Ocean Futures is a new grassroots, international advocacy group acting on behalf of the sea. Its purpose is to ensure that the ocean survives for future generations. It was started by the diving industry (DEMA) out of concern for the marine environment. Recreational users are the target audience. Divers and snorkellers are the nucleus.
The marine ecosystem is in serious decline. The problems have nothing to do with diving. The threats to the ocean's health range from over-fishing, to pollution, to destruction of habitat, including coral reefs.
As a specific example, current scientific opinion is that 10% of the world's coral reefs are dead. The causes are varied, but include destructive fishing with cyanide and dynamite, smothering by algae and silt; mining of coral; export of "live rock" for the aquarium trade, and a rapid increase of the "bleaching" phenomenon, believed to result from global warming.
At the present rate of destruction, 1/3 of the world's coral reefs may be gone within 20 years; perhaps; 2/3 destroyed within 35 years. This is according to the Joint Commission of Scientific Experts of the United Nations and other respected authorities. In many places around the world, reefs are now significantly worse than they were 10-20 years ago.
Of course the dive industry has been concerned about the environment and the coral reefs. But what have we been saying? It might be summarized as follows: Divers should minimize damage. Get our buoyancy neutral. Resorts should install permanent moorings. Let's do regular trash cleanups. Ships and bits of concrete make good artificial reefs.
First, let's look at the positive aspects of these efforts.
They will reduce some very localized damage. They teach us to be concerned
for the marine environment, give us an activity and makes us feel good.
But the unintentional message is that divers are a significant cause of
damage. 39% of divers now believe themselves to be a major cause of the
damage to coral reefs. The problem is that it's not true. Scientific experts
estimate that divers might account for 1% of the damage. In several locations,
our message about reducing damage is causing divers to be the scapegoat
for the real culprits.
To put this in perspective, we have to ask just one question. Suppose we perfected these programs tomorrow-no diver would ever touch or kick a piece of coral and no dive boat would ever drop an anchor. Would it make a difference? Sadly, the forecast of declining coral reefs and disappearing marine life remains the same. In fact, if no one ever went scuba diving again, the state of the reefs and the marine ecosystem would continue to deteriorate at the same pace. So, diving is NOT the cause of the problem.
The question is "What role can divers play in the health of the oceans?" Today there are many millions of divers and snorkellers. The opportunity to make a difference comes from the simple fact that divers care about the sea. We connect with it. It takes considerable work to explain "a marine ecosystem" to non-diving members of the public. Divers and snorkellers, on the other hand, know instantly what we mean. Divers and snorkellers will be the nucleus of Ocean Futures. It will embrace other recreational users of the sea such as boaters, sea kayakers and sportsfishermen.
Examples of Ocean Futures programs are:
"Ocean Ambassadors" program. Educational kits are being created
that divers can use to give talks to schools and civic groups about the
ocean ecosystem. The first one, "Coral Reefsp;the vanishing rainbow"
is complete. It includes slides, lecture notes, and handouts. This is a
powerful way to allow divers to leverage their numbers and change public
understanding. Contact Ocean Futures at the numbers below, if you would
like to join the effort.
A sewage monitoring program is being developed that divers can use wherever they travel. Divers will survey local waste treatment by means of a simple form to the hotel or resort manager. Ocean Futures will publish the results. We believe that divers will go to places that invest in proper facilities. One third of the world's population does not have any sewage treatment. This has a direct effect on coral reefs and the marine environment. Since diving tourism is critical to many nations, this could create a powerful economic incentive for wastewater treatment. This will be available by January 1997.
"OCEANS 2000" is a leadership group. The goal is to enlist 2,000 individuals by the year 2000 who each pledge to contribute $2,000. (Pledge may be spread until the year 2000.) Besides raising $4 Million, this group of individuals including prominent people in diving, government, entertainment can be a powerful network for marine issues.
Other projects, in the works, include:
A public information program on the complex problem of over-fishing is being
put together. It may involve a seafood boycott targeted on particular items.
Over-fishing is not a diving issue. It is however, a way that divers can
communicate on behalf of the sea. The loss of the "big animals"
also is going to diminish many aspects of diving.
A program to reduce the cyanide fishing in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. One third of the reefs are now threatened by a practice where this poison is used to stun fish for the home aquarium trade and the "live fish" restaurants popular in the Far East. Hundreds of tons of cyanide are dumped on reefs annually. The devastation of nontarget fish and the coral reef environment is awesome.
We live in a world of immediate and self interest governance. There are lobbyists and interest groups for many causes, diseases, issues and industries. Unfortunately, the ocean is largely without a constituency. The general public may not understand the sea. To most the oceans are hostile and lifeless. For many, sharks are still "predators to be killed." (The fact is many shark populations are now seriously threatened.)
Ocean Futures is a network of individuals and businesses with the goal of reversing the destruction of the marine ecosystem. If you would like more information, write to Ocean Futures, 2050 S. Santa Cruz Street, Suite 1000, Anaheim, CA 92807. Phone 714-456-0790 or FAX 714-456-0791.