Back in 2009 when David and Matt were tossing around ideas about how to build a sustainable resort the issue of our environmental impact, and reducing it, was always a core mission. Doing business on Malapascua can be challenging. Where does all the rubbish go? When batteries are done after night diving where do they go? Slowly and surely we have come up with solutions for many of the issues facing the resort in such a pristine but under resourced location.
So this week when the United Nations funded Green Fins contacted us to tell us that of all the dive operations in Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Maldives that they have audited Evolution managed to have the sixth LEAST impact on the environment!
Wow!
The Green Fins mission is:
To protect and preserve Coral Reefs by establishing and implementing environmentally friendly guidelines to promote a sustainable diving and snorkeling tourism industry
Who would disagree?
We’d like to thank all our staff and crew for working with us over the years to introduce procedures meant to protect our island – from implementing proper dive techniques to no straws with drinks and everything in between. Not everyone agrees with everything we have tried but its nice to be recognized for our efforts as a whole.
We are very pleased that diving practices have improved at Monad Shoal and now most dive shops here try and implement the neutral buoyancy rule. Sadly there are still a few dive shops which encourage divers to sit negatively buoyant on the corals as was the practice before Evolution created its Do’s and Don’t list for Monad.
As a Green Fins Top Ten Member we invite all our divers and guests to join with us and consider how best to treat our beloved island and its precious marine environment.
Here are some really simple tips on what you can do next time you visit:
- Any waste, garbage or plastics you bring on the the island bring off the island.
- Bring a refillable water bottle so you don’t need to buy plastic bottles.
- Use minimal electricity, all power is diesel based and has a large carbon footprint.
- Save our water, shower with a friend.
- Save more water by using the same sheets and towels for a few days.
- Segregate your waste.
- Give us your batteries for recycling or take them home to be properly dealt with.
- Maintain neutral buoyancy at all times.
- Do not touch the reef at any time.
- Do not throw anything into the ocean.
- Pick up rubbish when you are diving and hand to the dive centre.
- Don’t eat Reef Fish.
- Choose a Green Fins Member!
For more information on how you can reduce your environmental impact on Malapascua contact us on info@evolution.com.ph.
