Drawn by the sounds of the boat engine, as many as three dozen sharks congregate around our anchoring dive boat. The sight of these sleek, powerful creatures circling the vessel is enough excitement for some passengers -- they decide to stay in the boat. But the majority exhibit no fear as they race to gear up and jump in. As Smitty the divemaster describes shark behavior and what to expect during this dive, two dozen four to six foot Caribbean reef sharks and one seven foot bull shark circle the boat. They also know what to expect, and seem impatient for the action to begin. Over two decades ago, the owners and divemasters of Stella Maris Resort pioneered this predictable shark encounter. The site lies in the open ocean, a 45-minute boat ride from shore. Many marine experts visit this site to study shark behavior. The dependable return of these imposing creatures to this shallow feeding site provides the opportunity for enthusiasts to observe and study the underwater world and its inhabitants, and learn that sharks and humans can coexist in the sea. Stella Maris, as well as many other shark dive operators, are careful to feed the sharks only small amounts on an infrequent basis, preventing any dependency on the feedings or altering of the shark's natural behavior.
As the divers descend, columns of eager, enthusiastic bubbles rise to the surface from a depth of 40 feet. Struggling to control racing pulse and shallow, rapid breathing, divers move into position on the white sandy bottom next to a high profile coral head. The instructions replay loudly: "control your breathing, stay on the bottom, stay together, don't reach out and try to touch the sharks" . . . not to worry about that one. Smitty asks each person if they are OK, using scuba hand signals. Once the group is kneeling in a semi-circle, backs against the coral head, he signals his brother, Captain Delbert, to drop the bait bucket from the stern platform. The sharks and a variety of reef fish including big grouper, yellow-tail snappers, and blue stripe grunts swim with controlled curiosity until the bucket pierces the turquoise water with a splash. Immediately they converge on the bucket, hitting it with their noses, bouncing it around like a volleyball. Before the bucket hits the white sand bottom, the sharks fiercely tear off the plastic wrapping and expose the bait. Fins, tails, teeth, and
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