So I'm asking Members. What you all think about this happening?
To me, this is pure 'stupidity'.
I support the Mrs Millichip's view that 'death' comes to us all, but 'no animal' can be blamed (or lawsuited with Aussie as Lawyer) - as the Sharks are not consciously going around the world to attack humans in the name of War, Religion or personal vendetta's.

We humans do have an impact on their behaviour though.

When I was in Stewart Island, New Zealand. The idea of scuba diving (solo) around the island was considered 'ok'. The advice about GWS's (not football club in Sydney) was that they were not aggressive (especially with Orca as the Dominant Predator to keep them 'humble').
But it was at a time that some Cage Diving was starting up - as 'Research'. But this research was just a cover for Cage Diving Tourism from The Bluff across the strait, few years later.
What the locals on both sides of the strait saw was the change in GWS behaviour from placid, non-interactive to aggressively banging 'tinnies' and other boats - anything with 'humans' in it, 'after food', because the Cage Research come Tourism were 'burleying' to attract the Sharks and thus within 8 years, the Sharks now associated humans with food.
Now, I would NOT solo or even group dive around the area.


Then there is a River in South Africa where big Bull Sharks frequent and have been filmed swimming just metres from people swimming along the river - which is a very popular spot. Why, no attacks on Swimmers? Because it is also a popular Fishing Spot too. There the Fishermen, concede to the Bull Sharks taking their slice of their 'catch' - thus, the Bull Sharks leave the humans alone as they not only associate Humans with food, but they are being 'satisfied' with their symbiotic relationship catch from the Boats.

So you see, it can be a double-edged sword.
But satisfying sharks, can be a high price to pay.
What if there was a bad run of fish for the boaties of that River. Would the Bull Sharks soon turn on the swimmers aggressively?

Just ban chumming of any sort if it is an actual problem - which I doubt.

Shark fishing will reduce shark attacks by reducing shark numbers and by teaching sharks to be very selective with what they taste.

There will be fewer sharks in the area as a result.

Sharks won't just take up residence for the pleasant aroma and spend their days sipping lattes.

You are making that up Jasin. If it was that easy, they would use less or no burley.

Chumming does not set up a feeding pattern. Any shark silly enough to feed gets killed. Or at least, has a very bad day.

Jasin wrote on Feb 13^th, 2022 at 7:54am:

 
No I don't ... I believe it conditions sharks to come to boats for food.

Not real good if you're a dive boat.

And I believe all this making crocodiles come to boats & jump for food should also be banned.

We have rules & signs everywhere saying not to dump fish scraps near boat ramps & poular beaches .... in case of attack.

Feeding of wild animals is not encouraged -- like the dingoes on Fraser Island.... you can be fined.

The Yanks have similar rules for bears, wolves, coyotes, etc.

Don't feed dangerous wild predators.

John Smith wrote on Feb 13^th, 2022 at 12:39pm:


They are scuba divers John, not fishermen. You can clearly see them in the photo.

But even they would try to avoid giving the sharks a feed.

Quote:


Fishermen are not there to feed the sharks.

Quote:


How do you know this?

freediver wrote on Feb 13^th, 2022 at 1:18pm:



so you made up a claim that any shark to feed on a chum gets killed ehh?

freediver wrote on Feb 13^th, 2022 at 2:18pm:



to feed on chum

chum is burley Fd .

What sort of fisherman doesn't know what chum is? Did you lie about your fishing exploits too?

freediver wrote on Feb 13^th, 2022 at 4:24pm:



All the fishermen I know certainly know what chum is. Perhaps you should try fishing somewhere other than in your fish tank?

Quote:

It would be silly to chum very close to the beach.

The burley will attract sharks that are already in the area. If it is done away from the beach it will not attract sharks to the beach.

The primary reason for sharks coming to the beach is the migration of the fish the sharks like to eat going to the beach. Anyone who fishes knows when this is.

In WA a lot of attacks coincide with the salmon migration. The king fish migration in the south and east is also popular with sharks but not sure that it causes many problems.

A year or so back a surfer got grabbed by a shark in the close to beach channel at my local beach. It occurred when there was a large school or large Taylor in the area.

And yes surfers do attract sharks but most do not see the shark have a quick look and move on. The majority of sharks are not interested in people.

Few years ago I seen a pod of about 6 killer whales cruising up the coast, (very rare - I had never heard of it before) They would have swum past a group of surfers within about 10 metres. Not sure if the surfers seen them or not.

Wether they get a tender morsel of flesh to chew on, what matters is indeed the attractive 'scent' to the 'possibility' of something to eat. It's a natural behaviour for Sharks.
Now if there is plenty of 'consistent' scent along a beach, then - they will search for the 'meat'. Just ask 'Bruce' what 'scent' can do for a Shark.

There are 'many' reasons why a Shark can attack humans.
Making the local beach 'smell enticing' though - doesn't help the cause.

Why was one South African Surfer attacked by GWS's at least 5 times, with one time caught on video of two Great Whites hitting his board at the same time... while other Surfer's were not, even though 'with him'?
...his answer was because he drank a lot of beer and always pissed in the water/his wettie.
So one must guess that he smells better than the others, smells more 'animal' than the other boards.

I suggest you try an experiment FD and go spearfishing in a very chummed up area and see what sharks do appear and how they behave around you, even if you have no fish on the end of your spear. Come back and give us your results.

True. Most seem pretty shy when I dive.
Though I did have a Grey Nurse sneak up behind me at Bushrangers to be just a foot away from my head, when I suddenly turned as if something was behind me.

Then there was that big Wobby with his mouth open behind a rock, which I thought was a big white new species of sponge - to which I moved in for a closer look until realisation dawned on me that my head was almost inside its mouth.

...but the main thing is that there was no chum, burley or any other enticing scent in the water to arouse a shark's appetite. 

Gnads wrote on Feb 16^th, 2022 at 9:26am:

Typical 'yankee unionist' mentality.
Didn't say GNS was going to bite me, attack me, etc.
They can be like vampires at night, but they are known for coming right up to people and turn at the last moment.

Also, a 'big' Wobbegong's mouth could fit the swollen head of yours inside its open mouth easy.

I don't think you understood my post.
Please try again later.
Move along Yankee Unionist.

Gnads wrote on Feb 16^th, 2022 at 9:26am:

Actually dickwad, Grey Nurses are like 'vampires' come night time, when its time to feed. Wake up tool and go back to the Union Board.