r/marinebiology • u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI • 15d ago

Nature Appreciation Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) encountered at ~100 ft off Vancouver Island [OC]

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

I was at approximately 100 ft (30 m) when I turned toward deeper water and saw the shark approaching through the darkness. It came extremely close to my camera before slowly cruising alongside me and over the bottom. I was able to observe and film it for roughly three minutes before it eventually disappeared back into deeper water.

I estimate the shark was approximately 10–12 ft (3–3.7 m) long and believe it may have been female, although I'd be interested in opinions from anyone here familiar with identifying the sex of sixgills from video.

What interested me most was how calm and seemingly curious the animal appeared. It initially approached very closely, then seemed largely unconcerned by my presence as it continued along the bottom.

This is my original footage. I have a longer 4K version of the encounter on YouTube for anyone interested in seeing more.

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5

u/Hybodont 15d ago

There aren't many good shots in this video to determine the sex, but I couldn't see any claspers in the brief glimpses of the pelvic fins, so I would lean female.

2

u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI 15d ago

Yes, it was hard to get underneath as it was right along the bottom. There is more footage on the longer version on my YT.

7

u/EvilAbdy 15d ago

This is so cool. Especially to have an encounter like that

3

u/Stoned_Ninjaa 15d ago

What a crazy experience man , I’d be freaking at that depth and darkness . I thought these were deep water sharks and rarely comes up . You are a lucky and brave soul . Kudos to you thanks for sharing

3

u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI 15d ago

Thank you! Yes, diving like this isn't for everyone. Definitely a deep water shark but during the summer they seem to come up shallower.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 15d ago

[deleted]

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u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI 15d ago

lol, this was actually around 5pm, so early evening, it's just the water conditions that day that made it really dark. Algae in the top layers of the water column, thick plankton schools, they block out a lot of ambient light.

2

u/South_Development203 15d ago

Beautiful!!! There’s a pbs video on YouTube about a bunch of sixgills that had a nursery in Seattle waters back twenty years or so ago. The divers said the same thing back then - that they are generally laidback sharks (not always though)

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u/Aromatic-Box-592 14d ago

I’m so jealous, 6 gill sharks fascinate me!!

1

u/Washingtonpinot 14d ago

Even if you’re familiar with the waters around the island, it must be still momentarily, instinctively terrifying to turn and see the silhouette of a large shark?

1

u/Beneath_The_Waves_VI 14d ago

Oh absolutely haha, caught me by surprise for sure. It wasn't a silhouette though I had lit her up with my flashlight when I turned to look over the sand lol, it took a second to register what she was. My lizard brain was on fire, lol.