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Diving Bonaire: Photographers and reef damage
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2001-09-01 to 2002-05-23: Photographers and reef damage
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

Why not have special arrangements so that they either need the PADI peak performance bouyancy and/or underwater photographer certification as a minimum. Maybe a $100 dollar Camera permit refundable only if they have not been caught on or slimed by the coral. I have both certifications and I am mortified if I ever do touch the coral accidentally, if I did I would be happy to pay up. A good shot is not worth risking damage to the reef.

Any thoughts?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glenn H. on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 2:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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?

Their should be a heavy fine for people who damage aquatic life, reefs, etc. Take a picture of the offenders, and then contact the local authorities?

Education helps too... but I swear some people just do not care.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt III on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 6:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Krause on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 6:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

Another time during a night snorkel I saw a group at Bari Reef that looked like they were conducting some type of scientific experiment down there. Maybe they were with National Geographic or something.

I respect the need for people to save their memories, but there's no need to be careless. In my experience, it's best to leave the camera behind as that's when you usually see the best stuff anyway.

Sorry that I don't have a solution to the problem. It all boils down to personal responsibility.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 8:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

I think you're all correct. Some people just don't care, or feel accountable.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 1:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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!
As most of you have said, the problem is mostly to do with the divers outlook on life, not really related to whether they're carrying a camera or not. The bouyancy control of a skilled & concientious lensman is a joy to watch.

I have a theory...I reckon it's the same people who don't wash their hands after using...how do you folk say it...the rest room?, that will likely have no respect for the reef. Just watch 'em & see if I'm not right!

I'm sure Walt's only joined this thread to try & provoke me into posting the pic of him in full "battle dress" during a deco stop, where he's sporting a fine pair of gloves. There'll be no protest about 'em from me. You wouldn't get me down to 300ft (where he'd just been) in anything less than a full suit of armour!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Faith M. Senie on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 9:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

And we listened, too! Didn't we, Jake? :)

On rare occasion I've whacked up against something while messing with the camera, and the guilt trip I go through is amazing. I purposely go a bit light in the feet when doing photography so that I tend to swim upside down -- easier to manage my fins and keep them safe when they're pointed straight up and not behind me somewhere...

Faith

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 2:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Most excellent Faith! I just know that you always wash your hands. Right?

Sorry Walt, I haven't been paying attention mate. I've just noticed that you've already hoisted your "gloves" pic onto your profile.

Of course as Brian suggests, you can always feed the ever hungry PADI a few more dollars to collect another couple of badges. I still remember paying for the "wreck" one myself many years ago, diving a helicopter which was resting in 20 metres at Englands Stoney Cove quarry. It was the day I washed my hands of PADI once & for all.
BSAC (or any other club for that matter) provide so much more than a pretty book, a 30 minute dive followed by a handshake & the accompanying badge presentation. Oh, & of course...a severe lightening of your wallet.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt III on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 7:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I was doing a Wreck Dive so gloves are allowed.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 9:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does only finding the anchor count as one? :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seems like an appropriate place to put this.

Scientists have named the 10 most diverse and threatened coral reefs. If you're interested, here they are:

Western Caribbean
Cape Verde Islands
Gulf of Guinea
Eastern South Africa
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Northern Indian Ocean
Sunda Islands
Southern Japan, Taiwan and Southern China
Philippines
Southern Mascarene Islands

All of which will be extinct unless a concerted effort is launched to protect them.

This report comes from The Independent.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 5:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

They've obviously not heard yet that I'm heading for Indonesia next week, Sarah.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 7:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy, gosh, is it that time already? Have a wonderful trip, both of you, and I'll look forward to the report. Sarah

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 10:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

andy, with that many tanks, walt needs SOME kind of protection:)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 1:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can we expect another mini trip report from you, Andy? Have a great time and behave yourself! CArole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 3:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sure Carole, there'll be a report.
Actually, the reason my "trip chapters" have dried up, is that after Marions suggestion a month or so back, I've been channeling my efforts into a tale for the Bonaire Reporters April Fool edition. (sounds like I should fit in there a treat, don't you think?) I submitted it yesterday, so now I'm sitting here with my fingers crossed. If I'm fortunate enough to get it published, I believe that the prize is a pizza.....I just pray that they do a free home delivery service!
Here's hoping.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 2:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

andy, i will keep my toes crossed :)

 


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