Dive centres across Asia Pacific receive Environmental Honours

Asia Pacific dive centres scooped a total of 27 awards in the 2007 Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award. Project AWARE Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments, recognizes the outstanding conservation efforts of eco operators through the Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award. 2007 award recipients demonstrated an exceptional commitment to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action all year. 42 dive centres across the globe received the prestigious award with 27 awards given to dive centres in the Asia Pacific region. "It's great to see Asia Pacific dive centres officially recognized for their work to help conserve and protect the local environment. Congratulations to all dive centres who have adopted Project AWARE's philosophies, campaigns and activities and made this an integral part of their business," said Joanne Marston, Manager, Project AWARE Asia Pacific.

Congratulations issued to the following Environmental Achievement Award Recipients in Asia Pacific:

• AW Redcliffe Dive Centre - Queensland, Australia
• Adventure Sports - Dive Gizo - Solomon Islands
• Aquaventures PNG - Papua New Guinea
• B & J Diving Centre - Malaysia
• Calypso Dive - Queensland, Australia
• Deep Sea Divers Den - Queensland, Australia
• Dive Tropex Tokoriki - Fiji
• Dive! Tutukaka - New Zealand
• Eco Scuba - South Korea
• Go Deep Scuba - New Zealand
• Kon Tiki Krabi - Thailand
• Kon Tiki Lanta - Thailand
• Malapascua Exotic Island - Philippines
• Marine Master - South Korea
• Mermaids Dive Centre - Thailand
• NB Divers - South Korea
• Narima Diving - Thailand
• New Zealand Sea Adventures - New Zealand
• Noma Dive - South Korea
• Plunge Diving - New South Wales, Australia
• Remote Area Dive - Queensland, Australia
• Scotty's Dive Centre - Philippines
• Scubafish - Thailand
• Sipadan Scuba - Malaysia
• Subsurface Fiji - Fiji
• Taka Dive Adventures - Queensland, Australia
• Undersea Explorer - Queensland, Australia

Each year Project AWARE Foundation recognizes the outstanding environmental efforts of dive retailers and resorts. These facilities lead by example, helping to both motivate and inspire divers, consumers and local communities. Award winners operate their business in an environmentally responsible manner and exemplify the Project AWARE philosophy within their daily operations.

To become a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator and realize the many benefits for your dive facility and the environment, you may wish to request a copy of the application from info@projectaware.org.au

Based on 30 January 2008 press release by Project AWARE Foundation. Project AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit organisation working with divers to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE is calling for increased participation in IYOR events this year. A global list of activities can be found on Project AWARE's International Year of the Reef page. More press information is available from: Joanne Marston, Project AWARE Manager joanne.marston@projectaware.org.au; Joanna McNamara, Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator joanna.mcnamara@projectaware.org.au