ABOUT US

The DANA & IVAN CERNY FOUNDATION is a non-profit environmental foundation founded in November 2022, and dedicated to the protection of our oceans, our reefs, and our collective future. We are committed to creating a safe and sustainable environment for our community, both below the surface and at the surface.

At the heart of our mission is the hope to make tourism an environmentally conscious, responsible, and sustainable industry. Our main project focuses on the creation and maintanance of a new extraordinary Underwater Theme Park Dive Site IVAN MARINE PARK, designed to provide new habitats for marine life, while also serving as a safe space for beginners and diving courses to practice their skills. By offering an alternative dive site, we plan to reduce the traffic of divers on the natural reefs, allowing them to recover and regenerate.

In addition to our main project, we actively participate in other initiatives such as our Mooring Buoy Project, where we maintain and care for mooring buoys in the Bayahibe area's dive sites to prevent anchor damage. We also organize regular Dive and Coastal Clean-Up Events to reduce the impact of trash on our reefs and educate the community on this issue. Our commitment extends to assisting the community with our diving expertise and skills and supporting other environmental foundations. This includes actively participating in coral surveys and transplantation efforts and working hand in hand to protect and restore our precious marine ecosystems.

Our foundation's story is deeply rooted in honoring the memory of Ivan Cerny, a man dearly loved by our community in the Dominican Republic. Ivan, our founder's late husband, was known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping those in need. An ardent scuba diving enthusiast, Ivan was captivated by the underwater world, spending countless hours beneath the surface, admiring the beauty of the reefs and the marine life. Tragically, he passed away in January 2022. This foundation stands as a tribute to Ivan's passion and love for the ocean. Our Underwater Park Dive Site is named in his honor IVAN MARINE PARK and will feature a statue of Ivan forever overlooking the park and the ocean, embracing his favorite place and fulfilling his everlasting legacy.

Join us in our mission to protect our oceans and build a sustainable future for all!

drone shot of the bay, pier and marina of Bayahibe Dominican Republic, crystal clear water and boats

OUR MISSION

Our mission at the DANA & IVAN CERNY FOUNDATION is a future where diving tourism becomes a driving force for marine conservation rather than posing a threat to it.

We are dedicated to transforming the tourism industry by promoting sustainable practices that actively contribute to the preservation of our invaluable marine ecosystems.

Through our Underwater Park Project and our initiatives, we strive to establish a harmonious balance between tourism and conservation, fostering a future where both can coexist and thrive.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to create a thriving world where the preservation and sustainable management of our oceans and reefs are of utmost importance.

At the heart of this vision is our Underwater Park Project, which will significantly improve marine conservation and diving tourism in the area. We envision a future where our Underwater Park Project stands as an example of environmental stewardship, offering a distinctive and captivating experience for divers while providing new habitats for marine life to flourish.

Through this innovative project and our other initiatives, we aim to inspire a movement of conscious individuals, working together to protect and cherish our precious marine ecosystems and ensure their longevity.

OUR VALUES

Environmental Conservation

volunteers cleaning-up the beach of bayahibe, removing trash, debris and plastic waste in our event

We value and prioritize the protection, marine conservation, and sustainable management of our oceans and reefs. We are committed to safeguarding marine ecosystems for present and future generations.

Sustainability

Environmental Conservation

scuba diver holding a bag of trash, debris, plastic waste during a dive clean-up in saona island

We are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in tourism and beyond. We advocate for responsible and ethical diving tourism practices that minimize negative environmental impacts and maximize positive contributions to marine conservation.

Community & Collaboration

group picture of 20 volunteers and trash bags full of plastic waste during our costal clean up event

We recognize the importance of engaging and involving local communities in our initiatives. We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership. We seek to collaborate with individuals, organizations, and communities to amplify our impact and work together towards a common goal of marine conservation.

Education & Awareness

Community & Collaboration

a mom and kids gathering trash in plastic bags during a coastal clean up event with gloves and bags

We believe that education and raising awareness are essential to fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of marine ecosystems, marine conservation and the impact of tourism.

THE TEAM

Fred Ager

David Pletinckx

Julie Piron

President

Fred, our dedicated President from France, started diving in 2001, quickly rising to become a dive professional in the same year. With more than two decades of experience, Fred has been a significant contributor to various dive centers in Bayahibe, first as a dive professional and later as a proficient manager.

For nearly 20 years

President

For nearly 20 years, Fred managed a bustling dive center, gaining valuable skills and insights into effective team and company management. His knowledge doesn't stop there— he also understands the intricate details of the local area and its regulations, he also possesses a wide knowledge in boat operation and maintaining.

Even in his current role as a real estate agent, Fred's love for the sea and diving led him to join our foundation. Fred took on the roles of President and Advisor, bringing more than two decades of experience in the sea, in diving in the eastern zone of the country, and in team management to guide and shape our foundation's endeavors.

Fred's extensive experience and dedication make him a key part of our mission to protect the oceans and advocate for marine conservation.

