Obviously, we don’t want to be the ruin of the beautiful oceans that we’re so fond of exploring. Unfortunately, some popular dive spots have become ruined over time because of poor management and irresponsible divers.

Skills, training and knowledge

Responsible scuba divers possess adequate skills. This requires practice and training for good buoyancy control. This is important especially when diving sensitive environments like coral growths and shipwrecks. You should avoid disturbing marine life, touching them – unless you are certain it is safe and OK for both you and the marine life – and getting in entanglements. Many organisms are vulnerable to even the slightest brushes.

Planning and preparing for dives is vital – don’t put yourself or others in danger – not to mention marine life.

Dive within your means (training, ability and confidence level). You should be familiar with your equipment and know how to use it.

Your equipment should be streamlined. Dangling gauges and accessories are hazardous to you and to marine life.

Take specialist training – you need additional knowledge and training to dive overhead environments (such as caves and wrecks) or to venture to greater depths.

Responsibility and good practice underwater and on land

Do not take souvenirs and artifacts. You may – often unknowingly – be disturbing marine life by taking items out of the water. Collecting is also prohibited by law in many areas. Follow the popular saying: “Take only pictures and leave only bubbles.”

Learn about marine life in the areas you’ll be diving. Listen to professional guides, safety briefings and dive briefings.

Respect local customs and laws. If the reefs are out-of-bounds, there is probably a reason.

Do not litter or throw objects into the ocean. Litter is a hazard to marine life and to people. You can also help by picking up refuse and recyclables on the shore. Get involved in cleanup campaigns on shore.

Take advice from local professionals and follow their instructions.

Dive with responsible operators. Do some research. There are various national and international certifications and awards for dive shops, schools and resorts for good environmental practices.

Get involved with conservation projects – either in your local community or during your travels.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com.

Lou Kawakami is a consultant with a keen interest in the oceans and environmentally-friendly living. She has an extensive background in marketing, education and social policy. In addition, she is a scuba diving instructor who has travelled a bit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_Kawakami

And as long as humans have ventured under the oceans, we’ve been trying to get down to these sunken ships to take a look.

In recent history, we’ve been intentionally sinking unused and outdated vessels and calling them “artificial reefs”. There is a measured benefit to both marine life and local economies when “artificial reef societies” intentionally put a ship on the bottom of the ocean. In Nanaimo, BC, Canada, the local Chamber of Commerce reports that the two artificial reefs, the HMCS Saskatchwan and HMCS Cape Breton, located in the Nanaimo harbour, have produced a four million dollar a year increase in tourism since 2001.

The HMCS Yukon contributes more than five million dollars annually to the San Diego, CA region.

Scuba diving on artificial reefs require special care, training and sometimes equipment. Local dive shops provide training and certification for “wreck diving” and provide the special equipment required to safely dive around artificial reefs.

On May 17, 2006, the retired aircraft carrier Oriskany became the largest vessel ever to be “reefed”. At 910 feet in length and with visibility averaging between 60 and 100+ feet, the “Mighty O” is an impressive site to divers. Her flight deck is sitting at 145 feet – considered a technical dive – but her island can be approached at 78 feet.

Overtime, an artificial reef will re-create its own biomass underwater becoming a home to countless species of fish and plants and an attraction and destination to scuba divers.

Rocky Boschman is a marine biologist and founder of Scuble.com. http://scuble.com/

He has been actively promoting conservation for many years. Scuble.com is an online community and a great resource for information about the oceans. Join now, its free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rocky_Boschman