Table of Contents

ENVIRONMENT
COURSE MANUAL

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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE UNDERWATER
MARINE LIFE ............................................................ 17
ENVIRONMENT ...........................................................3
Interacting With Aquatic Life ............................... 17
Introduction and Chapter Objectives ....................3
Passive Interaction .............................................. 18
THE UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT ........................5
Active Interaction................................................. 18
Dive Evaluation .......................................................5
Coral Reefs ............................................................ 19
Temperature ............................................................5
Coral Reef Requirements ..................................... 20
Visibility ...................................................................5
Coral Luminescence ............................................. 21
Movement: Currents and Shoals ...........................6
Marine Animals ..................................................... 22
Longshore Current ................................................7
Fish ........................................................................ 22
Rip Current ............................................................7
Butterflyfish ........................................................... 23
Mild Current ...........................................................8
Scorpion Fish ........................................................ 24
Bottom Composition...............................................8
Anemone Fish ....................................................... 25
DIVING CONDITIONS ..................................................9
Wrasses ................................................................. 26
Diving in Fresh, Salt, and Ocean Waters ..............9
Marine Life: Camouflage
Waves .....................................................................10 and Self-Protection ............................................... 27
Tides .......................................................................11 Rays ....................................................................... 28
Surges ....................................................................12 Sharks .................................................................... 29
Temperate Water Diving .......................................13 Moray Eels ............................................................. 30
Sponge Gardens .................................................13 PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ........................ 31
Rivers and Estuaries ...........................................14
Conservation and Preservation ........................... 31
Lakes ...................................................................15
Freshwater Cave Systems ..................................16 Eco-Friendly Diving Guidelines ........................... 32

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Introduction to the Underwater Environment

INTRODUCTION TO THE
UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION AND CHAPTER
OBJECTIVES
The seas and oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth’s
surface forming its largest habitat and have a huge impact on
our lives in general. This truly is a blue water planet. All living
things—from a bacterium to a giant redwood, a hummingbird
to an elephant—trace their ancestry to an aquatic lifeform.
Today, oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and streams—a network
that connects every corner of our world—are humanity’s most
important food source. And among other interactions, the
oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers regulate gases in the
atmosphere and play a critical role in climate control.

The areas that divers generally venture into are the shallower
regions that are near land. Climate and geological conditions
influence these areas the most. For example, rivers bring
fresh water, sediments, and pollution from our cities and
towns. Natural erosion and human settlements change
coastlines. Weather impacts conditions, waves break, and
water movement creates currents. As a diver, you are
entering this environment and must learn how it will affect you
and how you will affect it. As a diver, you will become an
advocate for the blue water planet. You should educate
yourself further about the environment and be aware of the
need to protect and conserve it.

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Introduction to the Underwater Environment

The following are the chapter objectives:

• Describe the effects the environment has on diving

• Outline the differences between saltwater and freshwater diving
• Describe passive and active interactions with marine life
• Describe what a coral reef is and how important the reefs are to all life on earth
• List some general types of marine life

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The Underwater Environment

THE UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT

DIVE EVALUATION
Before every dive, you should evaluate the water conditions and decide if they are suitable for the dive you have planned and your
skill and experience level. This is a critical aspect of safe and enjoyable diving.

As long as you choose a dive site and conditions that are within your training and comfort level, you will have a great time. Anytime
you plan to dive at a new site, it is important to get an orientation of the site’s above- and below-surface features from someone who
knows the site. The nearest dive store may be the best source of information, but don’t discount the help of a local dive group or
club. This information about the dive site can make the difference between a great dive and a rotten one.

Environmental considerations to consider include temperature, visibility, tides or currents, bottom composition, marine life, any
sensitive or dangerous areas, and impact on surrounding land and landowners.

TEMPERATURE
Water temperature varies in greatly around the world from –2° Celsius to 30° Celsius, or from 28° Fahrenheit to 86° Fahrenheit. But
it can climb as high as 40° Celsius/104° Fahrenheit at the equator. Seasonal temperature in the same area may vary astonishingly.
For example, in areas of the Great Lakes (Canada and U.S.), surface temperatures between summer and winter drop more than 20°
Celsius/almost 40° Fahrenheit.

Temperature is also likely to vary with depth and will often become cooler as you go deeper. A marked change of water temperature
is called a thermocline. A thermocline separates two layers of water of different temperatures (and densities) and occasionally you
will get visual distortion where the layers mix. Thermoclines can be at different levels due to many factors including the season and
weather conditions.

