Our World Underwater Winning Video

[marksm]

I am stunned and overjoyed to have won the Wetpixel/Divephotoguide OWU international film competition this week in Chicago. I want to thank all people on this thread who have contributed to me being a better film maker. Your critiques, concerns, advice, knowledge, and encouragement were all beneficial.

Now if only we can get some operators to change their ways and get people to make wise decisions in their choices. A new comprehensive management plan is being developed in Crystal River so this win and exposure could not have come at a better time for the manatee.


Thank you again.

Mark

 

[Teamcasa]

Good work! Congratulations! Beautiful Video.

 

[pickens_46929]

Thanks for posting and sharing Mark. Congratulations too!

I've done the Manatee Snorkel tour a number of times and not witnessed any such abuses, though I am sure they exist. Too bad you pixelated the names on the sides of the boats.

I'd like to see an addendum to this video at the end that states, "These tour operators have signed, support and follow the Manatee interaction guidelines. Please support them." Right now without any guidance, whom do you go out with?!?

Again congratulations.

 

[robint]

Thanks for posting and sharing Mark. Congratulations too!

I've done the Manatee Snorkel tour a number of times and not witnessed any such abuses, though I am sure they exist. Too bad you pixelated the names on the sides of the boats.

I'd like to see an addendum to this video at the end that states, "These tour operators have signed, support and follow the Manatee interaction guidelines. Please support them." Right now without any guidance, whom do you go out with?!?

Again congratulations.

ditto.

 

[cdreamer]

Bravo Mark!!!! Congratulations on your win and bringing more attention to this issue.
Excellent video - keep up the great work!!

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

First off, congratulations on the win. Secondly, the video was fantastic and definitely an eye opener! I would really like to know more about the operators since we have been looking at planning a trip out there.

 

[Otter]

Congrats and I too would like to know who to use for tours and who not...

 

[marksm]

I wish I could have left the names unblurred but some competitions are weary of it.

Many operators talk a good game but, as I have witnessed, don't follow thru. If a operator tells you the manatees love belly rubs and being petted, then you have the wrong company and you should be weary. Ask them their policies about interaction. Ask them how many are on the boat at a time. Less then 10 is a good sign. Less then 6 is better.

I do NOT go out with American Pro Diving Center. They are the ones who blocked me and who held the manatees for the children to surround. Birds Underwater has decent control over their people but the captain makes the difference. Also, they tend to bring several boats at once into a small area. Captain Chris, who is also a videographer, is on top of it. Ask for her boat.

In my opinion these next few were the best there. Either because they are eco friendly kayak tours or because the swim with program is limited to a few people at a time, monitored carefully, and they have no problem pulling a swimmer out.

Nature Coast Kayak Tours naturecoastkayaktours.com - Home Ask for Tracy. Crystal River, FL 1-888-795-9877. Tracy was my "manatee manners" coach and really helped me to begin to understand manatee body language, behaviors, and interactions.

Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company. Matt and Susan. Kayaks for Sale, Guided Kayak Tours and Kayak Rentals Crystal River Florida 352-795-5650.
640 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, FL 34429

Adventure Outpost. Lars Andersen. 18238 NW Hwy. 441 High Springs, FL 32643. 386-454-0611. riverguide2000@yahoo.com. Adventureoutpost.net. (canoe/kayak outfitter and guide).

There's one other kayak outfitter I need to get contact info. for... Brack154@msn.com

Swim with operators I'd recommend...

Fun2dive.com capt. Joe. 503 S. French Ave. Sanford, FL 32771. 1-888-588-3483. capt@fun2dive.com.

Native vacations. Capt. Tracy. New Page 3 1-866-GO-NATIVE

For a group going down. It is really a great combination to go with a kayak company your first day and learn to appreciate what you are seeing in the area and learn about manatees. The guides teach you everything you need to know. You will also get to see some of the operators behaving poorly. After you do that, go the next day with a "swim with" operator or rent a jon or pontoon boat. If you do the "swim with" second, it will better prepare and educate you and make the joy of being in the water with the manatee that much more special.

I will continue to monitor what goes on in Crystal River. I went down for a meeting a few weeks ago to talk about what I saw. I promised to return and do a film about the industry turning itself around and how they are all working to insure the manatee's survival; but only, if they change.

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

Excellent info Mark. To think it was American pro we almost booked our trip with. I definitely like the idea of doing a kayak tour first. Please keep us updated with any further info.

 

[Marinevisions]

American Pro Diving Center is listed as a "National Geographic Center".
I wonder how they (National Geographic) would respond to these kinds of activities. That is exactly the kind of stuff that National Geographic should be fighting against.

American Pro Diving shouldn't be able to benefit from using the National Geographic name and logo if they are not going to act in an ethical and moral way.