Trip Report Coz. 09.28.09 -10.03.09

[billindenver]

Your dive profile says you have 0 - 24 dives, and you stated you dove to 137'. I didn't think it was common for relatively new divers to go this deep. Petting and "playing" with the wildlife? I'm far from being a PETA fanatic, but whatever happened to "touch nothing and leave only bubbles"? If this trip report is true, I know a dive shop that will never earn my business. Thanks for posting.

As in all sports in life, not all participants are created equal. As long as he and his dive op felt he was up to doing 137', I see no reason to question it. As for the wildlife, I imagine he saw pictures of divers handling wildlife in his PADI certification book and thought that was the norm. Rather than being critical, I would rather be the helpful diver that nicely explains the Cozumel Marine Parks unique rules. Afterall, the certification agency that introduces people to diving seems to think that handling underwater creatures is just fine. As a new diver he may never have heard the phrase "touch nothing and leave only bubbles". Something like this perhaps:

Dear New Diver,

Welcome to scubaboard and thanks for taking the time to give us a review of your recent trip. You may not know this, but Cozumel is a National Marine Park area and within those bounds they require divers to not touch or in any way stress out the life forms, rocks or particles of sand found under or around the water. I'm sure you were very respectful in your handling of the creatures but still, it is not allowed. See you in the boat and welcome again!​

 

[LoveOceanicGears]

petting the octopuss, playing with a puffer, huge stone crabs, squid....

Did DM see you playing with sea life and said nothing? I was at Cozumel in August and while diving, my daughter handed me a small sea shell. DM saw it and signaled me to throw it away. However, when I asked on boat, he did give me permission for my daughter to hold a counch, let me take a picture then put it back.

And on another trip, he warned a teenager NOT to feed fishes while diving.

I agree night diving at Cozumel is fantastic! My only regret is I only did it once, and did not bring camera with me. Your report brings back nice memory and I can't wait to go back next year!

 

[firstdive2005]

Thanks for taking the time to give your report. I guess you now know that the Coz park rules tell us not to touch or disturb the marinelife. Your bad dont do it again. Most everyone does it once, then tells everyone on the board and bang your bad for that thread. lol. It's hard not to touch an octopus when the dm picks it up especially when one doesnt know that it's forbidden fruit. But I hope you post pics that you took with your dc. I have one too. I just picked up a topdawg vid set so I get to use that right away down there. O by the way I have heard that playing with the puffers to make them blow up is very stressful on the creature. Not trying rag on ya just some info. seeya kev

 

[MMM]

MMM, check for a message to clarify your concerns-- thanks for pointing that out. I believe the DM's have nothing to comment on.

Thanks for your note and clarification that "playing" didn't mean "touching" in that instance...and your acknowledgement that touching the octopus was an error. I know it is exciting to see them and sometimes you can just get carried away.

You indicated you weren't sure if DM saw you or not. I sincerely hope he didn't.

Glad you had a good time. Ya'll come back now, y'hear? Eh?

 

[blue steal]

I have seen too many divers who chase after fish or snakes, silt up the bottom with their fins, poke this or that and it really gets me mad.
I try to not disturb any of the marine life while diving, but sometimes I see a conch upside down or a starfish knocked off its rock by the surge and I will right it or place it back in place. Breaking the "touching rule", yes, maybe upsetting the balance :yinyang:
I don't know..........

 

[firstdive2005]

I have seen too many divers who chase after fish or snakes, silt up the bottom with their fins, poke this or that and it really gets me mad.
I try to not disturb any of the marine life while diving, but sometimes I see a conch upside down or a starfish knocked off its rock by the surge and I will right it or place it back in place. Breaking the "touching rule", yes, maybe upsetting the balance :yinyang:
I don't know..........

Geez man- I hope you dont take the tags off your pillows or mattresses now that would be evil.

 

[billindenver]

I have seen too many divers who chase after fish or snakes, silt up the bottom with their fins, poke this or that and it really gets me mad.
I try to not disturb any of the marine life while diving, but sometimes I see a conch upside down or a starfish knocked off its rock by the surge and I will right it or place it back in place. Breaking the "touching rule", yes, maybe upsetting the balance :yinyang:
I don't know..........

Hang Him!

How dare you? How could you? I'm so upset...I need to lie down. Oh...the...humanity!

 

[mstevens]

the certification agency that introduces people to diving

Well an agency, anyway. There are lots of divers the world over who don't have any PADI certifications and who've never opened a PADI book.

I, for one, never realized handling wildlife was depicted in PADI manuals.

It's hard to disagree with your main point, that new divers in general may not realize handling the critters isn't "done" and that anyone unfamiliar with Cozumel may not understand the unique situation and rules with the marine park. Your "blurb" seems as if it would be very appropriate to use from time to time.