Scuba Dive Blog » Shark Cage Diving - Good or Bad ?
Shark Cage Diving has split the local scuba diving community in two. There is a clear divide between divers who are completely against it, and the one's who argue that it does not do any harm, and may even benefit the sharks in the end.
Arguments against it are that the practise of chumming (throwing dead fish and blood in the water to attract sharks) attract more sharks to the area than would have been the case naturally, and this argument is has been fanned on by spikes in attacks on surfers and swimmers by great whites. Another argument against it is about the fish/animals that gets to have the unlucky role of being the actual chum. There have been reports that 7 gilled sharks have been used - to the dismay of each and every single diver. 7 Gilled Cow Sharks are very primitive sharks - some say the most primitive of all sharks - and they are a favourite amongst divers. They are relatively harmless - almost no teeth - and we have come to love out little local colony of 7 gills living of the coast of Simonstown.
Then there is also the argument that we are interfering with nature - feeding sharks is the same thing as feeding baboons - it is bound to have negative consequences in the end, and alter their behaviour.
Proponents for sharks cage diving argue that it creates more awareness regarding great white sharks. People don't care about things they do not love, and you cannot fall in love with a shark without being exposed to it. We still suffer from the curse that the movie "Jaws" has brought upon us - fear of the great white - and by exposing people to the great white, we can create an awe and love for the shark, which in the end will hopefully help change our perception of the shark, and ultimately save it from extinction.
Apart from that, the argument goes, it has also created a lot of local jobs - there are 7 different Shark Cage diving companies, with numerous booking companies, transportation companies, guest houses, etc, all feeding of Great White tourism.
I myself have went on one of these Shark Cage dives. Having seen them personally did indeed make quite an impression on me - on that day, looking into the sharks eye, I realised that I would never want to see one of these under water while not being in my cage.
I agree with both Louis' and Candice's comments. We have a group in South Africa (Surfers Against Shark Cage Diving) that is working towards getting the cage Dive operators to change their methods, specifically the use of chum to attract the Great Whites to the boats. Adventure Bay Charters in Australia have proven that using sound alone they are able to attract the big guys towards their caged divers (see the blog on our website for an article by Australian Geographic on the topic), thereby not requiring the chum.
As a group we are not against the idea of shark cage diving, whether for research, awareness or tourism. We, as concerned ocean users, would just like to see the element of chum removed completely. There is no available science that proves there categorically is no link between the increase in attacks in South Africa, and the booming chum-driven shark cage dive industry, and until such evidence arises, we will continue to represent the concerned surfer and spearfishermen's perspective, that feeding our wild animals is bad practice.
Posted by Justin Othersurfa, 29/06/2011 8:39pm (11 months ago)
Translation for Roland's comment : "Shark diving is the coolest thing I've done in my life...go for it!"
Posted by Theo, 27/05/2011 4:47pm (12 months ago)
Sharkdiving ist das coolste das ich je in meinem Leben gemacht habe.Go for it.
Posted by Roland Bachmann, 27/05/2011 4:41pm (12 months ago)
Sharks cage diving, we can carry on with this topic for years discussing the pros and cons interacting with this magnificent animal.
I personally disagree with the chumming to attract sharks. I understand that tourists and locals pay good money to interact with these magnificent creatures in a very "personal" way, however how does the chumming affect this in the long run. Cage diving is a relativity new sport to us and it can have many cons in the future like increased attacks on surfers and swimmers as Theo says. Great Whites may come closer to shore linking surface activity to food which might increase the number of attacks on people. I say might because we all know sharks are not the mindless killers we were taught to fear. A Great White is still a wild animal and must be able to hunt for itself instead of waiting for a boat with over curious people to feed and tease it.
I believe you should go to a popular sharks area like Gansbaai and wait patiently for one to swim by and if it wants to give you some attention it will. We don't go to the Kruger Park throwing Springbok carcases around drawing out Leopards, Lions and Cheetahs. They are wild animals, they appear if they want too.
On the other hand...We don't know much about Great Whites and we need to know more to be able to save them from certain extinction.
I read a very sad article in the newspaper the other day about Great Whites and their diminishing numbers. We have approx. 300 Great Whites off the coast of South Africa, that's it. They estimate we have about 1000 left in the ocean, yes, only 1000! Am I the only person that finds this distressing?
To put it in perspective - there are approx. 2000 pandas left in the wild. That's double the Great White population and everybody is up in arms about the panda. What about the shark???
It would help if the cage diving industry can incorporate some sort education about Great Whites and other shark species and educate the general public on why sharks are so important to our planet and eco-system and why they should be respected and not hunted for their fins and teeth.
It drives me insane seeing a person - especially a diver - with a shark tooth around their neck, or to mark their BCD. You don't know if someone found it on a Raggie dive or if the shark was hauled on a boat, definned, and had its jaws cut out.
Like I said earlier, if the sharks companies can educate the public we might still be able to show a great white to our children and let them experience the power of this animal instead of having to explain to them what is was in a story book. Take a look at Sharklife, they a non-profit organization out to educate the general public about all species of sharks and what we can do to try and save them.
Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to see one of these animals yet but if I had it my way I would rather see one swimming by in the open instead of having a cage separate us.
Posted by Louis Eerenstein, 26/05/2011 4:58pm (12 months ago)
I agree with Candice, the onus is you on you to choose an operator with a conscience...
Posted by Nic, 26/05/2011 12:14pm (12 months ago)
I used to be one of those divers who was completely against shark cage diving for the very reasons that has been stated above. I never had much knowledge on the subject, my logic told me that chumming and creating an artificial feeding zone for the sharks must surely be interfering with the normal course of nature.
I have since been on two shark cage dives and it has some what altered my views on shark cage diving. Shark finning is becoming a huge global problem and one way in which to combat this is to create awareness with the general public of what is going on and why it impacts us all. Cage diving helps in raising the awareness needed. I think that some of the shark cage diving operators do operate in an unsustainable manner, but then some don't. As a consumer the onus is on you to do your homework and to choose an operator that operates with a conscience. As long as there is money to be made sharks will always be exploited in some way or another - cage diving, finning..
Posted by Candice Henry, 26/05/2011 11:42am (12 months ago)
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