Occurred on October 15, 2023 / Jervis Bay, Jervis Bay Territory, New South Wales, Australia
Info from Licensor: "A Port Jackson shark emerges from the depths carrying something in its mouth. As the 1.5m individual gets closer, I notice it's a shark egg, also called a 'mermaid purse', and it looks one of its kind! Is this a case of cannibalism? A cheeky shark looking for an easy high-protein snack? Or is it just a mother looking for a safe hide to screw her own egg, away from predators? Unlike most sharks, Port Jackson sharks are oviparous. Female sharks develop and fertilise their eggs internally, which gives their pups a much better chance at survival. Once ready, they lay their semi-hard-shell eggs and wedge them into rocks and crevices. But sometimes these eggs get loose and become an easy target for predators like the Crested Horn Shark or even members of their own species! I filmed this shark while freediving at Jervis Bay Marine Park, a protected area in Australia with a thriving marine ecosystem."
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