{"id":7736,"date":"2020-03-28T02:32:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T02:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiadivers.com\/cnt\/?p=7736"},"modified":"2020-03-28T02:32:55","modified_gmt":"2020-03-28T02:32:55","slug":"thresher-shark-diving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiadivers.com\/cnt\/blog\/thresher-shark-diving\/","title":{"rendered":"Thresher Shark Diving in Puerto Galera"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that we see thresher sharks in Puerto Galera? How much do you know about threshers sharks and do you know why a sighting of a thresher shark is so special?<\/p>\n

Of course, diving with thresher sharks is on most divers\u2019 bucket lists but we guarantee you\u2019ll have an even better underwater experience if you know a little bit about these amazing sharks before you dive with them \u2013 read on to find out more!<\/p>\n

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Thresher shark: free swimming<\/p><\/div>\n

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How to Identify a Thresher Shark?<\/h3>\n

Thresher sharks are also known as fox sharks and they are easily recognizable by their long and highly distinctive thresher-like tails which can be just as long as the shark\u2019s body. Thresher sharks also have unusually large eyes in order to help them to see in deep water where less light is available. When in shallow water however, their eyes become sensitive from too much light which is why they usually remain deep and are rarely seen by divers on a regular basis. The sightings we have of thresher sharks, at recreational diving depths, at Puerto Galera\u2019s dive sites<\/a> are very unusual and this is why a sighting is very special!<\/p>\n

Thresher sharks can grow up to 6 meters long, including their tails and they feed on a diet of schooling fish and squid. Their long tails are not just for decoration \u2013 the sharks use them to stun their prey. Thresher sharks circle smaller fish and \u2018herd\u2019 them with their tails into a tight, ball formation, which they will then attack with a powerful swipe of their tail \u2013 stunning some of the fish which the shark will then feed on.<\/p>\n

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Dive with thresher sharks in Puerto Galera<\/p><\/div>\n

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Thresher Sharks and Depth<\/h3>\n

Thresher sharks are generally a deeper dwelling species of shark that spend most of their time below 40 meters. So why then, do they come to the shallower water and dive sites<\/a> around Puerto Galera? Because of the fish – and not to eat them! Thresher sharks carry parasites on their skin and around their eyes and gills. These parasites do not harm the thresher shark if they are kept in check, however, if they are not regularly cleaned away, the number of parasites will increase and the shark will become unhealthy. Thresher sharks rely on the small reef fish to help them out by \u2018cleaning\u2019 them. When the threshers come to the shallow water, the reef fish will feed on the parasites \u2013 a free meal for the reef fish in return for some personal grooming for the shark! Because the cleaning process is vital to the health of the sharks it is extremely important that divers do not interrupt this process (see below).<\/p>\n

Diving with Thresher Sharks<\/h3>\n

We hope that we will be seeing thresher sharks in the waters around Puerto Galera for many years to come so it important that they are not scared away by divers. If you see a thresher shark during your dive, please observe the following guidelines!<\/p>\n