Since the launch of PADI AWARE Foundation’s Dive Against Debris® program in 2011, more than 90,000 divers have aided over 35,000 entangled marine animals and reported 2.5 million pieces of marine debris to inform groundbreaking research and public policy that is helping to create healthier oceans.
Here are just three of the incredible Dive Against Debris® heroes who are leading local action for global impact.
Rwenzori Scuba Divers and Salvage Limited
PADI® Dive Center Rwenzori Scuba Divers is no stranger to tackling the odds. Working hand in hand with local stakeholders, in 2023 alone the center collected more than 1,000 kilograms/2,200 pounds of debris during Dive Against Debris® and along the beaches in Lake Victoria, landing sites, and city-to-lake drainages. “Uganda has more than 79 percent of debris deposited into Lake Victoria (surface plastic waste only) with an annual tonnage of 9.9 tones into Lake Victoria,” says George Mukasa, Rwenzori’s Water Safety Instructor. “The biggest debris spot in the central region contributes 35 percent of lake debris.” The PADI AWARE® Mission Hub Community Grant to support Rwenzori’s Dive Against Debris® work allows for an increased impact on their environmental conservation goals, and the ability to create a positive PADI® footprint with multi-sector partnerships in the local communities of Uganda from the Pearl of Africa.
Scuba Town
Home to PADI® Five Star IDC Islamorada Dive Center and PADI® Five Star Dive Center Florida Keys Dive Center, Scuba Town in the Florida Keys believes conservation is self-preservation. Making every one of their dives a survey dive, they are always monitoring, removing and reporting marine debris. Revisiting the same sites regularly and reporting meaningful data on the status and health of the local reefs, Scuba Town has submitted more than 100 Dive Against Debris® surveys since 2022. “Ocean conservation is a massive undertaking, and it’s not something that one person can do on their own,” says PADI® Master Instructor Nate Sterns. “Thankfully, we are in a position to educate, train, and help others spread the word and importance so that as a team we can make a difference!” Additionally, Scuba Town opens itself to all other marine-conservation actions such as participating in the I.CARE Trash Derby, running cleanup dives and coral monitoring trips with local schools, and being one of the operators helping the progress of Florida Mission Iconic Reefs.
AquaMarine Diving – Bali
PADI® Five Star Dive Resort AquaMarine Diving – Bali in Indonesia has a strong focus on exposing marine issues. For over two decades, AquaMarine Diving – Bali has monitored the decline in biodiversity of Bali’s waters and recorded marine-debris removal. Since 2018, efforts under its Blue Project have removed 7,966 pieces of debris totaling 580 kilograms/1,280 pounds. AquaMarine Diving – Bali’s goal is to improve the quality of dive sites by maintaining biodiversity to reduce critical marine-ecosystem degradation. In late 2023, AquaMarine Diving – Bali found an enormous ghost fishing net at one of Bali’s best muck sites; the removal took the dive team several months. The existence of ghost fishing nets like this one, and many others, serve as a warning to all people that most threats to the ocean originate from human activities.
Want to Make a Difference?
It takes all of us working together as a unified community of Ocean Torchbearers ™ to drive meaningful change. Here are just a few ways you can help rid the ocean of marine debris:
- Support the PADI AWARE® policy team and sign the petition calling for a strong Global Plastics Treaty that tackles the marine debris crisis – and encourage others to do the same.
- Take the Dive Against Debris Specialty Course or other PADI AWARE® conservation courses to learn more about key threats facing the marine environment and how you can positively impact ocean health.
- Dive Against Debris® to keep your favorite dive site free of debris and contribute to the largest global underwater database in the world.
- Join a Dive Against Debris® event or other conservation activity near you. Connect with your local PADI Dive Center or Resort or visit the PADI Conservation Activity Locator to see what’s happening in your community.
- Donate to support PADI AWARE Foundation’s critical ocean conservation programs.
