A 13-foot great white shark relaxes in less than 6 feet of water in Gaans Bay, South Africa. Great White Invasion investigates why, over the past decade, these massive sharks have been patrolling coasts and popular beaches in record numbers.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
A female great white sunbathes in shallow water off a deserted beach in South Africa. Like us, these sharks enjoy the warmth of the sun and can even develop a suntan. The shallows are rich in oxygen compared to the open ocean, allowing the great white to slow its swimming and breathe more easily.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
Scientists bait a great white shark in order to attach a satellite transmitter to its dorsal muscle. The tag will tell them where the shark goes and when, helping the researchers unravel the secret behind the Great White Invasion of recent years.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
This contraption is called a "shark tube." Made of polycarbonate plastic, the shark tube is only a quarter of an inch thick, but strong enough to resist a great white — at least, shark expert Chris Fallows (right) hopes it is.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
Chris Fallows is lowered to the sharks off the coast of Mexico's Guadalupe Island, where California's great whites find sanctuary with other sharks from across the Pacific Ocean.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
From within the shark tube, Chris Fallows feeds a great white shark a hunk of tuna from a metal pole.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
It's no secret that great white sharks occasionally bite and, on occasion, kill people, but man is a far greater threat to this species than vice versa. Great white sharks are listed as vulnerable to extinction.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
Now that the shark is used to eating from the metal pole, Chris tests whether it's deterred by the addition of a magnetic shark repellant. In theory, the device's magnetic field will repel the shark by overstimulating its electrosensory system. If it works, the magnetic shark repellant may be used in the future to help keep people safe from great whites — and great whites safe from humans.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
As recently as 20 years ago, it was considered suicide to dive openly with great whites. Shark expert and photographer Chris Fallows has spent decades studying these creatures and trusts that his knowledge of their behavior will keep him safe. "We now know we can get close to them in their environment without them posing a huge threat to us," says Chris.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
Chris Fallows snaps a photograph of a massive great white shark. "Although commonly thought to be bold and brazen, white sharks are actually cautious animals and won't just venture in and attack something they're not sure of," says Chris. "Not at one stage did I ever feel threatened."
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
"We saw time and time again sharks up to 14 feet in length coming right up to me, sometimes inches away from me," says Chris Fallows. "If anything, they were cautious and even a little bit scared. It's simply unbelievable to be in the water with these magnificent creatures."
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
A bronze whaler is wrangled from a fishing net and cast back into the shallows of False Bay, South Africa. Great whites come to False Bay annually to feed on seals, but switch their diet in spring to fish, rays and even other sharks, like this one.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
Chris Fallows freedives with a great white shark.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
"Chris (Fallows) had to learn how to paddleboard for this scene," says producer Jeff Kurr. "He had never been on one 24 hours before we shot this. I totally left it up to him, but he was bound and determined to show people that these giant, 14-foot white sharks cruising in the shallows were not aggressive. Curious yes, aggressive no.
Image Credit: DCI Courtesy of Chris Fallows
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