DIVE LOG JUNE 2025 issue 412

From Reefs to Roadmaps: How a Local Dive Centre Sparked a Sustainability Movement By Fatnin Syahirah Shah, Brunei Darussalam

It all started in the water. Over a decade ago, a small group of divers in Brunei Darussalam began to notice changes beneath the waves. Coral reefs that once burst with colour were beginning to fade. Familiar marine life was becoming scarce. And more often than not, debris floated where it didn’t belong. What started as weekend dives soon turned into something deeper. In 2009, Poni Divers was founded, not just as a dive centre, but as a mission. In the years that followed, that mission grew. From leading Brunei’s first International Coastal Cleanup in 2011 to removing ghost nets in forgotten corners of the ocean in 2013, Poni Divers became a local leader in marine conservation. In 2014, they launched Brunei’s first coral propagation program. Since then, more than 8,000 youths have gone through their marine conservation programs with more than 1,200 corals planted and over 190 reef balls deployed, creating new homes for marine life and giving As the world began facing the growing impacts of climate change, it became clear that sustainability had to reach beyond the ocean. The rising urgency around issues like flooding, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events highlighted the need for action across all sectors. In Brunei, many businesses wanted to take part in this movement, but didn’t know where to begin. Now as Poni Group, it responded by creating pathways to help others join the cause. To bring sustainability beyond the ocean, Poni is expanding its efforts through its marine tourism & event management subsidiary, Poni Adventures. Since 2012, Poni Adventures has engaged thousands through corporate family days and team-building activities across Brunei. They have just launched a new series of sustainability-focused workshops introducing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to the workplace in a practical and engaging way, with a strong focus on environmental action - from understanding carbon footprints to exploring how everyday business decisions can support a greener future. Recognising the growing demand for more technical support, Poni expanded once again. This time, through their new innovation hub called ASTARI. Working with regional and international partners, ASTARI introduced tools that could help local businesses measure their carbon footprint, assess climate risks, and implement real solutions. Their partnership with Indonesia’s Jejakin, bringing AI-driven carbon tracking to Brunei, while collaborations with experts from the UK and damaged ecosystems a second chance. But the journey didn’t stop at the shoreline.

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Dive Log Australasia #412 June ‘25

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