Volunteer Marine Conservation Zones
Here in Cornwall, England, we are seeing the rise of Volunteer Marine Conservation Areas. The idea explains itself - a community that feels strongly about its local marine ecosystem says so by declaring it a VMCA and keeping it clean and well-cared for. At the outset there is no absolute barrier to bad behaviour, just peer group pressure. But that is how best practice so often starts... I am keen to see divers get a piece of the VMCA action. After all, we are best-placed to keep an eye on the ecosystem, its debris patterns and development. To be hard-nosed, they are a valuable business tool in the financial year (to keep the accountant in us all happy) - but we all know there can be more to them.