I recently had the privilege of attending the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, an energizing five-day event co-hosted by France and Costa Rica that brought together over 15,000 participants and more than 60 heads of state and government. It was an incredible convergence of global leaders, policymakers, scientists, and ocean advocates working to accelerate action on marine protected areas, ocean finance, high seas regulation, and pollution reduction.
PADI and the PADI AWARE Foundation® were the only organizational representatives from the dive industry in attendance, a fact both humbling and illuminating. While some of our PADI AmbassaDivers and PADI Pros also joined the conversation, our presence as an organization was invaluable in highlighting what is currently missing: a formal recognition of the dive sector as a powerful stakeholder in ocean conservation.
A newly published study in Cell Reports Sustainability underscores why this recognition is long overdue. The global scuba diving industry contributes between $8.5 billion and $20.4 billion to the global economy each year and supports up to 124,000 jobs across 170 countries. Beyond these economic benefits, the report also highlights the sector’s unique role in advancing marine conservation through tourism-driven environmental stewardship. This further validates what we at PADI have long known: divers are not just passionate about the ocean—they are vital to its protection.
Again and again in the side events I attended, focused on coral monitoring, habitat restoration, and underwater survey work, I heard compelling plans and ambitious targets. But one thing was missing: a workforce strategy. There was little mention of who would actually be doing the diving, collecting the data, or supporting implementation on the ground. And yet, our global community of trained divers and dive operators is already doing just that.
At PADI, we believe that divers and dive professionals are a critical yet underutilized force in ocean protection. Through programs like Adopt the Blue™, Dive Against Debris®, the upcoming Global Shark & Ray Census, and global advocacy efforts, including our recent petition to protect sharks and rays at CITES, we’ve demonstrated that the dive community is not only ready but already contributing to meaningful marine conservation outcomes.
With the launch of the Conservation Action Portal (CAP), we’re making it easier than ever for divers and dive businesses to take impactful action, from logging underwater survey data to engaging in restoration efforts or influencing policy. These tools weren’t created overnight. They’re the result of years of foundational work, built-in collaboration with our global academic, scientific, and conservation partners, and they’re ready to scale.
Our attendance at UNOC3 confirmed what we’ve long known: the dive industry holds untapped power to support global ocean goals. Over the next three years, we’ll be working toward a more prominent role at UNOC4 – not just participating in the conversation but helping lead it. And we have this window of time to amplify our voice and solidify our place on the global stage.
The dive community is not just a witness to ocean change – we are an active, capable, and passionate force driving its protection. I don’t see a future where PADI, the PADI AWARE Foundation, and our global network of dive centers and professionals aren’t at the forefront of ocean conservation.
But to fully realize this vision, we need continued momentum. We need more divers taking action with their dive centers; collecting critical data, participating in conservation activities, and advocating for local marine protection. We need more dive operators to Adopt the Blue, lead community citizen science efforts, and engage with policymakers. And we need more support for the PADI AWARE Foundation, from monthly donors to corporate partners, to accelerate conservation programs and scale impact.
Most of all, we all need to believe that together, we can create a healthier, more resilient ocean. The opportunity is now. And we are ready to rise.
By Katie Thompson, Senior Director of Environment & Sustainability, PADI
