From the director's chair - the fate of our Oceans

Hello again,

It's been another busy week here in Mexico. Volunteers on both bases are doing well and adapting to their new home. Slowly, computer test, lectures and diving certifications are getting ticked of the "to do" lists and monitoring is getting closer!

But this week, both Pta Gruesa and Pez Maya have been working hard in Dive Into Earth Day. This international day celebrates the oceans and their conservation, but also aims it increase everyone's awareness of the issues this great environment faces.

As you have probable been reading, the last month has been a sad one for the fate of our Oceans. "In spite of recommendations from scientists and conservationists, member nations voting at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 15th Convention of Parties (CoP15) in Doha, Qatar, failed to approve placing 32 species of red and pink corals (Corrallidae) under Appendix II of the convention. The Convention also failed to list bluefin tuna under Appendix I, even though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the species as critically endangered, and despite overwhelming scientific evidence that levels of take of Northern Atlantic bluefin are not sustainable. Hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks, which had been proposed for listing under Appendix II, were also denied protection. These species are hunted primarily for their fins, which are made into soup".

So after reading such bad news it's easy to become disheartened and loose faith in our ability to protect our Oceans, but I urge you not to, and to keep making the difference with your everyday actions, those we can and must change.

It is in such a mid set that we have organized and planned this year's Dive Into Earth Day. It's the small changes, our personal attitudes and our energy that are going to help preserve our ecosystems for future generations.

We hope you all join us in celebrating Dive Into Earth Day, but more importantly that you all join us in making a difference every day, with our actions and decisions.

Until the next one, keep enjoying your diving and hope to see you out here soon

Hasta luego

Danny (Regional Director)

From the director's chair - the fate of our Oceans