Not just Shark
Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and
chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based
field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter
different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into
a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark
diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark
pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and
conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a
constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark
links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and
stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to
check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on
an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
If you're looking
for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links
represent a new area of elasmodiver.com that contains pictures of
other marine organisms and of marine habitats. This expansion of
Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages
on all types of marine mammals, bony fishes and marine invertebrates
as well as coastal habitats, reefscapes and other imagess relating
to the ocean. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.
A while ago Mike Richomd retired from the industry and no other operator stepped
in to run this encounter. More recently, the fish processing plant changed their
process so offal is no longer being regularly pumped out into the bay.
Consequently, the dogfish have dispensed. Therefore, the following a description
of the encounter remains solely for posterity:
Encounter: Thousands of
Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) accumulate in a specific spot each
summer off the west coast of the island. Divers arrive by boat and head down the
line to about 30ft. A bag of salmon is introduced which encourages the dogfish
to approach the divers. Its then possible to hand feed the sharks. It is not
uncommon to be surrounded by hundreds of 2 to 5ft dogfish and have several at
once latched onto the bait in your hands. The ensuing tug of war is one of the
most entertaining shark interactions that you will ever experience. The shark
dives are tide dependent as they are in a channel that feeds into Seymour
Narrows. Temps are cold all year round so a 7mm exposure suit or drysuit is
compulsory.
Operators: DynaMike's Dive
Charters. Mike Richmond runs weekend charters each summer to the vibrantly
colored reefs of Seymour Narrows. Although this is his primary business, the
dogfish dive has become so heavily requested that he usually squeezes in at
least a couple of dives with the sharks on each trip. His fast aluminum
dive boat carries around 12 divers and can get you from the dock to the site in
about 15 minutes. Mike is a very knowledgeable diver and the main pioneer of
sites around the island. When not underwater he revels in shocking people with
his brand of quirky, politically incorrect humor.
Abyssal Diving is the second diving lodge on Quadra and its
possible that they would also organize a dogfish dive if requested but I
have not heard of this occurring.
Accommodation: Mike and his
wife Darlene operate a dedicated diving lodge (that Mike built out of local
timbers) close to the dock. Most divers choose to stay with him and this is part
of the package that is offered. Most rooms have four bunks. The lodge caters to
small groups and is generally booked months in advance so it is wise to arrange
your trip early. Individuals can often join up with dive clubs that tend to book
up the prime weekends. Darlene is a fine cook and the lodge is equipped with
camera tables, a large diver friendly lounge, a drying room, and an air fill
station. There are numerous other B'&'Bs on the island and an alternative dive
lodge but Mike's experience is well known and his lodge is a friendly relaxed
environment to hang out in between dives.
Directions:
Quadra Island is located off of the east coast of Vancouver Island, British
Columbia, Canada. It is connected to Van. Island via an hourly ferry service
from Campbell River. To reach Campbell River drive north from Naniamo, which is
in turn connected to the Canadian mainland via a ferry service from
Departure Bay north of Vancouver or Twawassen ferry terminal south of Vancouver.
Allow lots of time for your journey as BC ferries get very busy during the
summer months and its not unusual to have to wait for two or three crossings.
The mainland ferries can be booked in advance.
Operators: DynaMike's Dive
Charters. Mike Richmond runs weekend charters each summer to the vibrantly
colored reefs of Seymour Narrows. Although this is his primary business, the
dogfish dive has become so heavily requested that he usually squeezes in at
least a couple of dives with the sharks on each trip. His fast aluminum
dive boat carries around 12 divers and can get you from the dock to the site in
about 15 minutes. Mike is a very knowledgeable diver and the main pioneer of
sites around the island. When not underwater he revels in shocking people with
his brand of quirky, politically incorrect humor. 
Accommodation: Mike and his
wife Darlene operate a dedicated diving lodge (that Mike built out of local
timbers) close to the dock. Most divers choose to stay with him and this is part
of the package that is offered. Most rooms have four bunks. The lodge caters to
small groups and is generally booked months in advance so it is wise to arrange
your trip early. Individuals can often join up with dive clubs that tend to book
up the prime weekends. Darlene is a fine cook and the lodge is equipped with
camera tables, a large diver friendly lounge, a drying room, and an air fill
station. There are numerous other B'&'Bs on the island and an alternative dive
lodge but Mike's experience is well known and his lodge is a friendly relaxed
environment to hang out in between dives.
