Shark Feeding in Playa del Carmen

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Ed Hatfield

Contributor
Messages
378
Reaction score
5
Location
Ontario , Canada & Playa del Carmen, Mexico
# of dives
500 - 999
I would like to see some support for those in favour of prohibiting the 'chumming of the bulls' in Playa del Carmen. I would like to see that those dive shops (and we know who they are) be named and that they be given a chance to respond. THEN I would like to give people the opportunity to boycott those shops should they choose to do so. I know that the season will soon be over (or should be) but now is the appropriate time to address this.
 
Great topic and one that needs to be addressed.

I am planning on going down for a Playa/Coz trip in November. One of the main reasons for including Playa in the trip is in hopes of diving with the bulls. That said, I don't believe in feeding sharks and don't plan on diving with a company that practices it. After some communications with Geofish, I know that they are a group who DO NOT chum for the sharks and seem to have great success at finding them during the shark season. One question that I have, is if the chuming and nonchuming dive ops are going to the same sight(s) but just at different times? If so, it explains the regular sightings by all partys.

Anyway, thanks again for bringing this up and I look forward to reading the posts from those in the know.

Also thanks to both Ed and CaveW. for their help in my Playa trip via PM's.

PH
 
I've been to Playa three times over the last six months. I just returned last week from my most recent trip. Didn't do any Bull Shark dives, In fact, I was impressed to hear they were allegedly still around. In November I did the first shark dive of the year with the guys from GeoFish.

During my conversations with the GeoFish Dive Staff, we discussed this topic. It is a big No-No with me and know it is with them too. They are aware of the practice in Playa and are working hard with other shops, who feel the same way they do, to mitigate the practice.

Chumming Bulls in Playa can only lead to a bad result!

jcf


///
 
Ed I am in favor all the way man! There are a couple more along with Phantom that feed them. Now this is not chumming that they are doing here. They do not feed them fish or pour fish guts and blood into the water. They are feeding them steak and that is why this is so bad. It not only messes with their senses it messes with their whole biological makeup. Bull Sharks don't eat beef and they never have eaten beef. So when they are given something that they are not meant to be eating it can be bad for them. And then you have them associating humans as a means of food and that is the last thing we want.

I am glad those of you who have spoken up feel this way, this is what I have been looking for, for a while now. We can change this if we have the numbers and perseverance, because I think all the non-feeding shops will stand up as well.

We dive with them in the morning so we are not exposed to any other dive shops feeding them. When they are here there are more than enough in the Morning and not one time have we not seen them and we never once have fed them. It's completely unnecessary, and unbelievably irresponsible. The dive shops that feed are ignorant to all these facts and we need to enlighten them. Thanks Ed, Cavewomen (what is your real name?), Paradise Hunter, and John for speaking up we need more of this.......everywhere!!!
 
Hey, I am planning to come to Playa next winter to dive with the bulls. How do I find out which operations are feeding them, so I can be sure not to give them my business? You mentioned Phantom...let's not beat around the bush -- who else? I don't want my money supporting dive ops who feed sharks.
 
Very interesting topic to speak about Ed.
I do not go very often to the sea, but this winter i had the chance to dive with this beautiful animals several times (no feeding them). One of the times, Phantom boat was close by, and of course we only watched the sharks for couple minutes, before they left to get some food.
One question, besides Phantom, which other dive shop do this??
Hopefully this practice stops before it gets out of control.
Cheers
 
As far as I know, they are the only shop who REGULARLY does it. They feed with frozen fish (so the guts don't fly everywhere), not steak. But, if anyone is interested in getting involved, there is a group in the process of putting together research and solid arguments to ban the feedings. Someone is gonna have to help me out with the name... I'm over in the US for the week. Its Guias.... something or other, has three letter initials GUI maybe???? As far as I understand they have the backing of an environment minister and other higher level officials.
 

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