SY Philippine Siren and Reef Check

Reef Monitoring liveaboard diving trip in Visayas, Philippines

Join the Philippine Siren as she cruises from Cebu for a 10 night marine research diving trip. Accompanying this safari is Dr. Greg Hodgson, founder of Reef Check Foundation, who will be offering our divers a unique opportunity to become Eco-Diver certified. Greg will be providing all guests with the materials needed, will give lectures and presentations on reef survey techniques and also add insight into the development of Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) of the Philippines - having been instrumental in the establishment of many MPAs in the region.

About Dr. Gregor Hodgson

The Siren Fleet are pleased to welcome onboard Dr. Gregor Hodgson, coral reef ecologist and founder of the Reef Check Foundation. Greg holds a bachelors degree in biology and attained his doctorate studying the impacts of logging on reefs in El Nido, Palawan. He was employed for 10 years in Hong Kong as an environmental consultant prior to becoming a professor at the Institute of Environment at the University of California, Los Angeles. Greg now devotes his full time and attention to running the non-profit Reef Check Foundation.

The Reef Check Foundation

The Foundation began in 1997 with a group of volunteer scientists agreed to train volunteer divers how to monitorcoral reefs using a new protocol designed by Dr. Gregor Hodgson. Since itsinception Reef Check has grown to monitoring reefs in over 90 countries and theprotocol is used by many national governments as their primary coral reefmonitoring tool. The Reef Check Mission is to “empower local people to save their reefs through research, education and activeconservation”. More information may be obtained from the Reef Check website

Our Diving Trip

Date: 23 July- 02 August 2012
Itinerary:-10 nights Southern Visayas
Price:-2000Euro Per person*
Departing from and returning to Cebu, Philippines. With dives at Mactan, Hiltonguan, Cabilao, Panglao & Balicasag, Moalboal & Pescador.
Trip price includes: Reef Check Eco Diver Course, All meals, soft drinks, snacks, tea, coffee and beer. Scuba equipment rental and nitrox - (for those certified as nitrox divers)

Eco-Diver Course The course takes up to 3 days, over which you will be taught by Greg how to monitor coral reefs by using a set of 30 predefined indicators. Materials provided. Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certification card allowing you to participate in future Reef Check survey expeditions anywhere in the Indo Pacific.
All participants receive a wall certificate signed by Greg

* Worldwide Dive and Sail believe strongly in reef conservation and protection. We offer this cruise at a discounted rate (reduced from 2600Euro) and will be covering the cost of all materials and certifications for Reef Check Courses.

^Must be certified to minimum open water diver.

Space is limited - book early to avoid disappointment