Australia: Dives called off after shark attack

UP to 40 scuba divers were still prepared to venture into the waters where shark attack victim Jarrod Stehbens was taken only days ago, but had their dives cancelled this weekend.

Glenelg Scuba Diving operator Derek Randall said he decided to suspend trips to the Glenelg tyre reef because he owed a duty of care to his divers and also it was a mark of respect to Mr Stehbens.

"Quite a few of them were actually disappointed that we cancelled," Mr Randall said.

"We didn't have one phone call from those people saying, `Cancel my dive' – we rang them up.

"We do dive the same spots where Jarrod was taken.

"I cancelled it out of respect for Jarrod and our duty of care."

There were no smaller dive boats operating near where the shark attacked.

The decision to cancel coincided with a search by a team of mounted police along the shoreline from Seacliff to Largs Bay yesterday morning.

A police spokesman said the officers did not locate anything on the beaches.

Mr Stehbens, 23, a University of Adelaide research scientist, was attacked on Wednesday afternoon during a scientific expedition to the tyre reef, about 2km off Glenelg, with three colleagues.

He was an experienced scuba diver who had completed more than 190 dives.

About a dozen fishing boats ventured out to the area yesterday morning, following high tide.

Fisherman Joe Grieve, of Adelaide, said he did not expect to see any divers in the water so soon after the tragedy. He had only seen one Great White shark, several years ago beyond the Glenelg tyre reef.

"We saw one about 12km out one day, leaping around the boat," Mr Grieve said.

Mr Randall has been diving for 30 years in the area where Mr Stehbens was attacked.

He was in the water on Wednesday morning before Mr Stehbens was taken.

He conducts about 5000 dives a year and says he has never seen a Great White. "I've had the business for 22 years and I have never seen a white out there," Mr Randall said.

"None of my divers have seen a white out there in the water with them.

"Now and again you'll see a Bronze Whaler but they're not an aggressive shark.

"Sharks don't go hunting humans."

Mr Randall said he did not believe the attack would affect his business, which always used shark shields for protection during its dives.

"I think people realise it's still more dangerous driving to the shop here compared to being out there," he said.

He would resume dives next weekend off Glenelg.

Source: www.theadvertiser.news.com.au