Show Less

Julie Piron

David Pletinckx

Julie Piron

Board Member

Julie is our Vice-President from Belgium, a scientist, and a dive instructor. Julie's background in geography and oceanography provides a unique perspective to our foundation.

Formerly a teacher, Julie loves to share her knowledge of science and marine biology.

In 2015, Julie and her husband, David, followed opened an eco-frie

Board Member

Julie is our Vice-President from Belgium, a scientist, and a dive instructor. Julie's background in geography and oceanography provides a unique perspective to our foundation.

Formerly a teacher, Julie loves to share her knowledge of science and marine biology.

In 2015, Julie and her husband, David, followed opened an eco-friendly dive center in Bayahibe. Their dedication to preserving marine life is not just a mission, but a lifestyle.

Julie actively organizes workshops and activities for local kids. Her teachings include essential topics such as proper garbage discharge procedures and climate issues, educating and inspiring the next generation.

Julie brings her knowledge and experience in conservation and diving tourism to our foundation. She advises and supports our marine conservation efforts by following eco-friendly procedures, ensuring that our actions align with the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility, and taking part in our Education Program.

Show Less

David Pletinckx

Jennifer de la Rosa

Board Member

Meet David from Belgium, a true lover of marine conservation. His journey began in the chilly waters of Belgium in 2006, where he started diving. In 2012, David's love for diving led him to the Dominican Republic, where he became a PADI instructor.

In 2015, David and his wife opened an eco-friendly dive center in Bayahibe. The

Board Member

In 2015, David and his wife opened an eco-friendly dive center in Bayahibe. Their passion for marine conservation is their main mission.

David's commitment goes beyond the dive center; he's also volunteered with local environmental foundations, lending a hand to marine conservation efforts and the installation of mooring buoys on the dive sites of the Bayahibe area.

His profound love for the ocean and dedication to eco-friendly practices make him an invaluable part of our team.

Show Less

Jennifer de la Rosa

Office Manager

Meet Jennifer from the Dominican Republic.

With a degree in business administration, Jennifer brings solid knowledge in administration, organization, and accounting.

As our Office Manager, Jennifer is the core of our Foundation, ensuring smooth and easy teamwork and communication. She oversees the Foundation’s agenda, manages

Office Manager

Meet Jennifer from the Dominican Republic.

With a degree in business administration, Jennifer brings solid knowledge in administration, organization, and accounting.

As our Office Manager, Jennifer is the core of our Foundation, ensuring smooth and easy teamwork and communication. She oversees the Foundation’s agenda, manages everyone’s tasks, and attends to our guests and volunteers. She is the liaison with our network of contractors, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring operational efficiency.

Jennifer is committed to creating a collaborative work environment. She coordinates important meetings where ideas take shape, ensuring projects like our underwater park project move forward seamlessly. Her warm reception and efficient guest management guarantee that every visitor feels welcomed and appreciated at our Foundation.

Driven by a motivation for knowledge in marine conservation and a deep desire to contribute to our cause, Jennifer is eager to be a part of positive change.

Show Less

Miguel Flaquer

Jennifer de la Rosa

Miguel Flaquer

Captain and Operations Manager

Miguel, our exceptional captain and operations manager from the Dominican Republic, developed a deep connection with the sea from an early age. His maritime journey began working alongside his father on an excursion boat, revealing his true calling for the ocean.

With extensive experience in various dive cent

Captain and Operations Manager

With extensive experience in various dive centers in Bayahibe, Miguel possesses a profound understanding of the local sea, navigating its reefs with precision. Over a decade as Chief of Captains refined his skills in logistics and organization, ensuring every dive is safe and productive.

As the captain and operations manager of our Foundation, Miguel safeguards the staff, passengers and the sea, while also ensuring smooth running of our daily workload. His dedication extends to the Mooring Buoy Project, maintaining and replacing diving buoys, and his local expertise is invaluable in our project of IVAN MARINE PARK as well as supervision of all of the work we do on land, all the maintanence, fabrication and all the other land based preparations we require.

We're grateful for his leadership and passion for preserving the ocean and marine life.

Show Less

Melky Castro

Jennifer de la Rosa

Miguel Flaquer

Dive Boss

Our dive boss Melky is a dive master from Dominican Republic with over two decades of experience, all of it in the local area, working with a variety of dive centers.

There is no other dive professional that can match his knowledge of the surrounding marine topography and he knows every nook and cranny of all the local reefs, even

Dive Boss

Our dive boss Melky is a dive master from Dominican Republic with over two decades of experience, all of it in the local area, working with a variety of dive centers.

There is no other dive professional that can match his knowledge of the surrounding marine topography and he knows every nook and cranny of all the local reefs, even the most hidden and forgotten ones. He almost certainly has more dives on the famous local shipwreck St. George, than any other human being on the planet.

With his vast understanding of diving safety, underwater orientation, team leadership, coordination and incredible experience with any locally specific challenges we face, he is an invaluable asset for the Foundation, managing all of our daily dives, whether its construction of the IVAN MARINE PARK, repair of the mooring buoys or our regular clean up dives.

Show Less