b'\x03Aruba Reef Care ProjectHistory:ARUBA REEF CARE PROJECT The Aruba Reef Care Project, known originally as the Aruba Underwater Reef Clean-up, was launched in 1994, an initiative of Castro Perez specifically Eco Tourism Project Manager at the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), who wished to raiseawareness of the islands precious marine environment and the importance of its protection. He, working together withByron Boekhoudt, of the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVV),local dive operators and about400 volunteers, was able to collect a total of two tons of litter from dive and beach sites along the islands leeward coastin the projects first year. History:The Aruba Ree a Care Project, known originally as the e t uba In 1995, the clean-up effort was accomp fnied by a Marine Life Symposium. ThAr opics of which included the islands turtle Un alwater Reef Clean-up, was launched in 19 ribbea initiative nesting season, given by loc der turtle watcher and WIDECAST (Wider Ca 94, ann Sea Turtle Conservation Network)of Castro Perez specifically Eco Tourism Project Manager at the contributor Tom Barnes, and aspects of marine environment protection, given by marine biologists, Roberto Hensen (fromArubas sister island of Bonaire) and Byron Boekhoudt. Also, present were representatives of NGOs and about 80 membersAruba Tourism Authority (ATA), who wished to raise awareness of the community who participated in an open forum. The effort expanded in 1996 to include 600 volunteerstopsiders,of the islands precious marine environment and the snorkelers and certified diverswho were able to collect 4,400 pounds of litter from area beaches and dive sites.importance of its protection. He, working together with Byron Objective:Boekhoudt, of the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVV), local dive operators and about 400 volunteers, The goal of the project remains community education and the eventual establishment of an Aruba Marine Management System.Progress: was able to collect a total of two tons of litter from dive and beach sites along the islands leeward coast in the projects first As a result of the project, local cooperation has increased, most notably with the creation of the Aruba Watersportsyear. Association (AWA). In 1996, this organization, working with LVV, helped the project reach one of its most important goals In 1995, the clean-up effort was accompanied by a Marine Lifean island-wide mooring system.Symposium. The topics of which included the islands turtle Another organization that branched off from the project was the Fisheries Center Aruba Foundation in 1997. nesting season, given by local turtle watcher and WIDECAST27(Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network) contributor Tom Barnes, and aspects of marine environment protection, given by marine biologists, Roberto Hensen (from Arubas sister island of Bonaire) and Byron Boekhoudt. Also, present were representatives of NGOs and about 80 members of the community who participated in an open forum. The effort expanded in 1996 to include 600 volunteerstopsiders, snorkelers and certified diverswho were able to collect 4,400 pounds of litter from area beaches and dive sites. Objective:The goal of the project remains community education and the eventual establishment of an Aruba Marine Management System.Progress:As a result of the project, local cooperation has increased, most notably with the creation of the Aruba Watersports Association (AWA). In 1996, this organization, working with LVV, helped the project reach one of its most important goalsan island-wide mooring system.Another organization that branched off from the project was the Fisheries Center Aruba Foundation in 1997. Dialogue among island fishermen and with the government department of LVV'