Green Fins is an initiative that was originally initiated by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) under the Regional Seas programme as part of the effort to increase public awareness and management practices that will benefit the conservation of coral reefs and reduce unsustainable tourism practices. It is overseen by the Coral Reef Unit of UN Environment based in Bangkok in collaboration with UK charity The Reef-World Foundation.
Green Fins is a comprehensive approach that encourages dive centres and snorkel operators, local communities and governments to work together to reduce their environmental impacts. This is primarily done through the private sector adopting a Code of Conduct that will help mitigate their impacts when carrying out marine tourism activities.
IYOR Activities Plan
This year is the International Year of the Reef 2018, and the Green Fins community has come together to celebrate the importance of coral reef protection! Whether you have a direct connection with the reefs as diver, dive guide or SCUBA diving instructor, or a training agency or dive equipment manufacturer, you can all make a difference.
#GreenFinsIYOR2018 social media campaign will cover four simple actions that the diving industry can take control over, allowing reefs to be the strongest they can be:
- Redefine the dive – from errant fin kicks to poor photography techniques this action point delivers new tips and tricks guides can use to redefine how their guests dive. Dive tourists will get a deeper understanding of what to expect from their dive shops and dive guides
- No anchoring– whilst the impacts of anchoring are well known, the practice remains pervasive in many tourism locations around the world. Alternatives will be clearly outlined
- No fish feeding– fish feeding is a highly popular tourism practice around the world but its impacts are felt long after that bag of bread is emptied. Tourists will learn the issues surrounding this practice.
- Healthy oceans mean a healthy business– any business related to divers has an inherent interest in healthy coral reefs. Equipment manufacturers have a unique opportunity to lead the way into a circular economy and protect the oceans from a plastic tide. Different stakeholders and individuals will be invited to pledge for coral reef protection long-term.
Find all the information you need to promote the campaign here
- REDEFINE THE DIVE
The first campaign action point is out! Did you know that an average of 70% of divers contact the reef while diving? Do you know why this is considered a threat? Why is direct diver damage so relevant to marine conservation? What can you do?
Find all of the answers in the Green Fins IYOR 2018 #RedefineTheDive infographic!
Follow this linkto share the infographic with your fellow divers! And while you’re doing that, do you want to win a Liveaboard trip in the Caribbean withExplorer Venturesor Fourth Elementsustainable products? Just follow the steps under thislink.
Follow the different Green Fins social media platforms to get involved and make a change. Because if you don’t — who will?
Hashtags include: #GreenFinsIYOR2018 #RedefineTheDive | Secondary: #SaveOurReefs #DiveForChange #sustainablediving #greenfins
2. ALTERNATIVES TO ANCHORING
Alternatives to Anchoring is the second action point of the Green Fins IYOR 2018 social-media campaign. The campaign aims to help divers and dive businesses take further action by sharing and providing solutions to some of the biggest threats.
Read all about it here.
SYMBIOTIC PARTNERSHIPS
Industry leaders have stepped up to embrace Green Fins with symbiotic partnerships with The Reef-World Foundation, driving sustainable diving as the global social norm.
Reef-World has embarked on a journey during the IYOR to develop mutually beneficial tourism industry partnerships that drive sustainable value chains by creating tangible outcomes for the ocean, communities and the economy through the Green Fins initiative. Read more here.
