[Coral-List] conservation vs wildlife viewing/interaction
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Thu Apr 30 13:04:35 EDT 2015
Dear Ellen,
Sorry if I misinterpreted your message, but let me point out that the
businesses in the Crystal River area were initially not thrilled with the
idea of Federal and State authorities coming in and setting up sanctuaries
limiting access to the manatees. However, in hindsight those protections
and others related to their listing as endangered species has brought the
manatees back to the point that there is consideration of moving them to
threatened status. This is a positive step that never would have been
accomplished had business interests in the area been allowed to carry on
doing business as usual. They had to confront the issue head on and
sacrifice short-term financial considerations for long-term survival. Maybe
that is the message that the diving industry needs to hear. The first step
in dealing effectively with any crisis is to accurately assess the problem
at hand and then develop strategies to counteract it. There is no guarantee
that we can reverse trends, but in my opinion lingering in denial will most
likely seal the fate of both the reefs and the diving industry.
Regards,
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Ellen Prager
Sent: Apr 29, 2015 4:12 PM
To: Steve Mussman
Cc: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] conservation vs wildlife viewing/interaction
Steve
I think you misunderstood. I wrote that the diving industry needs to educate
their divers, just as we were educated about the right way to observe the
manatees. I agree totally with you. My point was that the diving industry is
not going to widely promote the idea that reefs are dying or dead to the
public or their divers - that would ruin their business.
Ellen
On Apr 29, 2015, at 4:04 PM, Steve Mussman <[1]sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:
Dear Ellen,
I'd like to use the example you provided relating to manatees to make a
counter point. I see no reason why the diving industry can't educate
divers about coral reefs in the same way that you were educated about
manatees before you entered the water at Crystal River. Everyone who dives
there should learn about the nature and extent of the threats to manatees.
In the same way, everyone who dives on a coral reef should learn about
what is threatening them as well. Manatees would have no chance of
survival if we took the position that boating businesses in the area
should not have to observe idle speed limits because its bad for business.
Thankfully most reefs are not yet dead, but if we don't raise awareness
and change some things their future is uncertain at best. The point of it
all is that if coral reefs continue to decline as they have over the last
thirty years the diving industry will have an even bigger problem
maintaining their customer base. A manatee hug goes a long way in
developing concern for the species. Coral reefs can't reach out in that
way, but we in the diving industry have a responsibility to somehow
develop concern for their protection as well. Avoiding the subject or
giving the industry a pass because of the delicate balance in which they
operate will only serve to further seal the fate of coral reefs
world-wide. Then the $$$$$ incentive for the industry will be gone along
with our reefs. I think its better to find a way, delicate or not, to save
both.
Regards,
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Ellen Prager <[2]pragere at earthlink.net>
Sent: Apr 29, 2015 10:22 AM
To: "[3]coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
<[4]coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Subject: [Coral-List] conservation vs wildlife viewing/interaction
Dear coral listers
Thought some of you might appreciate my blog about finding a balance
between wildlife conservation and viewing/ interaction at
[5]http://mission-blue.org/2015/04/the-manatees-hug/
This also pertains to the diving industry and coral reefs. I've been
following the ongoing discussions here. Yes, I believe the diving industry
needs to educate divers about proper diving behavior and conserving coral
reefs. And I'd love to see the diving industry become more active in
promoting conservation.. However, it is a delicate balance for them. If
dive operators go around saying coral reefs are dead or dying, they will
lose the customer base that keeps them in operation and gives them access
to divers to educate them. And we lose the economic incentives from the
tourist industry for regional managers and policymakers to invest in
better coral reef protection.
I'd love to think that everyone loves coral reefs and wants to protect
them for scientific, ecologic, or ethical reasonsâ¦.but $$$$$ are an
incentive we cannot afford to lose.
Sincerely
Ellen
Dr. Ellen Prager
Earth2Ocean, Inc
@elprager
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References
1. mailto:sealab at earthlink.net
2. mailto:pragere at earthlink.net
3. mailto:coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
4. mailto:coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
5. http://mission-blue.org/2015/04/the-manatees-hug/
6. mailto:Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
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