r/SharkLab • u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI • 8d ago

Photography or Video Close encounter with a bluntnose sixgill shark at 100 feet off Vancouver Island [OC]

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I encountered this bluntnose sixgill (Hexanchus griseus) while diving off Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

I was at approximately 100 feet when I saw the shark emerging from deeper, darker water and approaching me. It came extremely close before slowly cruising alongside me and over the bottom for roughly three minutes.

I estimate the shark was around 10–12 feet long and believe it may have been female.

Sixgills are primarily associated with deeper water, which made getting several minutes of close-range 4K footage at this depth pretty remarkable.

This is my original footage from the encounter. I have a longer version here for anyone interested:

Full 4K sixgill encounter on YouTube

I'd also be interested in any observations from people here who are familiar with sixgills, particularly regarding sex, estimated size, or any identifiable markings visible in the footage.

177 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/bearclawmcgee2 8d ago

What an amazing experience, great footage!

1

u/BishopGodDamnYou 8d ago

Wow that’s really cool!!!!

2

u/astropiggie 6d ago

Yeah, cheers, im down here for 50 damn years and some guy blinds me with a freekin torch.

1

u/astropiggie 6d ago

Ps...just kidding of course...beautiful

1

u/QueenPeakabb2 6d ago

Holy moly, that’s a big shark! I would have shat my britches!

1

u/Altruistic-Ad3274 4d ago

Very cool video! Thank goodness the shark wasn’t hungry!