International Cleanup Day
In a bid to improve the health of underwater eco systems Diver One , Inc., a group of local dive instructors and dive masters, that gives scuba diving classes and packages rallied 25 scuba divers a few weeks ago to clean up Nogas Island and Anini-y Antique's seas and beaches to help make clean waters a reality.
International Cleanup Day reaches 23 countries throughout Asia Pacific and empowers over 100,000 volunteers to take action. The cleanup event was spearheaded by Project AWARE Foundation, a non-profit organization working with divers to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Every year seven million tonnes of rubbish enters the world's oceans. Marine debris kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles each year.
"Dives centres like Diver One, Inc. are instrumental in the global fight to wipe out marine debris. We could not make a difference wihout their support," said Mike Holme, executive director of Project AWARE.
" Project AWARE thanked Diver One Inc. and all the local volunteers (they helped in the beach cleaup) for their commitment to marine conservation. Local clean ups are a fantastc example of how people can work together to take action and make a positive contribution to the local community." added Holme.
All trash and rubbish collected underwater and topside from the beaches were segregated and weighed before proper disposal. The information gathered by the clean-up will then be sent back to Project AWARE for scientific purposes. The data of this clean-up will be submitted to the Ocean Conservancy to be used as tools to inform the public, government and businesses of the damaging effect of debris
After all was done, the volunteers went home with a new experience. A nice feeling of giving back to mother nature for a change... to thank her for all the wonders and thrills she constantly give scuba divers and nature lovers.