New Zealand Underwater Association (NZUA) plans to tighten relationships with CMAS

Shane Wasik, President of the New Zealand Underwater Association (NZUA) has recently reacquainted the federation's relationship with CMAS. Being geographically isolated, New Zealand has a unique and pristine marine environment which supports a large local diver base, along with many travelling tourists seeking to explore and experience the rich seas and marine life. This exceptional environment has a great history of commendation which famously links back to Cousteau rating the Poor Knight's islands - located in the North-East of NZ, approx 15 miles off shore - as one of the top ten diving sites in the world! Having such stunning dive sites and marine life also ensures that NZ has a talented pool of underwater photographers who make the most of what NZ's natural assets has to offer, both in underwater landscape and sub-tropical marine life.

KIWIs have a strong competitive sporting psyche with their recent success in hockey, demonstrating this at the world championship last year in the Netherlands. However being at such a distance to the rest of the world also creates problems and as such the relationship between the NZUA and CMAS has suffered over the years. Following talks with Ivan Nyíri, Vice-President of CMAS, the NZUA was impressed with the recent work being done by CMAS and will now look to increase their participation along with making contact and working together with other worldwide federations.

Along with underwater sports, environmental issues are at the forefront of the NZUA's work. They are currently working with other groups to change legislation banning the destructive shark finning practice in New Zealand along with working on the increasing marine plastics problem in the Pacific Ocean. These issues cross many countries and seas and through CMAS it is hoped that discussions can take place with other federations on what can be done on a global scale. Many issues don't just happen in one country's territory and so many countries must work together to ensure a consistent approach and only then will the worlds's oceans health improve overall - rather in satellite pockets.

Specific discussions were held with CMAS on marine science and international projects, advances in underwater sports within NZ, developing strong sports such as hockey and apnea, along with nurturing developing sports such as rugby. With NZ having great national sporting facilities and a flourishing tourism industry, some preliminary discussions were also held over holding an international event in NZ in the future.

With communication being very important in today's world currently the Pacific region has very little information on the CMAS website. It is hoped that this can be improved with more information being submitted and published in conjunction with the other Pacific federations with articles sharing details on this wonderful region.

The meetings were very successful in bringing CMAS and the NZUA closer together after a long period of non-communication and it is hoped that this can be progressed over the coming months and years to achieve great worldwide outcomes, sporting successes and improvements to the underwater environment.