PADI® and their international non-profit the AWARE Basis are thanking the worldwide group of Ocean Torchbearers for his or her function in serving to to create optimistic ocean change this 12 months.
“The PADI Ocean Torchbearer group is a rising international motion of divers, PADI Professionals, conservation allies, and ocean advocates who’re devoted to defending the locations they love,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Model and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “We commend this passionate community of ocean champions which have helped us make vital strides in 2024 towards a more healthy, extra resilient ocean.”
Over USD $700K Given to Empower Grassroots Motion
PADI AWARE Group Grantees have been given monetary assist to make a tangible impression on ocean well being, from large-scale marine particles elimination efforts to revolutionary packages that monitor coral well being and create marine protected areas. Going into 2025 PADI will assist the subsequent spherical of grantees via this donation-based program with plans to surpass 2024 giving ranges and grant over USD $1M by the top of subsequent 12 months.
Coral Surveys Assist Kind Future Conservation Methods
PADI collaborated with NOAA to spearhead essential coral bleaching survey initiatives in each the Caribbean and Asia Pacific amid the fourth international coral bleaching occasion. By PADI’s Undertake the Blue™ program, PADI Members helped monitor coral bleaching and contribute to scientific analysis in areas at excessive threat of coral loss, and the findings will inform future conservation methods.
Dive Towards Particles Proposed as a Answer for World Plastics Treaty Discussions
PADI continues to signify the scuba diving group at each step of the World Plastic Treaty improvement, which goals to cut back marine plastic air pollution. Greater than 10,000 Ocean Torchbearers have signed PADI’s international petition to assist negotiations for a robust World Plastics Treaty and the proposed inclusion of Dive Towards Particles – which is the world’s largest underwater marine particles database
Endangered Marine Species Are Gaining Vital Safety
In a serious victory for marine life, the Maldivian authorities determined to not resume longline fishing, which poses a major menace to sharks and rays. This victory was influenced by PADI and PADI AWARE Basis® on behalf of the worldwide dive group advocating for sustainable fisheries.
PADI can also be getting ready to launch the World Shark and Ray Census at the beginning of 2025, which is designed for Ocean Torchbearers to submit information on shark and ray populations to assist get them the legislative safety they deserve.
Marine Protected Space (MPA) Technique Launched in Barbados
PADI and Barbados are working collectively to assist defend as much as 30 p.c of its marine ecosystems. To assist assist this technique, PADI labored with native communities to determine future ocean guardians and assist prepare the subsequent era of divers, educating over 300 youngsters to swim and adopting 37 websites to trace ocean well being.
The Ocean is Turning into Extra Inclusive and Accessible
The tenth Annual PADI Ladies’s Dive Day in July 2024 celebrated feminine divers and their contributions to creating optimistic ocean change. Because the launch of PADI Ladies’s Dive Day a decade in the past, the gender hole in diving has been diminished by practically 5 p.c, with girls now accounting for roughly 40 p.c of all recreational-level certifications worldwide.
PADI additionally launched the first-ever PADI Adaptive Diving Week earlier this month to have a good time the tales of divers who’ve overcome challenges to discover the ocean and the devoted dive professionals who’re empowering them to take action.
2024 Sea Hero of the 12 months Creates Plan for Defending Colombia’s Marine Sanctuaries
The 2024 Sea Hero of the 12 months® Erika Lopez is working with the Colombian authorities to make a administration plan that enhances the safety of the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, particularly addressing the unlawful fishing that’s happening throughout the sanctuary.
Ms. Lopez joins an elite group of Sea Heroes, the place she was honored throughout a particular ceremony on the DEMA Present in Las Vegas. Sponsored by Seiko, the award honors people who’ve made distinctive contributions to ocean conservation and supplies USD $5,000 reward to additional their initiatives.
“On behalf of Seiko, we thank Erika Lopez for her excellent dedication to defending susceptible marine habitats,” says Robert Brennan, President of Seiko Watch of America. “We congratulate Erika for receiving this nice honor and applaud her dedication to ocean conservation. We want her success in persevering with her necessary work.”
Using the Wave into 2025
“2024 has been a 12 months of unbelievable progress in our shared mission to realize stability between humanity and the ocean,” says Valette Wirth. “Collectively, our collective motion will proceed to drive change for the place all of us love a lot.
