Ocean Park is to launch the Grand Aquarium Scuba Diving programme on 20 April 2013.
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The Grand Aquarium Scuba Diving experience will take guests on a dive into its world-class 5.2 million litre aquarium with 5, 000 fish of over 450 species including the manta ray, hammerhead sharks and Napoleon Wrasse.
Mr. David Lai, Senior Curator of Aquariums, Ocean Park, says “This is the perfect time to launch the scuba diving programme as public awareness of marine conservation has risen significantly since the opening of the Grand Aquarium. It has taken Ocean Park two years to assess the suitability of a diving programme, and we have determined that the mild current, water clarity, moderate illumination and the fish species in the collection are all ideal for this type of underwater encounter.”
Following on from the popular snorkelling programme introduced during Summer Splash 2012, the new diving experience illustrates Ocean Park’s combination of conservation, education and entertainment.
- Grand Aquarium Scuba Diving is a three hour experience in two parts:
- Grand Aquarium Ed-venture: A behind-the-scene tour that offers a glimpse of Ocean Park’s work in breeding and animal care, environmental control, the life support system, and passion for conservation of the veteran diving coaches.
A 30-minute diving session for six guests in two groups to a maximum diving depth of 12 metres. Divers must be aged 15 or above and possess a minimum of Open Water certification from a recognized scuba diving course.
5% of programme fees received will be donated to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong.
Mr. Alex Wong, Education Manager at Ocean Park, says “Through our programme, the public can better understand the interdependent relationship between humans and marine life, and ways they can help protect the ocean. As diving has been very popular in Hong Kong, we will seize the opportunity to reinforce responsible diving practices that help divers respect the reef and minimize any disturbances.”
