Uniting scuba divers worldwide in a bid to protect our oceans, the PADI AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit that champions local conservation. Through their partnership with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), they engage both professional and recreational divers to drive initiatives that safeguard marine ecosystems across the globe. By supporting grassroots efforts, the PADI AWARE Foundation fosters lasting change, one dive at a time.
The PADI AWARE Foundation’s story began in 1989 when the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) took action to protect the world's oceans. Recognising the threats facing marine ecosystems, PADI established Project AWARE as a nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation. For nearly 30 years, the organisation has been empowering divers to make a difference through beach cleanups, data collection initiatives and other hands-on conservation efforts.
In 2021, Project AWARE formally joined forces with PADI and together they channel the passion of the diving community into scalable solutions for ocean protection. By uniting divers and dive businesses under a shared mission, the PADI AWARE Foundation continues PADI's longstanding commitment to defend the underwater world for future generations.
Through its four evergreen programs - marine debris, shark protection, community grants and Marine Protected Areas - the PADI AWARE Foundation is taking action. At the same time, it is facilitating opportunities for the dive community to participate in citizen science programs, education initiatives and advocacy campaigns.
In 2011, the Foundation launched its flagship Dive Against Debris program, rallying volunteer divers worldwide to help remove trash from the seafloor. The response was tremendous - over 100,000 divers from 117 countries signed up, creating the largest underwater citizen science movement on the planet.
Protecting sharks and rays (species critical to shark tourism) is also a top priority for the organisation. In 2021, the Foundation rallied divers to advocate for safeguards for vulnerable Mako Sharks. Working alongside shark partners and allies, the Foundation pushed governments to enact a prohibition on catching these threatened species.
More recently, the PADI AWARE Foundation pledged support to the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action. It was in response to the United Nations’ worldwide call for a Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the pledge backs the implementation of SDG14 – Life Below Water. To advance this commitment, the organisation launched the PADI AWARE Community Grant Program and the Adopt the Blue program, both bolstering their efforts around Marine Protected Areas.
At its core, PADI AWARE connects a passionate community of dive leaders and ocean advocates through creative online channels. This includes an interactive eco-network, a dynamic conservation map and immersive conservation dive courses. Together, they mobilise grassroots action through letter-writing campaigns and by joining forces with environmental NGOs. By combining their voices, they are amplifying lobbying efforts for ocean protection policies.
PADI also partners with committed dive shops and eco-friendly dive resorts through the 100% AWARE program. With each new diver certification, these shops pledge financial support to fund PADI AWARE's conservation initiatives. It's a win-win partnership that engages new divers in ocean advocacy from their very first lessons.
Through camaraderie and coordinated efforts, the PADI AWARE community is taking important strides in a bid for lasting change while inspiring others to join the movement to protect our blue planet.