Diving is a great underwater experience to explore the beauty and nature that lie beneath the ocean. This pastime, however, can have a profound impact on coral reefs and marine life.It is estimated that 88 per cent of divers make harmful contact with the reef at least once during a dive from trampling and kicking coral with fins, and destructive boat anchorage, especially if you dive with a company that is not environmentally responsible.Such damage makes corals less likely to survive other stressors: overfishing, plastic debris, run-off from land containing pollutants, coral disease outbreaks and bleaching.Ecotourism, when done correctly, can create positive environmental and social impact, shows the Reef-World Foundation, the international coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Green Fins Initiative. The Green Fins initiative aims to protect coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling industry.Leticia Carvalho, Principal Coordinator, Marine and Freshwater Branch at UNEP, said: “Tourism is a major economic force whose development can have a fundamental impact on societies and the environment, both positive and negative. Governments, citizens, and the private sector have a role in making tourism more sustainable. I hope the tips below will be useful as you go for the summer holidays.”Here are some tips recommended by the Reef-World Foundation about planning a sustainable diving holiday when choosing to visit coastal locations.
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