Low Impact Diving

To ensure the future of Tasmania’s marine environment, observe the following low impact diving guidelines:

• Observe, don’t disturb - don’t touch, disturb or remove plants and animals.
• Watch your feet - turbulence from divers’ fins may disturb marine life.
• Take care of future generations - egg-carrying animals are generally slower and easily stressed.
• Turn lights down - don’t expose animals to bright light over an extended period, especially at night.
• Tread carefully and clean up - be careful of vegetation and shorebird habitats while accessing the water. Stick to tracks and walk on wet sand where possible.
• Take any rubbish home with you – don’t dump it into the sea.

Dive correctly

Dive gear should be rigged and operated to prevent damage to habitats. Dangling gauges and equipment should be secured. Divers should maintain neutral buoyancy to minimise disturbance to the seafloor by fins. You should also avoid gripping objects for support or to prevent drift.

Get the okay before you dive

Environmental protection and conservation regulations change as new information about caring for our complex marine environment emerges. If you are unsure about whether you need permission to dive at a particular location, contact the local Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service office for information.

For more information: Australia’s Oceans Policy and Regional Marine Planning.

Return to main diving page.