By DIVE Staff
The Reef-World Foundation is launching a new Green Fins environmental best practice guide for Snorkellers to help marine tourism operators protect their local reefs.
Snorkelling is one of the most popular and accessible water activities in the world, as it requires little in the way of equipment and training. The cumulative impact from poor environmental practices such as fish feeding, standing on coral and wearing toxic sunscreens, however, can place undue pressure on already vulnerable coral reefs.
The new guidance for snorkellers, which is available for tour operators as a free, downloadable poster, includes a wide range of recommendations adapted from the Green Fins Code of Conduct, including the use of reef-safe sunscreens, abiding by local regulations, and learning how to properly and safely use snorkel equipment.
Chloe Harvey, Director at Reef-World, said: ‘Snorkelling is a fabulous way to get people into the water and enjoy the wonders of the marine environment. Such experiences are a powerful tool to inspire people to make changes to protect these vital marine resources. However, there are very few touchpoints for raising awareness of best practice along a regular snorkeller’s pathway from land to ocean. We hope that this new Green Fins Environmental Best Practice for Snorkellers will fill this gap — provide vital guidance and allow holidaymakers to enjoy snorkelling without unwittingly jeopardising the health of the very environment they have come to see.’
The Green Fins Environmental Best Practice for Snorkellers poster is available for free on the Green Fins website here.
For more information, visit www.reef-world.org or www.greenfins.net. Dive and snorkel operators interested in signing up to Green Fins can find the membership application form at: www.greenfins.net/how-to-join.
