The Shark-Watcher's Handbook: A Guide to Sharks and Where to See Them: Amazon.co.uk: Mark Carwardine, Ken Watterson: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

Not all nature lovers waffle on about twitching with Bill Oddie in a bird sanctuary. The Shark Watcher's Handbook caters for those with whose tastes lean toward the more extreme end of the wildlife-spotting spectrum, providing a thorough guide to the places, practicalities and politics of the sport.

From its origins as an exclusive pursuit of monied daredevils in the 60s and 70s, to its ubiquitous presence in today's tourist industry, shark watching has become a world-wide phenomenon. This guide will prove indispensable if you're getting onboard, whether you're planning on delving into the chilly waters off the Isle of Man or spending several weeks in a floating hotel off the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Providing sound advice for every stage of a shark-spotting trip, from planning and preparation to safety in the water, The Shark Watcher's Handbook includes a complete shark-identification chart, a directory of sites, basic site maps and is bursting with stunning full-colour underwater photographs.

This really deserves its "handbook" epithet, covering literally everything you need to know and transcending its field-guide status by touching on the ethical, political and environmental issues surrounding the sport. If Mark Carwardine and Ken Watterson assure us that, statistically, "there is a greater chance of winning the national lottery than of being eaten by a shark", it's clear that they have an ulterior motive: to dispel the great Jaws myth and engender a "sense of the colossal and barbaric injustice being inflicted on sharks today". Whether you tackle it in one big bite or take little nips out of it now and again, The Shark Watcher's Handbook is certain to satisfy any appetite--you might even call it a great write. The only criticism? It isn't waterproof. Fin. --Paul Eisinger

Product Description

Hundreds of thousands of people have an intentional encounter with sharks every year, and shark-watching has become a multi-million dollar business. The ultimate shark-watcher's guide, this comprehensive and ground-breaking book is essential reading for any marine enthusiast who wants to navigate the waters of those who consort with sharks. "The Shark-Watcher's Handbook" covers everything you need to know about sharks and shark watching: the history, techniques, risks and controversies; a thorough overview of shark natural history and biology; the many threats facing sharks and how snorkelers and divers can help; and even how to get good shark photographs, safely. There is also an extensive, fully illustrated directory of the twenty-four species most commonly encountered by shark watchers. Each entry includes important information on natural history, classification, diet, reproduction, behavior and range; and there are special sections on identification, the potential danger to divers and good places for a close encounter. The book includes the first detailed directory of more than 250 of the world's shark-watching hotspots, with a detailed description of each site and information on everything from the species most likely to be seen and the best time of year to visit to contact details for further information and travel notes. Whether you're a professional diver, someone contemplating your first close encounter with a shark, or the sort of person who prefers to view these extraordinary animals in the pages of a book, "The Shark-Watcher's Handbook" is an attractive, invaluable, and utterly fascinating guide to the underwater world of sharks.

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

Every diver should have a copy 25 Aug 2002

By victoria metcalfe

Format:Paperback

This is a book for people who have always wanted to dive with sharks, but don't know were to find them. It contains a directory of more than 250 of the world's shark-watching hotspots, form cage-diving with great whites in South Australia to snorkelling with basking sharks in the Irish sea. With web sites to help you organize the experience of a life time, it is the guide to any shark enthusiast.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Snap this one up! 30 Sep 2002

By Ruth Searle

Format:Hardcover

This beautifully illustrated book is a ground-breaking guide on shark watching and an inspiration for shark lovers who despair of horror stories which perpetuate the myths about these amazing animals.

Thoroughly researched, the authors spent three years painstakingly checking every scrap of information from thousands of dive operators and experts around the world, resulting in a guide you can really trust for its accuracy.

The book begins with sections on shark diving, the risks involved, shark photography, natural history and shark conservation, each one crammed with facts about sharks and useful practical information to enable the reader to get the most out of any shark watching experience. The conservation chapter sensitively explores issues such as shark finning and commercial fishing with useful contacts for those inspired to support the shark conservation effort.

The shark directory details 24 shark species on any divers 'must-see' list with succinct information on each species. Clear illustrations and a useful checklist aid identification and there are sections on the potential danger to divers, the distribution of the species as well as details of all the good places to encounter them.

The directory of shark watching sites follows on from the species directory and gives comprehensive maps and detailed information on things such as location, species encountered, viewing opportunities, whether bait or cages are used and other wildlife which might be encountered, along with contact details for an impressive 250 shark hot spots around the world.

A truly indispensable guide for shark watchers everywhere.

Ruth Searle

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

Shark Watchers 21 Jan 2003

By Natalie Winter

Its hard to add much to the other reviews here as I agree that this is a must buy for any diver with an interest in sharks. In fact I've bought it twice (I gave my first copy to a dive instructor in Galapagos and had to replace it).

One thing I would say against it is that I would like the species coverage to be better (for example sandbar, spiny dogfish and port jackson shark are missing)