sheephead at Casino Point

[Codyjp]

Speakin g as a marine ecologist,I have to disagree on this. I think the fish feeding can induce changes even in the species composition and abundance within an area. I have dived near-by Lover's Cove on a number of occasions (and the dive park at least 1,200 times) and find that several fish (such as opaleye) are much more abundant and apparently due to the unnatural feeding done by the glassbottom boats and snorkelers there.

Thanks Dr. Bill, that was exactly the answer i was looking for from somebody who knows more about it than I.

 

[limeyx]

You think that's bad, check out this guy with the octo!

Now, that's the right way to donate the octo!

 

[ChrisM]

. I'd rather learn then argue.

Good approach, so here's my two cents. I'm no expert by any means, but I also used to have DMs hand me octos (the animal kind mostly ), and I will admit to handling one once, when I also had less than 50 dives. Most recently, in Coz a DM inflated a puffer and turned to me. I turned away, and when we surfaced talked to the dive op about it.

By taking the octo, and then having your picture taken with it, and then posting it on the web, you have done three things.

1. You've reinforced to the DM or your buddy that their guests/buddies like having animals handed to them

2. Having your pic taken reinforces #1.

3. Posting it on the web tells other divers it's OK to do.

Just because YOU didn't remove the octo from its lair does not make YOUR handling of it and then posting the pic on the web OK. YOU still played a part in the harassment. And if the octo inked during the process, you may have endangered it as it uses ink for defense and, AFAIK, has to regenerate ink once spewed.

Anyway, you profess a desire to learn. That's great, but I agree with jdog, you gotta admit that you goofed yourself and you are in fact willing to learn from it.

Just my .02.

 

[Empty V]

Good approach, so here's my two cents. I'm no expert by any means, but I also used to have DMs hand me octos (the animal kind mostly ), and I will admit to handling one once, when I also had less than 50 dives. Most recently, in Coz a DM inflated a puffer and turned to me. I turned away, and when we surfaced talked to the dive op about it.

By taking the octo, and then having your picture taken with it, and then posting it on the web, you have done three things.

1. You've reinforced to the DM or your buddy that their guests/buddies like having animals handed to them

2. Having your pic taken reinforces #1.

3. Posting it on the web tells other divers it's OK to do.

Just because YOU didn't remove the octo from its lair does not make YOUR handling of it and then posting the pic on the web OK. YOU still played a part in the harassment. And if the octo inked during the process, you may have endangered it as it uses ink for defense and, AFAIK, has to regenerate ink once spewed.

Anyway, you profess a desire to learn. That's great, but I agree with jdog, you gotta admit that you goofed yourself and you are in fact willing to learn from it.

Just my .02.

Well I have changed my profile picture so I do not mislead anyone into thinking that I am for changing the natural behavior of our ocean life. I wasn't aware that releasing an animal from the clutches of a human being was considered playing a part in harassing it. Please forgive me for my ignorance and lack of consideration towards the ecosystem.

Billy

 

[limeyx]

Well I have changed my profile picture so I do not mislead anyone into thinking that I am for changing the natural behavior of our ocean life. I wasn't aware that releasing an animal from the clutches of a human being was considered playing a part in harassing it. Please forgive me for my ignorance and lack of consideration towards the ecosystem.

Billy

Maybe its the posting a picture of you holding it that could cause the confusion though...how is anyone else supposed to know you were releasing it. It certainly doesn't look so much like that in the pic as far as I could see.

 

[Empty V]

I've seen a lot of pictures that don't look as if they are supposed to. It turned out to be a great pic regardless of what happened before or after it was taken.

Billy

 

[ChrisM]

Well I have changed my profile picture so I do not mislead anyone into thinking that I am for changing the natural behavior of our ocean life. I wasn't aware that releasing an animal from the clutches of a human being was considered playing a part in harassing it. Please forgive me for my ignorance and lack of consideration towards the ecosystem.

Billy

Well, Billy, your sarcasm and attitude sure don't sound like someone who professes to want to "learn rather than argue." (interesting that you paused to pose for a photo opp whilst releasing the poor creature from your friend's clutches). Sorry for trying to be of help.

whatever. guess with your 16-50 dives you've learned all you need to know.

 

[Empty V]

guess with your 16-50 dives you've learned all you need to know.

Some people are so lazy that they refuse to read through an entire thread. So I quote myself.

I may not be the most experienced diver but I do have an incredible respect for our oceans and believe that the less we interfere with nature, the better off it is and we are.

Billy

 

[Codyjp]

is it possible to put a post on SB without starting and gripping pissing match?

would you guys really be argueing like this in public? In person face to face?

 

[ChrisM]

If I saw someone handling an octo like that, yes.