Diving is a sport that, due to its base, is extremely respectful of marine life. Divers dive to appreciate the magic of flowers and aquatic animals and thrive on pristine dive sites. Any diving lesson will show you skills and theory, but also ‘underwater etiquette’ that can guide your behavior in the water.

Diving is the sport in which fans are more aware of the delicacy of habitats and more respectful of the environment.

Additionally, scuba swimming areas have flourished in the world’s oceans for decades. They have learned to preserve their resources to maintain a regular income from the scuba industry. However, scuba swimming can have a negative effect on the environment.

The first obvious example is the carbon footprint of the flights it takes to get to amazing dive sites and let’s not forget the fuel used on the dive boats. These boats are propelled by gas and sometimes neglect the place where they drop anchor, thus damaging the seabed, especially the marine phanerogams that serve as a refuge for countless species.

Some divers can have a massive impact that is very negative. Although buoyancy control is taught within any particular scuba certification, some divers have difficulty maintaining a relaxed position while diving. Then they come into contact with the reef, corals and sandy bottom and can seriously disturb or even sink this fragile ecosystem.

Fins are the most common source of reef destruction. Divers should stay a reasonable distance from vegetation and go to surface level with a control level. Corals are living beings, there is no flora. These live animals are protected from infection by a thin deposit of mucus that is destroyed by human contact. Also, the oil present on human skin is harmful to them. Tanning cream is also a problem, as many of them are not environmentally friendly.

Another negative action underwater is feeding. Attracting a swarm of fish or a giant grouper by providing them with food is a great feeling. However, it is not part of the natural food chain where species prey on others, therefore creating this crucial balance that the seas need to survive. Fish stay close to reefs because they have learned that they feed daily and therefore will not seek out their natural food source.

30 years ago, some resorts expanded terribly fast before any control was put in place. Jetties have been built on the reef for easy access for snorkelers and snorkelers. Walking trails directly over the reefs have damaged them forever.

Fortunately, things have changed and dive resorts have accepted the importance of protecting their resources. Some countries like the Maldives are positively dependent on tourism and the scuba swimming industry is a large part of their national earnings. More facts about diving holidays can be found.

Scuba diving is all about enjoying the best of the seas and therefore a great sense of respect is needed so that generations to come can continue to dive in pristine and flourishing waters.