Before you became a diver, you learned one name
" PADI "
After you became a diver, you came to know another
" Project AWARE "
Project AWARE
Do you still remember the marine conservation knowledge you picked up in your Open Water theory course?
As divers, we should not only feel excited about the breathtaking scenery hidden beneath the waves — we should also feel proud to have the ability to protect the ocean.
Spreading awareness of energy-saving and plastic reduction to friends and family,
Refusing to touch marine life or attend animal performances,
Joining beach cleanups or underwater debris-collection dives,
Inspiring more people to fall in love with the sea through diving…
There is no doubt that the diving community holds enormous influence in driving marine conservation forward. Throughout this enduring environmental revolution, Project AWARE has consistently been a role model for us all.
Today, let's take a deeper look at Project AWARE and revisit some practical knowledge along the way!
Who Is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE Foundation (the Editor's translation: 海洋覺醒計劃) is a non-profit organization founded by volunteer divers, advocating that everyone contribute to protecting our ocean planet on every single dive.
The initiative focuses on two key ocean issues — "Sharks in Peril" and "Marine Debris". As divers, we play a unique role in both of these areas, able to make direct, active, and lasting improvements.
To date, through the collaboration of divers and dive professionals, Project AWARE has carried out 212,000 conservation actions across 182 countries and removed a total of more than 1.55 million pieces of marine debris.
So what exactly can we do to support Project AWARE?
Read on to find out.
First — Get to Know Project AWARE's Core Issues
【Sharks in Peril】
Did you know? Of the shark species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), nearly one in five are facing extinction — and that's not even counting the hundreds of additional species (almost half of all known sharks) that lack sufficient data.
Sharks may reign supreme in the ocean, yet they are also surprisingly vulnerable. They grow slowly, reproduce in small numbers, and are particularly susceptible to overfishing, accidental bycatch, and deliberate hunting driven by the demand for shark fin.
Every day, humans are causing harm to the sharks of our ocean.
The first step in marine conservation: say no to shark fin
You might ask — why sharks in particular?
Because a healthy, diverse ocean environment depends on species like sharks to maintain the balance of the entire ecosystem. Places like Palau rely especially on sharks, as they generate tremendous economic value for local dive tourism each year.
As a diver and a citizen of this planet, your actions can make a significant difference for shark conservation. By uniting our collective strength, we can raise more effective demands together to ensure sharks are protected from extinction.
If sharks disappear, we'll be in serious trouble
【Marine Debris】
From the tiniest fragments of plastic and discarded car batteries to the most notorious ghost nets, the everyday "items" we use are entering the ocean in quantities of several tons per day. The world's ever-growing population consumes more and more disposable products, which are tossed aside and erode our oceans inch by inch.
The 10 most commonly found items of trash in the ocean
Project AWARE regularly partners with dive shops around the world to launch Diving Against Debris activities. By participating in these special dives, you can help build a clean, healthy future for our ocean.
The data you collect and the reports you submit help spread the word about the state of our seas, ultimately persuading and supporting policymakers to come up with solutions that rescue marine life in crisis.
Diving Against Debris
Second — Keep Project AWARE's 10 Tips for Ocean Protection in Mind
Divers share a deep connection with the ocean. Whether you're diving, making everyday purchases, or traveling, you can play a part in protecting our ocean planet. Here are 10 tips for protecting the underwater world, put forward by Project AWARE.
10 tips for protecting the ocean
Finally — Choose a Responsible Dive Shop
Pessimists say that human footprints have destroyed the planet's ecosystems, but the Editor would like to remind everyone that it is precisely us — as humans — who have the right and the ability to protect the Earth.
We now know that whether it's a single straw or a takeaway container, your consumer choices have an impact on the environment. The same is true when choosing an operator.
Divers Den has been certified as a Project AWARE Eco-Operator since 2006, which means we are committed to minimizing the impact of diving on marine ecosystems while promoting environmental, economic, and cultural conservation within the local community.
Beyond us, there are many conservation-minded, standards-compliant dive shops around the world.
And beyond Project AWARE, organizations such as Green Fins and Eco Certified Tourism also evaluate and monitor various tourism operators.
When planning a dive trip, you can make better consumer choices by browsing dive shop websites and looking for the relevant certifications and badges.
Finally, it doesn't matter whether or not you're a diver — anyone can join the effort to protect the ocean. And everything we can do really comes down to one simple idea:
Lead by example
Inspire others
Break old habits
Consume mindfully
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