Shark "Attack" on British Diver

[ShoalDiverSA]

Big feature in the online news here about a Great White attacking a British Tourist on a shark cage-dive... Well - if biting the cage counts as a shark attack!

Here's a video clip:
http://ww2.abc7.com/global/video/po...7&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&rnd=5567875

Article from ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/032805_nw_shark.html

Local Shark activists considering suing the media over sensationalised coverage:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,6119,2-7-1442_1682362,00.html

I thought people paid good money to see sharks up close and personal on these cage dives. Did this chap not get what he paid for? I struggle to believe that people see this activity like something akin to a petting zoo. You don't go sit in a cage in a shark-infested area while having chum thrown into the water next to you to have a quiet shark viewing experience (?). Isn't that what aquariums are for? Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of chumming, but someone needs a reality check here.

On a more meaningful note, a British surfer was attacked by a White Shark at Noordhoek beach: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,6119,2-7-1442_1682803,00.html

Cheers,

Andrew

(Apologies if this has been posted already - can't find it elsewhere on the 'Board)

 

[scubamad]

The media coverage in the UK on this was blown all out of proportion, for one the report IMO was only televised because the guy had his own footage on it and it was only shown when he returned from his round the world trip. Agree on the chumming front and also on the fact that he knew what he was doing!!

 

[Wijbrandus]

Man, this makes me want to cage dive even more.

::drools::

 

[Stirling]

I thought people paid good money to see sharks up close and personal on these cage dives. Did this chap not get what he paid for? I struggle to believe that people see this activity like something akin to a petting zoo. You don't go sit in a cage in a shark-infested area while having chum thrown into the water next to you to have a quiet shark viewing experience (?). Isn't that what aquariums are for? Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of chumming, but someone needs a reality check here.

I didn't get the impression that the diver was complaining:

"The boat captain beat the shark over the head with a metal bar before pulling Mark to safety.

"It took a few weeks to sink into what happened. And, when I watched the DVD, it brought it back, says Mark. "I'm glad I did it. I would do it again. I'd love to," said Mark."

 

[baitedstorm]

and to think, this is the exact thing my husband wants to do.... time to up the life insurance policy

 

[scubamad]

and to think, this is the exact thing my husband wants to do.... time to up the life insurance policy

Mine too!! They must be mad

 

[MoonWrasse]

I didn't get the impression that the diver was complaining:

"The boat captain beat the shark over the head with a metal bar before pulling Mark to safety.

"It took a few weeks to sink into what happened. And, when I watched the DVD, it brought it back, says Mark. "I'm glad I did it. I would do it again. I'd love to," said Mark."

I'll pay the shark $20 to finish the job next time :wallywink

 

[rje634]

Yeah I saw this on a Current Affair on FOX.
I don't think that chumming the water and smacking a great white in the head with a stick constitutes a "Shark Attack", more correctly it's getting what you deserve....

 

[scubamad]

Yeah I saw this on a Current Affair on FOX.
I don't think that chumming the water and smacking a great white in the head with a stick constitutes a "Shark Attack", more correctly it's getting what you deserve....

The media coverage in the UK ended the footage by saying "the filming stopped here because of the seriousness of the situation" ... this must have been the point where the shark was whacked in the head with a stick ... shameful!!

 

[MoonWrasse]

Yeah I saw this on a Current Affair on FOX.
I don't think that chumming the water and smacking a great white in the head with a stick constitutes a "Shark Attack", more correctly it's getting what you deserve....

The shark should sue for fraud