[geogeo]

Μια επιπλέον πληροφορία για το ίδιο θέμα. Η απάντηση του προέδρου της Shark Trust, Richard Peirce σε ερωτημα της CDWS (Chamber of Diving and Water Sports - Egypt) (από εδώ)

"I would confirm that whilst the Oceanic Whitetip is a species that has been recorded as being dangerous to man, attacks and incidents are extremely rare unless in aggravated circumstances. I have read various media reports which indicate that some type of baiting/chumming/ feeding may have been occurring in the area, and even on the boat concerned in the recent fatal attack. Chumming is the act of placing a scent trail in the water to attract sharks, and this is normally mashed up oily fish and/or blood and chum trails will contain little or no solid matter. Baiting involves solid matter which is used to attract sharks near to boats or divers, and when baits are fed to the sharks, feeding occurs and there is considerable scientific evidence to show that feeding produces "conditioned" behaviour in sharks. Feeding also occurs as part of tourist operations and is particularly common in the Caribbean. When sharks become conditioned they learn to associate one action or occurrence with another. For example the arrival of a boat or humans in the water means food.

"If reports are right and chumming and feeding has been carried out by boats for some time, then it is possible that a degree of conditioning may have started with sharks in that area. I would suggest that any feeding/baiting/ chumming activity which may be going on should be ceased immediately. I would further suggest that diving groups should stick closely together and not become strung out, and that one or two people in groups should carry shark billies. Shark billies are poles made of wood or metal which are typically 3/4 foot long and can be used to push sharks away should they get too close. If divers are ascending and being followed to the surface by sharks then they should leave the water calmly, and in an orderly fashion with the dive master who has the billie being the last to leave the water. Eye contact should be kept with the sharks at all times. Going back to the beginning, sharks attacking humans is very rare unless the situation is in some way aggravated, and chumming/feeding sharks could cause aggravated behaviour resulting in potential danger to humans."