Scuba divers themselves are a very important target for practices that can ensure future sustainability for California's ocean resources. The problem is however that, like general pollution from for example plastic, many people, and even official in charge of oceanic protection often abuse their power by concealing from the public the truth about the state of pollution. By doing this, the public, including scuba divers, are not aware of the true extent of the problem, and can therefore not do anything to mitigate the problem.

Specifically, according to Environment California (2006), only 30 of the 167 fish populations in the coasts of California are healthy; the others being negatively affected by various forms of pollution. According to the article, this number has shown no improvement between 2001 and 2006, the latter being the year of writing. The blame for this phenomenon is placed at the door of governmental agencies that deliberately hide the true extent of the crisis from the public. These agencies also tend to hide the failures of their attempts to repair the damage to the environment.

In addition to the fishing industry, as well as other economic and environmental factors, scuba diving is also directly affected both by the crisis and the deception. Some divers exercise their hobby specifically for investigating the different species of fish in the oceans. Some do this for professional reasons, while others do so only for recreational purposes. When fish become ill and die, the pleasure derived from their presence, as well as their economic and environmental benefit. If people are made aware of the specific problems...

The colorful world under the water of the Californian oceans is a rich cultural heritage. Millions of tourists derive pleasure from scuba diving activities in this location. Not preserving this for the future therefore has profound economic and environmental consequences.
In conclusion, experienced divers appear to be very acutely aware of the necessity of protecting the environment in which they exercise their hobby. It is primarily important to use such persons to educate future divers, as well as the general public, and possibly also involved government agencies. Only through education and a realistic view of the damage involved, can it be halted and even reversed so that future generations can continue exercising the hobby.

Sources

Environment California. (2006, March 29). New Oceans Report: Federal Government Make Little Progress Increasing the Number of Healthy Fish Stocks. https://www.environmentcalifornia.org/newsroom/oceans/oceans-news/new-oceans-report-federal-government-make-little-progress-increasing-the-number-of-healthy-fish-stocks-hides-failures-using-shell-games#7vFrqh3TZKEcyXo04td2_g

Todd, Sharon L., Cooper, Tiffany & Graefe, Alan R. (2000). Scuba Diving & Underwater Cultural Resources: Differences in environmental beliefs, ascriptions of responsibility, and management preferences based on level of development. http://www.nysgextension.org/underwater/underwfiles/scubareport1.html