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The identification, behaviour and natural history of
SHARKS of Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico |
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The Shark Trust Feeding Code
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| PRINCIPLE No indiscriminate surface chumming or chumming around boats Only feed sharks using free-standing baits, or by pole or stick, not by hand or mouth Minimize all handling of sharks, particluarly when done as a 'show' for divers Do not take fish from reefs or other inshore habitats for feeds. Use fish waste or unwanted by-catch Boats should use permanent moorings, not anchors Locate feeding sites in coral rubble or sandy areas. Consider carefully the relative locations of feeding sites and other recreational areas. Minimize the number of feeding sites and feeds, if necessary by agreement with operators Promote a strong diver education programme, including diving conduct and covering the life history of sharks, their ecological role, the threats from man Seek legal protection for sharks and their habitats Liase with local fishermen and communities, support conservation locally by promoting local education and interpretation programmes |
RATIONALE Prevent entrainment of sharks to vessels and to other vessel-based activities Ensure that sharks will not expect food directly from divers Respect wild animals! Sharks should not become used to being approached or handled by divers Minimize the effect of removing fish from inshore populations and ecosystems Prevent anchor damage to sensitive inshore habiatats and reef ecosystems Ensure that divers and sharks don't damage living reefs Separate feeding sites form popular diving, snorkellling, swimming and fishing areas Reduce overall ecological and beharioural impacts of shark feeding in the area ensure that all divers are well trained in diving procedures and that shark conservation and swareness are promoted ina secitive and balanced manner Protect habitats, dive sites and shark opoulations ecploited by shark tourism Spread awareness of the ecological and economic value of sharks as well as their special importance as marine wildlife and thir significance to local culture |
 SAFETY TIPSIt should be remembered that most sharks normally pose little threat to divers only because they are unfamiliar with them and their instincts warn them to treat any thing unfamiliar with respect. If the large predatory sharks knew just how vulnerable a diver is, then things would be very different. All sharks are potentially dangerous and divers interacting with sharks should never become complacent. The following is part of a list of 17 safety tips that the author has garnered from his own experiences and the advice of others that should minimize, but not entirely eradicate, the risk of diving with sharks: Never swim erratically Stay in a group Avoid bright coloured diving equipment. White and yellow are particularly bad; the latter has been called 'yum-yum yellow' by biologists investigating the colur preferences of sharks. When attending a shark feed do not flail around; tuck your hands in by your side. A pale hand protruding from a dark wet suit can look like a fish to a feeding shark: wear dark gloves. A dark hood is also recommended to conceal long pale hair (especially blonde, grey, white or silver hair) or a bald head. Avoid swimming with sharks at dawn or dusk Be able to identifiy the species you see so as to make a preliminary estimate of the threat it is likely to pose....... |
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