As we have seen in previous articles, the coral reef is not doing so well, it is true that most of the problems come from climate change but it is also true that our carelessness and bad habits also have a local impact on this wonder of Nature.

Therefore Friendly Fins it is never too late to change course and improve ourselves!

But how?

At first glance, these may all seem like trivial or “no-matter” advice, but if we all followed them, all of us Friendly Fins did our part, we would really make a difference! I always give this example:

Does taking a small piece of coral from the beach make a difference?

“But it’s small”

“Multiplied by the thousands of people a year who pass by that beach and pick up their piece of coral, it makes a difference! In a few years, the entire beach disappears”

5 precious tips to be perfect Friendly Fins on holiday (and not):

Let's choose our sunscreen:

Our attention must begin before going into the water, during preparation, now we must get it into our heads that it is very important to put on sunscreen; but if we put it on before going into the water IT IS OF NO USE! We must put it on at least half an hour before getting wet so as to give it time to absorb. But not all creams are the same, there are behaviors that can damage the coral, so Friendly Fins let's take 1 more minute of our precious time to look for and buy the cream that is right for us and respect for the sea.

How do we find it? Let's read the labels: the so-called "reef friendly" creams will have a very obvious logo on the label, usually blue or green in appearance but which clearly identifies their sustainability.

When we dive or snorkel we don't touch anything:

Very simply for two reasons: for our personal safety because corals are stinging animals; some, like fire coral, can cause serious burns, without forgetting the quantity of mimetic and poisonous animals that can be found even at a shallow depth, if we do not touch anything we solve all our problems but also those of the coral reef because we do not risk damaging the coral or stirring up sand that, settling on the coral, tends to suffocate it, not allowing it to absorb sunlight and filter its nourishment.

Nothing is thrown into the sea:

I often hear people say: "well it's biodegradable, it decomposes but it's just a piece of paper"

I live and work on boats and the most banal example is toilet paper that obviously we all use but which shouldn't be thrown in the toilet!

"This is a photo I took in a busy boating area on the edge of Ras Mohammed Marine Park in Sharm El Sheikh. It doesn't look like it's decomposing at the speed of light."

So let's not be fooled by "biodegradable" because no matter how fast it may be, it still does damage in the meantime! Paper, cardboard, clothes rest on the coral and suffocate it,

Rather let's collect from the sea that always needs to be cleaned!

Let's pay attention to what we eat

Eating fish in tropical countries is the order of the day, but often unconsciously, we find ourselves in front of stalls with proposals of dubious "taste", the scarcity of fish is now very evident when we are reduced to fishing reef fish, which in addition to not being good is (was) of fundamental importance for the coral reef.

An example: the parrot fish

The largest specimens are found at the fish counter with those splendid bright colors that gradually fade, they also reach considerable dimensions which makes them attractive to fishermen.

These fish are of fundamental importance for the coral reef because they feed by munching on dead coral and giving new sand.

If this isn't recycling!

Do we really feel like interrupting him just because we want to eat him, or maybe because we don't even have an idea of ​​what we're eating and one fish is as good as another?

Shells are not collected or bought.

“Why do they fine us at the airport?”

It’s not the fine that should scare us, but rather the damage we are unknowingly doing to the coral reef…

Why? Find out in our next article!

Clicca qui!