BSAC Environmental Policy
Introduction
The original articles of BSAC stated that the organisation’s members were ‘persons interested in underwater activities’ with an aim of ‘promoting underwater exploration, science and safety in these activities’.
Since its formation BSAC has always had an active body of members involved in conservation and environmental matters, but as an organisation has not taken a high profile and active position in promoting the need to monitor and conserve the freshwater and marine environment.
Do you want to make a difference?
It is nowadays almost fashionable for all organisations, companies and corporations to have an environmental policy. However, in many cases these policies are not followed up and supported by action and intention.
The need for education and effectively trying to influence a ‘culture change’ in the diving population at large is brought about by the fact that many people believe that, as individuals, they are unable to make a difference to the environmental issues that are regularly reported in the media. It is generally understood by the public that the quality of the environment is declining, and that natural resources are being depleted, but usually, once such a message has been presented to the public, their concerns quickly fade after a relatively short period, often with the assumption that someone else will do something about it, and what could they do themselves?
For any policy to be effective and to appeal, and be embraced by the diving community at large, it needs to contain sensible and balanced suggestions and proposals, rather than be too rigid, inflexible or extremist. For example, many divers like to catch seafood, and in this example the intention of BSAC’s initiative is to educate divers about food chains and the need to ensure that a sustainable population of marine life exists, rather than initiate an unrealistic and unachievable ban on this way of life for many divers.
There is also a need to include shipwrecks within this initiative. Provided that the law is followed, the recovery of artefacts from shipwrecks is perfectly acceptable. However, even just over the last ten years, we have seen a considerable deterioration of these dive sites – a change that has not just been due to the effects of the sea, corrosion or nature, but also due to the removal or damage of parts of shipwrecks that actually are of no value to the diver once recovered to the surface. Here also a culture change is needed if we are to continue to have quality, recognisable dive sites for future generations of divers.
Campaigners and pressure groups
Several prominent environmental groups have already made significant and effective progress in conservation and environmental matters, including the following organisations:
The original articles of BSAC stated that the organisation’s members were ‘persons interested in underwater activities’ with an aim of ‘promoting underwater exploration, science and safety in these activities’.
Since its formation BSAC has always had an active body of members involved in conservation and environmental matters, but as an organisation has not taken a high profile and active position in promoting the need to monitor and conserve the freshwater and marine environment.
Do you want to make a difference?
It is nowadays almost fashionable for all organisations, companies and corporations to have an environmental policy. However, in many cases these policies are not followed up and supported by action and intention.The need for education and effectively trying to influence a ‘culture change’ in the diving population at large is brought about by the fact that many people believe that, as individuals, they are unable to make a difference to the environmental issues that are regularly reported in the media. It is generally understood by the public that the quality of the environment is declining, and that natural resources are being depleted, but usually, once such a message has been presented to the public, their concerns quickly fade after a relatively short period, often with the assumption that someone else will do something about it, and what could they do themselves?
For any policy to be effective and to appeal, and be embraced by the diving community at large, it needs to contain sensible and balanced suggestions and proposals, rather than be too rigid, inflexible or extremist. For example, many divers like to catch seafood, and in this example the intention of BSAC’s initiative is to educate divers about food chains and the need to ensure that a sustainable population of marine life exists, rather than initiate an unrealistic and unachievable ban on this way of life for many divers.
There is also a need to include shipwrecks within this initiative. Provided that the law is followed, the recovery of artefacts from shipwrecks is perfectly acceptable. However, even just over the last ten years, we have seen a considerable deterioration of these dive sites – a change that has not just been due to the effects of the sea, corrosion or nature, but also due to the removal or damage of parts of shipwrecks that actually are of no value to the diver once recovered to the surface. Here also a culture change is needed if we are to continue to have quality, recognisable dive sites for future generations of divers.
Campaigners and pressure groups
Several prominent environmental groups have already made significant and effective progress in conservation and environmental matters, including the following organisations:
- Surfers Against Sewage
- Coral Cay Conservation
- British Divers Marine Life Rescue
- Marine Conservation Society
BSAC is already in discussions with some of these groups, and will shortly be approaching others, in order to determine how to work together and to develop a greater collective critical mass. A co-ordinated approach in mutual areas of interest will be far more effective than individual groups working in isolation.
Whilst many of these organisations deal with the UK environment, BSAC intends to influence and support its Members and other divers throughout the World, and its overseas Branches and Schools will have an important role to play in this initiative.
Our Mission Statement
To make a significant, sustained and positive impact to the freshwater and marine environment, using the skills and enthusiasm of our Membership, influencing as a collective body, and setting examples for others to follow.
Aims, Objectives and Action
From early 1999 BSAC has been actively developing its environmental presence by the development of the following policies:
Whilst many of these organisations deal with the UK environment, BSAC intends to influence and support its Members and other divers throughout the World, and its overseas Branches and Schools will have an important role to play in this initiative.
Our Mission Statement
To make a significant, sustained and positive impact to the freshwater and marine environment, using the skills and enthusiasm of our Membership, influencing as a collective body, and setting examples for others to follow.
Aims, Objectives and Action
From early 1999 BSAC has been actively developing its environmental presence by the development of the following policies:
- To provide education in environmental awareness, understanding and enjoyment
- BSAC will establish a Steering Committee, formed from volunteers within its Membership who have the relevant knowledge, experience, expertise and enthusiasm. This Steering Committee will be the body that moulds, and then monitors, those policies that will be formed to achieve the Mission Statement.
- An Advisory Board will also be formed, made up of eminent environmentalists, geographers and other influential individuals throughout the World in order to provide advice, guidance and influence to BSAC and their initiatives
- Basic environmental education will be included as part of basic diver training, with more specialist skills and knowledge being made available to anyone through BSAC’s Skill Development Courses
- Promote Branch participation in environmental schemes and events
- BSAC is to establish a fund to provide reasonable financial support to those Branches conducting relevant and appropriate projects
- Highlight current environmental issues
- BSAC will work closely with other environmentalists in order to provide a united approach to dealing with environmental issues
- Develop a Diver’s Code of Conduct
- The existing BSAC Diver’s Code will be developed and promoted to provide clear guidance on an individual’s environmental conduct, awareness and education when diving or snorkelling
You can read and join in discussions on a rgane of toipcs on the Environment and Underwater Heritage Forum
Page last modified: 6th Feb 2007 - 10:35:58