The Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust (ABOT) marked a milestone on Saturday, October 18, with a graduation ceremony celebrating the first cohorts of its Youth EcoDiver program.
The initiative, designed to engage young people in marine conservation, combines scuba diving certification with education on key environmental topics. Through the program, participants not only learn to dive but also gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting the nation’s marine ecosystems.
The first two EcoDiver courses each included five students. Over several months, the participants completed training to earn their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificates. Now certified, they have joined ABOT as volunteer divers, contributing their time and skills to ongoing conservation work while gaining more experience underwater.
Beyond diving, students took part in a series of educational sessions led by local environmental experts. These covered subjects such as marine ecology, coral restoration, ocean plastics, sea turtles, and bird conservation.
The program is fully funded through private donations, with ABOT extending special thanks to its sponsors and partners. DiveCarib provided complimentary initial training, while teachers from the National Parks Authority, the Environmental Awareness Group, Elkhorn Marine Conservancy, AB Sea Turtles, and Carib Wish also contributed to the program’s success.
ABOT is now inviting applications for the next two Youth EcoDiver courses, scheduled for 2026. Interested individuals can apply through the Youth Eco-Diver page on the Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust website.
To learn more about ABOT’s work and its mission to protect the nation’s marine environment, visit Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust – Protecting Our Marine Environment.
