I guess there is nothing wrong with using wildlife to get tourist. We do it right? I mean, we have Yellowstone Park. How many of go to Yellowstone hoping to see a bear, a wolf, a bison, or an elk? I knew that my intentions when I went. Did I actually get to see them? I got to see everything on my list expect for the wolf. Our entrance fee goes to support the park. When you go whale watching does that impact the whales you're watching? When you go shark diving does that impact the sharks? When you visit the tropical rainforest or the African national parks does that really aid the ecosystem? What about visiting a zoo? My answer in a roundabout way is "Yes". I'll go into more detail under each area.
Okay, so it's during the whale migration season or you leave in an area where whales naturally occur during certain times of the years, you decide to take you and your loved one(s) to see whales. You pay for the opportunity to view the whales. Does this actually help the whales that you're viewing? Well, I'm going to say yes. I'm saying yes, because the business wouldn't exist if the whales stopped showing up or if the populations suddenly took a nose dive. With that being said, the operators of a whale watching ship have an interest in preserving the whale populations. Finically, it makes sense for them to follow national and international laws when it comes to their business. The business also helps the whales in another way. It actually helps the whales to have you on that ship. Especially, if you have never seen a live whale. I have never made a trip to see any whales in their natural habitat. I would imagine that it has to be pretty amazing if not inspiring. Now, I might be wrong but I'm guessing that you're not paying this business to see empty water. You hopefully leave from that experience with a greater understanding, a greater appreciation, and a love for whales. This new appreciation will hopefully make you want to learn more about whales and their ecosystem. It will also hopefully lead you at some point to help fight for whales. Hopefully, you'll make returned trips to see the whales.
Now I know this next area might come with a leap of faith but what about shark dives?? I'm a little nervous about sharks and deep water so this might be a little rough for me to sell you on but I'm going to try. I took the time to look up one company's website that provides shark dives using cages. This company isn't cheap. It will cost you about $3,100. The trip leaves from San Diego and goes to Baja. Here you enter cages that will allow you to see Great White Sharks. So the question is does this help the sharks? Well there are some arguments for and against this. Let me start off by giving you a bite of why it benefits the sharks. First off, these companies exist because the sharks are around. Sharks are already facing major problems as far as populations go. These companies therefore have a stake in standing up for shark populations. In this case, they have a stake in Great Whites. They're going to do what they can to lobby their representatives and senators in favor of the sharks. So do you the consumer fit into this game plan? First off, you are paying this company mega bucks to see the sharks. So know let's assume that you've paid this company your $3,100 dollars and you are ready to enter the water. You get into the cage and before you know it there are sharks. If you're like me at first your heart rate might go up and then you might relax. While you're in that cage, you are experiencing something not everyone will have the chance to do. You are in the water with one of the ocean's top predators. You're seeing him not in an aquarium but in his or her turf. They are the real deal. You're seeing for the perhaps the first time a live great white shark in the ocean. I'm going to assume that you're trip is completely safe. You've come away hopefully with wonderful memories but hopefully you've also come away from that trip with a great appreciation and a greater understanding of these massive creatures. I would be in awe of their size and their power as they moved through the water column, that is if I could myself to actually to enter the cage. More importantly, I'm hoping that you've come away with a love for these animals and other sharks as well. I'm hoping you understand why the oceans need sharks, that even though they are hunters of the oceans, that they aren't the sharks we've seen in Jaws. Now, are there down sides to this, yes. There are chances perhaps small that a shark might cause an accident. I'm guessing though that an accident in these dives is RARE, extremely rare. It's not the accidents that bother me. The sharks are brought in by bait in many cases. You are in the water with sharks who has been brought in by enticement of a free meal. They see you in the water. In my mind, it increases the chances of them equating humans with food. I don't know if they're capable of making that connection or not, but the possibilities are there. Second, the sharks are already in the area at least a mile out from where you are. The question is do these free meals for your benefit affect the shark's normal behavior. Some scientist claim that it does. It may even increase shark populations in areas where these companies do their dives. I don't know if this is entirely true but it does make sense. Another question will this feeding affect the shark's normal diet? Why is that an issue? Sharks are predators, they help control prey species. Look at the seal and sea lion populations in places in California. Third, if the feeding promotes higher numbers of sharks could it lead to a possible attack? Sure, it could. Your chances of being attack by a shark are roughly 1 in 8 million but if we tip the scale by increasing shark populations that risk could change.
As always I want to know what you think.
1. Do you think we should stop feeding wildlife? Why?
2. Is the baiting of sharks bad for humans? I want to know why you feel this way.
Any other thoughts leave them in the comments.
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