Scuba Diving Marine Life and Environment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the 'look but don't touch' principle in scuba diving mean?
- Observe marine life and reef without physical contact to minimize environmental impact (Correct answer)
- Only certified divers may touch designated species
- Touching is allowed if wearing gloves
- Physical contact is fine in open water but not in marine reserves
Correct answer: Observe marine life and reef without physical contact to minimize environmental impact
The look but don't touch principle means divers should be passive observers — observing marine life without physical contact to protect both the animal and the diver.
Question 2: Why are divers advised not to feed fish or marine life?
- Feeding disrupts natural behavior, diet, and ecological balance (Correct answer)
- Fish food is toxic underwater
- It attracts dangerous predators exclusively
- It is only prohibited in national parks
Correct answer: Feeding disrupts natural behavior, diet, and ecological balance
Feeding fish alters their natural foraging behavior, changes aggression patterns, can introduce inappropriate food, and disrupts the ecological relationships of the reef.
Question 3: What is the significance of thermoclines for scuba divers?
- They are boundaries between water layers of different temperatures affecting visibility and buoyancy (Correct answer)
- They mark the maximum safe diving depth
- They indicate areas of high marine life concentration
- They are currents that assist navigation
Correct answer: They are boundaries between water layers of different temperatures affecting visibility and buoyancy
A thermocline is a layer where water temperature drops sharply; crossing one can reduce visibility, affect wetsuit performance, and require buoyancy adjustment.
Question 4: Which US federal law protects sea turtles, dolphins, and marine mammals encountered while diving?
- Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act (Correct answer)
- Clean Water Act
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Coastal Zone Management Act
Correct answer: Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act
The Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act make it illegal to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, capture, or kill protected marine species in US waters.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a marine protected area (MPA) for scuba divers?
- Conserve biodiversity by restricting harmful activities such as fishing or collecting (Correct answer)
- Provide exclusive diving access to certified divers
- Mark areas where diving is prohibited entirely
- Designate zones where underwater photography is allowed
Correct answer: Conserve biodiversity by restricting harmful activities such as fishing or collecting
MPAs are designated zones where extractive activities like fishing and collecting are restricted or banned to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Question 6: What is the correct action when a diver accidentally breaks a piece of coral?
- Leave it in place, report the incident, and do not attempt to reattach it (Correct answer)
- Reattach the fragment using an underwater adhesive immediately
- Collect the fragment to prevent further damage
- Place the fragment in a pocket of sand nearby
Correct answer: Leave it in place, report the incident, and do not attempt to reattach it
Broken coral cannot be effectively reattached by recreational divers and handling it further causes more damage; leave it and report the incident to the dive operator.
Scuba Diving Marine Life and Environment 2
What does the 'look but don't touch' principle in scuba diving mean?