Marine Conservation & Animal Respect

[Freeport Ray]

Hi Divers,
Myself along with my pro dive buddies did our stingray dive in Florida and a few cool things happened, we saw like 40 Cobias, around 3ft each stalking a 6ft wide southern stingray, pretty cool site, also 2 giant green moray eels. However, when we approached the stingray, we realized his timidness to us and then we found out that he had a fishing hook lodged in his mouth, i would express to all divers and conservationist alike to continually do our part against fishermen in dive zone as this will continually cause unsettlement among the marine life and they will become increasingly uncomfortable with us around, Happy holidays and God Bless all!!

 

[SkipperJohn]

i would express to all divers and conservationist alike to continually do our part against fishermen in dive zone

What exactly do you mean by "our part"?

 

[psychocabbage]

whats to say that the stingray didnt go to where people are fishing and try and get a meal from their bait?

 

[SkipperJohn]

That was my second argument right after I got clarification on the "part" thing. I'm just wondering if he found a use for his dive knife.

 

[seaducer]

Fishermen have just as much right to the environment and the pursuit of their chosen hobby as non fishing divers do.

 

[Freeport Ray]

i understand that fishes can go where ever they want and feed, but from my experiences, some animals stay within ceertain territories so there for is there is any hunting to be done, the hunter will have to come to them. What i mean by "our part" as divers is, often we see fishing boat within the dive areas, and if it law in your region, report it. Something is bound to happen, i also agree that fisherman have the same rights to the ocean as we do, but as a fisherman also, beyond a plate of food or another dollar i first respect where i gettin it and do it the right way.
Happy new year to all the great people at SB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hooray.

 

[sabbath999]

I am a vegetarian so I am OK if y'all want to get rid of all the fishermen and fisherwomen

 

[Dtaine]

i understand that fishes can go where ever they want and feed, but from my experiences, some animals stay within ceertain territories so there for is there is any hunting to be done, the hunter will have to come to them.

Some do, some don't.

What i mean by "our part" as divers is, often we see fishing boat within the dive areas, and if it law in your region, report it. Something is bound to happen, i also agree that fisherman have the same rights to the ocean as we do, but as a fisherman also, beyond a plate of food or another dollar i first respect where i gettin it and do it the right way.
Happy new year to all the great people at SB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hooray.

Emphasis added, the problem is that everyone disagrees on what the "right way" is. I do agree though, if it is unlawful fishing I'll gladly report it.

 

[OldNSalty]

I think if you witness anyone breaking a justifiable law you should report it.

 

[billsreef]

One of my favorite dive spots is an old bridge that has been turned into a marine park for both divers and fishermen. As a result, we divers need to be wary of fish hooks in the water. We also get to observe fish behavior around those hooks. From what I've seen, the fish don't associate fish hooks with divers. Heck, they often don't even associate that free food (aka bait) with fish hooks. So as long the fishing is not occurring a no fishing zone, we dives and fishermen alike must simply coexist peacefully.