Roaring Earth videographers have captured an amazing encounter with one of the most efficient apex predators within the ocean’s ecological ecosystem — the blacktip reef shark.

Blacktip reef sharks are the most plentiful of all the reef sharks that inhabit the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Others include the Caribbean reef shark and the grey reef shark.

They predominantly feed upon crustaceans, bony fish, and cephalopods, in addition to the occasional sea snake or sea bird. Blacktip reef sharks get their names from the black points of their fins, especially their first dorsal and caudal fins.

Blacktip reef sharks are usually found in waters just a few meters deep, although they have been observed down to 250 feet.

While it is rare for blacktip reef sharks to approach humans, there have been confrontations due as a result of the presence of food, particularly in fishing situations. In this situation it is spearfishing that instigates the encounter.

With any method of fishing, care, patience and level-headedness is needed. Spearfishing has been utilized by humans for thousands of years. Spearguns and pneumatic harpoons are now used in the process.

This encounter between a fisherman and a shark is just another example of how exhilarating being out in nature can truly be.