This
expedition will include 3 days (weather depending) at remote Osprey Reef which
offers incredible visibility and 1000 metre deep coral walls. Undersea Explorer
has the most experience of visiting Osprey Reef, compared to other
North Queensland liveaboard operators. At North Horn,
Osprey Reef, where the currents meet, we'll see large schools of tuna, barracuda
and plenty of sharks - white tips, grey and silver tip whalers, leopard sharks,
thresher sharks and schooling hammerheads. You'll dive with one to seven Manta
Rays, the gentle giants of the deep. This is exhilarating diving with the
shark experts.
You'll also enjoy the contrast of 3 days diving the Ribbon Reefs of the Great
Barrier Reef. There's many varied dive sites featuring the diversity of coral
gardens, the overwhelming fish life of the pinnacles, and diving the world
famous Cod Hole.
Undersea Explorer has been studying sharks at Osprey Reef since 1995. We have
taken shark diving to new, unusual and exciting levels through our researchers
capturing the sharks underwater during a shark attraction dive (with guests
observing), and bringing them to the surface for measurement and tagging. Guests
love this experience as it creates a non-frenzied "grey ballet", with great
close-up photo opportunities, and they can observe up to 25 sharks whilst
diving, without being inside a cage. We take this experience to the next level,
by the on-deck research after the dive. We believe we are the only tourism boat
in the world doing this, not to mention the long term conservation objectives of
this project.
Undersea Explorer's frequent access to an easily monitored population of Reef
sharks at Osprey Reef, gives us a unique opportunity for long term comprehensive
study which investigates growth rates, breeding times and locations as well as
behavioural patterns and movements. A key element is the identification of
individual animals, consistent monitoring of the population at monthly
intervals, and recording of growth characteristics on an annual basis.
During this expedition there will be much more than just sharks. You'll
experience the excitement of 3-4 superb dives per day in remote areas, drift
dives and deep dives. Onboard activities range from informative presentations in
the biologist room, mid-week barbecues under the stars, Nautilus capture and
'creature feature' talks on the top deck, and our 'fancy dress quiz night'!
Testimonials
Shark Research Web
Site
Undersea Explorer's frequent access to an easily monitored
population of Reef sharks at Osprey Reef, and Tiger Sharks at Raine
Island, gives us a unique opportunity for long term comprehensive
study which investigates growth rates, breeding times and locations
as well as behavioural patterns and movements.
Photographer David Wachenfeld |
Photographer David Wachenfeld |
A key element is the identification of individual animals,
consistent monitoring of the population at monthly intervals, and
recording of growth characteristics on an annual basis. Since this
project began in June 1996 there have been 30 individuals identified
with 10 sharks easily recognised by external markings. We have also
implanted 28 sharks with microchip tags. 2003 has seen additional
studies into the depth movements of sharks. Our efforts have also
included lobbying to have Osprey Reef (and the shark population)
protected.
Jürgen Freund's shark research
photography
|