As a diver, you need to be prepared for the varying temperatures you will encounter on your dives by choosing appropriate exposure
protection. A simple guideline is to “dress for depth” and not for surface temperatures.

VISIBILITY
Upon reaching the dive site, the most frequently asked question is “What’s the viz?” Visibility is based on how far you can see
horizontally, and the visibility can range from 0 to 100 meters, or from 0 to 330 feet.

Visibility can be affected by numerous factors:

• Wind causes waves and swells that can stir up the bottom sediment.
• Currents and tides create water movement that again can stir up the bottom or bring clean or dirty water into the area.
• Rain can cause rivers to pick up more sediment that can flow farther into the ocean.
• Bottom composition will also determine how much visibility would be affected by these factors. A fine silty bottom will stir up
more easily and settle a lot slower than a coarse sand or rocky bottom.

In low visibility, stay close to your buddy or the person leading the dive (a divemaster for instance), and track your position using
your compass and natural features you may be familiar with. When possible, use a reference line to descend and ascend. Or when
shore diving, follow the natural navigation signs pointing to your safe entry and exit points. Your instructor will help teach you these
skills, but you will gain confidence as your experience grows. Also, staying close to your buddy or dive professional is always a good
idea and can help to prevent problems from occurring.

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The Underwater Environment

You should consider learning more about how to dive safely at night or in areas where the visibility is reduced. Always evaluate the
conditions to determine if it is safe to dive with your current level of training and experience.

SAFETY TIP
Even in good visibility, it can be easy to lose reference points. When the water is very clear, you may experience
vertigo (dizziness). It is also important to keep an eye on depth because it is easy to go too deep and exceed your
planned maximum depth.

MOVEMENT: CURRENTS AND SHOALS

Currents describe the movement of water in one direction or another. Be aware that currents can be variable and may change
direction as tides or wave actions change. For reasons of safety and comfort, divers need to be aware of the effects of currents and
understand the limitations of moving in a current.

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The Underwater Environment

Longshore Current

Waves generally approach the shore at an angle and rush up the beach at an angle and back following the slope. This action results
in water movement along the shoreline. If you do not account for the water movement, you will be pushed away from your intended
exit point. So, begin your shore-entry dive upcurrent from your exit point, or dive into the current and drift back to the exit on your
return. A dive that carries you along the reef or shore is called a drift dive.

This type of diving can be great fun, but you should log several workup dives in mild current if this type of diving interests you. Also,
you should consider taking the drift diving specialty training.

Rip Current
The volume of water carried to the beach by wave action and tides needs to escape, and it will generally do this along the easiest
path. In places with a topography that favors the formation of rip currents, this rush to escape can form narrow streams of fast-
running water rushing back out to sea. Many beaches with multiple offshore sand bars or shallow reefs can also produce rip
currents.

Rip currents tend to be very strong and can tear you away from the shore quickly. Another factor in the danger of rip currents is that
they may form only at certain stages of the tide cycle (for example, just before or just after high tide) and maybe worse during spring
tide conditions.

One general guideline, but by no means the only one, is that rip currents are usually formed on beaches with a lot of wave action.

You can usually see a line of turbid, foamy water moving away from shore, and it often will disrupt the waves where it rushes
seaward. If you get caught in a rip current, establish neutral buoyancy and swim across the narrow area of moving water. Never try
to swim against a rip current!

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The Underwater Environment

Mild Current

When diving in a mild current, always start your dive into the current. Then on your return, the current can assist you back to the
shore or dive boat. Avoid surface swims against a current; they will tire you. Rather, swim along the bottom, where the current is
usually weaker, if the bottom is in reach of your dive plan. If a current takes you past your exit point, establish positive buoyancy,
signal to the dive boat or surface support for help, and wait until you are collected.

You can use currents for drift diving. This type of diving requires more training and practice. You need to follow safety rules and
keep a good eye on your buddy or dive professional. It is much easier to get disoriented while drift diving.

SAFETY TIP
Strong currents can be dangerous for any diver. Do not attempt to dive in strong currents until you have the training
and experience to do it safely.

BOTTOM COMPOSITION
If you dive close to the bottom, you will find interesting things to look at. Coral reefs, vegetation, rocks, sand, seaweed, mud, and silt
make up bottom composition, housing an ecosystem of aquatic life. You need to be aware of the different types of bottom
composition and dive accordingly.

If you don’t pay attention, you could possibly end up getting scratched, silting up the water, or getting entangled in submerged plant
life or old fishing lines. Do not touch or knock anything because this can potentially damage sensitive aquatic organisms. Establish
neutral buoyancy, and streamline yourself and your equipment.

