Conservation -Help Save our Ocean!

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 Over a third of all species of sharks and rays are facing extinction in our lifetimes. The biggest threat to sharks is overfishing. Sharks play a critical role in marine ecosystems, so as populations rapidly decline around the world so too does the health of the ocean.  

But we have a chance to create change. CITES is a United Nations agreement that is binding in 184 countries, and limits the international trade of identified animals at risk, like sharks.

This November, we have the opportunity to advocate for CITES protection for over 50 new species of shark! But we can't do it without you. 

 Nearly 100 volunteers catalogued more than 2,700 pieces of debris removed from Avalon Harbor by divers. Old tires, boat parts, glass bottles and children’s toys were among the retrieved items, which totaled nearly 1.7 tons, according to Avalon Environmental Services.

 PADI AWARE Foundation is a publicly funded non-profit with three registered charities across the globe. Our mission is to drive local action for global ocean conservation. We advance our mission through citizen science, public policy and community grants. With PADI - the world's leading scuba diver training organization - we drive towards our collective vision to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean. 

 Backed by the power of the PADI® brand and supported by the world’s largest global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide, PADI AWARE Foundation can fully leverage the collective influence of divers and the dive industry to address key threats facing the marine environment. 

 More than 250 million tons of plastic are estimated to make its way into our ocean by 2025.  The environmental damage caused by plastic debris alone is estimated at US$13 billion a year. Divers are often the first to witness human impact on the marine environment and are uniquely positioned to help report, remove and advocate to stop marine debris at its source.  

  Over a third of all known shark and ray species are facing an increased risk of extinction, making them the second most vulnerable group of animals on the planet. Overfishing is the common threat to all of the most vulnerable species, with loss of critical habitats, climate change and pollution also affecting populations. Sharks and rays play diverse roles in the ocean, from apex predators, scavengers and filter feeders. Immediate action to prevent extinctions is needed to protect sharks and rays that play a vital role in many countries' economies, as well as helping secure food security, functioning ecosystems and cultural heritage.   

 Program Goal: Restore 5% of coral reef habitats through citizen science programs and project funding. 

 Our oceans are threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change.  Even though the ocean covers approximately 70 percent of our planet, less than eight percent is protected.  A well-connected system of highly protected areas will provide sanctuary for disappearing marine species, provide livelihoods for millions of inhabitants of coastal communities and increase the ocean’s resilience against climate change. 

 Our oceans are threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change.  Even though the ocean covers approximately 70 percent of our planet, less than eight percent is protected.  A well-connected system of highly protected areas will provide sanctuary for disappearing marine species, provide livelihoods for millions of inhabitants of coastal communities and increase the ocean’s resilience against climate change.