Ethical Diving

Sustainable seafood

Some resorts serve fish that are threatened, including shark and bluefin tuna. Avoid these resorts and highlight why you would choose to book elsewhere. Check out the Marine Conservation Society’s www.goodfishguide.org for a list of “fish to avoid”.

Turtle watching

If making a reservation at a resort on a known turtle nesting beach, check they have guidelines in place for watching nesting and hatching turtles. If bright, artificial light is present, hatchlings get disoriented and head towards the light instead of making their way to the light reflecting from the breaking waves.

Marine friendly snorkelling and diving

Coral reefs are incredibly fragile and can take many decades to grow. Practise your snorkelling away from the reef, and be aware of where your fins are - try not to stir up sediment as this can smother animals living on the reef. Do not touch or stand on the reef or other marine life - even the lightest touch will damage coral. Ensure your operator abides by a strict code of conduct on marine life excursions, including avoidance of anchoring on the reef.

Voluntourism is taking off!

More and more people are giving something back whilst they go on holiday now. Why not join millions of people in the world’s largest beach clean up? Ask your resort if they are taking part in the International Coastal Cleanup, or find an event nearby.

Make your dive count!

Many resorts offer certified divers the chance to get trained in basic reef surveying skills. Visit www.reefcheck.org for more information.

Wear “reef safe” sunscreen!

Read the label. A product advertising itself as “reef safe” doesn’t necessarily mean what it says. Always look at the ingredient lists to make sure reef-damaging substances (such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor, all of which have been shown to cause coral bleaching even at low levels) aren’t included.

Some areas of ocean contain six times more microscopic plastic particles than plankton. Avoid contributing to the “plastic soup” by avoiding bathroom products that contain microplastic particles.

Thirsty?

Choose resorts with their own desalination plant to provide you with fresh, clean water, rather than relying on plastic bottles each time you need a drink.

Sensible souvenirs

Large numbers of animals, like corals, sponges and shells, are taken off the reef every year and sold to tourists as souvenirs and jewellery. Reef animals are already a gift –don’t buy them as presents!

Balance your carbon emissions!

Rising temperatures are having a profound affect on our blue planet. Our seas are becoming acidic and our coral reefs are bleaching. Choose resorts that actively reduce their carbon footprint. As a guest, you can balance the emissions from your flight by planting trees! No need to get your hands dirty, there are various websites, such as www.myclimate.org, where you can calculate the amount of CO2 produced in transit, and donate to various projects to offset your emissions.

What about waste?

Before you book, check your resort has responsible waste management systems in place, including recycling, composting, and responsible purchasing guidelines to reduce packaging waste in the first place. As a guest, particularly if you are visiting island nations where recycling or landfill might be limited, try to reduce the amount of plastic litter you leave behind. If you can, take it back with you to dispose of properly at home. For island resorts, also make sure your resort treats and reuses its wastewater rather than discharging it to the sea.