Bill introduced to prohibit shark feeding in federal waters

[scubadada]

From Copilot summary:

A bill has been introduced in Florida that would prohibit shark feeding in federal waters—except when done for fishing purposes. The legislation, known as HR 3831, was introduced by Florida congressmen Daniel Webster and Darrel Soto. It specifically targets shark diving operations by banning the practice of introducing food or any substance into the water to attract sharks for observation or photography. However, it does not prohibit feeding sharks to kill them, meaning the fishing community is explicitly exempt from this restriction.

This bill, if passed, would effectively shut down shark diving tourism in federal waters off Florida, a move that has raised concerns among dive operators and conservationists.

 

[Johnoly]

I have no vested interest in shark feeding, don't care, I'm just going lobster diving. A congressional bill's number of elected co-sponsors is important. It takes ALOT of co-sponsor's on a bill for it to move forward in the legislative process steps (committees, hearings, votes, etc). If you don't have fellow elected friends to help co-sponsor it, then your bill doesn't move forward. So as an example, the current house bill HR4966 "Stop price gouging in grocery stores " has 26 co-sponsors and other bills have 40 -50 - even 110 co-sponsors and those bills probably will/may move to their next step in the legislative process.

HR3831 has ZERO (0) co-sponsors.

 

[johndiver999]

The shark diving enthusiasts would still be able to conduct operations without hand feeding sharks or introducing chum in the water.

After all, many of them like to claim that the introduction of food does not materially alter the shark's behavior, so where is the worry?

 

[k4kafka]

Florida already bans such activities in state controlled waters. A federal restriction would only serve to move more shark tourism to the Bahamas.

 

[scubadada]

The shark diving enthusiasts would still be able to conduct operations without hand feeding sharks or introducing chum in the water.

After all, many of them like to claim that the introduction of food does not materially alter the shark's behavior, so where is the worry?

I do not dive any of the operators who bait/feed the sharks. However, I do not pretend that I do not see sharks at Deep Ledge, Lemon Drop, and the Jupiter Wreck Trek due to these operations. The guides use the same calling procedure by banging their reef hook on their reel. I don't know how things would change if there was no baiting/feeding. I see plenty of sharks in Boynton where these practices to not exist, but not near as many as in Jupiter.

 

[The Chairman]

I also vote with my fins. However, I don't think the State can pass laws to be upheld in Federal waters. A bit of an over reach, n'est pas? I think Randy and company are safe.

FWIW, I opposed the shark feeding ban in state waters. It's a hyuge ocean. It's hard enough for dive-ops to make a living. Why make it any harder?

 

[scubadada]

This is a federal bill, read about it, it has 5 co-sponsors to date. Not very likely to proceed.

 

[johndiver999]

I also vote with my fins. However, I don't think the State can pass laws to be upheld in Federal waters. A bit of an over reach, n'est pas? I think Randy and company are safe.

FWIW, I opposed the shark feeding ban in state waters. It's a hyuge ocean. It's hard enough for dive-ops to make a living. Why make it any harder?

Because it is unwise, dangerous and unnecessary to artificially aggregate and feed dangerous wild animals (alligators, bear and sharks, for example) and train them to associate humans with food.

Plus it puts the sharks (and other predators) into danger when they come too hard and too fast at the wrong people. The State of Florida will destroy dangerous predators that have lost their natural instincts, as will some private citizens. It is exploitive of the sharks for financial gain.

 

[Pipehorse]

Without commentary on this particular bill. I always wonder about the terrestrial and other aquatic equivalents to feeding sharks in the ocean. Its illegal to feed alligators and crocodiles in Florida, it is illegal to feed bears in national parks. In fact park rangers will check parked vehicles in some parks to make sure food is not left where bears might smell it and trying ripping a car apart to get at it.

