A top Asia-Pacific travel body has announced its endorsement of a sustainable diving initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Reef-World Foundation (Reef-World).
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), comprising 97 government tourism bodies, 27 airlines, airports and cruise lines and hundreds of travel industry companies, will partner with Reef-World Foundation to implement the UNEP-Reef-World Green Fins initiative which helps dive operators and their customers comply with a code of conduct that fosters sustainable diving and snorkelling.
“I believe that this is a developing area of interest for many PATA members including island and archipelago states across Southeast Asia and many private sector businesses,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy. “This partnership means that PATA members now have improved access to knowledge that can help us make a real difference, at the grassroots level, on a wide range of marine tourism issues.”
The number of recreational divers is growing by over one million every year, putting additional pressure on coral reefs which host abundant marine life. Intensive scuba diving can directly damage corals, increasing their vulnerability to other stresses.
“Through this exciting partnership with PATA, and using the Green Fins management approach, we will be able to extend the reach of Green Fins to more businesses managers and owners,” said Reef-World Operations Manager James Harvey.
The Green Fins initiative was launched in 2004 and is implemented by over 400 diving and snorkelling operators in six Asian countries. It provides outreach and capacity building to dive centres and their customers, and also supports governments in developing and implementing regulations. The initiative also involves regular assessment of industry performance against a 15-point code of conduct and supports improved industry practices and the development of regulatory frameworks.
“Green Fins provides guidance based on solid coral reef and diving industry know-how,” said Isabelle Louis, acting UNEP Asia Pacific Regional Director and Representative. “It helps small and medium sized businesses show conservation leadership and turn environmental risks into opportunity, ensuring a sustainable industry that protects marine ecosystems, creates long-term livelihoods, and contributes to implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”
The PATA partnership agreement with Reef-World Foundation follows a UNEP-PATA partnership in 2014 to advance the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the 10-Year Framework of Programs (10YFP) on sustainable consumption and production and to mainstream sustainable consumption and production in the tourism sector.
Marine issues are among topics that will be discussed during the second session of the UN Environment Assembly that will take place 23-27 May 2016 at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Hundreds of key decision makers, businesses and representatives of intergovernmental organizations and civil society are expected to attend.
The assembly will be one of the first major meetings since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement. The resolutions passed at UNEA-2 will set the stage for early action on implementing the 2030 Agenda, and drive the world towards a better, more just future.
Learn more about the Green Fins Initiative: http://greenfins.net/ and the Green Fins Toolbox: http://web.unep.org/regions/roap/news-center/publications
