[Coral-List] Save the date - Intl. Scuba Diving Sustainability Workshop - 19-21 October

[Steve Mussman]

Hi Will,
I think we have to differentiate between the policy positions of individual U.S.-based scuba diving businesses and the representative trade organization (DEMA). (Just like we have to make a distinction between U.S. and Asian, European and Australian dive industries). There are significant differences and similarly, our discussion should in no way be taken as an indictment of every entity involved. It is also important to note that DEMA’s positions are not always a point of contention. Recently there have been policy positions issued which are worthy of praise. DEMA opposed lifting the moratorium on Goliath grouper harvesting and took a position in support of National Marine Sanctuaries. On the other hand, their position in opposition to the Obama administration’s National Ocean Policy and their continued equivocation on the issue of climate change is, in my opinion, cause for concern.

Regards,
Steve

 



Sent from my iPad

> On Sep 17, 2018, at 8:59 AM, Will Nuckols <wnuckols at erols.com> wrote:
> 
> These sorts of discussions often make me wonder if there are currently meaningful policy differences in the dive businesses in the US and what is depicted as the manufactures trade association’s positions (or lack there of). 
> This isn’t limited to climate issues but has also been the case with ocean governance policies. 
> 
> Will Nuckols 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from a mobile device. Please excuse typos. 
> 
>> On Sep 15, 2018, at 12:06 PM, Alex Brylske <brylske at me.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Steve:
>> 
>> I think what will change attitudes in the leadership of the diving industry is mortality. Here’s some encouraging signs that the tide may be turning regarding public perception and, therefore, consumer-driven change. Will you be at DEMA this year?
>> 
>> http://theweek.com/articles/795810/how-americans-came-senses-about-climate-change <http://theweek.com/articles/795810/how-americans-came-senses-about-climate-change>
>> 
>> Alex
>> 
>> 
>> Alex Brylske, Ph.D.
>> President
>> 701 Spanish Main Dr. #327
>> Cudjoe Key, FL 33042
>> 954-701-1966 (cell)
>> 305-809-3148 (office)
>> brylske at me.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sep 15, 2018, at 12:02 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi Alex,
>>> I agree that the Asian and European scuba diving industries are way ahead of their North American counterparts as far as advocating for meaningful diver-related marine ecosystem conservation. The central sticking point seems to be climate change. What I don’t see is the likelihood of changing that paradigm through consumer-driven demand. The American scuba diving community is just as divided on this issue as is the general population at large.  (In a way this dynamic provides cover for continued industry ambivalence). In my opinion, it’s going to take bold industry leadership to bring about the necessary impetus for change. The question I keep asking myself is why is the (American) scuba diving industry so reluctant to embrace the science on this one important issue? They accept what science provides relating to the physics of diving; about the harmful affects of certain chemicals in sunscreens; about the negative impacts of invasive species and plastic trash; they will advocate for the protection of sharks and even embrace, for the most part, what science tells them regarding the advantages of maintaining marine protected areas. They even support scientific research on resiliency and restoration. Why do they defer solely on the issue of climate change? Why are they so steadfast in their hesitancy to accept only that one aspect of science which clearly concludes that we must address climate change if we are to have any chance of protecting coral reefs as we know them? One thing I know through all my years of involvement and observation is that no one (with the appropriate
>