California Shark Diving:2003 Update

Shark dive operators have agreed to a "150 foot viewing distance" from
the GWS they take paying divers to cage dive with at the Gulf of the
Farallons Marine Sanctuary, effectively shutting down this dive site
to any diver wanting to actually see a Great White shark in person.

From California Dive News July 2003
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnjuly03/Kelp7.html

New Regulations for Diving With Sharks In The Works
For the past decade scientists, conservationists, researchers,
surfers, shark divers, and government officials have been arguing over
how to regulate the growing shark diving industry. In the mid 1990s,
shark diving was banned in near shore waters within the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary, and a similar move was begun at the
Farallon Islands. All parties have tentatively agreed to a set of
guidelines that will probably result in new regulations. They include
prohibition of chumming, limitations on the use of decoys, and
establishes a 150-foot minimum distance to view a natural feeding
event. Researchers and recreational divers will follow the same rules.
For more information check out:
http://www.prbo.org/marine/sharkreg.htm.