SHARKS 'Open Water' poses no threat to dive industry, official says

The film was inspired by the disappearance of two divers in Australia.
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Australian dive operators say they don't think tourists will be scared off by the scary shark tale "Open Water," based on actual events that took place off the country's Great Barrier Reef six years ago.
The low-budget film, which opens here this week, follows two divers who must fend for themselves in shark-infested waters after their dive boat leaves them behind.
It was inspired by the 1998 disappearance of American tourists Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who vanished after being left behind by their dive group off Australia's hugely popular, 1,200-mile Great Barrier Reef.
An inquiry later concluded the pair either drowned or were eaten by sharks.
Effect on industry
Col McKenzie, executive director of the Marine Park Tourism Operators, said the film -- which is set in the Caribbean and makes no specific reference to the Lonergans -- poses no threat to Australia's lucrative dive industry.
"It's a work of fiction and I don't think we need to read too much into it," he told The Associated Press Friday in a telephone interview.
Strict safety measures were imposed on Australia's diving industry following the Lonergans' disappearance.
"It's not indicative of our industry. These kind of events are rare," McKenzie said.
But like other scary shark films, McKenzie doesn't doubt that "Open Water" will keep some people away. "I'm sure there will be people that look at the movie and say, 'Well, I don't think I should go diving,'" he said.
"And well, maybe they shouldn't. They should stick to knitting."