Shark Dive

Gr 9 Up—Wildlife cinematographer Andy Brandy Casagrande, whom fans of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" may recognize, aims to present these top ocean predators in a favorable light. The film combines beautiful visuals with copious facts about sharks and other marine life. Casagrande and his wife, Emma, filmed each other diving with reef, nurse, oceanic whitetip, hammerhead, tiger, and great white sharks in the clear tropical waters of the Bahamas, Mexico, and Hawaii and in the ocean off South Africa. The predator fish are sometimes attracted to bait and other times are obviously curious about the divers and their equipment. Showing a peaceful, social side to these generally feared creatures speaks volumes and may help to gain them the protections they need in the face of overzealous shark hunters, environmental stressors, the fishing industry, and other perils. Other marine life is also depicted and discussed, including exotic fish, elephant seals, sea lions, and manatees. Casagrande conveys his love of diving, his respect for sharks, and information about the geography of the sea floor.