Project AWARE boat captains of Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures’ premier PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre are equally passionate about protecting and preserving our marine environment in the local TAR marine park of Kota Kinabalu!

As exhibited by one of our experienced captains Adik, he spends what time he has during the day, to collect marine debris floating on the surface.

Each of our boats have space at the stern near the engines for a few refuse bags to be filled! Lately, the weather has been erratic – with brief spells of sunshine, and just as soon, a windy storm. This creates a ‘washing machine’ of underwater currents that causes all kinds of litter to drift into the sheltered bays, lagoons and island shores, such as in front of our island beach house. Everyday, our PADI DivemasterWork4aCareer trainees, organise beach clean ups to dispose of the plastics, etcetera, and we then dispose of it appropriately.

Students of Cardiff University will be arriving at our dive centre soon to conduct their tropical ecology field trip and will also contribute their own efforts during their week of camping on the island. This will offer them a greater appreciation for the natural environment and inspire them to continue volunteering in future!