In 1989 the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) developed the Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education (Aware) project.
In 1989 the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) developed the Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education (Aware) project.
The project aims to educate divers on their role in conserving underwater environments and create a group of environmental advocates. The organisation also provides educational information and collaborates regularly with other environmental organisations like the Wyland Foundation and Ocean Conservancy. In addition, Aware coordinates an international clean-up day which is held annually in September.
The project has developed speciality courses that introduce divers and non-divers to environmental issues and conservation.
On Saturday the Rhodes University underwater club braved overcast weather and strong currents to answer the project’s call for action. Scuba divers, snorkellers and beach walkers spent the morning cleaning part of the Kariega river mouth in Kenton-On-Sea. The volunteers focused their efforts on the area surrounding Kariega Bridge, which is currently under construction.
“The area is much cleaner than last year,” said club chairperson Matt Parkinson. “But last year we came soon after those floods so stuff had been washed into the water.” This year the divers and beach walkers found less litter and a lot of what they did find, they believe comes from the construction site.
“The purpose of the clean-up is to raise awareness of the levels of pollution and how it affects our natural environment,” said the club’s development officer Alexandre Lenferna. “It also helps people to appreciate the value of nature and to help them realise that they can make a difference individually but especially if they work together.”
It is estimated that 100 000 marine mammals choke or get tangled in debris every year. But marine debris does not only affect animals living under water. It has been reported that fishing line, net and rope have been found in more than 260 animal species worldwide and it is estimated that one million seabirds are killed by litter each year. Aware’s clean-up day is the biggest of its kind where more than 370 000 volunteers clean over 33 000 miles of shoreline, removing approximately seven million pounds of rubbish. “Our clean-up is really one tiny aspect of a global initiative which is making a tangible difference,” Lenferna said. “Even though each individual’s input may only make a slight difference, when it all comes together it makes a world of difference.”
