Don't feed wild animals, especially predators...Sean Van Sommeran - NaturalistApril 23, 2004 at 12:46:09Wildlife viewing is an important means of interphacing the public with the natural world, that being said; it is possible to do so without feeding or
agitating the animals being observed and appreciated. Why is it that feeding and even provoking sharks as a recreational passtime should be excepted when it flys in the face of one of the most basic tenents of wildlife protection; dont feed the animals. When it comes to large, protected and potentially dangerous, endangered macro apex predators like the white shark this practice flows over into the 'exploitation' of these great creatures. Unlike whale watches where the subject species are 'only observed', shark dives, in particular white shark dives that is never enough. In fact the venture is not a complete success without a close call of some sort, there needs to be big teeth and the displacement of much water to get the 'full effect' of a shark dive experience. Feeding and provoking the sharks to make contact with the boats and cages is a typical agenda, with the caged
diver enjoying the thrills of 'dangerous proximity' with a large predatory shark. Fact is without feeding the shark and/or teasing it with bait the shark would have little or no interest in either the boat or the divers and would after a brief inspection would leave. The shark would be seen, but again; thats rarely enough to fit the bill. I suggest that shark viewing in its true and as yet mostly unrealized potential is a good thing,
unfortunately the conventional practices are presently exploiting these animals and inhibiting their natural and typical indifference towards humans. Dont feed the animals, especially large, protected and potentially dangerous/endangered species of macro apex predators. Its simply the most basic of common sense and a corner stone to wise wildlife pretection. Cheers, Sean S.R. Van Sommeran
Executive Director/CEO
The Pelagic Shark Research Foundation
831-459-9346
831-425-2299 ext 212
WWW.PELAGIC.ORG
Surf City
Santa Cruz California
Since 1990 | 
