'ELF Tool, Sand Dollar Sports, Senor Frogs and many of Cozumels dive and snorkeling operators will be hosting a party to collect funds for the Cozumels Marine Park purchase of the Eliminate Lion Fish Tool. The party take place on the 12th of March at 9:00pm at Senor Frogs and will be a 50 pesos voluntary donation.
These
ELF Tools will be the only authorized hunting tool by the marine park to be used inside the park.
I find the idea a bit amusing that the manufacturer of the ELF tool was co-hosting a party to raise funds for the marine park to buy his product, and only his product to kill lionfish, and is doing so as a public service.
Don't get me wrong...I am all for killing the little buggers, but only one tool is permitted and the manufacturer is helping raise funds for the Park to buy his $200.00 product...and only his product?
I mean, here is what looks like basically the same thing for $50.00:
The Reef Defender | Precision Lionfish Spear - Product Description
Here is something similar for $60:
Deep Six - Frapper Lionfish Spear
Here is another for $38.00:
Hammerhead Lion Fish Buster Pole Spear, Pole Spears - ScubasWorld
I have nothing against the ELF...I have never even seen one, and maybe they are really, really good, but I think it odd that such an expensive item, requiring fundraising to purchase is the sole authorized product.
I don't have ANY connection to any of these products. I am not trying to sell anything, and I am completely aware the Marine Park doesn't need my permission to do whatever they want and doesn't have to explain or justify anything to me. I am just commenting.
If this is all simply a public service, why doesn' the ELF company, instead of helping to raise funds for the Park to buy the ELF, just give them a bunch or sell them to them for cost?
Also, did I read it right? If one wants to get this PADI specialty card (and I won't get into that at the moment) you have to use this one product? Wow, how about you can only get a Nitrox card using a certain brand of analyzer, or even better you can only get an OW cert using brand X fins?
Something doesn't smell right, and I don't think it is the Lionfish.