farequalsme.: projectaware.

Hello good fellas!

Like I promise I wanted to post little bits of facts on how to be a responsible divers. before I get to that I wanted to introduce all of you to Project Aware. What is Project Aware?
Mission

Project AWARE Foundation conserves underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.

Who We Are

Project AWARE Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization. In partnership with scuba divers and water enthusiasts, Project AWARE offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland and Japan combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in more than 180 countries and territories of the world.

What We Do

Project AWARE Foundation works in partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to combat challenges facing underwater environments. Project AWARE and dedicated volunteers are committed to conservation initiatives including:

Underwater Cleanups and Marine Debris Prevention
Coral Reef Conservation, Monitoring and Data Collection
Shark Education, Reporting and Conservation
Improved Management Policies and Marine Protection Efforts
Environmental Training for Divers and Education Programs for Kids

You could check on the link above to see what are they all about and up to in order to protect the underwater environment. I am still waiting for the opportunity to take leaves from my work maybe around a month and help out these people. I am so eager to go dive in and collect data and research. I have done some research and ask around that it is possible to actually join a project aware scuba team and do a diving mission like this. As I research around I am praying that I can spare my time to do this.

In the mean time, what I can do at the moment when I go diving is to be responsible!

Ten Ways to Protect Underwater Environment:

1. Dive Carefully;

Since many aquatic organisms are delicate and can be easily harmed, this can be done by the bump of your camera, swipe of your fins or even the touch of your hands.

2. Be aware of your body equipments;

Secure your gauges and alternate air source so they won't be dangling over marine habitats. Remember to control your buoyancy and do not touch fragile or unknown organisms

3. Keep your dive skills SHARP!

This can be done by enrolling in Peak Performance Buoyancy, AWARE Control Reef Conservation, PROJECT AWARE or Underwater Naturalist Specialty. Or if you are just looking for fun in diving, do your course and classes seriously

4. Consider your action;

Avoid touching, handling, feeding or removing anything from its natural environment

5. Understand and respect underwater life;
Playing with animals or using them as food for other species can leave a trail of destruction

6. Be an Ecotourist;

Minimize your impact on the natural environment and respect local cultures

7. Respect underwater cultural heritage;

Treat wreck sites with respect to preserve cultural heritage and maritime history for future generations. Wrecks form serves as an important habitat for fish and aquatic life

8. Report environmental disturbances or destruction;
While diving you can help monitor the health of local waters. Report unusual sightings, injury or water pollution to the authorities. If you can pick up some litter while you are diving that would help too :)

9. Be a role model;