Posted by Steve on October 28, 2002 at 13:15:57:
In Reply to: Re: MLPA Closures. posted by Ken Kurtis on October 28, 2002 at 12:41:50:
"How about this: Your suggestion of total closure lacks any logical basis."
The logic is that the ecosystem would recover faster and all the surrounding areas would benefit more without any disruption of anchors being dropped and divers kicking up the bottom causing damage and silt. In addition divers scare away many species who may be in the breeding mood and who may choose to take up residence there if it is quiet.
"There's absolutely NO evidence - scientific or anecdotal- to support the idea
that rubbernecking is disruptive,"
Use a little common sense. There isn't any evidence that dropping 30 divers rubberneckings on a site is helpful either.
"That's why your thought makes no sense, other than to "punish" the divers the same way the fisherman feel they're being punished."
"Punish". My suggestion isn't to punish divers but to HELP the ecosystem! There's a big ocean out there to explore. I'm worried that these areas set aside will probably get hammered by rubbernecking divers and the areas won't produce the maximum result and benefit. It this doesn't seem fair at all to the fishermen who are making a sacrafice. YMMV