The Grotto…gone

Strap a scuba tank on your back and join me for an imaginary 40-minute dive at our Grotto, the world’s No. 1 (or No. 2, depending upon who you read) dive spot. It’s a dazzling sight, isn’t it? The clear water, the tropical fish, but what catches the eye the most are the corals of many colors, shapes, and sizes. What does it for me are the fan corals. Now, imagine how much damage could be done to this area by one person in a single, 40-minute dive…it would be over—the Grotto would be “forever” (well, 100-200 years would seem like forever, wouldn’t it?) changed. Could we cover up such an act? Nope, no chance to replace our priceless, damaged corals with plastic replicas or 3-D projections. Besides, news of the damage would spread around the globe within 24 hours.

I’m not certain what the complete solution might be in protecting this asset. I know that one solution—the complete removal of the human element—is unacceptable. Nor do I know what others, facing similar predicaments, are doing. I know that PADI or NAUI certification attests to a person’s basic knowledge and ability to use standard scuba gear. But it says nothing of the person’s mental disposition—their intent. So let me offer a couple ideas that might go towards making up the whole of a solution to protect.

First, I would suggest the discrete installation of underwater surveillance equipment for the purpose of both catching someone early in “the act” and to document any destruction. This means that there would be someone monitoring the video feed and who is able to act himself/herself or call to action someone close to the scene to interrupt the damage being done and detain the person caught doing such a thing. It would be very similar to an active retail surveillance system.

I wonder if upgrading the site to a state or national park might increase the flow of money for such immediate responses and protection as well as raise the legal stakes for the offender?

For those of you who don’t think that this could happen: It’s already begun. A gift shop at one of our tourist destinations is (well, was) selling corals harvested from the Grotto…and they were proud of the fact that they harvested them from Saipan’s waters. I believe that CRM Enforcement brought an end to that practice and this harvesting by one, has ended. But are there others? How many more commercial collectors or tourists are nibbling away at the one resource, the Grotto, that generates millions of dollars for the CNMI economy? We are world-renowned for being slow to respond or not responding to such matters at all. Maybe now is the time to act?

Gary A. Liddle
Capitol Hill