Divers Worldwide Represented in Washington, DC
Scuba diving community shows support for International Year of the Reef
2008
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – January 25, 2008 -- Project AWARE Foundation Chairman
and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) President and Chief
Operating Officer, Dr. Drew Richardson represented the scuba diving community today
during the invitation-only World Bank event launching the International Year of
the Reef 2008. The year-long, global initiative will raise the profile of coral
reefs and threats to the sustainability, encouraging public action for their protection.
Dr. Richardson, who was invited to speak at the event, shared the views and concerns
of divers worldwide. “As divers, we have a personal relationship with reefs and
often see firsthand the short and long term impacts on reef ecosystems,” said Richardson.
“The diving community has an important role to play in helping protect declining
coral reefs.”
Additional advocates from coral reef and marine communities were present at the
event including Dr. Clive Wilkinson, Coordinator, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network,
VADM Conrad Lautenbacher, US NOAA Administrator, Undersecretary of Commerce, as
well as the US Department of State and National Commission for Protected Areas,
Mexico.
Project AWARE Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation of
underwater environments worldwide, also marked its official partnership with the
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) during the launch events. ICRI is comprised
of global governments and organizations striving to preserve coral reefs and related
ecosystems. Project AWARE Director, Jenny Miller Garmendia, shared plans for IYOR
underwater efforts including reef cleanups and monitoring initiatives.
“Public awareness and action is critical to reef conservation,” said Garmendia.
“For more than 16 years, Project AWARE has worked with divers and water enthusiasts
making great strides towards the conservation of fragile underwater environments.
We’re proud to be a partner of ICRI and contribute to this vital initiative.”
Project AWARE Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving
underwater environments through education, advocacy and action around the world.
Each year Project AWARE coordinates reef cleanups and coral monitoring projects
in partnership with dive professionals and volunteers. Project AWARE is calling
for increased participation in IYOR events this year. A global list of activities
can be found on Project AWARE’s International Year of the Reef page at
www.projectaware.org.