Bonaire First Dive Festival
Posted By Lisa Blau on 21 June 2001
Concerned with protecting and conserving the world's coral reefs and marine ecosystems, and educating divers and snorkelers about what role they can play in conservation efforts, Bonaire will host the Annual Dive Festival June 9 - 16, 2001. Sponsored by CORAL - The Coral Reef Alliance, the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Rodale's Scuba Diving, the official print sponsor of the event, and the Center for Marine Conservation (CMC), the Dive Festival now in its fifth year, is expected to attract divers and snorkelers from around the world. Other Dive Festival sponsors include Air Jamaica, the Official Airline of the Bonaire Dive Festival, Scubapro, Sea & Sea and Kodak. Headlined by underwater photographers Stan Waterman and Stephen Frink and well-known author Osha Gray Davidson, the Dive Festival will also showcase participating organizations including the Bonaire Marine Park, the Philippe Cousteau Foundation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute.
Long recognized for its commitment to reef preservation and environmental protection, Bonaire was chosen by The Coral Reef Alliance five years ago to host what has become one of the Caribbean's most important diving and educational events. An exciting opportunity for anyone who enjoys and treasures the world's coral reefs, the Fifth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival offers divers and snorkelers the chance to explore Bonaire's reefs while learning from and interacting with some of the most notable names in environmental conservation. With seminars conducted by some of the world's foremost marine protection groups, photography seminars with renowned underwater photographers, fish identification and photography contests, and evening parties with local food and music, this year's Bonaire Dive Festival promises to be the best one yet.
"We strongly believe that the Bonaire Dive Festival is the ideal platform on which we can continue to promote coral reef protection," says Elsmarie Beukenboom, Director of Tourism for Bonaire. "Since 1979 when the Bonaire Marine Park was founded it has been our goal to not only provide a museum-like underwater world for divers and snorkelers, but more importantly to educate people about coral reefs and marine life, helping to ensure that they be protected for future generations to enjoy."
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