Observations about surface behaviour of the great white shark Carcharodon carcharias (L.) in presence of passive preys at Dyer Island (Southafrica)

DURING 4 STUDY EXPEDITIONS IN SOUTHAFRICA, PERFORMED IN 2000, 2003, 2004 AND 2005, OBSERVATIONS ABOUT SURFACE PREDATORY BEHAVIOUR OF THE GREAT WHITE SHARK IN PRESENCE OF PASSIVE PREYS WERE MADE. OBSERVATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT BY UNLIMITED SHARK DIVING BOATS AND BY CAGE DIVING AROUND DYER ISLAND, ABOUT 5 MILES FAR FROM GANSBAAI. DURING THE 27 OBSERVATION DAYS WERE IDENTIFIED 78 DIFFERENT SPECIMENS, THAT EXHIBITED 8 DIFFERENT BEHAVIOURS. THE GREAT WHITE SHARK POPULATION OBSERVED AROUND DYER ISLAND SHOWS A GREATER VARIETY OF BEHAVIOURS THAN THE POPULATION STUDIED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COASTS.