PROTECTION FOR THE GREAT WHITE SHARK
IN CALIFORNIA WATERS
The California Coast is home to a large population of Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), specifically between Bodega Bay to the north and south to Monterey Bay extending to the Farrallon Islands. This area has been dubbed The Red Triangle because of the numerous attacks that have occurred in these waters. Many sharks come annually to feed on elephant seals and sea lions near the Farrallon Islands as well as Ano Nuevo Island. The Farrallon Islands and Ano Nuevo Island have been designated as Federal wildlife refuge areas and are thus protected from exploitation.
Although California has never been the "hot bed" of Great White cage diving and sport angling as that of South Africa and Australia, California recognized the plight of the Great White and enacted laws to sustain the population of Great White Sharks along its coast. California Fish and Game Code Sections 5527 and 8599 are specific in their wording relating to the intentional and unintentional killing of a white shark. The law provides for the incidental killing of white sharks in commercial fishing nets but strictly prohibits the landing of a white shark killed or injured in self-defense. All intentional attraction of White Sharks (such as the use of chumming and baiting) in California waters has also been outlawed. The legislation was enacted after various groups including kayakers and surfers lobbied to ban cage diving and other tourist operations. California did not want to see the three ring circus that was deveoping in and around Dyer Island in South Africa where competing dive operators flood the waters attracting the sharks. Many who recreate in the ocean were concerned regarding what inshore chumming and baiting of sharks would result in. Many were concerned that the sharks would be conditioned as many believe the grey reef shark population in the Bahamas has been. Many believe the sharks learn to anticipate and expect food when dive tour operators appear thus making human contact more predictable.
EXCEPTION FOR RESEARCH/EDUCATION
California Fish and Game Code Section 1002 has also made exceptions for research and education. This is very important due to the fact that the more we know regarding shark reproduction, behavior, etc. the more we can protect them.
