COVID-19 UPDATE:

Some Green Fins members have not been able to go through their annual assessment process due to the pandemic. An inactive status does not mean they are not operational or that they are not following environmental standards. Please contact members directly to see if they are open for business. The Green Fins teams will be doing all they can to reassess members in their respective countries as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.

For more on protecting the environment please see, COVID-19 resources →

Become a Green Fins Member

Join the 600+ dive and snorkel operators committed to protecting their reefs

Why join Green Fins?

Attract more customers

Attract more customers

Prove your status as an environmentally responsible operator, attract the growing market of eco-minded customers and give them a higher quality experience.

Receive bespoke environmental consultation and annual environmental training

Receive bespoke environmental consultation and annual training 

Minimise your business’ environmental impacts and improve sustainability through tailored consultations and training from Green Fins’ sustainability experts.

Demonstrate your ISO compliance

Demonstrate your ISO compliance 

The Green Fins tools and resources support industry compliance to the Sustainable Diving and Snorkelling ISO standards

Protect your business

Protect your business

Learn sustainability tips that could reduce your overheads, increase profits and ensure the long-term sustainability of your business by protecting your coral reefs.

Be a sustainability leader

Be a sustainability leader

Drive sustainability globally by setting a good example, helping policy makers find sustainability solutions, inspiring other businesses, educating guests and empowering local communities.

Be promoted across the Green Fins network

Be promoted across the Green Fins network

Reach green divers with membership resources (including use of the logo) and promotion on the Green Fins website, on social media and at international dive shows. 

What is the membership process?

For operators in active Green Fins countries:

  1. Submit membership application form to country team and arrange schedule
  2. Environmental training provided to all staff and crew (1 hour presentation)
  3. Environmental risks assessment carried out by certified assessors (by joining a normal dive or snorkel with customers)
  4. Consultation with assessors to agree on three actions to improve your environmental sustainability. 
  5. Achieve ‘active member’ status, receive certification and promotion on website
  6. Steps 2-5 repeated annually. Members must show continued improvement to maintain active status.

Green Fins has no membership fees. You will just need to cover the cost of up to two assessors for at least one diving or snorkelling excursion per year. In some countries, your national team may ask members to cover the cost of the assessment.

Apply to be a Green Fins member today!

Download the form and scan or send a photo to your Green Fins National Team.

Membership Form
Membership Form
122.86 KB
Email your Green Fins National Team

FAQs

Green Fins members are dive or snorkel operators who agree to follow the Green Fins Code of Conduct, are based in an active Green Fins location and have signed the membership form. Members receive annual assessments, training and feedback to help them improve their environmental sustainability.

Dive and snorkel centres operating in active Green Fins locations can become members by signing (and sending in) the membership form and pledging to follow the Green Fins Code of Conduct. One of the Green Fins team will then be in touch to organise your first assessment.

An active Green Fins country is a destination whose Government has adopted the programme, and has trained Green Fins assessors who are qualified to recruit, train and conduct assessments of dive and snorkel operators in that country. These are:

Dive and snorkel centres who aren’t in an active Green Fins location can still get involved by 

  • Starting to reduce their environmental impact by visiting the Downloads section of the Green Fins website where all materials are completely free to download and use. Just print them out and start promoting them to dive managers, guides and customers.
  • Encouraging staff to complete the Green Fins Dive Guide e-Course which is free to take (and has the option of making a $25 donation to receive an e-certificate).
  • Signing the membership form and sending it to [email protected] to register your interest in membership. You will then be contacted if Green Fins becomes active in your destination. 
  • Following Green Fins on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for the latest updates and news on sustainable diving.

Green Fins membership is free. You will just need to cover the cost of up to 2 assessors for at least 1 diving or snorkelling trip per year.

In some countries, members are asked to cover the operational costs of their assessment; for example, paying for the educational materials and / or covering costs for assessors’ travel and accommodation.

Green Fins Assessors are typically staff from government departments and NGOs within that country. They are independent, experienced divers (or snorkellers) who have passed the 6-day Assessor Training Programme conducted by Reef-World Trainers. All certified Assessors carry a valid Assessor card to demonstrate they have undergone the training and achieved the standard required.

The assessment process is most valuable if you do not change from your normal operations. This allows Assessors to highlight the most practical solutions for the environmental challenges you are facing. The assessment is not a judgement or a test; it is a tool to help you understand how best you can improve. Think of it more as a confidential consultation than an exam.

During your annual assessment, assessors will join a typical diving or snorkelling trip with your guests to observe and interact with your staff, look around the shop and ask a few questions. They need to conduct at least one dive with your staff and guests and are trained to not disrupt your operation, staff or guests’ experience.

Assessors will be looking at how your daily operations, both above and below the water, relate to the Green Fins Code of Conduct and will provide feedback to the management of the operation based on standardised criteria. Together with your local Green Fins Assessor, you will discuss and agree to at least 3 action points to focus on for the next year. As the assessment is repeated annually, you will be able to monitor your progress and demonstrate your improvement.

The assessment is usually completed within one day and includes: 

  • At least 1 dive or snorkel session depending on how your operation runs.
  • A feedback session with management / owner (typically 30 mins).
  • Staff training presentation (45 mins – 1 hr)

Yes. The Green Fins posters are all free to download and can be used by members and non-members alike.

Green Fins is now beginning to be available to companies offering diving and snorkelling liveaboard trips; however, the possibility of this does depend on the logistics of organising an assessment. If you are a liveaboard company operating in an active Green Fins country and are interested in joining Green Fins, please contact [email protected] to discuss your situation. 

Our eco-focus programme, our philosophies and operational values attract like-minded people. We often have guests comment that they came to dive with us because of our eco-friendly ratings, awards, Green Fins status and our sustainable programme.
Robert Scales
Ceningan Divers on Nusa Ceningan, Bali
Since becoming a Green Fins member, we have seen a significant increase in numbers of divers. We are able to show customers that we are taking an environmentally friendly approach to their dive experience and, at this point in time, I do believe many customers will actively search for a dive company who does not just provide an enjoyable dive but also shows a responsibility towards and a passion for the environment. Simply put, we now offer a product with value added!
Rosie Cotton
Owner and General Manager of Tioman Dive Centre
With our sister companies in Malaysia both being top ten members of Green Fins, there is an expectation from our guests to adhere to the same very high standards. There is no doubt that customers are becoming more conscious of the businesses they choose when they travel, so showing that we are committed to sustainability by adhering to Green Fins guidelines has provided us with incredible feedback.
Lydia Daniels
Scuba Junkie Komodo
Back to top

The Green Fins initiative is supported by:

United Nations Environment Programme
The Reef-World Foundation

1-3 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, England, UK, BS7 8AA
+44 (0)7763 092895

© The Reef-World Foundation 2021. Registered Charity No. 1157096.

Downloads
Donate