So I am wondering for people who think feeding sharks underwater is not an off the charts risky activity, so risky that it should be illegal. Would you go to one of those rivers or streams in Alaska before the Salmon start running and show up with 40lb or 50lbs of Salmon to feed the Grizzlies with? Would you go on a safari in Africa throw out the carcass of some hooved animal and sit around camp fire style while lions or hyenas or whatever predator or scavenger came in to eat it, while some self proclaimed expert rubs a lion on the nose as he hands it a bone? How about standing in hip deep water somewhere in the Everglades and doling out dead chickens to whatever alligator comes along, again while some self proclaimed expert taps the alligators on the snout? How about the river in Africa that the wildebeast try to cross with the giant crocodile gauntlet, maybe show up there before wildebeast with a hooved animal carcass sit around the edge or the water camp fire style and see what the crocodiles do. How about trying to hand feed Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnakes dead rats, or maybe live rats, and not get bitten by the snake or the rat?

Interesting enough the biggest difference with all the activities named and shark feeding; you are not relying on a life support system to breath.

Please don't use the, well we should have a right to engage in dangerous activities if we want blah, blah, blah, its boring and petulant, and emotional. Can anybody come up something better than, making a buck at it makes it alright? Can anybody reconcile the risk of the activities named to shark feeding? In a rational logical manner?

PS. I am truly not trolling, just wondering?

 

[johndiver999]

Without commentary on this particular bill. I always wonder about the terrestrial and other aquatic equivalents to feeding sharks in the ocean. Its illegal to feed alligators and crocodiles in Florida, it is illegal to feed bears in national parks. In fact park rangers will check parked vehicles in some parks to make sure food is not left where bears might smell it and trying ripping a car apart to get at it.

So I am wondering for people who think feeding sharks underwater is not an off the charts risky activity, so risky that it should be illegal. Would you go to one of those rivers or streams in Alaska before the Salmon start running and show up with 40lb or 50lbs of Salmon to feed the Grizzlies with? Would you go on a safari in Africa throw out the carcass of some hooved animal and sit around camp fire style while lions or hyenas or whatever predator or scavenger came in to eat it, while some self proclaimed expert rubs a lion on the nose as he hands it a bone? How about standing in hip deep water somewhere in the Everglades and doling out dead chickens to whatever alligator comes along, again while some self proclaimed expert taps the alligators on the snout? How about the river in Africa that the wildebeast try to cross with the giant crocodile gauntlet, maybe show up there before wildebeast with a hooved animal carcass sit around the edge or the water camp fire style and see what the crocodiles do. How about trying to hand feed Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnakes dead rats, or maybe live rats, and not get bitten by the snake or the rat?

Interesting enough the biggest difference with all the activities named and shark feeding; you are not relying on a life support system to breath.

Please don't use the, well we should have a right to engage in dangerous activities if we want blah, blah, blah, its boring and petulant, and emotional. Can anybody come up something better than, making a buck at it makes it alright? Can anybody reconcile the risk of the activities named to shark feeding? In a rational logical manner?

PS. I am truly not trolling, just wondering?

I doubt it, but here is my best effort in those regards:

Do you know nothing about the ocean or sharks?

"Shark Dives" are critical for the protection of these beautiful and ecologically ESSENTIAL species. We must reach the public (and especially divers and fisherman) to help them understand that sharks are intelligent, graceful and a beautiful part of our natural world. Healthy marine ecosystems, especially in warm water, always have an abundance of shark species present.

The most viable way to provide this information to the masses is to have them enter the water with these wonderful creatures and actually look into their eyes. They need to see for themselves how graceful, peaceful and harmless sharks really are.

We have had thousands of safe encounters with the local sharks and anyone who thinks they are something to be feared (or killed) is ill-informed. They just needs to be awakened to the reality that humans are not on the shark's menu. The overwhelming fear so many people experience is from sensationalized movies, TV shows and the lack of direct contact with sharks. If we are to ensure effective means for shark conservation, it is essential that we stem the tide of ignorance, prejudice and fear which our culture has been burdened us with for many decades.

The reality is that shark populations are down all across the world's' oceans and we must do everything in our power to effectively enlighten people about these essential, yet vulnerable species!

Shark diving is a critical component of our efforts to protect the sharks.

It has NOTHING to do with any financial gain we may derive while sharing what we love with others.