Great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, #07704

Guadalupe Island has long had a reputation for huge white sharks. For years, fishermen have claimed to have had white sharks steal their yellowfin tuna just as the tuna is reeled in to the boat. On past diving trips we have talked with the local Mexican fishermen, who work the island year round; one told us that in the winter, when elephant seals crowd the bolder beaches at the north end of the island, you can walk across water on the backs of the sharks. The only people who meet Guadalupe Island's white sharks -- in open water -- are those who choose to dive Guadalupe Island for pleasure or out of necessity. Mexican hookah divers work the island for lobsters and abalone, and have reported to us that they commonly see white sharks. White sharks have visited divers on some of our past spearfishing and scuba diving trips at the island, making what appear to be inquisitive passes. Tragically, two freediving spearfishermen have been attacked during the 80's while hunting for tuna at Guadalupe Island, one fatally.

A great white shark swims through the clear waters of Isla Guadalupe, far offshore of the Pacific Coast of Baja California. Guadalupe Island is host to a concentration of large great white sharks, which visit the island to feed on pinnipeds and tuna. Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Mexico

Species: Great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 07704
Format: Film 3:2