ScottyK
Contributor
The article says it all. I'm too depressed to comment further :upset:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/940433.asp?0dm=C19PN
http://www.msnbc.com/news/940433.asp?0dm=C19PN
Caribbean Reef Degradation
- Thread starter ScottyK
- Start date
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Windwalker
Contributor
I remember a Discovery Channel cover of this.. here is a link that is tracking the problem.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mccarty_and_peters/coraldis.htm
(one theory)
Apparently the sand in africa is having a large impact, as its being brough across by bad weather, and is being deposited. In the sand are certian Organisms that are causing rapid Coral death.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mccarty_and_peters/coraldis.htm
(one theory)
Apparently the sand in africa is having a large impact, as its being brough across by bad weather, and is being deposited. In the sand are certian Organisms that are causing rapid Coral death.
ScubaJorgen
Contributor
This is not the only message. I think it is generally known that coral tears down. Bleaching, damage, etc.
I definitely do not want to play down the problem but I think newspapers like to exagerate problems. One should take this into account. If on the average site the coral loss is 1% and on a few sites 80%, 80% is mentioned in the news.
I think diving is another reason coral is damaged. On popular dive sites effect is visible. I wonder how much effect diving has on the whole: if dive sites cover only 0.1% of all reefs, then the problem is not that big. However, on some sites (e.g. Red Sea) I expect divers to do a lot more damage.
To me personally this leads to a dilemma :huh: : stop diving on reefs and miss the lifetime experience or dive-and-damage. So far the incredible experience of being guest in a complete different eco system has prevailed the fact that I contribute to its destruction.
To my oppinion every diver shall at least minimise the damage he or she does to the environment. Learn to control buoyancy, do not touch the coral, stay a couple of feet from it, frog kick, etc, etc.
I definitely do not want to play down the problem but I think newspapers like to exagerate problems. One should take this into account. If on the average site the coral loss is 1% and on a few sites 80%, 80% is mentioned in the news.
I think diving is another reason coral is damaged. On popular dive sites effect is visible. I wonder how much effect diving has on the whole: if dive sites cover only 0.1% of all reefs, then the problem is not that big. However, on some sites (e.g. Red Sea) I expect divers to do a lot more damage.
To me personally this leads to a dilemma :huh: : stop diving on reefs and miss the lifetime experience or dive-and-damage. So far the incredible experience of being guest in a complete different eco system has prevailed the fact that I contribute to its destruction.
To my oppinion every diver shall at least minimise the damage he or she does to the environment. Learn to control buoyancy, do not touch the coral, stay a couple of feet from it, frog kick, etc, etc.
I think we would all argee.
It seems to me that there are a lot of newly certified divers that don't have enough, if any, control.
There should probably be a bit more training involved and reinforcement on the boat right before a dive.
I know it is usually mentioned, but the severity and consequences should be communicated more sternly.
I am always tucking somebodys gauges into thier BC.
Windwalker
Contributor
I wonder how much is caused byu divers, vs how much is caused be extranious environmental effects. The media likes to make news, not report it (agreed) however I believe that with proper respect, a reef can be dove with no impact to the reef. I think the research organizations that are in my previous link, say that Fungus and disease are the leading causes...
OP
ScottyK
Contributor
IMHO divers can actually help the coral reef situation, and the oceans in general in several ways.
Practice, and preach, proper bouyancy control. Don't be shy about it either. As Xjae said, if you see someone dragging a console, tuck it in for them, and chat them up about it (in a friendly way) topside.
When diving, be it some tropical destination or the local shore dive, "never" pass up a chance to pick up any trash you see. That goes for stuff on the beach as well, especially plastics. I spent time volunteering for the local marine mammal rescue out here. It was a regular occurance for autopsies of deal seals, dolphins and sea turtles to turn up gobs of plastic causing internal blockages. In the public display area, they have glass jars filled with some of the stuff they've pulled out as an educational tool. We carry a mesh garbage bag clipped to a BC on every dive.
Don't underestimate the power of your travel dollars. Before booking a dive operator, ask questions about their environmental policies. Support dive areas that designate marine parks, use mooring buoys, and enforce thier local laws.
If you make a commitment to be part of the solution, and not the problem, I don't see any reason to feel guilty about cruising a beautiful coral reef on your vacation
Practice, and preach, proper bouyancy control. Don't be shy about it either. As Xjae said, if you see someone dragging a console, tuck it in for them, and chat them up about it (in a friendly way) topside.
When diving, be it some tropical destination or the local shore dive, "never" pass up a chance to pick up any trash you see. That goes for stuff on the beach as well, especially plastics. I spent time volunteering for the local marine mammal rescue out here. It was a regular occurance for autopsies of deal seals, dolphins and sea turtles to turn up gobs of plastic causing internal blockages. In the public display area, they have glass jars filled with some of the stuff they've pulled out as an educational tool. We carry a mesh garbage bag clipped to a BC on every dive.
Don't underestimate the power of your travel dollars. Before booking a dive operator, ask questions about their environmental policies. Support dive areas that designate marine parks, use mooring buoys, and enforce thier local laws.
If you make a commitment to be part of the solution, and not the problem, I don't see any reason to feel guilty about cruising a beautiful coral reef on your vacation
Windwalker
Contributor
ScottK, Good idea with the mesh bag.
I dove a site this weekend that had a couple artificial reefs built out of tires. It looked very healthy. I am curious as too what extent the creation of artificial reefs actually helps the environment. I know the sinking of vessels and such actually provide shelter and allow the growth of additional colony creatures, which in turn creates their own eco-system. I think that is another way that good is being done. (besides giving the wreck divers a new play ground.ut: )
I dove a site this weekend that had a couple artificial reefs built out of tires. It looked very healthy. I am curious as too what extent the creation of artificial reefs actually helps the environment. I know the sinking of vessels and such actually provide shelter and allow the growth of additional colony creatures, which in turn creates their own eco-system. I think that is another way that good is being done. (besides giving the wreck divers a new play ground.
ut: )
OP
ScottyK
Contributor
It seems to be helpful. We have a lot of local wrecks, rock formations and some artificial reefs by me. They all seem to be magnets for lots of marine life!
Unfortunately, they are also magnets for hooks, sinkers, nets and fishing line. I try to remove as much as I can when I dive (very carefully, of course). If you try the mesh bag idea, don't put anything with a hook in them. It becomes a mess getting them out of the bag. Hooks go in the BC pocket
Unfortunately, they are also magnets for hooks, sinkers, nets and fishing line. I try to remove as much as I can when I dive (very carefully, of course). If you try the mesh bag idea, don't put anything with a hook in them. It becomes a mess getting them out of the bag. Hooks go in the BC pocket
Windwalker
Contributor
My BC doesn't have useful pockets. Perhaps a small canvas bag might work.
On a June 2003 trip to the Bahamas, I found some very disturbing evidence of diseased and dying reefs in the Exumas and Cat Island.
dead and dying Reefs in the Bahamas.....
http://216.89.226.179/bahamareefs/
This Website is not finished yet, I have some video to add of reefs off Highborn Cay! The reefs off Highbourn Cay are also in bad shape!!
African Dust - Major factor in the demise of reef of the Atlanic?? This video is worth viewing
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/gallery.html
dead and dying Reefs in the Bahamas.....
http://216.89.226.179/bahamareefs/
This Website is not finished yet, I have some video to add of reefs off Highborn Cay! The reefs off Highbourn Cay are also in bad shape!!
African Dust - Major factor in the demise of reef of the Atlanic?? This video is worth viewing
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/gallery.html
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