Scuba Diving

PADI, one of the world's leader's in scuba diving has a plan to protect the oceans- Project AWARE. This project began in 1989 by dive instructors concerned about the growing threat to the oceans. Their five major areas of concentration are:

• Underwater Cleanups and Marine Debris Prevention 
• Coral Reef Conservation, Monitoring and Data Collection
• Shark Education, Reporting and Conservation 
• Improved Management Policies and Marine Protection Efforts 
• Environmental Training for Divers and Education Programs for Kids  

 One may think scuba diving is bad for the environment and harms the ocean's ecosystems but the PADI Project AWARE program is proof scuba diving can help the environment. As long as divers are safe, stay with their dive instructor, and are conscious of their surroundings they will not harm the environment. Growing up scuba diving, I learned never to touch any rocks, shells, coral, etc and also be careful not to swim into anything; flippers can damage to coral and even the sand because there are animals living underneath it.

It really broke my heart to read this article from The Huffington Post about endangered animals in our oceans. The article covers 13 Ocean Animal threatened by destruction of coral reefs, poor fishing practices, and ocean acidification. If this continues, ecosystems will be destroyed, coral reefs will disappear, and all of the earth will be effected by it. Here are a few of the threatened animals from the article:

• Hawksbill Turtle- hunted for their shell
• Staghorn Coral- declined 98% since 1980
• Meditteranean Monk Seal- less 400 remaining on earth (pictured below)

I believe scuba diving has taught me to appreciate the beauty of the ocean and I feel these animal would be less endangered if more people had the same passion for the sea. I have been able to experience how underwater sea creatures live and respect their habitat. I believe scuba diving is huge reason why I am such an advocate for the environment because I have been to experience it first hand. 

Whether you are a diver or not, respect the ocean and the sea creatures which live there. Don't disturb natural habitats, don't litter, and don't pour anything toxic down the drain because it may flow to ocean.