News
Sustainable & Responsible Tourism on Curaçao
Many tourists who visit Curaçao, travel here to experience the incredible beauty of the Caribbean Sea and the amazing coral reef system, that is a bevy of healthy biodiversity, only seen by scuba diving or snorkeling. But, like the world over, Curaçao’s coral reefs are facing multiple environmental threats that have been largely induced by apathy and complacency. The list of threats is seemingly endless but a few examples include water pollution, construction, marine debris, and overfishing which subsequently damages and destroys coral reefs. Therefore, there is an imminent need for sustainable and responsible tourism.
“Our ocean and dive sites are an important component of our Tourism Product. It is therefore a shared responsibility of the whole community to conserve and positively contribute to our natural resources, such as our ocean and dive sites for the benefit of our future generations.” – Miles Mercera, CHATA CEO
However, to create sustainable and responsible change, a commitment from the entire community is needed. The government, the private sector, tourists and Curaçaoan citizens alike need to come together to support great initiatives such as the Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao and the Project AWARE “Adopt A Dive Site” Initiative led by the CHATA Dive Task Force.
Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao
The Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao (CRFC) officially began operations in May 2015. Initially, only starting the nursery (located on the Ocean Encounters house reef at Lions Dive & Beach Resort) with 400 coral fragments of Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) hanging from 10 “trees”. An additional 10 trees were installed later that year that were populated with fragments of corals from the first trees. A year later, the nurseries held 1250 corals.
Since the launch in 2015, CRFC has successfully out planted over 2400 corals at various popular dive sites along Curaçao’s southeastern coastline. Additionally, the Foundation’s Board plans to “branch out” and expand the nurseries by enlisting two CRFC affiliate members which will then provide triple the number of coral fragments available to be out planted back onto the fringing reefs.
The program’s main goal is to bring back the shallow-water populations of staghorn corals in Curacao, which would not only help mitigate the possible effects of climate change but also rejuvenate reef fisheries and biodiversity, as well as help dive tourism. It’s meant to supplement the work currently being done in the region by the SECORE Foundation, another worldwide reef conservation nonprofit organization.
“The significance of the Curaçao Reef Restoration Program is that together as a community here on Curaçao, we will be restoring our shallow water reef system while educating our youth about the importance of protecting and preserving our natural ecosystem,” according to Jeremiah Peek, CRFC Board Chairperson & Managing Director at Ocean Encounters Diving, who adds: “I believe programs like this help solidify a natural sustainability for future generations.”
Project AWARE – Adopt a Dive Site Initiative
The Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association’s (CHATA) Dive Task Force is taking action against Marine Debris and six of its members have committed to the Project AWARE – Adopt a Dive Site™ initiative by adopting their house reefs and pledging to conduct monthly Dive Against Debris beach & dive site clean ups.
“The commitment of the Dive Task Force to the Dive Against Debris and Adopt a Dive Site Initiatives is an important step towards the creation of awareness regarding the negative effects of marine debris on the island and ultimately the conservation of our ocean.” – Miles Mercera, CHATA CEO
The Dive Bus, CURious 2 Dive, Ocean Encounters Diving, Scuba Lodge Dive Center, Atlantis Diving and Goby Divers have each adopted a dive site through the Project AWARE Adopt a Dive Site initiative, running free clean-up dives each month.
Volunteers are always needed and very welcome, so if you’re a certified diver visiting or living on Curaçao, join one of the Dive Against Debris Events to help to remove marine debris and make a difference. To date, 215 volunteer divers have removed 348 kgs / 778 lbs of debris from Curaçao’s reefs.
Mark Pinnell, Managing Director of The Dive Bus and PADI Ambassadiver says, “As divers – and even more so as Dive Industry professionals – we have a responsibility to advocate a message of sustainability and to enable our divers plus the local community to protect and respect our oceans and reefs.”
Be inspired. Become an Ocean Advocate for a Sustainable Future!
Our Oceans, Our Future, Our Responsibility.
Pictures & Video courtesy of Nature Pics, Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao, The Dive Bus & Dive Curaçao.
Find out more at Dive Curaçao.
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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