MR> I did get your message, I believe you that it was a "Great White"
MR> why else would they close a beach. nurse sharks are docile. Although 
MR> Marine mammals are my special interest when I decided to start diving 
MR> Idid alot of research about sharks.  Great whites scare me but not 
MR> enough to keep out of the water, some areas I will avoid like Bodega 
MR> Bay.  I've had two friends have close calls with great whites there.
MR> That's also a prime area for seals and abalone.
As I understand it the seals are the reason that the sharks are there, the 
whole apex preditor thing.  I am trying to get access to a boat this year to 
do some preliminary studies on the seal rookeries in the region to see what 
kind of incidental sea life, like the sharks, are in those areas.  The seal 
rookeries are not in the popular dive locations in this area so not too many 
divers actually see sharks, unless they are diving around the islands or a 
submerged pinacle.  This last year had some fairly uncommon whether which 
brought the seals closer to the recreational areas and the sharks followed.  
Other species made some pretty dramatic entrances, like a couple of torpedo 
rays, striper and salmon runs that were just awsome (sorry I couldn't think 
of a better word).
 
Oh well, the only reason that I mentioned the white shark was that it was the 
first time that I had seen on while diving and it made an impression on me.  
I've been joking to people that I finally see what most people think of as a 
sea monster and it totally ignored me.  Never so much as slowed down. (I've 
have seen other sharks but never this particualr species)
 
Thanks for letting me know that the message got through.  I think I've got 
the modem thing worked out but I still have good and bad days.
 
Hope you're all wet.
 
Dennis
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