Sustainable Tourism

(Dive Travel Business News - April 27, 2012) -- Komodo National Park, a 500,000-acre reserve in eastern Indonesia, is a UN World Heritage site that is currently under great threat by illegal fishing. Coral gardens that were among Asia’s most spectacular, teeming with colorful sea life just a few months ago, have been transformed into desolate gray moonscapes by illegal fishermen who use home made bombs or cyanide to kill or stun their prey.  A few of the Komodo National Parks valued diving locations have very recently been blasted beyond recognition.

Komodo National Park spans several dusty, tan-colored volcanic islands and is most famous for its Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards. Its remote and hard-to-reach waters also burst with staggering levels of diversity, from corals in fluorescent reds and yellows to octopuses with lime-green banded eyes to black-and-blue sea snakes. read more »

Dive Travel Business News - April 21, 2012) -- Located in Montreal, Canada, Total Diving, has become the first dive centre in the world to join 1% for the Planet, Total Diving will generously donate 1% of their revenue to ocean protection. 
 
“As the first dive center in the world to join 1% for the Planet, we are breaking new ground for businesses whose survival and profitability depend on the wellbeing of the oceans,” said Darcy Kieran, owner of Total Diving.

Says Kieran, "It's not just about preserving scuba diving sites around the world, it’s a great fit and it’s a good feeling to know we are working together to ensure our underwater playground is protected for future generations.” read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - March 13, 2012) -- CNN has named Ken Nedimyer a CNN Hero for his pioneering efforts to develop techniques to preserve coral reefs and motivate public support for a cause that attracts environmentally conscious vacationers. Nedimyer is founder and president of Key Largo-based Coral Restoration Foundation.

Over 40 years ago, Nedimyer started diving Florida's coral reefs. He became a commercial fisherman and tropical fish collector, working in the ocean nearly every day of the year. But by the mid-1980s, he noticed a troubling trend.

Two of the region's most important corals, staghorn and elkhorn, were in drastic decline. The corals -- tiny, stationary marine animals that make up the reefs -- were dying because of many reasons, including climate change, pollution and overfishing, experts said. Today, they're on the endangered species list. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - February 9, 2010) -- A coup d'état in the Maldives on Tuesday February 7 has resulted in the removal of President Mohamed Nasheed.   The UK Foreign Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to Male Island. There are political demonstrations in the capital Malé, which have resulted in violent clashes involving police, military and demonstrators.  There have been reports of unrest on other non-resort islands generally around municipal buildings such as police stations and courtrooms.

The situation remains uncertain. Tourists in Malé, or those who choose to travel to Malé, should exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and beware of spontaneous gatherings. Tourists should check with their tour operator or travel company for further information. read more »