Our environmental policy

Environmental policy

Fins ‘n’ Flukes are concerned with the impact that our activities may have on the marine environment. To minimise this impact and as part of our commitment to our customers, Fins ‘n’ Flukes operate in an environmentally ethical manner. With a view towards the continued development and promotion of sustainable eco-tourism in Ha’apai we observe the following code of practice on all our trips.

Diving
Divers and snorkelers are encouraged to use good buoyancy control and finning techniques especially on coral reefs to avoid damage or disturbance. Guests are advised that standing on coral damages the living organisms.

Beginner divers are advised to avoid sensitive areas until they have mastered proper buoyancy control and finning.

Divers are advised that the taking of living or dead animals including fish, coral or shells by any means is not permitted.

Marine wildlife
Interactions with marine wildlife are undertaken at a safe distance to ensure that the animals’ natural behaviour is not changed and the animal is not frightened or harassed. We do not engage in fish feeding as a method of attracting animals.

We do not permit the use of artificial light sources when photographing whales or dolphins.

Animals are never handled without gloves in order to protect them from the transfer of diseases and fungus.

Spearfishing as a tourist activity is prohibited.

Boat
“Take it in – take it out” on our trips. Any waste generated is returned to port for disposal.

To prevent serious marine pollution by petroleum products we never fill our petrol containers when they are actually on the boat.

In addition to the above, our timber boat, Malolo, was built and purchased locally in Ha’apai and may also be disposed of safely here when its service life is complete.

Anchoring
All care is taken to avoid damage to the substrate. Either permanent moorings are used or the vessel is anchored in sand. If this is not possible, a light anchor (reef pick) and light chain or rope are used in a non sensitive anchor bed.

Engine
We use an Evinrude E-Tec outboard engine that surpasses stringent environmental emission standards set forth by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, 2006) and meets the ultra-low 2008 CARB (California Air Resource Board) 3-Star emissions rating. This means a cleaner boating environment with no smoke and dramatically lower carbon monoxide emissions.

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