Marine Conservation

Marine Conservation

The ocean environment is a very fragile one. There is increasing worry that the ocean life is decreasing at an alarming rate. If we want to create good underwater photos, we must ensure that there will be life in the oceans to photograph.

Controlling Buoyancy

When photographing marine life you must be in absolute control of your buoyancy. Photographers are notorious for damaging coral when trying to get a good shot. If your shot requires any part of your or your equipment touching coral or other marine life, it is not worth it. Some corals grow at a rate of the width of one dime a year. So you could easily break a 200 year old coral with one kick of your fin.

Another reason why you need to control your buoyancy is to make sure you do not stir up all of the sand particles at the sea floor. These particles can get stuck in the coral polyps and kill the coral, as well as make very poor visibility for other photographers in your group.

Harassing Marine Life
Underwater photographers also have had a bad reputation for harassing the marine life in order to get a good shot. Yes, an inflated puffer fish does make a good photograph, but causing a puffer fish to inflate does damage to the fish and puts great stress on it as well. Most underwater photographers do not like to see pictures of inflated puffers because of this. Those shots are also not allowed in many contests. Any shot that requires the stressing of marine life should be passed up without any hesitation.

Overall Consideration and Learning

The oceans corals are dying at an alarming rate. Scientists attribute much of this to global warming. Global warming has a major impact on our oceans. Just one degree of fluctuation of our ocean’s temperatures kills some coral, and puts major stress on the others.

As underwater photographers, scuba divers and residents on the planet, we must ensure that we take care of our oceans. Things you can do to reduce pollution and harm to our oceans are:

· Stay at eco-friendly hotels, and dive with eco-friendly dive charters. They may cost more, but it is worth it in the long run.

· Ride your bike to close destinations instead of driving. This reduces greenhouse gasses, and in turn reduces stress on corals.

· Do not throw cigarette butts overboard (they take 7 years to disintegrate).

· Do not collect shells or other marine objects.

· Recycle. It will keep more trash out of our oceans.

· Use cloth shopping bags instead of plastic or paper.

· Educate yourself and others about conservation.

· And remember, take only pictures, leave only bubbles.