News
Reef-World & Paralenz launch environmental scholarship for deserving dive guides
The Reef-World Foundation – the international coordinator of the UN Environment’s Green Fins initiative – and Paralenz are proud to announce the launch of a scholarship campaign to help scuba diving guides receive vital environmental certification. The Dive Guide e-Course Scholarship Fund, which was created by Reef-World and has been kicked off with a generous donation of £1,000 from Paralenz, as part of a wider partnership with the charity, which will enable 50 dive guides to receive their Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course environmental certification.
The Scholarship Fund has been created in response to feedback from dive guides who have passed the course and are keen to download and display their personalised electronic certificate but are not financially able to cover the associated cost (£19 / $24 USD). Reef-World and Paralenz are now calling for dive guides who meet the criteria (outlined below) to submit their application.
Dive guides in need can apply for the scholarship at any time through the Green Fins website and funds will begin to be allocated once 50% of the campaign goal has been reached. To be eligible for the scholarship, guides must: have completed and passed all modules of the Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course; be able to demonstrate they or their employer are not financially able to purchase the certificate; and be a national of a country which receives official development assistance from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Diving related damage to sensitive marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, is becoming an increasingly significant issue. This damage makes them less likely to survive other local and wider stressors, such as overfishing or run-off from land containing pollutants and plastic debris as well as the effects of climate change, such as rising sea temperatures. The Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course, created with the support of Professional SCUBA Schools International (PSS), teaches dive professionals how to prevent diving-related damage to coral reefs by following the highest environmental standards and better managing their guests to prevent damage to the reef. On completion of the free course, dive guides can opt to donate £19 ($24) to receive a personalised electronic certificate. The certificate can then be displayed to entice eco-minded guests by informing them the guide is aware of how to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with diving.
Chloe Harvey, Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: “Since the launch of the Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course earlier this year, hundreds of dive professionals around the world have taken the course and learned how to minimise the negative environmental impacts associated with diving. But now we need your help. Our ethos at Reef-World, and the purpose of the Green Fins initiative, is to empower and educate ALL dive professionals – no matter what their background or financial status – to protect coral reefs. We’re so grateful to the team at Paralenz for funding 50 dive guides to benefit from a Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course certificate which proves their status as an environmentally conscious dive professional. Please give generously and help support a dive guide in their sustainability journey today.”
Jacob Dalhoff, Partnership Manager at Paralenz, said: “To build meaningful and impactful partnerships is a big part of our ethos. As a company with a passion for the ocean, we need to do everything we can to raise awareness about how to preserve it – Our partnership with The Reef-World Foundation and the Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course initiative is contributing a lot to this mission.”
Supporters who are interested in helping additional dive guides receive their certifications can also donate to the Scholarship Campaign. Donors who support the Dive Guide e-Course Scholarship Fund will receive thanks in the form of their name (or that of their business) mentioned:
- Between £20 and £79 – as a thank you in Reef-World’s 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Between £80 and £229 – on Green Fins social media (once on the channel of your choice: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and in Reef-World’s 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Between £300 and £699 – on Green Fins and Reef-World’s social media (two mentions in total across Reef-World/Green Fins’ channels) and in Reef-World’s 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Between £700 and £1,399 – on Green Fins and Reef-World’s social media (two mentions) and your name, logo and company website included in Reef-World’s 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Above £1,400 – 1) Promotion on Green Fins and Reef-World’s social media (two mentions across Reef-World/Green Fins’ channels); 2) Your name, logo, company website and 100 words about your business included in Reef-World’s 2019-2020 Annual Report; 3) Your company logo included on the Reef-World and Green Fins websites for one year; 4) Opportunity to provide a guest blog post for the Reef-World or Green Fins website.
Dive guides who want to be considered for scholarship can visit www.greenfins.net/green-fins-dive-guide-scholarship-applications to apply. To donate to the Green Fins Dive Guide Scholarship Fund, please visit www.greenfins.net/appeal/sponsor-a-dive-guide.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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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