Help save reefs
We don’t want to preach to divers who on the whole are pretty environmentally friendly but the reefs of the world are under threat and need our help. Here are a few things that any diver can do so that they are not adding to the problem.
Hands off
Don’t stress the marine life or coral by moving it. Most marine life is actually pretty tough but in an already stressed environment your touch may push it over the edge. Touching some corals can remove the protective film that covers them, leaving them open to disease. Most marine life doesn’t like to be touched and has defenses to ward off predators so touching marine life, even coral and shells, could be painful or even deadly.
One way to prevent yourself touching coral while diving is to dive with hands bare, there is really no reason to wear gloves when diving in warm water on a tropical reef. Not wearing gloves will reduce your temptation to touch stuff which could cause you injury. If you feel that you need to wear gloves to hold on you are probably diving in conditions beyond the limits of your ability. Dive on easier reefs or work on your buoyancy control. Would be underwater photographers should be especially sure of their skills before purchasing that first camera. If you cannot remain neutrally buoyant and stationary you are not fit to hold a camera. Your photos will also improve as your buoyancy improves. The reef is not there for you to steady yourself or your camera on, marine creatures are not models to be moved in to position at will.
Not touching also applies to knees, arms, bums and fins. Improve your buoyancy and be aware of your surroundings, the reefs will thank you. Kicking up sand behind you can suffocate coral. Gorgonian sea fans break easily with a fin kick.
Clean up
Don’t throw garbage off the boat, don’t throw food waste on top of a reef. This should go without saying but we see it all the time, everyone seems to view the sea as a dustbin. If you come across some garbage on a dive why not collect it and dispose of it later? If every diver collects a few bits in their BCD pockets the reefs will stay clean for all. Collecting plastic bags will not screw with your buoyancy and could save a turtle from ingesting it and dying a nasty death.
Cover up
The sun is powerful and sunburn is painful and to be avoided. It is possible however that sunscreen with UV protection is damaging reefs. Wherever possible cover up instead of applying sunscreen. Organic sunscreens are available as are bio degradable soaps and shampoos for that after dive shower on the dive platform.
Eat and buy responsibly
If you eat fish on the endangered species list they won’t be around for much longer to enjoy on a reef or a dinner plate. Do not eat shark fin soup or eat in a restaurant that serves it.
Do not buy souvenirs made from coral or shells.
Ride a bike
Or walk instead of taking the car. Doing so will not only increase your lung fitness and give you a longer dive but it will help reduce CO2 immissions. Carbon Dioxide is responsible for ocean acidification which effects the health of the whole marine food chain so anything that reduces your carbon footprint is beneficial.
Report bad practice and support good practice
If you see a boat dropping an anchor on a reef report it. Or a divemaster playing with marine life. Or a fishing boat in a no fishing zone. Report to the relevant authorities or post your views on forums like trip advisor.
Support the dive centres that encourage marine conservation, train their divers to dive responsibly and organise or participate in local conservation efforts.
Get involved
There is a huge worldwide movement of divers concerned about the fate of the world’s oceans. You can advocate, participate and donate. A good starting point is PADI’s Project Aware.
