Project AWARE’s Dive For Earth Day

Each year during the week of Earth Day, 22^nd April, thousands of people across the globe make a difference for the underwater environment while having fun and getting wet to celebrate Dive For Earth Day. We joined the global effort to make a difference this April. We organized in partnership with Project AWARE a Beach and Underwater Cleanup. Divers, snorkelers, their families and friends helped us to make a difference for our local dive sites.

Here is more info on the Earth Day and Project AWARE:

Earth Day began on 22 April 1970 to raise the status of environment issues to the global stage. On the 30^th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE began to help organize dive volunteers and put aquatic issues on the Earth Day map. Since that time thousands of divers and water enthusiasts in more than 115 countries of the world have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities each April.

Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry’s leading nonprofit environmental organization working in partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.

For more information about Project AWARE conservation initiatives visit www.projectaware.org.

UPDATE - Moalboal Water Usage Fee

Starting January 1, 2007, the Moalboal Provincial Government is proud to announce the Moalboal Marine Park Entrance Fee System for 2006. Tags (or tickets) are purchased for a one-time fee of 500 Pesos (about 10US$ or 8 Euro) and must be carried at all times while the guest is diving. It can easily be affixed to guests’ diving or snorkeling gear. The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire and Bunaken Marine Park systems. The local government will utilize these funds to finance a number of high priority conservation programs in the park, including patrols and enforcement to abolish destructive fishing practices such as blast and cyanide fishing, village improvement programs within the park, collection and disposal of plastic and other wastes entering the park’s waters, marine conservation education of village children and adults, and reef and mangrove rehabilitation. Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased through marine tourism operators based in Moalboal, or can be purchased from one of several ticket counters. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea. We greatly appreciate your support and cooperation with this entrance fee system. Conservation of Moalboal’s spectacular marine habitats requires funding, and your entrance fee is a valuable contribution to saving Moalboal’s reefs.