http://www.speakupforblue.com/?p=3140
Close Call with Tiger Shark
A diver in the Bahamas that was taking part in an Eco-Tourism excursion last week had a very close call with a large tiger shark. Check out the video to see how close it was:
The excursion was part of an underwater adventure where SCUBA divers (around 10 of them at a time plus a divemaster) experience the closeness of a number of sharks around them without a cage. The Eco-tour is known for attracting tiger sharks using boxes of chum. Bait are added to a box and laid on the Ocean Floor in an effort to attract sharks nearby. The Eco-tour promotes sharks as gentle creatures that will not harm divers, as by having divers around the sharks without any cages to protect them.
Some experts think exposing divers to tiger sharks can actually harm the new reputation of sharks. What I mean by new reputation one of gentleness and laid back type behaviour as opposed to its old reputation of feared predator and a human-eating machine. Experts say one mishap, i.e. shark bite on a diver, and the compassion that everyone is starting to have for sharks will be gone and its old reputation will quickly come back; therefore, losing much of the current momentum to protect and conserve sharks and perhaps Eco-tourism.
Eco-tourism is key buzzword in the Ocean Conservation Movement. The term recognizes that tourism often involves nature and nature is required to be intact for tourism to work. And this whole shark Eco-Tourism would be really cool if we could guarantee that no one will be harmed. But judging from the video we just saw, it doesn't look as though things are guaranteed. I would love to look at the waiver form reading "May get ass bitten off by large tiger sharks"
As I diver, I would have to ask myself whether this excursion is really in my best interest. This is a risky tour! Yes, I think sharks have a bad reputation as crazy man eaters, but I don't think they are just these gentle creatures. I feel we need to respect the fact that they are predators and they can bite my leg off if they so desired. If it were me, I would want to be in a cage, just in case something went wrong.
Question Of The Day:
Do you think this Eco-Tour is safe for the divers?
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Please watch: "Manatee: Are they still at risk?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIs3oXJRUtk
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