The Marine Safety Group, Inc. is a grass roots public interest organization formed by a small group of concerned citizens/sport divers in South Florida. The three initial "founders" of the MSG banded together in response to common concerns over issues of public safety and wildlife conservation associated with the growing practice of marine predator feeding by local commercial dive tour operators.
MSG PRESS RELEASE:
Bahamas Shark Feeding
Tours Endanger Island Visitors .
Marine
conservationists call on Bahamas government to prohibit feeding
underwater predators.
Full release.
"Shark bite death off
Bahamas shows need to ban feeding expeditions"
Read the full story.
Keys Sanctuary Last Refuge for Florida Shark Feeding Dives
"If you want to legally participate in a Florida shark-feeding dive these days, there's only one place left to go - the federal portion (waters more than 3 miles from shore) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)." More.... Shark Feeding: Dive Industry vs Environmentalists
from CDNN Shark riding stuntman Jean Michel Cousteau demonstrates why the sequel is never as good as the original. |
With virtually unlimited resources, dive industry heavies, PADI, DEMA, Skin Diver, Rodale's and Jean-Michel Cousteau defiantly goose-stepped into Florida to the free enterprise beat of chumsickles, money and lawyers. Two years later, they hobbled back out of the state, their reputations as environmentally responsible organizations in shambles after a stunning defeat by a grassroots coalition of divers, dive operators, sport fishers, eco groups, environmental activists and ultimately, a highly critical press and angry public. Dive into CDNN's Shark Feeding Special, the definitive source of authoritative and comprehensive news reports on key events that led to Florida's decision to ban all marine life feeding in state waters... Go to CDNN Shark Feeding Special The IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG) acknowledges the
International Shark Attack File (ISAF) as the only official and reliable source of information on shark attacks worldwide. The ISAF, the longest running database on shark attacks, has a long-term scientifically documented database containing information on all known shark attacks, and is the only globally-comprehensive, scientific shark attack database in the world. The ISAF website is the only net-based source of accurate, regularly updated information and advice on shark attacks worldwide. More.... Telegraph reporter dies on Bahamas diving trip
"It was towards the end of the second dive of the trip, during which the party watched sharks feeding, that David was separated from the other divers." More... Hawaii Adopts Statewide Ban on Shark Feeding
Effective July 1, Hawaii has become the second US state within a year to completely prohibit shark feeding dives. MSG Press release
Honolulu Star Bulletin: The Legislature passes the proactive bill with virtually no opposition The Tooth and Nothing But The Tooth
American Reporter Humorist Writer Erik Deckers take on Eric Ritters' bumbled attempt at repelling a 350 pound bull shark for a "Shark Week" film crew.
"They're sinister, cold-hearted, cold-blooded, ruthless eating machines who enjoy an occasional snack on shark experts" more....National Geographic includes Marine Safety Group in their teaching curriculum: Sharks: Setting the Record Straight
Shark Feeding part of the curriculum in National Geographic's Expedition Lesson Plans for grades K-12. NGE site...
Shark attacks teen, officials warn swimmers to avoid feeding, fish-baiting areas. more.... Marine Safety Group Supports Proposed Mammal Protection Rules "The Marine Safety Group (MSG) urges NOAA fisheries to pursue regulations to protect marine mammals in the wild from human activities that are directed at the animals and that have the potential to harass the animals. As you know, the MSG led the successful effort to convince the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) to prohibit the feeding of all marine wildlife in Florida’s coastal waters. Much of our argument against marine wildlife feeding was based on the solid administrative record from NOAA and the Watchable wildlife program demonstrating that feeding wild animals is harmful and dangerous. The proponents of marine wildlife feeding are mostly compromised of individuals affiliated with the commercial dive industry, specifically, PADI, DEMA, Skin Diver and Sport Diver magazines. These publications are filled with ads promoting interaction with marine wildlife, including marine mammals, that clearly constitutes wildlife harassment. Indeed, members of the commercial dive group formed an organization called the Global Interactive Marine Experiences Council (GIMEC), which promotes interaction with marine wildlife. Thankfully, the FFWCC rejected the GIMEC guidelines and determined that they were inadequate to protect either wildlife or People." More.... Cayman Islands Ban Shark Feeding
CAYMAN ISLANDS (April 25, 2002) - A prohibition on shark feeding dives has been passed by the Cayman Islands legislature as part of a comprehensive Marine Conservation Legislation package designed to offer greater protection to the nation's marine life. Full Story As the world learns
Diver Training Magazine, "The monthly magazine for new divers & their instructors" and The International Ecotourism Society share the mantra: Do Not Feed Marine Animals Timeline: Shark Feeding
CDNN provides a detailed chronology of key events of the David and Goliath like battle of three local divers against DEMA, PADI and Rodale's. Full story
BACK TO TOP Bad Karma or an Inevitability?
Erich Ritter Gives a little back to shark feeding as well as a setback to keeping shark feeding alive in the Bahamas. This is a shot across the bow to all conversationalist organizations to finally put an end to these circus shows worldwide.
Many articles have been written about this fanatical shark feeding operator.
