By Alex Brylske
I simply returned from a much-loved Florida occasion known as Shark Con. This was the tenth 12 months for this annual conference of shark fans starting from preschoolers to bona fide shark scientists. As somebody who was an energetic scuba teacher when Jaws was launched in the summertime of 1975—and witness to the loathing and worry it engendered—it’s not possible to not mirror upon simply how a lot attitudes in the direction of these magnificent creatures have modified over the a long time. Whereas each the age and motivation of the Shark Con attendees various tremendously, one factor all of them shared was a love of sharks.
I’m certain each diver helps the conservation of sharks, and nearly all divers like to see them within the wild. Nevertheless, there are some who oppose organized shark dives that use “attractants” similar to hand feeding (formally termed provisioning) or “chumming” (utilizing remnants or scent from lifeless fish).
Opponents of shark feeding have a number of objections to those practices. First is diver security. The priority is the chance of contributors or workers being injured throughout feeding by animals who’ve developed some spectacular weaponry and predatory expertise. And, whereas very uncommon, there have been incidents the place handlers and company have been severely bitten. Additionally they contend that habituating sharks to particular places by means of feeding poses a security threat to different non-participants, similar to close by swimmers and snorkelers (and even divers who go to the location afterward). There may be additionally concern over how feeding may have an effect on shark well being and behavioral modifications that would scale back reproductive success or pure meals acquisition. Certainly, two research from Australia printed in 2010 and 2011 – one on sand tigers (Carcharias taurus) and one on whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) – confirmed damaging results from long-term provisioning on the animal’s resting, feeding, and reproductive behaviors, in addition to the sharks’ metabolic charges, internet vitality acquire, and total well being.
Shark feeding additionally includes sociocultural points. Many societies around the globe, similar to Hawaii and Fiji, revere sharks as spiritual or cultural icons, and locals usually view the apply of feeding sharks for vacationers as extremely disrespectful.
One more challenge is the meals supply used within the interplay. The priority is how the apply may incentivize fishing actions to offer meals for shark dives, thus doubtlessly contributing to overfishing or encouraging the concentrating on of species that in any other case would have little business worth as meals for people.
Nevertheless, there are two sides to each challenge, and supporters of utilizing attractants contend that shark sightings are so uncommon as a result of overfishing that the one method to assure their presence is by some incentive. This isn’t an unreasonable premise, given {that a} latest international evaluation of shark abundance discovered that sharks have been functionally extinct on almost 20 p.c of coral reefs worldwide. Thus, in lots of elements of the world, attracting them by means of feeding or chumming stands out as the solely approach for divers ever to see a shark. To help this, proponents level to research exhibiting restricted damaging impacts, such because the 2011 examine of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) within the Bahamas, which advised that feeding doesn’t essentially affect animal conduct in detrimental methods. Equally, a 2018 examine from Fiji discovered that bait delivered throughout provisioning was unimportant within the weight-reduction plan of bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas). So, there may be proof that provisioning wildlife could also be ecologically benign, not less than below the correct circumstances. Lastly, proponents of shark feeding additionally level to the query of why chumming needs to be decried when observing and appreciating sharks whereas chumming by sport fishers to catch and kill sharks is okay. Though feeding will not be a fascinating apply, may it not be justified for the conservation worth it could present in serving to folks higher perceive and recognize sharks’ true nature and worth?
Considered objectively, it seems that the physique of scientific analysis on shark provisioning has proved inadequate to settle the talk in favor of 1 facet. The truth is, as shark diving includes dozens of various species and methods and takes place in over 80 nations below a variety of environments, any definitive one-size-fits-all reply is unlikely. And as there’s conflicting knowledge, all sides can help their viewpoint, which suggests this debate is unlikely to be resolved anytime quickly.
The Caveat: Schooling
My perspective is that if shark diving is completed in a approach the place it’s nothing greater than an “Disneyland expertise” or the last word macho adrenaline rush, then it shouldn’t exist. As a dive trade skilled and conservation biologist, I consider that the one rationale for shark diving, significantly when it includes feeding, is its highly effective potential for growing accountable conservation ethics and motion. Some counter this declare, sustaining that observing sharks in an aquarium can have the identical impact. However I’m assured that these of us who’ve noticed sharks in such a managed surroundings versus the wild would definitely disagree. No aquarium expertise, even when it includes diving, can evaluate with the impression of really sharing the identical ocean as you observe these unbelievable examples of evolutionary success. The truth is, some aquaria nonetheless perpetuate the Jaws fantasy by that includes their reveals which can be basically “feeding frenzies,” leaving spectators to consider that in the event that they fell into the shark tank, they might be immediately consumed.
It’s additionally value addressing the widespread comparability between feeding sharks and different wildlife. I usually hear a declare from feeding opponents: “If we don’t feed bears, then why feed sharks?” My view is that such a simplistic comparability relies on flawed logic. Take into account this situation: Think about dwelling way back when the sighting of a bear would quickly be adopted by taking pictures it as a result of “the one good bear was a lifeless bear.” Now, suppose somebody again then determined to draw and feed bears so the general public might be taught that they’re not vicious, remorseless killers and used meals to draw them (like what occurred in Yellowstone Nationwide Park within the early a part of the final century.) Ought to that be decried as an exploitation of wildlife or a forward-thinking conservation technique? Granted, right this moment, now we have progressed in our understanding and appreciation of bears nicely past the necessity to feed them any longer. Nevertheless, I keep that we’ve not progressed as far with sharks. Sometime, I hope, it will not be essential to feed sharks as a result of—like bears—our appreciation of them can have grown, together with their numbers. However, sadly, we’re a great distance off from that actuality. Moreover, the PR drawback with sharks is infinitely harder than with bears as a result of they’re not cute, furry critters and can lengthy be saddled with the status as “man-eaters.” (Though occasions like Shank Con are serving to to alter attitudes for the higher.)
A Private Resolution
Whereas science might assist information the dialogue of shark diving, one challenge within the controversy defies scientific scrutiny and pertains to notion and perspective. Ultimately, it’s a person choice whether or not or to not take part in a shark dive. Some discover the thought of such a human-manipulated expertise inauthentic, if not appalling. Actually, such a conclusion is inside a person’s proper. However I consider it’s equally legitimate to take part in and encourage shark feeding dives when carried out appropriately (see the sidebar). Frankly, I want I lived in a world the place it wasn’t essential to make use of meals to look at what I consider are among the sea’s most spectacular creatures. However unconscionable human exploitation, fueled by absurd misconceptions, has decimated shark populations to the purpose the place feeding is the one dependable approach many will ever see sharks. And irrespective of how a lot I might need in any other case, that’s the world we’ve made. Like many others, I consider that shark diving—and using attractants—generally is a highly effective power in molding conservation ethics and making certain that these magnificent predators regain their numbers and rightful position within the marine ecosystem. I welcome your response and suggestions.
