CRITTER CORNER

By John Christopher

Sharks

Many people have asked me if there are sharks in Alaska as divers most of
you know there are. There are three main sharks in Alaska Spiny Dogfish
(squalus acanthias), Salmon shark (lamna ditropis) and the Pacific Sleeper
shark (Somniosus pacificus). The Spiny Dogfish is by far the most common.
Its range is throughout Southeast Alaska and is found above the Alaska
Peninsula. Salmon Shark and Pacific sleepers have much the same range.
Salmon shark as their name attests have a diet heavy in salmon and have been
know to jump out of the water in pursuit of them. Sleeper sharks are the
rarest of the three and inhabit water well bellow the recreational dive
limits. Most sleeper shark are seen are brought up on long liners fishing.
Other sharks are known to have been found in Alaskan waters but this is
rare. In 1976 the largest great white to be caught or found was found washed
up on a beach in Southeast Alaska. It was determined that it had died from
Hypothermia. Shark are usually so scared of us divers with all the noise we
make it is a rare treat to see one. I hope you all will have that special
treasure.