Divers Discussion Forum
You can reply to the message below by clicking the reply to this message link. If you have a question or have seen something interesting please please send us a new message. Wade or some of our viewers will reply to your questions.
[ Home | Contents | Search | Post a new message | Reply to this message | Next Message | Previous Message ]
From: WADE DOAK
_: 5
Date: 28-08-10
Time: 12:07
MARINE RESERVES NOTHING NEW Wade Doak
Until the development of high technology: space rockets and satellites and global positioning devices, nature had her very own marine reserves. I have been fortunate in many years of diving to explore remote pinnacles. I have scuba dived on unseen stretches of rugged coastline where bad weather severely limited access -until we developed beach launching by tractor or bulldozer. I have seen virgin country.
I have ogled huge conger eels; masses of green mussels, moki like barn doors; huge old wrasses; herds of hapuku that came to the hand-or foot; squadrons of kingfish, trevally and kahawai; clouds of butterfish; paua like hubcaps huddled lip to lip; caves bristling with crays like giant roaches- I could go on. Will anyone believe me? Will my generation, relegated to liars, be the last to gain such memories? But that comes from a half century under water. And my ogling was not recent. I fondle old photos.
Gradually these natural sanctuaries vanish; all these mother lode breeding colonies that once reinstated the handy areas where we fished often. Abodes of big stud animals that boosted the gene pools. Year by year, these locations become known to fishers with high-speed boats and G.P.S. devices.
The old sanctuaries are almost no more. The seed oaks have been stripped. Ask any old timer if I am right -or not. Yet we have all these disputes about setting aside a few areas for replenishment as if it was asking for an arm or a leg. Marine reserves are a subject of hatred. Well, nobody got upset when we had those remote pinnacles and reefs to refill the cup. No wonder fishing declined with a lurch as the last refuges were discovered and exploited. Marine reserves were old hat to Tangaroa-until the rocket days…
www.wadedoak.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wade-Doak/151318038214160?ref=ts&v=wall
Last changed: 23-Jul-2011