Sport Today

This is complete bullshit. These areas ARE white shark habitats, but it
doesn't follow that somehow chumming in a recreational area is therefore ok.
You can go see Great Whites at the Farollon Islands, or at one of their
breeding grounds at the mouth of Tomales Bay, both in Northern California.
BTW, I'm a rather casual student of sharks. I'm sure the nice people at
the Pelogic Shark Institute would be glad to tell you other shark activities
occur.

Odd how "the forces" turn out to be the majority of users of the MBMNS.
In other words, the complaint here is that the public process works.

You can be sure that any surfer, diver, or sailor who gets hit by a shark
in the vicinity of this bozo is going to go after the dive boat organizer,
and EVERYONE ON THE BOAT.

I would urge all divers, and certainly all windsurfers and surfers, to
write this address urging that the ban on chumming be imposed
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

If you want to go see a shark in a cage, go to the Monterey Aquarium.

Jaime
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Jaime Cordera

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This is a very big issue with the surfers and windsurfers in the Santa Cruz
Did anyone happen to catch the Great White show on TV last week?  They
showed that dragging a surfboard over the water was as good as anything
for attracting GW sharks.  Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy surfing up
the coast near where there were 2 hits in 1991 at Davenport Landing.

It is pretty funny how the original writer used the term "right" as
if it were in the constitution.  So what does one do after they attract
four great whites (one at 19') and then not feed them?  Isn't there any
_responsibility_ associated with ringing the dinner bell and then not
having anything to feed Mr. Whitey.  I guess he'll just have to fend
for himself now that he's salivating.  I know why don't we allow chum-ming
with the following two restrictions: 1) It must be done from in the water
2) shark cages aren't allowed.  Seems fair to me - then all surfers in
the area get the equal chance to observe these magnificent creatures
up close and very personal with the chumming diver getting the *best*
view.  There is a nice bit of logic to it -- you call Mr. W- and then
let him decide what he'd like for eats.  I that we'd get strong support
from the seal-lover contingent as well as everone else who uses the Bay
for something other than the "cage experience"

We've gotta stop these buttheads. I'm writing.

Dave

In Parks on land they have signs that say don't feed the bears, it would
seem that the same logic would apply to sharks.

[Re: The proposed ban on chumming in Monteray Bay's recreational areas]

: >If you do not what the Federal Government to take this activity away from you
: >and others you need to express your opinion by March 30 to:
: >
: >Elizabeth Moore, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division
: >Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
: >1305 East West Highway, SSMC4, 12th Floor
: >Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910

I cannot beleive this!

I wonder how Elizabeth would feel about defeating the ban on chumming
if she were lets say, in the middle of Monteray Bay trying to
waterstart a 4.5 in 7kts of wind, and then came drifting into one of
her cherished ***-slicks?  Unlikely you say?  OK, how about about the
father and daughter who capsize their Laser near one of these beloved
chum areas?  I wouldn't want my children to be exposed within 1000,
check that, 5000 yards of someone spilling fish guts into Whitey's
habitat.  No thank you.

These people really make me wonder...

-Gary

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There's an aspect to chumming that hasn't been addressed here. By
chumming you disrupt the feeding ability of the shark. It follow the
slick and then finds nothing. I believe that adds another reason why
it should be banned (IMHO)

Anker

It is hardly anyone's right to disrupt a wild creature's day for their
entertainment.   And to invite a Great White Shark with a false promise of
a meal?  Not exactly sane, either.