Question Oldest dive shops / people who've been diving for decades

[benjijones]

Hey there! My name is Benji and I'm an environmental reporter at Vox. I'm traveling to Bonaire later this month for a series of stories about the resilience of Bonaire's reefs in the face of climate change. I'm looking for divers on the island who have been diving there for decades and may be able to speak about the changes they've seen. Do you have any suggestions? It could be dive shops that have been operating for a very long time or people with many years of diving experience.

Thank you!

You can reach me here or at benji.jones@vox.com.

- Benji

 

[tursiops]

You are 4 years too late to talk to Bruce Bowker, one of the early pioneers on Bonaire, nine years too late to talk to Ebo Domacasse, an early diver there, and ten years too late to talk to Capt Don Stewart, who started it all there in 1962. I'd sugget you contact the dive ops managers at Carib Inn (started by Bowker), Capt Don's Habitat, and Buddy Dive Resort (another resort, started in 1980 and still going strong); they should be able to put you in contact with some old timers.

 

[benjijones]

You are 4 years too late to talk to Bruce Bowker, one of the early pioneers on Bonaire, nine years too late to talk to Ebo Domacasse, an early diver there, and ten years too late to talk to Capt Don Stewart, who started it all there in 1962. I'd sugget you contact the dive ops managers at Carib Inn (started by Bowker), Capt Don's Habitat, and Buddy Dive Resort (another resort, started in 1980 and still going strong); they chold be able to put you in contact with some old timers.

Ah, that’s too bad! But thanks — I’ll try those shops. I appreciate your help!

 

[scubadada]

You missed Jerry Ligon also

Try to find Dee Scarr

TOUCH THE SEA®, Dee Scarr's Site

Touch the Sea, with Dee Scarr. The fragility and wonder of the coral reef and its residents.

www.touchthesea.com

 

[tursiops]

You missed Jerry Ligon also

Try to find Dee Scarr

TOUCH THE SEA®, Dee Scarr's Site

Touch the Sea, with Dee Scarr. The fragility and wonder of the coral reef and its residents.

www.touchthesea.com

Yes, Jerry would have been good, although I think he did not arrive on island until the mid-80s.
Dee Scarr arrived about 1980, I think, and is still active. dee(at)touchthesea.com.

 

[benjijones]

You missed Jerry Ligon also

Try to find Dee Scarr

TOUCH THE SEA®, Dee Scarr's Site

Touch the Sea, with Dee Scarr. The fragility and wonder of the coral reef and its residents.

www.touchthesea.com

Thank you!

 

[rmorgan]

Benji, Ellen Muller is the most assiduous and clear-eyed documenter of the Bonaire reefs, which she’s been photographing for decades. She has identified several previously-unknown species, and has been documenting the rapid deterioration of the reefs due to bleaching and SCTLD. She’s active on FB, and her images are at Galleries by Ellen Muller.

 

[tursiops]

Benji, Ellen Muller is the most assiduous and clear-eyed documenter of the Bonaire reefs, which she’s been photographing for decades. She has identified several previously-unknown species, and has been documenting the rapid deterioration of the reefs due to bleaching and SCTLD. She’s active on FB, and her images are at Galleries by Ellen Muller.

Excellent suggestion!

 

[benjijones]

Benji, Ellen Muller is the most assiduous and clear-eyed documenter of the Bonaire reefs, which she’s been photographing for decades. She has identified several previously-unknown species, and has been documenting the rapid deterioration of the reefs due to bleaching and SCTLD. She’s active on FB, and her images are at Galleries by Ellen Muller.

Thank you! I’ll check her out.