Dive sites tend to be located where the reefs and walls display the most beautiful corals and sponges. It only takes a moment-an inadvertently placed hand or knee, or a careless brush or kick with a fin-to destroy this fragile, living part of our delicate ecosystem. By following certain basic guidelines while diving, you can help preserve the ecology and beauty of the reefs:
1. Never drop boat anchors onto a coral reef and take care not to ground boats on coral. Encourage dive operators and regulatory bodies in their efforts to establish permanent moorings at appropriate dive sites.
2. Practice and maintain proper buoyancy control and avoid overweighting.
Be aware that buoyancy can change over the period of an extended trip. Initially you may breathe harder and need more weighting; a few days later you may breathe more easily and need less weight. Tip: Use your weight belt and tank position to maintain a horizontal position-raise them to elevate your feet, lower them to elevate your upper body. Also be careful about buoyancy loss: As you go deeper, your wetsuit compresses, as does the air in your BC.
3. Avoid touching living marine organisms with your body and equipment. Coral polyps can be damaged by even the gentlest contact. Never stand on or touch living coral. The use of gloves is no longer recommended: Gloves make it too easy to hold on to the reef. The abrasion caused by gloves may be even more damaging to the reef than your hands are. If you must hold on to the reef, touch only exposed rock or dead coral.
4. Take great care in underwater caves. Spend as little time within them as possible, as your air bubbles can damage fragile organisms. Take turns to inspect the interior of a small cave or under a ledge to lessen the chances of damaging contact
5. Be conscious of your fins. Even without contact, the surge from heavy fin strokes near the reef can do damage. Avoid full-leg kicks when diving close to the bottom and when leaving a photo scene. When you inadvertently kick something, stop kicking! It seems obvious, but some divers either panic or are totally oblivious when they bump something. When treading water in shallow reef areas, take care not to kick up clouds of sand. Settling sand can smother the delicate reef organisms.
6. Secure any gauges, computer consoles and octopus so they're not dangling-they are like miniature wrecking balls to a reef.
7. When swimming in strong currents, be extra careful about leg kicks and
handholds.
8. Photographers should take extra precaution, as cameras and equipment affect buoyancy. Changing f-stops, framing a subject and maintaining position for a photo often conspire to defeat the ideal "no-touch" approach on a reef. When you must use "holdfasts:' choose them intelligently (e.g., use one finger only for leverage off an area of dead coral).
9. Resist the temptation to collect or buy coral or shells. Aside from the ecological damage, taking home marine souvenirs depletes the beauty of a site and spoils the enjoyment of others.
10. Ensure that you take home all your trash and any litter you may find as
well. Plastics in particular pose a serious threat to marine life.
11. Resist the temptation to feed fish. You may disturb their normal eating habits, encourage aggressive behavior or feed them food that is detrimental to their health.
12. Minimize your disturbance of marine animals. Don't ride on the backs of turtles, manta rays or whale sharks as this can cause them great anxiety. Even if an animal allows you to approach closely, this is not an invitation to touch; keep your hands off the marine life!
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