reprinted from Cayman Net News Online

The Cayman Islands, long recognized as the premier destination for scuba divers, is now leading the way in sustainable initiatives to ensure that its famous coral reefs and crystal clear waters remain pristine for generations to come.

Spearheading the effort, Steve Broadbelt, owner of Ocean Frontiers in East End, has proposed a five-year plan to turn Cayman’s scuba diving industry carbon neutral. In doing so, the Islands will be the first country in the region, and most likely the entire industry, to achieve this.

Cayman’s dive operators plan to use Carbon Offsets, switch its dive boats to run on Biofuels, and establish a local Carbon Offset Fund to support improved recycling programs, mangrove replanting and more.

Cayman Diving Lodge, slated to open in December 2008, will be the first and only luxury ecotourism resort in Grand Cayman. The Lodge will be a Green Certified Resort, built to meet green building standards and will be operated in a responsible fashion to protect and preserve the natural environment of the Cayman Islands.

Scuba diving in an unspoiled natural setting will provide guests a dive vacation just as it was meant to be: a complete experience of interaction, adventure and discovery.

Divetech in West Bay recently announced a new programme for its diving guests to do their part to preserve and conserve the environment.

Divetech is offering reusable sport bottles, available for purchase by guests for just $6. With the purchase of a sport bottle, guests then get free bottled water for the entire length of their stay, along with a souvenir item to take home.

Prior to the implementation of this creative programme, guests would easily buy 10-12 bottles of water a week, so in addition to being a great “green” practice, it also results in a cost saving to the resort’s visitors.

“Previously, we purchased about eight to 12 flats of 16 oz. bottled water a week,” said Nancy Easterbrook of Divetech.

“This amounts to over 10,000 plastic water bottles going to the landfill each year. Even if only half of our customers convert, that still significantly reduces the volume of plastic sent to the land fill.”

During DEMA, Divetech will also sponsor a programme geared toward youth to get them interested in scuba diving and saving the world’s oceans. Approximately 150 junior and senior high school students enrolled in Marine Science at Freedom High School in Orlando will attend DEMA for a week of hands-on marine education.

The group joined internationally-renowned Marine Artist, Ron Steven (‘Rogest’) and created a painting which was auctioned off at the 2007 DEMA Awards Party on Friday, 2 November. Proceeds from this unique auction will go towards the release of Green Sea Turtles through Divetech’s Cayman Turtle Adoption and Release Programme.

The programme, which is held at the popular Cayman Turtle Farm inside Boatswain’s Beach, is aimed at the gradual protection of turtles over the long-term. In addition to painting, the students will engage in educational sessions on the importance of protecting our environment and oceans.

In Little Cayman, Manager Peter Hillenbrand, a speaker at this year’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in the Cayman Islands, runs Southern Cross Club, a full service fish and dive resort also doing its part to protect the environment. Exciting environmental programs include the implementation of renewable sources of energy; in addition to the resort being designated as a Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) field station to actively engage divers and marine enthusiasts in marine conservation.

Also in Little Cayman is the Little Cayman Research Centre, a 6600 square foot complex dedicated to improving and sustaining biodiversity through research, education, and outreach programs. Comprising a classroom, library, laboratories, and a visitor and student centre, the Centre has played an integral part in leading the Caribbean’s eco-initiatives; even the Bath House at Little Cayman Research Centre is off-the grid and solar-powered with composting toilets and a grey water garden.