Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Annex Publishers
Résumé : International audience
Introduction: Shark-based ecotourism is significantly developing around the world, often without appropriate management of risk. This activity involves a risk of accidental bites on divers that can be quite severe or even fatal. Objectives: To determine if ecotourism companies' liability can be engaged in the context of bites on scuba divers in presence of hand-feeding practices, supporting the legitimacy of financial compensation for the victims. Methods: We analyzed the development from the mid-eighties to 2010 of shark-based ecotourism through artificial provisioning practices in Moorea Island (French Polynesia) and more specifically the features and motivation of two bites on divers by Sicklefin Lemon sharks. Results: The specific practice of hand-feeding can be considered as a facilitating factor for accidental bites on divers, potentially involving the diving operator's responsibility. Conclusions: Our findings should support the technical work of experts that might be called in such cases.
ISSN: 2348-9804

hal-01238771
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01238771
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01238771/document
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01238771/file/3502-Determining-the-Role-of-Hand-Feeding-Practices-in-Accidental-Shark-Bites-on-Scuba-Divers.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD EDP Sciences
Résumé : International audience
This study determined the movements of a Giant Grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus, in which an acoustictag was surgically implanted and monitored by an array of six VR2W acoustic receiver units from August 2010 toJanuary 2013 in the remote, uninhabited Chesterfield Islands, Coral Sea (800 km West of New Caledonia). Our datarevealed a home reef area (residency rate of 44.9%) with an increased activity revealed by movements at dawn anddusk toward and between two adjacent reef passages, probably for foraging. The fish was absent from its residentreef between October and December 2010 and 2012, corresponding to the time known for spawning aggregationsof this species in New Caledonia. A skipped spawning seems to have occurred in 2011. We hope these data will becomplemented in the future by locating the spawning site or sites and thus provide adequate conservation measures.The Coral Sea links two World Heritage Sites, the Australian Great Barrier Reefs and the New Caledonian coral reefs.It would be fitting to create a Marine Protected Area for the Chesterfield Islands between these two major conservationareas of the sea.
ISSN: 0990-7440

hal-01238809
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01238809
DOI : 10.1051/alr/2015006