Issue 71 - April 2021
How To Be a Responsible Underwater Photographer
By Sustainable Travel International
Love taking photos of the fascinating critters you see on your diving or snorkeling trips? Follow these best practices to make sure you’re photographing responsibly and not harming marine life.
What is the best (and most sustainable!) souvenir that you can bring back from a tropical getaway? While a new hat or bracelet might be kind of neat, nothing beats taking home photos of all the remarkable marine life you see! There’s no better reward than getting the perfect shot of that giant manta ray or rare nudibranch you spotted on your diving or snorkeling trip. Not to mention, underwater photography is an exciting hobby!
Along with being priceless keepsakes, your underwater photos can be used for marine conservation and research. Citizen science programs, such as our NEMO program, rely on visitor observations to collect scientific data and track the health of coral reefs. Even something as simple as sharing your photos on social media can help motivate others to protect coral reefs.
When exploring sensitive coral reef ecosystems, it is important to be conscientious of how your behavior affects the species that live there. To be a responsible diver or snorkeler, you must exercise caution when taking photos underwater.
Below, we’ve shared a few simple tips that will help you capture spectacular underwater images without harming coral reefs or marine animals. Remember these best practices the next time you head below the surface to snap some pics!
Snap, Don’t Touch!
Ever see a photo of someone holding a seastar? While the person may have had good intentions, touching marine wildlife is a definite no-no.
Why? Touching marine creatures puts them in danger for a number of reasons. Starfish and many other marine animals have fragile bodies with delicate structures. When we pick up or touch them, we can tear off body parts and hurt them without even realizing it.
Even if touching an animal doesn’t result in immediate physical harm, it can make them more vulnerable to threats such as predation and disease. Many fish and other marine creatures are covered in a slimy coating. This layer of mucus protects them from infections and deters predators. If you touch them, it can destroy this coating and put them at risk. Not to mention, the bacteria and chemicals on your own hands can get on animals and make them sick.
On top of this, holding animals can come at a cost to you as well. Some animals will become aggressive, expel lethal toxins, or sting you if touched. This natural response helps them fend away in predators – which in this case is YOU!
When taking photos of marine wildlife, abide by the rule of snap, don’t touch. Keep your hands to yourself to keep everyone safe.
Don’t stand on or grab coral
Similarly, you should not touch coral reefs. Though they are often mistaken as rocks, coral structures are actually made up of tiny little animals called polyps. Corals are also very sensitive creatures and can be easily damaged.
One of the differences between taking photos underwater and taking photos on dry land is that the water current makes it harder to remain in a steady position. Because of this, it can be tempting to hold onto a piece of coral to avoid floating away. Some divers even stand on the reef or remove pieces of coral to get a better angle.
Unfortunately these types of activities can cause coral to break off, get sick, or even die. Some coral structures take thousandsof years to grow, so it can take years to repair the damage caused when a diver breaks off just a small piece of coral. If you must hold onto something when taking a picture grab onto rock or a dead, isolated coral formation.
Watch where you kick your fins
Taking photos can be distracting, so it can be easy to forget that the fins you’re wearing are more than double the size of your bare feet. As a result, fins often end up in places where they don’t belong. Keep your fins up to avoid kicking the reef or stirring up sand. In addition to leaving you with a murky image, floating sediment can block out the sunlight that corals need to survive.
One reason that divers accidentally bump into reefs or the seafloor is because they don’t have good control over their bodies and gear. Neutral buoyancy and proper body position, or trim, are the most important skills that underwater photographers should perfect to avoid bumping into the reef.
Keep your camera and gear in check
Your fins are not the only dive accessory that poses a threat to coral reefs. Your camera and other dive gear can also cause damage if they come into contact with the reef. Make a conscious effort to be aware of where your gear is and know how large you are with it on. Make sure to secure all equipment and tuck in your gauge and regulator so that they don’t end up dragging across the reef.
It is important to note that buoyancy is different when holding a large camera, so it can be easy to lose control when trying to take a photo. Before you even think about lugging along any camera gear, be sure you’ve already mastered the basic skills and possess excellent buoyancy control.
Minimize disturbances
No matter how awesome a photo opp is, it’s never worth stressing out an animal to capture a cool shot. Doing so can alter their natural behaviors and throw off the balance of the entire ecosystem.
When photographing a marine animal, approach your subject slowly and give it plenty of space. Avoid overwhelming an animal or surrounding them with a big group. Don’t ever chase, ride, or harass a marine creature. If an animal looks uncomfortable or shows signs of stress such as changing colors or fleeing, then leave it alone. If a seahorse is hiding in it’s seagrass or seafan home, it’s probably there for a reason. Don’t prod or poke at it to get it to come out. Animals that are scared away from the reef by intrusive divers can be very vulnerable out in the open water.
Use your flash sparingly
Marine animals are used to a fairly low-light or dark environments and so the use of camera flashes and other bright lights can scare them. To avoid causing them unnecessary shock or stress, use these lights sparingly and only take a few photos of any single animal. You can also minimize the number of shots you take by adjusting your settings while practicing on other subjects.
No feeding
It can be tempting to bring along treats to lure swarms of fish into your photo, but feeding fish and other marine life can actually cause a lot of harm. When fish get their food from people, it can make them sick or aggressive. It can also alter their natural feeding habits.
For example, certain fish graze on the algae that grows on coral reefs. However, if these fish start to get their food from another (human) source instead, then they may stop eating the algae. If this happens, the algae can grow out of control and smother the coral.
