What is chumming the waters?

Chumming the waters is the act of scattering or baiting fish with bits of fish, fish parts, or other bait in order to attract larger fish to an area. This practice is commonly used by fishermen and is particularly effective for shark fishing as it can help to lure in fish that might not otherwise be caught. Chumming the water can also be used for scientific research to attract marine life for observation or tagging purposes. However, chumming can have negative effects on environmental ecosystems if done in excess as it can lead to overfishing and cause changes in food chain dynamics.