As global interest in outdoor recreation grows, so has the popularity of snorkelling. Increasing awareness of marine conservation is matched by improved snorkelling gear, from lightweight snorkelling vests to state-of-the-art masks.
Fuelled by more accessible photography equipment and social media sharing, the potential for growth of the snorkelling market is rosy. But, as popularised by Spider-Man’s uncle, the saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ comes to bear.
Minimise your impact
Humans hold power over earth. With a global population that’s over eight billion and counting, our impact on earth’s ecosystems is inevitable. Sheer numbers can turn even the most minimal of actions into a deluge of environmental destruction. The bottom line here is that there is no way of escaping the footprints we leave in the sand. But there is a difference between a light tread and a stampede.
Centuries of living on this earth with impunity have taken their toll on our natural environment. Nature’s iconic resilience is measured on timescales that surpass human life. Our natural habitats today are fragile, their biodiversity decimated by climate change and overexploitation. Our choice is between business-as-usual – which will accelerate the path to mass extinction – and revisiting our behaviour to soften our impact and sow the seeds for long term change.
How can you be a gentler snorkeller?
What you wear matters
Many commercial sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which disrupt marine life even in small doses. While Maltese waters do not harbour the extensive coral reefs commonly linked with sunscreen damage, they are host to a variety of fish and other marine life that are vulnerable to these compounds. The chemicals accumulate in their fat cells and contribute to DNA abnormalities.
When buying sunscreen, opt for mineral sunscreens with non-nano (larger) ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These physically block UV rays without dissolving into the water column and cannot be ingested by animals.
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before entering the sea to give it time to absorb and reduce run-off. Alternatively, wear UV-protective clothing like rash guards and swim leggings to reduce your reliance on lotions altogether.
Cut the chase
Like people, some animals love an audience, while others hate the limelight. If you spot an animal retreating into a hole, don’t give chase or try to prod it out. Marine creatures take refuge when they feel threatened. Instead of forcing an encounter, float patiently and let the creature emerge in its own time. Repeated negative experiences will stress an animal and may force it to abandon its habitat or fail to breed, impoverishing our shores.
The gateway to ethical snorkelling is to view it as an opportunity to cultivate a friendship. Malta’s relatively short distances to the sea allow us the luxury of repeated visits.
The respectful snorkeller will soon discover one of the most rewarding practices: gently rest a hand on a rock close to the surface or scratch that rock with your finger. Within seconds you may be regaled with two or three blennies coming over to investigate, curiously checking out what’s new on the menu, maybe nibbling your finger.
Blennies make excellent macro photography subjects and they will strike a million photoworthy poses if you just give them time.
Crit-picking
Children love small animals. Many of these creatures are defenceless when handled by inquisitive human hands: hermit crabs, shore crabs, starfish. Bringing these animals up to the shore in a bucket, even for “just a bit to see them”, is traumatic for the animal, especially to those that inhabit shallow waters where they could be picked repeatedly.
Some coastal animals have found their way onto our snack list, not least sea-urchins, limpets and sand-dwelling bivalves in particular.
What may once have been a low-impact practice has become a serious threat, as the sheer size of our population means that even small actions, repeated en masse, leave no time for species to recover.
With potential thousands doing what only a few once did, we are driving local extinctions, a fact clearly illustrated by the near-extinction of our sea urchins, now protected under a second moratorium.
Changing history
Humans have a long history of exploiting natural resources, almost always without understanding the consequences. In this age of awareness, we are faced with the task of changing habits to preserve our marine environment. With adaptability being one of our species’s greatest strengths, snorkelling offers a powerful way to reshape our relationship with the sea.
As a final tip for the ethical snorkeller: bring a small net-bag to collect plastic litter you find as you explore. It’s a thank-you gesture and a reminder that small remedial actions, multiplied by many, can go a long way.
Baħarna is a campaign by Aquatic Resources Malta to raise awareness of the beauty and diversity of marine life and promote nature-friendly behaviour.