Adrenaline junkies in Halifax now have a new outlet.
Atlantic Shark Expeditions has launched a new shark cage experience that gives brave visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the oceans’ most feared predator.
“When people come on this expedition, they will have the opportunity to go on a really cool ride, enjoy some of the good views of the Halifax waterfront, we will head to a location that our captain determines and we will put our custom shark cage on the water,” said Neil Hammerschlag, president of Atlantic Shark Expeditions.
“People enter this cage, live an incredible experience, get close to the animals and [they’re] sure.”
Hammerschlag says people participating in the experience also help better understand and conserve the many species of sharks found in our own waters.
Atlantic Shark Expeditions operated off the south coast last summer, but moving to Halifax gives them a number of benefits.
A person waits in the cage for a shark to pass by. (Facebook/Atlantic Shark Expeditions)“We wanted to move to Halifax because, surprisingly, there is a greater diversity of shark species here closer to shore and there are also more people to share this experience with,” he said.
Hammerschlag says the many species of sharks that inhabit our waters each play an important role in the ocean ecosystem.
The shark cage is seen tied to the back of the boat. (CTV/Mike Cordero)“I think people should know that having sharks in the ocean is not something they should fear, it’s actually something they should be happy about, and that’s because sharks play a very important role in helping regulate the ocean ecosystem,” he said. .
“We know from previous research, including mine, that when you fish for sharks you can have this imbalance in the ocean, this domino effect that can have unforeseen and sometimes negative consequences.”
A shark swims into the misty water. (Facebook/Atlantic Shark Expeditions)While movies like “Jaws” and “The Meg” have made sharks seem like man-eating monsters, Hammerschlag says they are not to be feared, but rather respected.
“I don’t think people should be afraid of sharks, they should be aware of them, so we hope to educate people that sharks are not there to catch them, but that sharks actually have a lot more to fear from people.” What do we do with them?
With files from CTV’s Mike Lamb.
