In 2015, announcing the winners of the Project AWARE’s silent auction was one of the many highlights of the annual Sport Diver Awards Ceremony. This year, the silent auction is back with even more prizes and opportunities to support ocean protection.

Launching on World Tourism Day, September 27 and running until October 22, Project AWARE is using this international celebration of tourism to raise funds for its critical ocean conservation work and remind the dive community of the importance of ecotourism and responsible travel practices. 

The wide range of prizes, donated by Project AWARE’s generous sponsors, will give divers and non-divers alike, the opportunity to travel and discover the underwater world. Project AWARE is using World Tourism Day and this year’s theme – Tourism for All – to kick off the auction and remind the dive community that dive tourists, with their environmental awareness and deep connection with the ocean, have the power to encourage conservation and support local communities.

“Dive tourism offers unique experiences and unforgettable memories. As divers, we have a responsibility to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. Supporting Project AWARE’s silent auction is a great way to give back to the ocean we all love so much,” says Louise Kraechter, Project AWARE Campaign Coordinator. 

Funds raised through the auction will go a long way toward engaging scuba divers in environmental programs and activities such as Project AWARE’s citizen science program, Dive Against Debris™, to support a return to a clean and healthy ocean. The winning bidders will be announced at the 2016 Sport Diver Awards Ceremony by adventurers, explorers and keen Project AWARE supporters Monty Halls and Andy Torbet.

Visit http://bit.ly/AWARESilentAuction to take a sneak peek at all the amazing prizes ranging from dive equipment to dive travel vouchers, and much more. Happy bidding and remember to make a difference for ocean protection every time you dive, travel and more!