RESPONSIBLE MARINE LIFE VIEWING

RESPONSIBLE MARINE LIFE VIEWING AND FISHING

Many visitors that travel with us will spend time in and on the water. We want to ensure that snorkeling and scuba diving experiences are both enjoyable and low-impact. Marine ecosystems are extremely important to our natural environment but acutely fragile to human activity.

We act to protect these ecosystems, especially the beautiful and precious coral reefs which are particularly susceptible to harm from tourist activities.

OUR GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE MARINE LIFE VIEWING

• Diving operators have a valid operating license • Marine life should not be fed, or lured by food • Marine life, eggs and coral should not be touched, and special care should be taken to ensure coral is not stepped on • An adequate distance is kept from marine life at all times and they are approached in a cautious manner i.e. from the side • When taking part in a conservation program involving the release of turtles, baby turtles should never be touched with bare hands –gloves must be worn at all times to avoid disease transmission and other negative impacts • No natural objects are taken from the marine environment

FISHING

Asian Trails appreciates that many communities in our destinations rely on fishing for their livelihood. We aim to preserve the local culture by promoting and supporting community-based tourism projects. We only partner with communities that respect the following guidelines on sustainable fishing:

• No catch and release activities for the purpose of entertainment • No fishing in marine national parks or other protected areas • No fishing of any protected species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened

Species