In this study, >70% of divers contacted coral. Newbies & photogs the worst.+

[DocVikingo]

With loss of buoyancy control by far the leading cause of contact.

I don't agree that ...Hong Kong divers did not make many damaging contacts with corals...." I believe that "...38% were damaging contacts with corals or other biota in a single dive" is way, way too much.

Relatively small sample size, limited subject charcteristics, limited venue, only a single dive, etc., but for what it's worth:


"Understanding the underwater behaviour of scuba divers in Hong Kong.

Authors

Chung SS, et al. Show all Chung SS, Au A, Qiu JW.

Journal

Environ Manage. 2013 Apr;51(4):824-37. doi: 10.1007/s00267-013-0023-y. Epub 2013 Mar 8.

Affiliation

Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. sschung@hkbu.edu.hk

Abstract

Diving-related activities may constitute a major threat to coral reefs. This study aimed to quantify the impact of diving in Hong Kong on hard corals and understand how socio-economic characteristics and experience level of divers influence diver-inflicted damage. We recorded and analysed the underwater behaviour of 81 recreational divers. On average, a diver was in contact with marine biota 14.7 times with about 40% of contacts involved corals and 38% were damaging contacts with corals or other biota in a single dive. The most harm-inflicting groups included inexperienced and camera-carrying divers. Although Hong Kong divers did not make many damaging contacts with corals, there is still an imminent need to determine the scale of damage from diving activities on the marine ecosystem given the rapid development of marine-based tourism and the limited coral-inhabited areas in Hong Kong where the marine environment is already under stress from anthropogenic activities."

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[drbill]

I don't doubt this of course. Being an underwater videographer who ventures into warm water during the winter months, I think it is extremely important to have reasonably mastered buoyancy skills.

 

[Diver0001]

I don't doubt this of course. Being an underwater videographer who ventures into warm water during the winter months, I think it is extremely important to have reasonably mastered buoyancy skills.

When I was in Egypt a few years ago I witnessed a videography course being given by a National Geographic hot-shot.

Suffice it to say that the video they made, some of which was projected in the restaurant during dinner, was amazing....

but witnessing what they did to the reef in order to *get* that video was one of the most horrifying displays of "what not to do" that I've ever seen. No rules, written or implied, were sacred.... only the shot was sacred..... It was some of the most jaw-droppingly bad diving I've ever seen and from someone who I naively assumed would have been a reef conservation poster-boy.

Since then, when I hear the word "videographer" what resonates in my mind is the thought "swathe of destruction".

Previously I had obviously seen many photographers, some good, and some with good intentions but struggling; however, nothing could have prepared me for the elephant in the proverbial porcelain shop these guys were. Just based on what I saw I wouldn't object to a total ban on videographers on the short term and a new process of certification for using this gear under water until they can prove themselves worthy.

R..

 

[chillyinCanada]

Have any of you seen the gopro promotional video for scuba and snorkeling? It's no darn wonder newer divers and some more experienced divers do what they do. I was appalled and galled at what I saw there.

 

[Darnold9999]

Would be nice if there was a requirement that you had to dive with a shortie if you are going to carry a camera. Nothing like the reef biting back to teach good boyancy skills

 

[thumbsplitter]

Interesting someone mentioned gopros. I have recommended gopros on a monopod to a couple of novice videographers. The monopod allows them to get the camera close to the subject while maintaining safe distance. Of course, a serious macrophotographer isn't going to be satisfied with a monopod and will still probably crawl all over the reef!

--Thumbsplitter

 

[chillyinCanada]

Those sticks do damage too when a newer diver is shoving them here and there, banging them into corals as they try to get into that spot they saw the squirrelfish. I always tell my dive buddies thst sre newer divers "let the fish come to you". By that I mean, be calm, slow and relaxed. Chasing a turtle or a ray isn't going to get it to swim to you or near you.

 

[drbill]

Although there are exceptions , please don't lump all videographers into one boat (it might sink). I know many who are very careful about damaging the reef or critters when they film... and, of course, have seen many who are disasters because they have not mastered buoyancy and other skills.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Sorry Bill. Certainly not my intention. Have seen many excellent photogs/videographers. Was only speaking of those that are not . . .the newbies, the unaware and the self-entitled.

---------- Post added December 13th, 2013 at 12:22 PM ----------

And thanks for the excellent picture of how it should be done!