Asia Dive Expo sets standards in conservation awareness

BYM news 17 Apr 08;

Asia Dive Expo 2008 (ADEX) opens today at Suntec Singapore with a bold new agenda for the regional dive community – “Save The Seas, Be A Diver”. ADEX this year focus on the need for greater awareness of marine conservation as it runs from 18-20 April 2008 at Halls 602 and 603. ADEX 2008 is opened today by Mr. Francis Lee, Chairman of Marine Roundtable Singapore Chapter.

This year has particular significance for the marine conservation movement. 2008 has been designated the International Year of the Reef (IYOR), a worldwide initiative to raise awareness of the value and importance of coral reefs. Singapore will be joining 50 countries around the world to improve understanding of the threats to these endangered reefs.

ADEX 2008 will welcome the presence and input of top international marine conservationists such as Richard Leck from the World Wildlife Fund’s Coral Triangle Program, Christine Ward-Paige from Global Shark Awareness and Julian Hyde from Reef Check.

Said Herman Ho, Managing Director of ADEX organiser TMX Show Productions Pte Ltd, "The main attraction of ADEX this year is EcoVillage @ ADEX 2008, where a combination of exciting activities including seminars, film fests, photography competitions, educational tours, ADEX auctions and ADEX merchandise.

“The activities in EcoVillage @ ADEX are designed to foster a sense of environmentalism as a way of life amongst both adults and students. All proceeds from ADEX merchandise will be donated to a major marine conservation cause, the International Year of the Reef 2008.” Herman added.

ADEX visitors can learn all about regional and even local marine conservation initiatives such as the Coral Nursery, a project launched to preserve and proliferate natural corals by The National Parks Board (NParks) and its partners Keppel Group, National University of Singapore and National Environment Agency.

Additionally, ADEX has lined up an exciting program of screenings, presentations, talks, seminars and activities which will educate and entertain on an array of dive-related subjects. Many of the films being screened earned plaudits at the Celebrate the Sea Festival, which awards the best of the dive industry’s vibrant underwater film-makers.

"In line with ADEX’s conservation theme this year, many of our presentations and screenings reflect an environmental consciousness and an awareness of the delicate nature of our planet’s marine eco-systems,” said Mr. Ho.

Aside from the educational aspects, as always at ADEX there will also be a generous number of prizes, giveaways, dollar deals and fun activities like the Scuba Tryouts where potential divers can learn the basics in a safe environment.

ADEX 2008 sees the return of regular major name exhibitors including Bauer Compressors Asia Pte Ltd., Beuchat International SA, and Coltri Sub Asia Pacific. They are joined this year by new names like Dive Junkie, EKO Asia Pacific, Innerspace Dive Explorers and OPTIMUS.

Amongst those destinations touting their pristine azure waters will be Christmas Island Tourism Association, Philippines Tourism Board, Santika – Thalassa Dive Resort, Minahasa Lagoon, Redang Kalong Resort and Walea Dive Resort.

Supporting ADEX again this year are leading dive and conservation related associations and organisations including the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA), the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), Divers Alert Network (DAN), the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD), Scuba Schools International (SSI), the Singapore Underwater Federation (SUF) and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).

More about the ADEX events on the wildsingapore happenings blog.