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Our Sustainability Commitment
Aquascene is proudly Advanced ECO Certified and a Sustainable Accredited business
At Aquascene, we demonstrate our commitment to tourism excellence in our everyday practices.
We deliver a high-quality nature-based tourism experience with strong interpretation values,
commitment to nature conservation and reinvestment into our local community.
Our family run business, owners and crew are educated and passionate advocates for eco friendly tourism and sustainability in the marine park, and demonstrate this in our everyday practices of work.
We strive to educate our guests, in an enjoyable and engaging delivery, of our message of conservation to preserve this very special place we call home.
By working together, our industry can help protect our amazing planet and preserve its natural wonders.
Aquascene likes to encourage all of our guests to spread conservation messages on their return home and be active in taking steps to live greener lifestyles.
Aquascene proudly holds Advanced Ecotourism Certification. As an Advanced Ecotourism Operator we are recognised as one of Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism businesses that operates with minimal impact on the environment and provides opportunities to learn about the environment who are committed to achieving best practice, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and helping local communities such as our own on Magnetic Island.
Awarded Excellence in Sustainability
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This means that when you travel with us, you are supporting a business that is backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high-quality nature based tourism experiences.
Our certification demonstrates our commitment to:
The Ecotourism Australia Certification programs are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). |
We believe tourism can be a story for inspiration.
Every tour we operate is designed to inspire a deeper connection with the natural environment while helping protect the places we visit for future generations.
As an advanced Ecotourism certified operator and passionate advocates for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and our environment, we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint, supporting conservation initiatives, contributing to citizen science programs, and helping our guests become reef guardians.
Look for Eco Certified experiences when you travel.
Every tour we operate is designed to inspire a deeper connection with the natural environment while helping protect the places we visit for future generations.
As an advanced Ecotourism certified operator and passionate advocates for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and our environment, we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint, supporting conservation initiatives, contributing to citizen science programs, and helping our guests become reef guardians.
Look for Eco Certified experiences when you travel.
Our tours provide a learning platform for us to educate our guests:
A myriad of marine and bird life are encountered on our tours including sea turtles, dugongs, fish life and sea birds. We educate all of our guests to respect and protect these animals in their natural environment including the fringing reefs that we snorkel on.
This includes:
- Marine and wildlife
- History and culture
- Environmental and marine education about Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Green zones and locations and all rules on different zoning on the Great Barrier Reef
- Actions we can take to protect it for future generations.
At Aquascene, we have a strong commitment to minimising our environmental footprint in every action we do on a daily basis.
On tour with Aquascene:
On tour with Aquascene:
- Minimising waste and recycling wherever possible on board
- Environmentally friendly products are used on board
- No Straws
- Avoid use of single use plastics wherever possible
- Education and information to our guests
"We had so much fun and learnt how to look after the big beautiful world"
Abbie Hinks 2016
Our "environmentally friendly" vessels:
- Using energy efficient devices wherever possible
- Installation of solar panels on board Aquascene
- Aquascene is powered by solar power for anchor winch and electrical systems on board
- Our vessel has ultra low engine emissions
- Minimal engine use time resulting in lower impact to the environment
- Ongoing observations of our sustainable operations, procedures and carbon footprint
Our commitment to community and the environment:
Aquascene are proud to have 2 Master Reef Guides - ambassadors and educators of reef & environmental protection.
Our commitment to community and the environment:
Aquascene are proud to have 2 Master Reef Guides - ambassadors and educators of reef & environmental protection.
- We work closely with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to help protect Magnetic Island and the marine park environments
- We participate in G.B.R.M.P.A’s "Eye on the Reef" program and use this App to record any interesting or important marine sightings during our tours
- We are also on the Townsville Port Discussion consultation committee to help monitor water quality and reef health in the waters surrounding Magnetic Island
- Steph Hinks - Member of Tourism Reef Advisory Committee
Aquascene Owner - Adam Hinks - Master Reef Guide |
Aquascene Owner - Steph Hinks - Master Reef Guide |
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Contributing to the management of the Great Barrier Reef:
Magnetic Island is situated within the Great Barrier Marine Park and protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) whose management is guided by a range of plans, policies, regulations and legislation, which sets out GBRMPA’s functions and responsibilities. All operators utilising the marine park pay an Environmental Management Charge (EMC) to the GBRMPA.
Magnetic Island is situated within the Great Barrier Marine Park and protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) whose management is guided by a range of plans, policies, regulations and legislation, which sets out GBRMPA’s functions and responsibilities. All operators utilising the marine park pay an Environmental Management Charge (EMC) to the GBRMPA.
- The funds received from the EMC are vitally important in the day-to-day management of the Marine Park and in improving its long-term resilience.
- Aquascene collects the EMC reef charge on each tour we operate. Currently $8.50 per person as part of the ticket price which is paid to GBRMPA
"The Last Straw" Campaign
Leading the way on Magnetic Island, in 2017, Aquascene joined the "Last Straw" commitment.
We were the first tour boat on Magnetic Island to lead the way.
We encourage other businesses to go straw-free.
If everyone simply said “no straw please” when they ordered a drink, the number of straws ending up in our oceans would reduce by millions.
Leading the way on Magnetic Island, in 2017, Aquascene joined the "Last Straw" commitment.
We were the first tour boat on Magnetic Island to lead the way.
We encourage other businesses to go straw-free.
If everyone simply said “no straw please” when they ordered a drink, the number of straws ending up in our oceans would reduce by millions.
Caring for Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island Wildlife Association
We have donation tins onboard our vessels and in our office for people to make a gold coin donation towards the hospital to assist in their day-to-day expenses to help rehabilitate the magnetic island wildlife.
Magnetic Island Turtle Hospital
We actively advocate and fundraise for the Magnetic Island turtle hospital by taking all of our recycled cans and bottles from our tours and dropping them off to the hospital for the staff to use for their 10c recycling initiative. We also have donation tins onboard our vessels and in our office for people to make a gold coin donation towards the hospital to assist in their day-to-day expenses to rehabilitate the turtles.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian registered charity focused on the health of our marine environment and co-ordinates the Australian Marine Debris clean-up programs.
Aquascene is proud to support Tangaroa Blue in their local projects and clean-ups and we regularly participate in beach clean-ups.
Magnetic Island Wildlife Association
We have donation tins onboard our vessels and in our office for people to make a gold coin donation towards the hospital to assist in their day-to-day expenses to help rehabilitate the magnetic island wildlife.
Magnetic Island Turtle Hospital
We actively advocate and fundraise for the Magnetic Island turtle hospital by taking all of our recycled cans and bottles from our tours and dropping them off to the hospital for the staff to use for their 10c recycling initiative. We also have donation tins onboard our vessels and in our office for people to make a gold coin donation towards the hospital to assist in their day-to-day expenses to rehabilitate the turtles.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian registered charity focused on the health of our marine environment and co-ordinates the Australian Marine Debris clean-up programs.
Aquascene is proud to support Tangaroa Blue in their local projects and clean-ups and we regularly participate in beach clean-ups.
"As a family, we are always looking out for any opportunities to help keep our Island home beautiful and healthy, for all creatures great and small......in and out of the water."
Steph Hinks
Steph Hinks
