Cage Diving In Cornwall

[Trick]

So what does everyone think of this new scheme? They're setting up cage diving trips off cornwall. Apparently it begins with snorkelling with Basking Sharks then motoring 12 miles off shore and dunking a cage in to dive with more notorious Porbeagle and Blue Sharks.

I would love to do this, and it save having to spend over a grand going to South Africa or the Seychelles to dive with the big guys!

Trick

[life through a lens]

I saw an interview on the telly with a guy already doing this and he's raking it in, even though it only costs £85 a trip !!

Providing no harm comes to the sharks I can't see there being a problem with encouraging people to see these animals in their natural environment. I for one am seriously contemplating a weekend trip to Cornwall

Olly

[Tobyh]

I'd say it's an experience you'd have to take.

I was lucky enough to swim with a Whale Shark in the Maldives and I was something I will never forget. Basking sharks are not quite that size but I guarantee you'll still get the "oo'er this feels dodgy moment" especially if one is swimming right at you. Beautiful moment seeing something that size in the wild.

I suppose they offer no guarantees though, other than rubby dubbying for the blues and porgies, you may get out there and see nothing? I'd still be willing to try it though


TobyH

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Tobyh

I'd say it's an experience you'd have to take.

I was lucky enough to swim with a Whale Shark in the Maldives and I was something I will never forget. Basking sharks are not quite that size but I guarantee you'll still get the "oo'er this feels dodgy moment" especially if one is swimming right at you. Beautiful moment seeing something that size in the wild.

I suppose they offer no guarantees though, other than rubby dubbying for the blues and porgies, you may get out there and see nothing? I'd still be willing to try it though


TobyH

I think the blues are the most beautiful shark, I'd love to do this!! will have to wait until next year though I think......

[bendog]

I am not sure about this. I have read that the increase in people/shark contact is a possible reason for the increase in shark attacks. In order to attract sharks to these commercial ventures (and people are paying to see sharks) bait is used. Over time, the sharks associate people with food and come ever closer to areas where lots of people are found. Just my opinion.

[Trick]

Nah I doubt that will happen. Basking Sharks are of course harmless and Blue Sharks are ocean dwellers, they don't hunt near the shore. Instances where this happen are areas with sharks who hunt in shallower water such as South Africa and Australia where they hunt Seals and Sea Lions. Ocean going creatures rarely stray from their own habitat because they feel safer in open water.

Trick

[notbrazil]

Can't say I think all this is a particularly good idea. I spend a good deal of time in the water and they will be using bait to attract the sharks to the cages. This is not then a natural environment.

At £85.00 a throw you have to give the punter some guarantees. Sharks have always been here so why are we so curious now? It won't be long before punters want to see the white sharks in our waters. They're there, but thankfully far enough out from shore to have slipped our curiosity to date. Leave 'em all alone. This is one bloke. How long before the competition starts? As you say, he's raking it in!

[Gill Catton]

I don't know, I've always been interested in sharks (all animals really) I'd love to see them in a more semi-natural environment rather than the poor depressed individuals in aquariums.
I'm not particularly interested in learning to scuba..... (snokling maybe) so for me it seems like a good solution.
But the point made about getting sharks to associate people with food is a good one though I wouldn't be happy about being involved in a commercial activity that ultimately resulted in sharks being destroyed for becoming to familiar with people....

[BigT]

Originally Posted by bendog

I am not sure about this. I have read that the increase in people/shark contact is a possible reason for the increase in shark attacks. In order to attract sharks to these commercial ventures (and people are paying to see sharks) bait is used. Over time, the sharks associate people with food and come ever closer to areas where lots of people are found. Just my opinion.

My guess is that changes in sea temperature and over-fishing are probably more responsible for encouraging shark species closer to shore, thus naturally creating more human/shark interaction. However, baiting can only add to the problem. Most animals will start to associate a certain behaviour with food...its a fairly primordial response and sharks are more primordial than most! as a diver, I can certainly say that I would be less than keen to meet bluey or one of his larger cousins whilst hanging mid-water on a deco stop! Don't fancy cleaning the drysuit out afterwards!

BigT