Success was the word of the day, late in the evening of October 22! However, it all started when the Project AWARE® Silent Auction launched on World Tourism Day, September 27.

With a strong focus on this year’s World Tourism Day theme – Tourism for All – the 2016 Project AWARE Silent Auction reminded 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. With even more prizes and opportunities to support ocean protection, auction bidders were in for a treat, as more sponsors got involved throughout October adding amazing lots right up until the last few days of the auction.

In addition to being one of the main highlights of the prestigious annual Sport Diver Awards Ceremony – held at the National Motorcycle Museum in the UK on October 22 – the silent auction ended with cheers as the amount raised in support of ocean conservation, a whopping £8,015, was announced to dive leaders and manufacturers who had gathered to celebrate the best of the best in the dive industry.

During the Awards Ceremony, adventurers, explorers and keen Project AWARE supporters Monty Halls and Andy Torbet acknowledged the generous support of all sponsors that were involved in the success of the auction and recapped on some of our most recent achievements including securing trade protection for 13 vulnerable shark and ray species.

 “Using the international celebration of tourism, as a platform to raise funds for Project AWARE’s critical ocean conservation work, was the perfect opportunity to remind the dive community of the importance of ecotourism and responsible travel practices” commented Louise Kraechter, Project AWARE Campaign Coordinator. “This year’s Project AWARE Silent Auction surpassed all our hopes and expectations”.

Funds raised through the auction will go a long way towards 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.

Congratulations to all the winning bidders and a massive THANK YOU to all sponsors* who kindly donated a prize to show their support for the cause and our movement. We look forward to celebrating our 2016 successes with the sponsors attending the next big industry event, DEMA November 16-19, 2016, in Las Vegas.

* Thank You to all our 2016 Silent Auction Sponsors: Al Hornsby – Anchor Dive Lights – Apeks – AquaMarine Diving - Bali –  Aquamarine Jewellery – Backscatter – Beaver Sports – blue o two – Camel Dive Club & Hotel – Devocean - Devoted to the Ocean – Dive Worldwide – Dive! Tutukaka & Perfect Day Ocean Cruise – Divesangha – Elite Diving – EVE Diving – Fourth Element – Ikelite & Cameras Underwater – Jen Richards - wildlife artist – Light & Motion – London School of Diving – Mark Caney – Martin Edge – Midlands Diving Chamber – Nautilus Liveaboards – Nick Oneill Art – “Oh, Dakuwaqa!” by Anju Sabu – PADI – Pascal Lecocq - The Painter of Blue – Prodivers Maldives – Regaldive – Relations de voyages – Roatan Divers – Rolex – Scuba Strapp – SCUBAPRO – SEIKO – Sport Diver – TUSA – Ultimate Diving.

Photos courtesy of Jason Brown of BARDO Creative.