Fearful Diver Saves Struggling Shark

People who rescue animals have historically been labeled “superheroes.” This designation is because animals and humans do not communicate in a common language. Imagine a shark trying to beg for help; they often show their distress in body language, which could sometimes be perceived as aggressive or intimidating. 

Sharks come in different species scattered across oceans of the world. These fish comes in various colors, shapes, and species, are known as aquatic animals and one of the deadliest sea creatures to encounter. 

Some of the known shark species are the sea giant basking sharks, the whale sharks, which feed on aquatic plants, and the odd-looking hammerhead sharks. There are also the well-known great white shark and tiger shark that prey on other aquatic animals and sometimes attack people. 

The popular belief that sharks go crazy when they smell a drop of blood, even from a mile away, has been found to be a myth. Still, people do not want to get cut while they swim or dive in open waters for the fear of getting attacked.

Sharks are typically as curious as other animals when they see something unusual around their habitat. Their victims are often divers and surfers, and these attacks happen as a result of curiosity, especially when they see splashes or movements in the water. 

Sharks have been known to be attracted to prey by the scent of blood or scavenge when hungry. They circle their prey out of nowhere and usually from below. This behavior intimidates the prey, and in an event of overexcitement, sharks go into “shark frenzy.” 

The lemon sharks are smaller species of the shark family that feed on fish and other sea animals. They have a characteristic lemon-colored skin, hence the name. They can tolerate both fresh and saltwater, and are usually found in shallow coastal waters and mangroves. 

According to statistics from the International Shark Attack File, there have only been ten recorded attacks by lemon sharks that happened unprovoked. All incidents occurred in Florida or the Caribbean. 

Some of these encounters have been affirmed or recorded by divers. Divers go into the open water as aquatic zoologists, scavengers, as explorers or for sport. Most exploratory divers are known as scuba divers. 

One encounter, in particular, has gained attention from the media. Josh Eccles, a local diver, had been diving with Emerald Dive Charters in Jupiter, Florida. 

While swimming in the ocean as per his daily routine, he suddenly became aware of something unusual and figured something was amiss. He could see a shark trying to get his attention and considered it strange. 

Eccles, who figured something was wrong, could not tell exactly what it was. The female lemon shark continued coming close and bumping her head against him while revealing her stomach, and then would swim away. 

According to research, lemon sharks can reach up to 11 feet long and feed on other sea creatures. Eccles had had run-ins with some of them in open waters but had never panicked or been attacked by one. 

Eccles looked closely at the exposed belly of the shark and saw something sticking out. He poked at it a bit and realized it was a huge hook.

The local diver tried pulling the hook out, but the shark quickly swam away. At which point, Eccles realized it was not going to be an easy feat.

The hook was metal, and Eccles has no idea how big it was until he had completely pulled it out. He was shocked at the size of the foreign object. 

Hooks found in open waters are a result of the actions of fishermen and poachers. These hooks contaminate water bodies and are occasionally ingested by unassuming aquatic animals. 

According to Eccles, the moment he started tugging on the hook, the shark could not wait to be rid of the foreign object. 

Many fishes have been found to have ingested objects. These contaminants range from soft to hard, like foreign objects. Although the belly of some sea animals is considered tough, contaminants like the hook stay in the belly of these animals for years before they either find their way out or cause fatal harm to them. 

Fortunately for the female lemon shark, she was able to send a distress signal, and Eccles was brave enough to swing into action and provide a solution, even in the midst of his initial confusion. 

Eccles considers himself privileged to have been a part of such an amazing experience. It was a crazy opportunity for him and his team.