Diving and the Environment
It might not be immediately obvious, but diving is not just a matter of putting on the trendy kit, getting in the water, swimming about for half-an-hour, or so, stumbling out and talking about our wonderful experiences for much longer afterwards. Of course, that is a part of it - the best part for many of us, perhaps - but real diving is so much more than that. It is a special way of thinking that constantly makes us struggle towards self-sufficiency, and ensures that we remain safe and in control at all times. Even more than that, and, perhaps, more importantly, it will encourage us to respect the sea, that amazing environment that we often use purely for our enjoyment. We should come to know how privileged we are to be able to visit and experience, for the briefest of moments, this incredible, alien world.
It is our duty to remember everything we were taught, practise our skills, no matter how qualified and experienced we are, and continually strive to refresh and expand our knowledge of diving, the underwater world and its inhabitants.
Almost all diving incidents result from bad diving practice, recklessness and disobedience or ignorance of simple, fundamental facts and rules. Almost all environmental damage by divers results from various combinations of a lack of skill, care, respect and understanding. Perfection in diving, together with a basic understanding of the sea and the life it supports, is far and away the best way of protecting yourself and the marine environment.
We should never forget that we do not belong in the sea, that we will be allowed and tolerated there only as long as we follow the rules - not just the rules that keep us safe, but also those which protect the environment. Break the former, and the risk is obvious; break the latter, and the outcome can - though it might not be so apparent in the short term – be just as devastating. Damage in the environment makes it less attractive, and leads, inevitably, to a situation in which divers no longer have a reason to visit. In effect, mistreating the reefs can eventually stop us diving just as surely, if not as dramatically, as ignoring the dive tables.
You will find our Philosophy stated elsewhere on the site: the following are seven guidelines we use and teach to help us to fulfil it:
- Never walk or stand on the reef top, except at dedicated entry points for recognised dive sites, and there only between designated boundaries. The reef table is a very sensitive environment, home to many specialised and vulnerable animals and plants that contribute to the health of the whole reef. It is also essential for the survival and development of many juvenile animals – without babies, there can be no adults.
- Never collect anything from the sea during your dives (corals, shells, etc.). Not only is it against the law (you will not be allowed to take trophies from the country), but it helps destroy the reef and its inhabitants. An empty shell may be a pretty trinket to you, but is a desirable residence to a hermit crab. If you must take things, make them only photographs and memories. If you take more, there may be nothing left but memories.
- Be careful not to touch the reef. If you must touch or hold on to something in a strong current or an emergency, please ensure that it is dead. Simply touching living corals removes their protective layer of mucus, and opens them to fatal infections. Remember, corals are living animals, not plants or rocks. They are the industrious builders of the reefs that we come to enjoy. Please leave them healthy and intact to get on with their job.
- Coral reefs are our main reason for visiting tropical waters, but there are other, less attractive environments that need equal care and protection. For example, sea grass may look like a dusty, scruffy tangle of nondescript greenery, but it provides a very sensitive and unstable home to an incredibly rich and diverse variety of life that is usually too small or well camouflaged to catch the eye. Do not stir it up, and please do not use sea grass beds a training areas!
- Be aware of your feet. Just because you cannot see what they are doing does not mean that they are behaving themselves! Most coral damage is caused by unintentional carelessness and uncontrolled fin movement. Do not get too close to the reef. Never dive overweight, and work constantly to perfect your buoyancy control. Learn to swim in a horizontal or fin-high position, using precise weight distribution.
- Respect all marine life. The sea is simply a source of enjoyment to us, but it is home to the multitudes of creatures and plants that you come to see – plus those you don’t see. When you have gone, they have to stay and fight for survival. Please give them every chance to be successful. Do not interfere with them in any way. Be as inconspicuous as you can, and try not to change their world.
- Do not feed the fish; they are eminently capable of feeding themselves without help.
TREAT THE SEA WITH RESPECT, AND SHE WILL SERVE YOU WELL.
