In 2021, Cape Cod lobster diver Michael Packard was swallowed by a humpback whale, survived a 30‑second ordeal, and returned to the water weeks later. A 17‑year‑old Florida scalloper, Addison Bethea, was saved from a shark by her brother, a firefighter‑EMT. Meanwhile, a Filipino fisherman uncovered a 34‑kg pearl that could be worth $100 million, now on display in city hall.

Packard’s 45‑Foot Whale Encounter Reveals How Close Humans Can Get to the Big Five

According to the source, Packard was 45 feet below the surface when the water turned black and he was suddenly inside a humpback’s mouth. The whale surfaced and spat him out, leaving bruises but no lasting injury. This rare event underscores the unpredictable nature of marine mammals and the thin line between curiosity and danger for divers.

Addison Bethea’s Shark Attack Highlights the Risks of Shallow‑Water Scalloping

The source reports that Bethea was attacked by a shark near Grassy Island by Keaton Beach, Florida. Her brother, 22‑year‑old Rhett Willingham, a firefighter and EMT, fought the shark until it released her. The incident illustrates how even shallow waters can harbor lethal predators, a fact often overlooked by recreational divers.

The “Pearl of Puerto” Shows How the Seafloor Holds Untold Wealth

According to the report,a fisherman in the Philippines found a 34‑kg baroque pearl tangled in his anchor. Dubbed the “Pearl of Puerto” or “Puerto Princesa Pearl,” it is estimated to be worth up to $100 million and has been displayed at city hall. The find highlights how little of the 335 million‑sq‑km seafloor has been explored.

Only 0.001% of the Deep Seafloor Has Been Documented by 44,000 Dives

The source cites a Global Dive Dataset that records 44,000 dives by submersibles, ROVs, and autonomous robots.. together, they filmed an area less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor, showing that most of the ocean remains a mystery. The dataset also shows a bias: 65% of dives occur within 200 nautical miles of the U.S., Japan, or New Zealand, and 97% are conducted by those countries, France, and Germany.

Who Will Own the $100 Million Pearl After Its Public Display?

The source does not disclose whether the pearl will be sold, auctioned, or kept as a municipal treasure. The question remains: will the city hall display become a tourist magnet, or will the pearl be transferred to a private collector? The answer will affect local tourism and cultural heritage policies.