News
Take the Plastic Challenge this July with the Marine Conservation Society
For the past six years, the Marine Conservation Society has tasked the public to re-think their relationship with plastic and go plastic-free for the whole of July. The Plastic Challenge encourages us all to think about the amount of plastic we’re using in our everyday lives, and take steps to change our habits, for the good of the ocean.
This July, the charity is doing it a little differently, asking members of the public to set their own Plastic Challenge and make small changes that don’t even require leaving the house. Mindful of the challenges which Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown have posed to maintaining a plastic-free or low waste lifestyle, the Marine Conservation Society is tasking challengers with setting their own goals for reducing plastic usage. So, whether you’re a complete beginner, or a plastic-free devotee, there’s a little something we can all do to stop the plastic tide.
At last year’s Great British Beach Clean, plastic and polystyrene remained the most common form of litter found on beaches across the UK, with an average of a staggering 143 plastic pieces found for every 100m of coastline! By taking on the Plastic Challenge, and encouraging action at home, no matter how near or far from the coast we may be, we can all have a huge impact on reducing the plastic lapping at our shores.
Erin O’Neill, Plastic Challenge Coordinator said: “Every year, so many people join us and challenge themselves to going plastic-free for July. This is a huge undertaking, as plastic is so prolific in our everyday lives. This year, we hope that asking individuals to make their own Plastic Challenge will encourage more people to get involved and rethink their relationship to single-use plastic. The lockdown has made plastic even more difficult to avoid, but by pledging to cut out just one item of plastic from your everyday life, you can have a tangible impact on the health of our seas.”
Photo: Catherine Gemmell – MCS
Some Plastic Challenge inspiration:
- Pledge to avoid buying pre-bagged fruit and vegetables
- Reuse old single-use plastic items around the house
- Swap disposable plastic razors for reusable metal
- Take water out with you in a reusable bottle
- Make your own cleaning products and re-use old bottles
Getting involved and started couldn’t be easier. Pledge to set yourself a Plastic Challenge on the Marine Conservation Society website, tell others what your #plasticchallenge will be on social media, and receive helpful hints, tips, guidance and inspiration from experts with weekly emails to help keep your Challenge going throughout July.
Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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