A total of 701.20 kilograms of rubbish was collected at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Borneo on International Cleanup Day. The rubbish piled high on the edge of the beach was a grim sight for 270 volunteers involved.

Amongst the volunteers Theresa Tham, Corporate Director of Borneo Divers said; “On one hand we were happy to see such big support from the government agencies and general  public. On the other hand it was so sad to see the amount of garbage we collected.”  The amount collected from doubled from last years’ 300 kilos.

270 Volunteers Borneo Divers

Special Guest Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said most of the rubbish came from the mainland and it could damage the coral reef eco system. To make a positive difference Borneo Divers have introduced the ‘Adopt a Coral’ program where baby corals are implanted onto a cement block and carefully transferred to an underwater nursery to protect and conserve coral reefs for future generations.

“Our united effort and one strong voice created a lot of awareness in the local community. We wish to offer our Salute to Project AWARE Foundation for the good initiative to develop this wonderful program,” added Theresa.

For more ways to get involved in coral reef monitoring and protection visit projectaware.org

Asst Minister being briefed on Coral Transplant

Garbage collected

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know the east Australian population of manta rays is a newly identified species? Once thought to be a single species worldwide, recent research indicates there are two species of manta ray. And the east Australian population is the newly identified species. Project AWARE is funding community involvement for the first ever in depth investigation of the east Australian manta ray population. Divers are encouraged to get their underwater gear ready and take photos of these marine giants. The Project Manta University of Queensland study takes place at Lady Elliot Island, North Stradbroke Island and Solitary Islands Marine Park over the next 3 years.  Data gathered is vital for effective conservation and management of the newly identified species. So far 329 manta rays have been positively identified with over 120 animals sighted at least twice, divers can visit Project Manta on Facebook to get involved.

Project Manta (credit Kathy Townsend)

Further north the Sea Turtle Foundation (seaturtlefoundation.org) will be tagging turtles this holiday season to gather valuable data on the effects of climate change to sea turtle populations in the northern Great Barrier Reef.  Project AWARE funded the tags and equipment for the project which will help resource managers plan for the impacts of global warming, as well as other threats to the species. The nesting population on Milman Island, Queensland will be studied January to February 2010.

Nesting turtle Milman Island, Sea Turtle Foundation

Conservation research is a top priority for Project AWARE Foundation who funded 40 grassroots conservation projects in Asia Pacific this year. Fourteen of these projects are in Australia and New Zealand and 11 focus on research.  Project coordinators will report their findings and results to the Foundation in 2010. 

Marcy Summers of The Alliance for Tompotika Conservation, Sulawesi Indonesia has already reported their progress. “Project AWARE’s assistance has enabled us to fully implement a new sea turtle conservation and awareness program in the region of Tompotika. The beach patrols in these areas have been effective in almost completely halting turtle poaching. We know we have already protected over 125 turtle mothers and more than 10,000 eggs. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Project AWARE Foundation.”  More exciting projects include loggerhead sea turtle research in the Eastern Indian Ocean; habitat use of bottle nose dolphins and tracking of wild breeding female dugongs.   

If you are seeking funding for a project, or would like to make a donation to support conservation visit www.projectaware.org for more information.

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.   To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org

Across Australia and New Zealand, 93 cleanups battled marine debris for Project AWARE Foundation’s International Cleanup Day. 257 shoes were found at Snapper Island Queensland and a 250cc motorbike pulled up from Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. More unusual finds include deck chairs, televisions, umbrellas, toilets and tractor tires.

In addition 17 Cleanup Coordinators in the region  joined the Fundraising Challenge.  More and more divers are holding fundraising events to engage their local community, have some fun and give back to the marine world.    Thanks to their amazing efforts to organize a raffle, lucky dip or sausage sizzle they have helped fund vital research to protect marine species.

“With the health of the ocean a top priority, it is exciting to see so many people inspired to have fun and cleanup year after year. Holding a fundraising event takes a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the cause, it is a fantastic contribution to the underwater world,” said Henrik Nimb, Director Project AWARE Foundation Asia Pacific. “Divers are leading the way in environmental conservation and a shining example of the difference local communities can make,” added Nimb.

Many dive centres like Remote Area Dive in Queensland joined the fundraising challenge for the second year running, “We put on a sausage sizzle for all those who helped. It was a great day and we raised AU$600 for Project AWARE. We cleaned up the river just before all the rubbish headed out to sea and pulled out 4 shopping trolleys, 3 bikes, many plastic bags, broken bottles, cans, and a drivers licence which we posted to the owner,” said Annette Keat of Remote Area Dive.

Joining the cleanup for the first time was Blue Dive Port Douglas and Calypso Reef Charters, Queensland. “Over 1000 cigarette butts were collected, and in good time too. The approaching wet season would have washed them all into the sea. Cigarette filters, which contain large amounts of toxins, can be fatal to marine life,” said Kay Stewart, Blue Dive Cleanup Coordinator. “On a positive note a big thanks to everyone who bought a raffle ticket to support Project AWARE’s continuing push to conserve underwater environments.”

All funds will be put to work straight away in marine species protection and grassroots conservation projects like mooring buoys or monitoring. To make a donation to support underwater conservation visit www.projectaware.org.  Thanks to fundraisers: All About Scuba; Blue Dive Port Douglas; Diving Plaza; Dive Centre Manly; Dive Smart; Dive & Ski HQ; Go Dive; Jetty Dive Centre; Neil Gregory; Perth SCUBA; Remote Area Dive; Scuba Steve; Splash Gordon; Stirlings Dive Shack; UNSW Underwater Club; United Divers; Underwater Sports Diving Centre.

