“Sharks are man-eaters.”

Myth, media, and sensationalism have created our irrational, unfounded, and false fear of sharks as ruthless killing machines. The statistical reality is sharks do not want to eat people. Shark incidents are both extremely rare and even more rarely result in death. According to the International Shark Attack File, there was one shark-related human fatality in 2007 resulting from 71 human accidents with sharks. With an increasing number of the 6.5 billion people living near the shore and entering the water, these are infinitesimal numbers.

People are simply not a natural or desired source of food for sharks. Shark bites happen, but they are accidental, exploratory bites--a case of mistaken identity. For example, a person on a surfboard may resemble a seal floating at the surface. A confused shark will typically bite once, realize that this is not a source of food, and leave. Fatalities that occur are generally due to loss of blood after the accident. If sharks were interested in eating people, there would be almost as many fatalities as there are shark incidents, and many more incidents, given sharks’ advanced predatory skills.

“Diving with sharks is too dangerous.”

The risk of injury, let alone death, while diving with sharks is incredibly low. The fact that the recent death is the first known human 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 a significant number 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.

Those of us who choose to dive with sharks realize these are wild animals and that there is some risk involved. But it is--and should be--up to each individual to decide what level of risk is personally acceptable to them, what constitutes an appropriate balance between risk and reward.

“The Bahamas should not allow humans to dive with sharks uncaged.”

Sadly, the Bahamas represents one of only a few places remaining that people can still go to experience the magnificence of the large, charismatic sharks including tigers, bulls, and hammerheads. A growing number of shark species are approaching extinction—the IUCN lists 30% of shark and ray species as threatened or near threatened with extinction—and we are thankful that the Bahamas both protects sharks and enables humans to experience them.

Why is it commendable to allow shark diving? People who enjoy up-close encounters with these magnificent animals outside of cages often report to having had an unforgettable and profound experience. Shark diving produces ambassadors for shark advocacy, and as such is one of the most powerful conservation tools we have to protect this natural resource. It facilitates the beautiful and awe-inspiring photographs and video footage that simply cannot be obtained from behind the bars of a cage, bringing sharks into the homes and hopefully also the hearts of those who have not experienced them in person.

Much of the discussion in the media regarding the recent incident appears to us to reflect over-reaction, recitation of rumors or inaccuracies, perpetration of outdated myths about sharks, and possibly even personal advancement. Discussion is good, but if misguided fear and falsehoods result in curtailment of responsible shark diving then it would be bad for the Bahamas, for divers, the sharks, and ultimately, for the health of the oceans.

“Anyone diving with sharks, especially outside of cages, is just plain crazy. Or an adrenaline junky.”

It appears to us that people who are most afraid of sharks have never met one. Those who have gone on shark dives generally describe an experience of great beauty, transcendence, and transformation. They come away from the experience with a strong appreciation of and even affection for these animals.

People who have gone diving with sharks describe them as ‘intelligent and peaceful’, ‘charismatic’, ‘magnificent’, and ‘non-aggressive to humans'—the exact opposite of common perceptions of sharks as ferocious man-eaters.

While one of our signers of the petition did admit to be thrill seekers, it seems that many cageless shark divers are seeking a more personal interaction with sharks in order to learn more about and experience a misunderstood animal that few of us know much about. The caged option is available to them but it would not provide the same experience.

Additionally, underwater photographers and filmmakers seek to capture this experience for others. Many powerful and beautiful photographs and films produced from these expeditions have led to a better understanding and appreciation for an animal that is critical to the health of our oceans.

“It is too dangerous to dive with the aggressive sharks – tigers, bulls, lemons and hammerheads – outside of cages.”

It is true that, out of over 500 species of sharks, only a handful of species, including bull sharks, are associated with accidents with humans. But, those accident statistics did not arise out of organized shark diving, and we are indeed talking about the first such fatality. Thousands have gone diving with these species and have lived to happily tell the tale. And many couldn’t wait to book their next expedition.

Sharks are large wild animals. Stepping into their habitat has some risks. With proper safety protocols, a high level of diving experience, and guidance from reputable dive operations, the risk is small when compared to the reward of an up-close encounter with one of the great co-inhabitants of our earth.

Responsible dive operators like Jim Abernethy make sure that people not only know the risks involved, but are also taught how to behave and how to respond in various situations so as to minimize the likelihood of a negative incident. Regrettably, sometimes even when people are following the rules and doing everything right, accidents like this do happen; sometimes they are simply unavoidable. The important thing is that everyone who chooses to dive with sharks understands the risk they are taking and feels personally comfortable with it.

“The only good shark is a dead shark.”

Sharks are critically important to the oceans and all life that depends on the oceans, which obviously includes us. The oceans are the most important ecosystem on the planet, containing life that absorbs most of the carbon dioxide (global warming gas) that we put into the atmosphere, converting it into 70% of the oxygen we breathe. That balance of life in the oceans is kept healthy by sharks because they reside at the top of the oceanic food chain. Shark populations have already dropped 90% and continue to be depleted at a rate faster than they can reproduce. The oceans and our life support systems are being destroyed.

The largest threat to sharks is a lack of awareness that sharks are being chased to extinction and ignorance of their importance. If the public knew what was going on, this situation could be turned around just as it has for cute, cuddly animals like tigers and bears. But we need that awareness.

Diving with sharks builds this awareness as those divers become ambassadors for shark advocacy. This helps to unite the public around a new view of sharks. By allowing people to become personally involved, we are fueling the movement to protect our seas, and ultimately, human existence on earth.

“Why bait sharks?”

Our personal experiences are very contrary to popular belief. Sharks are afraid of humans. Typically, sharks do not approach or come close to divers and instead avoid them. With their sharply declining populations, it is even more of a rarity to see a shark while diving. If you want to see sharks, most believe you need to use bait.

To be clear, baiting sharks is different from chumming the water or feeding sharks, and is a responsible way to attract these shy and hesitant creatures for close personal encounters.

"Chumming" means dumping blood and oily fish parts into the water. "Baiting" means lowering milk crates full of well-secured frozen fish into the water. Sharks are NOT fed during baited dives, because the fish remains secured in the crates at all times. The enclosed bait is used merely to attract the sharks--via smell--and to hold their interest long enough to enjoy a safe experience with them in their underwater world.

“Baiting sharks leads to aggressive behavior.”

Baiting of various kinds is often used in shark diving because sharks would usually avoid humans if there were not something to draw them closer. Our previous explanation describes two ways to attract sharks, baiting and chumming, and there are variations and debates concerning these. We are specifically addressing baiting in this answer.

In our own personal experiences diving with sharks, both with and without bait in the water, the sharks have gone out of their way to avoid contact with humans. Sharks clearly do not see people as prey, and even with bait in the water, we have never seen a shark exhibit aggressive behavior towards divers.

To the contrary, humans are killing up to 73 million sharks per year, faster than they can reproduce, ignoring their vital importance to the ecosystem and the health of our planet. As we continue to deplete populations and chase sharks to the brink of extinction, it is more important than ever people who are interested in diving with sharks to have access to safe and responsible means to have that experience.

People tend to protect the things we understand, and sharks are largely out of sight, out of mind for us. Establishing a better understanding of sharks is critical not only for their survival, but also for the preservation of the oceans, and ultimately, of humankind.

Contributors to this article:

Julie Andersen, Director, Shark Savers
Michael Skoletsky, Director, Shark Savers
Kim McCoy, Executive Director, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Shawn Heinrichs, Owner, Blue Sphere Media
Eric Cheng, Publisher & Editor, Wetpixel LLC