[Coral-List] Research that supports (or not) Provisioning?

[Steve Mussman]

   I find it ironic that DEMA is citing "research by independent and credible
   scientists" to support their stand on shark provisioning. In a letter to the
   sponsors of the legislation they oppose which would ban shark feeding, DEMA
   makes reference to their mission which they describe as "an ongoing effort
   to create public awareness of the need to protect the marine environment and
   marine life in that diving depends upon sustainable interaction with the
   marine environment for its very existence". I suggest that if they are truly
   concerned about the marine environment that they start by referencing and
   appropriately  reacting  to  the multitude of independent and credible
   scientific studies which suggest that climate change is among the greatest
   threat of all.
   Steve Mussman
   Sea Lab Diving

     -----Original Message-----
     >From: Melbourne Briscoe
     >Sent: Nov 1, 2016 11:13 AM
     >To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
     >Subject: [Coral-List] Research that supports (or not) Provisioning?
     >
     >I need some citations that address whether "provisioning" has caused
     >behavioral changes that cause harassment or endangerment of divers who
     were
     >not involved in the provisioning. DEMA has made the statement: "studies
     >suggest  that  shark  diving from cages, which most often includes
     provisioning
     >ecotourism, does not create the risk to swimmers, divers and kayakers"
     >
     >
     >
     >They quote three studies to support their argument: Hammerschlag, et al
     >(2012); Johnson and Koch (2006); and Meyer et al (2009).
     >
     >Are there studies that do NOT support their argument?
     >
     >Are there studies about provisioning other than sharks that argue against
     >it?
     >
     >
     >
     >Thanks - there is some urgency in my request.
     >
     >
     >
     >Mel Briscoe
     >
     >OceanGeeks LLC
     >
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