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I am posting this video which just won the 2008 Our World Underwater Wetpixel/Divephotoguide Film Competition. It is an important message to share with your fellow divers and those who want to dive or snorkel with manatees in Crystal River.
Thank you for your time.
Mark
__________________
AKA Decopixel
These 17 members have said "Thank you." to marksm for this useful post:
Only one question...how come the operators who harass the manatees are not named? i would especially like to know who the guy running his mouth about a "...whole lot of fin."
Or perhaps we could offer up a list of operators with the best reputations? Some of you up there by the springs and rivers must know where to go and where not to go.
I wish I could have left the names unblurred but some competitions are weary of it.
Many operators talk a good game but, as I have witnessed, don't follow thru. If a operator tells you the manatees love belly rubs and being petted, then you have the wrong company and you should be weary. Ask them their policies about interaction. Ask them how many are on the boat at a time. Less then 10 is a good sign. Less then 6 is better.
I do NOT go out with American Pro Diving Center. They are the ones who blocked me and who held the manatees for the children to surround. Birds Underwater has decent control over their people but the captain makes the difference. Also, they tend to bring several boats at once into a small area. Captain Chris, who is also a videographer, is on top of it. Ask for her boat.
In my opinion these next few were the best there. Either because they are eco friendly kayak tours or because the swim with program is limited to a few people at a time, monitored carefully, and they have no problem pulling a swimmer out.
Nature Coast Kayak Tours naturecoastkayaktours.com - Home Ask for Tracy. Crystal River, FL 1-888-795-9877. Tracy was my "manatee manners" coach and really helped me to begin to understand manatee body language, behaviors, and interactions.
Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company. Matt and Susan. Kayaks for Sale, Guided Kayak Tours and Kayak Rentals Crystal River Florida 352-795-5650.
640 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, FL 34429
Adventure Outpost. Lars Andersen. 18238 NW Hwy. 441 High Springs, FL 32643. 386-454-0611. riverguide2000@yahoo.com. Adventureoutpost.net. (canoe/kayak outfitter and guide).
There's one other kayak outfitter I need to get contact info. for... Brack154@msn.com
Swim with operators I'd recommend...
Fun2dive.com capt. Joe. 503 S. French Ave. Sanford, FL 32771. 1-888-588-3483. capt@fun2dive.com.
Native vacations. Capt. Tracy. New Page 3 1-866-GO-NATIVE
For a group going down. It is really a great combination to go with a kayak company your first day and learn to appreciate what you are seeing in the area and learn about manatees. The guides teach you everything you need to know. You will also get to see some of the operators behaving poorly. After you do that, go the next day with a "swim with" operator or rent a jon or pontoon boat. If you do the "swim with" second, it will better prepare and educate you and make the joy of being in the water with the manatee that much more special.
I will continue to monitor what goes on in Crystal River. I went down for a meeting a few weeks ago to talk about what I saw. I promised to return and do a film about the industry turning itself around and how they are all working to insure the manatee's survival; but only, if they change.
__________________
AKA Decopixel
These 21 members have said "Thank you." to marksm for this useful post:
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