FLORIDA (1 Jan 2002) -- Sport divers will just have to make do with nature in Florida from now on. With the turn of the New Year, it is illegal for divers to feed marine wildlife in State waters, ending - at least in Florida - a poorly conceived and eco unfriendly scuba industry marketing strategy aimed at "growing the sport" by bringing in thrill seekers to dive in marine habitats converted into underwater "circus arenas". The new law, unanimously passed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on November 1, shuts down commercial shark-diving operations statewide by prohibiting both the "introduction of any food or other substance into the water by a diver for the purpose of feeding or attracting marine species", as well as the operation of "any vessel for hire for the purpose of carrying passengers to any site in the saltwaters of the state to engage in fish feeding or to allow such passengers to observe fish feeding." Environmental groups worldwide heartily applauded enactment of the new rules, won only after a bitter two-year fight with the dive industry. Although industry leaders had boasted just months ago that they would eventually win the fight because "we're willing to spend whatever it takes", the FFWCC and the public refused to be swayed by the industry's massive propaganda campaign, or by their legal threats and maneuvers. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is now obliged (under protocols established between the State and the Sanctuary) to begin the process leading to a complimentary rule that will make fish feeding illegal throughout Sanctuary waters, about 30% of which lie in federal waters beyond state jurisdiction. "This one's a victory for the all people of Florida, our ocean, and - most of all - Florida's marine wildlife", said Bob Dimond, President of the Florida non-profit organization (Marine Safety Group) that initially proposed the ban. "I think this spells the beginning of the end for these ill-advised activities on a world-wide basis, but we still have a lot of work to do to get there." Evan T. Allard, President of CDS (Cyber Diver Society) agrees. "The Florida decision sets a precedent that we are building on globally to ensure that marine wildlife is respected and protected worldwide. While the vast majority of divers in America, the Maldives, the Red Sea and throughout the global scuba diving community already understand how feeding bans promote marine conservation, we know that we must do more to educate PADI, DEMA and others in the industry who have not yet learned the principles of marine conservation in the 21st century." | | Dr. William Alevizon, marine fish expert and Scientific Advisor to MSG, agreed that the attacks were suspicious. "What seems unusual here is that humans are rarely attacked by these species under such conditions. People are not on the natural menus of these predators, and there was no blood or food scraps in the water - no apparent stimulus present to trigger such attacks." According to reports, in both cases the water was clear and no divers in the area were spearfishing. Alevizon, a veteran of thirty years of diving all over the world, admitted that evidence linking these particular attacks to prior fish feeding dives was purely circumstantial. Nonetheless, he said that the only places he'd ever seen large predators like these fearlessly and aggressively approach divers were, "places where fishes have been fed by divers in the past". According to the Marine Safety Group's records, many attacks on divers have been documented at popular dive sites where fish feeding was common. Although the victims of both attacks were treated and released, authorities remain concerned. The grouper's behavior will be monitored over the next two weeks. The park authority is considering relocation of the grouper, however, one conservationist suggested that relocation of any divers involved in feeding activities - preferably to central Australia - would by a more appropriate and effective solution." Hawaii beaches near that attack site were reopened after being closed for about 24 hours because of the attack. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKShark feeding: Genuine adventure or eco-unfriendly amusement park entertainment for silly tourists? |
