How to react to bad diver etiquette (coral poaching/destruction etc)

[Fexei]

Hi there,
this is my first thread on the board after spending the last two days reading through all kind of different threads and decided to register. I couldnt find anything in the search, so I hope my question is in the correct subforum.

I would like to ask you, how do you react when you see bad diver behavior, be it at surface or at depth?
Specifically hostile behavior towards maritime life (annoying fish, riding turtles) or damaging coral reefs ( by bad diving skills or actively breaking/poaching).

I ask because my DI told me a story about a diver years ago breaking off a three meter gorgonia because he wanted to get nice and close for a picture.I think if i witnessed that i would have started a fight back on the boat. You can find several threads on SB and news article in the web about similiar cases, sometimes even encouraged by "instructors" ( riding turtles, breaking off souvenirs from coral etc).

I personally saw a "snorkel/party boat" mooring next to us in the red sea last year at a protected reef and some customers started fishing with line,hook and bait ( and back then i didnt even think about the potential danger for myself being in the water at that time).

If you confront them, what to do if they laugh in your face, are completely ignorant of their bad behavior?
What if the Diveboat "professionals" ignore your complaint or they even encourage bad diving behaviour?
Would you file a complaint with the appropriate state agency, dive institution, maybe even police?

I am looking forward to read your input on this,

Felix

 

[Saniflush]

Hello an welcome to the board. When I see something that think of as bad behavior as a diver then I try to have a quiet word with them when we are back on the boat unless I can make the point underwater. My experience has been that most don't realize that what they are doing is harmful/dangerous and a quiet discussion with them without compromising their pride is usually all it takes. I will normally also say something to the DM or captain as well in case it doesn't go well.

In regards to people on another boat, well I speak to the DM or captain understanding fully that they usually have zero control over a whole different group that is diving/snorkeling/fishing. They may not be able to or choose to say something right then but most DM's and captains know each other if they work in the same area and my hope is that they will have the same conversation with them at a later point.

 

[wstorms]

It would depend how bad it is. There is a difference between an ignorant diver who accidentally kicks something, or like you said willingly destroying something. It also depends on the relation with the other diver(s). If it's your buddy who accidentally kicked something, just talk about it. Or if you want to turn it into something more productive, suggest to take some training together where you focus on buoyancy and positioning.

In more extreme cases, if somebody is actively breaking coral, you might want to address it directly or, depending on local law, take it to the authorities. Also do not underestimate the power of online reviews.
I have never experienced people being ridiculed for raising concerns about the underwater world, that would be quite concerning.
Always keep the conversation respectful and don't let it escalate into a fight. In the end, you can't cure idiots from being idiots. Also, try to keep a bit of an open mind since you might (small chance but you never know) be misreading things. Actively hunting lion fish in the Caribbean for example might seem aggressive to wildlife, especially in a marine sanctuary, but actually can be vital to manage the ecosystem.

 

[Fexei]

Thanks for your swift reply. The quiet talk would be my goto on the boat aswell. Ever had a bad response from a diver you tried to talk to? From reading about the "buddies from hell" it seems that half of the times the people talk you down or laugh it off.

Also for me the deliberate destruction of coral is kind of a red line. I would prefer to make sure that person will not go on his second dive tbh.

 

[Saniflush]

Thanks for your swift reply. The quiet talk would be my goto on the boat aswell. Ever had a bad response from a diver you tried to talk to? From reading about the "buddies from hell" it seems that half of the times the people talk you down or laugh it off.

Also for me the deliberate destruction of coral is kind of a red line. I would prefer to make sure that person will not go on his second dive tbh.

I personally have not ever had a bad response but almost all of mine have been with newer divers that just didn't know any better until I brought the point up. I am sure many other more experienced divers around here have had more heated discussions and as soon as some of them show up they will chime in.

 

[wstorms]

yes, but keep in mind that everything you will read online in a subforum called "buddies from hell", is a purposely made collection of the worst of the worst, and sometimes even a little bit exaggerated ;-)

Having said that, people laughing it off is something I have experienced. Shrugging it off as no big deal can be a bit of a defense mechanism on their end. It all depends on how well developed your feedback technique is, and how receptive they are to receive it.

 

[Fexei]

Also, try to keep a bit of an open mind since you might (small chance but you never know) be misreading things. Actively hunting lion fish in the Caribbean for example might seem aggressive to wildlife, especially in a marine sanctuary, but actually can be vital to manage the ecosystem.

Of course. I come from a family that for generations has been involved in hunting. I know first hand how some people overreact and I wouldnt dare to point a finger with my limited experience underwater. When I see something on a dive that i dont understand I usually ask the crew or my DI afterwards.

I would be concerned about things i do know are wrong and being (or should be?) taught in the first lessons of an OW course.

 

[Fexei]

But just imagine you witness stuff like the following, could you really keep your cool?
Chinese Tourists Spark Anger With Coral Graffiti | Even More Thailand

 

[wstorms]

Wow that's bad! Not sure if I could keep my cool to be honest. Underwater I would definitely try to stop them (within reason, they are holding a knife after all), above water I would do everything I can to make sure they don't do it again. Some options would be
- talk to them
- talk to the boat crew
- talk to the dive operator back on the shore
- report them to the authorities

or if they were diving with me / the dive op I used to work
- kick them off the class and fail them
- ban them from diving again with me / us

And honestly, but probably less legal so don't take this as advise, I might take their knife when they are not paying attention and accidentally loose it somewhere

 

[AfterDark]

But just imagine you witness stuff like the following, could you really keep your cool?
Chinese Tourists Spark Anger With Coral Graffiti | Even More Thailand

I guess with A-holes of this magnitude ya try to sneak up behind one of them and turn their off. I have a knife too and it's very sharp, sharp enough to cause a leak in a LP with one swipe. Lucky for people like that there's only soft coral here in New England and I don't travel outside the USA and much inside either. I know I couldn't watch it or swim away and report it, self-control is not my strong suit.