Shark attacks snorkeler near illegal shark-feeding dive site in Florida
CDNN - CYBER DIVER News Network
by Carmen Sanchez
DEERFIELD BEACH, Florida, March 16, 2002 - A skilled snorkeler who unknowingly ventured close to a south Florida commercial shark feeding site was attacked and bitten by a small nurse shark Friday morning. More... March 2, 2002 ~ United Nations Environmental Program targets dive tourism, marine life feeding in campaign to save coral reefs.
CDNN - CYBER DIVER News Network by Dr. Alistair W. Billings
 United Nations wants dive tourism industry to stop fish feeding and other harmful activities
PARIS, France, March 2, 2002 - In response to the growing worldwide threat to coral reefs posed by dive tourism, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) have prepared five new "communication" tools to help the global tourist industry inform visitors and dive operators on ways to help protect coral reefs. Full story February 8, 2002 ~ news:rec.scuba Enjoy the commentaries and flames directed toward the "host" of "that little radio show" as he continues to SPAM multiple message boards with his drool and advertisements. He makes Rush Limbaugh seem humble. Click here for our favorite thread. BACK TO TOP January 14, 2002 ~ Honolulu Star-Bulletin Land Board readies hearings on Hawaii shark-feeding ban
Officials say the dangerous practice needs to be stopped before it starts. North Shore Shark Adventures puts customers in cages and allows them to view sharks as they feed in waters beyond state control. The Board of Land & Natural Resources voted yesterday to hold hearings on banning shark feeding within state waters. Officials say they want to prevent the practice from becoming established near Hawaii shores. Full story January 7, 2002 ~ Pres Release Recent fish attacks on divers may be legacy of fish feeding tours Two seemingly unrelated fish attacks on divers this last week - one in Australia and one in Hawaii - may be the result of fish-feeding dive tours, according to a Florida environmental group.
On New Year's Eve, a 2m-long Queensland grouper, estimated to be up to 80 years old, attacked a Swedish tourist near the historic wreck of the steamship Yongala, 100km southeast of Townsville. The same fish later menaced another diver, lunging at the man and breaking his mask.
Last weekend, a six-foot tiger shark bit a small chunk out of a San Jose native who was snorkeling about 100 yards off a Hawaii beach. Full release. BACK TO TOP December 28, 2001~ Press Release: Florida divers, tourists applaud end of shark- feeding era Deerfield Beach, Florida. In just a few days the feeding of sharks by divers will become illegal in Florida's ocean waters, a change receiving warm welcome by divers and tourists alike. "At last, things will slowly start to return to normal on the reef" said Abe Hitt, a veteran Florida undersea explorer. "In the least 15 years I've seen Florida's popular dive sites change from 'classic' to 'circus' - mainly because of fish feeding". Full release.
NOVEMBER 1, 2001, Key Largo Florida The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously passed rule 68B-5.005 banning the feeding of marine life while diving in the State of Florida. Important Information about the ban:
Worldwide coverage (and support) of the ban: BACK TO TOP
The Marine Safety Group joins The National Humane Society in condemning a lawsuit filed last week by dive companies opposing the ban, calling it a last-ditch attempt to overturn the ban. Click here for the latest UPI release. "By tying the Florida issue to one of the most cherished of American values, civil liberty ("SAVE YOURSELVES -- HERE COMES BIG GOVERNMENT!"), DEMA is trying to overcome a fatal liability of its ill-advised but cherished "interactive diving" promotional campaign - lack of public support." While "scientific representatives" of the PADI/DEMA coalition claim feeding does no harm, we offer two short videos from an independent source showing the long term effects of feeding:  What happens when sharks (even nurse sharks) are fed regularly in the same area?
Swarmed and bitten by fed stingrays Although DEMA continues to defend their promotion of wildlife feeding tours by asserting that there "is not a shred of evidence" supporting the idea that any such negative environmental impacts accrue from these activities, such a position directly contradicts the expressed professional assessments of this situation by a large number of scientists, wildlife managers and leading conservation groups.
LATEST PRESS
The Marine Safety Group accomplishes what they set out to do: Florida Bans Shark Feeding Dive Tours Amelia Island, Florida
September 6, 2001 After two years of heated debate, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) today dropped further consideration of proposed voluntary “guidelines” for shark feeding dive tours, and moved instead to proceed with the rulemaking process that would lead to a complete prohibition on the deliberate baiting or attraction of marine wildlife in all State marine waters for any purpose other than traditional fishing. More... YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. THE MARINE SAFETY GROUP RELIES ON YOU. CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR SUPPORT PAGE. Have you seen or been injured during an "Interactive dive"?
Were you injured or harassed by sharks or other marine life near a feeding site?
Click here for an Incident Report Form.
BACK TO TOP
The media attention toward sharks, shark attacks and shark feeding has been relentless but can found on this site.
Have you seen a dive operator feeding sharks?
Rewards up to $1000 for anonymous tips.
Off the presses....
You will find links to the primary sections in the left margins and subsections in the right margin. BACK TO TOP | 
