Page 13 - AlertDiver_Winter2013
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plastic baggie full of food that some tourist inadvertently
lost from a BC pocket.
Throughout the Caribbean today, divemasters are
attacking the issue of invasive lionfish by spearing
them and then feeding them to sharks or moray
eels on the reef. The logic is that they are teaching
these predators how tasty a lionfish might be, in
the hopes they will begin hunting them unassisted.
While perhaps good sport and an intuitively logical
way to eradicate the destructive lionfish, the sharks
and eels are now associating divers with food, often
approaching more aggressively than before. For me
(as a marine photographer) this creates better photo
opportunities for free-swimming eels and sharks bold
enough to approach close to my dome. But I can also
see where this might be disconcerting to some, and
it’s certainly an unintended consequence. Despite the
opportunistic feeding, there is no evidence to suggest
any of these predators are preying on healthy lionfish.
In my home waters of the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary the intention is to avoid undue
influence by mankind on our natural resources. I think
that’s true of most marine protected areas (MPAs). We
hope to create zones of total protection wherein fish
are free to live naturally, unaffected by the presence of
man. Of course, that’s fantasy; ocean acidification and
global warming inevitably affect the reefs on which
the fish live. But we have to start somewhere and
exert appropriate influence where we can, and that’s
why there are zones of protection for marine life. It is
hoped within these MPAs the marine life can thrive,
go forth and multiply, thereby populating nearby reefs
that might have less restrictive rules of engagement for
humans and fish. Theoretically, diverse user groups are
served in such a scenario.
However, there is an unintended consequence
here, too. Within our MPAs the fish have learned
it is safe to be around divers. Fish like grouper and
snapper that might normally be targeted by hook-
and-line anglers or spearfishing enthusiasts are more
plentiful and definitely view divers with less concern
for their well-being. For this reason it is essential that
we enforce laws against spearfishing and hook-and-
line angling in such areas. We have taught the marine
life to trust us, and the unintended consequence
is that they are now substantially more vulnerable
to poaching. Our good intentions require good
enforcement to prevail.
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What’s New on
AlertDiver.com
The Last Ocean
Dive beneath the frozen sur-
face of the Ross Sea in John
Weller’s “Voices Under the
Ice” (Page 76). Then explore
the world’s final stretch
of untouched open water
through Weller’s lens in his
photo documentary “The Ross
Sea, Antarctica.”
Corridor of Marvels
In the Red Sea, diving variety
is an extreme understate-
ment. Journey there with Alex
Mustard’s European perspective
for the North American diver on
Page 62. Then check out the
abundance of wrecks, reefs, cav-
erns and aquatic life in Mustard’s
bonus photo gallery.
Exorcising
Misconceptions
Once you’ve read the story of
Amos Nachoum’s career as
an explorer and big-animal
photographer on Page 92,
watch his TED talk, “No
Demons of the Sea,” which
strives to dispel the myths
that misrepresent the oceans’
greatest giants.
Historical Preservations
Vessels lost in the chilly waters of
Tobermory, Ontario, are pristine
windows on a world of yesterday.
Immerse yourself in Erica Blake’s
description of this freshwater dive
site (Page 30), and then peruse
more of the striking sights in Andy
Morrison’s bonus gallery.
All this and much more await at
.
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JOHN WELLER
ALEX MUSTARD
AMOS NACHOUM
ANDY MORRISON
