Recreation : Guidelines : Sub aqua and snorkelling : Summary

Summary of environmental impacts

Diving activities can cause disturbance to wildlife and erosion of features in the vicinity of dive sites, although observable impacts are generally confined to those caused by irresponsible removal of or damage to species rather than the activity itself.

Issue

mSAC Feature

Low flushing estuaries

Fast flushing estuaries

Mud and sand flats not covered by sea water at low tide

Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water at all times

Low flushing large shallow inlets and bays

Fast flushing large shallow inlets and bays

Reefs

Lagoons

Submerged or partly submerged sea caves

Grey seal

Common seal

Bottlenose dolphin

Launching1

w

w

w

m

m

m

 

m

 

m

m

m

Anchoring1

w

w

w

w

w

w

w

w

w

m

m

m

Swing mooring berthing1

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

 

m

m

m

Marina berthing1

see marina fact file

Engine emissions1

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

Noise disturbance1

                 

w

w

w

Antifouling paints1

w

m

m

m

w

m

m

m

m

m

m

m

Sewage and other discharges1

w

m

m

m

w

m

m

m

m

w

w

w

Disturbance to wildlife1,2

w *

w *

w *

w *

w *

w *

w

w

w

w *

w *

m

Erosion and turbidity1,3

m

m

m

m

w

m

m

w

m

     

 

Key to impacts

Blank Square - not applicable

m - minimal

w - observable, likely to be location specific

w * - observable at certain times, minimal at other times

l - appreciable

 

Notes

  • where boats used

  • presence of activity in the vicinity of wildlife

  • physical impact on feature

  • potential impact from divers’ nitrogen bubbles

     

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