Over the weekend our resident PADI Course Director Richard decided to check out an old dive site that he has not visited for more than five years.
Accompanied by PADI IDC Staff Instructor Bob, the two descended, only to find a huge net entangled on the reef.
Downbelow is passionate about conservation, so immediately the boys got to work. After releasing a large stonefish and a grouper they returned to the Downbelow PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre on Gaya island to gather a team to return and remove the menace for good.
By chance, 4 Sabah Parks staff were participating in a PADI Rescue Diver course with Downbelow, so they were only too happy to give their time and join the mission.
Within moments Richard has rustle up Downbelow staff and international & Local Go Pro Interns to also assist with the 100+ metre long net.
After Richard thorough briefed the team on safety and net removal techniques, they set off on the illegally dumped net crusade. The rest, plus the net, is history.
The reef can breathe once more !
