How many people could appear this calm while holding the tail of a monstrous shark? But then, shark wrangler Brett McBride isn't like most people...
Brett vs Beast —
How many people could appear this calm while holding the tail of a monstrous shark? But then, shark wrangler Brett McBride isn't like most people...
Courtesy Ocearch
The 46-year-old comes face to face with sharks almost everyday, as part of his work with scientific research vessel Ocearch.
Face to face —
The 46-year-old comes face to face with sharks almost everyday, as part of his work with scientific research vessel Ocearch.
Courtesy Ocearch
The team of scientists and sailors are on a mission to electronically tag sharks, in an effort to build a global map of their migration, breeding, and birthing habits.
Playing tag —
The team of scientists and sailors are on a mission to electronically tag sharks, in an effort to build a global map of their migration, breeding, and birthing habits.
Courtesy Ocearch
The team has just 15 minutes to attach $10,000 worth of tracking equipment, take blood and tissue samples, and even conduct an ultrasound.
Pit stop science —
The team has just 15 minutes to attach $10,000 worth of tracking equipment, take blood and tissue samples, and even conduct an ultrasound.
Courtesy Ocearch
It's up to captain McBride to guide the sharks onto the ship's platform, which raises out of the water much like a giant cradle. "When I'm dealing with the shark up close, when I've got my hands on it, those are the times where there's not fear going on, but a real focus -- I'm watching that shark's every twitch, every move," he said.
Enter McBride —
It's up to captain McBride to guide the sharks onto the ship's platform, which raises out of the water much like a giant cradle. "When I'm dealing with the shark up close, when I've got my hands on it, those are the times where there's not fear going on, but a real focus -- I'm watching that shark's every twitch, every move," he said.
Courtesy Ocearch
Since launching in 2007, Ocearch has tagged over 100 sharks. But it wasn't until National Geographic started featuring the team in TV series <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fchannel.nationalgeographic.com%2Fwild%2Fshark-men%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Shark Men,"</a> that McBride gained "superhero" status among fans.
Superhero? —
Since launching in 2007, Ocearch has tagged over 100 sharks. But it wasn't until National Geographic started featuring the team in TV series "Shark Men," that McBride gained "superhero" status among fans.
Courtesy Ocearch
Once on board, McBride will cover the shark's eyes with a dark towel to calm them down. Pipes filled with water are also put in their jaws, to irrigate the gills.
See no evil —
Once on board, McBride will cover the shark's eyes with a dark towel to calm them down. Pipes filled with water are also put in their jaws, to irrigate the gills.
Courtesy Ocearch
"When I'm in the water and see a shark, I can keep my fear completely under control, which helps me because they feel your heart beat, your sweat," said McBride.
He's behind you! —
"When I'm in the water and see a shark, I can keep my fear completely under control, which helps me because they feel your heart beat, your sweat," said McBride.
Courtesy Ocearch
"When the shark is taken out of the equation, the squid populations explode. They're voracious eaters so every night they'd eat the baby fish -- swordfish, tuna, marlin. The fish are being wiped out, not by man, but by squid. And that's because man took away their main predator -- sharks," said McBride.
Mighty mission —
"When the shark is taken out of the equation, the squid populations explode. They're voracious eaters so every night they'd eat the baby fish -- swordfish, tuna, marlin. The fish are being wiped out, not by man, but by squid. And that's because man took away their main predator -- sharks," said McBride.
Courtesy Ocearch