stcroix
Registered
Thanks Lionfisher.
I like your concept of "gateway". In a word, it says a lot.
A comparison to hunting and hunters is worthwhile: Many hunters have become conservationists.
I want to say that I think our BEST hope is when money and efforts are channeled through groups like REEF, and research projects, --rather than government agencies. Here in the USVI, the local govt just received a rather large grant to attack the LF problem, in spite of the fact that giving money to any government agency, especially in this territory, is the equivalent of chartering a cruiseship to take you to your dive site. In 2009 the local DPNR put together a LF plan, that has gone largely un-implemented, while the diveshops and volunteers have risen up to do the work of taking LF out of the waters.
I think LF hunting could also be a "gateway" to getting young people interested in diving. (Accding to the stats, diving is a declining sport). In some ways, LF hunting fulfills a primal need (no laughing, plz), while fostering teamwork, conservation, and a sense of participation in something greater than yourself.
I like your concept of "gateway". In a word, it says a lot.
A comparison to hunting and hunters is worthwhile: Many hunters have become conservationists.
I want to say that I think our BEST hope is when money and efforts are channeled through groups like REEF, and research projects, --rather than government agencies. Here in the USVI, the local govt just received a rather large grant to attack the LF problem, in spite of the fact that giving money to any government agency, especially in this territory, is the equivalent of chartering a cruiseship to take you to your dive site. In 2009 the local DPNR put together a LF plan, that has gone largely un-implemented, while the diveshops and volunteers have risen up to do the work of taking LF out of the waters.
I think LF hunting could also be a "gateway" to getting young people interested in diving. (Accding to the stats, diving is a declining sport). In some ways, LF hunting fulfills a primal need (no laughing, plz), while fostering teamwork, conservation, and a sense of participation in something greater than yourself.