[Coral-List] NGOs, Corals and Dive Industry
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Sat Nov 23 11:33:42 EST 2013
Dear Gene,
This thread which your remarks helped to prolong is not so much an
indictment of DEMA as it is a call
for the organization that speaks for the diving industry to re-evaluate it's
platform and approach to the broad
array of issues affecting coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. It is
understandable that representatives
of this industry's international marketing organization would focus on
promoting and growing successful
consumer-oriented businesses. But part of their mandate is to represent all
of their constituent groups and
that includes a growing number of divers and diving-related businesses who
value and prioritize conservation and
sustainability. DEMA's mission statement is quite clear in describing it's
central objective:To promote sustainable
growth in safe recreational diving and snorkeling while protecting the
underwater environment. We don't want
equipment manufacturers, resorts and dive shops to be concerned about
"looking green". We want them to explore
new ways of ensuring sustainable growth for both their business models and
the marine ecosystems on which
their enterprises depend. These goals are not mutually exclusive and many
believe they deserve more equitable
and balanced consideration. I would go as far as to suggest that of DEMA's
five main goals the one that claims
it is among their objectives "to conserve and protect natural aquatic
resources" has been consigned to a position
of relative obscurity. I would further assert that until we become more
conscientious stewards of the blue by restoring
the ocean's rightful position at the table, it will be with considerable
irony that the desirable and appropriate
aspirations relating to business success will prove increasingly difficult
for members of our industry to attain.
Warm regards,
Steve
No Coral, No Ecosystem, No Dive Industry
-----Original Message-----
>From: Eugene Shinn
>Sent: Nov 22, 2013 12:57 PM
>To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
>Subject: [Coral-List] NGOs, Corals and Dive Industry
>
>I am a little surprise that this anti DEMA thread has lasted this long.
>Does not DEMA represent the diving equipment manufacturers? Is selling
>more equipment in their best interests? Is it not likely that this bill
>everyone is citing might lead to closing more areas to diving? And,
>might this action lead to less equipment sales? I suspect most of you
>have heard that part of the reef problem (other than the usual suspects)
>is divers 1) touching coral, 2) divers urinating, 3) sunscreen causing
>bleaching, 4) divers turning over corals in search of lobster etc. etc.
>Those could be cited as reasons to close diving in certain areas. One
>can envision the leaders of these companies sitting around pondering how
>to look green and at the same time keep selling the latest model
>regulators etc. Just be careful about what you wish for. You just might
>eventually be hearing something like, "If you like your old dive
>equipment you can keep it." Gene
>
>--
>
>
>No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
>------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
>E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
>University of South Florida
>College of Marine Science Room 221A
>140 Seventh Avenue South
>St. Petersburg, FL 33701
>
>Tel 727 553-1158
>---------------------------------- -----------------------------------
>
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