CAPE TOWN, South Africa (10 June 2006) -- The city of Cape Town wants the expansion of the Great White shark cage diving industry stopped until scientific evidence irrefutably shows that it does not increase the risk of shark attacks or harm the shark ecology. So says the City in comment on the draft Great White Shark Cage Diving Policy and Regulations. There have been nine shark attacks, three of which were fatal, since 2000. The public feels such attacks are the result of the conditioning of Great Whites, meaning baiting and chumming methods such as those used in the cage diving industry, which increase the danger of shark attacks, according to Gregg Oelofse, of the City's environmental resource management department. Oelofse said some studies have suggested that there is actually no conditioning of sharks as a result of cage diving, but that there is a need for ongoing research. "Cage diving is a valuable activity and a chance for people to view Great Whites," Oelofse said. "But we want people to be cautious about how they do that activity." The City said cage diving areas should not be expanded or permits increased, especially in popular False Bay. Other areas of concern include Mossel Bay, Seal Island and Quoin Point. The City also called for a ban on the use of decoys and lures by operators. Last week the City held a specialist workshop in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and several NGOs, organisations and marine scientists to develop a comprehensive shark conservation and recreational safety plan. | | Can't find a real job? How about shark cage diving? Although shark feeding and shark cage diving endanger the public and sharks, it is still legal in South Africa. In Florida, Hawaii, the Cayman Islands and many other popular tourist destinations, it has been banned. The workshop looked at several issues related to shark attacks including shark population dynamics, emergency response, coastal recreational trends and False Bay ecosystem management. The groups also looked at shark attack trends and reviewed international shark safety approaches such as nets. SOURCE - IOL |
