Shark and Marine Conservation   Stop the supermarkets Taking Shark off the menu Respect the reef Make waves     Respect the reef If it bothers you that the dive boat crew litters the ocean; if it saddens you that a boat uses its anchor and not mooring buoys; if it angers you that other divers touch coral; if it frustrates you that the dive brief doesn't include conservation guidelines then it is down to you to help set an example for good diving practices. One dive leader, Audrey O'Brien, commented: "It is all too easy to imagine that divers have an inherent respect for the ocean. Bite-Back's 'Respect the Reef' guidelines are a sensible and timely reminder to all divers and dive operators to take increased responsibility for preserving the precious coral reefs." In the water Avoid all physical contact with corals and marine life; even the slightest touch can crumble sponges or remove the surface of corals whilst touching marine life is an unforgivable intrusion into the underwater world. Don't litter the ocean; even biodegradable items such as banana skins and orange peel can be mistaken by fish and marine mammals and shouldn't be thrown overboard. Worse still are plastic water bottles, snack wrappers, cigarette butts and waste food. Take a carrier bag with you and offer to collect rubbish for safe disposal. Take nothing out of the sea, except recent litter; use your judgment - most floating items pose a threat for marine life - for example plastic bags cause a significant hazard to turtles that confuse them for jellyfish, ingesting them and then dying. However some older debris can already have formed habits for some marine life. Practice good buoyancy control; peak buoyancy control is key to enjoying a relaxed underwater encounter minimising the risk of contact with corals or rock formations. Adopt appropriate finning techniques for the conditions; mid water column diving might warrant a regular kicking motion whilst a frog-kick could be more appropriate for closer proximity to corals and the sea bed to avoid kicking up sediment. Ensure all equipment is well secured so that it doesn't drag or catch on corals; being able to locate your gauges and octopus without looking is not only sensible diving practice it avoids items knocking or snagging on corals. Adhere to all local dive rules and regulations; each dive location may have separate rules that should be acknowledged. Find out and adhere to these guidelines for safe and enjoyable diving. On land / boats Encourage and support the use of dive moorings; choose and reward dive operators that use fixed moorings at dive sites. Dropping an anchor overboard can cause monumental damage to coral reefs and the surrounding environment. Learn more about coral reefs, fish and marine creatures; the more you learn, the more fun you can have sharing your knowledge and identifying items underwater and, chances are, you'll understand more how precious these creatures are. Don't buy souvenirs that feature items taken from the sea; corals, sea shells, starfish and sponges have been pilfered from the sea to make gaudy souvenirs and trinkets. These items belong in the sea, not in the bathroom.