Official GWS Thread

GWS jumps into research vessel.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/19/great-white-shark-jumps-boat?cat=world&type=article

Yikes, hope they got that on video!

What are you guys thoughts on research where GWS are enticed to attach a decoy seal?

Should this type of research and research using bait/blood for tagging of GWS be allowed where popular recreational activities such as abalone diving, kayaking and surfing occur on a on going bases?

They used to do that at the Farrallon Islands, but that program has stopped. Where are you referring to?

I heard the bodega marine lab does it around the pt Reyes area. Baiting with blood and bait to tag.

Anthony

What could possibly go wrong with teaching intelligent, multi tonne apex predators to associate humans with feeding?

If you are refering to what's been going down at Waddel I am absolutely against it. When I read they were allowed to do that right outside one of Cali's major surf breaks I couldn't believe it. People are going to die unless this can be stopped. I am 100% against this practice should be stopped with no exceptions. Jim

Wow, the replies are awesome on this subject for not allowing GWS research at well known popular water activity locations.  So thus far no one wants research that perhaps teaches, imprints, associates GWS with humans at Tomales, Pt. Reyes and Waddel. Is there other places that one may feel GWS research should not take place at? Should it GWS research take place at all by using blood/bait or seal decoys?

How many times do we need to see a GWS strike a top water lure right?

Yes we know spilling a lot of blood and baits near a boat attracts GWS or other sharks.

Do you fell that such activities associate GWS to humans?

If enough folks feel that such practices are not in the best interest of public safety something can be done. Shall I start a poll?       

Please start a poll. And I would like to ask those who might respond favorably to 'the question' to please explain how they justify the much greater risk to humans? Besides that fat wad of grant money of course. Would the white shark population be in any danger whatsoever if this tactic were no longer permited? How's about figuring a new way to lure the GW's in to be tagged? I see some new devices on the market this year for freshwater apps. Jim

Wow, the replies are awesome on this subject for not allowing GWS research at well known popular water activity locations.  So thus far no one wants research that perhaps teaches, imprints, associates GWS with humans at Tomales, Pt. Reyes and Waddel. Is there other places that one may feel GWS research should not take place at? Should it GWS research take place at all by using blood/bait or seal decoys?

How many times do we need to see a GWS strike a top water lure right?

Yes we know spilling a lot of blood and baits near a boat attracts GWS or other sharks.

Do you fell that such activities associate GWS to humans?

If enough folks feel that such practices are not in the best interest of public safety something can be done. Shall I start a poll?     

Do they really use blood?  I went on a cage diving trip to the Farallons.  The captain said they didn't use blood because it was ineffective.  They only used the seal cutout.  The sharks are not keyed in on fish.  They are keyed in on seals.

-Allen

Allen, they claim to "only use a few ounces of seal blubber". The research for this year allegedly wrapped up on Nov 15th.

Please start a poll. And I would like to ask those who might respond favorably to 'the question' to please explain how they justify the much greater risk to humans? Besides that fat wad of grant money of course. Would the white shark population be in any danger whatsoever if this tactic were no longer permited? How's about figuring a new way to lure the GW's in to be tagged? I see some new devices on the market this year for freshwater apps. Jim

Started the poll.

If you ever want to see how well a Great White can be tought to come to a boat for a free meal,
Come on a long range trip with me to Guadalupe Island. The sharks have always been there, but once they started using bait to lure them in for the cage diving boats, the landing ratio of hooked fish has gone way down. The shark issue has gotten so bad that many long range Captians will not even go to the Island anymore. Guadalupe Island used to be the premier tuna spot off the Baja coast.

Yakhopper kinda knew that about Guadalupe, not seen it with my own eyes, but have known. I wonder are the excursion promoters offering anytime of the year GWS diving now or are the researchers there at Guadalupe there more months per year now. In a strange way I kinda like to here what you are saying about Guadalupe; perhaps and or at least may be the continued "research" at Isla Guadalupe are keeping GWS there where they might otherwise be migrating up and down the California coast. However I got you point; it's another documented case that increased feedings of GWS if you will does retain GWS to a local.

Hey all,

my two cents. The sharks at Tomales and other areas do migrate to and from these areas seasonally. Based on what I know about the research at Tomales(I personally know and talk with the senior researcher who is on the water daily when conditions allow), a chunk of whale blubber is used to put some scent in the water. There is a decoy used sometimes as well. The work in the boat is done with the boat stationary. He does not tow the boat or the decoy. These minute items are used to bring the sharks near enough to pole tag or get an id from features. There have been many attacks in the vicinity of Tomales Point over the years, and guess what.....NOT a single attack on a human since the project began. Do the math and you'll see that your postulations are based on supposition and NOT FACT. Keep theory and supposition out of the picture and start being factual.