Hawaii considering shark tour ban...

[The Chairman]

From Scott Suzuki-Jones of Honolulu:

Despite the fear and fanfare, there is no reliable scientific evidence, empirical or anecdotal, showing that shark tour activity is hazardous or causes harm to sharks, to people taking shark tours, to people engaged in other water activities in deep-water, to people in or around the reefs, or to people on the beaches.

Shark tours are conducted in deep-water, miles from shore. Sharks encountered in deep-water are deep-water species, not near-shore or reef sharks. Deep-water sharks do not follow boats back to shore. They stay in the deep-water because that is their natural habitat.

Full story => Shark attack Honolulu Weekly

 

[drdiver1952]

They could ban the processing and drying of shark fins if they wanted to really help the sharks. Last I heard, they banned finning but I believe they still allow processing of fins exported to Asia. Apparently that is better than having people look and learn about sharks underwater.

 

[iDive Florida]

The article by Scott Suzuki-Jones of Honolulu literally changed my perception and feelings about shark tours as I read it! (This doesn't happen for me very often)
It got away from me a little bit when discussing the spiritual essence of sharks and ancestors, but its conclusions of logic were profound. If I were pushing for the ban, I think the wind would have just left my sails.
-Ken

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

If I were pushing for the ban, I think the wind would have just left my sails.
-Ken

Today's news proves you right!

Bill to ban shark tours shelved

 

[The Chairman]

Well, the ban fans are taking their plight to the State Legislature.

 

[gcbryan]

I guess I'm the odd man out but I still see no reason for shark tours. It's not about the danger to humans in my mind it's just an unnatural activity regarding the sharks.

The reason for shark tours isn't spiritual in nature. Let's be real, it's about tourist dollars. We have boats harassing Orca's up here continually. Even with the 300 yard rule and other rules. When you are on the water and Orcas are around it looks like the paparazzi chasing Brittany Spears there are so many tour boats around.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Every time an issue involving "Hawaiian Cultural Practices" comes up in our State Legislature there is no agreement possible, just endless arguing, waste of valuable taxpayer time and money.

At least the shark tours have that going for them.