amazing - and still as rewarding!

And like always, there are trip reports!

College here - and here are the High School reports inclusive of the awesome news that after a three-year hiatus, our incomparable friend Lindsay is gracing our shores for the fifth time, undoubtedly in order to check on her beautiful and sweet yet always feisty and badass namesake!

Enjoy the great reports!

 

Are Bull Sharks particularly aggressive?

Of course not!

In fact, rather the opposite!

Contrary to much more assertive species like e.g. Silvertips, Galapagos' and Grey Reefies that have no qualms approaching, and sometimes even harassing SCUBA divers, Bulls are much more wary and appear to actively avoid us, to the point that they will generally only approach people underwater when attracted by food. I call them shy bodybuilders - but bodybuilders they are, large and immensely strong, and they definitely demand to be always treated with great circumspection and respect!

And the numerous bites?

Like our newly minted sharxpert (my oh my! :) ) Lindsay explains, Bull Shark habitat coincides with the areas most frequented by people, meaning that the chances for encounters are comparatively larger - and then, everything goes, from mostly nothing to mistakes to agonism (= aggression) all the way to outright predation = not aggression! 

But yes - forget the legends about the exceptional aggression, the testosterone and the high territoriality that are nothing but unsupported BS!

Anyway, just saying!

I was away and have only now seen Lindsay's interview, and wanted to state that I very much agree. Nothing beats personal experience - and that she certainly got!

Attagirl - well said!

OSAM - Interview with Lindsay!

We here all love Lindsay.

Not the gal - the Shark!

Just kidding, haha.

After so many years, Lindsay the gal is obviously one of us, and it's great to observe her progress on the way to hopefully becoming a stellar researcher on top of already being a stellar educator!

Here's her latest interview, and it's obviously very, very BAD.

Enjoy!

Lindsay on SFS!

And she's fucking smart, too! :)

Very nice!

Check out this post.

It showcases some remarkable ladies like Michelle and Michelle, and Nicole whom I all very much like and also admire.

And then there is our very own Lindsay!

I believe this may be the fourth time she spends her summer in Fiji, and over the years, she has truly become  family - to the point that in 2014, none other than the great late Rusi decided to name one particularly bold Bull Shark lady after her. Great to see her featured there - and great that she has used the opportunity to showcase her work in Fiji's first National Marine Park!

Attagirl - and thank you! :)

Lindsay - Healing in Bull Sharks!

Remember this picture?

That was Lindsay with fresh mating bites less than a month ago.

And now look at her yesterday: as if nothing had ever happened, but of course as greedy and feisty  as always! Yes you can still see some scars - but I promise you that in one more month, she'll be clean as a whistle!
And did you notice - the lip piercing is gone, likely rusted out! 

 Click for detail!

We've talked about it here.

Like with Martin's GWS, the healing power of our Bulls is nothing short of miraculous.

Amazing stuff!

Lindsay - first Shark Hero!

What's that on the wrist of the Shark Hero - would that be, gasp, an ORCA? Click for detail!
Brilliant cartoon by EDNA Interactive!

Nice!

Certainly a million percent better than that week-long orgy of fraud and mental midgetry I'm trying my best to ignore!

And of course we here love love love Lindsay!

But I must say, I'm frankly disappointed.

I've now spent the better part of the last hour going over the Gills Club's website, blog and FB page and the result ha been zilch, nada de nada: not a single measly video of any of those gals swimming loops around, let alone hugging and riding (!) a perplexed Elasmobranch - and above all and most disappointingly, zero bikinis!

And don't get me started about those pictures!

No makeup and hair stylist, no avant-garde logowear, accessoires and technical gizmos, once again zero bikinis - nothing!
Plus - ever heard of selfie, shaka sign, black duck wings?
Now THAT's what I call REAL conservation!

I mean, seriously!

Ladies - how will you ever be able to Make a Difference if you're so glaringly unwilling to dispel the myth of those misunderstood animals that only want a hug!

With that science shit?
Really?

Anyway.

Like I said, nice - but you can and must do better!

New big Shark on the Block!

Talk about bold - hand feeding from day one!

This is one helluva lady!

When naming her, this is what we considered.

• big, bold and feisty, see at top.

• maybe a tad reckless?

• her assertiveness may get her into trouble with other equally feisty Sharks (oh yes oh yes!).

Behold Lindsay!

This is the third time that Lindsay is leading multiple Broadreach Shark Studies in Fiji, meaning that over those many months, she's become real close with the staff. Case in point: the nomination comes from none other than Rusi, and it has been met with a big round of applause!

But whilst the real lady is actually quite sweet, I can't quite say the same about her namesake. She barged in out of nowhere, was pushy to the max and completely disregarded the etiquette at every turn. But, she's new and will eventually calm down - or else!

But she sure has made an impression!

To be continued no doubt!

Lindsay!

Hah!

The mystery has been unveiled!

This is of course who is holding that Bull Shark baby! 

Sadly, Lindsay has however already left Projects Abroad after having played an important role in setting up the river Shark project.

But she may be back soon with Broadreach.

Maybe - if I can get myself to forgive her for her repeated public fawning over those totally boring South African Great Whites! :)

Anyway, nice interview!