Green Fins Assessment Feedback 2019 – Thresher Cove Dive Resort

We just received the Green Fins Assessment Feedback 2019 – Thresher Cove Dive Resort. First of all Thresher Cove Resort is now in it’s fifth year a Green Fins dive resort. Secondly, we are proud Green Fins Members. We are and will stay actively involved in many ways to follow their code of conduct. Most importantly, each year we keep improving!

Without further ado, let’s have a look at the Greens Fins Assessment  Feedback 2019 – Thresher Cove Resort;

Dear Dish and Thresher Cove Dive Resort team,

Good day! We are pleased to know that you are still one of those dive and snorkel operators that continuously support and protect our marine resources. You’ve been a member of Green Fins since 2014 and we greatly appreciate that. As you know, a yearly assessment will be conducted to assist and help you improve your environmental standards.

As for this year, the team conducted an assessment last May 17, 2019. We really appreciate the crew being very cooperative, friendly, and approachable. The assessment was set up easily and we were provided with the information that we needed regarding your diving activities. It was excellent to see the team working so well together and acting as environmental role models. Balt gave very complete boat and pre-dive briefings, which evidently had an impact on the diver’s behaviour underwater.

The Green Fins assessment follows a set criteria based on the Code of Conduct. This allows the assessors to highlight areas of high environmental risk which is then reflected in the assessment score which is representative of the risk posed to the environment. The scores range from 0 (minimal environmental impact) to 330, so the lower the better.

Thresher Cove’s assessment score history goes as follows:
2014: 233
2015: 222
2016: 161
2017: 176

Green Fins Assessment Feedback 2019 – Thresher Cove Dive Resort

For this year your score is 136, congratulations! By implementing the points discussed during the feedback session and maintaining the great work you are already doing we are confident that you can lower your score and reduce your overall environmental impact. The following are the action points that you need to work:

1. Implement a sunscreen policy in the shop

We have agreed that you will do your best in any ways to advise your guests to use the sunscreen one hour before the dive or use it after the dive. Also, provide alternative sunscreens that don’t harm the coral reef ecosystems such as Human Nature.

2. Don’t provide single-use water bottles to guests

It is important for the resort to serve as a role model on the consumption of single-use plastic. Replace the selling of plastic bottles and encourage your guests as much as possible the use of reusable containers in the shop as well as in the day trip dive.

3. Use caps in all tank

Even though most of the tanks were using caps, there were 2 still using tape. Please make sure that all tanks use caps.

Balt mentioned he was interested in being a Green Fins Ambassador since we are not sure if the programme will be running, he and all the staff, are encouraged to do the Green Fins Dive Guide E-Course to be certified as a Green Fins Dive Guides. Remember that to take the course is free, there is only a charge of 24 USD to issue the certificate. 

Thank you very much for the time and cooperation, and for being so welcoming during the assessment. If you have any questions about any of the above points, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you on next year’s assessment. Find the group photo attached.

With kind regards,
Laverna and Juliana

Green Fins Cebu
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 7

Thanks to Green Fins for coming over. We are looking forward to another year of being proud members and ambassadors of Green Fins! We involve all recreational and Professional dive courses into the Green Fins philosophy!