Currently this debate, like all debates, has two sides: the side that supports cage diving and see it has a friendly ecotourism business and the side that is against cage diving because they feel that it dangerous association between humans and sharks. The cage diving detractors say that cage diving businesses are conditioning sharks to associate humans with food because many of the cage diving operators use a method known as "chumming" to attract the sharks closer to the boats. Once a shark is spotted by the boat some operators will then use a piece of bait on a hook to draw the shark next to the cage (where the divers get a up and close personal view of the shark). This group believes that sharks over time will start associating humans with food, thus increasing the number of attacks on humans.
South Africa is at the forefront of these allegations because the cage diving industry has boomed over the past decade. In the Western Cape of South Africa cage diving, as stated earlier, is a large a booming industry. However, it is also in this area that shark attack figures have shown an upward trend from the time that the industry was established. There have been nine attacks in all between the years 2000 and 2005, where three of them have been fatal.
Granted nine attacks in five years it not an extremely high number, but the data does show an increase of attacks since cage diving was established in this area. On average 100,000 people a year partake in cage diving in the Western Cape of South Africa, which is 100,000 more people in the water than before cage diving become a business.
Are you going to be one of these 100,000 people? Are you worried, ethically, that your cage diving experience could cause a down stream swimmer to be attacked? If yes, then you should read on for what current research is saying...not just an opinion of some group.
Research, conducted by the World Wildlife Federation, states that there is "NO" scientific link between cage diving and shark attacks. Other groups, like the Shark Trust based in South Africa also came to same same conclusion that scientifically speaking the increase in shark attacks can not be blamed on the cage diving industry. The reason behind this finding is because many of the attacks take place away from cage diving locations. Meaning that the sharks that are doing the attacking have probably never been associated with a cage diving group. The city of Cape Town has been conducting research since 1998 and stated that, "people that believe cage diving and an increase of shark attacks is linked are clutching at straws". Therefore, from the scientific community's point of view this is no link between shark attacks and cage diving.
You might be wondering why there is an increase in shark attacks then? For there must be a factor causing this increase. Currently, there are a few different hypotheses put forward by the International Shark Attacks File (ISAF) as to why the number of shark attacks has increased over the past few years. One hypothesis is that there are simply more people swimming, surfing, body boarding and windsurfing in the ocean, which means that the chances for an encounter with a shark are statistically increasing. Another factor is that with advanced technology of wetsuits people are able to stay in the water for longer periods of time, thus increasing the number of hours that an encounter could occur. Another hypothesis is that shark attacks really are not on the rise, but are just better reported these days. Shark attacks are now reported and recorded worldwide, which wasn't the case a decade ago. Therefore, maybe the number of attacks where just under reported in the past?
For the moment, until scientific evidence proves otherwise, there is no link between cage diving and shark attacks, if cage diving is on your bucket list, go and experience these amazing predators at close quarters with a clear conscience (that is if you think your nerves can handle it...du..du du..du dudududududu...)
For now, scientists do not know the exact answer as to why shark attacks are increasing, but remember to be safe and aware of your surrounding when you are in the water.
Follow these 13 steps to decrease your chances of a shark attack:
1) Always swim in a group.
2) Don't wander too far from shore.
3) Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk for this is when sharks are most active.
4) Don't enter the water if bleeding. Shark can smell and taste blood - tracing it back to the source.
5) Don't wear shiny jewelry. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales.
6) Don't go into waters containing sewage. Sewage attracts bait fish - bait fishes attract sharks.
7) Avoid water being fished and those with lots of bait fish. If you see a lot of diving seabirds that is a good sign that there are bait fish in the water.
8) Don't enter the waters if sharks are present. Does this really need to be stated?
9) Avoid an uneven tan and brightly colored clothing. Sharks can see contrast extremely well!
10) Don't splash a lot.
11) Use care near sandbars or steep drop-offs - a shark's favorite hangout.
12) Don't try to touch a shark if you see one. You are NOT the shark whisperer!
13) If you have followed rules 1-12, but still find yourself being attacked by a shark, then "Do whatever it takes to get away!" Some people have successfully escaped an attack by being aggressive, other passive, some yelled, and others blew bubbles, regardless of your action of choice, DO ANYTHING! Personally, I would go down fighting - all is fair in love and war.
2) Don't wander too far from shore.
3) Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk for this is when sharks are most active.
4) Don't enter the water if bleeding. Shark can smell and taste blood - tracing it back to the source.
5) Don't wear shiny jewelry. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales.
6) Don't go into waters containing sewage. Sewage attracts bait fish - bait fishes attract sharks.
7) Avoid water being fished and those with lots of bait fish. If you see a lot of diving seabirds that is a good sign that there are bait fish in the water.
8) Don't enter the waters if sharks are present. Does this really need to be stated?
9) Avoid an uneven tan and brightly colored clothing. Sharks can see contrast extremely well!
10) Don't splash a lot.
11) Use care near sandbars or steep drop-offs - a shark's favorite hangout.
12) Don't try to touch a shark if you see one. You are NOT the shark whisperer!
13) If you have followed rules 1-12, but still find yourself being attacked by a shark, then "Do whatever it takes to get away!" Some people have successfully escaped an attack by being aggressive, other passive, some yelled, and others blew bubbles, regardless of your action of choice, DO ANYTHING! Personally, I would go down fighting - all is fair in love and war.
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