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VIDEO: Salmon shark treats scientists to 91Ƶsurprising91Ƶ behaviour off B.C. coast

Scientists, students treated to 91Ƶsurprising91Ƶ behaviour from shark
17868793_web1_SharkVideo2-31july19
Joshua Watts, representing Uuathluk as well as Nuu-chah-nulth nations in the Alberni Valley region of Vancouver Island, waits to board Canadian Coast Guard ship John P. Tully for a two-week expedition with pacific seamounts 2019. INSTAGRAM PHOTO

For a brief moment this week, the waters off Port Alberni became the salmon shark capital of Canada.

Scientists and students aboard an Oceans Network Canada expedition to explore pacific seamounts off the west coast of Vancouver Island had a rare sighting of a salmon shark on July 23.

Scientist Dr. Cherisse Du Preez and Joshua Watts, one of two Nuu-chah-nulth people aboard the vessel, spotted the two-metre, male salmon shark.

91ƵWe noticed it started brushing itself along this log over and over again,91Ƶ Watts said in a video released by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

91ƵIt looked like it was aiming for this big clump of barnacles,91Ƶ Du Preez said. 91ƵIt would heave its body out of the water and slide at the log.91Ƶ

The shark had parasites visible on its dorsal fin. 91ƵIt91Ƶs really interesting to see these logs out at sea may be scratching posts for them to rid themselves of parasites,91Ƶ Du Preez said.

91ƵAs far as I know, this footage doesn91Ƶt exist elsewhere.91Ƶ

Crew members reportedly watched the salmon shark for half an hour. 91ƵIt was incredible,91Ƶ Watts said.

Watts and Aline Carrier from Nuu-chah-nulth nations in Port Alberni boarded the coast guard ship John P Tully on July 17 to join the expedition for two weeks. They represent Uuathluk

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Port Alberni boasts of being the Salmon Capital of Canada, and was crowned Canada91Ƶs Ultimate Fishing Town in 2012.

To watch the livestream of the Pacific seamounts expedition 2019 and learn more about what they91Ƶre finding, .

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17868793_web1_SharkVideo3-31july19
Scientist Cherisse Du Preez, left, and Uuathluk91Ƶs Joshua Watts talk about their close-up encounter with a salmon shark while on Ocean Networks Canada91Ƶs pacific seamounts 2019 expedition. SCREEN GRAB


Susie Quinn

About the Author: Susie Quinn

A journalist since 1987, I have been the Alberni Valley News editor since August 2006.
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