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

Ed Blume eblume2702 at gmail.com
Mon Sep 17 18:05:49 UTC 2018


Could hurricanes and algal blooms push the industry?

Ed Blume, diver

On Monday, September 17, 2018, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Alex
>
> > “I think what will change attitudes in the leadership of the diving
> industry is mortality. “
>
> Perhaps it is the mounting evidence of the mortality of coral reefs
> themselves that will ultimately change the American dive industry’s
> attitudes.
>
> You know we’ve talked about Asian and European scuba industries being
> ahead of their American peers, but let’s not forget Australia. It seems to
> me that many high-profile scientists and conservation groups there have
> shown a heroic willingness to step up and challenge the status quo.
>
> From what I have read, the tourist industry in Australia (including scuba)
> was initially quite hostile to the attention drawn to the plight of the
> GBR. (I remember hearing about particularly hateful reactions leveled at
> Terry Hughes for example).
> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/13/great-
> barrier-reef-tourism-spokesman-attacks-scientist-over-slump-in-visitors
>
> Now, it appears that attitudes may be changing.
>
> The Reef tourism industry in Far North Queensland has since issued a
> formal declaration demanding strong action be taken to protect the GBR from
> the impacts of climate change.
> Here’s the full statement from The Association of Marine Park Tourism
> Operators (AMPTO):
>
> REEF TOURISM CLIMATE DECLARATION
> We love the Great Barrier Reef.
>
> As Reef tourism businesses operating in the World Heritage area, we take
> seriously our responsibility to look after one of the world’s most
> beautiful and biologically rich ecosystems.
>
> Together we’re calling for bold action to protect this natural icon.
>
> We cannot understate the economic contribution of Reef tourism. The Reef
> is a magnet for people from Australia and around the world and generates $6
> billion each year and sustains 64,000 jobs.
>
> Despite the negative press, the Reef is a dynamic, vibrant, awesome place.
> But, like coral reefs around the world, it is under serious threat.
>
> Climate change, mainly driven by burning coal and other fossil fuels, is
> the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef. The carbon pollution
> from coal, oil and gas is heating the air and the oceans to dangerous
> levels. Coral reefs around the world were damaged during an unprecedented
> marine heatwave in 2016 and 2017.
>
> It’s not too late to save our Reef but time is critical.
>
> The federal government has a responsibility to honour the Paris Agreement
> and protect the Reef on behalf of all Australians, all humanity and future
> generations. Yet our representatives continue to support the expansion of
> coal and gas, including Adani’s mega coal mine.
>
> To give our Reef the best chance for the future, Australia must join the
> rest of the world to rapidly phase out coal and other fossil fuels and
> transition to renewable energy.
>
> We call on all our political leaders to stand up for Far North QLD
> businesses and jobs and fight for the future of our Reef.
>
>
>
> It seems to me that this signed position statement indicates that instead
> of killing the messenger, the dive/tourism industry (at least in this part
> of Australia) has come to understand that it is in their best interest to
> embrace the science and work together in a concerted effort to save both
> the GBR and their economic future. It’s too bad that it took a long, hard
> look at catastrophic bleaching events to bring this on, but maybe, (just
> maybe), the American scuba diving industry can learn something from
> developments down under.
>
> Warm regards,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > 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
> >
> > Alex
> >
> >
> > http://theweek.com/articles/795810/how-americans-came-
> senses-about-climate-changeAlex 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
> >
> > <PastedGraphic-1.tiff>
> >
> >> 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
> level of gravitas) is willing to call them out on this. (Jean-Michel
> Cousteau may be the one exception). Seems like all the so-called
> conservation oriented scuba organizations (and individuals) take on only
> the low hanging fruit explicitly staying clear of climate change as if
> waiting for countenance and a nod from above. When you think about it,
> there are really only a relatively small number of individuals (and
> corporations) that run the show. In my opinion, that is where the pressure
> needs to be applied. Why can’t we develop a strategy that helps them to
> understand that working together to combat climate change provides them
> with the best opportunity to protect both coral reefs and their long-term
> economic interests?
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >> Steve
> >
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-- 
Ed Blume
608-225-6591


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