The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is set to host its second annual, week-long Dive and Conservation Festival which will take place from Monday (May 29) to Monday (June 5).

The festival, an unprecedented gathering of global leaders in marine conservation, will bring together many experts, including government representatives, environmental advocacy organisations, scientists, researchers, and tourism industry partners.

The Grenada Dive Festival has grown since its inception in 2018. In 2022, in celebration of Grenada’s aquatic and terrestrial efforts, the festival evolved to incorporate conservation activities.

This year’s festival is a partnership and collaboration between the Grenada Tourism Authority and the Grenada Scuba Diving Association, and several conservation groups including Grenada Coral Restoration Foundation, Ocean Spirits, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Women in Cleantech & Sustainability – Caribbean Hub.

“Sustainability is central to our value set as a destination. Grenada is leading the way in marine conservation by creating protected areas for endangered species, coral gardening and restoration, regulating plastic waste, and promoting sustainable fishing practices,” said Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority.

“The Dive and Conservation Festival aims to provide a platform to raise awareness of these efforts and bring together global marine conservation leaders to discuss further ways to protect our oceans. Last year’s inaugural Dive & Conservation Festival inspired many necessary sustainability and conservation conversations and the GTA is proud to lead the charge again this year,” Roach continued.

Tiffany Geer, of Aquanauts Grenada, highlighted the importance of collaboration within the path to sustainability.

According to Geer, “We chose to live in Grenada because of the incredible diversity above and below the surface. We saw how many groups were taking action towards sustainability and we knew this would be a place where we could collaborate with other organizations and make a lasting impact towards a sustainable future.”

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

The 2023 Dive and Conservation festival will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about land and sea conservation practices in Grenada while enjoying conservation conversations and in-person activities throughout the week.

The festival starts on Monday with a special screening of Chasing Coral at True Blue Bay Resort and transitions into a week of activities on land and under water, including wreck diving, reef diving and restoration with Grenada Coral Reef Foundation, lionfish hunting, a beach cleanup, sea turtle conservation voluntourism, culinary farm to table dining, sustainable sailing, bird watching and tree planting.