Take Care of the reef

Protected Marine Areas 
Steps have been taken to avoid over-exploitation of natural resources. Protected Marine Areas were established in 1995. This was the first step in protecting these areas from the detrimental effects of over-fishing, coral mining, anchor damage and rubbish. The killing of turtles, which is under threat of extinction, is banned and the export of turtle shells and products made of turtle shell is prohibited.  

Sport fishing practiced by some islands is now confined to the tag and release method. 

Feeding the fish

Feeding the animals in the ocean gives a particular feeling of intimacy with them. But is it good for the fish?

The final objective of feeding the fish may simply be for fun or to get close to them so that one can observe them closely. However this tends to be a one sided bargain, and therefore a bad idea causing great harm to the animals and altering their behavior. In areas where people have been feeding fish for years, behavioral deformations have been observed. Groupers and moray eels that were once inoffensive have become aggressive predators. In these areas, it has become not uncommon for fish to attack divers, causing serious wounds. Often feeders themselves have been bitten by sharks causing injury.  

Moreover in most cases what is fed is radically different from their normal diet. Large humphead wrasses have died after being fed dozens of eggs. Large basses have been known to tear sacks of food right out of the feeder’s hand and devour the contents with the bag. The consequence of having indigestible matter in their digestive tracts can easily be imagined. 

Shark feeding used to be a great attraction in the Maldives some time ago. Fortunately there is a greater understanding of the marine environment and its creatures and therefore this is almost non-existent at present.  

The behavior of various life forms can be observed if you dive calmly and carefully with the right buoyancy. Breathe very slowly and move towards the creature in question, bit by bit- you will find that this way it is possible to observe, photograph or film it in its natural surroundings.  

Playing with the fish

Seizing and holding underwater animals is unfortunately a fairly common habit. We forget often that our touch would be strange to them, triggering all sorts of unexpected and unwanted reactions. Know which ones to stroke and which ones to keep within arm's length.

Divers and photographers often hold or seize fish or other species, often stroking them as a friendly gesture or to get them into a good position for a shot, or just for fun. Most fish have a very fine protective layer of mucus on their skin or scales. Stroking or touching the fish can damage this protection, even if it is done with the utmost care. Undesired parasites settle in, causing it great pain and discomfort. Similarly, dragging creatures out of their hiding places could cause stress on their bodies, causing impact lesions on the animal’s internal organs.  

Divers have been known to ‘ride’ mantas or hold on to turtles as they swim, often mistakenly thinking that the creature also enjoys the company. However one can imagine the stress that this could cause them as they try to flee from the diver.