One of the greatest tales of survival will be celebrated next month (December 2013) when South Australian, Rodney Fox, celebrates 50 years surviving one of history's worst great white shark attacks.

While Rodney could have turned the attack into an assault on one of the world's most feared ocean predators, he instead used his experience to educate the world about great white sharks and founded the great white shark cage diving industry.

"There's so much we still don't know about this mysterious creature and I've made it my mission to expose the myths surrounding sharks and to educate people about them." Rodney said.

Inspired by a trip to the Adelaide Zoo shortly after his attack, Rodney designed and built the world's first shark cage, made the first underwater movies of great white sharks and, following the release of the Hollywood blockbuster movie JAWS (filmed with Rodney in South Australia), began the world's cage diving industry, showing international guests great white sharks underwater.

The global industry he began in Port Lincoln continues to thrive. This is the only place in the country where people can cage dive with great white sharks - no dive license necessary - and Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions is the only company in the world offering ocean floor cage dives for scuba divers.

Today, Rodney's company is run by his son, Andrew Fox. Andrew, who was born into a life of sharks, carries on his father's legacy welcoming guests from around the globe and conducting onboard research through the Fox Shark Research Foundation. This Foundation was established by Rodney, Andrew and Dr Rachel Robbins in 2002.

"It's a privilege for people to be able to observe these creatures in their natural environment and marvel at their strength and beauty. Seeing people's reactions when they get out of the cage after seeing the sharks is so rewarding and makes a difference to how these animals are perceived," Rodney said.

On 8th December 1963 at Aldinga Beach, 45 minutes south of Adelaide, Rodney was attacked by a great white shark while defending his title in the South Australian Spear Fishing Championship.

His lung was punctured, every rib on his left side was broken and his abdomen, spleen and main artery from his heart were exposed. He needed 462 stitches to piece together the left side of his chest, and a further 92 in his hand which was badly lacerated with four tendons severed. He still has a piece of shark tooth embedded in his wrist. However, whilst recovering in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Rodney started to feel that there was an unnatural hatred and unjustified fear from people in general towards sharks.

Since his attack he has led countless expeditions resulting in more than 60 feature films and documentaries on great whites. His advocacy has helped gain great white shark protection in Australian waters. He also initiated the South Australian Great White Shark Code of Conduct which protects sharks from exploitation and has been adopted by industry.

"Since my attack I have been determined to share what I have learnt about great white sharks and let people know that they are not the crazy man eaters that many people think." Rodney said. "There's still a lot to learn, but for people to be able to safely view them is a start. To give people a better understanding is something I am proud of achieving. Sharks are a key predator at the top of the food chain and are essential for keeping our oceans healthy. We have to learn to live with sharks and not kill them through fear."

To find out more visit www.rodneyfox.com.au

Rodney Fox's autobiography, Sharks, the Sea and Me, is being released early December to mark the 50th anniversary of the attack . To find out more or order a copy visit www.rodneyfox.com.au

Fast facts

South Australian Rodney Fox is a survivor of one of the world's most infamous shark attacks. Since then he is highly regarded as a film maker and leading conservationist, passionate about protecting wildlife and the environment. Rodney:

• Invented shark cage diving
• Began the global shark cage diving industry hosting a group of US visitors in Port Lincoln, South Australia in 1976
• Made the first underwater wildlife movies about great white sharks with Ron Taylor
• Pioneered swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth, Western Australia
• Is a pioneer of the abalone diving industry with 16 years experience
• Has been involved in the making of more than 60 films and documentaries, providing the live shark footage for the Hollywood blockbuster JAWS
• Helped gain great white shark protection in Australian waters
• Initiated the South Australian Great White Shark Code of Conduct

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For further information please contact:  

George Ristich 
Tel: +44 (0) 1628 630 965
Email: george@ipr-online.co.uk