Dear Editor-in-chief,
I have read this article regarding tiger sharks feeding, and am concerned with the perspective Miss Angela Barnes has taken for this article. (3:55pm UK, Friday September 03, 2010, Anglea Barnes, Sky News Online)
As you may already be aware, a feeding frenzy often carries a negative connotation. May I please ask what is the point of this article? Is it to scare people in letting them think sharks are vicious creatures by them eating their natural prey, or does this pose as a warning to the public to keep away from the area? The intentions in this article are grey.
As a journalist, photographer and scuba diving instructor myself, I think Miss Angela Barnes has also to regard the other side of the story - marine awareness - before frivolously using the term "feeding frenzy". I've noticed most of the shark-related articles on your website are regarding 'shark eats man'. If that's aimed to sensationalize your reports, how about considering more often to be environmental advocates in this increasingly-aware society and write about 'man eats shark'? (i.e. cruel and wasteful practice of harvesting shark's fin).
Sharks in general may be 'scary' due to much propaganda (JAWS & Hollywood), but how many of us really know about sharks? We witness the occasional shark attacks (purely unintentional, surfers mistaken for seals) and not really understand anything about shark protection in their natural environment. Remember, these magnificent creatures were put on this planet way before us human beings came trampling on their home, deciding that swimming in the waters they live in was a fun thing to do.
Do realize that your readers' mindsets are changing with the times and as your news channel spreads its wings overseas, maybe it's time for YOU to change YOUR perspectives too and avoid showcasing Australia as a "shark-killed-swimmers-that's-why-we're-wiping-them-out" society.
Thank you for your attention.
Regards,
Cheryl Fan Duerden
PADI Scuba Instructor (IDCS)
#493279
(Singapore)
