Deep Sea Diving

Deep Sea Diving

Deep sea diving is an experience that can change the way you view the world. 90% of life is under the water and survives as a delicately intertwined eco-system. But this system is slowly becoming unraveled. People who have been deep sea diving for the last few decades will have been witness to the decline of life underwater. Today, we have reached crisis point. Recent years have seen some fish populations decrease by as much as 90 percent. In the year of 1998, record-high temperatures destroyed around 16 percent of the tropical reefs, reefs that play a crucial role in the survival of marine life.

There are three main threats for marine creatures: rising water temperatures, lack of oxygen and acidification. Unlike the mass marine extinction of 55 million years ago, this one is a man-made problem. The ocean is a sponge for all of the carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere and this alters the pH levels. Overfishing is also a major problem and is known to account for 60% of marine extinction. Pollution and fertilizers running into the oceans are also wiping out vast areas of marine life.

If you want to become involved in deep sea diving, it is important to know how to dive without creating more damage. Learning how to maneuver through the delicate coral reefs should be an essential part of a diver's training. Do not touch anything while you are deep sea diving, one touch can cause significant damage to coral. But if you see any trash on the ocean floor, such as cans or plastic bags, pick them up and take them back to boat.

To reduce the amount of carbon you are emitting, it is a smart idea to try and partake in deep sea diving locally. If this is not possible and you have to fly, try to offset your carbon emissions. There are many carbon-offset companies that will help you do this.

Valuable research and cleaning of the ocean is being performed underwater and there is opportunity for you to volunteer if you are certified at deep sea diving. The project AWARE foundation does valuable work cleaning up the seabed. As more of the world consumes disposable goods, more of them are being discarded into the ocean, from car batteries to large fishing nets. As a qualified deep sea diver you can also help to monitor the color of the coral and participate in a fish census and help keep track of the condition in the ocean.

Volunteering will still give you the same inspiring experience, only it will be much more rewarding. Once you have been deep sea diving you will realize first hand just how fragile and beautiful it really is. Do your part in conserving and cleaning the ocean, for the future enjoyment of others and the protection of our planet.