Surfers Against Shark Cage Diving Campaign

Surfers for responsible shark cage diving, 2011. Surfers against shark cage diving. [image online] Available at: http://www.stopsharkcagediving.com/antisharkcagediving_blog.htm [accessed at 21 april 2012]

A campaign has recently been brought out called Surfers Against Shark Cage Diving. This campaign is currently printing t-shirts and making sure that their logo is getting out there and is frequently seen so that they can raise awareness about the issue.

It is run by a group of local surfers who understand that sharks aren’t to blame for the attacks on their community, but are almost 100 % sure that it is the chumming which comes with cage diving that is the problem. The surfers wish to surf, swim, and basically co-exist with these creatures peacefully without aggravating the sharks and causing them to be aggressive.  Shark Diver, 2011. Stop Shark Cage Diving – target S.A. [online] Available at: http://www.sharkdiver.com/blog/45-shark-diver-industry-blog/6108. [accessed 21 April 2012]

When in the sea, it is common knowledge that this is a place of much larger predators territory and respect is needed to share the ocean peacefully with these animals. When the ocean and sea life are not respected and given the space they need, this is when the ocean retaliates and shark attacks happen, leaving them with a reputation of aggression and terror.

Studies have proven that a dozen out of 300 different species of sharks have been involved in human attacks. Sharks don’t instinctively go after humans as prey. Humans are not part of their diet.

According to the campaign on sharkdiver.com, “Sharks evolved millions of years before humans existed and therefore humans are not part of their normal diets.” This is enough scientific proof for anyone to gather that we are not the sharks’ primary source of protein and there is something else to blame for leading them to our shores. Shark Diver, 2011. Stop Shark Cage Diving – target S.A. [online] Available at: http://www.sharkdiver.com/blog/45-shark-diver-industry-blog/6108. [accessed 21 April 2012]

Sharks diet is based on smaller fish and seals, the only reason why they would attack a human would be because they are curious of the unusual object and its movements. It is clear that these surfers understand this saying, “we are vehemently against the cage and the taunting of these great creatures with bait.”

They have immense respect for the ocean it seems, stating “most people wouldn't even treat a large dog like that, taunting it repeatedly with food until it snaps. The only people who seem to support it are those who make a fat profit. Remember, us surfers and spear fishermen are the ones who remain in the waters daily, without a cage, and any change in behavior is going to affect us, not you.” Shark Diver, 2011. Stop Shark Cage Diving – target S.A. [online] Available at: http://www.sharkdiver.com/blog/45-shark-diver-industry-blog/6108. [accessed 21 April 2012]

These people are knowledgeable about the sharks; they have done their research and are supported strongly by this while they fight the cause. They are positive that there is another way of attracting sharks besides using chum, this is what they’ve discovered through research, : “The only way for the local Shark Cage Dive operators to get a shark close enough to see underwater is with chum. No chum, no shark? But wait a minute! Chum- free Eco friendly Great White Shark Cage Diving is happening in Australia, using audio sound vibrations to attract the world’s largest predatory fish, with ACDC being the Great Whites favorite music!! The benefits of using the sound vibration is that it is Omni directional and instantaneous and completely eco friendly.”  JustinOtherSurfa. Sascd receives support from Anti- Chum operator down under. Surfers for responsible shark cage diving – we’re on the same wave!. [blog] 2 August 2011. Available at: http://www.stopsharkcagediving.com/antisharkcagediving_blog.htm [accessed 21 April 2012]