Low impact diving is recreational scuba diving that is intended to minimise environmental impact by using techniques and procedures that reduce the adverse effects on the environment to the minimum that is reasonably practicable for the situation. To a large extent this is achieved by avoiding contact with sensitive reef life,[1] but it also applies to diving on historical wrecks and in caves with delicate rock formations.[2] It is in the interests of diving tourism service providers to help protect the condition of the dive sites on which their businesses rely. They can contribute by encouraging and teaching low impact diving and following best-practice procedures for diving in sensitive areas. Low impact diving training has been shown to be effective in reducing diver contact with the bottom, the most common cause of reef damage.[1]
The environmental impact of scuba divers has a behavioural component and a skill component. The diver needs to pay attention and actively avoid harmful contact with the surroundings, and it is only possible to do so if the necessary will and competence exist.[3][1] Many of the skills are not included in entry level diver training, but they are part of technical diver training.[4] There are also training programmes specifically focused on low impact diving in various environments.[1][2][4]
Hammerton 2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).GLSPS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Musa and Dimmock 2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).BURG was invoked but never defined (see the help page).