By Brian on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 2:13 pm: |
I see that underwater photographers and damage to the reef are a common theme. I saw a photographer? laying on the coral to take a shot and I had to lift him bodily off it.
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By Glenn H. on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 2:22 pm: |
I guess it depends on the situation... what if a person owns their own camera? They are not allowed to take pictures unless they have a bouyancy certification? Just because someone can respect the reefs, doesn't mean they will. How would you deal with snorkelers?
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By Walt III on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 6:14 pm: |
Unfortunately it's not just photographers. Today I witnessed over 50 touches to the reef on one dive off a boat, hands and fins. There is no good answer. Some don't know any better and some don't care. The dive master said nothing but only probably saw part of it. I happened to be following 2 guys who were not photographers today. I did speak with them after the dive and their attitude was, oh I didn't touch the reef more than once or twice. I saw them on the first dive of the day bouncing down the reef and ended up behind them again on the second dive and counted the encounters.
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By Dave Krause on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 6:27 pm: |
Some of these underwater photographers would be a riot to watch except for the damage they may be causing. I was snorkeling last year at Oil Slick Leap and in came a boat of divers, some with cameras in tow. I saw one diver practically setting up camp on the bottom to take a photograph. Went down to see what was so fascinating... guess she had never seen a trumpet fish suspended in some sea plants.
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By mary pequinot on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 8:01 am: |
As a new diver, my buoyancy is far from perfect, but I work hard at trying not to touch or brush up against coral. It's awful that people abuse the treasure we have under the water. Maybe it's not stressed enough in the open water classes. My instructor in the pool didn't really emphasize it; however, my open water instructor (in Bonaire) made it very clear.
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By Andy Keely on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 1:13 pm: |
Worst case of reef abuse I've ever witnessed was by a 100lb rainbow parrotfish...Damned thing bit off a fist sized piece of brain coral that was supporting the nudibranch I was trying to film!
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By Faith M. Senie on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 9:37 pm: |
Our PADI underwater photography instructor told us in no uncertain terms that we'd jolly well better watch our buoyancy extra-carefully when we did our photography! If we absolutely had to touch the reef to steady ourselves, we'd better find a sandy spot, or a dead spot on the coral, and put down AT MOST one finger.
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By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 2:29 am: |
Most excellent Faith! I just know that you always wash your hands. Right?
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By Walt III on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 7:20 am: |
I was doing a Wreck Dive so gloves are allowed.
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By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 9:36 am: |
Does only finding the anchor count as one? :-)
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By Sarah on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 4:10 pm: |
Seems like an appropriate place to put this.
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By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 5:17 pm: |
They've obviously not heard yet that I'm heading for Indonesia next week, Sarah.
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By Sarah on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 7:46 pm: |
Andy, gosh, is it that time already? Have a wonderful trip, both of you, and I'll look forward to the report. Sarah
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By Cynde Lee on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 10:22 pm: |
andy, with that many tanks, walt needs SOME kind of protection
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By Carole Baker on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 1:56 am: |
Can we expect another mini trip report from you, Andy? Have a great time and behave yourself! CArole
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By Andy Keely on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 3:53 am: |
Sure Carole, there'll be a report.
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By Cynde Lee on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 2:39 pm: |
andy, i will keep my toes crossed
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