Giving back to the oceans.

[wildbill9]

We watched a program about coral restoration and it got us thinking what can we do to help? We looked into the program for our upcoming trip to Bonaire but it seems that they want people that can make a greater commitment than just a few weeks of the year (we both still work!). It got us to thinking. We love to dive, we have for 30 plus years, our trips are planned around diving, we recycle, we try not to use plastics (but we are not fanatics). I can see their point of people just breezing thru for a "feel good" experience but is that a bad thing? How many people can give up months at a time to Help? 1 person committing a year... or 365 committing a day? Imagine if every member of ScubaBoard donated 1 day of their vacation to doing something, anything to help the oceans. Trash day anyone? lion fish round up? Helping a new diver with their buoyancy? Sure we all know leave only bubbles and don't touch. What are some ideas yall have? With the total amount of intelligence and dedication we have on this board we CAN make a difference. Peace and love to all and all my fishy friends. Bill and DeeDee

 

[arcticat99]

I agree more people doing little things accomplish a lot more than 1 doing a bunch

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree with the OP and following post. It is true, however that most working people can't take months off work to Help. As well, it is very unlikely that a majority of 365 people will take one day to do his/her part. So, I think if someone really wants to make a significant difference he/she should get involved --perhaps politically-- in getting the agriculture industry, coastal development folks, commercial fishing ops, etc. to fix up a lot of the mess the oceans are in. An example I can think of is all the pressure that seems to be put on the shark finners nowadays.

Mildly related-- Is there any data yet indicating that divers spearing lionfish has actually curtailed their numbers on the East and Gulf Coasts?

 

[tilikum]

Honestly, I believe our oceans are screwed. Unless we stop dumping crap in and taking fish out, we are in an unsustainable state.

 

[diversteve]

You could possibly work one of these into your future dive vacation schedule:

REEF Trip Schedule - Dive Vacations That Count | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

Also Bonaire has an active Lionfish Monitoring and Eradication program. Several shops offer paid training - including dives. Here's one but there's others at various shops - Lionfish Hunting Specialty Course - VIP Diving Bonaire

If you're interested in Coral Restoration - Buddy Dive has a one day program in conjunction with the Coral Reef Foundation. CRF Bonaire Courses - Buddy Dive Resort

When Bonaire Dive/Adventure was located on Bari Reef they had an easy option to do a REEF Fish count survey there as part of a normal dive there - we did it one morning. It was extra for a paid naturalist to accompany you and spot fish. Dive Friends recently took over the concession so IDK who/what is still being done. BDA is closed.

You could probably check with STiNAPA on other volunteer options. www.bmp.org

Standard suggestion on Bonaire trips was to be bring back your used batteries as they had no inexpensive way to recycle them. IDK if it still is.