REMEMBER…
Buoyancy is your most important skill. Practice it on every dive, and take additional courses to learn greater
buoyancy skills.

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Diving Conditions

DIVING CONDITIONS
DIVING IN FRESH, SALT, AND OCEAN WATERS

Diving in fresh and salt water can be quite different in regards to general conditions and aquatic and plant life.

Examples of fresh water are lakes, quarries, springs, dams, rivers, and ponds. There may be interesting activities such as wreck
diving, cavern diving, strong-current diving, and mountain-altitude diving. Don’t forget that when you dive in fresh water, you will be
heavier because fresh water weighs less than salt water. So, take some weight off!

Recreational diving in salt water usually takes place in tropical and temperate zones and factors to take into account include surf,
tides, currents, waves, boat launches, coral reefs, wall dives, and even remote locations. Arctic and Antarctic conditions can be
spectacular but are outside the purview of recreational sport diving.

SAFETY TIP
You will need additional specialized training for overhead environments, such as going inside a wreck, cavern, or
cave. These dives are not in open water. If you cannot make a direct ascent to the surface, do not dive there until
you are adequately qualified. Even open water instructors have perished in caves. Do not attempt these types of
dives without additional training, experience, and special equipment.

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Diving Conditions

WAVES

Wind creates friction between air and water molecules.

Wind causes waves on the ocean or freshwater lakes. The wind transfers its energy to the water through friction between the air
molecules and the water molecules.

A strong wind for several hours can make large waves, which are hazardous to diving. A wind that turns and then comes in from
another direction usually flattens waves, reducing their energy. When waves arrive in shallow water, they break as surf. Surf is
created when the speed of water in contact with the seabed slows down (due to friction), and this causes the top of the wave to
become unstable and break.

You will need to learn special techniques for surf entries and for timing your entries and exits through the surf zone while watching
the wave pattern. Timing your entry and exit to avoid the full force of the waves makes sense because waves can approach from
different directions, which can build very large and powerful waves. Sometimes, too, these collisions can cancel the wave’s energies
out and make a series of smaller and less challenging waves. Diving in large surf makes for low visibility and hazardous conditions.

Tidal waves or tsunamis are typically caused by underwater volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or landslides. And they are rare
occurrences.

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Diving Conditions

TIDES

Tides are caused by the gravitational interaction of the earth and the moon (and to a much lesser extent, the sun), causing periodic
rises and falls of huge volumes of water.

• Two tides occur each day.

- Spring tides are strong tides, occurring when the earth, sun, and moon are in a line during a full or new moon.
- Neap tides are weak tides, occurring during quarter moons when the sun and moon are perpendicular to one another
(with respect to the earth).
• Generally, the best time to dive is at high tide.

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Diving Conditions

SURGES

Surges are backward and forward water movement as it travels over a shallow area. There are circumstances where surges can be
felt as deep as 60 to 70 meters/197 to 230 feet. It is best to avoid diving near shallow, rocky reef areas because the surge may carry
you to the surface or knock you into the reef.

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Diving Conditions

TEMPERATE WATER DIVING

The ocean and its corals are a very popular type of diving environment. There are many other types of dive sites, and depending on
the area in which you live, you may be able to enjoy “local diving.” Some dive sites may involve extra experience, equipment, and
training, but many may not. Your local dive center is best equipped to advise you regarding the diving in your area.

Sponge Gardens

Many people dive in subtropical and temperate waters in places all around the world. These diving sites have many alternatives to
the coral environments that are seen in the tropical areas.

Sponge gardens are very common in cooler waters and have a large variety of colors, shapes, and species. These are often home
to many kinds of fish and create an ecosystem that is quite diverse. Sponges are delicate filter feeders. You should take good
control of your buoyancy when diving around them so that you do no damage.

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Diving Conditions

Rivers and Estuaries

Often, divers enjoy exploring different environments such as freshwater rivers or estuaries where rivers join the ocean. There will be
many different kinds of animals quite different to those you’ll see in the ocean. This can be an exciting type of diving but can involve
currents or swift water movement. Be aware of the hazards, and remember to dive well within your training, experience, and comfort
zone. Never overestimate your ability to manage challenging conditions. If you have to face a challenging condition, borrow a line
that many rebreather divers use: If in doubt, bail out. It is much better to be on the surface wishing you were in the water rather than
the other way around.

