As divers and snorkellers, we’ve seen, first-hand, the beauty of the ocean. Sadly, most of us have also seen the sad consequences of human damage to the underwater world too. When you’re in the ocean, remember you can make choices to better protect coral reefs and related ecosystems.
So, who better to share a reminder of some diving and snorkelling best practices than the team at The Reef-World Foundation who coordinates the Green Fins initiative globally:
Don’t step on the coral
As an experienced diver, this should be second nature – but please watch your feet and fins at all times. Without paying attention to your buoyancy (if you’re diving), fins and equipment, it can be easier than you think to make contact with the reef. Corals are extremely fragile and can be very slow growing so even a small breakage can take months – or even years – to recover from. Most of the damaging contacts to the reef come from your fins: stepping on or kicking coral can break it or damage its surface – not to mention cutting your feet. Ouch!
Don’t stir the sediment
If you’re not careful, your fins can stir up the sediment and debris; upsetting small habitats and covering corals. This reduces the coral’s ability to photosynthesize and can cause coral disease. Stirring the sediment can also lead to small animals being washed away or increase their chance of predation.
Don’t touch or chase any marine life
This can cause great stress to the animals. It can also transmit diseases or remove the protective coatings of fish, mammals, invertebrates and other species. Look but never touch and try not to get too close.
Do not feed the fish
Feeding fish and other species can cause them to rely on that food source. It also makes them more aggressive towards divers because they expect to be fed. What’s more, as fish might stop eating their natural food source – like algae – it can lead to corals getting smothered with overgrowing algae and suffocating.
Wear reef-safe sunscreen
Some chemical components in sunscreen – including Oxybenzone and Octinoxate – may have a negative impact on coral reefs. Help protect coral from harmful chemicals by using alternatives which are reef-safe (do not contain chemicals proven to harm coral reefs) and covering up with clothing when in strong sunshine.
Don’t throw trash into the sea
Not only does litter in the ocean harm animals, it can also enter the food chain and be dangerous for humans too; after all, whatever we put in the ocean comes back to us when we eat seafood.
Don’t take marine life – dead or alive
Removing species that would normally break down and be recycled into the sea leaves other animals without nutrients and elements they need for growth. Even empty shells on the beach play an important role. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles.
Don’t buy corals or marine life as souvenirs
Similarly, buying souvenirs made of things like corals and shells encourages people to remove tons of marine life, dead or alive, from the ecosystem to sell as souvenirs. Many of these species play vital roles in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems (even empty shells decompose and go back into the marine ecosystem). If the demand for these souvenirs stops, the killing and collecting can too.
Don’t support shark finning
The shark fin trade causes 100 million sharks to be killed each year. Not only is this an incredibly cruel process but removing these top predators can create an imbalance in the marine ecosystem. Please don’t eat in restaurants that sell shark products.
Do not spearfish
Spearfishing removes the largest and slowest reproducing species, which can change the natural balance of the ecosystem and upset the food chain.
Don’t wear gloves
Wearing gloves gives you a false sense of protection and encourages you to hold onto things like coral underwater. In addition to potentially damaging marine life and spreading disease, wearing gloves doesn’t help provide security against harmful marine life.
Wear a lifejacket at the surface
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced swimmer or snorkeller, wearing a life jacket helps you avoid standing on or kicking shallow corals that will take many years to recover.
Report environmental violations
If you see any destructive practices or violations of environmental laws, tell your dive guide, dive operator or government officials. By informing key authorities, you are being part of the solution as your actions can lead to appropriate actions.
Participate in conservation projects
By taking part in conservation projects, you can have a positive effect on the environment and help educate others.
The Reef-World Foundation leads the global implementation of the UN Environment’s Green Fins initiative, which focuses on driving environmentally friendly scuba diving and snorkelling practices across the industry globally. To keep up with our latest news and developments, please follow Reef-World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also follow the Green Fins initiative on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with new materials, updates and sustainability insights from Green Fins members.
Supporting content:
- Green Fins icons: https://portal.greenfins.net/a/img/cms/Green%20Fins%20Toolkit/Green%20Fins%20icons%20English.pdf
- Guidelines: https://portal.greenfins.net/a/img/cms/Guides/Guidelines/Green%20Fins%20Significance%20of%20icons%20ENG.pdf