There's a bill in congress to ban shark feeding dives

[kelemvor]

Yes, and so the bottom line is does shark feeding have a detrimental effect on sharks and/or does it pose a risk to humans who do not participate in the practice? That's the two questions that Bill Nelson should answer.

Let's ask and report back.
Email Bill | U.S. Senator Bill Nelson

Here's what I sent his people:

Mr. Nelson, I've recently been discussing S.3099 which you recently sponsored with some other citizens. Of concern to us is SEC. 104. Prohibition on shark feeding. Can you provide any background on what is driving the proposal? We would love to have any details you can share on the topic for our discussion. Specifically anything about possible detrimental affects on economy, persons, or otherwise that shark feeding may or may not have. Since the bill specifically allows feeding during fishing activities, I'd also love to hear how that plays into the thought process. Respectfully submitted, Aaron Kelly

 

[seeker242]

So, basically this bill would extend the ban to 200 nautical miles from the coast of Florida, and also 200nm off the coast of every other coastal state.

Not necessarily. It depends on which version of "Federal waters" it's applied to. "US Territorial waters" are 12 nm out and the "US exclusive economic zone" is 200 nm out. So for example, a foreign cargo vessel 13 nm out, that isn't doing any fishing, is still in "international waters".

 

[CuzzA]

I'm pretty sure this bill falls within the boundaries of federal waters out to 200 nm.

 

[kelemvor]

Not necessarily. It depends on which version of "Federal waters" it's applied to. "US Territorial waters" are 12 nm out and the "US exclusive economic zone" is 200 nm out. So for example, a foreign cargo vessel 13 nm out, that isn't doing any fishing, is still in "international waters".

Interesting discrepancy! The Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission published this at the link I provided earlier:

Florida state waters are from shore to 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic and from shore to 9 nautical miles on the Gulf. In most places, federal waters extend from where state waters end out to about 200 nautical miles or to where other country's waters begin.

 

[seeker242]

Interesting discrepancy! The Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission published this at the link I provided earlier:

Yup, saw that. So they are obviously referring to the exclusive economic zone because that is where fishing is regulated out to. But technically, shark diving is not really fishing or harvesting of any "economic resource", so it might be 12 or maybe 200. Probably need a lawyer to figure that one out.

 

[diver 85]

Just go to International waters-----nothing will ever be done to stop you there.....

 

[kelemvor]

The NOAA website spells it out more clearly.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the U.S. extends 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline and is adjacent to the 12 nm territorial sea of the U.S., overlapping the 12-24nm contiguous zone. Within the EEZ, the U.S. has:

• sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing natural resources, whether living and nonliving, of the seabed and subsoil and the superjacent waters and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents and winds
• jurisdiction as provided for in international and domestic laws with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures, marine scientific research, and the protection and preservation of the marine environment
• other rights and duties provided for under international and domestic laws

Source: title

Sounds to me like it would definitely apply 200nm out.

Just go to International waters-----nothing will ever be done to stop you there.....

That's an expensive and lengthy boat ride for a blue water shark feed in VERY deep water. I'm guessing recreational charters for shark feeding will be finished if this is passed.

 

[Epic Diving]

It couldn't apply 200nm out. The Bahamas is only 60nm from FL and there'd be no jurisdiction there.

 

[kelemvor]

It couldn't apply 200nm out. The Bahamas is only 60nm from FL and there'd be. I jurisdiction there.

If you read the NOAA link I provided, the actual detailed maps do account for this. here's a screenshot. I'd say it's about 30 miles out in the area of the bahamas. Using the extremely scientific method of placing a ruler next to the map on my screen and comparing it to the scale on said map .

Obviously, a boater could go into the waters of another country and be subject to whatever laws that country imposes. I have no idea if there are true "international" waters in between the two.

 

[CuzzA]

Yep, look at any chart and you will see the line. Basically countries split the zone in half where there is a conflict. The red line is the EEZ. Head north and it extends back out to 200 nm.