PITCH-IN CANADA
 Resource Centre

DIVE TIPS FOR UNDERWATER CLEAN-UPS

Coral reefs and other marine communities are alive! If you are cautious and remember that corals are living organisms as you manoeuvre in and around them, your reef clean up will be a huge success.

A few basic points to keep in mind:

BE PATIENT The key to a "reef friendly" clean up. Make all of your actions slow and deliberate. Don't rush - take your time and GENTLY remove things from coral.
BE REALISTIC Realize before you begin that you will not be able to cover a large area of reef. Don't worry! It is much more important to work slowly and carefully and remove a little trash, than to rush and inadvertently damage living coral or other animals and plants.
AVOID TOUCHING LIVING ORGANISMS The mucus membranes of these animals can be damaged by touch, which can leave them susceptible to disease.
ADOPT A GOOD BODY POSITION While cleaning the area, maintain a body position in which your legs are higher than your head and hands, keeping a 45 degree angle to your work area.
AVOID STANDING ON BOTTOM Standing on the bottom or kicking up sediments with your fins should be avoided. Maintain neutral buoyancy at all times. NEVER STAND ON OR KICK CORALS OR OTHER AQUATIC LIFE.
CARRY CUTTERS Every diver should carry a set of short-nosed cutters. Cur monofilament line and other plastics away from coral. NEVER PULL IT OFF! Pulling or tearing may do a great deal of damage to a reef or live bottom, don't use a knife.
LEAVE DEBRIS COVERED WITH CORAL GROWTH Only cut away debris that is free floating and which may be a hazard to marine animals.
USE GOOD JUDGEMENT Some refuse offers a refuge!

To find out about the Coastal Clean Up Program click here.

To register your underwater clean up for the Coastal Clean Up click here.

For information about marine debris click here.

For Safety Guidelines for Underwater Clean Ups please click here.

For more information about what Scuba Divers can do to help please click here.