Casino Point and no take rules

[drbill]

Three of us were diving Casino Point today. During our surface interval we all observed an instructor and a child who had a horn shark egg. I decided I'd say something to them. I went over and quietly mentioned to the instructor that I didn't want to spoil the child's fun, but we didn't allow people to take anything from the Dive Park since it was a protected area.

She said the horn shark egg was empty, and I replied that makes things a bit better but that the rule was that we don't take anything out of the park, living or dead.

She said "I know the rules" and I replied "Then please follow them." After that exchange she seemed to go semi-ballistic, and made the serious error of telling me that I ought to get a new wetsuit! Them's fighting words!! I've had my M&B custom wetsuit for many years (it's been diving about 14 years, probably longer than the instructor).

"Mad as hell" I replied back "Oh, I guess I shouldn't expect anything out of a Sports Chalet instructor" (with apologies to the many good instructors who work with Sports Chalet including one of my own buddies!).

The other two divers with me (Scottkl from this board and his GF) were both surprised at her response and felt the same about her thinking it was OK to take even an empty horn shark egg from the park.

The strange thing is that a man with her took the horn shark egg from the child and threw it into the garbage can causing the poor child to cry. I would rather they had let the boy keep it that toss it in the garbage. Was definitely unimpressed with that instructor and her group (except for the kid who was innocent).

Doc

 

[ChrisM]

WHat a sad story.... Of course, I doubt PADI gives a rat's *** since it's not a "training issue." That's how SSI treats shark riding, fer chrissakes......

You knew she was SC? Know which store? Perhaps acall to the mgr would result in some "sensitivity training."

Chris

 

[drbill]

Hi Chris... You didn't miss much out here. Lots of students, lots of sand stirred up. I limited 6 of my 7 dives Sat/Sun to midwater to film a mixed school of jack mackerel, chub mackerel and Pacific sardines (and the barracuda and yellowtail trying to hammer them, and the senorita trying to clean them).

Yes, her cap said Instructor/Sports Chalet. She must have had a bad day because they certainly didn't treat the young boy well. For his sake I hope it was just one bad day.

Doc

 

[xSandman3]

Doc, good for you! I love the park, and won't even go on weekends during the summer anymore after I watched it get kicked into oblivion on Gold Star day. It's disturbing that an instructor with any agency would allow taking anything from the park, especially if she took it herself. I know SC gets bashed a lot, and probably deserves it, but we (the whole family) were certified there, and our instructor made it very clear to the class to never remove anything.
Thanks for speaking up.

 

[Scottkl]

Yea this Instructor had the exact wrong attitude. I could have sworn during my class done with SC luckily with as a private and with an amazing instructor that PADI was pushing their project AWARE program which was a look do not touch program. I would have called SC if I could have figured out which instructor it was but there were at least one other Female SC instructor out with classes that day. Also it did seem like she brought the casing up for the child. I do not think the father did because I think he is the one that threw it out and why would your toss something that you brought up for your son? Hopefully she will change her ways and her Attitude.

Scott

 

[Brian Gilpin]

So few areas have no take rules you would think people would understand. BTW Bill we saw two horn sharks off Santa Cruz island the beginning of July. Facinating creatures.

 

[drbill]

Scott and his GF Kirstin were the other two divers I was referring to... thanks for weighing in (and to the rest of you).

I try to be courteous when I point things out to people who are violating the rules of the park (or of courtesy for that matter). Some people respond very well to it and I wish them a great day of diving. Some people get all bent out of shape. This one was an extreme case (well, none of them hit me).

The park is self-"policed" by the local Catalina dive community, and increasingly so by the good instructors who make a point of instructing their students on the rules of the park (and of common courtesy). I'd like to personally thank all those instructors who do so. I try to do it in person when I can.

Dr. Bill

 

[drbill]

Brian- one of my upcoming "Dive Dry with Dr. Bill" newspaper columns will be about the horn shark. Keep an eye out for it on my web site where all my previous columns are archived with color images.

Dr. Bill

 

[CA Diver]

Bravo Dr. Bill!

Ealier on the Morning we met (7-24-4) there were two teenagers walking down the stairs with two fishing poles. they were quickly informed that Casino Point is a No Take Zone. They politely left and fished somewhere else.


That would make the entry and exit more interesting - Dodging the weight and hook from the fishing line.

 

[czzzaar]

WHat a sad story.... Of course, I doubt PADI gives a rat's *** since it's not a "training issue." That's how SSI treats shark riding, fer chrissakes......

You knew she was SC? Know which store? Perhaps acall to the mgr would result in some "sensitivity training."

Chris

Hey Chris,


Get over it :death2: .