SCUBA diving has been a water sports around the Maltese Islands for many years and tourists increasingly find our islands as ideal for SCUBA diving courses and experience. However after the initial wonder of being able to stay underwater, divers increasingly desire to keep their interests high by spotting different organisms in different marine habitats or around different wrecks. Toward improving local coastal biodiversity richness, marine nature reserves have been proposed and suggested for years and increase to be so as coastal development and coastal disturbance is on the rise. Once established, marine conservation areas have much to offer to our diverse biological heritage and its protection.

Nature reserves are also extremely valuable to our future generations' enjoyment, utilisation and economic value of our natural assets. If such protected areas, currently nonexistent around our coasts, are not put into place soon together with adequate conservation monitoring and management, there is little hope that our natural capital stands a chance of reaping any interests in the future. SCUBA divers are among the first to note the decline in different marine species due to pollution or over-fishing, but too often do not have the means of addressing the problems and needs in a coordinated fashion.

To plan, manage and sustain any marine reserve is not easy and surely depends on the effective protection of the diverse life forms that need to be allowed to survive in healthy populations, in order to contribute toward the intricate network supporting life in our seas. Accurate and detailed conservation information and monitoring is a must, especially when 'the precautionary principle' is not actively taken up by development planners.

Volunteer members of the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) have set-up another useful way of encouraging greater public participation toward incrementing our monitoring capabilities. In fact this year, SCUBA diving schools in Malta and Gozo have been invited to participate in one of BICREF's coastal projects. In particular, Gozo aqua sports club, Scuba tech, Subway scuba, Maltaaqua, Strand diving, and Divewise are giving their support to the biodiversity monitoring project by encouraging divers to report certain species illustrated on a slate provided.

Through the use of a standard information sheet that illustrates a few of the vulnerable and indicator species each SCUBA diver may observe and record the presence of these creatures during their dives. The information gathered is forwarded to BICREF, PO Box 30 Hamrun and used to monitor changes in abundance and distribution of some important species. This work would supplement BICREF member's SCUBA scientific conservation research assistance for greater local awareness and improved local conservation planning.

Trends in the declines of vulnerable species, such as groupers or increases in opportunistic and possibly destructive species, such as the killer algae, need to be monitored and effectively addressed for proper conservation of a balanced and functional coastal habitat.

Thus all divers this year are encouraged to start joining pleasure with a little contribution to local conservation efforts, which may prove to be of greater enjoyment! As this activity will target tourists as well, this project may also be considered valid to promote local nature appreciation by tourists in the eco-tourism year. Any person/s interested in joining this project may simply send an email or letter to BICREF.

The beauty of our underwater life is one that is fast depleting and in urgent need of consideration and actions to safeguard it. BICREF together with Planet Sea Productions launched a campaign last October. The 'Save our Seas' (SOS) campaign The petition may be signed by any one having our seas at heart, so as to promote the need for conservation research, planning and management possibly through the setting up of marine nature reserves. This is a very important first step toward showing you really care of our seas. Any one interested in signing this petition may do so by contacting Shaun Arrigo (BICREF member) via email: info@planetsea.net

Too often we may be carried away by our daily activities ignoring what we do not directly see for ourselves. We may no longer afford this attitude however, since our natural beauties may well disappear before our grandchildren get the chance to seek these natural treasures for themselves.

Immersing oneself in the 'silent' blue, filled with colours, shades and shapes, fascinates an increasing number of SCUBA divers, some travelling a long way to experience this sport that takes you in a three dimensional world with natural treasures to explore. For many of the BICREF members, like Herbert Vella whose photos are shown here, joining underwater scientific conservation research surveys has added a new challenge to their dives. For them it is a satisfaction of knowing you can devote efforts directly to assisting local marine conservation work especially when one is able to understand the difficulties and achievements involved in this area of scientific research.

BICREF insists that setting-up a large marine nature reserve is the most valid way forward in safeguarding local biodiversity and our right as humans to its enjoyment in sustainable manner. While our sea is definitely a source of great fun for many of us, both great and small, knowledgeable conservation action will be required to make sure our sea gets a chance to survive for the benefit of all, both in and out of this wonderful marine world. Malta's signing of International Agreements to this effect is only one, of the many steps required to make sure conservation of our marine natural heritage becomes reality.