As every year, the association Longitude 181 took advantage of the international diving show in Paris to present its awards to the eco-responsible tour operator and center of the year 2018. It was François Sarano, founder of the association, who presented the two awards at the event. The eco-responsible center trophy was awarded to Fiskardo Divers (Greece) and the eco-responsible tour operator trophy to Awateha.

Fiskardo Divers: passionate biologists and dedicated instructors

Located on the island of Cephalonia, this diving center, a partner of Longitude 181, is exemplary in raising awareness and educating about the environment – both marine and terrestrial. More than just a diving center, it is run by a team of biologists who multiply actions in favor of environmental protection:

• Rescuing animals throughout the year. Trapped marine animals, such as sharks, turtles… as well as many cats and dogs on land.
• All instructors and employees of the center are, first and foremost, scientists and biologists, passionate and in love with nature.
• Organizing clean-up campaigns of the seabed, ports, and beaches.
• Setting up a museum within the diving center, exhibiting and providing explanations on local fauna and flora, both underwater and terrestrial.
• Materials are created and meetings organized to educate tourists, boaters, divers, and school children in the region about marine environment protection.
• Minimizing the impact of the center on the environment by using rainwater for showers and rinsing diving equipment; this water is then recycled for toilets.
• About fifteen informational panels on the environment (Posidonia, monk seal…) are submerged at two diving sites.
• The center offers logistical support to all organizations working on protecting or studying the marine environment (particularly with the Octopus foundation as part of their study on monk seals).

  

Awateha: the journey yes… with full support to the association

While the eco-responsible impact of a diving center is visible daily, in contact with the ocean, one might wonder what role a tour operator can play. Awateha has proven that it is possible to have an impact on the environment, even indirectly! By supporting the Longitude 181 association, at all possible levels, this tour operator places environmental protection at the heart of its work:

• For every new client registered for a trip, 1 € is donated to the association.
• Longitude 181 ambassador diving centers will be highlighted on the tour operator’s website.
• Awateha strives to work with as many of these ambassador centers as possible or to introduce the association to those they already work with.
• The international charter of the responsible diver is available on the tour operator’s website, and the membership form is presented to all travelers.
• Employees use the Lilo search engine, which allows, for each click, to donate a sum of money to an association of their choice: Longitude 181.
• The Awateha newsletter relays all information and news related to the association.
• The presentation of a game at the diving show booth to raise awareness about environmental protection and propose memberships to Longitude 181.
• Organizing trips in the company of scientific speakers.

•