| Recent researches claim that nearly 30% of the | | | | cause horrific damage. Drift dives, or diving of boats |
| world's coral reefs have already died. The impact is | | | | tied to buoy lines makes perfect solution here. |
| easily noticeable. I for example have been diving at | | | | 2. Avoid Animals Feeding. Researches show that |
| Honduras for may years, when I recently came back | | | | feeding wild animals such as Sharks, Eels, and |
| for a visit I couldn't find species once common and | | | | Barracudas can disturb the balance between |
| easily spotted. Eagle rays, Nurse Sharks, Stingrays | | | | predators and pray. Feeding wild animals also may |
| and others all nearly disappeared due to extensive | | | | cause these creatures to relate Humans to food |
| Conch and Lobsters collection over the years. | | | | which can be quite hazardous. |
| Mangroves used by most creatures as nurseries for | | | | 3. Dive in Small Groups: Its safer fro you and for the |
| their young turned to summer houses and resorts | | | | environment. it more fun, you can see more....why |
| and the outcome is unbearable. No, there's nothing | | | | not than? reduce the load on the environment, be |
| YOU can do in these aspects on the short run, but | | | | closer to your dive officer to prevent damage. don't |
| lets face it, as much as some of us would like to | | | | co premise on the prices some busy operators might |
| think differently, we divers aren't Eco friendly too. | | | | offer in return to diving in a "soup of divers" its not |
| Question is, can we do anything and minimize the | | | | worth it. What can we do to minimize the damage |
| damage we do? | | | | underwater? |
| The main issue and one which is hard to swallow, has | | | | Adhere to Good Dive Practices: |
| no direct influence on the ocean, yet it's a major | | | | 1. Conduct proper Buoyancy Checks prior to diving. |
| issue when it comes to air pollution and global | | | | Carrying to much weight increases drag on your |
| warming. And the winner is.....Flying. Diving at remote | | | | lower body, increasing chances you'll damage the reef |
| and exotic destinations requires long distance flying, | | | | or stir out the bottom accidentally. |
| which scientists say is a major contributor to global | | | | 2. Maintain proper buoyancy. If you're still struggling |
| warming. Add that to burning fuel on the boats and | | | | with it, consider taking a PPB class, it'll do wonders to |
| you'll find that we're causing a lot of damage before | | | | your confidence, air consumption and minimize your |
| we even started diving. | | | | presence on the reefs. |
| Food: | | | | 3. NEVER touch a creature underwater. Don't touch |
| As we come to a foreign country and explore the | | | | or chase one either. Remember, we're aliens |
| delicacy of the local cuisine, we've got to bare in | | | | underwater. By touching creatures we remove their |
| mind that some of it is on the verge of extinction. | | | | protecting layer of the skin making them more prone |
| Tourists presence and increased demand for local | | | | to diseases, while delivering them some of our own. |
| food can cause a huge damage on the creatures' | | | | Try to leave no trace when you're diving. |
| population and destroy the delicate balance of the | | | | 4. Don't pick souvenirs. Even empty shells can be a |
| local ecosystem. Please check local list of state of | | | | perfect place for a Hermit crab, keep it where it |
| the species, and avoid feasting on top predators | | | | belongs. Take only trash with you, making sure first |
| such as Sharks, Barracudas and others, which their | | | | it's not already occupied by marine creatures. |
| disappearance can affect the entire food chain. | | | | 5. Taking the prefect shot on your new camera is |
| Loitering: | | | | great, but what about keeping the reed intact? Very |
| As you can see, we're creating a lot of damage | | | | often we tend to forget what's around us when we |
| simply by visiting a place. I'm not going to be the one | | | | aim for the perfect Facebook moment. |
| telling you not to travel, I'll be a hypocrite. Just act | | | | From my experience in the industry, most diver, |
| responsibly, that's all. A huge issue with travelers | | | | especially the more experienced ones, are becoming |
| loitering is plastic bottles and bags. When traveling I | | | | more and more aware of their impact on the |
| always check if there are places to refill my bottles, | | | | underwater realm. Is that enough? I'm not to sure, |
| reuse plastic bags and generally try and minimize my | | | | but next time when you're diving, please use these |
| garbage production to minimum. | | | | simple tips, make a little change, let others know |
| Choose a Responsible Dive Operator: | | | | what they can do to prevent this amazing realm |
| 1. If possible in the local area, don't anchor or dive | | | | from disappearing. Make a change! |
| with operators who anchor their boats, which can | | | | |