Marine Conservation

The importance of Marine Conservation

People need air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, new medicines, a climate we can live in, beauty, inspiration and recreation. We need to know that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. We want a better future for those we care about. To survive and prosper, we need healthy oceans.

The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth, it is the planet’s life support system. Oceans generate half of the oxygen we breathe and, at any given moment, they contain more than 97% of the world’s water. Oceans provide at least a sixth of the animal protein people eat. Living oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduce climate change impacts. The diversity and productivity of the world’s oceans is a vital interest for humankind. Our security, our economy, our very survival all require healthy oceans.

However, our oceans are under serious threat. Mostly through human impact such as overfishing and severe pollution through effluent and garbage disposal.

What we are doing

Asia Divers and the El Galleon Resort have been at the forefront of environmental awareness and ocean friendly practices for many years.  A few simple things we do every day:

• Neutral Buoyancy

  We teach all courses in Neutral Buoyancy – right from the beginning. Not only does this give our divers more confidence underwater, but it helps the awareness of staying off the bottom at all times, protecting coral reefs and self.

• Dive Against Debris

  Asia Divers has Adopted a Dive Site and is conducting a Project AWARE “Dive Against Debris” every month. We also report our data is great detail so it can be used for policy development. All our instructor candidates learn how to organize such events through eIDC. Of course we pick up any plastic on any dive every day if it fits in the pocket.

• No more Plastic Straws

  El Galleon has changed from plastic straws to paper (on request- because most drinks can really be enjoyed just from a glass…) and we convinced other resorts to make the change too.

• Refillable water bottles for Rooms, Restaurant and Dive Shop

  We are using special refillable water bottles for our guests and divers – so they can refuel any time at our water stations – and 50% of the refill- charge goes as a donation to Project AWARE.

• Re-use of consumables – e.g. old cooking oil

  Our restaurant is utilizing used cooking oil for our romantic evening table lighting.

• Zero Liquid Discharge

  The El Galleon Resort has an innovative water and waste water treatment system that allows no liquid discharge into the environment – making sure we do our part to avoid effluent pollution. No detergents, sewage or other commercial effluent end up in the sea.

• Solar Energy Use

  We have several solar panels installed that are currently supplying all our pier and dive deck lighting, the Barrel Bar as well as all amenities in The Point Bar. Five of our rooms are currently running off solar power and we are planning to roll-out the entire resort after the test phase.

• Energy Saving Appliances

  We started converting high energy use appliances, e.g. aircon units to inverter models in our classrooms as well as resort rooms.

• Boat repairs/ repaints

  Whenever there is a boat to repair/ repaint, we are extra conscious about any chemicals used and also use sliders to prevent any material from ending up in the ocean.

• Educational programs

  Schools are engaged in Project AWARE activities and learn how their actions impact the environment. Public littering is a major problem in the area and awareness

Once you visit us, you will find out more ways in which we contribute and make a difference every day

– and so can you!

Get Involved

Download the AWARE 10 Tips For Divers PDF