Sharks like this one, which was photographed in Virgin Islands waters, are a draw for some vistors to the territory. Photo: JEREMY BRICCO

When Bridget James was planning her latest vacation to the Virgin Islands, there was one activity she planned to do as often as possible: diving.

 

Sharks like this one, which was photographed in Virgin Islands waters, are a draw for some vistors to the territory. Photo: JEREMY BRICCO
“I’ve also dived in Belize and the Bahamas, but the BVI is my favourite,” she said.

For diving enthusiasts like Ms. James, few things come with more bragging rights than being able to say you swam with sharks.

“It’s the thing everyone wants to see,” she said. “For me it’s the whole reason I wanted to start diving.”

Conservation measures like the May declaration of VI waters as a sanctuary for sharks and rays brought lots of international media coverage, and it could also bring more divers like Ms. James to the territory.

“I’d say wrecks and sharks are probably two of our top requests,” said the BVI Dive Association’s Casey McNutt.“Especially for the folks who are photographers: They really want to see something ‘scary.’”

So far, Ms. McNutt hasn’t noticed a marked increase in divers, but she said visitors are aware of the shark sanctuary move here and elsewhere in the Caribbean.

See the Oct. 30, 2014 edition for full coverage.

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