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Diving Conditions

Lakes

There are many places where the ocean is a long day-trip away, while a lake with a diving area is nearby. Some lakes are very
clear, but others are not. For example, fallen trees and forest vegetation leach tannins into lake water. When tannins leach out, they
discolor water, which may seriously limit visibility and make it extremely difficult to keep in contact with your buddy or dive
professional. Diving in these conditions to almost any depth is essentially a night dive. Treat these dives as such. And remember
that if you do become separated from your dive partner, spend a short time looking around for them. If your dive partner has
disappeared, surface and wait for him or her to appear.

Lakes are usually freshwater, so they will have a variety of freshwater animals to see. These animals include crayfish, bass, pike,
trout, and many other species of bony fish. If you are into watching smaller creatures, keep an eye open for small crustaceans. They
make a fascinating study, and hanging motionless watching nature unfold is excellent “buoyancy training.”

Speaking of which, care must be taken near the bottom of lakes because many have a very fine silt bottom that can create low
visibility very fast. Keep off the bottom and keep your fins out of the muck.

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Diving Conditions

Freshwater Cave Systems

Cave systems definitely require extra training but can be beautiful and exciting places to dive. Often, there are colorful formations
from a time when the cave was a dry system. Stalagmites, stalactites, crystal columns, flowstones, soda straws, and other forms of
“cave furniture” can be seen. There are also whole unique families of animals that live in low-light conditions, including blind cave
shrimp that have no pigment, so their bodies are transparent.

REMEMBER…
As an open water diver, you should not go into any overhead diving environments without the required training.
There are, however, some areas (such as Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula) that have guides to accompany you through
areas where direct access to the safety of the surface is available. This type of diving experience is well worth the
effort; most divers get a special thrill and log these dives as among their most memorable. However, undertake this
kind of dive only with a reputable guide, and do not make the mistake of thinking this is overhead training. It is not.

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Marine Life

MARINE LIFE
INTERACTING WITH AQUATIC LIFE

You will be interacting with new and intriguing underwater organisms. Some will swim up to you showing curiosity, while others will
flee. You may be swimming through kelp forests, over coral heads, and beside schools of fish. But wherever you are, you carry a
responsibility to the ocean realm. Interacting with the marine animals and sea life can be fun; however, here are a couple of points to
remember.

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Marine Life

Passive Interaction

Divers approaching fish can scare them away. Camera flashes can disturb fish, especially if they are resting in small crevices in the
coral and rock overhangs. Move quietly and gently and try to cause the least disturbance possible.

Active Interaction
Making physical contact with the reef can cause it to break its protective mucus-like barrier. Foreign material and bacteria then can
form, which will eventually kill the coral.

Making contact with fish by frequently feeding them different foods that are not usually in their diet can alter their behavior and can
even stop them from feeding on their normal prey. Marine scientists, who need to actively interact with the marine life when doing
surveys or research, do so responsibly and in a fashion that causes only minimal disruption to the environment and the organisms
that call it home.

Chasing, grabbing, touching, turning over marine animals, and generally disturbing them while in their natural environment can be
very harmful and is frowned upon. Remember, we are visitors to their ocean realm.

Nearly all injuries involving aquatic life result from human carelessness. It takes only a little understanding and care to help avoid
potential problems.

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Marine Life

CORAL REEFS

Soft coral

The world’s largest living organism is made up of millions of small creatures that reproduce and die off leaving a hard limestone
skeleton. This is a colony that continually builds upon itself, creating massive reef structures over many generations. Coral reefs
support over 25% of all known marine species. As one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet, coral reefs are home to over
4,000 different species of fish, approximately 700 known species of coral, and thousands of other marine animals.

Although coral is often mistaken for a rock or a plant, it is actually composed of tiny, fragile animals called coral polyps. When we
say “coral,” we are actually referring to these animals and the skeletons they leave behind after they have died. The geological
record indicates that the ancestors of modern coral reef ecosystems were formed at least 240 million years ago.

The largest coral reef on earth is Australia’s Great Barrier Reef stretching many thousands of kilometers down the east coast of the
continent. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet and an underwater paradise for avid divers.

The planet’s second largest reef system is in the Meso-American Barrier Reef System, which extends from the tip of Mexico’s
Yucatán to Honduras.

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Marine Life

CORAL REEF REQUIREMENTS

Corals require the following to survive in their environment.

