ECO TOURISM AUSTRALIA:

The Eco Certification Program is an initiative of Ecotourism Australia, which has established an Eco Certification Program Management Committee to provide policy and management support for the program.

The Eco Certification Program operates as a self-funding, not-for-profit program, with a Management Committee overseeing an Audit and Assessment Panel, which are chaired by a person independent of Ecotourism Australia.

Credibility with industry, communities and travellers is at the heart of the Eco Certification Program. This is maintained through:

• A rigorous assessment process including referees (one of whom must be a protected area manager)
• Review and updating of criteria every three years to reflect emerging best practice
• Feedback from customers of accredited operators
• Audits of operators, including an on-site audit on the entire set of the Eco Certification Program criteria at some stage during the period of accreditation

EcoTourism - Environmental Monitoring:

Quicksilver's dedication to the preservation of its greatest natural asset has resulted in a much broader public and scientific understanding of corals and marine life on the Great Barrier Reef.

"We are acutely aware the quality of a visitor's experience is closely linked with the quality of the reef destination and that the future of Quicksilver is tied to this interdependence," says Quicksilver's General Manager.

The company has been proactive in contributing to the sustainability of the unique natural resource the business is built around; the 12 qualified marine biologists employed by Quicksilver's Reef Biosearch division undertake a variety of monitoring and research duties.

Presently, these include a crown of thorns starfish [cots] control program, the collection of marine stingers for anti-venom development, samples for water quality monitoring, and contributing data to the Eye of the Reef program which monitors coral health.

Reef Biosearch believes environmental awareness comes from education. The influence and presence of their marine biologists is evident almost from the minute the vessels leave their berth, with presentations and videos on the ecology and biology of the reef, snorkelling and scuba diving tips continuing throughout the cruise.

Many pilot research projects initiated by the company have gone on to be funded and developed by groups such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the James Cook University of Queensland, and the Co-operative Research Council.

There is also the continuing Quicksilver policy of public education, which includes free project trips for local Grade 7 students and assistance for documentary film crews, journalists and visiting scientists. Special environmental measures have been incorporated into Quicksilver's operations to protect and nurture the reef's health.

Instead of using toxic anti-foul on the vessel's hulls they are cleaned manually on a weekly basis, waste water from reef platforms is pumped into sullage tanks on the vessels and removed from the reef area, biodegradable detergents are specified for use and showers at the reef are designed without doors and shelves to conserve water usage and discourage soaps.

Quicksilver recently entered into an agreement with the FUCHS group (lubrication specialists) to trail the use of a rapidly biodegradable vegetable oil in two stroke applications on the guided snorkel tender vessel.

Ultimately, Quicksilver would like passengers to leave as ambassadors to reef protection, impressed by an "ownership" by the Quicksilver crew.