This section will cover some of our personal views on conservation and our efforts in this area. In addition we hope to add links to other sites focused on marine conservation. To be included will be links to petitions and political bodies in hopes of furthering worthy conservation causes.

Our General World View

(regarding ocean conservation)

We believe that the world’s oceans are under stress and its creatures populations are, in general, decreasing. This is based on direct observation over 30yrs underwater, personal study and involvement in conservation efforts. We believe as divers we have a unique responsibility to protect that which gives us so much joy.

Sport and commercial fishing operations can be responsibly maintained for generations to come. I (Martin) put myself through college by working in the salmon processing plants of Dillingham, Alaska. Due to environmental conditions and the fishing industries increasing technological efficiencies many fish populations are on the brink of disaster. To insure the survival of a sustainable, long term fishing industry draconian steps must be taken. The painful reality is many will lose jobs today so a few can continue to work in the future. We can no longer treat wild fish species like livestock that we breed. Action must be taken NOW to give stocks a chance to replenish.

If divers want to effect change in the sport and commercial fishing arenas we must first have our own house in order. The leap we will make applies to a small sub community, that we admit, in the big picture has a miniscule effect on the ocean and its creatures. Diving photographers should be held to a higher standard. Diving photographers should lead in preserving those creatures, environments that we go to so much effort and expense to capture in stills and video.

Our Guidelines to Nature Photography

1. Always try to minimize our impact on the subject.
2. We will not move, handle, coax or prod any animal to capture a “better” image.
3. We will not move, handle or disturb any coral or other structure to get a “better” image of a subject.
4. We will be very conscious of our buoyancy in an attempt to avoid coming in contact with the reef or bottom.
5. Only one finger on the reef (dead section) to capture a image.* If this is not possible than we will forgo the image.
6. If we see a fellow diver harming the reef or its creatures intentionally or by accident we will no longer keep silent. We will try, with as much tact as possible, to raise the subject of protecting that which we have all come to SEE!
7. We will let guides know that we do not look for them to manipulate in any way the creatures and settings we have come to capture in pixels.

Goals for this Site

1. To simply share our fascination with the world’s seas and their incredible inhabitants.
2. In some small way, to convey that these environments are some of the most important on the planet that need to be cherished and protected.
3. Provide articles, personally commentary and links regarding conservation efforts regarding the world’s oceans and its creatures.
4. Lobby to have training agencies and the dive photography community adopt some clear and succinct guidelines/principles to help minimize our impact on the creatures and settings we are documenting.

Links

The Imaging Foundation

http://www.imagingfoundation.org

One issue they are trying to focus on is the protection of Cocos and Malpelo Islands, Costa Rica. These are World Heritage sites that have 24mile no fishing zones in place. The problem is getting the Costa Rican government to enforce it. A big issue is the influx of money from Taiwan, legal and illegally, to keep the shark fining industry going.

The Seattle Aquarium

http://www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=183&srcid=-2

Like many I (Martin) had mixed views about Aquariums and Zoos. Now as a volunteer diver for the Aquarium I am convinced they provide a crucial roll in getting people emotional connected to the seas and their inhabitants. In addition there is a great deal of valuable research done by the committed staff.

*This is the "Cocos/Galapagos Clause" there are areas where dead rock or rock with barnacles on it can be grabbed, sat on, etc., with minimal impact.