Posted by It’s week five for the fishermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts and a new challenge has presented itself: the great white shark! On this season of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, a single Bluefin can be worth up to $20,000…making it hard for any of the captains to stay out of the water. Let’s check to see how the fishermen are doing this week.
Bounty Hunter had a rough few weeks with expenses mounting high and only one fish reeled in. They are way behind the rest of the fleet. The pressure is on… will Bill and Scott be able to catch up with the others?
With no bite in three weeks, The Christina is aching for a big reel. While fishing, Kevin and his crew spot a large dorsal fin close to boat. It’s a great white and it’s headed straight for them! Everyone in the fleet is talking about the local newspaper’s front page story where a huge great white sharks have been spotted in Gloucester waters and one attacked a local man swimming at a nearby beach.
Captain Tyler McLaughlin of the Pin Wheel is desperate to regain the lead over top skipper Dave Carraro of FV-tuna.com, so he and his two first mates head out into the deep. With harpoon lines getting tangled, Tyler has no choice but to enter the water. Earlier the crew had bled out a tuna… with great whites in the vicinity Tyler will need to clear the prop before the man eaters head to his boat.
Did you know that white sharks initially use vision to find their prey, but then switch to a special organ located in their snouts that senses electrical pulses from the body, such as those generated by muscle movement or a beating heart?
Here are some helpful hints to avoid shark attacks the next time you decide to head out to the ocean:
- Shark attacks around mid-day are very rare. So, try not go in the water at dawn or dusk as that can be in the shark’s favor.
- Steer clear of large groups of seals or sea lions. The sharks have a big appetite for these species and can very easily mistake you for one, especially if you are in a wetsuit.
- Try to stay out of the water if you are bleeding, including menstruating.
- Stay clear of fishing boats.
- Shark attacks are more likely to in murkier the water. It is easier for the shark to sense you without you seeing the shark.
- Leave the water quickly and calmly if a shark is sighted. Avoid excessive splashing or arm and leg movement. Remember the sharks sense movement in their snouts.
- Try to stay in a group as most sharks attack individuals. The buddy system works!
Who will come out on top and what will happen to the fleets with the great whites lurking in the water? Tune in to this week’s episode of Wicked Tuna: Shark Attack tonight at 9P and find out!
