Be A Coral's Friend While Snorkeling/Diving

Coral Reef Location in The World

Look at the picture above, and what can you tell? Lots and lots of red dots in Indonesia. It is indeed a fact that the total of 5,8 million square km Indonesian ocean keeps the most corals in the world, where 60% of the world's reef species or 590 types of coral can be found there.

Had never knew the fact before, I snorkeled several times in Seribu Islets and Lombok. I always aimed for the same mission "finding nemo" down there, but the stupendous marine world managed to give me a better show: Corals come in different colours and shapes, so do the fishes and other sea creatures. It felt magical.

Coral Scenery of Payung Island's Water in Seribu Islets

It breaks my heart that 70 % of Indonesia's coral is death and 15% more is predicted to be vanished in 10 to 20 years. Coastal reclamation, potassium and cyanide fishing, coral mining, anchoring, are some coral destructive acts. Meanwhile, ignorant tourism activities like snorkeling and diving contribute to the damaging progress as well. Sadly, I did it as the snorkel guides told me so.

In order to repeat the same mistakes, and for you readers to snorkel and dive greener, please do the following guidelines from greenfins:

• Choose environmental-friendly snorkel/dive operation
• Do not throw anchor to coral reef to moor, it is better to park with buoy
• Pay attention to disposal, keep all the garbage stay on boat
• Practice the skills away from coral reef areas
• Make sure your equipment (goggle, fins, etc.) fit perfectly before getting into the water, because
• Do not rest, step, or stand on the reef
• Do not touch too!
• Pay attention to your fins, let them not stir up sediments or damage coral
• Do not chase, harass, ride on, or feed marine life
• Take nothing (live or dead) out of the water
• Enter and exit the water away from reef

If you'd like to take pictures underwater, please advance your skills (buoying) so that you do not have to touch the objects. Please not buying souvenirs from coral and other marine life, they are illegal. Last but not least, spread the words to other snorkelers and divers.

Coral and marine lives give us so much beauty to enjoy, why don't we let them enjoy themselves thus the beauty remains? Let's be friendly to our marine buddies!