While digging through some old emails, I came across one from Eco Dive Center in Culver City, CA. They were recently promoting a fish dissection class, using a "local species." Here is the email they sent:
<<<Subject: Fish Anatomy & Dissection Class this Thursday Night - 40 bucks
Reply-To: scuba@ecodivecenter.com
This evening class on Thursday, July 10 is one of our most popular programs. Participants will get a hands-on opportunity to dissect and discover a local species of fish. The Marine Biologist / Instructor will answer your questions, guide the dissection, and teach you what features are unique to different species and how these impact the fish.
Course Fees and Materials: This program is $40.00 and includes all of the course costs.>>>
Interesting, this is clearly a conflict of interest based on their own mission statement:
Our Credo - What Eco Dive Center stands for.
<<<At Eco Dive Center, our credo is Exploration, Conservation, Education. Appreciation of the natural environment is the foundation of our business. Recreational scuba divers literally immerse themselves in natures largest playground and witness first-hand the beauty and sensitive nature of the ocean. Given our unique position, we feel it is our duty to promote environmental awareness and responsible behavior in our student divers, embrace sustainable business practices, and actively pursue community and global stewardship efforts.
As student divers learn about and witness marine life, they realize its intrinsic value and importance as part of the global ecosystem. Our divers are certified by PADI, the worlds largest recreational scuba organization and founder of A.W.A.R.E., Aquatic World Awareness Restoration and Education, the dive industrys leading nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the aquatic environment. For each student we educate, Eco Dive Center donates to A.W.A.R.E. to support their conservation efforts.
Educational programs offered by Eco Dive Center such as A.W.A.R.E. Diver, National Geographic Diver, Underwater Naturalist, and the new Eco Diver specialty certification are designed to increase awareness of issues threatening aquatic life, develop knowledge and appreciation of marine ecosystems, and stress proper interaction with the underwater environment. We also offer hunters an opportunity to trade in their spear guns for underwater cameras.>>>
Funny how this class is not mentioned in their educational programs, yet they say it is "one of their most popular programs."
Furthermore, there is no evidence to substantiate that dissection is an effective method of teaching; never mind the obvious moral and ethical considerations. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is an excellent resource for humane alternatives: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) - Neal Barnard, M.D., president
Specific article on dissection:
PCRM Online Newsletter >> Dissection Alternatives Victory >> July 2008
Dive shops need to be promoting the concept of being a responsible diver. Killing these animals then hacking them up will only desensitize us. There are other ways to learn about the fish that we love to swim with! Come on, Eco Divers! What an utter disappointment as well as a gross misrepresentation of what you claim to stand for.
<<<Subject: Fish Anatomy & Dissection Class this Thursday Night - 40 bucks
Reply-To: scuba@ecodivecenter.com
This evening class on Thursday, July 10 is one of our most popular programs. Participants will get a hands-on opportunity to dissect and discover a local species of fish. The Marine Biologist / Instructor will answer your questions, guide the dissection, and teach you what features are unique to different species and how these impact the fish.
Course Fees and Materials: This program is $40.00 and includes all of the course costs.>>>
Interesting, this is clearly a conflict of interest based on their own mission statement:
Our Credo - What Eco Dive Center stands for.
<<<At Eco Dive Center, our credo is Exploration, Conservation, Education. Appreciation of the natural environment is the foundation of our business. Recreational scuba divers literally immerse themselves in natures largest playground and witness first-hand the beauty and sensitive nature of the ocean. Given our unique position, we feel it is our duty to promote environmental awareness and responsible behavior in our student divers, embrace sustainable business practices, and actively pursue community and global stewardship efforts.
As student divers learn about and witness marine life, they realize its intrinsic value and importance as part of the global ecosystem. Our divers are certified by PADI, the worlds largest recreational scuba organization and founder of A.W.A.R.E., Aquatic World Awareness Restoration and Education, the dive industrys leading nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the aquatic environment. For each student we educate, Eco Dive Center donates to A.W.A.R.E. to support their conservation efforts.
Educational programs offered by Eco Dive Center such as A.W.A.R.E. Diver, National Geographic Diver, Underwater Naturalist, and the new Eco Diver specialty certification are designed to increase awareness of issues threatening aquatic life, develop knowledge and appreciation of marine ecosystems, and stress proper interaction with the underwater environment. We also offer hunters an opportunity to trade in their spear guns for underwater cameras.>>>
Funny how this class is not mentioned in their educational programs, yet they say it is "one of their most popular programs."
Furthermore, there is no evidence to substantiate that dissection is an effective method of teaching; never mind the obvious moral and ethical considerations. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is an excellent resource for humane alternatives: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) - Neal Barnard, M.D., president
Specific article on dissection:
PCRM Online Newsletter >> Dissection Alternatives Victory >> July 2008
Dive shops need to be promoting the concept of being a responsible diver. Killing these animals then hacking them up will only desensitize us. There are other ways to learn about the fish that we love to swim with! Come on, Eco Divers! What an utter disappointment as well as a gross misrepresentation of what you claim to stand for.
