Beelzebub said...
Today, a surfer who "was sitting on his board waiting for a wave" was savaged by a shark, and the official response from the Taronga Conservation society was: "The best prevention is common-sense related to where you swim and what activities you undertake whilst in the water," says John, "and be aware of what may invite or provoke an attack." This sort of warped opinion warrants condemnation, as it is in line with SHEIKH TAJ EL-DIN AL-HILALI's suggestion that women who present like uncovered meat are "asking" to be violated.
Yes this is our greatest obstacle, changing the common mindset of people who have fallen for the propaganda of the conversationalists. This was a bull shark, so its not protected. However its in these peoples best interests to support conservation, that's what pays their bills. Just like the so called shark experts who's opinions are called upon in regard to protecting great whites, its in their best interest to just recommend further research.
Nothing is going to change unless we all band together & make more noise than these characters like the surfers at Reunion Island. But even that ruling was overturned from international pressure. Its a very difficult situation & incredibly frustrating from a surfers point of view when for many of us, surfing is our passion in life & we consider the ocean our environment also : /
