Whalesharks in Cenderawasih Bay

[Madacub]

I was there a couple of years ago and FWIW, I'm going to jump in here! (Ducking...)

1. Fantastic video, Mike. Really. Would you please provide some more details about your D90? ie lens, fisheye etc.....

2. If this is going to be just a thread about the video and nothing else, I don't see the likelihood of any comments other than "Great video, great video". And your own paragraph may have been out of place too.

3. I really don't see the problem with the comments so far - they seem to be articulate, pertinent and polite. (Except #7, not sure if there is sarcasm intended or not... ). Nothing wrong with a great video starting a thread that includes a very pertinent discussion on the issue; the issue itself is not cut and dried. Just my opinion....

4. Of course, in the end, it is your thread, but is that all you intend for it - "Great video, great video"?

Best regards.

 

[decimal86]

I was there a couple of years ago and FWIW, I'm going to jump in here! (Ducking...)

1. Fantastic video, Mike. Really. Would you please provide some more details about your D90? ie lens, fisheye etc.....

2. If this is going to be just a thread about the video and nothing else, I don't see the likelihood of any comments other than "Great video, great video". And your own paragraph may have been out of place too.

3. I really don't see the problem with the comments so far - they seem to be articulate, pertinent and polite. (Except #7, not sure if there is sarcasm intended or not... ). Nothing wrong with a great video starting a thread that includes a very pertinent discussion on the issue; the issue itself is not cut and dried. Just my opinion....

4. Of course, in the end, it is your thread, but is that all you intend for it - "Great video, great video"?

Best regards.

i totally agree. the comments were made with reference to the video ? i think the posts were an attempt to engage in discussion ?

 

[andyfish]

To those of you that think this is the wrong place to question Mike about his promotional video and the general behaviour of people at Cenderwasih- it is exactly the correct place.

Anyone choosing to promote questionable activities on SB be it poking pygmies to get photos or feeding whalesharks to get good videos should be prepared to justify their activities especially if they earn a living from it.

Scubaboard is a great forum and as users of it we should be able to give our points of view and expect minimum standards from other divers such as not harming the enviroment and marine life (as far as possible).
Professionals should take responsability for their actions and act as role models to other less informed divers.

If somebody posted a video of riding a turtle do you feel it would only be fair to comment on the lighting and which kind of lense was used ? Or should we stand up and ask for better behavior, even if it is a nice quality video ?

In this example with a turtle it would be far worse if the video was a promotional one encouraging customers to do the same thing with the person responsible- as is the case with Mikes video.

Zippsy @ number 7 The depth and complexity of your argument are note worthy. I notice from your tag line that you work for a company that supports feeding whalesharks at Cenderawasih ?

 

[Will Rogers]

Always hate to wade into these sort of things (so to speak), but hard to disagree with Andyfish's observations.

Also hard to deny that there is a bit of promotion, however subtle or not so, associated with the posting of the video. "This could be you!"

If you're going to promote (yourself or someone else), you should be prepared to receive critical feedback.

Just my $.02.

Will

 

[gee13]

If this thread is about comment about the video - then we should be able to coment on the video and its 'content'. And I would like to be very objective about my feelings when I watch this video, but the content contains whaleshark feeding by humans. And that content is controversial, with all due respect to Mike's job and his passion for videography/ photography and his positive contributions here on SB and the world of UW photography.

Regardless of the environmental considerations that Ahe observed within this current industry - the end of the day its still and industry which in my opinion poses a risk to Whale Shark health and particularly its natural behaviour irrespective of the regulations. Is it just me or witnessing those sharks straining for portions of shrimp on the surface just a little unsettling to see, despite how well the video was shot and produced? What happened to their innate patterns of migration, and of filter feeding areas rich in plankton? As marine enthusiasts we should be all supporting whalesharks freedom and not dependence on tourism dollars.