This petition is now closed for further signing. Thank you to all those who participated.

The recent death of Markus Groh is truly an unfortunate tragedy. We are both saddened and shocked by this, the first fatality ever caused by a shark bite during an organized shark dive. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.

We represent a cross-section of divers, conservationists, shark enthusiasts, scientists, and professional photographers and filmmakers who strongly support conscientious and responsible cageless shark diving operations including Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures in the Bahamas. Such operators have allowed tens of thousands of divers to safely go beyond the constraints of cages and experience compelling shark interactions.

Many of us have spent time in the water with these predators and know firsthand that the risk of injury, let alone death, while diving with sharks is incredibly low. The fact that we are discussing the first fatality in commercially organized shark diving after decades of such a practice is a testament to that. In comparison, more common leisure activities such as biking, swimming and boating result in significant numbers of injuries and fatalities each year. The relatively low risk posed by diving with sharks is far outweighed by the reward: enabling people to develop a healthy respect and passion for a majestic yet misunderstood animal that is critical to the health of our planet.

The Bahamas represents one of a handful of remaining places in the world where people can still go to experience the magnificence of the large, charismatic sharks including tigers, bulls, and hammerheads. That means that the Bahamas is a beneficiary of an eco-tourism niche that is valued by an unusually passionate and committed customer— shark divers. This is a credit to the Bahamian government’s commendable stance on protecting sharks at a time when a growing number of shark species are approaching extinction, with over 100 million sharks killed each year.

Through Jim Abernethy, many of us have developed a strong respect and affection for the sharks of the Bahamas. For many members of the professional underwater photography and filmmaking community, as well as thousands of recreational divers, Jim Abernethy has served as an ambassador for the appreciation and protection of the sharks of the Bahamas. Most of these divers would never have experienced the sharks of the Bahamas if it were not for Jim. The powerful and beautiful photographs and films produced from these expeditions would never have been viewed by countless others. These images would not have served as motivation to others to visit the Bahamas.

We urge The Bahamas Diving Association to preserve current shark diving policies and resist overreaction to this horrible, but isolated, tragedy. You have a unique opportunity to stand in support of responsible shark diving operations and mitigate the negative repercussions of this event. To do otherwise would only reinforce the public's stereotypes towards sharks and create additional barriers to save endangered shark species that are vital to our ecosystem. It would negatively impact the very operators, such as Jim Abernethy, who have developed and championed responsible diving practices. And it would drive the divers away who will then seek other locations that both protect sharks and enable people to experience them.

The Bahamas Diving Association is in a powerful position to take a strong stance in uniting the world around a more enlightened view of sharks. In doing so, the Bahamas can set a powerful example and serve as a leader in protecting our oceans.