As humans, we are responsible for the damage caused to the environment. If we don’t take action now, we risk destroying the natural balance of our planet forever. To preserve the oceans, we should practice sustainable snorkeling. In the snorkeling world, responsibly and sustainably means that you will not harm the sea or its inhabitants. You will also be aware of your impact on the environment while snorkeling. Here are some responsibility and sustainability tips:
Avoid Touching Coral Reefs
Coral is a living organism and can be easily damaged by human touch. It is essential to respect the reef and avoid damaging it. Accordingly, the best way to protect coral reefs is to stay at least 10 meters away. This will help prevent any damage to the reef. However, if you must get close to the reef, wear gloves. Snorkeling with gloves helps protect the reef by preventing the skin from getting in contact with the coral.Additionally, do not use sunscreen when swimming near coral reefs as this may cause bleaching. Bleached coral is dead and cannot recover—coral bleaches due to high temperatures. The sun causes coral to heat up, which makes it more susceptible to disease. Therefore, when snorkeling, always use sunscreen.
Do Not Feed Fish
Fish are susceptible to food. They need to eat daily, so they have no time to waste. When Snorkeling, please do not feed fish. Fish are an essential part of the ecosystem and rely on their diet to survive. Feeding fish could lead to overpopulation and decrease the number of fish available for other species.Additionally, feeding fish could cause diseases such as gill rot. Gill rot affects the fish’s gills and causes them to stop breathing. This leads to death. However, there are times when it is acceptable to feed fish. For example, if you see a school of fish that another person has caught, it is okay to provide them. Also, it is permissible to feed fish if you are snorkeling in a marine reserve.
No Littering
When snorkeling, try to keep the area clean. Please dispose of all trash properly. There are many places where people throw their garbage into the water. These include beaches, parks, and even the ocean itself. Remember to bring your own bag to put your trash in when snorkeling. This will help reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in the ocean. Accordingly, the Snorkeling-responsibly and sustainably means that you won’t litter. Littering includes throwing plastic bottles, cans, wrappers, etc., into the ocean. Plastic bottles and cans are one of the most common types of litter. According to the Ocean Conservancy, about 80% of plastic debris comes from land-based sources. This means that if you want to minimize the amount of plastic Pollution in the ocean, you should start by reducing the amount of plastic you produce.
Respect Wildlife
Wildlife is an essential part of the environment. We should treat them with respect. Wildlife includes sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and manatees. These animals play an essential role in maintaining the health of the ocean. They help filter out pollutants and provide nutrients to the sea. If you encounter wildlife while snorkeling, you must leave them alone. If you approach them too closely or harass them, they might become frightened and swim away. Try to observe them from afar. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel like you need to interact with the animal, then ask someone else to take pictures of you.
Scientific Data Collection
The data collected during scientific surveys are used to understand how our oceans work. Scientists collect information using underwater cameras, acoustic recorders, and other devices. This data is used to study the effects of climate change on the ocean. Climate change refers to changes in temperature, salinity, and acidity. These changes affect the organisms that live in the sea. Scientists also use these data to study the effect of human activities on the ocean. Human activities can be anything from fishing to oil spills. The data helps scientists determine what kind of impact human activity has on the sea.
Avoid Pollution
Pollution occurs when something harmful enters the natural environment. It can come from land, air, or water. Pollutants enter the ocean through sewage treatment plants, industrial discharges, stormwater runoff, and agricultural runoffs. Pollution can harm humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Some examples of Pollution include oil spills, heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, plastics, and toxic chemicals. Accordingly, snorkeling-responsibly and sustainably means avoiding polluting the environment.
Be Aware Of Marine Debris
Marine debris is any object that floats in the ocean. It can be made of wood, metal, glass, paper, plastic, rubber, or foam. It can be found anywhere in the world, including the ocean. Most marine debris is not biodegradable. As a result, this material stays in the sea for years. Marine debris can cause problems for marine life. For example, it can block light from reaching the ocean floor, preventing fish from finding food. Also, some species of fish mistake floating objects for food. In addition, marine debris can get caught in the gills of fish, causing suffocation. So when Snorkeling Responsibly and Sustainably, avoid bringing along anything that could end up as marine debris.
Protect Our Oceans From OverFishing
Snorkeling Responsively and Sustainably means protecting our oceans from over-fishing. Overfishing happens when people catch more fish than there are left in the sea. This leads to many fish being killed. When fish die, their bodies decompose and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps heat near Earth’s surface, contributing to global warming. In addition, overfished fish have less energy to grow and reproduce. Therefore, we may see fewer fish in future generations. To protect our oceans from overfishing, we must reduce the fish taken out of the sea. According to the World Wildlife Fund, overfishing is one of the biggest threats to our oceans.
Snorkeling responsibly and sustainably means taking care of your body and the environment. You should always wear a mask, fins, and snorkel while snorkeling. You should only go snorkeling if you know how to swim. According to the NOAA Snorkeling is safe if you follow all safety rules. You might hurt yourself or damage the environment if you do not follow these rules. However, the best way to enjoy snorkeling responsibly and sustainably is by going with friends and family. Doing so will help you learn about the ocean and its creatures.