5 TIPS TO PROTECT OUR OCEAN ENVIRONMENT AS A DIVER

Ocean created live and culture. Human as a specie would’ve not been able to survive and thrive without ocean. However, overfishing, waste and pollution are damaging our sea like never before.

But don’t give in. As a diver, we can turn the tide. Following 5 tips are something small but important that we can do to make a difference. If we can all follow the tips and share them out, our ocean for sure will become healthy again.

PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT

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Ocean takes everything. All the waste that was not properly disposed will end up in the ocean. For those that can be decomposed, they will dissolve in the marine ecosystem and eventually end up in our body if we enjoy seafood a lot. For those that can not be decomposed, they will become smaller and smaller by all the nature forces and at some points small enough to be eaten by fish and other aquatic animals, then again, ending up in our body.

Therefore, the items that we trashed today will probably get on the dinner table three hundred years later from now. Make sure our waste is probably dealt with, don’t turn our ocean into the trash yard.

CARRY A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

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It is really critical to stay hydrated, especially when you dive in tropical area. Dehydration not only contributes to heat stroke, but it also increases the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). However, it is really important for the ocean that we all carry a reusable water bottle.

A reusable water bottle can save as many as 1,500 plastic cups a year. Remember it takes about 500 years for most of these cups to decompose. If we can all stop using single use plastic cups, we can greatly reduce some pressure for our ocean.

CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

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Many divers also enjoy some tasty seafood after a long day diving. However, it is important to know where your sea food is from and how they are caught.

Blue fin tuna is listed as endangered because of human consumption. The demand of shark fin soup created negative impacts on marine ecosystem. Shrimp trawling bycatches about 5lbs for every pound of shrimp. Turtle, baby sharks, dolphins as well as many important species are in the bycatch list. Farming seafood also has certain impacts on marine environment, however, at least no more bycatches from a fish farm.

Make the right choice when you have the menu. Check out local instruction about sustainable seafood before order.

USE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SUN CREAM

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It is important to wear sun cream while travelling into tropical area in order to protect our skin. However, if we are diving or snorkeling, we need to use sun cream that is environmentally friendly. Check and make sure no following component is listed in your sun cream to make your they are biodegradable. Otherwise the wash-off sun cream will damage the coral reefs and cause the coral bleaching.

– Oxybenzone
– Octyl methoxycinnamate
– Butylparabe
– 4-methylbenzylidene camphor

DON´T FEED FISH

To attract more tourists, many places would offer fish feed experience for divers and snorkelers. Though such behavior looks harmless, it does cause some negative impact for the marine ecosystem.

First, not all the fish can digest human food, many fish will get sick and die after consuming human food like bread or cookies. Second and more importantly, once well fed by human, fish will stop eating what’s on their normal menu. A common case we can easily find everywhere when people feed the fish is about herbivore fish, algae and coral. When herbivore fish are full with human food, they will stop eating algae, which then will cover the coral, leading to coral bleaching.

We control the future of our ocean. As a divers, we are obligated to save the ocean and to preserve the beauty for our next generation. Let’s start from these five little things. With your help, for sure our ocean will survive and thrive.