This year we wanted to organize PADI Women’s Dive Day by making a difference. That’s why we dedicated this event to a very important woman. The Mother not only of us divers, but of every living species. We believe that in recent decades she hasn’t received the proper attention from us human beings, and that now, more than ever, she needs to be treated much better and, above all, with respect. This woman is: MOTHER EARTH!
We decided to organize a day dedicated to a Project AWARE Dive Against Debris Dive for PADI Women’s Dive Day, in which divers take part in removing marine debris from our sea and help report data on the types and quantities of materials collected.
The morning began with a theory lesson through a presentation of the Project AWARE Dive Against Debris Specialty, in which divers learned where marine debris comes from, how to remove it safely, and our crucial role as divers in these clean-up processes.
“It was an extraordinary experience for me. We all know about the problems of marine pollution, we all talk about it, but when you can see it with your own eyes… There’s nothing to say… You just cry, like I do. I love diving, so I’m happy to be able to use my passion for a good cause. We have to protect the sea, mother earth, mother of us all. Thanks to the Team at Evasioni Blu Diving for this unforgettable experience!” Angie, Open Water Diver, talking about her PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris specialty diving course.
After the theory lesson and preparing our diving gear, we went into action! We set off by boat for our Dive Against Debris Dive, heading to our “adopted” dive site. “Adopt a Dive Site” is Project AWARE‘s initiative to “adopt” a dive site where you regularly carry out a Dive Against Debris. We adopted a dive site located just outside the harbor of Isola delle Femmine, within the Marine Protected Area, a zone where all kinds of waste tend to accumulate.
“An unforgettable experience with Evasioni Blu Diving! Being part of an extraordinary project like the AWARE Dive Against Debris project to help the planet and the ocean! I believe that Dive Against Debris is a necessity for our ocean and marine life, and we should all take part in it as divers. Thanks to Evasioni Blu Diving of Isola delle Femmine for introducing me to this fantastic initiative and life experience, which from now on I hope to repeat many more times in the future.” Roberta, Advanced Open Water Diver, talking about her Dive Against Debris specialty diving course.
During our 55-minute dive, 11 divers removed a total of 9.2 kg of debris, from plastic of every size to marine waste of all kinds. What surprised me most this time was finding a large amount of microplastics, which are one of the most harmful types of debris in the sea and which for me was an important warning sign. Even though many policies banning single-use plastic have been introduced around Palermo, the amount of single-use plastic cups, plates, forks, and bags is unfortunately still impressive.
I think we did a great job removing all this trash from the sea, and I believe we can all bring about change! Individually or as a group, from changing our daily habits, to teaching and making people aware of real clean-up actions. But for us divers above all, “DON’T LET YOUR DIVES GO TO WASTE!”
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