Welcome to CURO Bonaire
The stewards of responsible SCUBA diving
A legacy spanning decades
Establishing standards and uniform practices that, along with the Bonaire Marine Park Rules, have worked to preserve our reefs and the fragile ecosystem of the reef from day one, CURO Bonaire helped with the creation of the mooring system, the establishment of the Marine Park, the no glove policy, saving Klein Bonaire from further development through FPKB, discovery and research on the various caves, the turtle club sighting competition, the Nikonos competition, SSI Pro 5000 Recognition, and much, much more.
Bruce Bowker
Our organization was co-founded by Bruce Bowker, a key figure in establishing Bonaire as a protected marine park, even before the current organizations existed. Thanks to figures like Bruce, our organization was able to achieve some amazing results, such as leading the march on the final spearfishing ban, saving Klein Bonaire, and playing a direct role in coordinating the sinking of Hilma Hooker, turning it into an iconic artificial reef at a safe dive depth.
Captain Don Steward
The larger-than-life Captain Don Stewart was one of the co-founders of CURO. His goal was providing environmental stewardship by divers, for divers, and for the betterment of the reef.
The go-to scuba partner for everyone
We have a long and warm history with respectable organizations such as STINAPA, TCB, OLB, and BonHata. CURO plays a pivotal role in the management of the marine park, both as hands-on stewards of the reef and as an official legislative partner through the STINAPA Management Agreement. We depend on our nature and should protect it.
Setting the standards
Our member dive centers drive divers to be a force for good. We require all divers, regardless of experience level, to participate in the Marine Park Orientation session and guided dive to learn the do’s and don’ts of diving and enjoying the Bonaire National Marine Park. We set standards, establish standard operating procedures, share knowledge, and help each other along.
Become a member
Members enjoy a host of benefits, including having a voice in island-wide policy and participating in extensive programs. Together, we can ensure that scuba diving remains a force for good on Bonaire and receive recognition for our joint efforts.
Member benefits
Advocacy
We are the voice of our sector. Proudly representing and helping it navigate its opportunities and its challenges together with our stakeholders. We are an equalizer where all voices within CURO matter, regardless of the size of the organization. Thats why everyone can put forward topics and we hold a democratic vote on which positions we adopt.
Marketing
We are the marine world’s biggest fans. We love our reefs and wish to share that love around the world. As a sector exclusively comprised by people that dedicate their lifes to the underwater world, we want to share the beauty. We grief over current and past environmental challenges and realise our sector plays a pivitol role in the conservation and management of the BNMP.
Our member organizations contribute to a joint media bank. This is where we share the unedited beauty we encounter daily and post it to our online platforms. We pair this with our stances on current events, history, seminars by experts and advocating for best practices for diving within BNMP.
“Our opinions might sometimes differ with our stakeholders, yet we believe our intent is always aligned. Namely the conservation of Bonaire’s reefs and to safekeep the beauty for future generations to enjoy.”
Safety
We are working together to improve the safety of diving on Bonaire. Sharing AED or Emergency Oxygen units. Our members always know where the closest emergency equipment is located thanks to our collaborations.
Safety also means education. We are a knowledge bank that will help professionals both old and new, to find the resources they need in order to improve their business.
Safety means correct local orientation dives. Our members are required to hold proper and thorough orientation sessions for our visitors, both new and recurring. These range from informative videos and buoyancy chekcs to full supervised check-out dives with skill circuits. This keeps our visitors safe, and our reefs healthy.
Recognition
Giving exposure to legitimate dive centers on the island through our partnerships relations with STINAPA, OLB, TCB and BonHata
Democratic voting
All members have a voice. Wether it’s about voting in a new board or voting on individual topics. All members have the opportunity to propose subjects to discuss and vote about, crafting the official CURO stance on issues in a fair and democratic way.
Unified standards
Setting the bar for business practices. Visitors to any of our member dive centers should be assured of experiencing the reefs in the safest and environmentaly friendliest way possible. This starts with awareness. For example, CURO members pledge to conduct thorough marine park orientation sessions, ideally paired with a guided check-out dive. The only way to make sure divers are a force for good, is to teach them what that looks like.
Employment practices
Making guidelines for carreer development. Developing (local) talent is of great importance to the reef, to our economy, to our culture and our legacy. By working together on unified employment guidelines for the diving industry, we can ensure best practices and cross-collaboration.
Communication
Modernized communication methods through messaging. No more mumbo-jumbo “I haven’t received x email”. We utilize the modern comforts of encrypted messaging to share thoughts, files, polls and meeting dates. No fuzz!
Knowledge transfer
Teaching history and the craft of diving on Bonaire. Within CURO we are proud to have veterans of the diving community on Bonaire. In order not to repeat past mistakes, we pledge to share knowledge and history throughout our events. Because we don’t have to make the same mistakes twice.
Reduction in expenses
Joint bulk purchase of (teaching) materials. In an effort to bring back costs by working together.
Representation
The voice of the dive sector, a one stop shop for Bonaire and beyond.
Acceleration
In the roll out of initiatives and programmes. For example, we strive to be the primary partner of stakeholders such as STINAPA in the rapid and centralized roll-out of programmes that aim to better the marine world. Such as SCTLD treatments, reef re-growing efforts and the spreading of informational materials
Education
Meetings, blog posts, seminars and teaching local talent. We jointly contribute to a knowledge bank for us all to benefit from.
Blog
The latest news and press releases
CURO Announces Relaunch in 2024
CURO Anounces Relaunch of Their Organization on Bonaire For a sustainable future for the dive sector on Bonaire Kralendijk, May 20, 2024 The Council of...
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