Sandals Helps to Save St. Lucian Reef

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. October 14, 2008

ST. LUCIA, September 20, 2005The Sandals Dive Team has recovered rubbish weighing more than 500 pounds - equivalent to two baby elephants - from the reef at La Toc, St Lucia.

The 12-strong team spent two hours collecting bottles, golf balls, plastic bags and other waste from the reef, in support of Project Aware - the dive industry's environmental organisation, as part of the activities for International Cleanup Day.

The crew recovered enough rubbish to fill 17 large bags. Among the items found were 3,400 plastic bottles; 200 golf balls; 30 plastic bags; and 10 pairs of sunglasses.

Anthony Leonce, Dive Centre Manager for Sandals Resorts in St Lucia, led the mission. He says, "Too often, rubbish is not put in wastebins, but is simply thrown onto the street or into the river. Waste in the river then flows into sea, where the reef acts like a giant magnet, drawing tons of rubbish to it. "Sandals will continue to support reef cleaning and other aquatic environmental initiatives, but it is also important to educate people about the consequences of not disposing of rubbish properly.

"People need to understand that if they make an effort at home, they will ultimately be protecting the beautiful underwater scenery that St Lucia is famous for."