Mike Rutzen
biography
tobe brought up on a farm
started career as a fisherman
became a shark expert
taught himself everything he knows about sharks
swim alongside the sharks, pets them
click to edit
- tourism developed
- there arose a need for experienced boat skippers
passion
goes beyond the limits of most sharks
dedicated to sharing passion for
great white sharks
started up a cage-diving business
specialise in locating & driving with sharks
provide unique encounter
set the goal of changing
people's negative perception
sharks: far away from ferocious and mindless killing machines that are portrayed in media.
hypnotise them: put them in a stage of total immobility
a sight that scientists can only marvel at
great champion of shark conservation
aim
What does he do?
give talks and lectures
make documentaries
star in an episode of BBC natural's world.
seeking to highlight the GWS's status as endangered species
raise awareness of the need to protect them
took lessons in freediving
learnt how to interpret their behaviour
learn how to adapt posture to avoid being attacked