105 replies to this topic

[Capn Jack]

Add me to the notify list - can't see that far out - but love Bonaire - and they're allowing hunting now... yum

They didn't allow lionfish hunting by divers this past March. We were told you had to pass a class taught by the Stinapa park before you could do so. Can you post a link to whatever you read that says visiting divers can hunt/kill lionfish in Bonaire? (The change in rules is desperately needed down there!!)

I connected with Annie Olszewski - the creator of the PADI Lionfish Awareness and Elimination course. Here's her response. My plan is to get with STINAPA and her and get on the list of approved armed DMs. For the rest, I think we need to coordinate with the resort we're using, and spend the first day diving with Annie to get the certification.... yum yum yum.

From Annie's email:
The PADI Lionfish Awareness and Elimination course is only available at Bonaire Dive and adventure; it is a 2 half day, or full day (depending on schedule availability) course which includes classroom time and two open water dives. The cost of the course includes the LFAE manual, c-card, spear rental, instruction, two-dives and a fee to help re-pay STINAPA for the spears. After the course, divers are only allowed to use the ELF spear under the direct supervision of an instructor on island. That instructor does not have to be one from BDA, but not all shops and instructors have rental spears available and the spears can only be used with the shop from whom you rented them (ie if you have one of our spears you must be with one of our instructors).

Another option for you would be to contact STINAPA directly, inform them you will be taking the course with me at BDA and ask them if you meet the requirements to use on of their spears for the remainder of your stay. I am not sure what their requirements are, but i have had students take their temp cards to them and get a spear to use.

Let me know if you have any more questions. thank you

Annie Olszewski

PADI IDC Staff Instructor
492782

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Well, that rule isn't much better IMHO. Who wants to be locked into renting their spear and diving with a particular instructor for a week?? Especially on an SD trip.

[scubaski]

Sounds like all these islands/dive op/padi looking to make a few extra bucks.

[WreckWench]

I will ask Divi if they can do a similar cert or if we need to go via BDA. We have time on our side... so I'll start that process! kamala

[Capn Jack]

Well, that rule isn't much better IMHO. Who wants to be locked into renting their spear and diving with a particular instructor for a week?? Especially on an SD trip.

Maybe it wasn't clear. Get the cert from Annie @ BDA. Dive with ANY instructor/DM authorized by STINAPA - as WW says - time is on our side. If we tell the operator we're going with that they'll need to get a stock of ELF spears from STINAPA and qualified DMs - I'll take the bet that says they will.

On the other hand - if this is more of a Bonaire classic dive thing and not a typical SD group dive - yeah - you won't be able to go off with a buddy & a truck and come back with supper.

If I can get my buddy out of the firehouse rotation and get down there between now and then, I'll be happy to do some liaison with STINAPA and our operator.

[WreckWench]

I would be happy once I get some initial feedback to have you work directly with Divi and STINAPA on how this will all pan out if you are still game for doing so!

I've been having this discussion for awhile on the island and perhaps the time is finally right! kamala

[Capn Jack]

Sounds like all these islands/dive op/padi looking to make a few extra bucks.

Sorry, but who cares if some capitalist cashes in - if the end result is slowing down the Lionfish taking over the reefs, I'm for it. Most divers I know are closet hunters and connoisseurs of fine fish flesh - everyone wins.

My idea is start the rumor in japan & china that lionfish meat is an aquatic viagra.

Just PLEASE don't turn it over the government.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Sorry, but who cares if some capitalist cashes in - if the end result is slowing down the Lionfish taking over the reefs, I'm for it.

Requiring vacationing divers to get a certification to hunt lionfish only slows down the culling.

I could have taken out a couple dozen in March while in Bonaire, but I wasn't allowed to and the DM would not carry a spear. So, my spear stayed in my room at the resort. There are no lionfish hunting classes here in Kansas City, and I don't want to spend a day of hard-won vacation time in a class learning how to use a tool I already own and know how to use properly.

We killed dozens on the T&C trip in 2010....but now they don't allow hunting within their Marine Park unless it's with nets and with a PADI certification. No spears allowed. Sorry, I'd rather kill it dead with a spear than mess around with a live bunch of lionfish in a goodie bag.

I would clear some out on the Brac trip next week, but looks like I'll be prohibited from hunting there, too, due to their local regulations. Guess the spear stays at home again.

The various Caribbean Marine Parks and dive operators are sacrificing their reefs to preserve their marine park rules (or personal ideology of "live and let live"). The Caribbean reefs are losing the battle, one by one.

[scubaski]

Well said LLDN. Cayman Island Customs and Immigration outright list dive spears as a prohibited item. As far as other island without prohibit, dive without the DM lead group and kill AMATLSTYCK and discard remaind for scavangers.JMTCW.

[Capn Jack]

Deleted

Edited by Capn Jack, 04 August 2012 - 03:58 PM.

[WreckWench]

Yes many of the islands are backwards in their thinking...and slow to respond but what govt isn't?

I am happy to report that Cozumel has been allowing hunting and divers have pushed the lionfish DEEP and the shallow waters are almost completely lionfish free!

T&C will allow us to kill but outside the Marine Park. Fortunately most of our dives were outside. However Capt Ken does want us to offer a lionfish safe hunting class/workshop to ensure no one gets stung.

However I am happy to push for lionfish hunting on Bonaire (once you have it you have it) so while arguably a waste of time...it does relieve them of liability and EVERYONE is looking for that these days.

And those islands that won't be aggressive in fighting the problem won't get a second chance.

[georoc01]

Yes many of the islands are backwards in their thinking...and slow to respond but what govt isn't?

I am happy to report that Cozumel has been allowing hunting and divers have pushed the lionfish DEEP and the shallow waters are almost completely lionfish free!

TYC will allow us to kill but outside the Marine Park. Fortunately most of our dives were outside. However Capt Ken does want us to offer a lionfish safe hunting class/workshop to ensure no one gets stung.

However I am happy to push for lionfish hunting on Bonaire (once you have it you have it) so while arguably a waste of time...it does relieve them of liability and EVERYONE is looking for that these days.

And those islands that won't be aggressive in fighting the problem won't get a second chance.

And as you say, its not eradicating the problem, its just pushing it outside the marine park or into deeper waters beyond recreational dive depths. So this is going to have to be a continous process until we find a more permanent solution.

[WreckWench]

And as you say, its not eradicating the problem, its just pushing it outside the marine park or into deeper waters beyond recreational dive depths. So this is going to have to be a continous process until we find a more permanent solution.

But the good news is the natural fish hatcheries are shallow so the fish populations are not as impacted AND when they go deep they start to cannibalize themselves!

[SeaLioness]

I'd like to be added to the Interested list too, looks like fun!
Thanks,
Wendy, SeaLioness of Minnesota

[scubaclint]

I'd like to be added to the Interested list too, looks like fun!
Thanks,
Wendy, SeaLioness of Minnesota

No problem!