JUPITER, Florida (23 Nov 2003) -- They're coming to an ocean near you. A large group of little- known marine predators is expected to congregate near Jupiter in an annual reunion that puzzles divers and biologists alike. Any day now, a large gathering of lemon sharks, one of the most evasive and least- seen species of shark, will settle in for a lengthy stay in waters about three miles off the Jupiter Inlet. Paul Benzler, a boat captain for the SCUBA Works diving center, said he first noticed the rare gathering in February 2000 during a routine diving expedition. "A couple of divers noticed a few lemon sharks in this area where we now see a lot of them," Benzler said. "We made note of the time of year and kept on the lookout for them to come back." Benzler said the lemon sharks usually begin to gather in late November and stay until late February. They typically gather about three miles from Jupiter's shores, he said. Dr. Samuel Gruber, a professor with the University of Miami's Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, said he has his own theories as to why the lemon sharks frequent Jupiter's coast. "We find that lemon sharks have a certain type of mating system," Gruber said. "Females will return to their place of birth when they're mature to mate. Males are nomadic." "We figure that the females are assembling near the site where they will give birth a few months ahead of time." SCUBA Works co-owner Coby Cooper organizes regular trips to see the sharks during their stay in Jupiter. He said this type of gathering is a truly unique display. "This is their natural habitat," Cooper said. "We're not feeding them. This is them in their natural environment." | | Benzler and Cooper take frequent trips to the area, to show divers the sights, and said that the dangers associated with lemon shark dives are no different than any other dive. "We tell people to do their usual pre-dive equipment check," Cooper said. "Look, but don't touch. You're not in the zoo. You're in their environment. Respect them and respect their environment." Benzler said the biggest problems that can arise with shark viewing are associated with common human nature. "Some people have an inborn fear of sharks," Benzler said. "They tend to breathe heavier or forget their gauges, but that's not the sharks' fault." Gruber believes that the same female sharks congregate near their birthing place each year to recruit new male sharks for mating. He said that the sharks do not mate in Jupiter, but that this is something of a meeting ground for the sharks. "We know that these lemon sharks take about one year to be pregnant and give birth, and then rest for a year," Gruber said. "They're actually not mating there. They're just forming up and recruiting males." Contrary to what is true about most sharks, that they need to be in constant motion to circulate water through their gills, these lemon sharks can be spotted stationary on or near the ocean's floor, Benzler said. The movement of the current affords the sharks a rare opportunity to remain still he said. "They'll stack themselves a few feet above each other," Benzler said. "It's really awesome, and a little unnerving to be down there with that many sharks, but if you stay in one place and be still, they may come up to you." SOURCE - Jupiter Courier |
