Cage diving is not just for studying sharks but already becomes leisure for those well-off people and who has the guts to face 'White Death'. As exciting as it is, this new kind of adventure is also very dangerous not only for people who just want to see great white sharks in real life but also for divers and underwater photographers who need to get a closer shot at these giant sea creatures. A lot of cases about sharks getting stuck in the cage are reported which could risk both the lives of the shark and divers.
According to the professional underwater photographer Brian Skerry, the bait used to attract sharks plays a major role in such incidents. Usually, tuna baits tied to a rope are used to lure sharks to come closer, the National Geographic reported.
"If you bait repeatedly and the cage has a big opening, the shark will follow it in and at the last minute open its mouth, close its eyes, and end up running into the cage," Skerry said who had been shark diving for decades.
The incident happened near Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Mexico, where large numbers of great white sharks are often sighted. Based on the footage, the huge predator is making for the tuna chunk tied at the end of the rope. At the same time, a diver was inside the metal cage to shoot the operation on camera but to some unexpected occurrence, the great white shark got inside the cage, according to The Telegraph.
Seeing the scary turn out of events, a crew opened the top of the cage where the shark freed itself. The diver vented the cage through the hole expanded by the shark but hold onto it to prevent sinking. When the behemoth fish cut loose, that's the time the diver emerged to the surface, going back to the same hole.
Not only humans are in danger but sharks as well. Almost 273 million of sharks are being hunted and killed for their fins, said Skerry. He added that shark diving in cages helped in raising awareness of the shark's depleting numbers and distinct behavior which also encouraged support from around the globe.