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Sharks become agitated when the feeding begins
Feeding sharks during scuba diving encounters is a highly debated topic among marine conservationists and enthusiasts. While it might seem exciting to interact with these majestic creatures up close, it is argued that it can have negative consequences for both the sharks and humans involved.
Those opposed argue that feeding sharks can create a dependence on humans for food, altering their natural behavior and potentially leading to more frequent and aggressive interactions with humans in the future. It can also disrupt the natural balance of marine ecosystems by changing the feeding habits and territories of sharks.
Additionally, when sharks are fed by humans, they may become more aggressive in their pursuit of food, posing a safety risk to divers and snorkelers. Sharks are wild animals, and even though they might seem docile during feeding, their behavior can be unpredictable.
For these reasons, many responsible dive operators and marine conservation organizations discourage or even prohibit the feeding of sharks during dive encounters. Instead, they promote non-intrusive observation and education about these fascinating creatures to promote coexistence and respect for their natural behaviors.
These scuba divers are among a group of biologists who are trying to record the behaviour of sharks when they are provided with lion fish. Lion fish are an introduced and invasive species in the Atlantic Ocean. Here in Belize, the fish are decimating the reefs and threatening the ecosystems. With no natural predators, the lion fish breed rapidly. They are voracious feeders, devouring up to 30 local fish each day. If they are not kept in check, the results will be devastating. It is hoped that teaching sharks and moray eels to see the lion fish as a food source will change the situation and make lion fish less of a threat. While still debated, this type of shark feeding aims to create a healthier reef and a chance for the fish populations to survive.
What is obvious from the video is that the sharks behave very differently when food is offered. Scuba divers are wise to remember that the sharks are apex predators and highly competitive with each other. All of those razor sharp teeth in the vicinity of humans should not be taken lightly.
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