HONOLULU, Hawaii (14 Jan 2002) -- The State of Hawaii took the first major step in a move to ban shark-feeding dives in state waters. The Board of Land & Natural Resources voted yesterday to hold hearings on banning shark feeding later this year. In the proposal to initiate the process, William Devick, administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources, stated: "Attacks on people involved in feeding operations have been documented, and trained sharks may pose a generally increased risk of attacks on individuals not involved in feeding operations." Although Devick does not believe shark-feeding dives are widespread in Hawaii - yet - he said, "We felt it is desirable to take a proactive approach and prohibit such activities before they become established in Hawaii." Some operators are known to conduct feeding dives in which cages protect clients, but these are occurring beyond three miles from shore- the limit of state jurisdiction. "If that's the case, he doesn't have anything to worry about, since this measure would only affect state waters," said Randy Honebrink, state aquatic education coordinator. "Feeding sharks is a practice increasing around the world, and we're trying to prevent it being established here." Hawaii's deliberations fall close on the heels of a similar ban passed in November by the State of Florida. That rule prohibits the feeding of all marine fishes, rather than sharks alone. It went into effect on January 1, 2002. | | National Marine Fisheries Service fishery biologist John Naughton said he is not sure that the series of highly publicized attacks in Florida waters were connected to feeding dives, but he supports the proposed ban in Hawaii. Naughton said the purpose of banning shark feeding is "...two-fold: First for the safety of surfers and divers and water users. The other concern is it alters the natural behavior of these sharks -- and there could be some larger ramifications to the ecosystem. It's very analogous to feeding bears in national parks. And then bears start looking at people with their hand out feeding them -- this is the same thing has happened in other areas with shark feeding," he said. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
