Project AWARE FOUNDATION Global Dive Operators Receive International Environmental Honors

Project AWARE FOUNDATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 16 February 2010

Global Dive Operators Receive International Environmental Honors

Project AWARE International Environmental Achievement Award Winners 2009.

Project AWARE Foundation honors dive operators around the world who display commitment and excellence in their efforts to protect underwater environments within business operations and their community.

“The Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," said Henrik Nimb, Project AWARE Foundation Director, Asia Pacific.

The following Asia Pacific Environmental Achievement Award 2009 winners operate in an environmentally responsible manner and demonstrate an outstanding commitment to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.

1. B&J Diving Centre – ABC, Malaysia

2. B&J Diving Centre – Salang, Malaysia

3. Big Blue Diving Resort, Thailand

4. Blue Season Bali, Indonesia

5. Crystal Dive Resort, Thailand

6. Deep Sea Divers Den, Australia

7. Dive Tropex Tokoriki, Fiji

8. Dive! Tutukaka, New Zealand

9. Eco Scuba, Korea

10. Gangga Divers, Indonesia

11. Kon-Tiki Krabi, Thailand

12. Malapascua Exotic Dive Resort,Philippines

13. Matava, Fiji Islands

14. NZ Sea Adventures, New Zealand

15. Ocean Elements, Malaysia

16. Plunge Diving, Australia

17. Scuba Cat Diving, Thailand

18. Sea Hounds, Singapore

19. Sea World Dive Center, Philippines

20. Subsurface Fiji, Fiji Islands

21. Thresher Shark Divers, Philippines

22. United Divers, Australia

The number of amazing initiatives and actions implemented by the Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Winners is inspiring. Congratulations! For information on planning your own environmental project or becoming more environmentally sustainable contact Project AWARE. www.projectaware.org

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org

-ENDS-

For further press information or images, please contact:
Joanna McNamara, +61-2-9454-2893 joanna.mcnamara@projectaware.org.au

PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award Awarded to Matava for 3rd Year in a Row

Matava has again been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2009 for its policies on environmental sustainability

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 16th February 2010 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2009 recipient of The Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award for the 3rd year in row. Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "The Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson. "Our awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator. After reviewing Matava's application, Project AWARE determined that our dive operation met all requirements set forth for Project AWARE's Environmental Achievement Award and shown exemplary efforts to conserve aquatic environments through education, advocacy and action. Therefore, Project AWARE was proud to name Matava an official 2009 recipient! Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar says "The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award gives us special environmental recognition and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business." "After 8 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognised by our international scuba certification agency" Mr Akhtar went on to say that "..after our further resort and dive centre upgrades in 2009, and the addition of our new custom built dive vessel, DIVE ME, with low emission 4-stroke engines we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country." Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities. www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com # # #

Perfect - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

This place is a little slice of heaven.

However, if you are the type that likes to be entertained or have schedules then this isn't the place for you. We spent 5 days here and didn't dive or fish but we were busy. We went kayaking, hiking, exploring the mud flats, snorkling (it's quite good right out front of the resort) and just relaxed and slept. A much needed rest.

The food was great and all staff were friendly and helpful. Oh, we did take the kayak trip to the remote village and although our guide didn't seem super pumped to be out there with us, we had a fantastic adventure with him. he was knowledgeable. The village was a highlight and the voices of the children singing to us while we hiked to the waterfall is one of my favorite memories. It was hard to leave this place.

It's rustic and wonderful, our type of place.

Perfect - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Manta Ray Magic, Kaduva, Fiji - Thanks to Matava Resort

Catching the Fijian Fever | Official Website of 10 Magazine Asia

One of the reasons why people travel to Fiji year in and year out are the magnificent scuba dive sites located all over the islands. Even if you’ve never taken one breath underwater, there has never been a better time to start. Choose between simple (and often complimentary) pool dives to get accustomed to life underwater or opt for a full licensed PADI Open Water Course available at many certified training facilities around the islands.

Experienced divers can of course skip the course and jump right into ancient shipwreck dives, witness an abundance of coral splendour, and explore mysterious underwater caves. Plus, the water around Fiji is always warm enough for a deep ocean dive.

Best Dive Sites in Fiji

• Great Astrolabe Reef (Near Kadavu)

This great reef may not be as well-known as the Great Barrier in Australia, but it does attract a lot of manta rays and the soft coral is pleasing to the eye.

Magical Islands
Kadavu

One of the best preserved areas in all of Fiji. The area lacks a lot of the predators that prowl the main islands, allowing native wildlife to roam free and delight tourists. Kadavu also offers the perfect starting point for a dive along the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Catching the Fijian Fever | Official Website of 10 Magazine Asia

The Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji