Reef Clean Up 2000
2000-2005
6/5/05
|
Reef clean up 2000 An annual event supported by PADI international, under the name of Project AWARE , Maldivers has been involved in the clean up of a large area of the Male’ west side house reef, since the beginning of the new millennium.
Validation of Initiating Such an Event
Maldivers diving centre is solely based on diving; which is an activity that needs a healthy marine environment. Also, the members and staff of Maldivers have always had a great love for the environment; understanding the fragile nature of the existence of countries like Maldives, who are dependant on a protected, marine and urban environment, Maldivers took it as a patriotic duty as citizens of Maldives.
Launching of "Reef Clean-up 2000" on 5 June 2000
Reef Clean-Up 2000 was launched on 5 June 2000, the first World Environment Day of the new millennium at 7 in the morning and finished at 5 in the evening. More than hundred members of Maldivers, Bluepeace, and Studio 1 actively participated in organizing and implementing the launching of Reef Clean-up 2000. Apart of from the organizers, Bodybuilding Federation of Maldives, Surfing Association and Club Eagles actively participated in lunching the event.
Prior to the reef Clean up Project
Reef Clean-up programs have been conducted as part of annual World Environment Day Programs as well as Clean-up Maldives program executed by the Government in 1998. These programs have helped create greater awareness amongst the populace on issues regarding the environment.
In the past, none of these programs were able to develop into a sustainable program whereby any part of the reef has been completely cleaned of the marine debris. The overwhelming amount of debris cover on the western face of Male' reef has reached an alarming scale. This has been one of the main reasons, which has led us to initiate a well developed clean up program.
PADI Project AWARE in collaboration with Maldivers Diving Centre and Blue peace has carried out initial framework development of the Clean-up Program for 2000 among the concerned members of Maldivers, Bluepeace with Mr. Maizan Hassan Maniku, (Studio 1-Maldives) and following Program was detailed.
Mission
Reef Clean-Up program has it primary Mission to initiate a long term reef clean up program for Male' house Reef and create greater awareness amongst the public.
Maldivers has been carrying out the program since then every year and also been sharing details of their findings to the public. School children and anyone else interested, are able to gain information about the program and the present status of the Male’ house reef.
Conclusion
Maldivers has been going on strong since the initiation of the Reef Clean-Up program in keeping with the mission. In the past three years alone Maldivers has picked up more than…loads of debris and waste. More than 150 volunteer divers participated in the last couple of Clean-Up’s. As the initial area of Clean-up had far more than expected amounts of debris and waste, Maldivers still is working on the same site. Every year more divers and supporters of the program join in and more recognition is given to the program hence its sustainability assured.
|
| |
| |
World Record Dive
2/25/06
|
Maldivers Diving centre was proud to participate in the successful attempt at the world record for the “Most people scuba diving simultaneously” on a single site.
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board was in charge of organizing the event supported by the local dive operations and Dhiraagu was the official sponsor.
25th February 2006 saw 797 Divers dive at the Sunlight Thila dive site in North Male’ Atoll of Maldives. With a large percentage of local divers as well as tourists and foreign divers, this great attempt was for all the divers to stay for ten minutes under water and surface.
At 11:05 all divers descended and stayed below for ten minutes. Upon the surfacing of the last diver, a whistle was blown announcing the glory of Maldives holding a world record.
68 divers participated through Maldivers Diving centre.
|
| |
| |
World Environment Day 2006
Awareness Program
6/5/06
|
|
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, Maldivers joined with Sea Explorers, Divers Lodge and the N.G.O Ecocare to conduct an awareness program for children of 17 schools of Male’.
74 children from the schools were educated on marine life and diversity and their importance in the ecosystem and environment of Maldives.
Children and teachers were given the opportunity to dive with instructors to experience the underwater world. They dived near the house reef of Vilingili.
Ecocare also had harnesses and ropes attached onto trees for children to experience climbing and were given information about the local trees and their role in the environment.
|
| |
| |
Maldivers Diving Centre Launches it’s website.
6/10/06
|
|
The Maldivers diving centre launched its website today (10th June 2006). The website will offer information on the wide range of dive courses available from the centre and other services provided by Maldivers.
www.maldivers.net
|
| |
| |
Reef Clean Up 2000
10th June 06
6/10/06
|
Maldivers celebrated the 7th anniversary of the Reef Clean Up 2000 project. With more than 200 divers, snorkelers and other volunteers participating, it turned out to be a successful event. Students from environment clubs of different schools actively took part in the event and they were given information about the Reef Clean Up 2000 project, the marine environment and pollution. Also divers from Sea Explorers joined as well.
Maldivers would like to note the contribution given by the new comers in addition to the existing support we have.
Clean up took place on the North West House reef of Male’. Approximately an area of 400 square meters was cleaned and more than 4 tonnes of debris was pulled out.
|
| |
| |
|
