Many think about the Dominican Republic one of many finest locations to dive within the Caribbean. Whether or not you’re planning your first journey or are already acquainted with the island’s charms, you should utilize your scuba expertise to assist ocean conservation efforts within the Dominican Republic.
Reef Verify’s EcoDiver program, a globally acknowledged citizen science program that teaches divers how you can conduct reef well being assessments, is obtainable at totally different dive outlets. Information collected helps each regional and international conservation efforts. The curriculum consists of classroom periods, dry land follow and in-water coaching. The survey methods you study might be utilized at residence or the subsequent time you journey.
Reef Verify has volunteer groups in additional than 40 international locations and territories, together with the Dominican Republic. Reef Verify Dominican Republic promotes sustainable practices inside the diving and snorkeling trade by quite a lot of packages, together with diver coaching and the Inexperienced Fins program.
Inexperienced Fins is a world initiative developed by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and The Reef-World Basis. Inexperienced Fins gives a code of conduct and a set of finest practices designed to attenuate injury to coral reefs and marine life brought on by diving and snorkeling actions.
Reef Verify Dominican Republic, with assist from the Propagas Basis, additionally sponsors dive coaching for native marine science college students and workers from environmental establishments. Members obtain conservation-focused PADI Open Water Diver and Superior Open Water Diver scuba certifications from PADI Grasp Teacher and Marine Biologist Dr. Rubén Torres. As soon as licensed, divers progress into Reef Verify EcoDiver coaching. When coaching is full, individuals turn out to be sturdy advocates for ocean conservation within the Dominican Republic.
Gradual Dive Casa Chihuahua is an eco-friendly PADI Dive Store in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic. Run by PADI Instructors Julie and David (initially from Belgium), the college focuses on marine conservation and affords PADI diving programs, conservation packages and internships.
“The identify ‘Gradual Dive’ was impressed by the gradual meals motion,” co-owner Julie explains. The gradual meals motion promotes meals that’s:
- Good, top quality and wholesome
- Clear and environmentally-friendly
- Honest to producers and customers
Julie elaborates, “We apply these similar rules to diving: high quality gear, skilled instructors, low environmental impression, honest costs and assist for native companies. We additionally participate in native training initiatives about ocean safety.”
Gradual Dive lives as much as its mission and is ranked as one of many high 10 environmentally-friendly dive facilities on this planet by Inexperienced Fins.
Julie is an oceanographer along with being a scuba teacher, and Gradual Dive collaborates with the native NGO FUNDEMAR on coral restoration initiatives. Guests can take part in coral restoration dives, together with coral nursery upkeep and coral gardening, year-round. Throughout coral spawning season, divers may also help gather coral gametes for assisted fertilization.
Gradual Dive additionally affords a two- to four-month Divemaster/Marine Conservation Internship for divers who’re enthusiastic about conservation.
“In the event you don’t have quite a lot of time, you possibly can merely take pleasure in diving or snorkeling on the perfect dive websites in Bayahibe whereas studying small methods to take care of the ocean,” Julie provides.
Get Concerned in Ocean Conservation
Ocean conservation initiatives within the Dominican Republic are a small however necessary a part of a world effort to revive the steadiness between humanity and nature. As a scuba diver or freediver, you could be a voice for the ocean and the creatures that reside there.
To study extra about how one can assist ocean conservation (domestically or globally), go to the PADI AWARE conservation exercise finder.
