Passions of Paradise has become the first dive operator in Cairns to be recognised by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) for continuously promoting ocean conservation.
Passions of Paradise Sales and Marketing Manager Adam O’Malley said PADI’s non-profit marine conservation partner Project AWARE had designated Passions as 100% AWARE.
“This program recognises dive operators who continuously promote ocean conservation and its ecology to their dive students and passengers,” he said.
“Passions is committed to responsible, sustainable tourism and takes great pride in our reef stewardship which involves educating visitors about the Great Barrier Reef and the need to protect this World Heritage area.
“Under the 100% AWARE designation, Passions of Paradise will make a donation to the Project AWARE Foundation for each dive certification we issue and the money will be used to support a variety of marine conservation projects worldwide including beach clean-ups, animal rescue, underwater rubbish removal and youth education.”
Mr O’Malley said Project AWARE was one of a number of programs which Passions of Paradise had partnered with as part of its goal to help visitors to the Great Barrier Reef gain an appreciation for its ecology and need for protection.
“We also partner with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef program which trains tourism staff to conduct long-term scientific monitoring on the reef,” he said.
“Passions of Paradise Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator Russell Hosp recently attended an Eye on the Reef training day on Fitzroy Island where he worked with other tourism staff to update data collection methods and share information and techniques.
“Eye on the Reef allows us to monitor the locations we take passengers to and better understand the balances and patterns of the different wildlife we encounter.
“Combined with our 100% AWARE status this means we can create a story about the unique ecosystems at each of the three Passions of Paradise diving and snorkelling sites giving our passengers a meaningful interaction with the Great Barrier Reef.”
