Wildlife Protection Around "Non-Sanctuary" Dive Sites

[xyrandomyx]

As one who worked for and strongly supported marine protected areas (MPAs) here in the state of California, I would actually have to disagree somewhat. I think divers should do what they can to educate those who would take from such sites but I think the way to go about this is to get effective networks of MPAs established in your area. We treated the Casino Point Dive Park as a de facto MPA for decades (I actually thought it was initially). Fortunately city ordinance prevents spearfishing in city waters and the boundary line around the park prevents fishing at least from boats. Fishing from the breakwater on the park's shore was legal, but we could ask people to stop due to the safety issue of possibly hooking divers.

Work to create an effective network of MPAs wherever you are. I would love to see about 30% of our ocean shoreline so protected, both to preserve sanctuaries where fish and inverts can survive and to better ensure spillover into adjacent areas where those who take can also benefit.

An MPA seems the best approach to me. One of the stated goal of South Africa's MPAs is the 'the reduction of user-conflict' -- clearly something to aim for in this case too.

 

[lionfish-eater]

One thing is clear, The octopus that was taken has now become a martyr, whose sacrificed life has become an impetus for change. It deserves recognition as such. We should stop referring to it as "the octopus" and give it a name worthy of it's significance. I suggest we start calling it Bob Dylan.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Thousands of divers crave a form of experience, that this kid was happy to attempt to "rob" them of. At least then....Maybe now, not so much, or maybe even more so---how can we have any idea?

Dan, I appreciate your supportive posts on this subject, but I would like to ask everyone to avoid hot button terms so as to keep this conversation at a respectful level. It got out of hand in the other thread because some people want to portray things in a more severe light than the reality warranted.

Dylan didn't try to "rob" anything. He legally hunted an octopus. Let's start from that assumption. His motives for doing so may be questioned, but the legality of what he did cannot.

Personally, knowing what I know now, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he simply didn't know any better. If that's the case, we can move forward. Dylan can (and will) be welcomed back into the community, and the noteriety of this event will inevitably open opportunities in terms of training, public relations, and offers of mentorship from experienced hunters that he would not have received otherwise. I know this to be the case ... I and others directly involved have been working behind the scenes to try to make it possible.

I would welcome a chance to meet with this kid, offer an apology in person for my part in putting him through all of this, and doing what I can to include him in the greater community. I don't know what it's like in other parts of the country, but around here we're all divers first ... and when the sh!t hits the fan we tend to protect our own. The threats and crap haven't been coming from the Puget Sound area ... they've been coming from a bunch of Internet warriors elsewhere who enjoy puffing up their ego from behind the safety of a keyboard.

This kid is one of us. We take care of our own.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[danvolker]

An actual "plus" side of the spearos getting some designated hunting preserves, would be the opportunity these would present for experimenting with how much of a species population can be harvested, before the collapse of the species in the area becomes problematic. They could advance the science of marine fisheries and underwater hunting, and do so with 100% support by the entire diving community ( minus the extremist vegan activists that have not really been playing in this thread anyway

---------- Post Merged at 11:49 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:42 AM ----------

Dan, I appreciate your supportive posts on this subject, but I would like to ask everyone to avoid hot button terms so as to keep this conversation at a respectful level. It got out of hand in the other thread because some people want to portray things in a more severe light than the reality warranted.

Dylan didn't try to "rob" anything. He legally hunted an octopus. Let's start from that assumption. His motives for doing so may be questioned, but the legality of what he did cannot.

Personally, knowing what I know now, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he simply didn't know any better. If that's the case, we can move forward. Dylan can (and will) be welcomed back into the community, and the noteriety of this event will inevitably open opportunities in terms of training, public relations, and offers of mentorship from experienced hunters that he would not have received otherwise. I know this to be the case ... I and others directly involved have been working behind the scenes to try to make it possible.

I would welcome a chance to meet with this kid, offer an apology in person for my part in putting him through all of this, and doing what I can to include him in the greater community. I don't know what it's like in other parts of the country, but around here we're all divers first ... and when the sh!t hits the fan we tend to protect our own. The threats and crap haven't been coming from the Puget Sound area ... they've been coming from a bunch of Internet warriors elsewhere who enjoy puffing up their ego from behind the safety of a keyboard.

This kid is one of us. We take care of our own.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Sorry, I can see that my use of the word "rob" could be polarizing and offensive..... This was not my intent though....I was seeing that many in the hunting camp, just had no idea why so many non-hunters were upset about a legal activity..... I really don't think they "get" the whole idea of thousands of divers traveling to a place like the Cove, in order to see "a specific animal" like this octopus. I don't think they "get" that when one diver decides it does not matter that thousands of others will want to see this one animal, that the killing of this animal will be perceived as "removing it against the will of the thousands. Maybe "robbing" is the wrong word....but we do have to convey the problem is not the taking of an octopus in general....it is only the taking of an octopus where thousands of divers will be going to this one place, to see this specific animal.

I will try to use less hurtful language from now on....

 

[JKPAO]

Has anyone been back out to this cove den to see if another "rare or elusive"
Octo has moved into the area?
See you topside! John

 

[DaleC]

Whether a GPO has moved into the vacant den is a matter of chance. It's not like there is a parking lot full of them idling in wait for a place to live. At a very popular marine park site in my area, at last count there were two-three GPO's noted. One I observed in a den, one in the open, and one reported in another den that I did not see when I looked (the one in the open may have been the same one). In this marine park there are a number of actual den sites known and many more potential ones also known and when diving there, we look to see if anyone's home. Sometimes they are occupied for a number of months and other times they lay vacant for months. Sometimes what looks like a perfect den never is occupied.

They are not rare but siting them is not so common either. This is partly due to their shyness and their ability to blend into the environment. Siting one is one of the few common things local divers will communicate to other divers in the parking lot or in social conversation.

GPO's interest divers because they can be very large, yet very shy, and they are very intelligent. When you are observing them you get the sense they are observing you as well. The maternal instincts of GPO's also appeals to most divers due to their dedication and sacrifice. No matter whether one enjoys eating them or not, most feel a sense of respect for a thinking, intelligent creature that will forgo food for upwards of six months so they can meticulously care for and defend their eggs; and, when their death from starvation is imminent, their last maternal act is to crawl out of the den so their carcass will not foul the site and attract predators.

The only things that would make local divers happier than seeing a large GPO (in the open preferably) would be to find a den site for Wolf Eels or spotting a sixgill shark. Observing GPO's to us are somewhat equated to turtles, dolphins or whale sharks for others.

 

[JKPAO]

Thanks for the info! ^
See you topside! John