Rick Anderson’s underwater encounters off the coast of Nobbys Beach in New South Wales, Australia, are far from ordinary. Donning an oxygen tank and securing a regulator in his mouth, he descends into the depths of the ocean to meet an extraordinary friend: a 6-foot female Port Jackson shark. Despite her lack of a name, Anderson recognizes her by her distinct markings.
Incredibly, this Port Jackson shark seems to always recognize Anderson in return. Their unique friendship began around seven years ago when the shark was a mere 6 inches long.
“I started playing with her when she was about 6 inches long, around seven years ago,” Anderson explained. “I approached her slowly so as not to startle her, then softly patted her. I’d cradle her in my palm and whisper soothingly to her through my regulator after she’d gotten used to me.”
During that first season, Anderson made an effort to connect with the shark on every dive. Over the years, their bond grew stronger, and the shark began to remember him. Now, whenever she spots Anderson, she swims up to him, seeking affection and companionship
“In the first season she was here, I did this every time,” he explained. “Over the seasons, she began to remember me and would swim up to me for a touch and a snuggle. She quickly became used to me, to the point that she will swim up to me and tap my legs until I stretch my arms out for her to lie on for a cuddle as I pass by.”
Despite the common misconception that sharks are fierce predators, Anderson treats his shark friends with care and respect, emphasizing that he doesn’t feed them or any other sharks he encounters during his dives. He regards them much like one would approach a friendly dog.
Port Jackson sharks, though significantly smaller than the notorious great white sharks, are still capable of invoking fear, particularly due to sharks’ often sensationalized portrayal in the media. However, it’s important to note that humans pose a much greater threat to sharks, with an estimated 73 million sharks killed each year.
With over 30 years of scuba diving experience and as the owner of a dive school, Anderson believes that his connection with the Port Jackson shark can help dispel common misconceptions about these incredible creatures.
“The most common misunderstanding about sharks is that they are all mindless murderers waiting for humans to enter the ocean so they may be consumed,” Anderson added.
Anderson’s adventurous spirit doesn’t stop at the Port Jackson shark; he regularly dives alongside various shark species, including banjo sharks, grey nurse sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and occasionally even the mighty great white shark.
His enduring friendship with the Port Jackson shark is a testament to the beauty of the underwater world and a reminder that beneath the surface, remarkable connections can flourish, even between species that might seem worlds apart.
