Controversy over Great White attacks

The Controversy over whether or not Great White Shark Cage Diving is increasing the number of shark attacks…??

The Great White Shark cage diving industry in South Africa was started with the view of educating the greater population as to the benefits of Great White Sharks in our Oceans. In fact, their necessity!

There is no scientific or unequivocal proof that Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks has increased the

a) Number of Shark in the area where Great White Shark Diving takes place

b) Number of attacks on humans is directly related to this activity.

The facts are: As the food source of Great White Sharks increases – that is, in South Africa, the Cape Fur Seal, so the number of Sharks will increase. This is in no way related to the Shark Cage Diving industry. This is related to the natural course of events in nature and the fact that Seal clubbing has been outlawed. (Obviously Seal Clubbing is not a practice that any of us with a conscience would encourage or participate in)

The Cape Fur Seal is a protected species and the numbers are continuously increasing with new seal colonies being created as the original breeding grounds become over crowded and the Adult male seals literally chase the younger seals off the islands (generally seals will inhabit an outcrop or island a short distance from land). These excommunicated seals will then be forced to find other ‘accommodations’ – the Great White Sharks will, as a result, follow these Seals – some of whom won’t make it to their new home, others, will find a new rocky outcrop to settle and the Great Whites will follow!

Great White Shark Cage Diving has been instrumental in educating a large proportion of the worlds population as to the necessity of Great White Sharks in the Oceans. As the natural predators of Seals, who’s breeding patterns mean over population is a very real problem, the Great White Shark is the natural solution to a potentially ma

ssive overpopulation of Cape Fur Seals amongst other species of Seals around the world.

This is NOT to say that now that the Seal Populations have increased we should now plunder the Great White Shark population or any other shark for that matter.

Human interaction with any wild creatures should be to observe but NOT to disturb!! And, most certainly NOT to destroy populations of wild life for our own gain as we have continuously done for far too long!

Great White Shark diving is, therefore an industry which is assisting with education rather than adding to the problems or Shark attacks and is certainly not responsible for bringing more sharks into areas where humans like to swim or participate in other ocean going activities.

Remember: The Great White Sharks were here first… it’s Their ocean and we should respect their space and understand that when they attack humans, it is purely through error and investigation and not through ‘wanting’ to eat human flesh!

Photographs: unknown photographer, place unknown