What is Green Fins?

Green Fins is comprehensive programme that encourages dive centres and snorkel operators to work together to reduce their environmental impacts on coral reefs by adopting the Green Fins Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct consists of 15 points, which target environmental threats posed by the diving and snorkelling industry, both under the water and in shop. Green Fins members receive the training and the tools to promote environmental education and awareness, tapping into the diving audience, which is shifting more and more towards eco-friendly initiatives.

Green Fins dives even deeper as it creates a network through which dive centres, local and national governments and communities can work together to tackle local environmental threats to protect livelihoods and food security.

Members receive annual assessments, training and feedback to help them achieve the Code of Conduct points, that not only standardises membership but also allows a system for measurable progress.

The Green Fins project is initiated and coordinated by United Nations Environmental Programme, COBSEA's secretariat as part of the effort to increase public awareness and management practices that will benefit the conservation of coral reefs and reduce unsustainable tourism practices.

Where is Green Fins?

There is an ever expanding network of dive operators in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, who are involved the project. Green Fins is managed in each country by the National Management Team. These teams are made up of governmental bodies and national NGO's and are supported by the Regional Coordinators, the UK charity The Reef-World Foundation whose role is to focus on expanding the project to additional member countries in the region and to strengthen the existing network through capacity development.

The National Management Teams are responsible for expanding the network in their respective countries and to produce educational and public awareness materials while promoting the successes of the Green Fins members.

Greenfins.net

This website is used to coordinate between all participating countries. More information on each participating country can be found by clicking the tabs at the top of this page. This website is also used to manage the Assessments of all the participating Green Fins members. This not only helps address major problems of the scuba and tourism industry on a larger scale but also demonstrates how effective the project is through monitoring annual improvements in dive operator’s environmental impacts.

Green Fins member giving an environmental briefing with the ICONS