Scuba diving has provided a way for you to explore and connect with the ocean. You have seen fish swimming around coral reefs and in tall kelp forests. You are aware of how humans’ actions are harming the health of marine ecosystems, so you make changes in your life to reduce your impact, from using less plastic, composting, to driving less. Did you know that your dive trips can also be environmentally friendly and sustainable? They can be if you choose a dive shop with a sustainability team!
Here are five reasons to choose a PADI dive shop with a sustainability team.
1. Protect the Environment and Planet
You can be part of the movement to protect not only the ocean, but the environment and planet when you dive with a shop with a sustainability team. Sustainable dive shops have clear guiding principles and sustainability goals. These principles and goals guide the shop in implementing important goals, such as protecting coral reefs, or reducing plastic use in their day-to-day operations. The sustainable practices contribute to protecting your favorite dive sites, creating a sustainable future, and promoting environmental stewardship.
2. Protect Marine Life
Did you learn how to dive so that you could possibly see turtles or whale sharks? Or you might plan your dive trips based on which amazing ocean animal you want to see. Dive shops with sustainable teams implement practices that promote low-impact, responsible diving practices to avoid disturbing animals. For instance, sustainable dive shops can promote how to responsibly observe animals from a safe distance and not chase or touch the animals. This ensures that the animals are not stressed or harmed by any interactions. In addition, sustainable practices that protect the environment also help provide a healthy home for the animals.
3. Continue Learning and Participate in Educational Dive Experiences
Continuing your diving education and experience is important to gain and maintain skills. Similarly, learning about the ocean itself is also very important! You can learn about marine biology, ocean conservation, and sustainability in the dive industry while contributing to science and conservation efforts. Dive shops with a sustainability team commonly offer conservation courses, such as PADI AWARE Specialist, and AWARE Shark Conservation courses. They may also partner with local environmental organizations and universities to provide unique, educational, and action-oriented dive experiences. Diver’s Paradise, a dive shop in Key Biscayne, Florida, works with the University of Miami’s Rescue a Reef coral restoration and citizen science program to preserve local coral reefs and develop opportunities for community involvement in marine science and conservation.
4. Join a Community
Belonging to a community is key to a happy life. You can find many dive buddies who share your love for the ocean, adventure, and your values for environmental stewardship when you dive with a sustainable dive shop. This community can provide a support system when you are feeling especially worried about the health of the ocean. It can enrich your life with valuable knowledge and experiences. Overall, this community is dedicated to protecting the marine environment so that you and future divers can enjoy the ocean for many years to come.
5. Support Sustainable Business Practices
You can use your wallet to further protect the ocean by diving with a sustainable dive shop and supporting environmentally-responsible business practices. In fact, sustainable practices are also good for business. Sustainable businesses create new market segments for business expansion, and minimize operating costs by incorporating efficiency into every part of the dive shop’s operations. More demand and support for sustainable dive shops will be a clear message to the dive industry that divers want to see more sustainable practices carried out.
Ready to choose a dive shop with a sustainability team? Ask dive shops how they implement sustainable practices! And check out the PADI Travel themes – Green Fins Partners and Eco Travel – to find sustainable dive shops!
