Touching coz wildlife

[MrBigfins]

The guys in Jamaica were terrible for it...the condition of the reef is abysmal anyway, at least in Montego Bay and the DMs were like orphan scavengers on a 3rd world dump. Picking up everything and turning over every rock, starfish etc they could find. It was extremely depressing.

I agree, but they work for tips as do most tourist dive destinations, so if you voice your disapproval they tend to try to please. I think they do it because they think it's what the tourists want, and alot of them probably are satisfied with an experience like that. Diving in Jamaica wasnt amazing, but we thoroughly enjoyed the people and the island.

 

[ibj40]

The guys in Jamaica were terrible for it...the condition of the reef is abysmal anyway, at least in Montego Bay and the DMs were like orphan scavengers on a 3rd world dump. Picking up everything and turning over every rock, starfish etc they could find. It was extremely depressing.

I am glad your further limited your comment to Mo Bay, and didn't generalize the condition statement to the entire island.

We have been diving the Negril area since 2003, and the reefs get healthier every time we return.

Plus, with only one exception on one dive, after four trips (which probably total over two dozen dives), we have never seen dive guides handling wildlife.

 

[uncfnp]

This is how seriously Cozumel views such interactions.

@ibj40 ‘s Man fired from diving job after seen holding protected species

Perhaps @Ministryofgiraffes would like to link their videos so we can get a better idea of the exact transgressions and the offenders.

Have I seen DM’s touch marine life (excluding lionfish)? Yes, but only once in anyway that I would call harassment and not in Cozumel.

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

i'll find the others, but let's start with his one:

 

[wedivebc]

I was on a dive in Coz where one member of our group thought it was appropriate to punch an overly curious nurse shark on the nose. The event was caught on camera and when word got out both the dive guide and the shop were santioned for the actions of a customer. Yes they take it seriously.

 

[PACKRMAN]

I was on a large Dive Paradise boat once with two seperate groups. Someone from the other group decided it would be a good idea to grab a turtle. When I got back on the boat two guides had him tucked up in the front of the boat FIRMLY explaining what a bad idea it was. He didn't do the second dive.

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

i wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of you either to be honest Packrman.... thanks for tolerating me on that last trip

 

[Christi]

Oh that is infuriating! It's clear that the shark was getting agitated and did not LIKE being "petted." I wish the video would have gotten a clear and closer shot of the dive guide and/or the tank yokes - I can't figure out who it was.

This ais absolutley not ok - and this dive guide would be suspended by the marine park at the very least!

 

[caruso]

the divemaster was cupping and juggling a juvenile lionfish .. I laughed at his stupidity, he didnt get a tip, and reported to dive shop..

Lionfish aren't exactly a protected species in fact for any diver so equipped it's shoot on sight to save countless fish from being eaten by this voracious predator with no natural enemies. Who gives a crap if some DM is handling one?

 

[Christi]

I was on a large Dive Paradise boat once with two seperate groups. Someone from the other group decided it would be a good idea to grab a turtle. When I got back on the boat two guides had him tucked up in the front of the boat FIRMLY explaining what a bad idea it was. He didn't do the second dive.

Years ago (maybe 12 - 15), I was on a dive and Pedro found a seahorse. He was pointing it out and our divers were around it taking photos but respecting the bottom and distance from the seahorse. A group from DP came up and we signaled to their guide that there was a seahorse - one of their divers actually barged in pushing through my divers and grabbed the seahorse!!! We were all motioning for them to put it down and NO touching etc. One of the divers (apparently the guy who grabbed the seahorse's buddy) then intentionally kicked me in the face and kicked my mask off.

I went personally to Apple (RIP) and she was of course mortified as well! It was also reported to the marine park and serious action was taken. Apple was able to determine who the divers were based on the dive site we were diving and her DM did the right thing and also reported the incident the following day. I also knew the boat they were on because it was at the surface with my boat. Those divers were prohibited from diving the rest of the trip and their names were sent in a mass e-mail to all dive shops. The marine park imposed a heavy fine, but I don't know if they actually collected it.