We are using lobster traps to collect reef specimens for the Hawaiian Monk Seal Nutrition study. Most of these traps are placed in the deeper waters using the ship. A few however, were placed in the shallows by the small boats. The boat crew received quite a surprise when they retrieved this trap the day after having set it. Evidently a large shark (probably a tiger shark) had pretty much torn the trap apart to get the bait canister out from inside of it. The marks of the culprit's serrated teeth were captured in the plastic as it bit out the side of the trap. Sharks are an important element to the ecology of these reefs and our divers often encounter them during their dives. Sharks and other top predators are very quick to eat injured or sick fish. This contributes considerably to keeping disease from spreading through the reef's closely packed populations of fish. White tip reef sharks, gray reef sharks and Galapagos sharks are far from uncommon and are often attracted to our divers just as they are to other large animals. These sharks have a normal behavior of following animals such as seals while the seal is hunting. After the seal has gone through all the trouble of turning over rocks in search of octopus or bottom dwelling fish, the sharks slip in and eat the prey just before the seal can grab it. Sometimes, these sharks will try to grab the prey right out of the seal's mouth while the seal will twist, turn and push the shark away to prevent this. Tiger sharks however, are the top predator on these reefs and can reach lengths of 14 feet and more. These sharks prey on seals, turtles, birds, large fish and other sharks. Our divers rarely encounter these shy brutes, as they tend to be wary of divers and remain aloof. Although they are a part of the reef ecosystem, it is rare for us to find evidence of their presence.