coral blasting

[JONATHAN KELSEY]

> Subject:       Re: coral blasting

> As always it is the age old dilemna of offering alternatives. Unless one
> can offer them alternatives, native peoples will do what is necessary for
> short term survival. 
> 
> J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc.



Dear Mr. Delbeek,

Your statement regarding native peoples, as I think others will 
agree,  is quite hasty.  I think you will find there many 
well documented  examples of native people conserving marine 
resources.  I suggest you pick up copies of James McGoodwin's "Crisis 
in the World's Fisheries" and "Words of the Lagoon" by Bob Johannes.  
Carl Safina's, "Song for the Blue Ocean" also documents some 
indigenous peoples efforts at conserving resources.

Examples can also be found in the history of Maine's 'native'
lobstermen.  If you would like some specific cites I would be 
more than happy to contribute.

I would offer  that the fact that the people you refer to are  native 
people has little to do with resource degradation of this scale.  
More often such exploitation comes from forcing small-scale, 
artesinal, and subsistence fishers  into a capital-based economy.  It 
is a plague that has devastated even the world's most abundant 
fisheries, from Newfoundland cod to California anchovie and urchin.  
I've not meant to be rude, but I feel that it is important to see 
beyond this strong, hegemonistic, and  typically-western viewpoint. 
Thank you.

Sincerely, 
Jonathan Kelsey

Research and Education Coordinator
University College of Belize
Marine Research Centre
P.O. Box 990
Belize City, Belize
Central America

Phone:  023-0256
JKELSEY at ucb.edu.bz



> 
> "The fact that my physiology differs from yours pleases me to no end." 
> Mr. Spock
> 
>