It’s the only pirate ship discovered in the Caribbean and it’s the site of Dive Against Debris this Saturday, September 17th. The Captain Kidd's 1699 Quedagh Merchant shipwreck located offshore Isla Catalina in the Dominican Republic continues to see its share of marine debris. The constant flow of our trash from the nearby river threatens this irreplaceable historical and biological treasure that rests among an endangered Elkhorn coral habitat.  

The site is a unique example of a 17th century Armenian shipwreck and is part of a Living Museums in the Sea project lead by Charles Beeker, Director of Indiana University’s Office of Underwater Science. Living Museums in the Sea is a USAID funded interdisciplinary effort to protect the biological and archaeological integrity of selected shipwreck sites in Dominican Republic.

This Saturday, more than 15 different groups are all coming together to Dive Against Debris on Captain Kidd - Indiana University, East Carolina University, Peace Corps, members of the Clúster Turístico La Romana/Bayahibe (CTRB):  FUNDEMAR, Pro Excursions, Splish Splash, Grigri Divers, Scubafun, Seavis Tours, Flamingo Bay;  the National Association of Guides of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Navy, the Dominican Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Ministry of Environment, La Romana City Hall, el ConsorcioDominicano de Competitividad Turistica (CDCT), la Oficina Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural Subacuático del Ministerio de Cultura (ONPCS), and Viva Wyndham Dominicus Resort. 

Whether you're Diving Against Debris on a pirate shipwreck site or in your own back yard, you're helping jumpstart a long term effort to reduce marine debris. It’s what Debris Month of Action is all about!