It’s no secret. Scuba divers are some of the world’s most passionate ocean advocates. With our unique underwater access and dive skills, we’re a powerful movement – one that seeks out action and mobilizes for change.

Just one week ago, Project AWARE launched a new initiative to help spark and further grow this change. Adopt A Dive Site™ encourages dive professionals, centers and resorts in the local monitoring and protection of our underwater playgrounds against trash.

Since launch, we’ve welcomed over 100 dedicated Adopt A Dive Site locations across the globe and it’s growing every day. These dedicated ambassadors and ocean stewards have made a commitment. They realize the critical importance of repeated monitoring and marine debris data collection through Dive Against Debris™. And they understand that in order to make a clear and convincing argument for change, we need to build evidence.

Minni Vangsgaard, Crystal Divers, Bali spoke about Adopt A Dive Site, “As a dive center owner, I’m an ambassador for the ocean. Here, at Crystal Divers, we have a long and committed history of ocean protection. It’s embedded into our business and the way we teach all our scuba courses. Adopting our local dive site is a natural and perfect fit for us.”

Adds Robin Bylund, PADI Master Instructor at Crystal, “I’m excited to lead Adopt A Dive Site at Crystal Divers, Bali. We’re adopting Manta Point  - a cleaning station for manta rays. By conducting regular Dive Against Debris surveys, we’ll play a key role in protecting our local manta population.”

In April, we also witnessed incredible actions and efforts from our broader community at large. Through our #MyDiveSite photo contest you shared inspiring underwater imagery direct from your local dive site – over 680 images were shared! And you told us why it’s so important to protect our favorite dive locales. Congratulations to our winners [above from left to right], Christine Albanese, Sinan Şenat and Helene Fjeldstad.

Every diver has a story. My story and love affair with the ocean started 14 years ago. From that very first breath, a window opened and I instantly fell in love. I was mesmerized.

Since that day, I’ve dedicated a large part of my life to fighting for our ocean. And I am certainly not alone. This Earth Day we once again witnessed the incredible passion and power of our global dive community. from a mass Dive Against Debris island wide action on Koh Tao, Thailand to 12 dive professionals from Rainbow Reef Dive Center, Florida all pledging to adopt different dive sites they frequent, a new wave of ocean stewardship has begun. 

Want to protect your local dive site? JoinAdopt A Dive Sitetoday and protect the places you love.