For me, diving is about much more than collecting as many dives as possible or taking spectacular underwater photos. Diving means being a guest in a world that does not belong to us. A world that is incredibly fragile—and one that we will only be able to enjoy in the future if we protect it today.
That is why sustainable diving is not a trend for me, but a mindset.
Preserving the underwater world as it is
Coral reefs, fish schools, large predators and tiny marine creatures do not exist for our entertainment. They are part of a complex ecosystem that can be damaged by even the smallest careless action. Touching corals, grabbing animals or diving with poor buoyancy control are not minor mistakes—they can cause long-lasting damage.
That responsibility does not only lie with individual divers, but also with dive centers and dive professionals. Two experiences I witnessed made this very clear to me.
When a clear line is crossed – barracudas are not props
One of the most important elements when you learn to dive is building trust between student and I was diving with a group when we encountered an impressive school of barracudas. It was one of those moments that simply asks for calm, distance and respect. One of the participants, however, felt the urge to grab a barracuda—perhaps for a thrill or a memorable moment.
The dive center reacted immediately and decisively: the diver was banned from joining further dives.
In my opinion, this decision was absolutely justified and necessary. Touching or stressing marine animals crosses a clear line. This is not about punishment—it is about protection. Protection of the animals, the ecosystem and ultimately of responsible diving itself.
Number of dives does not replace proper buoyancy control
Another situation stayed with me just as strongly. In one dive group, three women proudly talked about how many dives they had already logged. Underwater, however, a different picture emerged. While taking photos, they had no control over their buoyancy. They knelt on corals, touched the reef and stirred up sediment.
The dive pro made a clear decision:
For the next dives, they were not allowed to use their cameras until they demonstrated proper buoyancy control.
Again, I fully supported this decision—and I would have made the same call myself. Underwater photography is a privilege, not a right. Without solid buoyancy skills, damage is almost inevitable, no matter how many dives are written in a logbook.
Sustainable diving also means saying no
I have great respect for the dive center in both situations. Setting boundaries is not always easy, especially in an industry where financial pressure exists and it would be simpler to “just take everyone along.”
But sustainable diving means:
- not fulfilling every wish
- enforcing rules consistently
- sometimes excluding someone from a dive for the greater good
Not out of strictness, but out of responsibility.
Diving with respect – today and in the future
For me, it is clear:
The goal is not to push as many divers as possible through a season. The goal is to teach diving with respect, awareness and responsibility. Only then can we ensure that future generations will still be able to experience the beauty of the underwater world.
Sustainable diving starts with attitude—and shows itself on every single dive.