Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25126
Reef preservation begins on land. Every piece of waste not properly disposed of has ON LAND the potential to end up in the water. _ Respect all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations and customs. _ Volunteer for reef cleanups. Dive centers will often let you dive for free-or for the price of the air in your tank- if you participate in organized clean- ups. _ Report dumping and any other environmentally unsound activities such as illegal fishing, coral col- lection and anchoring. _ Support reef-friendly businesses. Boycott the unfriendly ones. Investigate what measures busi- nesses near reefs are taking to properly dispose of waste and conserve water and energy. Ask if they are involved in efforts such as reef cleanups, edu- cation and marine protection. _ Investigate what dive centers and schools and tour operators are doing to protect marine environ- ments. Ask the following questions: -Do they enforce diving rules? -Do they limit group sizes and frequency of dives? -Do they rotate dive sites to avoid overuse? -Do they verify divers' skills? -Are they using mooring buoys instead of anchors? -Are boat engines well maintained to prevent chemical leakage? -Do they provide information on the ecology of the specific reef? -Are they involved in any specific conservation programs? -Do they discourage the buying of coral as souvenirs? _ Support marine sanctuaries and conservation organizations in maintaining and enlarging protect- ed areas. Organizations desperately need funding to continue their projects. In the US, legislation for increasing protected marine areas must go through Congress. Be informed as to what private organiza- tions and government officials on a local and national scale are doing to promote this.