Giant shark with injured fin swims calmly past snorkellers

Whale sharks had made their annual migration and were feeding in an area off the coast of Cancun, Mexico near Isla Mujeres. The sharks congregate here due to the convergence of two major ocean currents which cause an upwelling of the waters that brings the sharks favourite foods to the surface, krill. An upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface. This type of current was replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. These huge gentle animals feed on krill, fish eggs, plankton, and any other tiny creatures that may come within their massive mouths. They are filter feeders with very small throats openings and are completely harmless to humans. Reaching a length of 55 feet and an incredible weight of almost 100,000 lbs.,the sharks are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on the planet. Scuba divers and snorkelers travel from all over the world to swim with these magnificent animals, although in this area, snorkelling is the only way you are allowed to get close with these beautiful creatures. Scuba gear is not allowed to be used near them. A close encounter with such a giant is an unforgettable experience.This group of friends travelled from the East and West of Canada to take a private charter to an area some 20 miles from land off the island of Isla Mujeres. The videographer and friends chose a whale shark excursion with Serious Diving Tours from Isla Mujures to spend the day with. On this trip after the six snorkellers, as diving is not permitted around these majestic creatures, had the chance to swim with these animals, something amazing happened. This giant whale shark known as Rooster, swam within a few strokes of the boat, so the group donned their mask and fins and jumped in the water. Swimming hard is required even though the sharks show very little effort in their motions, they can disappear in seconds with the enormous power of their tails. Rooster gained his name from the damage seen on his dorsal fin. Since these beautiful animals are relatively slow swimmers, and spend a lot of their time feeding on the surface, this opens them up to injuries from cruise ships and freighters. The gashes on Rooster’s fin would have been caused by the propeller of a large ship, luckily it was only the fin and not its body that suffered the injury.