Dive against Debris
Dive against Debris in Key Largo
In association with Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary(FKNMS) we are conducting monthly Dive against Debris cleanups in Key Largo.
These dives will occur on the first Saturday each month starting in February. and are FREE to volunteer divers!
We are able to make these dives free due to the donation we have have from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary under the Goal Clean Seas initiative.
Payment will be required when you book online but will be refunded when you complete the dive with us.
Where will the cleanup trips be?
Our permit from FKNMS enables us to remove items from the sea floor from Grecian reef to Turtle rocks.
For 2021 we will be conducting scoping trips prior to collection trips to locate debris.
This is Dive Master Will and he is part of the Island Ventures crew.
Dive Master Will is towed behind the boat to locate debris.
Once located its marked on our GPS for future recovery.
Check out our Youtube channel to see how we do it!
Daily Garbage collected!
Our crews will take a boat to the northern reefs from Elbow reef to Turtle rocks to locate and remove debris.
Working with Project AWARE guidelines means we will not only be removing the trash in a sensitive and ecological manner but also recording what we find and where it was found and include damage/injuries to wildlife.
The trips leave our dock at 1pm. Volunteer divers should have a minimum of Open Water certification and have excellent buoyancy skills. Divers will also be required to get involved with the collection and cataloging process once we return to the dock.
As this is a specialized trip all divers will need to be given an orientation presentation in order that we can collect the debris so these trips have an early checkin time of 11.30am. If you have not taken part in the orientation you will unfortunately not be able to take part in the trip. If you have already had our brief previously or have a Project Aware certification please call us to let us know prior to booking.
We will be collecting a range of debris from displaced lobster traps, lines, plastic. Because of the nature of this work and the possibility that more damage than good could happen divers will be instructed on the methods that we need to use to collect the different types of debris.
Once we return to dock the debris will sorted and recorded. The debris will be loaded into trucks and transported to the Keys garbage disposal.
What do I need to do to take part ?
Volunteer divers will need to read these documents prior to arrival at our shop. Please be aware that these are working dive trips and we do not take newly certified divers on these trips.
Marine Debris Identification Guide
Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet
All divers will need to have dive insurance and bring it with them on each dive.
If you would like to take part in this unique opportunity to give back to nature please Book Online or call us on 305 451 4957.
Dive against Debis Trip dates
There are currently no scheduled trips for 2022 due to a lack of funding