Feeding


	Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club

To Feed or Not To Feed ?

Don t complain, participate! Voice your opinion before the decision is made for you.

Some members have voiced disapproval of feeding critters, concerned primarily about how feeding critters exposes divers to risk - just ask Karen Valpa. I respect their opinion. But, I disagree. I think that the very reason the Sea Emperor (AKA AquZoo), for example, is one of the premier dives in this area is precisely because people HAVE been feeding the stingrays there for several years. This has created a site where you can be assured an opportunity to see, and interact with, stingrays and maybe jewfish, eels, and nurse sharks as well. If you have dive friends in town and want to show them something special, this is THE place to dive. Just as Sting Ray City has become a "destination", an attraction that brings people to Grand Cayman and helps feed their tourist economy, the "AquaZoo" now brings divers to our area. Even the dive boat operators that shun feeding take advantage of the appeal and schedule dives to the site. I see this only as a good thing. I think feeding does create some danger to divers, Of course, we accept that diving itself poses some risks. Having "food" on your person while diving is sure to add risk of approach or attack by the critters out there - ask any spear fisherman. Those dive operations that feed "commercially" to please their passengers have learned how to feed in an orderly manner with acceptable risk. Otherwise, they could not continue. My bigger concern is that feeding makes the critters less afraid of divers and thus vulnerable to aggressive actions by divers.

None of this seems to be the question if you read the fliers in the dive shops. They show a picture of a mean-looking shark and warn that feeding critters just off shore is creating a dangerous exposure to your loved ones in the surf. The picture shows a shark, but the petition asks to create laws to ban feeding any sea life anywhere in Florida waters. (Wonder if this would ban "chumming" by fisherman) Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the petition is that it is being driven by a group of spear fishermen (some commercial spear fishermen) whose bigger concern is their opposition to proposed no-take areas in Broward County. As their stated concern is attack by critters and there's plenty of statistical data that says the dangers of critter attack are greatest to spear fishermen, seems they should be talking about banning spearing in Florida. Even I don't want to impose that. Personally, I like the way diving is self-regulated, and I'm not much impressed with the way the folks in Tallahassee write laws. I think there are plenty of other areas of legislation and enforcement that I would prefer to focus our attention on, like conservation steps. Whether you agree with me or have another opinion, NOW is the time to be heard. I attended the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's public hearing on the issue several weeks ago where I tried to explain the opinion of members from whom I had heard. The commission members invited others to voice their opinions before making any decision in the January/February time frame. Read more about the subject from www.sharkfeeding.net for the anti feeding position or www.sharkfeeding.com for the anti ban position. Or call me for more information. Then send your comments to Russell Nelson at nelson@gfc.state.fl.us. Emails that I receive are being forwarded. It's like voting. If you don't speak up, you lose your right to complain when others make the decision for you.

Robert Shearer