By DIVE Staff
The Reef-World Foundation — the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative — has announced the winner of its Green Fins Award 2023 as Evolution Beach and Dive Resort in Malapascua, Philippines.
The annual award recognises the Green Fins Member deemed to have the lowest environmental impact in accordance with an assessment of business practices conducted within the last 12 months across 75 diving hotspots in 14 countries.
As 2023’s Green Fins Award winner, Evolution Beach and Dive Resort is recognised as operating in compliance with the Green Fins Code of Conduct, with an ‘exceptional environmental performance every day’ at its dive resort.
Chloe Harvey, Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: ‘It’s such a pleasure to recognise the team at Evolution with this award. Their Green Fins membership journey started back in 2012, and ever since then, Matt, David and the Evolution staff team have been pivotal in Green Fins programme development.
‘They are not only an exemplary sustainable dive operation, but also an incredibly valuable voice in our network, helping to drive the collective global industry towards a more sustainable future.’
More from Green Fins
Evolution Beach and Dive Resort is a PADI 5-star Dive Resort and Technical Diving International (TDI) centre based in Malapascua Island, famous for thresher sharks sightings. Evolution has been a Green Fins Member since 2012, taking steps to improve its sustainability practices which include
- Preventing toxic chemicals such as used oil, cleaning products and sunscreen from entering the ocean
- Consistently providing training for their staff and guests on best environmental practices
- Taking part in regular marine life monitoring and data reporting
- Disposing of all waste responsibly
- Including environmental information in pre-dive briefings
Matt Reed, co-owner of Evolution Beach and Dive Resort, said: ”The last few years have shown that uncertainty is always just around the corner. This has made us more determined than ever at Evolution to ensure that what we can control is done to the highest ‘best practice’ standards. We cannot stop wars and pandemics, but we can protect and defend our tiny speck of the globe.’
For more information, or to register for Green Fins membership as a dive, snorkel and liveaboard operator, head to www.greenfins.net/join.