Evaluating the Importance of Educational Briefing on Reducing Negative Impacts to Coral by SCUBA Divers in Hong Kong

Summary This case study outlines the effectiveness of educational briefings in reducing coral damage by SCUBA divers in Hong Kong. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the case study involves first-hand observation and questionnaire responses from 17 observed divers who joined fun dives organised by diving companies on the survey days. Results show that educational briefings improve divers’ knowledge and attitudes, leading to greater caution underwater and fewer unintentional contacts, thus mitigating coral damage. The importance of educational briefings lies in enhancing divers’ knowledge of coral conservation, fostering positive changes in attitude, encouraging intention towards behavioural change, and reducing the frequency of unintentional contact of divers.