White House Unveils Plans to Address Trash in the Ocean

White House Unveils Plans to Address Trash in the Ocean

Initiative Boosts Project AWARE's Long-Standing International Cleanup Day Efforts

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Project AWARE Foundation and partner environmental organizations applauded First Lady Laura Bush’s unveiling of a new initiative to address marine debris.

The First Lady called for an increase in public/private partnerships for cleanups, enhanced public education on marine debris prevention and an emphasis on international cooperation during the dedication ceremony of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA.

“Whether we live on the shore or not, all of us have the obligation to care for these amazing natural resources,” stated Mrs. Bush.

The First Lady has championed marine debris prevention since seeing the extent of the problem during a visit to the remote Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Monument. She spoke about the importance of the ocean environment, promising to promote annual cleanups and make sure people are educated about marine debris and how to participate in solutions.

Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of the Ocean Conservancy, Project AWARE’s partner for International Cleanup Day, spoke before the First Lady last week and shined a spotlight on marine debris issues and the international cleanup efforts taking place each year.

“The First Lady’s dedication to the issues we’ve been fighting for is inspiring – and, it gives a big push to the sea change that is underway,” states Vikki Spruill, Ocean Conservancy President and CEO.

“We’re thrilled about the new White House plan to address trash in our oceans,” said Jenny Miller Garmendia, Director, Project AWARE Foundation. “The announcement boosts Project AWARE’s 12-year underwater volunteer effort to remove and prevent harmful aquatic debris – a human-induced and preventable problem.”

Each year Project AWARE Foundation coordinates underwater cleanups in more than 100 countries and territories in partnership with dive professionals and the Ocean Conservancy. Cleanup volunteers are making a difference by improving aquatic environments and protecting fragile wildlife.

Project AWARE Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Visit www.projectaware.org for more information about Project AWARE’s ongoing debris removal efforts, to volunteer or to view inspiring images from cleanup events around the world.

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2008 issue of Diving Almanac and Yearbook (D.A.Y.)

The 2008 issue of Diving Almanac and Yearbook (D.A.Y.) and Diving Pioneers & Innovators: A Series of In-Depth Interviews are two great new diving books available to International Training members.

“Diving Almanac and Yearbook is the definitive general reference books on diving, and I have had a copy on my desk since the inaugural issue in 2006,” said Steve Lewis.

Lewis, director of product development for International Training explained that D.A.Y. has sections on diving history, world records, a who’s who of diving, statistics, listings of dive sites by country and much more an easy-to-read, illustrated 616-page format. “For anyone even remotely interested in knowing a little more about diving and the dive industry,” he said. “This is the best desktop reference I know of.”

The second publication is Bret Gilliam’s lavishly illustrated coffee-table book on diving’s history. It features a foreword by Stan Waterman, and takes readers through a series of lively and insightful interviews with the likes of Bob Ballard, Peter Benchley, Dick Bonin, Ernie Brooks, John Chatterton, Mike deGruy, Al Giddings, Howard Hall, Michele Hall, Bob Hollis, Paul Humann, Greg MacGillivray, Bev Morgan, Chuck Nicklin, Ron & Valerie Taylor, Zale Parry, Wes Skiles, Stan Waterman, and Bret himself.

“The book is worth owning for its beautiful, full-color photographs alone,” explained Lewis. “But in Bret’s usual style and flair the text is written with wit and insight, making it the perfect special present and an exciting read for anyone who dives, but most especially anyone with an interest in the history of underwater image making from the early days of scuba to the present.”

International Training has worked out exclusive distribution agreements with Porbeagle Press, publisher of D.A.Y. and with New World Press and Bret Gilliam for Diving Pioneers & Innovators: A Series of In-Depth Interviews.

Contact Headquarters to order copies for your customers now at 1-888-7778-9073 or worldhq@tdisdi.com. Or contact your local International Training representative to place your pre-holiday order.

To find out more about International Training’s innovative educational programs, and other dive business opportunities visit www.tdisdi.com

Scuba Diving International (SDI) is the sport diving certification branch of the world’s largest technical diving agency, Technical Diving International (TDI). Also included is Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI), the only global public safety certification agency.

Material posted and distributed through DiveNewswire

Underwater Journal 5 Available Now!

Underwater Journal's latest release is available for free download

North American online magazine, the Underwater Journal, once again fulfills its quest to provide fascinating, information-filled articles. The latest 57-page issue (JWJ-issue5.pdf) is jam-packed with a wide range of comprehensive features.

Readers can immerse themselves in photo-rich features such as the centerpiece focusing on the lovely mermaids of historical Weeki Wachee Springs in central Florida. Check out “Freedom Divers” to learn how our distinguished war veterans use the underwater world to cope with their disabilities.

Also in this issue learn about:

-Patent Foramen Ovale - PFO, and its link to Decompression Sickness

-Diving California’s San Clemente Island

-Scuba DoRags’ flamboyuant ScubaTubeSocks

-Shearwater’s New Pursuit multi-gas, PO2 computer for rebreather divers

-Olympus E-410 Digital Camera and PT-E03 housing System

-Advanced Nitrox – three gas computers. Do you really need one?

To subscribe or download the current issue, or archive issues of the Underwater Journal FREE of charge, go to underwaterjournal.com.

For adidtional information, contact:

Walt Stearns

info@uwjournal.com

phone 561-715-3164

www.underwaterjournal.com

Material posted and distributed through DiveNewswire