Man fired from diving job after seen holding protected species
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morecowbells
Contributor
This photo infuriates me! I am glad the marine park implemented action against this diver. I wonder who the dive op was that allowed such atrocious behavior, not by one but two( the other diver petting a splendid toadfish) divers.
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Dogbowl
Contributor
The person "petting" the toadfish is most likely a tourist staying at an AI - she has a bracelet on her wrist.
So this diver was from Playa del Carmen...but this happened in Cozumel? Are dive guides crossing the pond to lead dives now?
HeliMech
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morecowbells
Contributor
We (ANOAAT Cozumel) actually investigated and contacted the diver as well as reported to the marine park. The marine park ultimately made the contact to the shop he was working for in Playa. Not only did he not have a Marine Park credential to be leading dives in the park, he was working illegally. He is French and actually justified his behavior - and this is a quote directly from the offender in a facebook message with one of our ANOAAT members:
Q: Hi Marqui. There is a photo circulating of you holding a Splendid Toadfish on Paradise reef in Cozumel. Touching or holding marine life is strictly prohibited.
A: " I understand and respect your concern, I’m into animal welfare myself and I admit that in the photo it looks like I’m holding the fish, which I’m not, it just swims through and around and eventually it’ll go back to its hole. It actually enjoys being tickled so it’s said and so jt seems, like a dog or a cat..., certain species here are so accustomed to seeing people that they often approach us and kind of hang around and interact for some time. Like the angel fishes eating our bubbles, and turtles coming up sometimes. I seriously will never tease, feed, eat or hunt any, no way."
Q: Do you have a marine park credential? Do you know that it is prohibited in the marine park to touch or handle the marine life even if you think they like it?
A: No, I don’t have a park credential because I don’t work there, nor am I leading any dives at all and yes, I know you need one to work there. And yes, I know that’s it’s prohibited even though they come at you..."
But he WAS working for a shop in Playa who crossed for the day to dive - and he WAS fired - his answers weren't truthful and he still justifies his behavior!
@Dogbowl - yes, they are and it's becoming a problem. One we will be addressing as ANOAAT
Q: Hi Marqui. There is a photo circulating of you holding a Splendid Toadfish on Paradise reef in Cozumel. Touching or holding marine life is strictly prohibited.
A: " I understand and respect your concern, I’m into animal welfare myself and I admit that in the photo it looks like I’m holding the fish, which I’m not, it just swims through and around and eventually it’ll go back to its hole. It actually enjoys being tickled so it’s said and so jt seems, like a dog or a cat..., certain species here are so accustomed to seeing people that they often approach us and kind of hang around and interact for some time. Like the angel fishes eating our bubbles, and turtles coming up sometimes. I seriously will never tease, feed, eat or hunt any, no way."
Q: Do you have a marine park credential? Do you know that it is prohibited in the marine park to touch or handle the marine life even if you think they like it?
A: No, I don’t have a park credential because I don’t work there, nor am I leading any dives at all and yes, I know you need one to work there. And yes, I know that’s it’s prohibited even though they come at you..."
But he WAS working for a shop in Playa who crossed for the day to dive - and he WAS fired - his answers weren't truthful and he still justifies his behavior!
@Dogbowl - yes, they are and it's becoming a problem. One we will be addressing as ANOAAT
I'm not surprised AT ALL - I knew he was was working illegally based on his Facebook profile even before we confirmed who his employer was. I was simply pointing out that although he said he wasn't working, that was a blatant lie - he was attempting to cover his hiney - but we were several steps ahead of him.
deepsea21
Contributor
That would be the first Splendid in 15 years of diving Coz I've ever seen that willingly swims out of its hole into a diver's hand and sits their wanting to be petted. Looks to me like he's squeezing it like a tube of toothpaste so some touron can pet it. Maybe that practice scored him better tips?
The above being said, I've been diving with a DM who "coaxed" one out of its hole by reaching in behind it, ushering it out and then covering the hole so it couldn't get back in. That was about 15 years ago though on one of our first trips to Coz... Haven't seen that done since.
Furthermore, who wants to dive with some French DM in Mexico in the first place? I want LOCAL, knowledgeable DM's leading my dives.
The above being said, I've been diving with a DM who "coaxed" one out of its hole by reaching in behind it, ushering it out and then covering the hole so it couldn't get back in. That was about 15 years ago though on one of our first trips to Coz... Haven't seen that done since.
Furthermore, who wants to dive with some French DM in Mexico in the first place? I want LOCAL, knowledgeable DM's leading my dives.
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JamesBon92007
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Would he still have been fired if it had been a lionfish?
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