MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: Worldwide coral reef populations are declining at record paces. More and more studies are underway to try to figure out how we can stop the degradation of the ocean’s most biologically diverse ecosystems. Unfortunately, as diverse and beautiful as the flora and fauna of these benthic systems are, both the coral ecosystems and the physical corals themselves are incredibly fragile. In fact, leading marine biology studies suggest that 90% of all coral reefs in existence are expected to undergo severe bleaching effects by the year 2055 (Hooidonk et. al. 2014). Proceeding forward after detailing the biology of coral reef ecosystems, I create a guide for responsible diving meant for scuba diving instructors. The dive guide not only helps diving instructors communicate important responsible diving information to their students, but also outlines how coral reef degradation causes serious biological and economic damages. In addition to their commonly noted biological importance, coral reefs in Indonesia and the Philippines take in 2.7 billion US dollars annually through the tourism industry alone (WWF). The final piece of this paper includes a list of instructions on how to properly don gear and prepare for a scuba dive. Scuba instructors reading this article may want to pass on a comprehensive checklist to their students that easily outlines how to safely scuba dive.

Reader: Scuba instructors or newer divers that want to know more about coral reef biology, its global impacts, and how to communicate responsible diving to fellow divers and/or students.

Reader’s Response:
Instructor: Yeah, well I already know how to scuba dive pretty well. I don’t think that I need a “diving checklist” or a lesson in marine biology seeing as my career revolves around knowing this information. I already tell my students to make sure they are careful with their fins, but this article does provide good points and statistics about tourist divers that I haven’t considered.

Tourist: I’m sure that I can take just one little piece of coral back home for my daughter, and it won’t have Earth-shattering impacts. I figured I could be the exception and just sneak back a small souvenir, but the statistics given here tell me that if all tourists think they can be the exception, there can be some really profound impacts on coral reef health. I travel to these coastal regions to see the beauty of these coral reefs; I don’t want to be part of the reason that they are deteriorating.

How about this title:

Coral Reefs and Recreational Diving; A guide for scuba instructors to help protect reef environments

I like that you will expand or augment the diving directions with guidance on preventing coral contact (safety from abrasions and wounds; protection of vulnerable symbiotic organism)

Do not forget a description of the diving exercises to increase gracious mobility AND become aware of the extended fins.