PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A local dive operator, ProDive Plett, has been awarded the internationally recognised PADI Eco Centre status – one of only three such centres in South Africa.

This designation marks ProDive Plett as a leading dive operator committed to sustainability, ocean conservation, and eco-conscious diving practices.

PADI - the Professional Association of Diving Instructors - is the most recognised dive training organisation worldwide, with over 30 million divers involved.

Unesco

Louis van Aardt, the owner of ProDive Plett, said his company has been recognised as a five-star dive centre for a number of years, based on its high level of commitment to diver education, safety and professionalism.

"The PADI Eco Award has now just further enhanced our dive centre's credibility to an international audience and our appeal to environmentally aware divers," said Van Aardt.

"ProDive Plett has been actively involved in an ongoing five-year Unesco-backed project to capture the magnificent marine life along the South African coastline and the lead-up to the sardine run. By doing so, the hope is to create awareness and protection of this valuable asset."

ProDive Plett assisted the filmmakers 1 Ocean and La Caz Productions in obtaining the best footage possible to raise awareness of conserving our ocean.

This year the project involved getting many globally recognised scientists on board to contribute towards understanding animal behaviour captured on film. There is still no confirmed date as to when this footage, some of it taken in Plettenberg Bay, will be aired, but it is bound to have an impact on awareness and conservation initiatives.

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