Cousteau son urges care of marine resources
Associated Press
The son of the late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau on Friday called on the
cruise industry to help protect the sea's ``fragile ecosystem'' through
education of its travelers.
Jean-Michel Cousteau, an oceanographer and environmentalist, spoke to the
Florida Ocean Alliance, a nonprofit group formed in late 1999 by leaders of the
cruise industry to promote marine resource issues in Florida.
``I believe the users of the sea should take the lead in protecting it,''
Cousteau said to the crowd of more than 60 in the cruise industry. ``I urge your
industry to be better stewards of the sea.''
Among other things, he suggested educational snorkeling trips for passengers.
The alliance agreed.
``That is exactly what the alliance wants to do,'' said alliance president
Nancy Wheatley, a vice president with Royal Caribbean Cruises.
The group said it would focus on educating the public and policymakers with
annual conferences, economic studies and testimony to national or state agencies
concerned with ocean or coastal policy.
Bob Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruise Lines, said the industry already
is working to ``ensure that our oceans, air and land are preserved for
generations to come.''
Cousteau warned that the ecosystem is in ``extreme danger'' because of human
mismanagement, destructive fishing practices and pollution.
He said to reverse the destruction, there needs to be better management in
dealing with reefs, treatment waste plans, pollution, education and scientific
research.
``At the age of 12 and 13, I was crossing the sea. Today things are
different,'' he said. ``Plastic debris threatens fish and sea birds. This is
serious indeed. We as a species are in the process of taking our house and
breaking it apart piece by piece.''
