[Coral-List] Dive Industry Still Lacking

[Steve Mussman]

Hi Phil,

I suppose you are right about the primacy of financial considerations as a controlling factor  among the different components of dive industry, conservation organizations, governments and even scientists, but what happens when the dollars fade in sync with the bleached and dying corals?  Certainly there will come a time when even the most ardent supporters of the profit motive within the industry will come to realize that diminishing returns are directly related to their blatant disregard for those basic ecological principles to which you refer. Like in the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, they can’t go on with the deception forever. The diving industry can only carry on the charade for so long before everyone realizes that their characterization of the situation is categorically untrue. I’m not suggesting that the diving industry take on issues related to reproductive health, but the tragedy of the commons isn’t predetermined and I still contend that their future is inextricably tied to the fate of the world’s coral reefs. It is with good intentions for the industry as a whole that I suggest that they overcome whatever prejudices they may have and embark on a bold new path that could help avert both a financial and ecological disaster. 

On a side note, wasn’t it great to hear in a recent post that Nassau groupers are doing so well in and around Cayman Brac and Little Cayman!  I wonder how they are fairing on Grand Cayman. I sure do miss them and all the Goliath groupers that I used to encounter diving in Cozumel.

Regards,
Steve    

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 6, 2020, at 10:33 AM, Phillip Dustan <phil.dustan at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Steve,
>  The answer is simple:
> Surfers have to swim n a polluted ocean. Skiers need snow to have fun while SCUBA divers wear suits, masks, etc and  most have no idea what they are looking at.
> Diveshop operators, gear manufacturers, tour operators, conservation groups want more donations, and most governments see only dollars, not people, not reefs, only dollars.....Scientists are worried about funding  THEIR brand of research, fishermen are just trying to feed their families, and the list goes on and on.  Everyone seems to think they have a right to ..... and most lose sight of the fundamental ecological principles under which reefs thrive. Boils down to human reproductive success and the tragedy of the commons.
>