Three PADI dive centers in Malaysia — Bubbles Dive Centre, Flora Bay Divers and Tioman Dive Centre — tied for first place in the annual Green Fins Awards for member dive operators with the lowest environmental impact.

“Competition between the top 10 is always tight but the fact that there are three winners this year, when usually one centre takes the title, shows how much sustainability is being put at the forefront of the agenda across the dive industry,” said Chloe Harvey, director of The Reef-World Foundation, in a press release.

Tioman Dive Centre was the sole recipient of the first place award in 2019.

Green Fins, an initiative of the UN Environment Programme run by Reef-World Foundation, promotes eco-friendly practices in the scuba and snorkel industries to protect coral reefs. More than 600 dive operators across 11 countries participate in the program, which requires adhering to a 15-point code of conduct, such as using mooring buoys and not touching marine life.

To be considered for a Green Fins Award, dive centers are independently evaluated on adherence to the code.

“During an assessment, business practices are graded based on a traffic light system (red, yellow or green) based on the presence and effectiveness of controls in place to mitigate environmental threat,” Melissa Hobson, Reef-World's communications manager, told Scuba Diving. “Solutions or alternatives to high-risk activities are agreed upon in collaboration with each business manager.”

This year’s winners were selected from the 145 members that had an inspection in the last 18 months.

"We are thrilled to know that we have won and we are glad that our effort is being recognised,” said Peisee Hwang of Bubbles Dive Centre. “We hope that more operators aspire to join us in pledging for the environment."

In addition to adhering to the Green Fins Code of Conduct, each of the winning dive operators took steps in the last year to improve their environmental sustainability. Tioman Dive Centre, for example, upgraded its last boat engine, meaning every boat the shop uses runs on a 4-stroke model.

“The benefits are not only to the environment but also a huge reduction in petrol usage,” said Rosie Cotton of Tioman Dive Centre. “It’s a win-win situation!”

All of the 2020 Green Fins’ Awards top 10 are located in southeast Asia. Seven of the top 10 are located in Malaysia, where the program is run by Reef Check Malaysia in partnership with Sabah Parks and the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia.

“Over the years, we have seen these dive centres put in a lot of effort and work hard at following the guidelines and they have improved steadily as a result,” said Alvin Chelliah, Green Fins assessor trainer at Reef Check Malaysia, in the announcement press release. “We hope others will follow their example."

Related:

• 20 Ways to Make Your Dive Travel More Environmentally Friendly
• The Most Eco-Friendly Dive Destinations Around the World
• Eight Dives You Can Do to Heal Coral Reefs