Better diving after pandemic?

[Daebado]

So, I know there are a lot of divers who live in Bonaire but still, I can't help wondering if stopping the influx of tourists/divers normally brought in by plane and cruise ship to the island wouldn't allow the reefs to recover a bit and the fish populations to perhaps grow a little.

For those who live there, are there noticeably fewer divers in the water at this time?

I'm sure it would take longer than a few months to make a big impact but is it possible that even this could make a small but noticeable difference for the first groups of divers who arrive once the borders open up again? Just wondering out loud, really (and, I'm booked there at the end of July and am secretly hoping my timing works out just right! ).

Thoughts?

 

[scubadada]

Do you really think a few months of decreased dive pressure is going to make a difference compared to the increased pressure of subsistence fishing by the locals? Many people think in such short time frames.

 

[Esprise Me]

I doubt a few months of reduced diving would make much difference. But the effects of reduced travel and industry could be huge.

 

[RyanT]

I've been thinking about this. On the face of it, it seems likely that the reduction in tourism will be positive in terms of reef health. This includes the reduction in fossil fuel burning from airlines/boats as well as the reduction in the number of divers physically on the reefs. But...I suspect this is going to result in an increase in lion fish populations that are going to have a serious negative effect on our Western Atlantic/Caribbean reefs.

 

[scubadada]

I've been thinking about this. On the face of it, it seems likely that the reduction in tourism will be positive in terms of reef health. This includes the reduction in fossil fuel burning from airlines/boats as well as the reduction in the number of divers physically on the reefs. But...I suspect this is going to result in an increase in lion fish populations that are going to have a serious negative effect on our Western Atlantic/Caribbean reefs.

This may be true. The commonly dived shallower reefs in Boynton, West Palm and Jupiter do not have many lionfish. It will be interesting to see what they look like after the diving prohibition.

 

[tomcatbubba]

Do you really think a few months of decreased dive pressure is going to make a difference compared to the increased pressure of subsistence fishing by the locals? Many people think in such short time frames.

A more polite way to answer...

" I think a few months of decreased dive pressure isn't going to make a difference compared to the increased pressure of subsistence fishing by the locals."

 

[Bigbella]

Sure, heh, heh, the canals of Venezia are now phenomenally clear; but doughnuts or cornetti to dollars -- you'd still get hepatitis and MRSA . . .

 

[scubadada]

A more polite way to answer...

" I think a few months of decreased dive pressure isn't going to make a difference compared to the increased pressure of subsistence fishing by the locals."

Nice PC reply, thanks so much. Of course, you are an instructor, I'm only a diver.

 

[Daebado]

A more polite way to answer...

" I think a few months of decreased dive pressure isn't going to make a difference compared to the increased pressure of subsistence fishing by the locals."

Thank you tomcat for saving me from having to reply myself. I was merely asking a question of the community to instigate discussion, not offering my opinion or, "what I think."

Please, discuss away!

 

[Seaweed Doc]

The biggest potential benefit I could imagine is the loss of snorkellers, especially in Hawaii. Way too many still stand or kick corals. The coral's not going to regrow much in a couple months, but the rate of loss will decline.

In Belize, the cruise ship snorkel trips seem like the worst offenders to me.