The Environment

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Diving Holidays The Environment 

Reports in 2001 indicated that already a quarter of the world's coral reefs had been destroyed, mostly in the previous 10 years, with almost three quarters likely to disappear in the next decade.

Although corals cover just one fifth of one per cent of the area of the oceans, they are home to a quarter of all ocean dwelling species. The top 10 reefs includes those found off the Philippines, in the western Caribbean, the Gulf of Guinea, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

While some of the problem is down to over fishing, pollution and global warming, tourism has played a role in this destruction - as is evident when diving in the Red Sea where reefs are an important attraction for tourists and as such heavily protected. However, careless divers brushing against the coral, or worse still knocking bits off, cause serious damage.

To minimise damage it's important to learn how to balance properly so your fins don't bang the coral. It is also worth noting that damage to reefs or removal of coral in some countries is an imprisonable offence.

As Neilson puts it, ‘ Don't touch, leave nothing but bubbles, and take nothing but photos. Let's protect the reefs today so they can be there for future generations.'

More information on responsible diving is available at:

Project Aware
An effort to teach the world about the serious need to protect one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world; coral reefs.

Reef Keeper
Non-profit membership organization exclusively dedicated to the worldwide protection of coral reefs and their marine life.

Coral Cay Conservation
tel: 020 7498 6248
Runs diving-based conservation trips.