News
Cayman Islands Dive Industry Gears up for 2015 with Good Showing at DEMA
Operators celebrate a good year and look ahead with new dive packages and products
Cayman’s dive industry shored up business for 2015 and thanked travel partners for their support during a solid 2014 at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) trade show in Las Vegas last month. Red Sail Sports, Sunset House and Divetech joined the Department of Tourism and others to promote Cayman’s exceptional diving and top-notch hospitality industry at the Cayman Islands pavilion. Southern Cross Club’s Neil van Niekerk was there to represent the Sister Islands. The Cayman section was located in a prime spot near some big names in diving so it enjoyed good traffic during the international dive show.
“We booked a lot of business the first two days – by 10:10 a.m. on the first day we already had our first group booked,” said Sunset House General Manager Keith Sahm. “We were very happy with DEMA, which is the largest scuba show in the world, so this is where we needed to be to show off Cayman’s world class diving.”
Red Sail Sports introduced a new Go Pro video camera program for next year and the dive company also launched a new Referral Program for U.S. dive shops. Sales and Marketing Manager Sarah-Jane Whitehill said both were well received, generating buzz at the show for the new products.
“The show is a great opportunity for us to network with existing partners and meet potential new clients,” she said. “We also keep up with the latest developments in the industry by attending educational seminars and social events.”
DEMA was also a time to celebrate the end of a good year for tourism in the Cayman Islands. The latest statistics from the Department of Tourism show a 12% jump in the number of stay over visitors to the Cayman Islands. Dive operators say 2014 is closing out as a solid year for business and they anticipate a busy 2015. Divetech was also celebrating a special award from the Cayman Islands for its conservation efforts. Owner Nancy Easterbrook missed the show’s opening day because she was still on Grand Cayman receiving the Governor’s Corporate Conservation Award.
“Divetech was very pleased and humbled to have received the Conservation Corporate Award of the year, it’s a great honor, and of course the recognition for the sustainable efforts is extremely rewarding,” said Easterbrook. “We were in great company and it’s exciting to see all of the businesses that are really working hard to make a difference on reducing impacts on our oceans and planet… it’s heart warming.”
Ocean conservation is a critical concern for DEMA members worldwide and the show hosted several seminars on the subject. Cayman representatives also had the opportunity to hear from industry experts on topics that included dive safety and marketing. Alongside the show exhibits, industry manufacturers demonstrated new dive gear and photography equipment.
“The DEMA show is our major business to business show,” said Director of Tourism Rosa Harris in a video statement from the show. “We are here to ensure we shore up business for 2015 and continue to maintain key dive relationships.”
The Department of Tourism partners with Cayman’s dive operators to promote the destination through a number of events and programs, including hosting the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Scuba industry pioneers inducted into the hall of fame in October during the inaugural “Legends and Lions” scuba festival stopped by the Cayman pavilion to greet the public and take photos at the Hall of Fame booth. Plans are already in the works for 2015’s scuba celebration.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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