Cleaning up the land on shore doesn't seem to be enough to ensure the cleanliness of the CNMI as a group of divers would be conquering the deep blue sea for a clean-up brigade this weekend.
On Sunday, Feb. 18, a group of divers will join the environmental campaign group Beautify CNMI! for an underwater cleanup at the Garapan Fishing Dock.
According to professional diver and videographer Mike Tripp, the underwater cleanup is an important addition to the beach and community clean ups that Beautify CNMI and others have been conducting over the past few months.
“Globally the sea is vital to all of us but locally we are especially dependent on its preservation not only from a sustenance point of view but also as an economic engine. Without our beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters I doubt any tourists would come to the Marianas,” said Tripp.
Tripp added that when it comes to garbage and litter the mentality of the community members on the islands for many years now has been to dump their trash into areas where it couldn't be seen and the ocean is often the perfect hiding spot because of misconceptions that the ocean could handle all they throw.
“It is our hope that the underwater clean up will draw attention to the fact garbage doesn’t just disappear even when it’s thrown into the big blue sea and to help stop the senseless littering and dumping that costs all of us so much in the end,” Tripp said.
Tripp said he is participating in line with Beautify CNMI!'s mission because it is a group of committed people who have been able to rally a community around one of the most basic elements of a successful tourism industry.
“Over the past few months the folks at beautify CNMI have infected hundreds if not thousands of people with the beauty virus and with any luck this will translate into better experiences for every visitor to our islands.”
Volunteers are still wanted. Contact Beautify CNMI! restoration committee chairman Angelo Villagomez at 483-1078 for more information.
Tripp's latest project DVD film, called The Underwater World of Saipan, is still available. The DVD contains scenes of the many diving sites on Saipan, not merely for the diving aficionados but for everyone who wants to have a memento of the numerous beauty spots on the island.
The 105-minute interactive DVD provides a picture of the “incredible beauty and bio-diversity of Saipan’s underwater world” is available for $25 per copy at the CNMI Museum of History and Culture, PHI Pharmacy in Dandan, CNMI Council of the Arts on Capital Hill, Joeten Susupe and Garapan, Hotel Nikko Saipan, Saipan Wax Museum and the Managaha Island Gift Shop.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
