Sport divers, good or bad for reef ecosystem???

[benthicman]

There are a lot of discussions going about concerning the "Damage that sport divers do to the reef ecosystem". What do you think folks????

As a long time sport diver and marine science guy, I have to say that I have seen it go both ways.

While it is true that occasionally, I have seen a group of sport divers do things like stand or sit on the coral, take coral and other reef life from the ocean, drop anchor on coral heads, etc.... I do not believe that this is the "rule", but rather the exception.

I think that these kinds of occurances are rooted in the way that these few individuals were taught to dive in the beginning. I have been an instructor in two different programs (Agencies) and I am certified to various different levels by four different "sport" agencies. I can say, from experience, that the basic level training in these agencies is not sufficient to create environmental awareness and to develope good environmentally friendly diving practice. and skills. And so it first falls to us, the instructors, to instill in our students a sence of environmental responsibility. Additionally, we must teach our students the proper way to "observe but not disturb" the environment that we are visiting.

Please note, I am not saying that I feel all sport divers, in general, are responsible for significant damage to the fragile reef environment. In fact , I feel that sport diving is probably responsible for an elevated level of public awareness about this environment.

What do you all think ??? :06:

Seawolf sends.

 

[DavidPT40]

Sport divers are definately good for reefs. Would anyone care about reefs if the only people who dove on them were biologists? Sport divers have created a large customer base for dive shops and hotels. This encourages the same dive shops and hotels to preserve and protect the reefs. It all comes down to money.

It is true that sport divers may damage reefs due to inexperience. But whats the alternative, not having a reef at all?

 

[Rick Murchison]

Divers don't do "good" to the reef while diving - indeed, they really can't do much while there to help, but if they screw up they do harm.
However...
(1) Per diver, biologists, with their collecting, marking, studying etc, do far more damage than recreational divers.
(2) Both biologists and recreational divers do much more good than harm in toto, because they bring the reef and its problems to public light, and cause the reduction of far more damaging practices.
A case in point is the Texas Flower Gardens, where divers were the driving force in turning the place from an anchorage/dump into a National Marine Sanctuary. And while individual divers - both biologists and sport - do minor damage to that reef system from time to time, the overall effect of divers on the reef has been a story of recovery and growth and improved health.
This isn't an isolated case, and worldwide sport divers are the driving force behind many existing and proposed marine conservation efforts.
Rick

 

[tjmills]

Divers don't do "good" to the reef while diving - indeed, they really can't do much while there to help, but if they screw up they do harm.
However...
(1) Per diver, biologists, with their collecting, marking, studying etc, do far more damage than recreational divers.
(2) Both biologists and recreational divers do much more good than harm in toto, because they bring the reef and its problems to public light, and cause the reduction of far more damaging practices.
A case in point is the Texas Flower Gardens, where divers were the driving force in turning the place from an anchorage/dump into a National Marine Sanctuary. And while individual divers - both biologists and sport - do minor damage to that reef system from time to time, the overall effect of divers on the reef has been a story of recovery and growth and improved health.
This isn't an isolated case, and worldwide sport divers are the driving force behind many existing and proposed marine conservation efforts.
Rick

Very good point and pretty much captures all I was going to say. I do think that more education from the agency's to new divers is needed. Some don't even realize the damage they can cause.

 

[archman]

(1) Per diver, biologists, with their collecting, marking, studying etc, do far more damage than recreational divers.

Hush Rick, science is above reproach!

Personally, I would rate my reef pillaging as equivalent to that caused by 4-6 newbie divers. Fortunately we represent less than 1% of the demographic.

 

[drbill]

Fortunately I'm not a consumptive scientist and do my research with a computer (satellite remote sensing and GIS), so no damage from that activity. Any damage I do as an underwater videographer I'd like to think is more than compensated by the increased exposure to and understanding of marine ecosystems I give to my readers and viewers.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Sport divers are definately good for reefs. Would anyone care about reefs if the only people who dove on them were biologists? Sport divers have created a large customer base for dive shops and hotels. This encourages the same dive shops and hotels to preserve and protect the reefs. It all comes down to money.

It is true that sport divers may damage reefs due to inexperience. But whats the alternative, not having a reef at all?

While it's true that divers do contribute money to the local economy, I've seen many reefs basically destroyed by heavy diver pressure, especially in resort areas. I don't think it's a valid argument when you say reefs would not survive unless there are sport divers diving there.

 

[DavidPT40]

Thanks for the input Dennis.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the biggest threats to a reef posed by man are (1) Overfishing, (2) water quality deterioration, and (3) physical removal of the coral.

The last reef I dove on was in Cozumel, Mexico. The hotel I was at was situated on a National Marine Park. No fishing was allowed there, nor were we allowed to take any coral. While a few of the shallow corals (10-15ft) did show some bleaching, all the deeper water reefs were in pristine condition. The marine park was definately motivated by tourist dollars.