Recreational Dive Code of Conduct
Values and Importance for Protecting the Firth of Lorn and Loch Creran Marine Special Areas of Conservation
The Firth of Lorn and Loch Creran Marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are protected under the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) because they contain habitats that are rare, vulnerable or endangered in the European community. The Firth of Lorn Marine SAC was designated for its tide-swept rocky reefs. The rocky reefs support a phenomenal marine biodiversity, with associated species that are amongst the most diverse in both the UK and Europe. Loch Creran Marine SAC was designated primarily for its serpulid worm reefs and horse mussel reefs, and is currently the most important site in Europe for serpulid reefs.
What are the issues and how can divers help?
Recreational scuba diving was identified by the Argyll Marine SAC Management Forum as one activity which has the potential to impact the conservation interests of both sites. The forum decided that a diving code of conduct should be developed and published in the form of a leaflet to raise awareness in the recreational diving community of the designation of the sites and the ways in which they can mitigate their impact on the habitats.
Divers play a crucial, active role through engaging with the Dive Code of Conduct. For the complete Code of Conduct, please click onto: http://www.argyllmarinesac.org/publications.htm
Dive Code of Conduct
* Respect marine life
Look but don’t touch marine plants and animals.
Do not collect ‘souvenirs’.
Avoid driving boats through rafts of seabirds and drive slowly near seal haul-outs and nesting shoreline bird colonies.
* Dive conscientiously
Maintain neutral buoyancy, practice good spatial awareness, watch your fins, and avoid gripping objects for support or to prevent drift. This is particularly important around areas of fragile serpulid reef in Loch Creran.
Diving instructors/dive guides must consider the proficiency of divers under their supervision. Novice divers in Loch Creran could potentially do great damage to the fragile reefs.
* Watch your gear
Dangling gauges and equipment should be secured to prevent damage to the protected habitats.
* Anchor in the right place
Don’t drop your anchor on the serpulid reefs or horse mussel beds in Loch Creran. To avoid the serpulids, only anchor in depths <6m or >15m.
* Consider local residents
When launching or hauling out dive boats early in the morning and late at night, keep noise to a minimum. Do not let parked vehicles or boat trailers obstruct any boat slips. Please take account of the proximity of residences or businesses when operating compressors.
* Remember fishermen
The marine SACs are a working environment. Do not touch or interfere with gear set by fishermen.
* Don’t Litter
Please collect and retain all your rubbish for disposal at home or in a properly designated litter disposal facility.
Page last modified: 18th Jan 2008 - 11:02:14