CAPE TOWN, South Africa (15 June 2005) -- A South African group has called on the South African government to ban shark feeding. The group of renowned scientists, researchers, doctors, environmentalists, tour operators, fishermen, divers and surfers have sent an open letter to South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism citing its concerns about the impact of shark feeding on both public safety and the environment, and have demanded that the government ban all "chumming" and feeding of sharks in South African coastal waters. The letter (see below) emphasizes the eco-friendly nature of non-feeding shark encounters which would provide South Africa's shark tour operators and customers with opportunities to witness natural shark behavior that is exciting, educational and environmentally responsible. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::: June 15, 2005
Cape Town, South Africa OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM Honourable Minister I am writing this letter to you on behalf of a Shark Concern Group. The names of its members are listed below. We request urgent action to ban the use of baits, attractants and "chumming" for shark viewing by tourists in South Africa. On the 24th of December 2002 I was attacked by a Great White Shark whilst diving for crayfish off Scarborough Point for my family's Christmas dinner. I am fortunate to have survived with a disability to my right hand. Now, almost 30 months and another 5 attacks in the Cape Town area later, I feel that I have become part of the "shark fraternity". From enjoying our ocean in a state of ignorance & abandon, the local diving & surfing community has rightfully become increasingly concerned about shark attacks. We are concerned that the risks have increased, and could further increase, as a result of how humans are interacting with
sharks, for example using shark cage diving & chumming. These practices are unnecessary and have ecological implications that are largely unknown. In the film "Air Jaws", Chris Fallows describes witnessing more than 300 successful natural predations (kills on seals) & slightly fewer unsuccessful ones over a period of a year or so. This was done without any chumming or close human intervention & is described by Chris as being "one of the most magnificent sights to view in nature!" We propose boat-based shark viewing without the use of attractants. This sort of shark tourism would be true eco-tourism. It would cater to a wider group of tourists, also attracting a more discerning tourist preferring a natural WILD experience! As Dr. Leonard Compagno says, it would also be better for the sharks, the general ecosystem and the type of research that he is engaged in. | | South Africa cage diving operators feed sharks in order to guarantee shark encounters for thrill-seeking tourists. We urge that Great White Sharks be given the same protection that they enjoy in other parts of the world, where any interference with the shark is expressly forbidden. We urge that shark diving and viewing practices in South Africa be brought in line with our proud status as signatory of CITES and as a global leader in nature-based tourism. If we do not know whether or not chumming has an affect on Great White Sharks then a precautionary approach should be adopted as a matter of extreme urgency. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) with full public participation should be held to review the options. We eagerly await a response from MCM and DEAT in order to open negotiations around this matter. Craig Bovim
Chris Lomax (world renowned climber & film producer)
Wally Petersen (Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group)
Dr. Graham Noble (zoologist)
Dr. Phil Desmet (conservation biologist)
Ian Armstrong (champion surfer)
Pierre deVilliers(world renowned surfer)
Greg Bertish (The surfers board ; a community based shark spotting
initiative)
Phillipe Carosin (professional fisherman)
Capt. At DuPlooy (Executive Officer, South African Institute of
Skippers)
Russell Weston (Nature tour operator)
Bernadette Shelly (Secretary S.A Longboard Association)
Steve Pike (Wavescape, surf tourism information)
Ian Ainslie (Olympic yachtsman)
Glenn Ashton (writer, researcher & environmental activist)
Dr. Brian Bernstein (Orthopaedic surgeon & surfer)
Terry Corr (Marine Environmental Education Trust) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::: © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
