Lesson 117

Lesson one: Introduction – The Underwater World’s Ambassador

Course Complete

Poor dive techniques, and neglect, can damage fragile aquatic life. However, divers are not a significant threat to the overall health of the underwater environment. The significant threats are pollutants, climate change, dredging, the loss of mangroves and the spread of invasive species (among others).

The types of damage divers cause through poor technique are localized and do not threaten ecological survival. Injury and death of fragile organisms occur due to impacts and contact in nature without divers present. Even with diving’s growth and popularity, it isn’t expected that an underwater environment could be destroyed simply due to diving activity.

Intentional interactions by some divers can have serious environmental consequences, however. Underwater hunting without restraint and limits in the 1960s and 1970s showed that divers can reduce the population of important species from large areas. Some of these species are only now recovering.

Also, devastating effects result from using toxins to catch fish (once common for the aquarium trade) and similar actions. Damage to wrecks and other cultural resources, such as intentionally removing artifacts, can destroy the archaeological value and leave the site less desirable for other divers. Some countries have closed or greatly restricted diving due to such damage.