Surfpolitik Shark experts cagey about link between attacks

In: Surfpolitik by Stu Nettle 94 Comments Tue 24th Apr '12

Tags: sharks , cage diving , south australia , south africa , sunday times , norman moore

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Last month the South Australian state government announced they would restrict shark tourism in Port Lincoln by reducing the number of cage dive licenses from three to two. According to the Environment Department cage diving - where the water is often chummed to attract sharks - is "changing the natural behaviour" of sharks.

Like much of our understanding of sharks the link between cage diving and attacks on humans is minimal and mostly unsubstantiated. The theory goes that when chumming is regularly conducted sharks form an association between humans and food. Hence behavioural patterns change and they become attracted to other ocean users (read: surfers) on the assumption food is nearby.

Critics of the South Australian decision have called it nonsensical. If a link between chumming and attacks can be established then the government shouldn't equivocate - all licenses should be cancelled not just the one. However, only anecdotal evidence exists, no clear scientific link has yet been found.

Another critic is South Australian Family First member, Robert Breckenridge, who has called on the Tourism Minister to intervene and ensure all three operators remain in business. Rather than citing safety or science, Breckenridge offers the tourism value of shark diving as a reason to continue. "I understand that South Australia is the only part of Australia that offers cage-diving experiences," he told Parliament.

He then pointed out that South Africa, another area known for shark activity, was actually encouraging shark tourism: "In South Africa, the government is supporting a major increase in shark cage diving opportunities after learning from our industry here."

Of course this exchange occurred a few weeks ago. It would be hard to imagine Robert Breckenridge citing South African shark tourism as a positive example following the recent news in Cape Town. Last Thursday 20-year old bodyboarder, David Lilienfeld, was killed while surfing Caves at Kogel Bay after a Great White Shark bit his right leg off. Lilienfeld's death set off a public outcry in South Africa against chumming.

Three days before the fatality a research team had been chumming the waters near Kogel Bay while tagging sharks for the documentary "Shark Men". The production company behind the documentary and the research team working with them subsequently had their work permit suspended by the South Africa Environmental Affairs Department. In a public statement the department's spokesman explained the suspension: "In light of the panic in the public, the department withdrew the permit firstly because of the shark attack and the possibility that another could occur."

Contrary to this position Gregg Oelofse, head of Cape Town's environmental agency, believes the permit should not have been suspended. "I don't think it was the right decision because I don't think there's any evidence that the two events [chumming and the shark attack] were related," he told America's ABC News. "I think by withdrawing the permit, it just increased the perception in the public realm that there was some correlation between the two."

And this is the point where the debate stalls and where it will remain until definitive scientific evidence is found. For now politicians and bureaucrats must make the decision: Do cage dive operators continue 'business as usual' potentially placing other ocean users at risk, or should they stop until any links between chumming and attacks are disproved? And if there is no scientific proof then how far on the side of caution do they err – if at all?

These are questions that need prompt answers, especially in light of news that cage diving may begin in Western Australia soon. Since September there have been four shark fatalities in WA waters making it the deadliest region in the world yet Fisheries Minister, Norman Moore, recently admitted that his department has been directed to investigate the risks of shark tourism. The directive follows inquiries made by local charter operators wishing to capitalise on the state's shark population by starting cage diving.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Moore said he'd asked his shark response unit to, "liaise with other jurisdictions which currently have licensed operations to gain a better understanding of the risks associated with such activities." It appears that in the absence of science the issue has become one of risk management.

Considering the lack of scientific consensus, surfers of Western Australia should hope the Department of Fisheries fully accounts for the consequences, however slim they may be, and then make a decision on cage diving accordingly.

For the next week Kent Stannard of White Tag, the CSIRO, and shark expert Rodney Fox are studying White Sharks in Spencer Gulf, South Australia. Wayne Lynch and his son Jarrah are also aboard. We'll have a story about the trip on Swellnet soon.

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