Scuba Diving Magazine Recognizes Splash Belize Dive Center as Sea Hero of the Month

In its June 2012 publication, Scuba Diving magazine featured Patty Ramirez of Splash Dive Center as a Sea Hero recognizing the many efforts that the dive center has contributed to community building and awareness of the marine environment.

Since 2005, Splash Belize Dive Center has organized and led the Splash Kids Club which has engaged, over the years, about 70 young persons in the protection of Belize’s irreplaceable marine resources.  These youths have benefited from free Open Water Diver certification and continuing education.  Several have achieved Divemaster status, which as the first professional scuba diving level, puts them on the path to a career in diving and tourism.  All become committed to the vital importance of the marine environment and its relevance to the community’s tourism, economy and sustainability.

As an environmentally responsible player in the conservation of Belize’s natural and invaluable assets, Splash Dive Center organizes an annual cleanup and education day at Laughing Bird National Park, a world heritage site.  Each year on Earth Day, children from the communities on the Placencia Peninsula participate in a cleanup of the Park, supported by many local businesses, the Southern Environmental Association and the schools.  A highlight of the cleanup day is the presentations on environmental issues by members of the Splash Kids Club.  Children to children presentations are very effective ways to educate our future citizens on the sensitivity and importance of the environment to the way we interact with Mother Nature.

Not only is Splash Dive Center enhancing positive youth development and environmental awareness but also playing an active role in environmental protection as member of the Placencia Mooring Masters.   Through its membership, Splash Dive Center is the proud sponsor of two mooring buoys installations to protect the reef at popular dive sites – Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Silk Cayes.

Splash Dive Center recognizes and accepts its shared responsibility of preserving the environmental integrity of Belize’s priceless marine resources and even more so in the advent of the challenges of climate change.   A leader by example, Splash stands tall in supporting community initiatives that promotes marine education, appreciation and protection.  For all these responses to sustainability in tourism, Splash Dive Center was humbled and honored to be featured as Scuba Diving magazine as Sea Hero of the Month.