Kategorie: News
Protecting the underwater world
A week ago, Thailand introduced new regulations for diving and snorkelling to protect endangered coral reefs more effectively. These regulations particularly affect underwater photography and the behaviour of snorkellers. The new measures apply nationwide with immediate effect and are aimed at tourists, diving schools and guides. Holger Schwab from Sea Bees spoke to us about the new rules.
According to the authorities, only divers with an Advanced Open Water certificate or at least 40 documented dives will be allowed to use cameras in the water in future. This also includes training and examination dives. Divers are required to show their certificates or logbooks on request.
New rules also apply to snorkellers: in future, they must maintain a minimum distance of two metres from the coral and wear a life jacket unless they have a diving or freediving licence. The aim is to prevent accidental contact with the sensitive reefs.
These regulations are based on the knowledge that inexperienced divers in particular often have problems with buoyancy when handling camera equipment. This often leads to accidental contact with sensitive corals and can cause considerable damage to marine ecosystems. Snorkelers also endanger the reefs by not keeping a sufficient distance or by making uncontrolled movements. These new measures are intended to curb the destruction caused by tourism and ensure the long-term preservation of the underwater world.
Statement from Sea Bees Diving on recent media reports about possible restrictions for divers and underwater photographers and videographers in Thailand
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports – some of them contradictory – about new diving regulations for divers and underwater photographers and videographers in Thailand. Holger Schwab, founder and head of Sea Bees, spoke to us about the new rules:
Sea Bees Diving has more than 30 years of experience in Thai diving tourism and therefore has in-depth knowledge of the local conditions and regulations. We would therefore like to contribute to a factual assessment of the new regulations with this statement.
From 23 April 2025, the following new regulations will apply to diving schools and underwater photography and videography in Thailand:
· Divers must have completed at least 40 dives or hold an Advanced Open Water certification in order to be allowed to take underwater photographs independently.
· During beginner courses, neither diving instructors nor course participants are allowed to take photographs or videos.
· The maximum ratio for guided dives is 4:1, and 2:1 for introductory courses (taster dives).
· Snorkellers must maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres from coral.
It remains to be seen whether and how these regulations can be monitored or enforced in practice. Nevertheless, they clearly demonstrate the Thai authorities' commitment to further strengthening the protection of marine habitats.
Sea Bees Diving – like many other representatives of the national diving industry – expressly welcomes these measures and sees them as a sensible step towards the long-term preservation of our underwater world.
Finally, however, we would like to raise the question of whether legal requirements are actually necessary to promote responsible behaviour underwater – or whether international diving organisations should not be called upon to play a greater role in raising awareness through preventive training, sensitisation and clear training guidelines.
Further information:
Sea Bees Diving
sea-bees.com
Sea Bees auf Taucher.Net
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