[Coral-List] NGOs, Corals and Dive Industry

Douglas Fenner douglasfennertassi at gmail.com
Wed Nov 27 00:25:40 EST 2013


One thing I noticed about the different "green" programs that parts of the
diving industry support, is that the actions they mention are all about
divers not damaging reefs, resorts not damaging reefs, etc.  That's all
good and well, but as I stated quite a while ago, that is re-arranging the
deck chairs on the Titanic.
     Divers are a minute fraction of the problem for the world's coral
reefs.  Yes, they can have an impact on small areas that are heavily used
by divers, and those are areas that are important for the dive industry.
So sure, it is good to encourage divers to do less damage to the reefs they
commonly dive.
     But that won't save the world's reefs, and it will only have a tiny
positive effect on the world's reefs.  Meanwhile, climate change and
acidification are coming faster than ever, as the world burns even more
fossil fuels than the highest projections from not long ago.  If something
doesn't start changing, kiss coral reefs as we know them, dominated by
coral that is critical to the framework building of coral reefs and to the
ecological community.
    For me, the question is not whether the dive industry has segments that
have good will and are trying to promote less impact by divers, resorts,
etc.  The question is the silence on the issues that will end coral reefs
as we know them, the silence on climate change and acidification.
    What we need is the dive industry to speak out clearly and forcefully
on the issue that will have the greatest impact on coral reefs in the
future, and have a great impact on their industry.

