Book Review - The Shark Watcher's Manual: A Guide to Species and Where to Find Them - Princeton University Press

 

     Odd though it may seem to those of us who lead more pedestrian lives, primarily landbound, there are those for whom shark watching is a regular activity, and for some a passion verging on addiction. 

     This is a book about that tribe and the sharks they watch; how to do it well, how to do it safely and where to do it. It all seems quite remarkable to me.

     Austin Gallagher is eminently qualified to lead us on this quest. He is a distinguished shark biologist as well as being a keen diver, motivated by the pursuit of scientific truth while not denying the thrill of intimate association with ancient creatures, where lethal encounters are always a possibility. Unlikely and rare, yes, but the threat is always present - and on their terms.

     Vigilance and respect are the cardinal rules of diving with sharks. What starts out as a routine dive in a familiar location can rapidly become dangerous; it is vital to know when it's time to get out of the water.

     The safety of the shark is paramount, no less than the health and well-being of the diver. You wish to go home and have dinner, not become one!

     The first sections of the book provide you with a wealth of information about the origins of these ancient creatures, their lifestyles and locations, shark photography and the ways that you need to act to ensure a safe outcome for both shark and human. The pages are gloriously illustrated and reveal scenes that most of us will never observe first hand.

      The species accounts are masterfully done, with text on the left, and a picture, identification keys, a range map, notes on distribution and hot spots on the right.

       Imagine yourself planning a shark diving adventure and having this wealth of information available to you before leaving home. 

      Were I a diver, I would find the location directory immensely useful. It is a gazetteer of diving locations around the world, organized by continent.

     Sadly, as is the case with all organisms on Earth the future is uncertain. There are success stories in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but recovery of these ancient creatures is slow. We must cling to hope, but optimism does not deny facts, and we are changing the oceans in ways that have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. We continue to assault the seas with staggering amounts of garbage, they are heating up, becoming more acidic and currents that regulate the temperature of the Earth are in danger of being disrupted.

     I was on the Island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas in February, and the sharks there have tested positive for drugs, including cocaine and painkillers. How are other marine organisms affected? What does this signal for humans? We are not immune from the havoc being wreaked on the oceans. Sharks are consumed by humans around the world and bioaccumulation of toxins is a real threat.

      The book illustrates magnificently the glory of ocean life, and the joy to be derived from diving with top predators. Let's hope we can come to our senses - and soon - to make sure we do not lose it.

      Or is it already too late?

The Shark Watcher's Manual: A Guide to Species and Where to Find Them - Princeton University Press

Paperback - US$32.00 - ISBN: 9780691273204

288 pages - 6 x 9.25 inches (15 x 23.125 cm) - 90 illustrations

Publication date: 14 April, 2026