Cyprus is one of a few locations in the Mediterranean where nests of the endangered Loggerhead and Green turtles may still be seen.   The Cyprus government has a strong protection programme but in British Sovereign Base Area protection is undertaken by volunteer groups such as Episkopi Turtlewatch which this year was awarded a grant of £4,750 by Project AWARE International Foundation Ltd.

Turtlewatch activities include regular beach cleans, beach patrols to identify and cage nests, nest excavations, dealing with dead and injured turtles, liaising with local authorities and raising public awareness of the need for conservation. 

The group has worked hard to prove that nesting on its beaches is a regular event and in doing so it has grown its membership from a handful to over 200 regular volunteers.  In 2008, however, it suffered some major blows. A fourfold increase in deaths was reported. This coincided with an increase in beach abuse in terms of night parties, nest interference, driving on nesting areas and illegal netting off of beaches. This resulted in just five nests being laid.  Radical action was required to identify the causes of death, to educate the public about good beach behaviour and to improve the enforcement of foreshore and fishing regulations.  The group was successful in obtaining finance to fund post mortems and to erect vehicle barriers on its most vulnerable beaches.  Thanks to Project AWARE it was able to fund an education programme involving:

1. The erection of bilingual information boards on all beaches;
2. A bi-lingual website, and
3. A major leafleting campaign alongside local schools and enforcement agencies.

The high death level continued in 2009 and was attributable to shallow water fishing. More positively, beach abuse was minimal and a record eighteen nests and 846 hatchlings were recorded.  Turtlewatch is now campaigning for a marine reserve area off nesting beaches.  It is optimistic of success thanks to the high level of national and international support that the education programme has produced.

October 10 – 17th saw Project AWARE Official Partner Island Divers in the Red Sea for their first liveaboard with a focus on coral reef protection and environmentally friendly dive practices.

“The diving was fantastic, the boat great, and the crew friendly. We dived all the great Northern wrecks as well as plenty of coral gardens and spent 20 minutes snorkelling with up to 30 dolphins but the highlight of the week was the Project AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Speciality course followed by a CoralWatch dive in Ras Ghamilla” comments Kim, Island Divers Director. 

Kim presented Wael Mostafa, PADI Divemaster and dive guide onboard  M.Y Juliet, with a Project AWARE Certificate in recognition of his excellent briefings with great emphasis on protecting the environment and promoting good diving practices.

Wael Mostafa receiving his certificate from Kim onboard M.Y.Juliet

From all the Project AWARE Team “Thank You and Great Work” to Island Divers and Wael Mostafa.

For more information about Project AWARE Protect the Living Reef campaign and how to take part in coral reefs monitoring activities, please visit projectaware.org

Sea World Dive Center Boracay

The spirit of the Philippines cannot be matched on International Cleanup Day. This year saw record numbers of volunteers take action despite Typhoon Ketsana hitting the region. “Some events were cancelled and volunteers unable to attend due to the typhoon but amazingly 70 percent of coordinators have reported their marine debris data online.  It is inspiring to see so many volunteers and communities collecting data for this important cause,” said Mike Holme, Associate Director, Project AWARE Foundation.  

With a worldwide push to monitor marine debris, all data collected will contribute to the global Marine Debris Index.  International Cleanup Day in the Asia Pacific region is proudly sponsored by Philippine based Aquamundo Scuba who donated special mask straps for volunteers: “Project AWARE’s International Cleanup Day is an extremely important event during these challenging times for Mother Earth. Through the sponsorship of Project AWARE’s International Cleanup Day, Aquamundo is giving back to the marine world,” said Ralph Espino, President, Aquamundo Scuba.

In Asia Pacific, the Philippines host the highest number of cleanups and divers are keen to do more.  “Here in Anilao, Batangas the local community is realizing that their livelihood depends on how they take care of their environment,” said Joseph Ng, Dive Monsters.  Maria Santos from Concerned Divers for the Philippines told Project AWARE: “Our volunteers are yearning for activities like this. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to participate in the cleanup event and thanks to the sponsors, Aquamundo, for a well thought of token – the mask strap for divers. All of our volunteers are looking forward to our next cleanup activity already.”

Another success was the Cleanup Fundraising Challenge. Special thanks to Mario Jugador of Dive Special, cleanup coordinator Glenn Tadiar and Thresher Shark Divers who all helped raise funds for aquatic conservation.

 “To raise funds we held a beach BBQ with sustainably fished seafood.  The highlight of the evening was our raffle draw.  After 5 days of frenzied ticket buying, everyone had their favourite gifts in mind. The grand prize was a free PADI Thresher Shark Diver Specialty Course which incorporates Project AWARE’s Protect the Sharks Campaign,” said Andrea of Thresher Shark Divers.   The team raised an amazing $1000 for conservation, “With an International crew of volunteers the cleanup was a lot of fun, and certainly something we will repeat in the future,” added Andrea.

Cleanup data: Are you in Asia Pacific? Report your data by Monday 9 November to make sure your volunteer numbers count: Go online today and report your cleanup data. 

Dos Palmas Resort and Spa Philippines

Sea Explorers Cabilao

Sea World Dive Center Boracay

Sogod Bay Scuba Resort Philippines

Sea World Dive Center Boracay