PHUKET divers conducted a large-scale cleanup operation around the island to mark Project Aware International Cleanup Day.
The Sea Fun Divers boat set out from Chalong Pier for Racha Noi. Spokesman Roger Chubb said: 'We had 24 divers who cleaned and one non-diver who co-ordinated activities from above water.
''We chose Banana Bay on the east side of Racha Noi as our cleanup site, it is popular with dive boats and also fishing boats.
''We carried out two clean up dives either side of lunch and collected an enormous amount of debris, mostly comprising plastic bottles, other plastic items, glass bottles, fishing nets, boat engine parts, batteries, tyres etc.''
He said the dives were in support of the Project Aware International Cleanup Day, but on a local level there was the need to get a message across.
''Phuket is world famous for its beaches, coral reefs, snorkelling and diving,'' Mr Chubbs aid. ''These attractions bring in the tourists who then spend their money here.
''But they will soon stop coming if the beaches and reefs are littered with debris.
''We must educate everybody, particularly the less environmentally aware, about taking far more care of the fragile underwater world. That way, everybody benefits.''
Future Phuket, the Good . . . and the Not So GoodThe Sea Fun Divers boat set out from Chalong Pier for Racha Noi. Spokesman Roger Chubb said: 'We had 24 divers who cleaned and one non-diver who co-ordinated activities from above water.
''We chose Banana Bay on the east side of Racha Noi as our cleanup site, it is popular with dive boats and also fishing boats.
''We carried out two clean up dives either side of lunch and collected an enormous amount of debris, mostly comprising plastic bottles, other plastic items, glass bottles, fishing nets, boat engine parts, batteries, tyres etc.''
He said the dives were in support of the Project Aware International Cleanup Day, but on a local level there was the need to get a message across.
''Phuket is world famous for its beaches, coral reefs, snorkelling and diving,'' Mr Chubbs aid. ''These attractions bring in the tourists who then spend their money here.
''But they will soon stop coming if the beaches and reefs are littered with debris.
''We must educate everybody, particularly the less environmentally aware, about taking far more care of the fragile underwater world. That way, everybody benefits.''
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I was one of the divers on this trip. The weather was good, the sea calm and underwater visibility was excellent. The folk who did the diving were varied and mainly expats who live here.
Thank you must go to See Fun Divers who organised a flawless trip. I heard that they also plan to do more cleanups through out the year, not just on Project Aware International Day.
See you underwater.
Posted by Graham on September 27, 2010 10:04