[Coral-List] Requesting suggestions / case studies for a marine life viewing platform on / around coral reefs

[Ulf Erlingsson]

A tip from a sedimentologist who for obvious reason has to stay away from the bottom he is studying:

It's very hard to stay neutral, and if you are sinking you WILL disturb the bottom. If you are floating on the other hand you'll be swimming down with your body bent as a C. Not comfortable.

Instead of a platform, get a line to hold on to. Anchored firmly to the bottom and with a small buoy or floater to keep the line vertical. 

Ulf Erlingsson


On 2014-11-24, at 13:56, Melbourne Briscoe wrote:

> I'm with Sarah on this. Getting the divers to stay off the reef is unlikely,
> and the mesh platform just seems like it may have a lot of unintended
> negative consequences.
> So, two suggestions:
> (1) consider restricting the observing area to a small zone that you just
> write-off; let it be harmed, but contain the harm to that small area. In
> this case, the mesh platform might help designate the area, but without any
> illusions that you are actually protecting that area.
> (1a) move the observing area/platform around from time to time, to let each
> area recover a bit.
> (2)  put mooring lines in (floats with lines to the bottom) that people can
> hang on, to avoid them crashing down on the reef.
> 
> And, only partly tongue-in-cheek, do not allow any cameras. 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Sarah
> Frias-Torres
> Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 11:08 AM
> To: Chloe Harvey; coral list
> Cc: JJ Harvey; Sam Craven
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Requesting suggestions / case studies for a marine
> life viewing platform on / around coral reefs
> 
> This is an old school technique, but teaching proper buoyancy control, and
> gear management (not letting everything hang out there, but tie it up), does
> wonders in eliminating diver impact on any kind of marine habitat, including
> coral reefs. I hope the Dive Centers you mention are still teaching both.
> Yes, divers tend to "forget", but if they do forget while watching the
> mandarin fish, then it's easy to take a picture and issue a fine to the
> offending diver. Let's call it behavioral enforcement
> 
> The platform you suggest would probably do more damage to the corals
> underneath. 
> 
> Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D. Coordinator Reef Rescuers ProgramIsland
> Conservation Centre Nature Seychelles,Amitie, Praslin,
> Seychelleshttp://www.natureseychelles.org/what-we-do/coral-reef-restoration-
> and-Research CollaboratorSmithsonian-National Museum of Natural Historyat
> Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, USATwitter: @GrouperDocBlog:
> http://grouperluna.wordpress.comhttp://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTo
> rres
> 
> 
>> From: hunt.chloe at gmail.com
>> Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:11:49 +0800
>> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> CC: jj at reef-world.org; sam at reef-world.org
>> Subject: [Coral-List] Requesting suggestions / case studies for a 
>> marine life viewing platform on / around coral reefs
>> 
>> Dear Coral-List,
>> 
>> I am reaching out to ask if you have any suggestions for a marine life 
>> viewing platform on / around coral reefs?
>> 
>> I coordinate Green Fins activities Internationally through The 
>> Reef-World Foundation and in partnership with UNEP. Green Fins 
>> promotes environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling 
>> industry through mitigation of threats posed by the diving industry, 
>> and promotion of conservation awareness to tourists and local 
>> communities. Dive centres sign up as members and agree to adhere to the
> Green Fins Code of Conduct.
>> 
>> Many of these dive centres are incredibly passionate about reef 
>> protection particularly from direct damage from divers who get too 
>> 'excited' about marine life. An example of this are dives concerning the
> mandarin fish.
>> Whilst waiting for the mating ritual, divers often kneel or sit in the 
>> surrounding area despite environmental content in dive briefings, and 
>> correction of this behaviour by guides.
>> 
>> The idea of a submerged platform was raised by the diving industry, 
>> the original idea was to have a reinforced mesh platform where divers 
>> could kneel but prevent them from contacting the coral beneath whilst 
>> still viewing marine life. Green Fins is exploring options for sharing 
>> an environmentally responsible solution for similar sites around the 
>> world (where appropriate).
>> 
>> Any input you may have would be much appreciated,
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> Chloe Harvey
>> Programmes Manager
>> The Reef-World Foundation
>> Green Fins International Coordinators
>> Mobile: PH +63 (0)949 3140 789 UK +44 (0)7967 377 982
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> *Chloe Harvey*
>> *Programmes Manager*
>> The Reef-World Foundation
>> Green Fins International Coordinators
>> Mobile: *+44 (0)7967 377 982 <%2B44%20%280%297967%20377%20982>*
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> *"To inspire and empower people to act in conserving and sustainably 
>> developing coastal resources, particularly coral reefs and related
>> ecosystems"*
>> 
>> www.reef-world.org  <http://reef-world.org/>| Facebook 
>> <https://www.facebook.com/ReefWorldFoundation> | Twitter 
>> <https://twitter.com/Reef_World> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Coral-List mailing list
>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
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