Galapagos Shark Diving

About

About Galapagos Shark Diving

'In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.' - Baba Dioum

Every year millions of sharks are killed for their fins or caught as “bycatch” alongside other marine wildlife such as manta rays, turtles, sea lions amongst others. One way to ensure that a species may survive is to protect those areas key for their reproduction (mating, birthing, etc.), but until now only 5 % of the world oceans are truly protected! Furthermore, we don’t yet know precisely the areas where for example, whale sharks give birth or mate. In order to ensure that these gentle giants will not go extinct we need to identify such areas and create marine reserves and sanctuaries, in order to halt the population declining further. The Galapagos Islands could be one of the key locations where adult female whale sharks give birth, and is already recognized as a vital nursery for other shark species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Region. On our shark conservation dive trips we collect data which furthers our understanding of whale sharks and other marine wildlife and helps us to promote conservation through education and awareness.

Governments will only protect what they understand and Galapagos Shark Diving adds to that understanding.

Mission

Conserving the marine ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island through research and education, whilst making science accessible for all diver even no matter their previous experience. Simultaneously we hope to raise awareness about endangered marine wildlife such as whale sharks, and provide our divers with the tools and know how to participate in marine conservation and how they as individuals can make a difference. With data collected we support local, regional and governmental organizations to propose, create or increase existing marine protected areas (examples being the Galapagos Marine Reserve as well as the proposed marine swimway between Galapagos and Cocos Island). With the knowledge learnt on board the ship our divers will travel with more open eyes to their next dive destination and can make a difference wherever they travel.

Vision

Our vision is a healthy, extended, and truly protected marine ecosystem in the Galapagos Islands, as well as a protected and patrolled marine corridor between the Galapagos and Cocos Island. Working from the ground up at a local and regional level to increase awareness through education and knowledge. That the Eastern Tropical Pacific Region, through interconnected MPAs, become a flagship of Marine Conservation and sustainability for all our communities for the future of the region, and our planet.

Day in the life with Galapagos Shark Diving

Plunging into the clear waters of Darwin Arch or Cocos shortly after 6am we exchange Planet Earth for Planet Blue. In a kingdom surrounded by an enormous diversity of species, the rulers are the apex predators - sharks. Life exists at every level from the microscopic to megafauna and the whale sharks are spotted out in the blue. We position ourselves to better view these giants as they swim by, joining them briefly to photograph and enjoy an encounter which for many is a lifelong dream and memory. Schools of hammerhead sharks, jacks and fish species too numerous to list mingle with sea lions, turtles and rays, as garrulous dolphins swim overhead or pass by during our safety stop. ID photographs and species lists are collected and catalogued on board, meals are served and discussions about wildlife, science and conservation prevail during the moments we use to eat, refill tanks, recharge batteries and ourselves, then dive again. No two days are truly the same but the experience never tires.

"This dive trip in Galapagos was absolutely like a dream come true! Diving with schools of hammerheads, molas, dolphins, sea lions, marine iguanas and WHALE SHARKS! They are sharing their inspiring knowledge from the unique geology to the marine biology of Galápagos." - Ophillia