Trash, trash, trash

[Mike Veitch]

Here it is everyone, we discuss the whole chain of events and the aftermath with the guy who filmed it:

 

[billt4sf]

Great video. Worth watching. I learned a few things! Fortunately the person that did the filming knows a few things (more than a few I might say) about currents and trash in the water.

Good job, Mike!

- Bill

 

[billt4sf]

On the subject of "think global, act local" -- saw the following in Dive Sport several months ago and again last week. Maybe one of the customers that knows them could talk to them? I am not a regular customer there.

 

[boulderjohn]

On the subject of "think global, act local" -- saw the following in Dive Sport several months ago and again last week. Maybe one of the customers that knows them could talk to them? I am not a regular customer there.

View attachment 452392

A number of years ago I was in Belize for a week of diving, and on the boat they gave us water in sealed pouches. They looked like little clear pillows. You tore off a corner with your teeth and then drank the contents, leaving a little empty bag that must look like a jellyfish to a turtle as it sinks slowly in the water. Brilliant, I thought, just brilliant. Our entire group was appalled and did out best to control the waste, but I imagine thousands of them must have been tossed into the ocean.

 

[Lorenzoid]

A number of years ago I was in Belize for a week of diving, and on the boat they gave us water in sealed pouches. They looked like little clear pillows. You tore off a corner with your teeth and then drank the contents, leaving a little empty bag that must look like a jellyfish to a turtle as it sinks slowly in the water. Brilliant, I thought, just brilliant. Our entire group was appalled and did out best to control the waste, but I imagine thousands of them must have been tossed into the ocean.

In southeast Asia I noticed that quite a few liquid food products and beverages were packaged like that. At first I thought it was great that they were using less packaging than we in the west do. I mean, it is a smaller volume of plastic than a jug or bottle. Unfortunately, plastic bags have their own issues, as you mention.

 

[pelan-pelan]

Rubbish was worse than usual on our last visit to Manado. But vowing never to go back just isn't the answer. Going on a precious holiday to spend time roasting in the sun collecting trash and catching some disease is also not the answer.
The dive community is the answer.
How about dive centres all over the world having a standard petition that visiting divers sign, it could be in the form of a log, they write down what rubbish was seen on that day and divers sign? In due course it can be scanned/posted to the government body and also internationally to appropriate global bodies. Virtually zero cost, virtually zero time, can be done on liveaboards as well, details of where/when/what might help track the source/identify prevention measures.

In Indonesia there is an interested and active lady in the government whose remit covers this issue - Ibu Suzie.

I am largely ignorant of which global organisations (Greenpeace?) would be appropriate. Mods - what about an Eco-warrior section?
Where names and addresses and emails of appropriate national authorities and government ministers could be posted, suggestions on a design for a log/petition, and reports of unusual trash occurences, or where there is a virtually permanent problem. In some locations, dive centres and liveaboards depend on licensing from the government and may feel that they cannot complain. A Scubaboard-based forum might remove the specifics of dive centre or boat.

And please could we also include recording improvements - knowing what works is just as important.

 

[kelemvor]

Beverages given to kids at public schools in Florida come in such pouches. They're becoming more and more common.

 

[boulderjohn]

Rubbish was worse than usual on our last visit to Manado. But vowing never to go back just isn't the answer. Going on a precious holiday to spend time roasting in the sun collecting trash and catching some disease is also not the answer.
The dive community is the answer.
How about dive centres all over the world having a standard petition that visiting divers sign, it could be in the form of a log, they write down what rubbish was seen on that day and divers sign? In due course it can be scanned/posted to the government body and also internationally to appropriate global bodies. Virtually zero cost, virtually zero time, can be done on liveaboards as well, details of where/when/what might help track the source/identify prevention measures.

In Indonesia there is an interested and active lady in the government whose remit covers this issue - Ibu Suzie.

I am largely ignorant of which global organisations (Greenpeace?) would be appropriate. Mods - what about an Eco-warrior section?
Where names and addresses and emails of appropriate national authorities and government ministers could be posted, suggestions on a design for a log/petition, and reports of unusual trash occurences, or where there is a virtually permanent problem. In some locations, dive centres and liveaboards depend on licensing from the government and may feel that they cannot complain. A Scubaboard-based forum might remove the specifics of dive centre or boat.

And please could we also include recording improvements - knowing what works is just as important.

It sounds like a good idea, but....

When I was in Bali, I saw the trash you see in this thread. Bali's economy depends heavily upon tourism, and dive tourism is part of that. I have been told, though, that most of the trash in the waters of Bali is coming from somewhere else, notably Java--which does not have as much dive tourism.

I don't think the horrible trash on Komodo is coming from Komodo.

The last time I was in Akumal, Mexico, Akumal Bay was flooded with trash. The workers worked all day to clear the beaches, and there were big piles of what they had pulled off the beach inland, waiting to be taken away. Most of it was pretty obviously coming from cruise ships. A friend of mine went on a cruise once, and had trouble sleeping at night. She went out for a walk at 3:00 AM, and when she did she was able to watch the ship's crew dumping trash into the ocean.​

 

[pelan-pelan]

Absolutely the point Boulderjohn. You are right about the buts, but my "but" is that the dive community has reached a saturation point that demands action. This isn't a one-off incident. You've got to start somewhere.

This is what could be achieved. Divers notice what sort of trash it is. Cruise ship trash, trash obviously with another language or script, are easy to spot without having to get hold of it. You say the trash in Komodo isn't coming from Komodo - that makes some sense, so what was it? Dumped at sea? Carried on the tide? Who knows but comments like that, albeit unsubstantiated, can help make a start. My vision was trash with chinese characters on it, and I don't believe that washed out of an Indonesian village.

How will Ibu Suzie react if she discovers her marine parks which are pivotal to the tourism industry are being polluted by cruise ships, just passing by? Yes, there is a conflict if the cruise ships are providing the tourism, but many dive destinations are not cruise ports.

 

[boulderjohn]

but many dive destinations are not cruise ports.

The cruise ships still pass by, and the ocean can carry their garbage a long, long way.