Killing Aquatic life?

[ODC diver]

This question I pose to all divers from any certification to all levels of diving.
The use of killing Sea Urchins to attract other fish to feed seems to contradict all aspects in the dive community of not harming the environment.
Over the past week I have seen this very thing performed by a professional Instructor.

My response was to say something to the owner operate/captain of the charter boat. The response from him was even more unbelievable. He states that this practice has been followed more often on the West coast when attracting fish for a closer look by divers. Is this right or wrong what is your impute?

 

[sharkattack]

Thats Crap!

 

[Doc]

The use of killing Sea Urchins to attract other fish to feed seems to contradict all aspects in the dive community of not harming the environment.

True

He states that this practice has been followed more often on the West coast when attracting fish for a closer look by divers.

In terms of historical precedent, also very true. This historical practice was certainly not limited to any specific area or coastal zone.

Is this right or wrong ?

An ancient evil does not make it right.

Time has changed our awareness.

 

[DBailey]

Over the past week I have seen this very thing performed by a professional Instructor.

Usually, the dive professional is trying to give the diver more bang for the buck. Sadly this usually means molesting or killing some of the sealife for entertainment value.

It is not right and should not be encouraged. After the dive when I am tipping, I let the dive professional and boat captain know why I am tipping less or none at all because the dive professional molested or killed some sealife.

 

[bottomfeeder22]

only reason i would kill any sea life would be in self defense(HIGHLY unlikely to happen) or to eat. I'm a pretty bad fisherman and spearfisherman, so sealife is pretty safe around me.

 

[Ann Marie]

I have seen other divers do this and I think it is terrible (I haven't seen any dive professional do it though).

I won't dive with anyone that uses the practice of killing an animal for their entertainment.

 

[Teamcasa]

This question I pose to all divers from any certification to all levels of diving.
The use of killing Sea Urchins to attract other fish to feed seems to contradict all aspects in the dive community of not harming the environment.
Over the past week I have seen this very thing performed by a professional Instructor.

My response was to say something to the owner operate/captain of the charter boat. The response from him was even more unbelievable. He states that this practice has been followed more often on the West coast when attracting fish for a closer look by divers. Is this right or wrong what is your impute?

I've seen it too. For me, having dived the West Coast since 1968, I'll say it was true. A common practice until we figured out it was only entertaining to the new divers. Now I rarely see it happening anymore. I personally just rub or smack two rocks together, the fish show up to investigate and nothing is killed.

BTW, A true Dork Diver dives for fun and respects the environment. Visit the Dork Diver Forum

Dave

 

[Walter]

I haven't heard of this happening since the '70s.

 

[Teamcasa]

I haven't heard of this happening since the '70s.

I have seen on occasion at Catalina and in Hawaii recently. Some divers never seem get the message.


Dave

 

[ianw2]

I watched a program on aging a few weeks ago. One of the scientists was going to use sea urchins as a model for looking at DNA changes over time during the lifespan of an animal. He assumed that sea urchins lived about 6 or 7 years.

As they got into analysis of the sea urchins, they noticed that there was a band along the spines that corresponded with a high level of an odd isotope from a nuclear test back in the '50's. That put the age of the sea urchin at over 100 years!

After seeing that, I've had a great deal more respect for the sea urchins I see under water. I don't believe in killing one for the amusment value of feeding fish, but I sure don't like the idea now!

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2003/Nov03/urchin.htm

Ian