Cuttlefish capture and export

[daz]

I was playing with two Cuttlefish on Saturday.

I started waving a couple of fingers at the female and it came right up to my hand and pushed against me This went on for about five minutes every time I pulled my hand back it darted in again.

Then after 5 minutes it darted into the weed I was right next to and deposited some eghs while the male just kept a watchful eye.

Really cool little creatures

There is no trick to seeing them other than going to sites where they are known to breed.

Incidently I think one of the dive mags (Diver?) is running an article in the next month written by Alan James about the cuttlefish at Babbacombe and how the fishermen are putting out pots to capture them in large numbers for export. Short term greed could end up reducing the numbers substantially for years to come.

Daz

[Lou]

Originally Posted by daz

Incidently I think one of the dive mags (Diver?) is running an article in the next month written by Alan James about the cuttlefish at Babbacombe and how the fishermen are putting out pots to capture them in large numbers for export. Short term greed could end up reducing the numbers substantially for years to come.

Daz

Fan-bloody-tastic. Yet more pillage of the sea by a group of people who believe they have some inalienable right to take what they want, have what effect they like to make a quid or two.

There really are times when I feel incredibly frustrated by the laws that allow this to happen and alot of empathy for those who feel that direct action is the only way forward.

[SCUBA Chick]

Originally Posted by daz

There is no trick to seeing them other than going to sites where they are known to breed.

Incidently I think one of the dive mags (Diver?) is running an article in the next month written by Alan James about the cuttlefish at Babbacombe and how the fishermen are putting out pots to capture them in large numbers for export. Short term greed could end up reducing the numbers substantially for years to come.

Daz

And on this note I know what I will be doing to their f***ing pots if I find any...

[Fiji Dave]

Please everyone, think very very carefully about what repercussions your actions may have on the rest of the diving fraternity. Lord knows I don't agree with the large scale capture of cuttlefish, but what do you think the result of direct action like this will be?
Will the result be that the fishermen go "Gosh, I'd better stop catching cuttlefish"? Or do you think that the result will be that relationships between divers and fishermen deteriorate, and the actions of a few "vandals" (because that's how you'll be viewed) may even result in diving at babbacombe being banned? - It's happened at other places, it could happen here.

Before everyone rushes in slashing pots, please think carefully. Cuttlefish are beautiful creatures to observe in their natural habitat and Babbacombe is a wonderful site to see them at. We need to educate the fishermen that what they are doing may have strong repercussions, but we won't educate them by trying to destroy their livelihood! And will they listen to us if they perceive us all as vandals?

[daz]

I'm pretty sure the article is going to be run in the next month and I'm fairly sure it is Diver that is running it.

Should make interesting reading although apparently some of the pics taken by Alan are quite grim. He took some photos of cuttlefish in pots, still alive although their tentacles had been attacked and eaten by crabs

If anyone could come up with a way to 'educate' these fishermen I'd love to hear it.

Daz

[Fiona]

Am I being naive but who are they going to export them to and for what purpose.

[SCUBA Chick]

Originally Posted by Justin Owen

despite wanting to, i would vandalise pots 'n stuff either...

but letting out what inside it, well, that's a different matter...

Ooopppps, slip of the tongue there Justin

But seriously, nothing wrong with giving a little helping hand to those cuttlefish that get caught. I wasn't advocating a pot slashing frenzy although I must admit after reading my outburst it does look that way!

Happy & safe diving

Kathy

[SCUBA Chick]

Originally Posted by daz

Should make interesting reading although apparently some of the pics taken by Alan are quite grim. He took some photos of cuttlefish in pots, still alive although their tentacles had been attacked and eaten by crabs

Although I imagine that some of the article is therefore going to make for depressing reading good on them for bringing it to the attention of divers...

As a community we do have a loud voice...hopefully someone might take the time to listen if we shout loud enough.

Kathy

[daz]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Am I being naive but who are they going to export them to and for what purpose.

OK I could be wrong but I was told that they were being exported to Japan.

I think it is mainly for the food trade.

Daz

[Lou]

I think on another thread Silvafish said she used to eat them in Hong Kong? Apologies if I have got that wrong...