Environmental Policy

Jewel Anemones - HMNZS Canterbury

Dive Mistress recognises that if we do not protect our environment, we will not be able to enjoy it.

I am committed to ensuring that best environmental practices are adopted in to what I do, where I go and how I get there – whether this is above or below the water.
Best environmental practices are used across the New Zealand Tourism industry and in relation to Scuba Diving, I promote environmentally responsible behaviors.

We know why this is important, but let’s just go over it one more time;

Scuba Divers are a lucky bunch.
We immerse ourselves (literally) in the world’s lakes and oceans. Considering that water covers over 70% of the surface of the earth, we are extremely lucky to be able to see this side of our planet.

We therefore need to ensure that we nurture and protect our playgrounds, and minimise the negative impact of scuba diving, so that they remain as beautiful as it is now for our future scuba divers as well as the rest of the world.

Please consider all of the actions that you take in order to better protect our environment.

My environmental policy covers our action on the land as well as in the water.

Traveling

We will share cars as often and as practically as possible.
I use operators who share in this commitment to the environment by asking whether they use low emission engines and fuels and attempt to anchor in the sands rather than on the reefs.

Diving

I ask that you practice skills over the sand and not the sensitive reefs or near walls.
I encourage all my divers to take courses in buoyancy and to practice regularly. I also encourage all divers to only take the equipment that they need for the dive and to ensure that they are as streamlined as possible.

I will collect – and I encourage you to ask well – any rubbish or foreign objects that you may find. Before you collect these objects, please ensure that they have not been turned in to a habitat first. If this is the case, please leave the object where it is.

Conservation

I encourage my students to make a small donation to Project AWARE when their certifications are processed. Students receive a special certification card and the donations enable the Project AWARE Foundation to continue to work to combat the challenges facing our underwater environments.

Scuba divers can complete a New Zealand Department of Conservation MarineWatch survey with me – the information is provided back to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

An environmental policy should be a living document – adapting and growing as the needs of the marine environment change.
In 2011, I plan to add to this policy by increasing my support – and commitment to best practice – with and for the organisations and volunteers who are working so diligently to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.