Now that the White Sea Beluga Whale dives are getting more press, I think it's time to bring up this sensitive subject again. There are quite a few places in the world where you can dive and photography certain large animals in nets, cages or aquariums. The controversy of Yomitan Okinawa, where whalesharks are kept in net pens for divers to dive with, and then used to replace the ailing whalesharks in Naha Aquarium. It is a trade and the Yomitan fishermen use to claim that the whalesharks were "accidentally" caught in the nets and were being rehabilitated. I found that wasn't true and they'd kept the same whalesharks for months for the tourist dives then sell them off to aquariums. In fact they actually go out to catch the sharks intentionally.
With the White Sea Belugas, it's been sold as a 'whale sanctuary' where they reintroduce trained captive belugas to the wild and also act as a nursery. In reality, it was planned as a open air dolphinarium in a 'natural' setting and there are 2 captive belugas there which are trained to do tricks. Of course you can snorkel and dive them those belugas for a fee too.
Now publications and competitions which have no ethical rules will probably encourage more of these places to open up. Is this a good thing? Is it deceiving to the public? Should photographers declare the animals are captive? Let the debate begin.
