Over the last few months I have been looking at songs which sum up my life and the many complex issues which I face each day.
I was born in 1960, and that threw my youth smack bang in the tumultuous times of the seventies where many of the late teens were fighting for peace with the Vietnam conflict raging, and a number of other social, and race related issues very prevalent indeed.
During that period a lot of the music made very strong statements about what was happening, and as I look back at the songs which I enjoyed, two are very prevalent now as well with all that is happening in the world today.
Sound of silence – Simon and Garfunkel (of which I recently found a new version by ‘Disturbed’) and Last Resort – the Eagles.
The first song speaks about people understanding all that is going on around them but choosing to say and do nothing despite all that plays out. It is a sad reflection on humanities apathy that I feel is very relevant at this point in time.
The second song speaks about how human kind takes and destroys the best part of this planet for personal gain, and how people are misguided by intent and sometimes get lost in all the beauty and wonder.
I raise this second one today because I saw an article for a film which will screen at the same film festival in San Francisco as my film Little Ray Of Hope, San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival . It is a film which focuses on the dilemma of swimming with Whale Sharks in the Philippines and how the concept borders on going too far and having a detrimental impact on the Sharks themselves. It is something which people need to be fully aware of when they consider the Eco holidays available and opt for something which on the surface looks very respectful.
Behind good intent there is sometimes an element of hidden greed and exploitation that those unwary travellers don’t get to see. Tourism, Eco Tourism especially bring in big money to many third world countries and the trips some places run do not really offer a lot of consideration for the impact they have on the marine life. Having snorkeled with Whale Sharks in Western Australia, I saw a very regulated industry which focused strongly on being respectful of the Whale Sharks, with operator and public interaction governed by a strict code of conduct and monitored by the authorities very closely with fines and other penalties applicable for rule breeches. That does not mean it is a perfect mix, but it is a very good system which ensures the operators educate those participating about these fish, creating a greater awareness of their fragility, whilst at the same time offering the continued protection of these majestic creatures.
Now I am not saying that this does not happen in the Philippines, but I would say that it is important that if you do partake in a dive with Whale Sharks over there, you do so being fully informed and don’t get caught up in the euphoria which may blur your judgement of what you do, and what is genuinely right and wrong despite what you may be told.
As a side note I would like to say that as a photographer / videographer, I have a fairly strict policy which puts the creatures I interact with before myself. I don’t get it 100% right, but I am very aware and always try and put the creatures safety before my need to capture that award winning shot. I know many others do the same, however there are many who just don’t understand the impact of what they do. If you do think the same as I do, then certainly pass the thought onto others so that they adopt a similar stance, after all the ocean is a beauty for us all to share, but we are just the visitors in another’s world.
So last of all, if you get a chance, listen to those songs and the message the words offer, because they are very enlightening.
Dare To Change The World.
Thanks for that.
True eco tourism takes into account the animal first and foremost. Proper control and consideration for the animal does not come at a cost of reducing the amount of protection they will get. 🙂
I guess that there are certain things which need compromise and certain things that do not need compromise, but we find excuses to support because it benefits what we want to do or partake in? Knowing the little I do about Whale Sharks, I would be very cautious in choosing to dive with them if there were lots of operators and therefore lots of divers crowding them, because that would be selfishly putting my desire over their wellbeing. 🙂 🙂 🙂 The question is, if you were faced with the situation could you refuse to partake knowing that you had spent good money to travel and dive with them?
Cool article, LP – I will be sure to check out the broader implications of any future whale shark dives I may choose to do after reading this – would be interested to read the original article you are referring to? My gut feel is that this sort of ecotourism might be better than the alternative of these beautiful animals being slaughtered live in markets etc, but I am poorly informed about the potential problems involved and need to do more research. Really well written by the way – awesome piece – tanks so much for sharing it 🙂