Isla Guadalupe 2008 chum ban update-Another vessel boarded

We have been keeping track of the chumming ban at Isla Guadalupe and as we have been reporting the situation this year is extremely fluid.

Recently one of the operations on site sent out an ill timed newsletter talking at great length about their continued chumming efforts at the island.

This came after the MX Navy had boarded all vessels on site in August and had clarified that "no chumming" was in effect. The L.A Times ran with that newsletter this weekend and this morning the Solmar V was boarded by a team from SEMARNAT "Mexico City" and the MX Navy.

Here is an except from an internal email we got this morning:

Note: Due to the volatility of the following email we have been asked to paraphrase it.

Sent: Sep 8, 2008 1:15 PM
Subject: guadalupe island boarding

Solmar V was boarded told not to chum by the MX Navy today. They pulled their cages and were doing island tours with their clients. The charter master has serious concerns about future operations at this site.

Editors Note: We'll keep you updated by the minute as things develop. All vessels are effected at this site at this time. Feel free to call us if you have any questions.

BAN SHARK FEEDING,CAGE DIVING AND SHARK BAITING IN SOUTH AFRICAN WATERS!!!!! SAVE THE SHARKS!

The following is from a new "anti-shark diving petition" making the rounds on the internet. Clearly we here at UT are pro-shark diving, but it's always diplomatic to show the other side of things.

The problem we have as a shark diving company with the anti-shark diving lobby is the lack of information. Case in point:

BAN SHARK FEEDING,CAGE DIVING AND SHARK BAITING IN SOUTH AFRICAN WATERS!!!!! SAVE THE SHARKS!

The reason I have started this petition is because I am angered at the way dive operators and charters are treating an important and vital creature in the oceans that surround Southern Africa. The SHARK!!!!!!!

Shark feeders and baiters claim that they are conserving sharks. The reality is that dive industry-endorsed shark feeders and baiters are only in it to make a profit from so called "interactive shark tours". The truth is that they harm wildlife and compromise public safety!

Just because millions of sharks are slaughtered on an annual basis does not make shark feeding okay.

Manipulating sharks with bait to approach dive boats and "perform" or "model" for diving thrill seekers, tourists and photographers severely damages their natural defence mechanisims and significantly increases the probability that they will be killed by shark fishermen.

We need to wake up and smell the sea water guys. Without sharks in our ocean the ecosystem will go into disarray and our childrens' children are going to one day ask the question... What is a SHARK? The answer might very well be... " they are extinct, lets look it up".

Let's make a difference!