EDA February 2006.indd - Emirates Diving Association

ANOTHER YEAR FULL OF SUCCESSGENDER OF EDA MEMBERSAGE GROUP OF EDA MEMBERSFemale25%above 50 years old9%11-20 years old9%Dear Members,It really took me some time to write an opening article for thisissue, as I was going through the huge amount of interestingarticles submitted by our members which seems to makemy job more difficult in writing my opening article for the 1 stnewsletter issue for this year, but as usual, EDA members alwaysinspire me. I decided to dig some EDA membership numbersand share it with you.As you can see from the chart, MALES are still the dominant genderin EDA at 75%; Sisters: YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!!You can also tell the EDA is a fairly young organization withmore than 60% of the members aged between 20-40 years.There were 551 members in the year 2005, I hope that we willdouble this number this year.Our members are still interested in protecting the environmentand the diving heritage of the UAE. I think we should addEnvironmental diving to EDA’s name, as our members areenvironmentally aware and responsible divers, JUST AN IDEA!!!As you all know, EDA is a United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) accredited non-profit organizationconsisting of a handful of volunteers sharing a common goal, alove for the sea. We have set our goals with the best intentionsin mind. Nevertheless we have understood the controversysurrounding an environmental subject and are willing to listenand share thoughts. Therefore, we call on those concernedindividuals; organizations and agencies with a similar or commoninterest to come forward, suggest, share a thought or evenlend a hand. We need your help and you can definitely make adifference.70%41-50 years old17%31-40 years old34%QUANTITY6005004003002001000205under 10 years old1%INTERESTS OF EDA MEMBERS21-30 years old30%“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”Mahatma GandhiEco Regards,Ibrahim N. Al-Zu’biWest Asia Coordinator,UNEP YouthXchange ProjectDirector of Environment Dept.Emirates Diving AssociationGROWTH OF EDA MEMBERSHIP3472003 2004 2005YEAR551Male75%CONTENTSEDA DIRECTOR 2EDA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS 4THE NATURE NETWORK 5MARINE ENVIRONMENT 6MAJID AL FUTTAIM 8EQUIPMENT CHOICES 9A TRASHY STORY 13FORD GRANTS 14ECO MEDIA PROJECT 15ECOCEAN PROGRAM 15TO LIVE AND DIVE IN MALAYSIA 16PART 1MALAYSIA BORNEO 19PART 2TRULY HDV 22FIRST TIME DIVER IN SIPADAN 26DON’T SHAKE THE SMALL THINGS 27THE PIED PIPER OF MABUL 28EDA AROUND THE WORLD 30UPCOMING EVENTS 3160%50%40%30%Percentage20%10%0%EnvironmentalIssuesDiving Medicine Diving Safety DivingRegulationsLocal DivingDivingCompetitionsUnderwaterPhotographyOthersDIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTPlease note that EDA’s newsletter, “Divers for theEnvironment” includes articles written by individualswhose opinions, whilst valid, may or may not representthat of EDA. It is hoped that the newsletter canbecome a platform for individuals to voice theiropinion on marine and diving related issues. Youare welcome to submit an article for the next editionof “Divers for the Environment” released in May2006. Send all articles/comments to Head Officeedadiver@emirates.net.ae.Interests2 EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION, FEBRUARY 2006 FEBRUARY 2006, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 3