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Snorkeling can be a touchy activity. Getting a glimpse of the underwater world is a natural way to create awareness and appreciation for the living sea, but it's important to tread lightly in order to preserve its beauty. Translation: look but don't touch. When it comes to snorkeling, there is an unwritten "code of conduct"or "rules"that can help you enjoy the ocean without offending, or worse?forever damaging the fish, fauna and coral that live beneath.
To ensure that you aren't breaking code, it's always smart to snorkel with a guide who can enhance your experience through education. Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program, in collaboration with The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, is geared to give guests a good time, while enlightening them on the environment and how they can help sustain it. Their naturalist-accompanied snorkeling programs go beyond the basic ooh and ah experience, offering an assortment of activities that make an afternoon underwater a day that can change your life. We love the Marine Debris to Artistry program that lets kids collect marine debris (marine pollution) and turn it into art (example- beach glass, bottle caps, etc?). The art is then kept as a keepsake from the ocean world.
We asked Malama Ke Kai, a Naturalist at Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program to let us in on this unwritten code so that you can enjoy sustainable snorkeling.
How can you enjoy the ocean (fish and coral included) up close without hurting it?
- Do Your Homework
First, do your homework in order to gain some knowledge on fishes, coral reefs and the ecosystem of the ocean. Knowing what you're looking at will make your snorkel more enjoyable. - Take but Don't Touch
Take photos, but don't touch anything. Photos are a great way to capture the underwater world without leaving your mark and doing harm to the environment.
Are there certain unsaid rules to follow?
- No stepping on coral or any hard bottom surfaces. Always make sure that if you step down, you are stepping on sand.
- No touching or taking of any marine life except for marine debris?trash, like plastic bottles and cigarette butts.
- Put sunscreen on at least 1/2 hr before entering the water so that it soaks into your skin instead of simply being washed away by the water and adhering to sea life instead.
- No fish feeding.
- Observe animals exhibiting their natural behaviors rather than stimulating them to entertain yourself.
- Be in control of your fins at all times in order to avoid kicking the coral or kicking up sand and sediment.
- Respect native local practices, sites, and sacred places.
- Always swim with a partner.
What are the most commonly (and innocently) done no-no's?
- People stepping on the reef. Some have no knowledge that coral is a living animal.
- Fish feeding.
- Collecting shells. Shells are the home of sea creatures. You may not realize that there is a living thing that is hiding within the shell. When you remove it from the water and add it to your collection, that sea creature is unable to survive.
How can we help preserve our oceans?
- By following the simple sustainable snorkeling rules.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle.
- Volunteer for different organizations (Reef check, Reef fish counts, etc.).
- Educate yourself and share your knowledge.
Now get out there and have fun sustainably snorkeling!
Read more about responsible ocean fun. Dive into Planet Green's Blue August
More on Ocean Fun:
Globetrot to an Eco-Paradise?Make Plans for Panama
Planet Green Videos: Focus Earth 2: Everglades Species Fading Away
