Importance and Conservation of the Marine Environment

The diverse nature of the bottoms of our coast and some oceanographic phenomena that occur seasonally contribute to the presence of important marine resources and high levels of biodiversity.

The structure of communities, in terms of abundance and diversity, is largely determined by the environment and the degree of human exploitation.

At the environmental level, the factors that most contribute to this differentiation include temperature, primary productivity, marine currents, extension and inclination of the continental shelf and the types of ocean bottoms. On the other hand, the existence of several geographical accidents with small islands, bays and cables, lagoon systems and estuaries, provides a set of suitable habitats in terms of shelter, protection to predators, feeding, sanding and growth of juveniles of many marine species.

The increasing exploitation of fishing resources, combined with an increasing occupation and use of coastal strips, with consequent increase in pollution, alteration and destruction of habitats, raises serious precautions for the maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity. Although most species that are observed during diving on our shores are still relatively abundant, some are already rare and, because they can take many years to reach maturity or because they have restricted breeding periods, they may be particularly vulnerable to their collection.

It may be tempting for a diver to collect organisms that at first glance seem to be plentiful, but in reality this may not be the case; so if you want to take any souvenir of your dive do it using a camera.

The protection of the marine environment begins with the correct posture of the diver throughout his dive. The diver must evolve near the bottom, as if it were a shadow without leaving the slightest scan of its passage.

Obviously, this posture requires a perfect ballast and the correct handling of the diving vest, skills that must be acquired during this course and thoroughly trained by the diver.

It is essential that the diver is aware that, if water is not its normal habitat, it should behave as a sensitive part of the underwater world and never as a stranger, so as to integrate perfectly into this wonderful world.

To do this, it must comply with the “10 golden rules of the good diver”, approved in 2000 by CMAS, on a proposal of its Scientific Committee, which objectively define the diver’s relationship with the marine environment within the scope of his protection.

Having a basic understanding of marine life allows the diver to register with some precision what he saw. “Knowing all the life that exists in the ocean expanses is the first step towards its correct preservation.”