Here it is everyone, we discuss the whole chain of events and the aftermath with the guy who filmed it:
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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.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.
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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.
It sounds like a good idea, but....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.
The cruise ships still pass by, and the ocean can carry their garbage a long, long way.but many dive destinations are not cruise ports.