Taking Out the Trash

Coron, Palawan, Philippines - September 20, 2014 – The newly formed Coron Dive Professional Association with Neptune Dive Center took to the water to join in the International Coastal Clean Up Day.  The dive site chosen was Alcatraz, a small island surrounded by a nice coral reef slope.   A mooring buoy was also installed at the same time to stop dive boats from anchoring on the reef. 

Because of its location, the local currents deposit a variety of trash at Alcatraz Reef.  The divers surfaced with a trash haul that included glass bottles, individual use shampoo and seasoning sachets, baby diapers and even an abandoned fish/crab trap.  In a one hour dive, the group filled more than five rice sacks with garbage, weighing in at an estimated 100 kilos!  Curiously, there were very few plastic bags found.  Evidence that the local ordinance banning plastic bags as secondary packaging is working.

With the Coron Dive Professionals Association’s inaugural event deemed a success, we are now looking forward to being even more active in protecting our environment and dive sites.  You can find out more information and contact the Coron Dive Professionals Association via:  www.facebook.com/corondiveassociation.

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