The issue is clear-cut. It is illegal and/or prohibited to feed zoo animals, the wildlife in our state and national parks, dolphins and whales in the ocean, and just about every other form of wildlife that I can recall. So, why then is it OK to feed sharks? All shark encounters that have been successful in the Bahamas take place, for the most part, in out island areas. Visits to these areas by tourists, unless accompanied by shark feeders, are highly discouraged. The shark feeding areas are primarily used for this purpose and this purpose only. They are not designated for general recreational use. Taking these key points into account, past experience demonstrates that the fear of accidents occurring between sharks and unsuspecting humans in these highly restricted areas is minimal. Proponents of domestic shark feedings point to our Bahamian neighbor's success and longevity with shark feedings as examples of how organized feedings can be managed without accidents and, therefore, should be used as a blueprint for proposed Florida feedings. Taking this lead we are now debating the sanctioning of similar shark feedings domestically, using our neighbors to the east as successful examples, albeit in a very different setting. We are conducting our feedings in highly populated and highly frequented inshore areas where the Bahamian type of restricted access is not afforded. In fact, it is clearly just the opposite. In South Florida you have thousands of recreational swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers all competing for the same underwater real estate as the shark feeders. NOT A GOOD MIX. The domestic shark feeding proposal clearly does not follow the successful format as practiced in the Bahamas. What might result when the shark feeders are not present to supervise the numerous swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers who will be utilizing the same underwater resources as they do for their shark feedings? While the financial argument for local shark feeding is a compelling one, it should be understood that this practice was borne out of necessity in places like Walker's Cay, Bahamas. Let's not delude ourselves. No one sat down one day on the south dock looking out over the Little Bahama Bank and said, "I want to educate the world in the way of sharks. What better way than shark feeding using a chumsickle." The simple fact is that without the worldwide publicity and additional income that the shark feedings bring to places like Walker's Cay, economic survival might not be possible. This is certainly not the case in South Florida. Shark feedings here will not be of benefit to the community as a whole or society in general, as it may be in places such as Walker's Cay. Our local economic survival is not at stake. Simply stated, shark feedings in South Florida will be of financial benefit to only the very few charter boat operators who choose to participate in this activity and no one else. Moreover, there is no limit as to how many shark feeding operations may crop up if this practice is sanctioned. This, in itself, opens up a whole new area of issues that raise more questions than answers. | | Do we limit the number of shark feeding operations? Do we have the State or local counties license these feeding operations? Do we charge them a permit fee allowing them to conduct these feedings? Who will regulate the shark feeders? How do we determine the individual competence needed which would allow a person to feed sharks in the first place? Is a PADI certification in shark feeding sufficient? Will there be any local authorities present to police the feeders and ascertain whether or not they are following specially authorized shark feeding techniques? While we are at it, let's not forget the financial liability issues. When someone does get hurt (which is inevitable) whether it is as a direct result of a feeding or as an unwary passerby, who will be the target of the many lawsuits that will surely follow? The dive operations that organize the feedings, the cities in which they are domiciled, the State for sanctioning the feedings, or the counties that may be collecting permit fees to allow the feedings? Or, maybe PADI will be the target for promoting and certifying the feeders. Will PADI insure the shark feeders for liability? If they are promoting and sanctioning shark feedings and offering an official PADI certification course in shark feeding, they should also be willing to underwrite the liability insurance for these certified shark feeders. I believe we should not allow this inhumane and unnatural practice to flourish in our local waters. If people must see sharks being fed by humans, they can take the extra time needed and visit our island neighbors to the east. We, who are not in economic need, must live up to a higher standard when interacting with our underwater environment. Shame on PADI and DEMA for letting down the vast majority of the scuba diving community in this "dash for cash" approach to marine life encounters. When you could have stood up and exemplified environmental responsibility, you sold out to commercial exploitation of marine wildlife. About the Author Gary Stock is a resident of Lighthouse Point, Florida. He is a PADI Divemaster with more than 12 years of diving experience around the world. He has logged over 2,000 dives from the Caribbean to the Western Pacific, as well as in the waters of South Florida and North Carolina. Gary has observed shark feedings in both the Bahamas and Florida. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
