The Siren Fleet and Reef Check are working together this July to give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about reef conservation. Whilst on-board the Philippine Siren, you will have the opportunity to participate in several courses and presentations by Dr. Gregor Hodgson from Reef Check.

Reef Check was founded in 1997 as an international non-profit foundation that monitors reefs in over 90 countries, mainly tropical coral reefs. Their protocol is the largest coral reef monitoring program and is used by many national governments as their primary coral reef monitoring tool. The Reef Check Mission is to “empower local people to save their reefs through research, education and active conservation”.

Dr. Gregor Hodgson is a coral reef ecologist and the founder of the Reef Check Foundation. Greg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology, specialising in Coral Reef Ecology and Integral Coastal Management, and attained his doctorate studying the impacts of logging on reefs in El Nido, Palawan. For 10 years he worked in Hong Kong as an environmental consultant before becoming a professor in Environmental Science and Marine Conservation at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Reef Check courses are:

Eco-Diver: A 3 day course taught by Gregor on how to monitor coral reefs by using a set of 30 predefined indicators. After successfully completing the course you will receive a certification card, allowing you to participate in future Reef Check survey expeditions anywhere in the Indo-Pacific.

Discover Reef Check: A half day course for divers interested in learning a little more about reef conservation.

All participants in both courses will receive a wall certificate signed by Dr. Gregor Hodgson.

Participation in the course and presentations given by Gregor are strictly voluntary, so guests may opt to do as little or as much as they wish and the trip will follow the regular itinerary. Dive guides will be on hand to assist both those participating in the courses and guests who prefer to simply dive the reefs.

The itinerary of the 6 night trip will include Cabilao, Balicasag, Dauin, Apo Island and Pescador Island.

“Built by divers for divers”, the Siren Fleet yachts feature individually air conditioned cabins with en-suite facilities and plenty of space for you to relax and enjoy your time onboard. Siren Fleet offers 4 Guided Dives per day in small groups with free scuba equipment rental and Nitrox. All this surrounded by their professional, experienced and friendly crew.

Visit the Siren Fleet website (www.sirenfleet.com) or contact their reservations team at info@sirenfleet.com. Book today and receive a 10% discount. Have you already been onboard the Siren Fleet? Quote Summer of Sirens when you contact them and receive something extra special.