What is Adopt a Dive Site®?
Adopt a Dive Site® urges scuba diving leaders around the globe – including dive instructors, dive centers and resorts – to engage in ongoing, local protection and monitoring of our underwater playgrounds.
Scuba divers are passionate ocean advocates and often dive the same site regularly. Adopt a Dive Site gives divers a way to take ownership of their local dive site and be part of the solution to achieving a clean and healthy ocean.
What issue is it tackling?
Seated within PADI AWARE Foundation flagship citizen-science program, Dive Against Debris®, Adopt a Dive Site is tailored to our most dedicated dive leaders: participants commit to carrying out monthly Dive Against Debris surveys, reporting types and quantities of marine debris found underwater each month from the same location.
Why is it important?
The data can be used to help inform necessary prevention measures and help to educate the community as to where individuals can reduce their waste footprint – Adopt a Dive Site™ encourages monthly removal and recording of marine debris. Debris-free sites are also reported. The data can then support local and global change.
What has ADS achieved so far?
- 39.5% of all Dive Against Debris surveys are part of the Adopt a Dive Site initiative
- 448 active dive sites in 88 countries
- The inception of Adopt A Dive Site bought a 135% increase in Dive Against Debris submissions
Watch this space. Adopt a Dive Site is undergoing some exciting new changes in the way we are asking divers to take ownership of their local underwater environments…
