During my time in the scuba diving industry, it was standard to teach the basics of responsible diving. There were the “don’t touch anything” and “look after the environment” lessons and it was reassuring to think scuba diving and other nature-intensive sports were unique; participants were stakeholders in the marine environment. But as in any sport, there will be occasions when we need reminding of the importance of sustainability, good practice and the world beyond the reef.
Do the research
Where are you going? Information is powerful. For one, do you want to go to a region of the world that is considered unsafe for tourists or has a history of political despotism? Sounds common sense but many an un-researching traveller headed for the unpleasant shock of a lifetime. On a smaller level, does your resort of choice have a policy and commitment to eco-tourism? Does it support local conservation efforts or does it fight them? And does the dive operator implement good practice?
Don’t just stick to popular guidebooks for information and take anything from official tourist brochures with a large fistful of salt. It’s always useful to ask those who’ve been there and done that. Online discussion forums on dive travel can be found on sites like Scubaboard and Divernet.
It’s not just the fish – PEOPLE count
You can't forget the human communities and the wider world. Does your resort or diveshop hire local people? Where does your money go?
Responsible tourism management also involves avoiding practices that undermine local cultures and communities. People and natural environments are intrinsically linked and detriment to one results in detriment to the other.
Maximising the positive and minimising the negative
Eco-tourism proponents and practitioners always talk about minimal impact. This refers to behaviours and actions that don’t damage the environment or affect local communities in a negative way. Does the operator take part in conservation schemes (such as marine cleanups, turtle release programs etc)? Are there no connections to harmful practices such as putting captured marine life on display? The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers further info.
Value for money should not equal use and abuse
While it's all fun to be fixated with the bronzed European scuba diving instructors, don't forget people like the boat captains and the local crew and resort staff. If it's customary to tip, it should be done fairly. I have often heard people refuse to tip, claiming tips are subsidies for low wages. This may be true but really it’s an excuse for mean-mindedness. It's also very embarrassing to go shopping with an extreme bargainer. Can they not pay more than 50 cents for a pair of shoes? Why does someone who earns $60,000 plus annually - and who can afford two big holidays per year – insist on paying so little for a souvenir? Those extra two dollars may have fed the vendor’s children for a day or two.
Get the entire story before jumping to conclusions
Sometimes, it's good to look further into the situation and not be dismissive immediately. I remember a trip to Bali where some guests were horrified to see children lugging dive equipment and tanks. "Gross exploitation" was the cry. Fact was, the village adjacent to this particular site owned the reef and the wreck on it and it controlled the operations (charging, numbers allowed etc). The money the villagers received from Sherpa duties enabled them to send their children to school (among other things that money can do) and children only worked outside of school hours.
In the water
Categorically assume that you should never remove anything from a dive site - unless you are there for that purpose - such as a cleanup, marine conservation or research. Even items you assume to be junk and remove with good intention - may be home for some marine critters. Always ask the dive operator or guide about what you should and shouldn't remove.
Good buoyancy control and mastery of movement are essential. If you’re new or a bit rusty, do a quick refresher when you arrive at your dive destination or back home before your holiday. In major cities, diveshops offer pool evenings where you can go through a skills circuit to brush up on the basics. Here is a good article from Scuba Dive Magazine.
Watch how you go and watch where you go. Don't enter that wreck or cave unless you've been informed that it's safe to do so. It can be dangerous or you may damage marine life.
Assume you can't touch any living creatures - corals, fish or others. They may injure you – or worse – you may injure them.
Ocean Etiquette from the NOAA offers some further tips.
Happy diving and stay safe.
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