Basic HTML Version
ited by divers, and the destructive
invaders are entrenched all across
the island’s reefs.
Sergio Tritto, an innovative
Roatan dive professional, had an
idea for a more effective coun-
terattack. For weeks he had been
spearing and killing the lionfish that
appeared in the area where he con-
ducted shark-feeding dives. When
it occurred to him the sharks might
be interested in his kills, he experi-
mented by releasing the dead ani-
mals in the open water, retreating
and watching. To his delight — and
surprise — his predatory friends
gobbled up the prey, toxic spines
and all. With that, he expanded the
experiment by just wounding the
prey and releasing it alive. He
hardly had time to move aside
before the sharks swooped in to
take the struggling creatures.
The sharks very quickly learned
to associate lionfish-hunting divers
with a free meal. Within weeks of
initiating this remarkable part-
nership, the combined efforts of
divemasters and their finned allies
had made Tritto’s reef area virtu-
ally free of lionfish. But Tritto’s
goal is much more ambitious: He
hopes to teach sharks to prey upon
healthy lionfish. “[The sharks] can
help us keep this animal under
control,” he says. And help is cer-
tainly needed. Tritto continues,
“We believe the very survival of
the ecosystem in the Caribbean
depends on our capacity to control
the lionfish.” Although it is too
early to know whether Tritto’s
dream will be realized, it is encour-
aging to see divers fighting for the
marine environment and seeking
creative solutions to the challenges
the reefs face.
— Stan Waterman
(Continued on Page 21.)
www.alertdiver.com
|
19
*per person, plus fees, some restrictions apply
+1-800-932-6237
www.dancer eet.com
+1-800-348-2628
www.aggressor.com
•
A
•
B
•
B
•
•
C I
•
C I
•
•
D
R
•
F
•
G
•
•
H
•
K
•
M
•
•
P
•
P N G
•
•
T
& C
•
U , H
•
Inclusive Vacations Starting at $1,695
*
World Wide
LiveAboard
Diving
Adventures
We Do
all...
better
What is “
it
?”
It is
everything:
airline ticketing, hotel
reservations, onboard dining, relaxing, diving, snorkeling,
instructing and add-on touring! Aggressor Fleet and Dancer
Fleet LiveAboard yachts offer affordable adventures for divers
seeking extreme frontiers and pampered getaways.
Our agents can plan your ultimate dive vacation.
Come aboard and discover
it
yourself!
A
F
•
D
F
New Bahamas Yacht!
Aggressor Fleet and Dancer Fleet are Proud to Partner with these Outstanding Companies:
Second Qtr 2012 Alert Diver AF DF.indd 1
2/17/12 3:37 PM