Compared to marine pollution, over-development of coastal habitats and the resumption of commercial whaling, the shark-feeding debate seems, well, to us at least, esoteric. But the fact that PADI, DEMA, Rodale Inc and other dive industry kingpins have leaped into the fray to do battle against a determined grassroots environmental coalition suggests that there is more to this issue than how divers will interact with marine life in Florida waters.
PADI and others have put their reputations as industry leaders and their credibility as self-proclaimed environmentally responsible corporations on the line to ensure that dive operators continue to profit from marine life encounters that largely depend on altering animal behavior. ﾠIndeed, the results of the Florida decision could have a far-reaching impact on the future direction of the diving industry. ﾠWhat is really at issue is whether diving will become what Reef Relief describes as a “circus side-show” or whether marine life encounters will be defined by the natural ebb and flow of life within marine ecosystems.
Whatever the outcome, divers have already weighed in on this issue. ﾠThroughout the global diving community, divers oppose shark-feeding by an overwhelming five to one margin. ﾠIn our Japan survey, which is limited to “dot jp” email addresses, the margin is seven to one.
Although comments we have received indicate that divers are far less concerned about the specifics of the debate than the desire simply to minimize human impact on the natural balance of marine ecosystems, we thought it would be beneficial to publish the arguments on both sides as well as our comments on the rationale each side uses to support its position.
Read the complete article on the CDNN website.
by CYNTHIA WEATHERLY, CYBER DIVER News Network
http://www.cdnn.info/news/editorial/o000930.html
