Those who have practiced some type of underwater activity can consider themselves privileged, as they can experience the wonder of marine biodiversity directly through coral reefs.
An advanced level of diving is required to take photos and/or video. Even though these ecosystems face an uncertain future, these people have become the most effective advocates for their conservation. As divers, we have a mission to take care of the coral reefs we visit. With this simple guide, you can become a “Coral Friend” diver.
START AT HOME
- Stay at places committed to conservation, such as those that advertise that they recycle and apply environmentally friendly treatments to their solid waste.
- Visit the Coral Parks and marine areas under surveillance.
- Choose dive operators whose activities involve reef conservation, such as:
- Diver guidance on reef conservation.
- Conducting workshops on buoy control.
- Support for local coral reef parks.
- Use of mooring buoys instead of anchors, whenever possible.
- Use of appropriate facilities for pumping wastewater.
- Maintain your diving skills and improve them with training, especially buoyancy control, working in a pool or on a sandy bottom, always away from the coral reef.
- Learn everything you can about coral reefs; they are fascinating and very fragile environments.
IN THE WATER
- Avoid all contact with marine life. Corals are very delicate animals, a light touch can damage them and some can even cut you and cause other damage.
- Choose carefully where you will enter and exit the water, avoiding coral areas.
- Make sure all equipment is secured so it doesn't come loose.
- Maintain neutral buoyancy at all times.
- Keep good control of your fins and body to avoid accidental contact with the reef or stirring up sediment that could kill the coral.
- Stay off the bottom and never stand on coral.
- Avoid wearing gloves and knee pads in these environments: exposed skin makes divers more careful about what they touch.
- Do not remove anything living or dead from the water, unless it is garbage.
- Keep interaction with marine life to a minimum
- Do not chase, harass or ride marine species.
- Do not handle or feed marine life except under expert supervision and following established regulations.
DIVING IN THE “COMFORT ZONE”
Stay in an area where you feel safe and don't get too close to the reef. Depending on your diving skills, experience, age and fitness level, you can determine how close you feel comfortable to enjoy the coral without harming it.
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Photo and video equipment is often bulky and affects the diver's buoyancy and mobility in the water. It is very easy to damage coral and marine life when concentrating on framing and/or taking a shot. Special training is essential for these activities.
DIVING BOATS
- Choose dive operators who use mooring lines for their boats whenever possible. Anchors destroy fragile corals when thrown directly at them.
- Make sure trash is stored properly, especially lightweight items like disposable cups and bags, which are easily blown away by the wind.
- Take your trash with you and dispose of it responsibly (especially batteries).
ON THE COAST
- Pay user fees at Coral Reef Parks and protected areas that actively support conservation.
- Promotes and supports the use of mooring buoys for diving boats.
- Please fill out the visitor and observation forms properly.
- Participate in clean-up campaigns.
- Offer your skills by volunteering.
- Consider donating your unused equipment (cameras, diving gear, and coral reef identification guides).
- Don't buy souvenirs made from marine life; it is generally illegal since many species are endangered and protected by national laws and those established under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
- Speak up: Make sure your dive buddies clearly understand these simple conservation measures. We need to work together to ultimately protect and conserve coral reefs.
© CORAL.
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