Are Divers ENVIRONMENTALISTS?

[Hank49]

Look at the amount of energy it takes to dive. Jet fuel to Indonesia, boat fuel out to the reef, power to fill tanks, water to wash the gear....Unless you're shore diving with a leg pump generator set to run your compressor....environmentalist? hmmmmmm

 

[deco_martini]

I am not an environmentalist. I am a conservationist. Scuba led to me becoming more aware of marine conservation issues and sustainable fishing issues. That said, I see a ton of bunk related to environmentalism and water issues. Some environmentalist org recently said 50 percent of coral reefs in the caribbean died off last year. I laughed after reading this report.

My first open water dives were in the caymans. I asked the guy leading the trip if spearfishing was allowed in the caymans while we were standing in line in customs in grand cayman. He took time and explained to me how few fish there really were (such as grouper) in the cayman diving areas and how few spear fishers would decimate the population. I heard him, but I didn't understand what he meant until I got into the water. Fishing is fine, but not every area can sustain it. If someone shoots the few big groupers on the top of the walls, nobody else will get to see them. And thus my mind started thinking more and more about marine conservation.

Divers don't necessarily have environmental concerns, but I think diving in different areas really opens a person's eyes. I remember diving in St. Lucia and lack of any fish over 4 inches due to local fishing. Read stories from people who try diving Jamaica and see the blight too much fishing has caused. Then read stories from people who dive in well managed areas where the fishing is regulated and enforced.

Almost every recreational diver believes somewhat in conservationism whether or not its in the forefront of their mind since they typically buy tickets to belize, the bahamas, the caymans versus the areas blighted by overfishing. They make a decision that they prefer conservation even if they don't realize it.

PS: I hate hippies.

 

[fisherdvm]

I am much more aware about how garbage are thrown into the oceans and lakes once I started diving/snorkeling. It is amazing how much bottles, cans, and trash can affect the beauty of the ocean.

 

[whoji]

Never mind about crap in the oceans, I had the opportunity to dive in the local swimming baths for some practice of the basics.

Holey Moley - It was disgusting, the amount if crap floating around - Im never going swimming again!

 

[mfalco]

No, I don't consider myself an environmentalist ... that term (like so many) has political baggage that doesn't accomplish anything productive. I'm just a concerned citizen trying my best to get through this life without making too much of a mess for everyone else who has to use the place ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I couldn't use better words myself

 

[jason.elias]

No, I don't consider myself an environmentalist ... that term (like so many) has political baggage that doesn't accomplish anything productive.

I understand that the term "environmentalist" gets in the way of being productive for some... But that seems to an aside to the fact there is very little discussion of the core issue of conserving (or whatever term we might use) the ocean environment. Which is surprising as almost every post here has said that regardless of terminology they use to describe themselves, they believe in taking care of the reefs and the ocean.

So I still wonder why don't we see more discussion of this topic more in the Scuba Diving Community? Are Diving members not as actively engaged as members of other sports? Or is that there is no movement for people to coalesce around and support? Or are is it that Diving is an inherently a solitary sport and so the sense of community is not as strong?

 

[Nick_W]

I'm a tree hugger, kelp kisser, whatever you want to call me. Yup, I'm kind of a fan of the environment in which we live and even those environments which we just visit. Now, I'm not going to go burning down a Hummer dealership (though I do think those are the dumbest vehicles ever manufactured) and I may be guilty of wasting some gas here and there or forgetting to turn the lights off, but I still like to do what I can.

And honestly, there's really no way I could possibly care less if someone has a negative opinion of me for that. So go ahead, call me what you want.

 

[diver 85]

short answer: probably most are.......it's like anything else, you've got bad apples in every barrel.......

 

[pir8]

I don't consider myself an environmentalist or conservationist or any other kind if ist that you want to consider. On the other hand I do try to do what I can in my own small way not to contribute to the destruction of the ecosystem that we live in.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

For over 30 years I have been actively engaged in matters of coastal erosion, marsh destruction, salt water intrusion and indescriminate pipeline dredging and canal locations, however I have always described myself as a Louisiana Conservationist and not a California enviromentalist, I want to have protection of our vital resourses, but I also want aluminum plants to make my sucba tank and I understand the need to have fibreglass factories to make the boats to take me to dive sites.......I think there is a need for protection but a need for balanced multiple use also.