Educate yourself: Speak with local shops prior to educate yourself about local conditions and regulations. Some areas are off limits not just for your safety, but also because they are sensitive habitats for important local species.
Don’t harass the wildlife: It sounds obvious, but the temptation to paddle, swim, or sail over to a pod of dolphins or school of fish, can be large. But you may have a bigger impact on their life than you think, including habitualization to humans. In many countries, it can be illegal to get too close to certain wildlife, including marine species.
Swim, don’t stand: If you are in shallow water, do your best to avoid standing on the bottom. Benthic environments like corals, seagrasses, and even oyster beds and rocky bottoms, are highly sensitive to disruption.
Leave only memories and footprints: It goes without saying not to leave trash on the beach, but also be aware of the products you use in the water. For example, always use the right temperature board wax, so that it does not rub off into the water. Avoid sunscreens that are not waterproof or at least water resistant. If your equipment breaks and you can retrieve it safely, do so. Surfboard leashes, kite and fishing lines, and other objects can have much larger impact in the marine environment than you might realize.
Be a conscious consumer: Where possible, try to be aware of the impact of the goods and services you are purchasing. Does the tourism outfitter you selected promote environmental stewardship and follow the rules? Does the company that makes your favorite surfboard or swimsuit, have a sustainable business model? The decisions you make when purchasing goods and services are important to promoting environmental friendly business practices.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SEVENSEAS - 11
Left: The famous surf break, Zippers – San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Andrew Hume