Conservationists Swim with One of the Largest Great White Sharks Ever Recorded

In a secret location off the coast of Oahu, renowned marine biologist and conservationist Ocean Ramsey, along with her team from One Ocean Diving, had the experience of a lifetime. These experts, who focus their efforts on educating the public about sharks and studying shark behavior, not only came upon a great white shark, but were able to spend a significant amount of time with the majestic animal.

Though Ramsey works with great white sharks around the world, this was a particularly exciting encounter. Great white sharks are quite rare in Hawaii and at around 20 feet long, this was a big one. The large female swam up and brushed against their boat repeatedly, making her presence known to the group. Contrary to popular belief, the shark wasn't lurking around to cause harm, but for a much more important reason.

There is a theory that large females come here when they are possibly pregnant trailing whales,” Ramsey shares. “There was a dead sperm whale in the area and we did observe her from a distance swimming over to it and eating it on a regular basis throughout the day.  Sharks [play a] role in the ecosystem, to pick off the dead, dying, weak, wounded, sick, injured, etc. thereby keeping lower trophic levels healthy and in balance.”

The poignant photographs taken of Ramsey interacting with the shark are just a small demonstration of how One Ocean Diving would like the public to see sharks. These incredible giants of the marine world are at great risk, with shark populations in Hawaii declining due to a lack of strict laws about their slaughter. One Ocean Diving is on a mission to not only educate the public about shark behavior and how to have positive interactions with them, but to gather data on behavior in order to assist in conservation efforts.

I have so much respect for sharks for their ecological role, scientifically, culturally in Hawaii as aumakua, and from a conservation standpoint I've dedicated my life to speaking up for them and educating others about them and their plight while studying to continue to understand more about them,” says Ramsey. “We hope these images and videos will spark a movement for more laws to protect sharks here in Hawaii and around the world.”

Learn more about what you can do to help save shark populations in Hawaii at Help Save Sharks and One Ocean Conservation.

Ocean Ramsey and the team at One Ocean Diving recently encountered a rare great white shark off the shores of Oahu.

Measuring about 20 feet by 8 feet, it may be one of the largest ever recorded.

The conservationists are hoping to call attention to declining shark populations in Hawaii and educate the public on how they can help.

One Ocean Diving: Website | Facebook | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by One Ocean Diving.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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