Stop PADI Whale Shark and Manta Ray aquarium specialties
Stop PADI Whale Shark and Manta Ray aquarium specialties
The Issue
The Georgia Aquarium provides PADI Whale Shark and Manta Ray distinctive specialties to dive with 4 whale sharks and 4 manta rays kept by the aquarium. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/specialty-certifications/
The aquarium supports conservation and research, but the whale sharks and manta rays are not part of the ongoing research (26 June 2019). https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/conservation-field-station/research/
By approving these specialties PADI approves of keeping whale sharks and manta rays in captivity for the entertainment of people. People trust PADI's good reputation and believe keeping a whale shark or manta ray in captivity is OK.
These specialties conflicts with PADI's commitment to environmental conservation and the 4 pillars of change and especially with the 'marine animal protection' pillar. https://www.padi.com/conservation
PADI needs to revoke these specialties.
"We are PADI". The credibility and reputation of every PADI member is at stake.
I have send PADI an e-mail asking about the situation. After being forwarded 2 times i got a sugar coated reply saying keeping large marine animals is a controversial subject. And PADI has not taken a position on it. But by putting their name and logo on the distinctive specialties they have take a position in which they approve keeping whale sharks and manta rays in captivity.
They also say: "If animals will be kept in exhibits, it is an opportunity to provide education about the animals and the need to conserve them". But by supporting this they teach that its OK to keep these animals in captivity. And by offering the specialties they create a demand for whale sharks and manta rays in captivity. And it's shifting responsibility. 'Somebody caught a shark, now we can take selfies.'
Please help me stop this.
Anybody can sign, but the voices of PADI members are more influential.
Like and share our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Stop-PADI-aquarium-Whale-Shark-and-Manta-Ray-distinctive-specialties-2292668744116087/
Thank you all,
Wilko Pebesma.
4,996
The Issue
The Georgia Aquarium provides PADI Whale Shark and Manta Ray distinctive specialties to dive with 4 whale sharks and 4 manta rays kept by the aquarium. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/specialty-certifications/
The aquarium supports conservation and research, but the whale sharks and manta rays are not part of the ongoing research (26 June 2019). https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/conservation-field-station/research/
By approving these specialties PADI approves of keeping whale sharks and manta rays in captivity for the entertainment of people. People trust PADI's good reputation and believe keeping a whale shark or manta ray in captivity is OK.
These specialties conflicts with PADI's commitment to environmental conservation and the 4 pillars of change and especially with the 'marine animal protection' pillar. https://www.padi.com/conservation
PADI needs to revoke these specialties.
"We are PADI". The credibility and reputation of every PADI member is at stake.
I have send PADI an e-mail asking about the situation. After being forwarded 2 times i got a sugar coated reply saying keeping large marine animals is a controversial subject. And PADI has not taken a position on it. But by putting their name and logo on the distinctive specialties they have take a position in which they approve keeping whale sharks and manta rays in captivity.
They also say: "If animals will be kept in exhibits, it is an opportunity to provide education about the animals and the need to conserve them". But by supporting this they teach that its OK to keep these animals in captivity. And by offering the specialties they create a demand for whale sharks and manta rays in captivity. And it's shifting responsibility. 'Somebody caught a shark, now we can take selfies.'
Please help me stop this.
Anybody can sign, but the voices of PADI members are more influential.
Like and share our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Stop-PADI-aquarium-Whale-Shark-and-Manta-Ray-distinctive-specialties-2292668744116087/
Thank you all,
Wilko Pebesma.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 26, 2019