News
RAID’s Col McKenzie Announced As World Environment Day Awards Finalist
The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) has informed RAID that one of their Executive Directors, Mr Col McKenzie – also of RAID Asia – has been selected in the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards in the Individual Category.
Mr McKenzie is one of four finalists in the Individual Category which recognises significant environmental achievement over many years. “Mr McKenzie has been the driving force behind the Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) since 1998 and has successfully lobbied for millions of dollars to help control the pest and to protect the Great Barrier Reef (GBR),” said Mr Baker, the Chair of AMPTO. The Crown of Thorns has contributed to approximately 50% of the live coral loss on the GBR and not only reduce the live coral, but also effect the whole coral ecosystem. Mr McKenzie was working effectively in this space for years before becoming the Executive Director of AMPTO and he has a history of environmental activity. He has worked very hard on environmental issues over many years.”
Mr McKenzie’s consulting company, Gempearl, was also one of the first companies in Far North Queensland to be carbon neutral. He was one of just a handful of Far North Queensland people to do the Al Gore “An Inconvenient Truth” presentation training and did presentations in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
During the rezoning of the GBR 12 years ago, Mr McKenzie was the marine tourism industry’s public face and even received death threats for taking the stance that increasing the “no-take” zones from 4.7% to 33% was the right thing to do. Furthermore, last year Mr McKenzie headed up the court challenge by the marine tourism industry against the dumping of dredge spoil on the GBR. Legislation was passed only this month in the Australian Federal Parliament to stop dredge spoil dumping.
The health of the GBR has been much maligned in the last 12 months and it is the activities of people like Mr McKenzie that will help determine the GBR’s future and ongoing health.
News
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about scuba diving and safaris in Africa (5 of 5)
In the last in this exclusive series of five videos, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Christopher Bartlett, Managing Director of Indigo Safaris, about their diving and wildlife adventures, and four of their top destinations. In this episode Christopher talks about Africa.
For more information, please visit www.indigosafaris.com
Rather listen to a podcast? Click on this link to listen HERE.
PADI created a buzz at the recent Palma International Boat Show in Mallorca where a real-life PADI branded mermaid engaged exhibitors and guests to showcase their PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Mermaid Courses.
The Palma International Boat Show, a prominent event in the yachting and boating industry, witnessed an impressive gathering of 271 participating companies, alongside a stunning display of 252 boats at sea. Drawing an enthusiastic audience, more than 32,000 people attended the show, setting the stage for PADI to captivate a diverse range of individuals with their mesmerising mermaid concept.
Over the course of two days, the enchanting mermaid made an eye-catching appearance, gracefully circulating among attendees while distributing flyers highlighting the PADI courses. As the summer season approaches, this interactive approach aimed to create awareness and generate interest in PADI’s Open Water Diver and PADI Mermaid courses, inviting water enthusiasts of all ages to explore the wonders of the underwater world.
“Our presence at the Palma International Boat Show allowed us to engage with a wide range of yachting and water sports enthusiasts,” said Josep Lluís Massuet, PADI EMEA Regional Manager, Spain.
“By featuring our PADI branded mermaid, we aimed to capture attention, spark curiosity, and promote our courses that empower individuals to begin their underwater adventures, explore and save the ocean.”
The PADI branded mermaid at the Palma International Boat Show served as a symbol of adventure and environmental stewardship, embodying PADI’s commitment to seek adventure and save the ocean.
For more from PADI, please visit www.padi.com
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