Cheers,  Doug


On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 1:49 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>    Dear Ed,
>
>
>    Probably  the  best example right now is the National Ocean Policy, an
>    executive   order   that  is being  characterized by special  interest
>    groups as yet another example of over-regulation by the federal
> government.
>    Interestingly enough virtually every ocean conservation organization in
> the
>    U.S.  supports  the initiative and it has been endorsed by many marine
>    scientists  including  a  number  of subscribers to this list. DEMA is
>    unfortunately aligned with the opposition who are led by the National
> Ocean
>    Policy Coalition. I've already posted a link to this coalition's
> membership,
>    but  here  it is again. [1]http://oceanpolicy.com/members/  If you are
>    interested in hearing the executive director of the coalition explain
> the
>    rationale for     opposing     the    NOP,    you    can    find    it
>    here: [2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22LmYostJJ4  The
>    coalition involves many interests who should be heard and they have
> every
>    right to exert their political power in opposition if they somehow feel
>    threatened. The question is why does DEMA feel that it has more in
> common
>    with this coalition than with the multitude of ocean conservation groups
>    backing the policy's full implementation? As for why divers have not
> been
>    more involved is a good question, but most don't keep up with these
> things
>    and DEMA likely prefers it that way. Unfortunately this issue is like so
>    many others in that it reflects the political polarization that exists
> in
>    Washington today. The fact that President Obama issued an executive
> order
>    and that federal regulation is involved is enough to create instant
> partisan
>    opposition. I found this list of the Obama administration's nine
> priority
>    objectives for the National Ocean Policy on the website of the
> initiative's
>    opposition.
>    [3]
> http://oceanpolicy.com/2010/08/31/obama-administrations-nine-priority-obj
>    ectives-for-the-national-ocean-policy/
>
>    Maybe  you  can  tell  me  why the  diving  industry would oppose it's
>    enactment. As one of the more respected members of this list is quoted
> as
>    saying "The  whole concept of national ocean policy is to maximize the
>    benefit and minimize the damage. What's not to love?"
>
>
>
>    Regards,
>
>    Steve
>
>
>
>    ---Original Message-----
>    From: Ed Blume
>    Sent: Nov 24, 2013 4:58 PM
>    To: Steve Mussman
>    Cc: Eugene Shinn , "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>    Subject: Re: [Coral-List] NGOs, Corals and Dive Industry
>    Is a policy or bill pending that DEMA opposes or should support? Rather
>    than try to make broad changes in DEMA policy statements or general
>    behavior, could divers be mobilized to influence passage or defeat of a
>    particular piece of policy? If divers can show that they have policy
>    power, DEMA may pay more attention to them.
>    Ed Blume
>    Energy Consulting Network
>    facebook.com/EnergyEfficiencyInWisconsin
>    608-225-6591
>    On Sat, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:33 AM, Steve Mussman wrote:
>    >
>    > Dear Gene,
>    > This thread which your remarks helped to prolong is not so much an
>    > indictment of DEMA as it is a call
>    > for the organization that speaks for the diving industry to
> re-evaluate
>    > it's
>    > platform and approach to the broad
>    > array of issues affecting coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. It
> is
>    > understandable that representatives
>    > of this industry's international marketing organization would focus on
>    > promoting and growing successful
>    > consumer-oriented businesses. But part of their mandate is to
> represent
>    > all
>    > of their constituent groups and
>    > that includes a growing number of divers and diving-related businesses
>    > who
>    > value and prioritize conservation and
>    > sustainability. DEMA's mission statement is quite clear in describing
>    > it's
>    > central objective:To promote sustainable
>    > growth in safe recreational diving and snorkeling while protecting the
>    > underwater environment. We don't want
>    > equipment manufacturers, resorts and dive shops to be concerned about
>    > "looking green". We want them to explore
>    > new ways of ensuring sustainable growth for both their business models
>    > and
>    > the marine ecosystems on which
>    > their enterprises depend. These goals are not mutually exclusive and
>    > many
>    > believe they deserve more equitable
>    > and balanced consideration. I would go as far as to suggest that of
>    > DEMA's
>    > five main goals the one that claims
>    > it is among their objectives "to conserve and protect natural aquatic
>    > resources" has been consigned to a position
>    > of relative obscurity. I would further assert that until we become
> more
>    > conscientious stewards of the blue by restoring
>    > the ocean's rightful position at the table, it will be with
> considerable
>    > irony that the desirable and appropriate
>    > aspirations relating to business success will prove increasingly
>    > difficult
>    > for members of our industry to attain.
>    > Warm regards,
>    > Steve
>    > No Coral, No Ecosystem, No Dive Industry
>    > -----Original Message-----
>    > >From: Eugene Shinn
>    > >Sent: Nov 22, 2013 12:57 PM
>    > >To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>    > >Subject: [Coral-List] NGOs, Corals and Dive Industry
>    > >
>    > >I am a little surprise that this anti DEMA thread has lasted this
> long.
>    > >Does not DEMA represent the diving equipment manufacturers? Is
> selling
>    > >more equipment in their best interests? Is it not likely that this
> bill
>    > >everyone is citing might lead to closing more areas to diving? And,
>    > >might this action lead to less equipment sales? I suspect most of you
>    > >have heard that part of the reef problem (other than the usual
>    > suspects)
>    > >is divers 1) touching coral, 2) divers urinating, 3) sunscreen
> causing
>    > >bleaching, 4) divers turning over corals in search of lobster etc.
> etc.
>    > >Those could be cited as reasons to close diving in certain areas. One
>    > >can envision the leaders of these companies sitting around pondering
>    > how
>    > >to look green and at the same time keep selling the latest model
>    > >regulators etc. Just be careful about what you wish for. You just
> might
>    > >eventually be hearing something like, "If you like your old dive
>    > >equipment you can keep it." Gene
>    > >
>    > >--
>    > >
>    > >
>    > >No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
>    > >------------------------------------
>    > -----------------------------------
>    > >E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
>    > >University of South Florida
>    > >College of Marine Science Room 221A
>    > >140 Seventh Avenue South
>    > >St. Petersburg, FL 33701
>    > >
>    > >Tel 727 553-1158
>    > >----------------------------------
> -----------------------------------
>    > >
>    > >_______________________________________________
>    > >Coral-List mailing list
>    > >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>    > >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>    > _______________________________________________
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>    >
>
> References
>
>    1. http://oceanpolicy.com/members/
>    2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22LmYostJJ4
>    3.
> http://oceanpolicy.com/2010/08/31/obama-administrations-nine-priority-objectives-for-the-national-ocean-policy/
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
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>



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