AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Shame on Ambergris Today newspaper!

jahunit, what nasty unintelligent comments to make towards Capt. Jeff. Fact is, he is concerned about the locals and tourists and don't want to see them hurt, just like the rest of us. Some of us express ourselves in a different way and most of us can admit when we're wrong. Give a guy a break!

This thread has much drug the issue through the mud...

Does anyone know who jahunit is?

Uh... lemme guess... Aligator's cousin?

azbob, I only bring that up for discussion to get back to the serious subject. It is interesting to me the similarities. Both tourist attractions. Both dangerous. Yes, one illegal and I agree should be. But that said, if one tourist attraction is illegal, why is the other not? Other than one involves the danger from animals caused by human ignorance and the other by carelesness, ignorance or improper training of humans. I don't go to the circus and get in a cage and try to train lions and tigers. I don't get in the bull fight arena and fight bulls. I don't go to India and open the basket and try to charm snakes. And I don't feed the crocks. But some do, and one is illegal.
I am not suggesting diving the Blue Hole should be illegal. God help me, the rath I would get from divers would make Capt Jeff's critizim seem like a compliment. Just food for discussion.

Thanks bw, I now understand your point and your are right don't suggest that or if you plan on going diving you may be the "food - chum".

And, I was following the comments. Some advocated legal action against Debbie. My point is, should legal action be taken against someone doing a dangerous or stupid thing? And if so, then why not for doing other dangerous or stupid things?
Just something to think about. Where is the consistancy with the logic?
Seems like an attempt to prevent improving the gene pool thru legislation.

mellow out folks. been traveling. missed all this. have played with crocs. there are worse things by far. jeeze. you'd think the paper was inciting nuclear attack or something by all this.

Back to the original topic. It is completely irresponsible to put that picture on the front page of a paper. It's illeagle to harass a protected species (like sitting on one) and it's also irresponsible. It looks like the promotion of a local tourist attraction. It's NOT. A few local boys may make some cash, but one of them, or a tourist they lure in will lose a limb or die, and it will happen soon. These brand new posters to the board are clearly fakes that should be ignored if they aren't deleted. The paper should be fined for the poor judgenment they showed in printing/posting that picture. To compare the croc feed to Shark Ray alley is completely ignorant. I have gone many time, and I always make sure my guides do not chum. These newbies are fakes. The paper is responsible for what they have done. The personal attacks are STUPID! The problem is with what the paper posted, not with the paper and certainly not with the regulars on this board. I'm embarassed for some of you. You fell into the trap of the jackass who created a new IDs and posted BS. Don't feed the Gators. Period. I don't give a flaming rat's ass what you own on the island. I don't care if you are God Almighty who made the damned island. Don't feed the Gators. It's dangerous, and all those who watch it and give these boys money encourage the continuance of this IGNORANT activity. Stop the BS and the in-fighting and concentrate on the problem. Look at the newbies and their lack of willingness to identifiy themselves. No matter who they are, they are not interested in anything but causing problems. As for the rest of us, we want the best for the Caye. Don't let them hijack the topic. AT should be punished. Chris, your response is absurd. Warren, yours is too, and Wrath is spelled with a "W". The Blue Hole is a natural wonder, not a protected species. Jesus H Tapdancing Christ, I thought I was moving into a place with thoughtful, if diverse viewpoints. Instead, you let some idiot that creates new IDs get you to turn on each other. Foolishness. Concentrate! The problem is feeding the crocs, not the people talking about it. Jeez!! I'll be embarassed for you.

"should legal action be taken against someone doing a dangerous or stupid thing?" - Only if it is an illegal action, otherwise stupidity is just that. The Darwin Awards are a good example of both. Staying on point: AC Today took pictures of Debbbie and another performing an illegal act and published them, that is subject of discussion.
Additional discussion will have to follow tomorrow - it's past my bed time - night all!

Dutch is right. The issue is not principally that what was done was illegal, or that it was promoting an illegal spectacle. What matters is that it is downright dangerous and is being promoted as "just a bit of fun". Not everyone realises how fast these creatures can move when they choose, and don't be lulled into thinking that because they haven't so far attacked they are guaranteed not to. I have seen crocodiles in Africa attacking and bringing down rhino, and it is extraordinary to see a dormant log suddenly erupt into a devastatingly fast and powerful killing machine.

There is a major difference from the treatment of sharks. Nurse sharks are not dangerous creatures - our treatment of them can sometimes be regarded as harassment, but they are usually very willing participants. Chumming the water in the Blue Hole for bigger sharks is not of itself particularly harmful, though I would prefer that it weren't done - it causes them to associate boats with food.

But what is utterly irresponsible and is too often done is chumming the water when there are still divers down. I recall once seeing a feeding frenzy of 10 or 12 bull and reef sharks above me when I was still at 60'. I'm experienced enough to cope with that, but an inexperienced diver might well have freaked at the sight. One of the most reputable operators on AC was responsible then and still often does it. I challenged them once - the reply was "no-one's ever been hurt". Until the first time.