Submitted by Nell Keene.

Wow! What a treat to see this and get it on video, thanks Nell. I just love the crowd of Smooth Trunkfish that gather to watch!

How about some more details Nell? When was this? What kind of video camera/housing/editing software do you use?

Cheers,
Roger

Nell, very cool! Do you think the Trunkfish were trying to get scraps of things that the ray was stirring up?

I agree about more details, where was this at?

Roger, thanks for putting together this video thing, it really makes it easy to view them!

Thanks Roger and Cynde--

this was last month in Dec 2006 at Tori's reef. We were treated to several eagle rays at 22 ft feeding in the sand as we started our dive.
This was also my first attempt at any photos/videos with
an old basic Nikon Coolpix L4 with a Fantasea housing. Just point and shoot.
We took Jerry Ligon's fish ID course and asked about the Trunkfish.
and, yes, they are getting snacks.

I will try to add a few more from this dive.

Nell

Nell, what a way to start a dive!

awesome !! thank you :-) for sharing

That video is amazing. Thank you so much for posting it.

I just watched some videos on the blennylips web site and there were people poking creatures with pointers. This seems like
1. It is against the park rules.
2. Should not be filmed unless for evidence.
3. Not very nice.

Hi Frank; As the videographer, I disagree with all of your points, but admire your concern. If she was indeed "poking" them, it would be bad.

This has been discussed before in this thread. Scroll down a post or two for my response.

Other reactions from one who has seen the pointer in action in person are here, and here.

If these references do not allay your objections, please point out which videos at what time code the offending action takes place and I will either explain what we think was going on, or deliver a severe chastisement (thumping with a pointer?) to the offender.

Cheers,
Roger

Hi Frank, I have been diving several times with the "pointer" and I can attest that she does not touch marine life with the pointer. She uses it to identify fish for folks she is diving with, or she will hold it out toward the subject and point at it...I have never seen her touch marine life with it. It may look like it due to the angle of the video?

OK,
I would like to believe that the pointer is a benign tool used by divers to point things out, but clearly it is used not just to point out things, but to initiate interaction and at times it appears to be provocation. I did read your older posts Roger and I do believe that everyone has the best interests at heart. However, although this is not up there with feeding fish and catching rides on turtles, it still goes beyond just observation. I am sure there is all kinds of interesting behavior that comes from this and to be honest, a big part of me would love to interact with the creatures that way as well, but, I try to control that part to minimize my unnatural influence on their environment.

The concern that I have with it being in the videos is that I think that there are many who would see the behaviour and decide to bring their own "pointers" or ski poles, or car antennas or what have you to get that octopus to move out of that hole so we can see it better.
Not behavior I would think of belonging in a wildlife refuge.

Of course I am prepared to accept that I am just missing the whole point entirely and the folks on Bonaire will hope I "just get over it". And I do realize that folks that live on the island can fish there, so this is a minor thing in comparison. I am open to being convinced when I get there myself in March and can judge the merits of the technique.

I really really like that the videos are there for me to see as I am heading down in March to Den Laman and it was great seeing it and the pier in the video on Bari Reef (Sand Dollar). I do love the internet for what it provides in the way of information and dialogue and I do appreciate the effort put into creating and making those videos available.

Frank, You make some good points. I'm not sure where the line lays, but obviously feel we're on the "good" side while "ski poles" are on the wrong side.

Early in our dive career, we felt exactly as you express yourself so well. After our second or third trip to Bonaire, we picked up a copy of Dee Scarr's Touch the Sea book at the Flamingo airport while waiting to leave. It really changed the way we dive...Its okay to interact (benignly) with the sea life and adds a huge amount of interest...highly recommend you get and read a copy of her book and then contact her and take one of her "touch the sea" experiences.

And Frank, while you're down here, please give us a call, we'd love to dive with you and show you the pointer (and Marcia's amazing critter spotting skills) in action....Maybe the Town Pier for a daytime dive?

Thanks Roger, I just may take you up on that offer to dive. We appreciate it.
Coincidentally, I will actually be going to hear Dee speak in Boston on Feb 24th, shortly before we come down to the island.
I love nature and our exploration and understanding of the undersea fauna in their habitat is very immature and I worry about our influence on it by our interactions, intentional and unintentional. I will come to your island with an open mind. Seeing the concern about the environment by the proponents of this type of interaction, as pointed out by your references, I may need to re-assess my initial reaction.
As so many have said before me.. I can't wait to get there.

Well, Last Saturday we did get to hear Dee speak and to be honest, she made a compelling case for the types of interaction that she described. Mostly around cleaning stations. She told a wonderful octopus story that you should hear someday.
I am looking forward to spending as much time as possible with the reef creatures in Bonaire. Just about 40 hours and we will be there!