Brand new dive site damaged by fishing trawler

[lord khram]

And yet again I must agree.
But where we can so easily avoid our impact by minimising polution from boats and taking our litter home, recycle what can be recycled and dispose of the remainder responsibly, not just throw it overboard and think it will never be seen again.
Litter discarded by humans has traveled by sea across oceans and continents, and what we throw in the water will one day become a problem for the ecosystem and / or other people.
As divers we should all lead by example and hope that other people will follow.
Even cigarette butts. many smokers will raise their eyebrows at someone throwing a sweet wrapper down, but most smokers, including many dive instructors and dm's seem to think that the waste from their habit is not litter.

 

[miketsp]

I completely agree Bowmouth. but as divers I find it strange when people make posts saying that throwing food waste in the water is acceptable. As we all enjoy the marine world, should we not lead by example and not throw anything overboard. As I have said before accidents happen, and they are just that, unintended unfortunate incidents that nobody wants, but as you quite rightly say life is far from perfect.
But throwing anything into the sea or on land is not accidental, and in my mind is not acceptable, I dont want to look at other peoples food waste when I walk down the street and certainly not when I go diving, when you eat at home do you throw your waste into the street?
And as for the comment about throwing stuff away from the reef is acceptable, How can a 'diver' be so stupid?? Have you not heard of tides and sea currents?
We should not intentionally interfere with the marine ecosystem at all, in some cases after an accident human interference may be necessary, but lets leave that to the experts and concentrate on the diving.

Are you saying that you've never, ever used the head on a dive boat?

 

[Bowmouth]

As divers we should all lead by example and hope that other people will follow.

I don't see that happening anytime soon though. Many of us (divers) are just not dedicated enough to make a real difference and set an example. In fact, very few people in our world (divers and non-divers alike) are dedicated enough to really do something for the natural environment at all.
We all like to complain about things but rarely really do something about the things we do not like. We just love to point fingers and say "that's bad" and "that's really-really bad" but we don't do anything constructive to change it.
We don't like to hear it but it is the simple truth.

Being really dedicated to make a change is not easy; it requires lots of time and energy, it probably will cost money, you may get dirty or even hurt and you often will be disappointed with the results. Most of us do not have enough time or energy because we work and have a social life at home, most of us do not like to spend any money out of our own pocket for the environment, certainly many of us do not like to get dirty or hurt and we all just hate to be disappointed.

There are a few organizations and individuals who do make a difference for a cause they believe in. One of them is the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. (Sea Shepherd)
These guys and gals don't just sit, wait, and complain but actively try to do something about the things that they believe in. I can respect that; I really do.

 

[lord khram]

Again I comletely agree with you, but yet again we are back to that imperfect world we all live in. But every little bit helps even if it is something small like not throwing a cigarette end down in the street or in the water, taking our litter home recycle or dispose of it correctly. And yes as was pointed out on one post, not using the toilet on board unless it is essential. Sometimes needs must, but again if we can wait untill we are back on shore do so.
As bowmouth points out many people do not have the time or the money to dedicate significant efforts to enviromental issues. But every little helps. The things I am talking about take neither time or money, just a little thought and consideration for our surroundings and others that live in it is all that is required.

 

[Bowmouth]

The things I am talking about take neither time or money, just a little thought and consideration for our surroundings and others that live in it is all that is required.

Thought and consideration are hard to find. We rather tend to be lazy and ignorant.

Eg: Joining an underwater clean-up once a year is nice (free diving-free lunch-free T-shirt) but wouldn't it be better to pick up trash every single time you go diving?

By the way: I'm not all "doom & gloom" and am actually quite dedicated to do something for real (but only if I get a free T-shirt!!!)

 

[lord khram]

wouldn't it be better to pick up trash every single time you go diving.

I do. But unfortunately around Pattaya there seems to be a never ending supply.

 

[Bowmouth]

But unfortunately around Pattaya there seems to be a never ending supply.

Not just around Pattaya.
There's enough trash floating around in all our oceans to keep all of us divers happily busy for the next 99 years or so.
Wouldn't it be great if governments would actually employ and pay divers to go and clean it all up?? Dive for free, do a good job and get paid for it as well!

 

[lord khram]

Not just around Pattaya.
There's enough trash floating around in all our oceans to keep all of us divers happily busy for the next 99 years or so.
Wouldn't it be great if governments would actually employ and pay divers to go and clean it all up?? Dive for free, do a good job and get paid for it as well!

Sounds a great idea to me but I can't see it happening.
Unfortunately most people seem to think when something is discarded in the sea, it will sink into the abyss and never be seen again.
But as divers we all to often see the results of actions of these inconsiderate people and organisations.
Just as an addition. Believe it or not, I was once criticised on a diveboat in Florida for bringing rubish aboard and putting it in the bin. Being sternly told 'I have to empty that you know'. Being American there were signs on the boat suggesting the ammount in tips we should leave at the end of the day. needless to say I didn't leave anything.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

On a popular site frequented by two dive operators..... One operator regularly feeds UW critters to amuse their divers .... One operator insists all rubbish be stored and returned to shore. They don't even allow bread crusts to be thrown overboard!

Guess which one gets my money.... no contests! We vote with out business and our dollars!

I have been considered radical because I don't think we should interfere any more than necessary which includes Burley and shark feeding which I believe upset the balances and ecosystem.

Yes we will impact the environment every time we dive but we can choose how much we impact it by our own actions. I chose to be part of the solution but I need to do more. Please remember when you chose to "clean up" underwater... to make sure you are not removing something that has become home to some opportunistic critter!

 

[Bowmouth]

I chose to be part of the solution but I need to do more.

If you (ever) come to Phuket don't hesitate to contact me and we go diving and cleaning together!