Prompted by the great discussion about the reefs by Mel and Leo I thought I would help by moving the discussion here \-2(this also keep Freddie happy, always a good thing)}. I'll cut and paste the relevant parts (if I miss any you can append at will or for will).
Mel
I do not think divers are the big problem, other than their activities ashore....like "#1 and #2" and what the resorts do with it. If there were no divers at all on Bonaire, but the same tourist volume was replaced (for example) with casino fans, I suspect the reefs would continue to degrade at the same rate.
The issue is: is the problem the number of divers, or is the problem the number of people? What concerns me is the focus on minor things like gloves, rather than the major thing which is pollution.
By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #430) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 11:02 am:
Leo
Fair enough Mel. It makes sense and I agree, though being a motivated devil's advocate, I might raise the broken windows theory to support the enforcement of the glove ban.
Mel
Leo, I'm not compelled that the broken windows theory is relevant here. Maybe a better analogy is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic....the BIG problem is looming, why are we focusing on the small things? It is like a ticking bomb in the
building that has the broken windows; why are we fixing the windows?
My problem with being technically trained is that I look for the size of effects and focus on the big effects. I do not subscribe to the "every little bit helps" approach, if the accumulated effect of all the little bits has no significant impact. Let's suppose no Bonaire diver ever touches the reef again, or stirs up sand on the sponges, or pees in their wetsuit, or scares a seahorse or frogfish; will the reefs survive? I think not.
Leo
Mel, from a pure technical perspective I recognize your point and agree with it. The broken windows theory, however, introduces a social aspect into an otherwise technical problem. We (divers, residents of Bonaire, and others) are not machines. We function in a community/social nexus, observing behaviors of others and adopting our behavior accordingly.
Now, regarding the big problems in Bonaire, I assume that one of them is the sewage treatment. I understand that a sewage treatment facility is being funded by the EU, with completion projected in 2014. I also understand that there are objections about the project regarding both the timing (too late) and the scope (too limited coverage). But it's a beginning (which may or may not reverse the damage underway).
What else can be done, realistically? Given Bonaire's limited resources and also our society's priorities (which are not the most environmentally friendly), this may be as good as it gets.
Mel
Leo, often folks agree on the problem but do not agree on the solution. It worries me in this case that maybe there is not even agreement on the problem.
Let's suppose the sewage treatment were not available until 2020. Do we agree that is too late? How about 2018? How about 2012?
What if the sewage treatment were in place TODAY? Would that reverse the reef's decline, or only halt it?
To stay on topic, maybe the problem is kid gloves where boxing gloves are needed...
Maybe some Dutch environmental minister needs to go diving on Bonaire? Preferably one who was there 10 years ago so can see the decline?
Maybe some science group needs to make a strong statement?
Maybe the constant quoting of ancient studies about how pristine the Bonaire reefs are need to be challenged?
Maybe the attitude that Bonaire's reefs are not declining as fast as the reefs elsewhere needs to be challenged?
Maybe I need to shut up....
Leo
Mel, I'll put a check mark on every one of your maybe's except for the last one.
The problem is that if all your maybes (except the last one) become reality, will it be too late? Will a dutch minister, after diving to see the damage for himself/herself, decide accelerate the sewage plant?
And if so, will that help? Will it halt or reverse the global problems of warmer and more acidic oceans?
Mel, I became a downright pessimist about the environment after a few visits in Eastern Europe when the Warsaw Pact was still in tact (hey, it rhymes!). I dread to think what a visit to China's industrial areas would do to my attitude ...
And to throw in my two cents (.0125EU), I'm to much an optimist, I have seen how fast nature can recover once the cancer is removed. There has been several studies recently saying the same thing. Where I live in NH used to be heavily farmed/logged, now only a few years later is back to what it was before the Pilgrims (for the most part, more deer, beaver, moose and other mammals, but of course no apex predators). Forest wise we have more, believe it or not.
Bonaire wise, remove the nutrient stream and the reefs will recover as long as we do wear gloves diving.
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By Cecil* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7735) on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 12:37 pm: 