• Sunlight: The vast majority of corals need to grow in relatively shallow water, where sunlight can reach them. Because
corals depend on the zooxanthellae (algae) that grow inside of them and this algae needs sunlight to survive, corals need
sunlight to survive too. Therefore, corals rarely develop deeper than 50 meters/164 feet.
• Clear Water: Corals need clear water to survive and do not thrive well when the water is opaque. Sediment and plankton
can cloud the water, which decreases the amount of sunlight that reaches the zooxanthellae.
• Temperature: Reef-building corals require warm water conditions to survive. Different corals living in different regions can
withstand different temperature fluctuations. However, corals generally live in water temperatures ranging from 20° Celsius
to 32° Celsius, or from 68° Fahrenheit to 90° Fahrenheit.
• Clean Water: Corals are sensitive to pollution and sediments. Sediments can settle on coral, blocking out sunlight and
smothering coral polyps. Pollution from sewage and fertilizers increases nutrient levels in the water, harming corals. When
there are too many nutrients in the water, the ecological balance of the coral community is altered.
• Salt Water: Corals need saltwater to survive and require a certain balance in the ratio of salt to water. This is why corals do
not live in areas where rivers drain freshwater into the ocean.

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Marine Life

CORAL LUMINESCENCE

Some corals are now known to emit bioluminescence which can be seen using specialized lights and filters at night. The
luminescence makes for an amazing and unusual experience, showing that reefs have an intriguingly different character when the
sun goes down. Night dives are outside the scope of this course’s certification, but this specialty is one you should consider if your
adventures are going to take you to a coral reef.

Tropical seas are wonderful, yet cold water divers from the New England coast to British Columbia, Canada, boast that they have
some of the most exciting, diverse, and colorful diving in the world. Warm or cold water, fresh or salt water, domestic or foreign—
every location features its own attractions.

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Marine Life

MARINE ANIMALS

Divers very rarely suffer attacks from aquatic animals. If any of the larger marine animals are provoked, they certainly can become
potentially dangerous. Years of misinformation on television and in the movies have given many people an unwarranted fear of our
oceans’ inhabitants.

The timid octopus, gentle orca, and giant squid have all been portrayed as terrors of the deep! The reality is that none of them are a
threat to humans. Even the shark, the most dreaded of all sea predators, is not quite the terror that the Hollywood movie industry
would have us believe.

Animals may seem aggressive, but actually, they are frightened and are only protecting themselves. For example, if you actively
disturb and touch animals, it is possible that they might bite you. The animal is only being defensive!

FISH
Fish are cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates that breathe by means of gills and use fins for movement. They are divided into two main
groups: bony fish that have a skeleton made of true bone and cartilaginous fish that have a skeleton composed of cartilage. There
are over 20,000 fish species worldwide, and this makes them the vertebrate group with the largest number of different species.

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Marine Life

BUTTERFLYFISH

Butterflyfish are small, round, thin-bodied fish, each having a distinctive color pattern. Their small size (usually less than 20
centimeters/8 inches) and slightly concave foreheads make them distinguishable from the larger and similarly shaped angel fish that
have rounded foreheads. The eyes of butterflyfish are generally concealed by dark bars on the head. These concealed eyes and the
false eye spots found near the tail on several species are markings thought to confuse predators. At night, the butterflyfish become
inactive and may change color and markings.

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Marine Life

SCORPION FISH

Scorpion fish are a group of rather spiny and often bizarre-looking fish that include several species with defensive venomous fin
spines. Wounds from touching the ends of these sharp spines can cause severe pain. Treatment of a wound entails applying an
extremely hot poultice for at least 30 minutes to break down the powerful protein toxin.

Scorpion fish are largely solitary bottom-dwelling reef fish that rely on their camouflage to avoid detection while they lie in ambush
for small fish. The exceptions are the various species of lionfish, which tend to be free-swimming.

The best defense against scorpion fish is avoidance. Simply control your buoyancy and keep clear of the bottom.

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Marine Life

ANEMONE FISH

Damselfish form one of the largest families of reef fish inhabiting warm coastal waters. These small oval-bodied fish vary greatly in
color and pattern, and they display interesting behavioral characteristics. Most species, especially algae-feeding species, are
territorial and aggressive toward intruders, particularly when guarding their nesting sites. They are often seen darting to and from
catching food in the passing current. Female damselfish lay their eggs on the substratum and eggs are guarded by the male.

Anemone fish live in symbiosis with large anemones.

