File:Atoll research bulletin (2001) (20345497185).jpg

Title: Atoll research bulletin
Identifier: atollresearchb4942001smit (find matches)
Year: 1951 (1950s)
Authors: Smithsonian Institution. Press; National Research Council (U. S. ). Pacific Science Board; Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History (U. S. ); United States. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Subjects: Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : (Smithsonian Press)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Figure 12. Randall feeding a small whitetip reef shark at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1976. (Photo N. Bartlett) fishes that are the worst offenders for this toxemia, determine their toxicity, and study their food habits, etc. (Randall, 1980a). The main objective was to be able to advise the Enewetakese, who were planning to return to their atoll, of the level of ciguatera. They had been evicted from the island when we conducted our atom-bomb tests. Many of the fish specimens were obtained by spearing, meaning a greater risk of interaction with sharks. Already three divers had been bitten by gray reef sharks at the atoll, and I had a close call when one went into its threat posturing (Johnson and Nelson, 1973). I shot my Hawaiian sling spear at the shark, not knowing then that this was the worst thing I could do. It made a violent twisting maneuver, and the spear flipped out. At that moment the shark was facing the anchor line instead of me, so it bit and shook on the line and then went on its way. In July 1975, while diving with Russell E. "Shot" Miller in the same pass at 18- 20 m, he banged on his tank with his powerhead handle to alert me that a gray reef shark was posturing just behind me. I turned to see the shark heading for him, apparently attracted by the sound. I took a moment to arm my powerhead and then looked back to see the shark biting Miller on the head. Blood was pouring out, green at that depth, and his face mask was cut off. He rocketed to the surface with the shark following. I did not want to fire my powerhead because of fear of hitting the diver. Fortunately, the shark moved off and I helped Miller to the boat. He had seven gashes in his head (above the hairline) that required 25 stitches. He told me he had hit the

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