In one corner stands a grassroots coalition of respected environmental groups. In the other corner stands PADI, DEMA, Rodale Inc and a well-financed coalition of dive industry heavies. The war is over shark feeding and the battle lines are being drawn across each and every Florida coastal community. On September 7, 2000, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to suspend a draft rule to prohibit the feeding of sharks and other marine wildlife in the state of Florida. The commission decided to defer to the dive industry, which is attempting to establish regulations that will enable commercial shark feeders to continue operating in Florida waters. The dive industry recently completed its final draft proposal and submitted it for public review and comment prior to submitting it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on May 24, 2001. The environmental coalition has reviewed the dive industry final draft proposal and replied with its criticisms. | | We invite Cyber Diver readers and Cyber Diver Society (CDS) members throughout the global scuba diving community to carefully review both documents and contact GIMEC and/or Florida State officials with your comments. GIMEC (aka "gimmick") Dive Industry Final Draft Proposal (not to be confused with a PADI specialty course outline...) - Send comments to admin@divemarketing.com
MARINE SAFETY GROUP (MSG) - Criticisms of Dive Industry GIMEC Proposal - Send comments to PALMERB@gfc.state.fl.us
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