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Marine Life

WRASSES

Wrasses are a large and diverse family of reef fish that vary considerably in size. Most are small and elongated, and they have a
continuous dorsal fin. The majority of wrasses are beautifully colored. Some exhibit dramatic color-pattern changes with growth and
between the sexes, which makes identification difficult. Sex change is common in this family. Wrasses have a distinct swimming
style that depends more on the pectoral fins than the tail. All wrasses are carnivorous, but their food habits vary. Among the largest
of the wrasses are those belonging to the genus Bodianus, which are commonly called hogfish.

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Marine Life

MARINE LIFE: CAMOUFLAGE AND SELF-PROTECTION

Here are a few masters of camouflage and self-protection: scorpion fish, lionfish, false stonefish, octopus, dragonfish, and shell.

Scorpion Fish Lionfish

False Stonefish Octopus

Dragonfish Shell

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Marine Life

RAYS

Rays have cartilaginous skeletons, flattened bodies, and greatly expanded pectoral fins fused to the head, giving them a disc-like
shape. Below the pectoral fins are five gill slits. Many have a whip-like tail armed with one or two sharp spines, which are used for
defense.

Rays are not aggressive and retaliate only if provoked. Sand sharks appear more ray-like than shark-like. They have a flat body with
expanded pectoral fins and a well-developed tail. Most rays and sand sharks live close to sandy bottoms and have a very distinctive
way of swimming which resembles a large bird flying.

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Marine Life

SHARKS

Sharks have cartilaginous skeletons and sandpaper-like skins. They also have fleshy fins and five to seven gill slits on either side of
the head. Adult males have paired claspers used during mating. Most sharks are solitary, but some congregate during their mating
season. The majority are harmless and interact peacefully, but some are potentially dangerous to humans when conditions cause
sharks to misidentify their prey.

The number of scuba divers attacked by sharks while wearing scuba equipment is extremely low. Some species present a greater
risk than others, and it is important you learn about species in the area you intend to dive and if necessary, avoid known habitats
and swimming during peak feeding times, usually twilight.

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Marine Life

MORAY EELS

Moray eels are slender snake-like fish that lack scales and pelvic and pectoral fins. They constantly open and close their large
mouths to move water over their gills for respiration, and they have sharp fang-like teeth. Although not aggressive toward divers,
they can inflict a nasty bite if provoked. Most moray eels are secretive during the day and hide in recesses in the reef. They do not
usually try to camouflage themselves, but they are occasionally seen with their heads protruding from their shelters. Moray eels are
voracious nocturnal hunters of small fish and octopuses, and they detect their food by smell.

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Protecting the Environment

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION

As scuba divers, we all have a duty to protect the ocean that we use as a food source and a place of leisure. Humans are the
greatest single factor in the degradation of ocean water quality and fish stocks. If we ignore this important fact, there will be possible
negative consequences for a resource that needs to be managed properly.

The world population is growing, and one of humanity’s main sources of food is the ocean. This resource relies on a delicate
balance to retain its marine animal stock. Its eco-structure is a finely tuned mechanism affected by changes in many parts of the
food chain. For example, if we overfish smaller fish, larger predators will need to find life-supporting food elsewhere. On the other
hand, if we remove too many of the large fish, smaller prey species may increase in number and affect the next part of the food
chain. The marine environment is a completely balanced and self-sustaining system until humans disturb it.

Pollution from humans is another major source of negative impact on marine environments. The material that we allow to flow into
our rivers causes run off that reaches the ocean and, therefore, has an effect on that environment. Habitats become degraded and
can no longer support the marine life that formerly thrived. So, this process affects the food chain from the bottom up.

The ocean is an amazing and mysterious part of our world. We are only just discovering much of its wonders and learning how it
affects the planet as a whole. There is so much more to explore, discover, and record. New marine animal species are still being
found as part of a growing movement of study, appreciation, and protection.

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Protecting the Environment

ECO-FRIENDLY DIVING GUIDELINES

Follow these guidelines when you are diving.

• Become a master of buoyancy control.

• Be aware of your fins to protect what is underneath you.
• Do not touch or take shells, coral, or rocks with marine growth.
• Learn how to positively interact with marine life.
• Do not harass marine life.
• Apply sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before entering the water so that most of it does not wash away into the
environment.
• Use coral-friendly products.
• Participate in surveys, clean-up days, and environmental awareness initiatives.
• Report sightings of important animals or reef damage to local data collection agencies, such as Eye on the Reef.
• Avoid using and discarding plastics on the dive boat.
• Never stand on coral.

REMEMBER…
Divers are ambassadors for the marine world. Their positive, pro-active approach and sensitivity to a healthy ocean
will benefit all for the future years to come.

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