Brian Yurastis
Like many people, especially those who dive & love the oceans, you are no doubt concerned by the plight of our oceans and worried what the future may hold. The marine world needs our help, but sometimes it is easy to feel like you can't make a difference.
But you can. Passionate individuals can make all the difference and as divers, we are in a very unique position. We have a greater understanding and appreciation of the oceans and how special they are and have a special role to play as ambassadors for the sea.
Here, we highlight a few of the ways you can get involved...
Love marine life?
Making a Difference
Purchasing Power
Consumers are a powerful bunch. Put simply, if we as consumers don't buy something, then shops, supermarkets & restaurants will stop selling it. As a consumer, you can be careful to buy products that you know to be ethical.
If you see a restaurant or shop selling shark-fin, or other endangered marine life - or your supermarket is selling a product that you believe to be inappropriate, then make sure to complain to the management.
You can also influence and educate friends and other consumers to think about their choices and power as a consumer too.
Spread the Word
Governments are there to represent the people. Sometimes, they don't do a fantastic job, but unless we pressure them into action and let them know which issues are important to us, then little is likely to happen. Likewise, other major organisations and decision-makers often react only to pressure, especially when they can't see the scope of the problem.
There are many pressure groups & marine conservation organisations than you can join, which you can find out about in our directory. You can support these financially, but also get involve and take action to spread the word and change attitudes.
Volunteer
There are many NGOs & voluntary organisations focused on marine conservation working in south-east Asia and they all could do with a helping hand. So if you have some spare time, or want to spend your holiday or gap year really making a difference, why not consider really getting involved and volunteering your time for one of these fantastic organisations. As well as making a difference, you could find it to be one of the most worthwhile things you ever do.
Laya Clode
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Asia is caught between two huge oceans, the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific to the east. In between is a complex geography of land & water that has given rise to some of the most fascinating & species rich seas on our planet.
Conservation matters
With almost 100,000 sq km of coral reefs, 51 different species of mangrove and 23 species of sea-grass, South-east Asia supports the most diverse collection of life on earth.
Unfortunately, this kaleidoscope of life may be on the brink of collapse. The consequences of human activity are putting pressure on this environment & its inhabitants every day, with south-east Asia's reef considered to be the most threatened on earth.
Fish identification
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For many divers the thrill of spotting and identifying a new fish is one of the reasons they love to dive.
But identifying a new fish is never that easy, especially considering the sheer abundance of different species that make their home in Asia's incredible reefs.
So we've put together some tips to help you to improve your identification skills and get more out of your diving.
The coral reef recipe
Coral Reefs are the most complex and productive of all eco-systems on earth. As divers, we often marvel at the incredibly beautiful and complicated coral reef structures we see and maybe wonder how how they came to be. They have been created over many thousands of years using a complex, unique combination of ingredients and circumstances.
Here is nature's incredible recipe...
The triangle of life
The underwater world of South-East Asia has long been famed for its wealth & diversity of marine life. But it is only relatively recently that scientists have begun to get a hold on just how diverse and special the area is.
Survival strategies
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