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Local media has tired of us that rattle chains locally-however if they hear distant chains the interest may return.
While one company may stand out it is not alone. 90% of all interactions here are initiated by humans. Just because a manatee is swimming towards a person does not mean it wants contact-it may just be swimming away from the next person over. Passive observation is the mantra. Stop the habituation by feeding, watering, and petting. Don't hang ropes off boats to attract manatees to the boat (bad idea). Keep wildlife wild.
Local media has tired of us that rattle chains locally-however if they hear distant chains the interest may return.
Ding, ding, ding. Exactly, some foreigner (Almity) calls in and speaks of the abuse and the headline is "Manatee abuse here in the Bay area is so bad it is reaching people on the other side of the world". Next at five, "Is this affecting our tourism and what should be done....".
Ding, ding, ding. Exactly, some foreigner (Almity) calls in and speaks of the abuse and the headline is "Manatee abuse here in the Bay area is so bad it is reaching people on the other side of the world". Next at five, "Is this affecting our tourism and what should be done....".
8 On Your Side
Channel 8 News Investigations
813-221-5779 or 1 800 348-9352 Ext. 5779
Steve Andrews / Gordon Dempsey
The site would not come up so here are the addies to them
Great idea if everyone who reads this sends a e-mail or calls they will know there are alot of people concerned about the manatee and what American Pro is doing.
Great Idea or :mobilephone2: Enough calls will do the trick either that or they will just get tired of so many calls that they go and check it out just to shut us up.
Last edited by speargirl; February 22nd, 2008 at 03:09 PM.
This may be the most important thread go on scubaboard right now. It highlights what an informal group of people can begin to accomplish. I will be interested to see how this plays out. I know today I will be making phone calls and participate in what has already started.
Way to go to everyone who has highlighted this abuse. I plan on forwarding links to this thread to as many non-divers as I can, especially those who will some day want to snorkel and swim with manatees.
Great idea if everyone who reads this sends a e-mail or calls they will know there are alot of people concerned about the manatee and what American Pro is doing.
Great Idea or :mobilephone2: Enough calls will do the trick either that or they will just get tired of so many calls that they go and check it out just to shut us up.
Almity, I would give a call to those other two ladies as well. I will be calling this afternoon. BTW, Almity you make a fantastic looking foreigner
BTW, did anyone notice that one poor manatee had already been hit by a boat?
8 On Your Side
Channel 8 News Investigations
813-221-5779 or 1 800 348-9352 Ext. 5779
Steve Andrews / Gordon Dempsey
The site would not come up so here are the addies to them
Great idea if everyone who reads this sends a e-mail or calls they will know there are alot of people concerned about the manatee and what American Pro is doing.
Great Idea or :mobilephone2: Enough calls will do the trick either that or they will just get tired of so many calls that they go and check it out just to shut us up.
Just called and left a message for Steve. Informed him I'll be OOC for a week but will be glad to talk to him when I get back.
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AMPRO doesn't have the market cornered when it comes to unethical behavior. I have heard operators from Bird's, Manatee Tour and Dive, Aquamarine Images, and Sunshine River Tours all instruct swimmers to pet manatees. Everybody loves manatees, but nobody respects them.
Personally, I think that's pretty damn hypocritical.
As far as FWCC law enforcement is concerned, there is no "significant" problem. While they won't come out and say it, my conversations with the local FWCC hierarchy leads me to believe that unless an act results in direct mortality, it is not "significant". Both FWCC and USFWS have made it clear that the guidelines are voluntary. They will strictly enforce the letter of the law, but no more. Unfortunate, because the FWCC Guidelines are very good, while the actual law is very broad.
When I get a chance, I'll post my e-mail correspondence with Capt. Burton from FWCC.
Also there is a lot of good background information at ManateeProtection.com For a list of operators who have agreed to abide by the guidelines, check CEOs for Wild Manatees
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Originally Posted by almitywife
or :mobilephone2: Enough calls will do the trick either that or they will just get tired of so many calls that they go and check it out just to shut us up.
