Handling sea critters in Hawaii

[Cacia]

Like I said, it is all perception and social conditioning. Do you want to watch your kids dumping birds out of their nest and amusing themselves this way? It seems so much more powerful to teach new divers respect for the underwater world as opposed to the "plum-aging for fun" routine. There is all sorts of disparity in society about environmental issues. The point is that we feel some investment to move ourselves in the right direction.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

[snip]...but the awareness to their environment helps the species survive.

I've thought a lot about that argument. It's often made in defense of things like captive dolphin exhibits. Personally, I'm not convinced that the overall health of the environment does benefit from such "education". I tend to think that defense is a rationalization. And who can blame those who make such a rationalization? We'd all love to swim with dolphins. Some of us are willing to cage them in order to enjoy the experience. Others aren't and will wait patiently in hopes that they will encounter them in the wild. Personally, I just think the real motivation is more selfish and the "education" argument is an afterthought.

I love seeing octopi out swimming around. Much more often I have seen octopi hiding in holes, which is neat, but definitely not as cool as seeing them out and about. Still, I'm not going to drag one out of its hole just to take a look. It's the natural order of things and I'm just a visiting observer to his home. While pulling it out of its hole would provide me a better viewing opportunity, I couldn't honestly say that the experience would make me more environmentally aware or help octopi in general. That would be a disingenuous way of justifying doing something for my own personal enjoyment.

I think it would be much more educational to point out the octopus in its hole and leave it there. But, that's just me. I don't think visits to Sea World result in a more environmentally aware and action-oriented public, either.

Again, YMMV.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I agree with you, Catherine. Much better to teach and display a respectful attitude towards the sea and aquatic life. It's not difficult. I do understand Fishb0y's point, in a way. He's not fighting for the "right" to touch stuff, but he's bucking against the trite and almost cultish mentality of "take only pictures, leave only bubbles." As a new diver, I've already heard this so many times, it makes me roll my eyes. Somewhere, there has to be a balance, and I think you've exemplified that with your attitude and point of view on it.

 

[Cacia]

I understand both sides too. From a purely practical viewpoint, I just don't think people want dive guides to do this stuff on their behalf. I think it is a misconception.

 

[Jcsgt]

Simply because it's "tradition" to practice handling the marine life in a particular area does not make it right. We have no idea how our actions truly affect the critters we touch and ethically, beings a DM is a potential role model, I feel it's wrong.

I believe that divers who go ahead and tip a DM for dragging an octo out of its lair are simply ignorant and have no clue as to the consequences.

The only thing further I have to say on the matter is don't come to the PNW and try that with our octos. Has everybody seen the video of the diver who tried to do that and about got his mask/reg ripped off by one of our big boys?

 

[Cacia]

laughing...one of the boat captains just called to chat....they like to hear whats going on on SB! So, I said "and you better stop dragging octupi out of their holes, now that I have you on the phone". So, I explained the whole thread and he is screaming that people ***** if he doesn't find one and they complain if he does. He says no one is ever happy if he heards them or if he lets them all dive off alone...he is ranting on and on about how divers always complain about something and now he makes sure something is wrong on the boat (like no TP) so that they will have some easy target for complaints. hahaha....one captain's view.

 

[BlueViewDivers]

I really think that it depends in what situation it is done... If you are guiding people diving, then maybe it isn't the best way to touch things, as you are a 'role model' and what you does leave a lasting impression on those who dive. And then they maybe unble to make the distinction of what it ok to touch and what is not.

However, for an experinced diver to go hunting for edible creatures, taking only what they need, then fair enough. It is the commercial fishing that does the most damage.

 

[DivePartner1]

. . . Why is it OK to do these things, but if you do it under water you are considered 1 step lower than Bin Laden?

Maybe we should ask someone from New York?

See: The Felonious Stomping of a Pet Fish, http://overlawyered.com/

 

[Cacia]

oh lord. now that's overlawyered.

 

[discrepancy]

It's so very predictable isn't it? Someone asks "can I touch the marine life?" And right away everyone with an opinion east or west of the date line will stand to with their toes perfectly aligned with their respective political lines. I'm so bored with it.

Why not just admit that every fish you touch does not automatically drop dead of human contagion within ten minutes, and also acknowledge that most marine animals prefer to be left alone? You as a responsible diver choose where to draw the line.