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03/01/2005: "Hand-feeding Qld. Groper .....(don't feed it fingers)."

Jacques Couteau was among the first to highlight the side-effects of making sea life dependant upon us for food. His summary was 'we shouldn't do it'.

The marine parks have a similar view, BUT if the fish are not encouraged with food they don't stay around for the visitors to enjoy. The flow-on loss effects could run into the millions of dollars.

Already the potato cod have began leaving the cod hole - a famous destination near Lizard Island, (since marine parks introduced a limited feeding schedual). This demise was forewarned.

It now means the seven day dive trips have a little bit less to offer. A complicated issue.

The last word: Big fish are more valueable alive than as 'fish fingers'.