Abuse of marine life by Scuba Schools of America.

[DocVikingo]

http://www.scubaschoolsofamerica.com/

Go to video footage entitled "Angel Sharks of Catalina Island."

If you don't like what you see, SSA's e-mail & phone number are on the home page.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[LSanchez]

I copied this from another message board...

"Playing with angel sharks doesn't hurt the animals in anyway. I read the posts on your board, and you can post this to your board as well. Whether it's chopping up sea urchins to feed the garibaldi, or doing shark feeds, spearfishing, lobster hunting or playing with angel sharks someone always has a beef with something. The guys that have a beef with it need to get over it, or come out and try it. If someone has some major issue with it, have them call me the number's on the web page. Guys, diving is supposed to be fun....we as retailers make it that way. I usually don't respond to bulletin boards because they are generally are made up of a vocal minority of guys that just don't dive, but spend their time on the computer going from their bulletin board to porn. No ass kissing here. Bye.
Warmest Regards,
Rusty Berry, Aquatic Outfitters, Inc.
Scuba Schools of America
Montclair/Woodland Hills"

 

[drbill]

What an arrogant response from Rusty Berry.

First, in response to his claim that those of us these boards don't dive and spend our time in the computer going from bulletin board to porn, I have been diving for 42 years now and do about 300-350 dives per year. I don't have time for porn (but would gladly make time for the "real thing").

Personally, I find the practice of killing marine life (sea urchins) to feed fish (garibaldis) very inappropriate. We should not be interefering with marine food chains any more than we already do.

Although I stopped hunting bugs, abalone and fish nearly 30 years ago, I do not have a problem with people who hunt strictly for their own personal consumption as long as they follow all rules.

I don't need to "play" with angel sharks or any other marine life for my personal pleasure. As a marine biologist, underwater videographer and educator, I will occasionally handle marine life if it meets a need for educational or research reasons. When I do, I try to minimize any stress and respect the organism. However, I would not "play" with any other marine life unless it initiates the play (as I have experienced with sea lions, Napoleon wrasse and other species).

Sounds to me like SSA is an outfit to avoid.

Dr. Bill

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Well, they are the official provider of scuba equipment for Universal Studios...
They must be OK...

(J/K!!!)

 

[kelpmermaid]

What an arrogant response from Rusty Berry.

The worst part is posting it on the shop website. What are new/prospective divers to think?

 

[gj62]

Although I stopped hunting bugs, abalone and fish nearly 30 years ago, I do not have a problem with people who hunt strictly for their own personal consumption as long as they follow all rules.
Dr. Bill

Just curious, is it the same on land? Are you a vegetarian? I'm not trying to pick a fight here - and we've shared ideas on Belize in the past - but I used to commercial dive for urchins in SoCal (which certainly doesn't fall under the personal consumption angle). I also taught there. It was common to open an urchin to attract garibaldis and others to show students. I can tell you that this far and away was so small an impact on the # of urchins as to be non-existent. At one time, it was encouraged to try and help bring back the abalone population.

Ok, so one person's exploitation is another person's pet peeve. I think there's a reasonable middle ground.

I will say that Rusty needs to work on his inter-personal skills. If, in fact, there's supporting evidence that angel sharks don't mind an occasional tug of the tail, then I would state it somewhat more reasonably...

 

[cyklon_300]

has issues...

Hope this cute note helps his business prosper.

 

[archman]

I usually don't respond to bulletin boards because they are generally are made up of a vocal minority of guys that just don't dive, but spend their time on the computer going from their bulletin board to porn. No ass kissing here.

I wonder what his other 16 posts are about...

 

[Kim]

I wonder what his other 16 posts are about...

If I read it correctly LSanchez' post was not his own words - it was pasted from somewhere else - i.e. LSancez isn't Mr Berry! He was just posting what Mr Berry said!

 

[archman]

oh yeah!... sorry.