KIT UP AND BE COUNTED

CALLING ALL SCUBA DIVERS! Simply Diving Spain is asking for all underwater enthusiasts to kit up and be counted for International Clean Up Day.

As part of its annual underwater debris collection, staff from the Costa del Sol dive centre, along with volunteers, will be diving the famous wrecks of Camp Bay, Gibraltar, on September 19th 2009 to collect as much rubbish as they can physically lay their hands on.

And the PADI 5 Star IDC Resort is offering the day’s diving for half price – with all trip fees going directly to environmental organisation Project AWARE.

Dive Operations manager Simon Bell says: “This is not only going to be a fun day of diving a site we know and love so well, but a great opportunity to give it the TLC it deserves!”

“Our dive sites are not just our playgrounds. It’s our duty and responsibility to give something back and to look after them as best we can. After all, they’re living, breathing reefs and we should respect and never forget that.”

Project AWARE’s longstanding International Cleanup Day event is the biggest underwater cleanup of its kind. Held annually on the third Saturday in September each year, more than 370,000 volunteers clean over 33,000 miles of shoreline to remove seven million pounds of rubbish.

According to Project AWARE, “at least 6 million tons of debris enters the world’s oceans each year, causing harm to underwater environments and wildlife. With unique access to the underwater world, scuba divers can help remove debris underwater, raise awareness and drive positive change.”

Simply Diving’s team will be working closely with the Gibraltar authorities, plus the founder of the well-known Camp Bay Artificial Reef Project Dr Eric Shaw, to ensure their event is a success.

“We’ll be providing all divers who take part with mesh bags and bin bags to collect the rubbish,” added Simon. “And the local council have organised a skip for us, so we hope to be able to fill it!”

To join in the event, email Simply Diving as soon as possible. Full diving equipment will be provided, as will refreshments, a light lunch and plenty of cold beers for the end of the day.

Email us to book your space.

Project AWARE Foundation.

Find out more about the Gibraltar-based charity "The Helping Hand Marine Research".

Download Marine Debris - The Facts! [PDF, 460Kb]

IN THE NEWS!

…in the press and online

	Sport Diver magazine, November 2009 [PDF, 1.3Mb]
	Costa Del Sol News, October 2009 [PDF, 800Kb]
	Bebo reality show Gapyear.com, October 2008
	BMI Baby inflight magazine, August 2008 [PDF, 400Kb]
	Sport Diver magazine, January 2008