“Clean The Reef” MPA Dive Cleanup

“CLEAN THE REEF” DIVE EVENT SCHEDULED FOR FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL SCUBA DAY ON AUG. 6, 2023 

The Ocean Institute and three local diving organizations are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the first-ever International Scuba Day on Aug. 6, 2023, by holding a “Clean the Reef” event that will meet up at the Native Plant Garden behind the Ocean Institute. 

International Scuba Day is an event organized to promote and celebrate the thrilling experience of diving. It aims to unite a community of divers and ocean enthusiasts worldwide. Locally, Riffe, the speargun manufacturer; the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI); and Lost Winds, a local dive shop, are encouraging scuba divers, free divers, and snorkelers to come together to “Clean the Reef” that lies along the Dana Point Marine Protected Area (MPA).  

“The goal of this event is to give back to our one-of-a-kind ecosystem by removing fishing lines and other trash from the reef along the coast of Dana Point,” said Sara Vaughn, Ocean Institute public programs manager. 

The cleanup will take place from 11am to 2pm at the Marine Protected Area (MPA) behind the Ocean Institute. As many as 60 to 80 diving afficionados are expected to dive deep to snag trash and discarded fishing lines.  

Participants should arrive and gear up prior to 11am. Vendor booths will be set up in the institute’s Native Plant Garden. Sign-ups will take place at the Lost Winds booth, where each participant will receive a raffle ticket. Only those participating in the reef cleanup are eligible for the raffle, which will begin between 2pm and 2:30pm.  

Raffle prizes include diving gear, a getaway to a dive resort, or a group dive at your local dive shop. In addition to vendors, members from the OC Freedivers and North County Depthfinders will participate.