Sharks and Safety Around Pohnpei

harks are ever-present in Micronesia, but their natural prey is so abundant and encroachment by humans so light that violent encounters are rare.  The most common shark species seen near Pohnpei are moderate to small in size and generally non-aggressive.  Despite the apparently built-in human fear of being consumed by a shark, statistics show that an individual has a much greater chance of being struck by lightening than being nibbled on by any species of shark. In general, sharks have very little interest in humans at all. Accidents do happen but are unusual, especially in Micronesia. Between 1828 and 2000 there were only 6 recorded shark attacks in the F.S.M.,-- none of them fatal.

Common Shark Species Around Pohnpei

Certain types of sharks do have better records than others, so it is helpful to be able to identify different species seen while in the water.  Though swimming near most of the requiem shark species (first six) around Pohnpei is commonplace and relatively safe, greater caution should be exercised on the rare occasion that a larger, more aggressive shark, such as the tiger shark, should appear.  Tigers are rarely seen inside Pohnpei's reef, though one was sighted in 1999 (photo at top right). Below are the most common Pohnpeian sharks, each given a danger rating (out of 10) based on reported attacks on humans world-wide.

A large tiger shark in the lagoonSHARK SAFETY TIPS 

The honey-bee kills more people each year than all sharks combined.  Swimmers, snorkelers and divers have more to fear from dehydration, sunburn, and accidental brushes with stingrays or jellyfish.  But make no mistake, sharks are powerful and have the potential to severely injure humans, even though they rarely do. Respect all sharks, use common sense and consider  these guidelines:

  • Do not swim at dusk, the prime feeding time for sharks
  • Avoid wearing anything bright colored or shiny
  • Stay out if you have open cuts or if menstruating
  • Avoid murky water
  • Avoid areas frequented by fishing boats
  • If spear fishing, string your fish on a line with a float at least 15 feet from your body
  • If any shark seems to be acting aggressively or swimming erratically, turn around and swim calmly away
  • Never swim alone
White-tip Reef SharkWhite-tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Features: (1) Small, slender, flattened body (2) Short snout (3) Gray-brown dorsal with lighter ventral surface (4) White tips on first dorsal and upper caudal fins (occasionally second dorsal) (5) Large second dorsal fin. Largest recorded: 5 feet long.  Notes: Extremely common around Pohnpei; can often be seen resting on its pectoral fins. Where: Shallow reef areas near all islands in the Pohnpei vicinity and around major reef passes. Palikir Pass, Pehleng Pass, Kehpara Pass, and Ant Atoll. Danger Rating: 1 - Minor danger to spear fishermen.

Black-tip Reef SharkBlack-tip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
Features: (1) Small body (2) Short, rounded snout (3) Gray-yellow-brown dorsal with lighter ventral surface (4) Dark marks on all fin tips (especially first dorsal) (5) Light band below dorsal fin tips and gray band on flank. Largest recorded: 6.5 feet long.  Notes: Ubiquitous in Micronesia; has the unique behavior of swimming in extremely shallow water, sometimes less than a foot deep. Where: Near shallow reef and seen near all Pohnpei's atolls and most islets. Kehpara Pass, Palikir Pass, Pehleng Pass, Tauenai Pass (Ant), Laiap, Na, Nahningi, and Lenger. Danger Rating: 1 - Occasionally aggressive toward spear fishermen and waders.

Gray Reef SharkGray Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Features: (1) Small, torpedo-shaped body (2) Pointed snout (3) Gray dorsal with lighter ventral surface (4) Darker pelvic, caudal, second dorsal, and anal fins. Largest recorded: 7 feet long.  Notes: Often congregate in schools during the day and hunt singly at night; highly territorial; regular encounters with groups of 30 to 100 sharks has made Palikir Pass famous with divers and earned it the nickname "Shark City." Where: Seen frequently around the barrier reef passes; Palikir Pass, Dauahk Pass, Pehleng Pass, and Ant Atoll. Danger Rating: 1 - Known for feeding frenzy behavior in which it can become a danger to divers, snorkelers, or fishermen.

Silver-tip SharkSilver-tip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
Features: (1) Small body (2) Long, pointed snout (3) Dark gray or gray-brown dorsal with white ventral surface (4) Silver-gray marks on first dorsal and caudal fins (5) Angular first dorsal and pectoral fins. Not to be confused with the white-tip reef shark.  Largest recorded: 9 feet long.  Notes: Feed on tuna, bonito, and sometimes sting rays. Where: Found at barrier reef passes and near shallow reef, especially Kehpara Pass.
Danger Rating: 1

Black-tip SharkBlack-tip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Features: (1) Stout body (2) Long, pointed snout (3) Dark gray or bluish dorsal with white ventral surface (4) Black marks on tips of pelvic fins, sometimes darker marks on other fins (5) Tall first dorsal fin. Largest recorded: 8 feet long.  Where: Sometimes found around coral reef drop-offs near atolls, but are usually found mid-water. Sighted at Palikir Pass. Danger Rating: 2

Blue SharkBlue Shark (Prionace glauca)
Features: (1) Slender body (2) Long, pointed snout (3) Dark blue dorsal with white ventral surface (4) Dark pectoral and anal fins (5) Very long pectoral fins. Largest recorded: 13 feet long. Where: Typically found mid-water. Might be seen beyond the barrier reef when trolling, but not around Pohnpei's inner reefs or islands. Danger Rating: 2

Great Hammerhead SharkGreat Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
Features: (1) Large body (2) Unmistakable hammer-shaped head (3) Light gray or brown dorsal with white ventral surface (4) Very tall, curved first dorsal fin (also long second dorsal and pelvic fins). Largest recorded: 20 feet long.  Notes: Have a hankering for sting ray meat, and divers sometimes report seeing spines lodged in their snouts. Where:  Occasionally seen near Pohnpei's barrier reef passes, particularly Dauahk Pass. Danger Rating: 2 - Reportedly aggressive towards divers in other parts of the world, but no reports in Micronesia.

Tiger SharkTiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Features: (1) Very large body (2) Broad, blunt snout (3) Gray-brown dorsal with unique bar or spot pattern, white ventral surface (4) Large mouth with teeth angled inward. Largest recorded: 21 feet long.  Notes: Largely nocturnal species; very opportunistic; claimed by some to be the most dangerous shark species in the world. Where: Mostly found in deep water outside the barrier reef, but wander into lagoon areas occasionally.  Rarely seen around Pohnpei. Danger Rating: 8 - Very dangerous. Avoid areas where tigers have been spotted.

Shark Body Language

Aggressive PosturesAccidents might be avoided by learning to read the body language of sharks, particularly territorial reef-dwellers.  Relaxed sharks swim with their bodies aligned on the horizontal axis and propel themselves through the water with their tails.  Biologists believe that grossly exaggerated movements of a shark's body side to side and arching of its back can be interpreted as aggressive signals, sparked by competitive instinct. Some sharks may feel threatened by humans nearby (especially smaller sharks) and these postures are meant to encourage the intruder to leave. Always comply with these signals.

 

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  • Text by Alex Zuccarelli 2003.
  • Image/Photo Credits:  Tiger shark photo courtesy of Phoenix Marine Sports ©1999. All other photos, images and maps property of Alex Zuccarelli.
  • All photographs on this page were used with the written permission of their perspective owners, except where otherwise indicated.

 Primary Sources

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On-Line Resources (in no particular order)

Last Updated:  24-Jun-2004  Pohnpei-Between Time & Tide © Winahni Productions/Alex Zuccarelli 2003.