[Coral-List] More on interesting interactions between divers and reefs

Phil Dustan dustanp at cofc.edu
Sat Dec 8 18:59:07 EST 2007


Hey guys,
   Why not snorkel naked without anything but a face mask, tube, and 
fins. Remember that the diver is a fish, not a submarine. Leave all your 
"gear" behind and enter the real world.
                P

Longin Kaczmarsky wrote:
> Just more food for thought. As someone who has worked in the water on the the reefs for the past 20 years, something I've observed that divers do that I've seen do tremendous damage to coral habitats and corals but is little addressed is divers entering caves or going under over-hanging structures and releasing spent air. The force and action of these bubbles knock loose fragile stylasterine corals among other organisms. Has anyone ever addressed this impact in any way?
>         Best regards, Lonnie Kaczmarsky> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> From: Shanee.Stopnitzky at sce.com> Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 10:00:56 -0800> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] More on interesting interactions between divers and reefs> > It ends with us doing everything in our power to not knowingly destroy or > contribute to the destruction of precious resources. It does NOT end with > divers feeling inconvenienced that they cannot wear sunscreen or uncoated > lead weights; they are not entitled to do so to the detriment of an > indeterminable number of other people and organisms. > > Warmest wishes,> Shanee> > >>>>>Dear List,> > True there has been quite a number of studies on the interaction of > divers with reefs. The one that I have not seen is the effect of diver > lead. (Yes, I know that lead and lead salts are generally considered > insoluble).> > However, a year or two ago I was told that the Island of Bonaire Marine > Park Authority was considering a ban on uncoated
 le
>  ad weights. All > divers would be required to use coated weights. > > This might be one of those 'urban myths'. Perhaps someone from the MPA > could respond.> > Where does it end??> > John> _______________________________________________> Coral-List mailing list> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
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-- 
Phillip Dustan
Department of Biology
College of Charleston
Charleston SC 29424
(843) 953-8086
(843) 953-5453



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