MEDIA RELEASE
9
September 2010
1
DIVE & SNORKEL OPERATORS SUPPORT REEF CHECK AUSTRALIA
Queensland scuba diving and snorkel operators are going all out in efforts to help protect the coral reefs and
marine life in Australia, and in particular in Queensland.
Reef Check Australia and Queensland dive operators have come together to create a ‘Premium Membership’,
which not only provides members with a wealth of free products and discounts
but also provides a way for
marine lovers to support coral reef conservation.
Profits
from the membership will go back
into marine conservation projects run by Reef Check Australia.
These projects include on-the-ground reef surveys with the aim of providing high-quality data on coral reef
health; community training and awareness projects; and the development of educational resources for schools
and young people.
Dive operators
are coming from many different areas in Queensland to further promote the conservation of
coral reefs and support Reef Check Australia. In Townsville, Remote Area Dive and SALT have jumped on
board with discounts of up to 15% on dive trips and courses; in Cairns Pro Dive are offering a generous 20%
off snorkel trips; whilst in Port Douglas Poseidon Cruises and Quicksilver Cruises are providing members with
discounts off amazing trips to the outer reef. For those based a little further south, Dive World in Brisbane is
offering a whopping 25% of dive trips and equipment.
Without the support of dive operators up and down the coast of Queensland, Reef Check Australia would not
be able to carry out their community monitoring programs on coral reef health.
‘The dive industry are
indispensable to our projects and should be highly commended for their conservation efforts’ said Reef Check
Australia’s Managing Director Jo Roberts.
Anyone can help Reef Check Australia in their endeavours to maintain coral and marine life. On November 1st
2010 the ‘Premium Membership’ will be available online
for marine lovers
and anyone who wants to help
preserve Australia’s stunning and unique marine environment. This year members will receive the ‘Underwater
Reef Guide’, a waterproof booklet that can be used to enhance any snorkel or dive, and which can also be
used to help contribute to the data on coral reef health. Premium Members will also receive special insights
into Reef Check Australia projects and discounts off many of their wonderful products in their Sea Store.
Action taken now can help maintain the beauty of coral reefs
and marine life
for the future.
Jump onto
~ENDS~
For further information and images, contact: Kristyn Spano, Marketing & Communications 4724 3950 or
communications@reefcheckaustralia.org.
MEDIA RELEASE
9
September 2010
2
Reef Check Australia
Reef Check Australia is an award-winning, not-for-profit organisation combining education and research to
result in the protection and rehabilitation of the world’s coral reefs. Established in 2001 by one passionate
individual with a strong vision, the charity has inspired over 100 volunteers to train using a scientifically
standardised protocol in established monitoring techniques and now collects and distributes valuable data on
reef health to marine resource managers and the wider scientific community. This data can provide vital early-
warnings of a decline in reef health.
With a professional approach and recognised integrity, Reef Check Australia works in collaboration with
community and industry partners to raise awareness, both locally and further afield through education and
participation programs, about the effects of climate change and human impacts on the resilience of the reef.
Support from a number of industry professionals, along with some valued sponsors and several hard-working
volunteers all make our current projects possible but, in order to succeed in our mission, we need to do more.
As a charitable organisation, donors can make fully tax-deductable gifts to help Reef Check Australia take
positive action towards reaching environmentally sound and economically sustainable solutions to the real
challenges of coral reef conservation.
Our Mission:
To promote healthy local coral reefs through scientific research, community education and marine
conservation.
Objectives:
To ensure a sustainable future for the Australian and Indo-Pacific region’s coral reef ecosystems by:
1)
The generation and publication of select coral reef data that is highly valued by scientists and marine
managers.
2)
The establishment of reef monitoring programs that are accessible to a wide range of the population
and yet still produce valuable data.
3)
The establishment of a coral reef health database for Australia and the Indo-Pacific region that is
integrated in to the global Reef Check network.
4)
For the majority of Australian adults and children to understand the importance of coral reefs and be
able to tell you what they can do to help protect them.
5)
Development and implementation of cutting edge training programs to enhance the value of the data
collected by volunteers.
6)
Quality marine-based education programs for local communities.
7)
Meaningful participation by local communities in the promotion and maintenance of coral reefs through
Reef Check Australia programs or use of the database.
8)
Promotion of the sustainable use of coral reefs through partnerships with governments, researchers,
businesses and community groups.
9)
Raising public awareness of the economic, ecological and social value of coral reefs.
10) Promotion of the Reef Check Australia brand.
11) Financial sustainability of Reef Check Australia.
For further press information and high res images please contact Kristyn Spano
at Reef Check
Australia via email, communications@reefcheckaustralia.org or telephone 4724 3950.
NEWS 