Contribute your photos to citizen science
In addition to following the tips above, you can also use your photos to protect reefs. There are a number of citizen science programs that rely on visual data collected by divers and other visitors. Divers can act as citizen scientists by taking photos of the coral, marine life, and even pollution they see underwater. These images can help scientists monitor marine health, track the migratory patterns of marine species, and better conserve underwater environments.
Next time you’re out taking photos on the reef, remember these tips so that we can keep these ecosystems healthy and pristine!
Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and conserving our planet’s most vulnerable destinations. We are transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people by working alongside local communities, engaging travellers and businesses in responsible practices, and strengthening destination management. Through our work, we aim to safeguard nature, combat climate change, and empower communities to preserve the integrity of destinations around the globe. To learn more visit www.sustainabletravel.org.
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Book Suggestion
An Almost Zero Waste Life: Learning How to Embrace Less to Live More By Megean Weldon
Author Megean Weldon, aka The Zero Waste Nerd, gently guides you on an attainable, inspirational, mindful, and completely realistic journey to a sustainable living lifestyle. Find tips, strategies, recipes, and DIY projects for reducing waste in this approachable, beautifully designed and illustrated guide.
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The Eco-Hero Handbook: Simple Solutions to Tackle Eco-Anxiety By Tessa Wardley
As we face a global environmental crisis, The Eco-Hero Handbook addresses all your eco-anxieties and dilemmas to empower you to become part of the solution. From recycling to eating sustainably, ethical fashion to being an eco-conscious tourist, this book is the essential guide to the little changes that will make a big difference.
About the Author
Tessa Wardley is a river-lover and mini-adventurer who has worked and played in waters worldwide from New Zealand to the Arctic Circle. She is a senior policy advisor with the Environment Department and before that, principal in a global environmental consultancy and policy advisor to the Environment Agency. She has written The River Book, The Woodland Book, and The Countryside Book, inspirational titles encouraging readers to have adventures outdoors.
She is also the author of The Ocean Hero Handbook and Mindful Thoughts for Runners.
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Issue 71 - April 2021
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – April 2021 – Issue 71
Do you want to light up your life? Find inspiration and peace of mind at Norwegian lighthouses?
Do you dream of falling asleep to the sound of ocean waves? Find peace of mind, new energy or adventures by calming waters? A night at a Norwegian lighthouse with views of the ocean, sunsets or might storms, could be what you are looking for. In Norway, the first lighthouse was lit in 1656, and ever since large ships and small fishing boats have navigated by the lights and sounds from more than 200 lighthouses along the Norwegian coastline. Read more…
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ShoreRivers is the Voice for Clean Water on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Situated between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the Eastern Shore of Maryland has remained a relatively rural region known for agriculture and its beautiful tributaries. Because of its coastal geography and low altitude above sea level, the region is extremely vulnerable to weather events and larger environmental issues such as climate change. Read more…
The Deep Ocean Reveals Surprising Discovery About Human Immunity
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Every year, hundreds of whales migrate in search of the warmer Pacific Ocean waters of the Banderas Bay, on the shores of Riviera Nayarit, to feed, mate or give birth. This whale watching season (December 2020 – March 2021) promises to be one of the best and below outlines the five top reasons travellers should visit Riviera Nayarit before mid-spring to catch a glimpse of the gentle giants of the ocean. Read more…
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How To Be a Responsible Underwater Photographer
Love taking photos of the fascinating critters you see on your diving or snorkelling trips? Follow these best practices to make sure you’re photographing responsibly and not harming marine life. Read more…
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The Heron & The Gondola: A Sailor’s Story
I remember having noticed that gondola last summer during a nightly walk. The little dock was dimly lighted and the black line of the boat gently rocked on the surface of the sea. Gondolas always look sumptuous and sophisticated, but that one seemed to possess a magic of its own. It was in the shade but shining, swinging but still. Read more…
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Raet could Become Norway’s First Marine National Park Meeting International Standards
Raet national park was established in 2016 at the South-Norwegian Skagerrak coast, right at the doorsteps of Linking Tourism & Conservation’s (LT&C’s) office in Arendal. With its 607 km2, it is Norway’s largest marine protected area (MPA). The planning time of this park has been with only four years the shortest of any national park in Norway. Read more…
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Nudibranchs – Jack’s April Underwater Photograph
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Mako and Whale Sharks Are “Racing” to Help Save Their Fellow Sharks
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PADI, World’s Largest Dive Community, Joins Forces to Protect the Great Barrier Reef
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Purdue Study Finds Limited Economic Impacts from the U.S. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord
President Biden has recommitted the U.S. to the Paris climate accord and also moved forward with a climate plan calling for carbon-free electricity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050 — policies compatible with and beyond the 2 degrees C mitigation effort called for in the original Paris agreement. Read more…
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The Eco-Hero Handbook: Simple Solutions to Tackle Eco-Anxiety By Tessa Wardley
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Cue a moment of panic. After an hour-long interview only that morning, I have just signed up to work in Antarctica for eighteen months, providing medical cover for a research station of 27 people in the winter, 160 in summer. I would be the only doctor for at least half of that time, with only narrow windows for medical evacuation in case something goes wrong. Read more…
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Release of Nutrients from Lake-Bottom Sediments Worsens Lake Erie’s Annual ‘Dead Zone,’ could Intensify as Climate Warms
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SAWFISH NEWS by Tonya Wiley: Havenworth Coastal Conservation ESA Listing Anniversary for Smalltooth Sawfish in the U.S.
The population of smalltooth sawfish in the United States experienced a significant decrease in numbers and distribution during the 20th century due to overfishing, habitat loss, and limited reproduction. Given the decline, NOAA Fisheries listed the U.S. population of smalltooth sawfish as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act eighteen years ago on April 1, 2003. Read more…
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Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.
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