[Coral-List] Cruise ships

[Steve Mussman]

Dear Gene,

The problem is that one side of the double edged sword has been ignored for far too long!

This citation and concluding statement (below) is from a (somewhat dated) comprehensive study on the issue:

Hilaire, Adrian, "An analysis of cruise tourism in the Caribbean and its impact on regional destination ports" (2007). World Maritime University Dissertations. 349.
http://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations/349

“An analysis of cruise tourism in the Caribbean and its impact on regional destination ports
In this world of wars, genocides, and increasing acts of terror the serenity of the Caribbean will always make the region a much sought after destination. The key stakeholders in the industry, namely cruise operators and destination ports, have a responsibility to develop in the Caribbean cruise industry in a sustainable manner to facilitate the continuance of the industry as well as its long term profitability. Any action contrary to this will ultimately result in cruise operators and destination ports killing the goose that lay the golden egg”.

Yes, there are economic benefits, but stakeholders are obviously not doing enough to promote sustainability. Seems we have learned nothing from the moral of Aesop’s fable as we continue to inflict harm on the goose that laid the golden eggs; aka the region’s coral reefs. 

Regards,
Steve

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 11, 2019, at 2:39 PM, Eugene Shinn via Coral-List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> 
> Peter and Steve, I share your concern regarding cruise ships. They are like a double edge sword. Last month I was on a 10-day family trip to the Windward Islands. We stopped at 6 different Islands all of which have large facilities for giant cruise ships. There were as many at 3 such ships at one stop and ours was not the largest. We only had about 3,000 people in addition to another 800 crew. Eating and drinking along with shopping and shore trips to beaches and coal reefs appeared to be the most common activity. Everyone was friendly and courteous and I saw no garbage, sewage or other trash going overboard such as was common in the past. What struck me was the number of overweight people (some >100 lbs.) at the three swimming pools slathering on sunscreens. The pools were salt water that I assume is recirculated to the ocean. Thanks to Steven Miller a computer search revealed 28 million people took cruises in 2018. Nevertheless it is also obvious this industry provides incredible numbers of jobs including the manufacture of the multitudes of components that go into these giant ships not to mention food liquor and toilet paper. The industry is clearly a boon to our economy including the islands and ports they visit. A list of their economic benefits would likely fill several books. That’s the double edge sword. Gene
> 
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> No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
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> E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
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