We are really proud to announce that we are now a PADI Eco Centre. This is something we have been working towards during 2023, and it's great to start 2024 with this recognition.
So what does it mean to be an Eco Dive Centre? We thought we'd discuss some of the steps taken to achieve this award.
Adopt the Blue
If you have dived with us, you'll know we are passionate about collecting any debris we see on every dive. We believe in protecting what you love, so it was natural for us to join Adopt the Blue - a PADI AWARE programme that commits us to taking conservation action at a specific site. Since we have a dive site right outside our dive centre, it was an easy decision to adopt our house reef to protect.
We plan to adopt even more dive sites throughout 2024, so watch this space.
Green Fins
We became a Green Fins digital member in 2023, which is a great step for New Dimension Scuba. We believe in diving in a sustainable way, which aligns perfectly with the Green Fins Code of Conduct. This includes a 15-point approach to maintaining the marine environment, such as regular clean-ups, acting as role models underwater, and having a 'no touch' policy for the reefs here in Malta.
We have also conducted a self-evaluation of NDS with Green Fins and completed an action plan to further reduce our environmental impact. It's great finding new ways we can make a difference, and we're looking forward to working towards our new goals.
Passion for debris
Our dive instructors can often be seen coming out of the water with a mesh bag of trash. But we are also big believers in stopping the trash before it even reaches the water - our team regularly head along the shore on beach clean-ups, picking up debris as we go.
We have also completed several debris challenges along the way, such as our collection of 10,000 cigarette butts in 2022 and collecting fishing wire in 2023.
We love passing on our passion for the environment, ensuring our divers are correctly weighted, teaching neutral buoyancy, and making sure our divers understand the safe way to remove debris from the ocean.
We believe every little helps in making the oceans a healthier environment.
Diving sustainably
So how can you help keep our oceans healthy on your dives?
The quickest and easiest way to help is by not leaving any debris at the dive site (including cigarette butts). Bringing a reusable water bottle instead of buying single-use plastic is a simple but effective change.
In the water, make sure you are neutrally buoyant to avoid touching the reef and sand. We always take time at the start of a dive to ensure everyone is correctly weighted and comfortable in the water. Our instructors are always happy to help with any questions to improve your diving technique.
We have some great courses to further your diving education, including Peak Performance Buoyancy and Dive Against Debris specialities.
We are proud that with the above actions we were able to earn our status as a PADI Eco Centre, something we consider a great achievement. We are looking forward to showing our divers the beautiful waters here in Malta, while contributing to keeping the ocean clean and healthy.
Written by Susie